asked the Minister of Health whether, when parents of evacuated children move permanently from their residences in evacuated areas to neutral or reception areas, it is the practice of the local authorities concerned to withdraw the children in question from their present billets and restore them to their parents?

A continuance of billeting should not ordinarily be necessary on such an occasion but individual cases may need consideration in the light of their particular circumstances, and if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider permitting the untaxed importation of foreign supplies of electric torches and batteries in order to meet the needs of dealers in this country and to reduce the deaths resulting from the black-out?

Most hand torches imported into the United Kingdom are imported from Hong Kong and are not in most instances subject to import duty. I do not believe that the removal of the duty upon foreign supplies would lead to any substantial increase in total supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many shops in all parts of the country are refusing to sell torch batteries unless the customer will buy a new torch as well, and that, as a result, the public is being compelled to buy large numbers of unwanted torches; and whether he will take steps to stop this form of exploitation and wastage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 2nd November to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Camberwell North (Mr. Ammon).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of honey imported into this country in the year 1938; what proportion of this honey was of Empire origin; whether such honey benefited by any preferential duty; and whether it is proposed to restrict the importation of Empire or foreign honey during the war?

During the year 1938 imports of honey into the United Kingdom amounted to 102,489 cwt., valued at £189,176, of which 72,496 cwt., valued at £142,722, were consigned from British countries. During the same period 72,148 cwt. of honey consigned from British countries were entered for home consumption free of duty under Imperial Preference. In accordance with the Import of Goods (Prohibition) (No. 1) Order, 1939, imports of honey into the United Kingdom have been prohibited since 5th September last except under licence granted by my Department. From the 14th November an open general licence has been issued for honey consigned from British countries other than Palestine (including Trans-Jordan). For the time being no licences are being issued for imports from foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether one of the duties of the Central Price Regulation Committee will be to decide how many times war risks insurance premiums have, in passing from the manufacturer to the consumer, been added to the cost of the article eventually sold?

The Central Price Regulation Committee are charged with the duty of supervising the operations of the local committees. In considering any complaint concerning price-regulated goods, it will be for the committees to decide whether the cost of war risks insurance has been made an excuse for an excessive increase in price.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in appointing members of the legal profession, as provided by the Second Schedule of the Prices of Goods Act, he will avoid selecting a solicitor until the Law Society has obtained legislative powers to protect the public against risk of fraudulent conversion by solicitors of property entrusted to them, as brought to the notice of Parliament in the Law Society's Bill recently withdrawn?

The position of the Law Society in this matter has been explained in answer to previous questions. My Noble Friend cannot accept the suggestion in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the grave situation of merchants owing to the fact that many of the Departments of State are now performing the functions of merchants; and whether he will take steps to preserve the merchants' organisation in view of its vital importance to the export trade?

I am aware that some apprehensions have been expressed in the sense indicated by my hon. Friend. I feel sure that those of my colleagues who are concerned fully appreciate the important functions normally performed by merchants, and will be careful to avoid encroachment on those functions beyond what is necessitated by the exceptional conditions prevailing to-day.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any recent official tests in shot-firing with stemming plugs have been made, and with what result?

Some further trials have recently been carried out, and I have reviewed the matter generally. These and previous trials indicate that as compared with some of the methods of stemming previously used, advantage may in certain circumstances be obtained from the use of stemming plugs. In particular there may be an economic advantage in cases where coal can be got more effectively or in better condition by means of "cushion blasting."There are, however, other stemming materials and other methods of "cushion blasting" by which similar results can be obtained with equal safety and efficiency. As the conditions in which shots have to be fired vary so widely, there is scope for the use of all these different materials and methods of stemming.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is his intention to publish an annual report this year; and when he anticipates it will be available?

Yes, Sir. I hope to publish this report early in the New Year. I regret the delay in publication.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now make a statement as to the steps taken to re-open closed coal mines and to find work for unemployed miners; and whether he can give figures indicating the increase in men employed and in weekly output as compared with the pre-war position?

As I have previously informed the House, this question is one of a number which are under consideration by the Mining Association and the Mineworkers' Federation, but having regard to limitations of sea transport, there is not at present any shortage of productive capacity. As regards the second part of the question, it is not in the public interest to publish the figures.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any arrangements have been, or are being made by his Department and the Coalowners' Association, with a view to the opening of some of the mines that are now standing idle in the county of Durham?

I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of the reply which I have given to-day to the question asked by the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will make a statement indicating to what extent the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines will be implemented by the issue of regulations and by administrative changes; and whether he can further indicate when those steps will be taken?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission are, to use the words of the Commission itself, a coherent system, and their application depends basically on extensive legislation which to my deep regret is necessarily in abeyance because of the war. Increasing attention has to be given to the special problems of safety which are being created or intensified owing to the war; as for example, the safe use at the working faces of other supports in place of much of the imported timber ordinarily used. My Department is in close and frequent consultation with the two sides of the industry in regard to these war problems of safety and in these discussions the recommendations of the Royal Commission will continue to be fully borne in mind with a view to making as much progress as possible in the prevailing circumstances.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the development of electric-battery propelled vehicles as a means of conserving petrol supplies; and whether he will give all assistance in the scope of his Department to any move in this direction by industry?

Vehicles propelled by electric batteries already enjoy certain advantages both in respect of taxation and because the electricity they use is not subject either to duty or rationing. Moreover, the weight of the battery is not taken into account in assessing the speed limit category for the vehicles.These advantages should encourage the development and adoption of electric battery vehicles in suitable circumstances in the same way as they are expected to do in the case of vehicles driven by producer gas.While I view with sympathy and interest the development of methods of transport which result in conserving petrol supplies, I should not feel justified in present circumstances in recommending more favourable treatment in these respects for battery traction than is being given to producer gas.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that London taximeter-cab owner-drivers will not be able to secure petrol ration books for January, 1940, unless and until the taximeter-cabs are fully taxed; that these owner-drivers will therefore be unable to enjoy the 14 days grace allowed in the taking of other motor vehicles; and whether he proposes to take any action to remove the grievance arising from this discrimination?

Arrangements have already been made with the Commissioner of Police by which ration books for taxicabs for the month of January will be issued in advance of the application for a renewal of the licence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether and how far is training taking place in the use of the automatic; and are supplies available of this weapon to replace, if and as found desirable, the rifle and bayonet as the main weapon of the infantry?

I assume that the right hon. Member is referring to the Bren light machine gun. Training with this weapon is taking place throughout the infantry. It has never been the intention to replace the rifle and bayonet as the weapon of the individual infantry soldier.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to transfer home experienced officers and men from France in order to facilitate the training of troops in this country?

Yes, Sir. Interchange of personnel is taking place, and will continue to take place, in order that the latest experience of service overseas may be made available for training at home.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the minimum leave for which ration money is paid to soldiers in lieu of rations when they go on leave; is the money paid in advance; and, if not, will he take the necessary steps to see that such money is paid to the soldier when he goes on leave?

A soldier going on leave for 72 hours or more receives the leave rate of ration allowance in advance. For shorter periods, the soldier is credited with the lower rate of ration allowance, that is the equivalent of what it would cost to feed him in barracks, but it is not customary to make a special advance to him on this account.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that for the duration of the war, vaccination and inoculation are voluntary operations for all soldiers, he will abolish the recruiting regulation which forbids the enlistment of volunteers for the Regular Army who decline to promise to be vaccinated?

No, Sir, my medical advisers are not prepared to make this recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue regulations ensuring that no allowances are paid to an unmarried woman in those cases where a separation order is in force, requiring a soldier to support his deserted wife and family, until such obligations are fully discharged?

The course suggested is not free from complexities, but I will consider the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the widespread idea that the Territorial Army ended with the outbreak of war, he will issue a statement on the present position of the Territorial Army; and whether instructions have been issued that the letter "T" is to be removed from the uniform worn by members of the Territorial Army?

I am glad to have the opportunity of dispelling a misconception. The Territorial Army did not end at the outbreak of war. On the contrary, in accordance with the intention announced some years ago, all expansion since the war has been based on the Territorial Army. Men who, since the outbreak of war, have volunteered for service for the duration of the war have been enlisted into the Territorial Army, while every man called up for military service under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, has been deemed to have enlisted in the Territorial Army.Thus, the Territorial Army does exist, but, in the operational necessities of war, the whole of the Forces must constitute one Army in which each individual is placed where his attainments are of greatest use to the nation. For this reason and to avoid obvious outward distinction in the field, it was decided to suspend, during war, the wearing of the letter "T."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the accidents caused by motor cars running into marching soldiers during the black-out; whether these soldiers are compelled to march in the black-out; and if so, whether he will consider taking increased precautions to ensure their safety?

Orders have been issued that suitable lights are to be carried at the head and rear of all columns and detachments, when it is necessary for them to be on the march in darkness, and I hope that this will prevent the occurrence of further accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any arrangements have been made to provide a physiotherapy department in military hospitals and in convalescent homes for wounded?

Yes, Sir. Adequate arrangements have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the proposal of the vice-president of the Greenock branch of the British Legion anent the wearing of service decorations, a copy of which was sent to him; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

An officer or a soldier is required to wear medal ribbons with his uniform. As regards Civil Defence organisations, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informs me that the matter is left to the option of individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the average costs of bread-baking in shillings per sack of 280 pounds weight of flour in a representative large Army bakehouse during the month of July, 1939, under the following heads: flour, industry quota, delivered at bakehouses, yeast and other materials, wages, fuel, rent and depreciation; and how this compares with costs in October this year?

The following table gives the information desired:

—	Cost (in shillings) for each sack (280 1bs.) of flour used.
	For the month of July, 1939.	For the month of October, 1939.
	Shillings.	Shillings.
Flour (including quota) delivered at the bakery	21·4	19·9
Yeast and other materials	0·7	0·7
Wages of direct labour	4·8	4·4
Fuel, power and light	0·7	0·7
Rent, including repairs to buildings, barrack services and miscellaneous office expenses.	0·8	0·5
Depreciation of plant and operating utensils, including repairs.	0·9	0·7
Supervision	0·4	0·3
Totals	29·7	27·2

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some home defence corps personnel and home defence units are still without the issue of greatcoats and without warm clothing; how many men there are so situated; when he expects greatcoats and warm clothing will be available for all these men thus called up; and what is the object of calling these men up when it is not possible to give them the clothing equipment to which they are entitled, and which they urgently need by reason of their age?

The instructions which have been issued should have ensured that all men are in possession of either a Service greatcoat or a civilian overcoat and of other necessary clothing. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me information of any instances to the contrary, I will have immediate steps taken to put matters right.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention either to withdraw Army Form D. 460 or to make it inoperative to men who are in receipt of a pension governed by such regulation during the period of the war?

The form in question explains a provision in the Royal Warrants which grant certain increases of pre-Great War pensions to persons with incomes below a certain level on the same lines as those laid down for certain civil pensions to which the Pensions Increase Acts of 1920 and 1924 apply.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the hon. Member for Ipswich may expect a reply to his letter of the 12th October concerning irregularities in connection with Militia camps?

I have been in communication with the War Office on this matter and I hope to be able to write to the hon. Member in a day or two.

asked the Postmaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what observations the Industrial Health Research Board is now carrying out with a view to ensuring that the production of war materials will not, in the near future, be endangered by excessive overtime and lack of rest of the men and women workers?

The advice of the Industrial Health Research Board of the Medical Research Council has been sought by Departments concerned with the production of war materials, and the board's investigators are making observations in factories with a view to advising how knowledge gained in previous researches can best be applied in practice under present conditions. The questions considered include hours of work, rest pauses, factory illumination under "black-out" conditions, and factory heating and ventilation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to see that the information with regard to postage rates to Empire countries given in books of stamps is altered and brought up to date in accordance with the facts; and whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience has been caused by the continued issue of the information without regard to the changes brought about since the declaration of war?

The necessary steps were taken to bring up to date the information in regard to postage rates appearing in the books of stamps as soon as possible after the outbreak of war. I regret any inconvenience caused by the sale of books containing out-of-date information; but in view of the wide publicity given to the alterations in rates, discontinuance of the sale of books of stamps pending the provision of new supplies, or the withdrawal of out-of-date books in stock at post offices was not considered to be justified.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what steps are being taken to make use of all the available timber in this country for pit-wood purposes and also for building purposes; and whether he is taking an active interest in retaining the key-men to meet the demand?

Energetic steps are being taken for the utilisation of the suitable standing timber in this country for pit-wood purposes and for general purposes including building. Broadly, the measures are twofold: first, stimulation of production by the home timber trade, and, secondly, by Departmental production from State and private forests. An active interest is taken in the retention of key-men for the home timber industry and the attraction of further men into the industry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the names and numbers of local war pensions committees in being; the numbers of committees which had not met during the last period of 12 months for which figures are available; the total numbers of members of committees; and the numbers of members appointed as representatives of the persons mentioned in each of the paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 3 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, 11 and 12 George V., Chapter 49?

There are 155 war pensions committees constituted under the Act referred to and I am sending the hon. Member a complete list of them. Thirty-four of these committees who had not sufficient business to justify a meeting have not met during the year ended the 30th November, 1939.The total number of members is 2,940 and members serving as representatives of the interests and bodies mentioned in Section I (3) of the Act are as follow:

Section 1 (3) (a):
Disabled men	…	671
Section 1 (3) (b):
Widows and dependants	…	157
Section 1 (3) (c):
Local authorities	…	587
Section 1 (3) (d):
Employers	…	297
Section 1 (3) (d):
Workmen in industry	…	346
Section 1 (3) (e):
Voluntary associations	…	543

In addition 339 persons of experience in war pensions work have been appointed who do not represent any specific bodies.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the Royal Warrant in regard to the position of young men, between the ages of 18 and 30 in particular, who may suffer a disability while unmarried and who later marry and have children, with a view to taking the responsibility of securing for men who may be single on enlistment the same treatment as if they had been married on enlistment?

It is a principle consistently maintained by Governments of all parties that the liability of the State in respect of the wife and children of an ex-service man must be limited to family obligations existing at the date of the contraction on service of the accepted disability. The new Warrant embodies an acceptance of liability in cases of post-marriage aggravation by further war service of a previous disability, but I am afraid I should not be justified in recommending any further modification of the established principle.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the circumstances under which a mother of a soldier, widow, or with husband alive, can obtain a supplementary allowance from the Government if the soldier is making her an allotment, and if the allotment must be at the rate of 1s. per day to allow the mother to qualify for such Government allowance; and will he state explicitly, under what circumstances a parent qualifies for a pension if a son is killed while on service?

The War Service Grants Advisory Committee has power to recommend a grant in any case where, by reason of his service, a member of the Forces is unable to meet his financial obligations with resultant serious hardship to himself or his dependants. The precise circumstances which would be deemed to justify such a recommendation in a particular case are matters for the committee's discretion within the limits set out in Command Paper 6138.With regard to the latter part of the question, the conditions under which pensions may be awarded to parents are set out in Article 49 of the Royal Warrant, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what price per ton per week the Admiralty is paying for the charter of private yachts?

Final rates of hire have not yet been arranged for requisitioned yachts but pending settlement advances on account are being made to the owners.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many life-saving jackets were on the British cruiser "Rawalpindi"; and whether any of the people saved were supplied with one of the jackets?

The Armed Merchant Cruiser "Rawalpindi" was equipped with sufficient life jackets to provide for all her crew. One of the survivors has specifically stated in his account of his experiences, that he wore a life jacket.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the proposal to commandeer for Government purposes some 2,300 acres in Denbighshire involves the expropriation of over 100 families, and that at least 38 notices to quit involving 163 people have already been served on farmers and other individuals giving them only 14 days up to the 4th December to abandon their homes and sources of livelihood; that these persons cannot hold sales of their possessions, implements and stock worth over £50,000; that, as all available accommodation nearby has already been taken by troops and evacuees, some of these families are faced with serious hardship; and whether he will arrange to modify immediately this scheme and to ensure that if the expropriation is essential on national grounds it will at least provide for proper compensation and be carried out in a sympathetic way?

It is essential on national grounds that possession should be taken of the land in question and my hon. and gallant Friend knows, having himself been present at a deputation which I received on this matter, that everything possible is being done to mitigate the hardship involved and to see how best the question of adequate compensation can be dealt with.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the shortage of knitting wools required for the purposes of making comforts for the fighting services; and whether he will take steps to authorise mills to manufacture a larger proportion of this material in view of the widespread requirements throughout the country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Cardiff, South (Colonel A. Evans) on 30th November, in which I stated that arrangements have already been made for special allotments of wool to spinners to enable knitting-wool to be made available for supplying comforts for the fighting forces.

asked the Minister of Supply the amount of money spent by the Government in factories connected with the production of tanks under the control of the Nuffield companies; and whether the factories are yet in production?

I am not prepared to disclose figures which might indicate the scale of output, and the hon. Member will not expect me to give such information. I can, however, inform him that both the value of the plant and machine tools paid for by the Government and the manufacturing expenses are subject to costing by the Department and that satisfactory production has been achieved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the situation of the shopkeepers and smaller manufacturers in the Metropolitan area; and what steps are being taken to use their facilities by the various contracting Departments of State?

I am aware that one of the effects of the war has unfortunately been to prejudice the position of many shopkeepers and small manufacturers, both in London and elsewhere, and that in evacuation areas in particular shopkeepers have suffered through the reduction in the resident population. Many small firms are already employed directly or as sub-contractors on the manufacture of war stores, and every effort is being made by the Ministry of Supply to utilise their resources more fully in so far as they are or can efficiently be made suitable for war production.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider making greater use of British stone in the construction of camps, with the object of reducing the amount of unemployment in the quarrying industry?

I regret that the conditions under which the present temporary building programme of my Department must be executed preclude the use of stone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he will be in a position to announce the policy of the Government with regard to potatoes?

The Ministry of Food has been giving careful consideration to this matter in consultation with the Agricultural Departments, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement at an early date. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be so good as to repeat his question shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether as the farmers of Northern Ireland have large quantities of first-class table potatoes for sale, he will co-operate with the Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland in providing a market for these in Great Britain at a price which will give adequate remuneration to the growers?

I have been asked to reply. Northern Ireland ware potatoes may be freely consigned to markets in Great Britain through the usual trade channels. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able very shortly to make an announcement regarding the question of remuneration to potato growers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any decision has been reached regarding the concentration of the Scottish ham- and bacon-curing industry; and whether he has considered the hardship involved in that concentration for the holders of small curers' licences who will be forced out of the curing trade?

I would refer the hon. Member to the longer answer to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for West Birmingham (Mr. Higgs). It is now proposed to issue licences permitting the production of bacon on premises where the average weekly output of bacon in 1938 was 5 cwt. or more. I am satisfied that this decision will eliminate hardship so far as is practicable, while at the same time maintaining an effective control of distribution of pigs and bacon which is essential under a rationing scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is now in a position to indicate whether it will be possible to grant licences for the production of bacon to those small curers who were licensed under the Bacon Industry Act?

The problems connected with the supply of pigs or carcases to and distribution of bacon from the premises of small bacon curers have been re-examined.It is now proposed to make provision in the bacon control scheme for the issue of licences to cure bacon in respect of all premises, for which a licence was issued under the Bacon Industry Act by the Bacon Development Board on or before 1st September, 1939, and on which 5 cwts. or more of bacon (excluding pickled pork) were produced per week as certified by returns made to the Bacon Marketing Board on or before 31st August, 1939.Arrangements will be made to enable curers occupying premises so licensed, on which the production of bacon (excluding pickled pork) was, as shown on such returns, from 5 to 15 cwts. per week to acquire sufficient home or imported pig carcases to maintain the amount of bacon required to meet the requirements of their registrations under rationing, so long as the bacon produced from these carcases does not exceed their average weekly curing in 1938. If the effect of this limiting factor is to give such curers less bacon than would be required to meet their registrations under rationing, the balance will be found for them by an allotment of imported bacon.If the pig supplies of the country diminish, thereby reducing the supply of carcases the deficiency in bacon will be met by a corresponding allotment of imported bacon. Licences will not be granted in respect of such premises unless the occupier undertakes, in advance of the issue of a licence, to produce the types of bacon necessary to obtain the maximum yield of bacon per pig, and the cuts needed for the purpose of the bacon ration.Curers unlicensed by the Bacon Development Board or on whose premises the output of bacon in 1938 was less on average than 5 cwts. per week will not be granted a licence. Licences to cure bacon, on terms differing from the foregoing, will also be granted to curers in the Orkney and other Scottish Islands.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that Messrs. R. Griffiths and Sons, of Bank House, Ruabon, are registered curers under the Bacon Marketing Scheme; that during the year 1936 their production of bacon amounted to 884 cwts., an average of 17 cwts. per week; that in 1937 and 1938 their production quota was cut down by the board to 540 cwts. per annum, approximately 10½ cwts. per week; and that now the director of bacon production intimates that licences to produce bacon are restricted to premises which for 1938 produced on an average 15 cwts. of bacon per week; and whether it is proposed to compensate Messrs. Griffiths and Sons for the expenditure incurred by them with the approval of the Bacon Development Board in rebuilding and remodelling their bacon factory in 1936 and 1937, or to permit them to produce bacon on those premises?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd November, 1939; col. 1411), supplied the following information:My hon. Friend will see from my reply to-day, to a question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, West (Mr. Higgs) that I have now reconsidered the position of the small curer under the Bacon (Licensing of Producers) Order, and licences to produce bacon will be issued in respect of premises where the production of bacon in 1938 was on average 5 cwt. per week or more. The question of compensation therefore does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, before any further pooling of commodities is decided upon, he will take into the fullest consultation representatives of the trades concerned as well as the consumer?

The policy of the Ministry of Food has always been, and will continue to be, to secure the best available trade advice before taking action of the nature indicated. I assume that if my hon. Friend is interested in commodities other than foodstuffs he will address a question to the Minister concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that most brands of margarine sold in Great Britain are inferior to butter in vitamin qualities; and whether he will take steps to prohibit the sale of any margarine which is so inferior?

A large proportion of the margarine entering domestic consumption is already vitaminised. Consumers thus have the opportunity of exercising their own choice in this matter, and I see no necessity to prohibit the sale of margarine the vitamin content of which is inferior to that of butter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his attention has been directed to page 139 of the Trading Accounts, 1920–21, by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, and the statement made by the Comptroller that the Ministry of Food operated its own insurance fund, credited it with premiums at commercial rates, debiting all losses, and that this policy resulted in a saving to the Exchequer of £10,500,000; and is it intended to adopt the same procedure?

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry of Food is placing war risks insurance in respect of cargoes of foodstuffs imported on Government account with the Government War Risks Insurance Office, and it is operating an internal pool on the lines referred to in

Kind of Fish.			Distant Grounds.		North Sea.		Other near and middle waters.
			Quantity.	Percentage of total catch.	Quantity.	Percentage of total catch.	Quantity.	Percentage of total catch.
			Cwt.	Per cent.	Cwt.	Per cent.	Cwt.	Per cent.
Cod	…	…	5,645,230	81	784.307	11	546,200	8
Haddock	…	…	1,067,975	38	1,096,662	38	673,419	24
Hake	…	…	31	0	43,154	6	626,773	94
Plaice	…	…	133.729	25	317,862	60	79,4l5	15

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any representatives of the poultry industry, as such, have

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is taking steps to make venison more readily available for consumption, in view of the evidence that this foodstuff, which is so plentiful in Scotland, may he made popular if converted into sausages?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Argyll and Greenock on 15th November. The inquiries mentioned therein are still proceeding. The possibility of utilising venison for the manufacture of sausages and meat pastes is being examined.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the percentage of cod, haddock, hake and plaice, respectively, landed at United Kingdom ports during 1938 from distant waters as compared with the percentage landed from the North Sea?

Particulars of the quantities and percentages of cod, haddock, hake and plaice landed in Great Britain during 1938 from distant grounds, the North Sea and other near and middle waters by British fishing vessels are as follow:been appointed members of the county war emergency committees; and whether there are any poultry sub-committees of the county war emergency committees?

No representatives of the poultry industry as such have been appointed to the county war agricultural executive committees which, as my hon. Friend will be aware, are mainly concerned with ploughing and cultivations. As regards the second part of the question, the appointment of subcommittees to deal with certain sections of work is primarily a matter for the county committees themselves, and I am advised that no committee has as yet found it necessary to set up a poultry sub-committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Llanelly Electric Supply Company are claiming 25 per cent. of the normal charges for maintenance during the period of the restrictions from the Pontyberem Parish Council; and will he consider giving directions for the guidance of this, and other authorities, as to the basis upon which such payments should be made to ensure that a minimum and uniform charge should be made for maintenance only?

If the case to which the honourable Member refers relates to street lighting carried out under contract, I have no jurisdiction to intervene as regards the legal rights of the parties, or to give directions for their guidance. There is nothing, of course, to prevent the parties coming to a mutual arrangement as to the way in which the contract should operate between them during the continuance of the lighting restrictions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a further statement with regard to the use of postal orders as currency?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter, but hope to be able to do so at an early date.

asked the Minister of Shipping, what was the total tonnage of American shipping contributed to the allied cause during the war of 1914–18?

The following statement compiled from published sources, will, I hope, give the hon. Member the information which he desires:

Employment of United States tonnage in 1918.
Sea-going steam merchant vessels of 500 tons gross and over.
	31st October, 1918.
	1,000 tons d.w.
I. Employed in import service of principal Allies:
(a) In import service of Italy	128
(b) In import service of France	124
(c) In import service of United Kingdom	45
(d) In import service of United States	782
II. Employed in other Merchant Service:
(a) In United States coasting trade	896
(b) In United States colonial trade	83
(c) In coasting or colonial trade of other principal Allies	59
(d) In service of other Allies or neutrals	475
III. Employed in Non-Merchant Service:
(a) In military service of United States	2,641
(b) In naval service of United States	200
(c) In other military or naval service (mainly transportation of American troops)	24
IV. Repairing or otherwise unemployed	536
V. Tankers	1,371
	7,364

asked the Minister of Shipping what was the amount of neutral tonnage purchased or chartered by this country in 1917 till the end of the war?

The total amount of tonnage under neutral flags in the service of the Allies at the Armistice appears to have been about 1.25 million gross tons. In addition, some 600,000 gross tons of neutral vessels sailed under Allied flags and was treated as Allied tonnage.

asked the Minister of Shipping what arrangements are being made for dealing with shipping questions through the Anglo-French Coordinating Committee?

As has already been announced, a Permanent Shipping Executive Committee, consisting of an equal number of French and United Kingdom members, has been set up to deal with shipping. The work of this committee and of the other Permanent Executive Committees will be co-ordinated by close contact between them and by reference to the Anglo-French Co-ordinating Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent large increase in Income Tax, he will reconsider its effect so far as officers and men of the Navy, Army and Air Force on active service are concerned; and whether he will investigate the desirability of increasing the earned income allowance of such men who are daily risking their lives for their country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Darwen (Mr. S. Russell) on the 12th October and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total quantities of rum, brandy and Geneva retained for consumption, and the total quantity of British spirits exported during the year ended 31st March, 1939?

The total quantities of rum, brandy and Geneva retained for home consumption during the year ended 31st March, 1939, were as follow:

			Proof gallons.
Rum	…	…	581,448
Brandy	…	…	411,331
Geneva	…	…	57,057

The quantity of British spirits exported during the same period was 8,958,758 proof gallons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total quantity of standard barrels of beer exported and of beer imported for home consumption in the United Kingdom for the year ended 31st March, 1939?

The total quantities of beer imported into and exported from the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1939, were as follow:

	Standard barrels.
Imports	834,935
Exports:
Produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom	266,634
Re-exports of imported beer	28,785

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of bulk barrels of beer produced in England and Northern Ireland, in Scotland and in the United Kingdom with the average specific quantity in each case during the year ended 31st March, 1939?

I assume that the second part of the question is intended to refer to the average original gravity. The numbers of bulk barrels of beer produced in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, respectively, with the average original gravities in each case during the year ended 31st March, 1939, were as follow:

	Bulk Barrels.	Average Gravity (degrees).
England and Wales and Northern Ireland	22,787,162	1040·86
Scotland	1,887,830	1041·78
United Kingdom	24,674,992	1040·93

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of brewers' licences taken out in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively, in the year ended 31st March, 1938, distinguishing brewers for sale from brewers not for sale?

The figures for the year ended 31st March, 1938, are published in the report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for that year, and I assume that the hon. Member desires the figures for the year ended 3rst March, 1939. They are as follow:

	England and Wales.	Scotland.
	Number.	Number.
Brewers for sale	844	40
Brewers not for sale	5,900	1,181

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why advantage has not been taken of the high tin price which has for some time past been ruling in the United States of America to obtain greatly increased supplies of dollar currency instead of fixing a maximum sterling-price limit at a figure which is low when expressed in terms of the dollar?

I have been asked to reply. Soon after the outbreak of the war His Majesty's Government decided, as part of their general policy of preventing undue rises in the prices of essential commodities, to fix a maximum price for tin in this country, and to request the Governor of the Straits Settlements to take parallel action in that Colony. It has never been intended that these maximum prices should be maintained indefinitely without regard to the level of prices elsewhere.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Defence (Finance) Regulations Amendment (No. 2) Order, 1939, prohibits the raising of money on mortgage by private individuals either for business or private purposes subject to the exemptions specified in the Capital Issues Exemptions (No.3)Order, 1939?

Yes, Sir, except that the regulation referred to makes provision for transactions, which do not fall within the Exemptions Order, to be allowed if they receive Treasury consent. Applications for such consent should be addressed to the Capital Issues Committee, 76, King William Street, E.C.4.I should add, however, that as the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, one of the provisions in the Exemptions Order exempts, subject to certain conditions, transactions amounting to £10,000 and less over a given period. For the exact operation of this exemption reference should be made to the actual terms of the Order.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the arrangements made by the British Council for a series of sherry and other parties to persons in this country between December, 1939, and March, 1940; to what sections of persons in this country are invitations to be extended; how this is in accordance with the declared policy and aim of the council; and upon what vote will this additional cost be carried?

Yes, Sir. In addition to the tea party given to Austrians in London on 3rd December, receptions will be held this month for foreign authors who are refugees from German oppression and for Polish residents. Similar entertainment may be arranged later for other foreign residents. The purpose of these receptions is to provide an opportunity for foreign refugees in London to establish personal relations with those in this country with similar interests and thus gain an insight into our ways of life and thought. This is strictly in accord with the declared functions of the British Council, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 31st October.The cost of the entertainment will be me t from the ordinary funds of the council.

asked the Prime Minister what expenses have been incurred by the chairman of the British Council and the staffs travelling with him during the past 12 months?

Excluding Lord Lloyd's present visit to the Balkan States, the total cost incurred by the chairman and his staff has been £454 12s. 6d. This sum has covered two visits to France, two to Italy, and tours in Spain, Portugal, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece and Egypt.

asked the Prime Minister when the appointment was made of a deputy-director general for the British Council; by whom the appointment was made; through what source; what salary attaches to the office; and what are the special qualifications of the person appointed?

A Deputy Secretary-General (there is no Deputy Director-General) was appointed in 1937 by the Council's Executive Committee, on the recommendation of the Cambridge University Appointments Board. His present salary is £1,100 a year. The person appointed had had 15 years administrative and financial experience in the Indian Civil Service, including three years as Secretary of the Education Department of the Government of Burma. He is at present assisted by an officer temporarily seconded from His Majesty's Consular Service whose salary is borne on the Foreign Office Vote.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many staff, of all grades, have been engaged since 1st September; how many are women; and how many have been recruited from the central register and the Women's Employment Federation Bureau?

The staff engaged since 1st September totals 2,138, of whom 1,646 are women. Most of the staff were required for routine clerical and typing duties and were recruited through the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. Seven were obtained through the Central Register.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long the rule not to engage anyone over 55 years of age for technical, professional or administrative service in any Government Department has operated; and whether the restriction of age is working to the satisfaction of all Departments concerned?

I am not aware of any such rule for temporary appointments, and there is no general bar to the engagement in the Government Service in the present exceptional circumstances of persons over the age mentioned. The hon. Member will appreciate that it may be necessary in the interests of efficiency to fix a lower age of recruitment for particular posts.

asked the Minister of Shipping how many staff of all grades have been engaged since the creation of his Department; how many are women; and how many have been recruited from the central register and the Women's Employment Federation Bureau?

The total number of staff of all grades engaged for service in the Ministry of Shipping since its creation is 250, of whom 207 are temporary clerical, typing, messenger and cleaning staff. Of the total number 176 are women. In general, recruiting of women has been effected through the Ministry of Labour, but no posts of the kind dealt with by the central register have so far been filled by women. None has been recruited through the Women's Employment Federation Bureau.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will state the names and salaries of the officers performing administrative work in the oil and fats departments of the Ministry of Food headquarters; the names of the firms by whom those who have come from outside the service were employed; and how long before the outbreak of war these firms were aware what the organisation of that section of the Ministry would be?

I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT giving the desired particulars. Designate appointments to some of these posts were made in April, 1939, though plans for the control of oils and fats in time of war had been under discussion with trade representatives since February, 1937.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the rule requiring women officials in Government Departments to vacate their appointments on marriage will be enforced during the war period?

It is not proposed to modify the rule that established women civil servants are required, subject to certain exceptions, to resign their appointments on marriage. Emergency arrangements have however been made, for the period of the war only, by which women resigning their permanent appointments under this rule may be re-employed in a purely temporary capacity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps he is taking to meet the difficulties which many direct-grant secondary schools are suffering owing to the drop in numbers consequent on evacuation and to the need for incurring special expenditure on air-raid precautions and other item; of an exceptional character?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of these difficulties and provision is being made for some additional grant in the current year to help schools in meeting them. At the same time I would point out that local education authorities have the power to defray the cost of air-raid precautions for direct grant schools in all types of area and their approved expenditure will rank for the normal grant of 50 per cent. from the Board. This arrangement was made after consultation with representatives of the authorities as well as the schools and I earnestly hope that authorities will exercise this power to the fullest extent.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that two-year students in training colleges are receiving differential treatment in different parts of the country on being called up, and that in some cases they are graded for languages or commissions whilst in other cases the local recruiting boards are refusing to grade two-year students, he will issue instructions to the joint Recruiting Boards that all two-year students should receive more favourable treatment on their calling up?

Joint Recruiting Boards have a double function. In the first place they may receive applications from university undergraduates or resident graduates under the age of 25 for the purpose of assessing their suitability for training as officers. But this first function of the hoards gives them no power to grant any postponement of service. Secondly, with the assistance of their Technical Committees they may receive applications from certain defined classes of men under 25 with scientific or technical qualifications and they recommend that such men should be used for scientific or technical work either in the Forces or in a civilian capacity, or that they should complete a course of training so that they may be better qualified to undertake such work. This arrangement is confined to the following classes of men:

(a) Men with university degrees in any of the following subjects:—Engineering (including Naval Architecture), Metallurgy, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, the Biological Sciences (including Agriculture) and Mathematics (including Statistics);

(b) Men with Higher National Diplomas or Higher National Certificates in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or with the Associate-ship of the Institute of Chemistry;

(c)—(i) Men who have completed to the satisfaction of the University at least one year's work of a course for a specialised honours degree in Engineering (including Naval Architecture), Metallurgy, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Geology, and the Biological Sciences (including Agriculture);

(ii) Men who have started or are about to start their final year's study for a pass degree in Engineering or Metallurgy;

(d) Men who have started or are about to start their final year's study for the Higher National Diploma or Higher National Certificate in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or for the Associateship of the Institute of Chemistry.

In this connection it should be understood that the fact that a student is in training for the teaching profession does not in itself qualify him to come within the scope of the work of the Joint Recruiting Boards.Joint Recruiting Boards have already received instructions with regard to their functions. If it is alleged that any of the boards are not keeping within their terms of reference I should be glad if my hon. Friend would send me particulars. I see no ground for extending their functions to cover two-year students in training colleges.So far as postponement of the liability to be called up for service is concerned, Training College students are in exactly the same position as university students in that the Military Service (Hardship) Committee machinery applies to both categories.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the fees payable to members of civilian medical boards for the examination of recruits, having regard to the notification to doctors by the British Medical Association confirming the appointment containing the statement that an appropriate fee, to be settled in consultation with the association, will be paid for each session; and why the unusual procedure of settling the fees between each appointee or each board in consultation with the British Medical Association is permitted?

Members of medical boards are paid at the rate of two guineas per session for the first five sessions in a week, and 1½ guineas for any subsequent sessions in the week, an additional half-guinea being paid to the chairman. These rates apply uniformly to all medical boards, and therefore the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that certain employers are dismissing young men who have been called for attestation in the 20 to 22 years of age group; what steps the Government are taking to deal with such employers; and what redress have these young men?

I have made regulations under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, which provide that employés shall not be discharged by reason of their liability to be called up for military service, and action can be taken by an emploé, or on his behalf, against an employer who has contravened these provisions. My information does not indicate that employers generally are seeking to avoid thair obligations under the Act, but if the hon. Member would care to send me particulars of any case within his knowledge I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the case of Mr. Donald Sutherland, C. R. No. 52434?

Mr. Donald Sutherland has been interviewed by an officer of my Department. It has been ascertained that his employment as a journalist was not as a member of an editorial staff, as had previously been understood, and that accordingly he is not covered by the Schedule of Reserved Occupations. The position has been explained to him and he has been informed that as far as the Schedule is concerned there is now no obstacle to his joining the Army. I should add that registration in the Central Register does not preclude anyone from joining His Majesty's Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour how many individuals had been registered in his Department's central register to the last available date; for how many of these had posts been obtained; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the effectiveness of this machinery?

I have at present no later statistics than those I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Leicester (Mr. Lyons) on the 16th November. There was, however, a typographical error in that reply and the figures of placings quoted for the period up to 11th October should have read "11th November." I consider that the central register is fulfilling satisfactorily its purpose of finding suitable people for posts of national importance for which special qualifications are required.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what was the income of the agricultural workers' insurance scheme for the year ending 3oth October, 1939, and the estimated surplus at that date;(2) whether he will state the amount of benefits paid out of the agricultural workers' insurance scheme for the year ending 3oth October, 1939?

The contribution income of the Agricultural Account of the Unemployment Fund and the amount of benefit paid in the year ended 31st October, 1939, were respectively about £1,665.000 and £857,000. The balance of the account on that date was approximately £3,360,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated cost of the removal of the waiting period from the agricultural workers' unemployment insurance scheme and the estimated cost of providing similar benefits to those paid out of the general scheme?

It is impracticable in present circumstances to make any precise estimate of the cost of abolishing the waiting period of three days under the agricultural unemployment insurance scheme. The cost of increasing the rates of benefit under that scheme to the level of those under the general scheme is estimated at £180,000 a year on the assumptions made by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee in their Report on the financial condition of the Unemployment Fund on 3Ist December, 1938.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of the president of the South Wales Military Tribunal on 29th November, deprecating toe fact that mock tribunals are being held in order to coach applicants desiring to be registered as conscientious objectors; and what steps he is taking to prevent this abuse?

My attention has been drawn to the matter. I have no power to prohibit the practice referred to. There is, so far as I am aware, no reason to suppose that it prevents the Tribunals from arriving at the right conclusions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the chairman of the South Wales Tribunal stated last week that the objections put forward by certain applicants for registration as conscientious objectors were not conscientious objections but political objections; and whether it is the Government's intention to discriminate between objections providing that in both cases the conscientious nature of the objection is proven?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 9th November. The duty of deciding whether objections are or are not "conscientious" within the meaning of the Act rests not upon the Government but upon the Local Tribunals, subject to appeal to the Appellate Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether workers who invest their savings in national savings certificates will have such investment taken into account in the event of their becoming subject to the means test through unemployment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 38 (3, d) of the Unemployment Act, 1934, which sets out the manner in which the Unemployment Assistance Board are required to deal with capital assets. The hon. Member will see that under the provisions of the Act capital assets of not more than £300 value are given substantial protection, and in particular are ignored entirely if they amount in total to less than £50.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the communication from Mr. O'Brien, general secretary, Cinema and Theatrical Employes Association, seeking the good offices of the Ministry of Labour in bringing about a meeting between cinema exhibitors and their employés in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, so that joint negotiations may proceed in order to settle grievances of the employés and what action he proposes to take?

A letter was sent to the association on 27th November stating that the Industrial Relations Offices for Wales will take such action as may be possible to bring about a settlement.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that advertisements have recently appeared in the Athens Press urging persons exporting goods to Germany to send them by sea from Smyrna to Trieste, safe transit being assured, and thence by rail to Germany; and whether there is any British contraband control on this sea route?

I am informed that an advertisement on these lines appeared in the German language newspaper in Athens on the 25th October. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what proportion of Rumanian oil exports have been purchased by Britain and Germany, respectively, since the outbreak of war?

Such statistics are not published and I fear that it would not be in the national interest to disclose the information in my possession.