asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why he considers the collection of a further premium necessary for war risks insurance before there have been considerable claims on the fund;

(2) whether he is aware that when war risks insurance premiums were first instituted they caused a large increase in prices; and as the collection of further premiums will tend to maintain that increase, will he reconsider the question?

Before deciding to fix a premium, but at a much reduced rate, for the new insurance period beginning 3rd December, I gave full consideration to the alternative course of granting a further period of cover without premium. That course was rejected in view of the uncertainty in regard to the obligations of traders and the inequalities which it would have created, and the volume of work which its application would have involved for the Board's agents who are operating the scheme. The increase of price which can be justified for any commodity by reference to the cost of insurance depends on the frequency of turnover of stocks and the varying cost of insurance as determined from time to time. The new rate of premium covers the period up to 2nd March, 1940, and will enable traders more precisely to determine their obligations in this matter. The reduction should accordingly be reflected in a corresponding modification of the prices of the various commodities. I would add that the Prices of Goods Act will provide a safeguard against any abuse in respect of goods to which the Act is applied.

Does the Minister consider that this problem can be termed one of insurance; and should not the Government take more interest in plant and buildings in addition to commodities?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is a tax or whether it is insurance?

Can my right hon. Friend say the amount already received in premiums, or whether there has been any increase?

I answered a question on that matter last week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his decision to exclude nonferrous metals from the compulsory insurance scheme?

No, Sir. The commodities in question were excluded from insurance under Part II of the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939, after consultation with the trade associations affected and after full consideration of all the circumstances.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of the largest holders of non-ferrous metals are anxious to insure their goods under the Government scheme and cannot understand why they are excluded when holders of similar commodities are included?

All I know is that associations representing these people not only asked for what was actually done for them, but they wanted us to go considerably further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government are taking any special steps to satisfy, by British exports, those export markets from which Germany has now been cut off?

I have already emphasised the importance attached by His Majesty's Government to the promotion of the export trade by the United Kingdom, and the difficulty which Germany may now be expected to experience in maintaining trade with overseas markets is an element in the general problem of which full account is being taken.

Have the Government formulated any plans or taken the initiative in the matter, or is the whole question to be left to the private traders?

No, Sir; it is almost impossible to discuss these matters in a general sense, as it depends so entirely upon the market. In some cases the withdrawal of German exports in a market where we are already competing merely will mean that we are hoping for more inquiries for the kind of goods we are already sending. In other markets where we have been less able to compete, special measures may be taken.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the whole question of barter trade with these various neutral countries is under the consideration of His Majesty's Government?

That, again, does not lend itself entirely to generalities. There are some countries clearly where barter trade is inapplicable, and there are other countries where some form of barter trade, probably, is the only means of trading, and there the matter is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to maintaining the prestige of British manufacturers in overseas markets and the further development of export trade, he will promote a broadcast advocating the continuance of advertising in wartime as a national asset in securing increased revenue from overseas for British manufactured goods?

The importance which His Majesty's Government attach to the promotion of this country's export trade in present circumstances has been repeatedly emphasised, and I am sure that British exporters are fully alive to the necessity of retaining and attracting customers by every possible means, including advertising.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that a great export trade is vitally necessary for this country, and does not he further realise the importance of replacing German export goods with goods from this country wherever possible?

Yes, Sir. I have just answered a question on that point.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman seen the recent ruling of the Board of Inland Revenue that they are prepared to consider allowances of taxation in this connection?

That is quite a different point from that about which the hon. Gentleman was asking, and if he has any question to ask with regard to taxation he should ask it of the appropriate Minister.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the present demand for tin in the United States of America equals the maximum possible unrestricted production of British Malaya; and whether, as under the international tin control agreement any signatory may apply for permission to increase production beyond the agreed quota, he will explain why this application has not been made, in view of the urgent representations of the consumers in the United States of America that this course should be followed;

(2) whether he is aware that by far the largest quantity of tin, the production and price of which is compulsorily restricted in the British Empire, is sold to and used by neutral countries, especially the United States of America; and whether, with a view to benefiting the British tin industry and the dollar exchange position, he will consider removing restriction on production and decontrolling the price, so that it would assume its normal level?

I have been asked to reply. The body responsible for the regulation of the supply of tin is the International Tin Committee. I am satisfied that they are doing what is necessary to meet the real requirements of the market, and that it would not be in the interests of the Colonial Dependencies concerned with the production of tin to take the action advocated by the hon. Member. No request for such action has been made by the Malayan or Nigerian Governments. The question of price control has been, and is, under constant consideration by His Majesty's Government.

Does the Minister consider that it is an advantage to the taxpayers of this country and of industry, and the industry of the British Empire, that tin should be sold at £230 a ton fixed from Malaya while metal bought by foreign intermediaries is sold in the United States at something over £350 a ton?

That matter is under constant consideration. It was never intended that the fixing of prices should necessarily be permanent.

Do the Government propose to do anything about it?

If we proposed to do anything about it, it would obviously be foolish to announce beforehand what we were going to do.

Do you propose to do anything?

Does not the whole thing seem very strange?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Dutch were consulted before the maximum price limit for tin was fixed for all tin smelted in the United Kingdom and Malaya; and what was the nature of their reply?

The Dutch representatives on the International Tin Committee were kept informed on this matter.

asked the Minister of Shipping what steps he proposes to take to maintain the hours of work in open-air shipyards during black-out hours?

This question is under urgent examination with particular reference to local conditions in each case.

May we take it that active steps are being taken by the Minister to prevent production falling under the difficulties of the black-out?

Yes, Sir. We realise the urgency of this matter.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether there is still no boat-drill for passengers on the Liverpool-Belfast steamers, and no information given to them as to where they should assemble in an emergency; and whether he will arrange for a compulsory muster in lifebelts at boat stations immediately after these and all other passenger steamers leave British ports?

As I stated in answer to my hon. Friend's question on 21st November notices are displayed in every cabin informing passengers where they should assemble in emergency. The company have made special arrangements to see that each passenger knows where his lifebelt is, how to put it on and where to assemble. I think that every reasonable step is now being taken, and I am sending my hon. Friend full information as to the emergency arrangements on these vessels and the general requirements for all passenger ships leaving British ports.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether arrangements will be made to furnish the members of the Mercantile Marine with a badge to denote that they are in the Merchant Navy, particularly as there is no prescribed uniform for seafarers other than officers?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to say that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the issue of a badge for the Mercantile Marine. Arrangements are being made for the distribution of this badge to officers and men in the Merchant Navy to begin on 1st January next.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, which will be received with general satisfaction, may I ask whether the same privilege will be extended to fishermen on trawlers and drifters who are also facing full war-time dangers?

Yes, Sir. Badges will be issued to deep-sea fishermen, with the representatives of whom we are in consultation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the best conditions accompany the issue of badges?

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is now requisitioning British tonnage for the conveyance of essential Government imports into this country?

Yes, Sir. With a view to ensuring a regular importation of cereals by the North Atlantic route, I am now requisitioning British ships for the conveyance on this route of full cargoes bought by the Ministry of Food. I shall consider the extension of requisitioning for the conveyance of other essential Government cargoes as circumstances may render this course desirable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything at this stage about the financial arrangements?

No, Sir, not at this stage.

Will the Minister see that there is economic use of requisitioned ships, because some ships requisitioned since August have done only one week's sailing?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not now consider that the deleterious effect of the work of the National Shipbuilding Securities, Ltd., has left this country in such a position that there is not really sufficient shipping to requisition for this important work?

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware of the serious complaints of neutral shipowners as to the unreasonable detention of their vessels at contraband stations, in some cases for a period of 22 days from arrival until release; and what steps are being taken to rectify this serious situation?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that complaints have been made as to the detention of vessels at contraband control bases. The matter has received my constant attention, and the authorities concerned are fully alive to the importance of avoiding any unnecessary delay. Lengthy detention of ships has occurred principally where vessels with large mixed cargoes have arrived in British waters without advance copies of their manifests having been furnished, and containing many important consignments as to the ultimate destination of which proper inquiries were essential. The recent introduction of the Navicert system will enable the necessary inquiries to be made before consignments are shipped from certain overseas exporting countries, and when the advantages of this system have been fully appreciated by exporters and shipowners, the delays caused to shipping by our contraband control should be reduced to a minimum.

Would not neutral shipowners prefer to wait rather than have their ships sunk at sight?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the difficulty of soldiers and soldiers' wives obtaining form M.S.A.C. 10 or 21, he will take steps to have such forms available at the local headquarters of organisations catering for the interests of the men in the armed forces of the Crown?

I have been asked to reply. There is not now, I understand, any real difficulty in obtaining the forms referred to. Soldiers serving at home can obtain them through the regimental paymaster, and wives of soldiers serving overseas can obtain them on making application by postcard to the nearest office of the Unemployment Assistance Board. I am considering the desirability of making these forms available at other convenient centres.

In view of the fact that officers are still informing soldiers that they have no knowledge of this regulation and that there are women in this country whose husbands have been in the Army since August who have not yet had their first military payment, does not the Minister think that it is a reflection on the organisation and a bloody disgrace to the whole Government?

Order!

rose—

I want an answer. In my constituency I know of women with eight and nine children who have had no payment yet from the Government. I want justice for these women, these wives of our soldiers. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] You cannot say "Order" to hungry women and children. This week-end, in my constituency, I have seen women who have had to go to the pawn shop to pawn their things in order to get food for their children, and their husbands have been in the Army since the beginning of September. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] I do not care a damn about Order.

The hon. Member will immediately apologise to the House or I shall have to name him.

In the name of these hungry people I cannot give any apology to anybody in this House or in this country.

I shall have to order the hon. Member to leave the House.

On behalf of these people I leave the House because to me the needs of these people are greater than the prestige of this House.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the last war an extra rent allowance, of 3s. 6d. was automatically paid to all soldiers' families resident in towns; and whether he will consider making the same arrangement, and also a sliding-scale special rent allowance on proof of rent paid?

During the last war, an addition of sixpence a day was made to the separation allowance of families who were residing in the London postal area and not occupying public quarters. The additional allowance was not given elsewhere. The minimum rate of separation allowance was then 9s. a week. In this war, the lowest rate of family allowance is 17s. a week. Provision has already been made whereby claims arising out of such special circumstances as high rent may be met by the grant of special financial assistance. Nevertheless, it is proposed to pay an extra sixpence a day to soldiers' wives in the London postal area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of appointing local appeal committees to deal with the claims and needs of wives and mothers of men on war service in respect of allowances, assessments, and similar matters; whether he will establish a right of appeal by mothers and wives to commanding officers respecting financial hardship; and whether, in view of the practice in the last war, he is considering the possibility of paying to the mothers of soldiers the net sum which the unmarried soldier contributed to the upkeep of the home or, alternatively, the payment of a definite allowance to which unmarried soldiers should be entitled for this purpose?

The admissibility or otherwise of a claim to family or dependants' allowance payable under the regulations is a question of fact and, therefore, not a matter for appeal on general grounds. Application for special allowances outside the regulations to meet hardship caused by a soldier being called up for service are now dealt with by the Ministry of Pensions, on the advice of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee. I understand that a sub-office of the committee has been established in the North of England to deal with such claims as an experimental measure. Mothers and wives are always at liberty to seek the advice of commanding officers with regard to any financial hardship from which they are suffering as a result of their sons' or husbands' service. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Clackmannan and Eastern (Mr. Woodburn) on Tuesday, 21st November.

May we take it that any request or communication from a wife or mother to a commanding officer will receive the same consideration as if it came from the soldier himself?

Yes, Sir, it is our desire that that should be so, and I hope it is the universal practice.

At the special tribunal for dealing with hardship cases will the wife or other dependants have some assistance, legal or otherwise, in submitting their case?

That is a question which should be addressed to the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Nuttall, of Burnley, an invalid and widow, who has all five sons in the fighting forces, has been advised by an Army inquiry agent not to pay clubs and other weekly payments in order to relieve her poverty, and that these payments, with rent and medical charges, leave only 1s. 3d. per week for food, in spite of the fact that her youngest son, now in France, sends 14s. per week to augment her widow's pension, her only other source of income; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into this case?

I have no information as to the advice stated to have been given to Mrs. Nuttall, but, if the facts are as stated in the hon. Member's question, an application should be made to the Ministry of Pensions for a special allowance which would be considered by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee.

Is it on the instructions of his Department or against the instructions of his Department that the Army assessors are giving advice of this character? Do I understand that it is the policy of the Army authorities to leave it to local tradesmen to bear the financial responsibilities which his Department should bear?

I do not quite understand what the hon. Member means.

Is it not obvious that if she is advised not to pay her debts local tradesmen will have to bear the expense which should be borne by the Department?

I have said that I have no information of this advice having been given.

Is the right lion. Gentleman aware that this younger son joined the Territorials at 16 and was called up in August last and that he was contributing to his mother £2 per week, and that because his contribution is now only 14s., being the maximum allowed, and is as much as he can afford, the Army will not allow his mother any more money? Is it not possible for cases of that description to be dealt with more speedily and in a much more generous way?

I hope that the hon. Member does not wish to put me in the position of being unsympathetic towards this lady. I have told him that if she will make an application to the proper committee her application can be dealt with. As far as I can make out she has not yet made an application.

She has made an application.

Not to this committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that No. 7007836 Regimental Sergeant-Major H. J. Hynds has received no allowance for his family owing to the fact that his wife is a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and that this warrant officer is worse off because his wife is serving than if she were not doing anything; and will he rectify this unsatisfactory state of affairs?

I will inquire into the statement made, but, under existing instructions, the fact that a soldier's wife is a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service does not affect his eligibility for family allowance.

In view of that, can my right hon. Friend give me an answer to a similar case that I put to him a month ago?

The answer necessarily is not the same as that given to this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the Honourable Artillery Company the clothing and equipment of volunteers and of Militia is now in all respects the same?

The scale of clothing is the same for all personnel, but some men may not yet have received a service greatcoat or a second pair of boots and the majority will not have been issued with a second suit of uniform. The issue of service greatcoats is now being completed. The second pair of boots and second suit of uniform are being issued as quickly as supplies permit.

Does my right hon. Friend think it wise that militiamen should get a complete outfit on joining and that some of these Territorials, who have been serving for one or two years, are still without a complete outfit? Might not all of them he put on the same scale?

I will look into that matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that every man now has a greatcoat?

I am not sure. I said that the issue is now being completed. There are enough greatcoats now; but I would not like to say that every man has had one.

Is it not a serious state of affairs that at this time of the year all the men in the Forces have not a greatcoat?

Every man should have a greatcoat—I was speaking of Service greatcoats—and every provision is being made to that end.

How is it that militiamen get a complete outfit on joining, while these Territorials who have served two or three years are passed over?

I have said that I will look into that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that much hardship is caused to reservists who receive notices to report to their depots on stated dates, and, in consequence, arrange to vacate their houses and make alternative arrangements for their families, and then receive a further notice postponing their service for a month; and will he take steps to remedy this grievance?

Under arrangements made before the war, a number of Army reservists who were doing important work in civil life had their recall to the Colours deferred for a period in order to give time for substitutes to be trained to replace them. It has happened in some cases that employers, after the reservist has been summoned to report, have pressed, through the appropriate Government Department, for a further extension, and, where the War Office has met this request, the circumstances described in the question may have arisen.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that it is only in the circumstances he has described that the War Office is in any way responsible?

Certainly. That is the intention of my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that bottled English beer can only be supplied to other ranks in France by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes at the price of 7d. for a reputed pint, he will see whether it is possible to make arrangements with French brewers for a suitable grade of British beer to be brewed locally, and so reduce the cost of transport and distribution, and the price to members of the British Expeditionary Force?

Arrangements are already being made with French brewers to produce a draught beer of British character, which it is thought will be to the taste of the troops, and which can be sold at the equivalent of not more than 5d. a pint.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any set principles upon which decorations are awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks for gallantry in the field; whether there are any decorations other than the Victoria Cross which are awarded exclusively for gallantry under fire; what decorations carry gratuities or additions to pensions; and what is the distinction drawn in principle between deeds which are rewarded with a Distinguished Conduct Medal, which carries a gratuity and an increase in pension, and the Military Medal, which appears to carry no such financial perquisites?

The Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal are awarded to non-commissioned officers and men exclusively for gallantry under fire. The Victoria Cross carries a special pension, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal carries either a gratuity or an addition to pension. The distinction between the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal lies in this, that the Distinguished Conduct Medal is defined as being for distinguished conduct in action in the Field, and the Military Medal as being for an act of bravery in the Field.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any set Principles upon which these decorations are awarded as between unit and unit, and is there any department or authority in the war Office that can lay down regulations to that effect?

I have defined the various purposes for which these awards are given. I do not think I can define them with much greater precision.

May I endeavour to get an answer to my question?

The right hon. Gentleman has given an answer.

On a point of Order. The Minister has not answered the question which I have on the Order Paper. If we are to be foiled just when we are getting to the question that we desire elucidated, it is much better not to put questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that fresh liquid milk is cheaper and more nourishing than condensed milk; and whether, since the farmer receives about 6d. per gallon less for milk sold for manufacturing into condensed milk than for milk sold as liquid, and necessary war and imported materials are used in packing condensed milk, he will take steps to arrange that fresh liquid milk shall be supplied to the troops wherever circumstances permit?

The value of fresh milk is fully realised and messing officers have been constantly advised to buy it whenever possible. A further circular was issued on this point last month.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Regular Army reservists called up in September last have not yet received that portion of the quarterly pay due to them at the end of August; whether he is aware that this has added to domestic financial difficulties; and when that outstanding pre-war reservist pay is likely to be paid?

I am informed that balances of reserve pay and bounty were credited to the pay accounts of all reservists as soon as their joining on mobilisation was notified.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are some cases where that has not been done, and will he consider any cases that I may send to him?

Yes, Sir. Obviously, I was not aware of that or I should not have given the answer. If the hon. Member has any particulars of reservists and he will let me have them, I will see that they receive what is due to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers of field rank and upwards, employed in the missions attached to the French Army or as liaison officers, have passed the interpretership examination in French?

Fluency in French is not the only qualification needed for these appointments, but the selection of officers of field rank and upwards has, as far as possible, been confined to those who have either passed the interpretership examination or been tested by French national examiners. I am informed that the liaison is excellent.

That does not answer my question. I asked how many field officers have passed this examination?

I think the hon. and gallant Member will see that I have answered the question on the Order Paper. The question he intended to ask is not the one on the Order Paper.

Has the head of the mission attached to the French Commander-in-Chief passed the examination?

The Major-General attached to the French Commander-in-Chief is well known as a most fluent French scholar, and is giving the highest satisfaction to the Commander-in-Chief and to ourselves.

How does the right hon. Gentleman know that he is a fluent French scholar if he has not passed the examination?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that recently a private soldier was barred from entrance to a restaurant because a number of officers were dining there; and whether there is a general War Office instruction to hotel-keepers on this subject?

The answer to both parts of the question is "No, Sir." There is no objection whatever from a military point of view.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he realises the disappointment of candidates who were at school working for the November Army entrance examination, which has now been cancelled; and whether, in view of the fact that these candidates were desirous of making the Army a permanent career, any arrangements can be made to cover the period between the time when they leave school and the time when they will be called up for military training?

Yes, Sir, I am impressed by the natural disappointment which must be felt by those who were desirous of making the Army a career by entering one of the military colleges at the beginning of next year had the November examination not been cancelled. It is proposed, therefore, that those who can produce evidence that they were going to sit for the Army entrance examination in November should, if they wish, be permitted to enlist at the age of 19, or as soon as possible thereafter, instead of having to wait until they reach the normal minimum age of 20. They will be posted to other rank training units, and, after a period, if they are recommended, they will be sent to officer cadet training units with a view to appointment to emergency commissions. After the war, those who are so appointed will be eligible, in common with other holders of emergency commissions, for consideration for appointment to permanent regular commissions. Particulars of the scheme will shortly be circulated to headmasters and to parents or guardians concerned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman also taken into consideration the case of undergraduates?

Undergraduates have had an opportunity of registering with the reception units, but, in any event They are older and the same argument does not apply to them as to these younger men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will waive the rule that men discovered to be under 19 years of age in the British Expeditionary Force are to be sent home in cases where both the men themselves and the parents desire it?

Yes, Sir, but it must be understood that the decision of the men and of their parents in such cases is final.

May I say what great satisfaction the reply of the right hon. Gentleman will give to these young men?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that men serving in His Majesty's Forces when given leave shall be granted free travelling passes, and especially when going on Christmas leave; and whether he will make an announcement well in advance of the Christmas period and thus relieve the men and their families of the fear that the men will not be able to travel home because they cannot pay the fares for long distances?

As I have already announced, free warrants will be given for travelling on leave twice a year, including embarkation leave. This concession will be available for those who are given leave at Christmas.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to cause this announcement to be published in battalion and other unit orders, as a large number of non-commissioned officers and men are quite unaware that this concession has been announced and are still writing to hon. Members about it by every post?

I hope that this additional publicity will be all that is required. My experience is that when a right is conferred it generally becomes known.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not recognise that many of these men do not receive or read newspapers. Surely an announcement in battalion orders might be made?

If that ignorance of the order does exist, I will take what steps I can to deal with the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also say what period of service must be put in before a soldier becomes entitled to the concession?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the concession he has already announced does not cover the many hard cases that I have put before him, and is he further aware that in many cases men did get more than one leave, excluding embarkation leave, and that some of them have been sent as far as from London to Scotland and from Scotland to London, and cannot afford the big railway fare?

The concession was received with great pleasure by the House and the Army when I made it. There are two free leaves to any part of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether posting officers have instructions to accede, where possible, to the wish of recruits for appointment to the same unit on the ground of family relationship, friendship or local association; and what complaints he has received that this wish has been disregarded?

When men are interviewed, claims to a particular regiment or corps are recorded by the interviewing officers. Where possible, men are posted in accordance with such claims, but posting is necessarily governed by the quotas in various corps allotted to the particular Allocation Centre. In some cases, men have asked that their posting should be changed to allow them to serve in a corps with which they have connections, and, where possible, such applications have been granted. As, however, men have to be distributed according to various grades of qualifications and to the requirements of various arms of the Service, this is not always possible.

Is not the Minister aware that officers give very little consideration to this when relatives go to join up, and that they treat them very crudely?

I should he sorry to believe that, but if the hon. Member has any instances of persons being treated crudely and will let me know, I will take the necessary steps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any of the 6,000 cavalry and artillery horses just purchased by the Allied purchasing agents in the United States of America have been bought for British account?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of persons employed on Post Office censorship of letters and telephones at Inverness; what qualifications are necessary for these appointments; how many of the appointments were made through the local Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange; by whom the appointments were made; and on what grounds the ex-brigadier-general on the staff has also secured the appointment of his wife, son, and daughter?

About 100 persons are employed in the censorship at Inverness. The qualifications needed are integrity, intelligence and a good standard of education. It is clearly not desirable to employ local personnel for inland censorship, and the appointments were made by the War Office without reference, except in a few cases, to the local Employment Exchange. Some local personnel are employed to make up the necessary numbers, but these are being gradually replaced. The selection of the personnel referred to by the hon. Member was made on the basis of the qualifications have mentioned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these apopintments are looked upon in the district as being cases of gross nepotism and favouritism, and can he say that in a number of cases the clerical and other people who were put forward by the Employment Exchanges were not more qualified than those who were appointed to the posts?

I did not say that. I said that where there is an inland censorship it is not advisable to have local personnel, for obvious reasons. This censorship had to be established with great urgency for particular reasons of national safety. It was not easy to get people to go to Inverness immediately. They had to be displaced. That is how these appointments were made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the ex-brigadier-general, his wife, son, and daughter are still on the staff?

I have no reason to suppose they have left the county.

Are there any more children in the family?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of the Royal Engineers on duty at Liverpool docks are accommodated under very bad conditions in sheds; and will he look into the matter with a view to improving these conditions?

I am informed that these men are not accommodated in sheds, but in Army huts of the recognised standard.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these lads wrote to me from the mining district of Fife, and that they would not have written unless the objections were serious?

They may have relied upon the hon. Gentleman's credulity.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applicants for commissions in the Northern Command are serving as officers who have not yet been gazetted; and by what date will all outstanding applications be dealt with?

As I informed the hon. Lady on Tuesday, 14th November, it would need considerable research to ascertain at any given time the number of cases in which candidates have joined for duty and have not yet been gazetted.

May I have an answer to the second part of my question? Can the Northern Command not inform him how many officers have not yet been gazetted?

The hon. Lady is dealing with dynamics and not with statics. The position is changing daily.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that adequate and fully-equipped hospital accommodation for the Forces is available in the Northern Command?

Yes, Sir, I am so informed by the medical authorities.

May I have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that when a man is sent home on sick leave from hospital, his pay and allowance will follow him to his home as I gather there is dissatisfaction because men have been sent home in this way and their pay and allowances have not followed?

The hon. Lady asked me a question about accommodation, which I have answered. Perhaps she will make allowances if I do not answer her second question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men, giving their civilian vocation as that of agricultural workers, are at present serving in the Army; how many applications have been received for the release of such men on the grounds of the greater need for their services on the land; how many such applications have been granted; what is the total number of agricultural workers likely to be released within the next two months; and, in view of the serious shortage of labour on farms and the need of greatly increased home food supplies, what is his policy in this matter?

The figure asked for in the first part of the question is not available. Applications for the release of agricultural workers are referred to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland before they are considered by the War Office, and, up to date, 149 indefinite and 360 temporary releases have been granted, representing nearly all the cases passed to the War Office. I cannot give an estimate for the next two months. Recognition of the importance of agriculture is shown by the reservation of most agricultural workers in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations at the low age of 21, and by the fact that working parties of soldiers have been provided for harvest work since the beginning of the war, and that this arrangement is to continue until the end of December.

While recognising the generosity of that statement, does not my right hon. Friend recall that there are at present thousands of agricultural worker who joined up as Territorials and whose services are urgently needed on the land to-day? Cannot he give some assurance that he is well aware of the urgency of this matter?

As they are reserved at the age of 21, I do not see how the entry of agricultural labourers into the Army in such numbers as my hon. Friend suggests can be the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to say when the wet canteen, established by the military authorities in the Baptist Sunday school premises at Milnsbridge, will be removed?

This canteen was closed on Friday last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that was the day after I put down the question?

That shows how readily I respond to suggestions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a general instruction that this should not be done anywhere else?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that serious dissatisfaction has been caused among British troops in France by the refusal to grant home leave until after six months' service or before 3rd April. 1940, and that many men had no embarkation leave; and whether he will reconsider the matter and make clear the rules affecting leave?

The hon. Member seems to be under a misapprehension. The Commander-in-Chief wishes to ensure that, so far as the military situation makes it possible, no man shall spend more than six months in France without leave. It will be appreciated that leave must be spread, and I understand that special consideration will be given to those who had no embarkation leave.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about this in France, and that I have had not only a letter from a soldier constituent but also a letter from the Army chaplain who censored the soldier's letter saying that there is great dissatisfaction; and will he be good enough to take the necessary steps to see that correct information is given to the soldiers in France?

I do not think the misapprehension can be widespread. The lists are being prepared in every unit. If the particular man to whom the hon. Member refers suffered from any misapprehension I hope that it will be corrected.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will allow me to show him the letter from the Army chaplain saying that there is widespread feeling.

Will the hon. Gentleman please send it to me?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the importance and value of character and experience, he is now prepared to enlist or otherwise use the services of men over the present military age who are passed fit in every way, who are qualified by military training, and have served in past wars, and who are anxious to serve in the present emergency?

Men are now accepted for enlistment into the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and Home Defence Battalions up to the age of 50. In addition, officers in charge of records have authority to enlist ex-service men up to the age of 57 for instructional and certain administrative posts such as cooks, clerks, and storemen.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made in consultation with the Red Cross and Order of St. John, for the despatch of parcels to British Navy, Army and Air Force prisoners of war in Germany?

The British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in consultation with the Government Departments concerned, have set up a Prisoners of War, Wounded and Missing Department, whose address is The Lord Chamberlain's Office, St. James's Palace, London, S.W.1. This organisation is the accredited authority for packing and despatching parcels to British prisoners of war, a humanitarian service the value of which I am sure is gratefully and widely recognised. I understand that the Department has already started sending parcels at regular intervals and that it will shortly issue instructions for the guidance of the public regarding the packing and despatch of parcels. Arrangements will be made whereby these instructions, together with instructions about correspondence, will be brought to the notice of the next of kin of each prisoner of war when his arrival at a prisoner of war camp is notified.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether we are to understand that the War Office accepts responsibility for the care of prisoners of war in Germany of all three Services?

I have answered that the British Red Cross and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in consultation with the Government Departments concerned, have set up a Prisoners of War and Wounded Department, the address of which I gave.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give consideration to the appointment of a minister of industry and economic reconstruction at an early date with the responsibility of examining and working out plans with local authorities and industry, which will give employment to His Majesty's Forces when returning to civilian life as well as those now employed on the manufacture of arms and munitions?

I am unable to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 26th September.

Does not my right hon. Friend appreciate that it takes some five years to prepare employment schemes, and may I have an assurance that this matter will be considered by the Government at an early date?

I cannot add anything to what I have said before.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a debate for the purpose of considering what steps can be taken to improve transport conditions throughout the country?

I would remind my hon. Friend that it is open to him to raise any specific points to which he wishes to call attention on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the restrictions placed on road transport have led to an increased burden on the railways, and that transport is not the prerogative of the railways? Is it not necessary to have the right goods delivered at the right places at the right time?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make any statement regarding the settlement of claims against the blocked Czech assets?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in settling claims against the blocked Czech assets held in this country?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this question, but the matter is under active consideration and my right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as it is practicable to do so.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that although the claims against these assets were lodged as long ago as April last, not one has yet been met; and in view of the difficulties and hardships involved to individuals, and to the banks, will he give an undertaking that the matter will be dealt with before the Christmas Recess?

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not give some indication of the difficulties which are in the way?

I do not think I could at the moment. It is because of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend has referred that the matter is under very active consideration.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman indicate to his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that this matter is long overdue and that a settlement is urgently required?

Without accepting the words "long overdue," I will certainly report to my right hon. Friend the views expressed by hon. Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will expedite the report of the committee considering the possibilities of an increase in the old age pension, to enable whatever increase is recommended to became operative for the week before Christmas?

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 30th November to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the many questions upon the subject are evidence of the real need for early action?

Could I not press the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to give us something more definite in regard to this question?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, now that the principle of a rent allowance has been conceded in the case of soldiers' families, he will consider this in the case of old age pensioners also, as being a simple method of balancing cost of living costs as between town and country, and as being free from the disadvantages of public assistance relief?

While I note this suggestion, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the great majority of old age pensioners draw their pension by virtue of their contributions, and I hardly see how under a contributory scheme insured persons could be entitled to rates of benefit varying between town and country while subject to uniform rates of contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to render more effective the exchange control of the £, he has approached the Dominion Governments with a view to forming a joint Empire control; and, if se, with what result?

Each of the Dominion Governments has imposed exchange control under its own legislation, and every effort is made to ensure coordination and co-operation between the authorities concerned, both as regards the Governments and the central banks.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that unless there is unified control, there cannot be complete and satisfactory control?

I think everything is quite satisfactory in this field at the moment.