asked the Minister of Supply whether the central contracting authorities for the making of nets by fishing communities have yet been appointed; and whether he has any further statement to make on the matter?

In an endeavour to spread the work of making camouflage nets throughout the country and to absorb as many as possible of the unemployed net makers and fishermen, administration is being divided into the 12 Civil Defence Regional Areas. Net-making firms have been invited to tender from each area and the firms who receive the contract will act as central contracting authorities.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the position of the negotiations with the Government of the United States of America with regard to the proposed purchase, by the latter, of a substantial quantity of tin as a reserve stock?

I am not aware of any such negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the nature of the reply to the telegram sent to the Straits Settlements Government suggesting that Singapore merchants should tender for supplies of tin to the United States of America Government at a price substantially above the control price?

I am not aware of any reply. No message of the nature described was sent from the Colonial Office.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken by his Department to utilise the large volume of unemployed and suitable labour in making munitions and other essential goods; and whether, in view of the large purchases of munitions now being made from overseas, he will take an early opportunity of considering the expansion of production at home?

Large orders for additional supplies of munitions of all kinds are being placed almost daily, and more and more firms are being brought into this field of production. I am establishing an area organisation, one of the functions of which will be to bring to notice capacity capable of manufacturing munitions. As all these measures are translated into actual production, a process which cannot be instantaneous, the demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour will be in excess of the numbers now unemployed: there must inevitably remain a substantial number of unemployed who are unsuitable for munitions work.

Whilst, however, this must always be the case, as the war proceeds there will arise demands for large quantities of general stores which should provide opportunities for employment of other grades of labour.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by an important firm in the West Midlands in obtaining supplies of steel billets and slabs for urgent defence purposes; that orders are being held up and mills closed; and what action he proposes to take?

I am aware that owing to the heavy demand for re-rolling billets and the reduction in imported supplies it has been difficult to meet all requirements. I have written to the hon. Member on the particular case referred to in the question and explained the steps which have already been taken to ensure supplies for that firm.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is cognisant of the injurious effect upon the sheep industry of the failure of the Wool Control to reach any decision in regard to wool prices, which failure is preventing the skinners, tanners and wool merchants from purchasing or taking over any wools from farmers, leaves the wool on the farmer's hands and so deprives him of the use of the money which he should be receiving for it, and that the wool cannot be covered by ordinary insurance against war risks; and will he have the matters of price - fixing and taking-over accelerated?

asked the Minister of Supply whether prices for British wools have now been fixed; and whether all the arrangements for the sale of wool by British farmers have been made so that farmers who are in need of ready money can proceed with the sale of their wool?

British wool not in farmers' hands has been taken over by the Control. Consultations have been proceeding with the interests concerned regarding the procedure for taking over the wool in farmers' hands, and it is expected that all arrangements will be completed very shortly, and the War Risks Insurance (General Exceptions) (No. 3) Order made on the 3rd December removes farmers' products completely from war risk insurance.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that a large proportion of the officials in the wool control are conducting private businesses of their own and using information acquired at the control for their private advantage; and will he consider the substitution of such officials by persons who have been thrown out of work by the control and who have no private interests to serve?

No, Sir. The officers of the Control have all undertaken to cease active participation in any business connected with the industry. As I informed the hon. Member on 22nd November, I am ready to investigate any evidence of unfair practices by any officer of the Control. None has yet been produced to mc.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) whether he will state the maximum price paid per ton for scrap-iron recently bought in America, and how this compares with the maximum prices paid for scrap-iron in this country over the same period;(2) whether he will state the total cost per ton of delivering scrap-iron bought in America to the nearest British steel works, and how this compares with the cost in the case of scrap-iron purchased in this country?

Purchases of scrap-iron in the United States of America are made on trade account and the prices of individual transactions are not reported to me. With present cost of freight, the delivered price of scrap-iron bought in the United States of America is substantially higher than the corresponding prices of United Kingdom scrap. Maximum prices have been fixed for the latter in the Control of Iron and Steel (No. 5) (Scrap) Order.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the terms of sale set out in the Control of Timber (No.1) Order, No. 1031, legalising the addition of 6 per cent. interest on credit accounts or 1 per cent. above bank rate, whichever is the higher, are to be applied to all control orders; and why this principle has been adopted for the timber trade?

In general, the Control Orders for raw materials are based on the usage of the trades concerned, and this principle is observed in the provision for credit terms in the Control of Timber (No.1) Order to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. Any question of providing for credit terms in Control Orders for other commodities would depend on the practice in the trades concerned.

asked the Minister of Supply whether there is a full supply of range-finders to meet present requirements; and, if the supply of all types of optical instruments is inadequate, will he invite a committee of Members of this House to ascertain the cause of the shortage and fix responsibility for the lack of foresight?

The stock of range-finders is more than sufficient to meet present requirements; as regards the second part of the question, it is not the case that the supply of all types of optical instruments is inadequate. Over the greater part of the field, supplies are coming forward adequately but in some directions there is ground for apprehension and in those cases steps are being taken to meet a shortage which has been caused by recent approval of greatly increased service requirements.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the weight of the Bofors gun mounting for which one contractor quoted £220 and another £72; and the proportion of ferrous and non-ferrous material therein?

I am informed that the weight of the mounting for which £220 was quoted was 8 cwt. 3 qrs. 7 lbs., and 2 qrs. 2 lbs. less in the other case. Eighteen lbs. of non-ferrous material was included in each case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that men have been sent by Employment Exchanges in districts as far apart as Richmond and Tottenham to his Ministry as applicants for vacancies as temporary clerks; that they were kept waiting five hours and were then offered posts at 62s. a week in London or 58s. in the Provinces and were required to give a guarantee to go where required; if these wages are in accordance with Civil Service scales; and what provision is made for married men sent to the Provinces?

Candidates sent by the Employment Exchanges for consideration for employment are interviewed with the least possible delay, and it has only been on a rare occasion that, owing to pressure, they have unavoidably been detained for any appreciable time. The rates of wages quoted are in accordance with the general Civil Service rates for temporary clerks.In view of the possibility of evacuation, applicants who would be quite unable to accept transfer to the Provinces, and would have to be discharged should this become necessary, are not normally accepted. There is, however, no question of requiring them to furnish anything in the nature of a guarantee. Temporary clerks who are recruited for employment in London and who may subsequently accept the Department's specific invitation to accompany the Department on evacuation to the Provinces may be granted the same concessions in regard to billeting charges as apply to established civil servants.

asked the Minister of Supply, what method of procedure should be adopted by a candidate for a temporary executive post in his Department; and what machinery exists for making selections to such posts?

Where vacancies in posts of the nature referred to cannot be filled by established civil servants, and temporary staff is in consequence required, recourse is normally had to the Ministry of Labour and National Service, and from the candidates submitted selections are made through the ordinary departmental machinery. A person not already employed in the Civil Service who desires to be considered for such a post should register, according to personal qualifications, with the Central Register maintained by the Ministry of Labour and National Service or at the Employment Exchange nearest to his or her residence.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many dismissals from His Majesty's Office of Works depots, including Somerset House, have taken place; and whether, following the appeal to private employers to retain people in employment, any steps are being taken to secure alťernative employment for those persons dismissed, and to avoid further dismissals?

Industrial employment in the Office of Works which is primarily a building Department, is subject to the constant fluctuations in em- ployment common to the building industry. Since the outbreak of the War 815 men of the various building and engineering trades have been recruited and 829 discharged from the 32 Office of Works building and engineering depots in London. The posiťion arising from the discharges has been discussed on the Departmental Joint Industrial Council with their trades union representatives and agreement has been reached.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware ťhat work in connection with the provision of an air raid shelter for the staff of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, at Cranbrook House, 22A, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, has been at a standstill since the end of Augusť owing to the fact that the builder is unable to obtain the necessary steel-work; and whether he will take steps to see that the builder receives the necessary supplies as soon as possible, in view of the vulnerability of this area?

The Inland Revenue staffs in occupation of a part hiring of these premises number 33. Under the Civil Defence Act the responsibility for providing an air-raid shelter rests upon the landlords. I undersťand that their contractors had to stop work on many of their jobs, including the work at Cranbrook House, for want of steel: buť that supplies are now coming forward which should enable these works to be resumed.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can state the plans of his Department for affording blast and splinter protection to the Inland Revenue staff at 7 and 8, Park Street, Croydon; and when he proposes to put the work in hand in view of the fact that Croydon is in a vulnerable area?

A staff of 82 occupies these leased premises. Plans and estimates have been prepared to strengthen the basement of the building. and it is hoped to put the work in hand shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether the reorganisation of his Department is now completed; and whether the work for which the Department was created is now being put fully into operation?

Except as regards regional reorganisation, which is in active progress, and certain minor changes at head-quarters, the answer to both parts of the question is, generally speaking, in the affirmative. But my hon. Friend will appreciate that the work of the Department is likely to grow and that further changes may be necessary to meet new conditions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information 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 staff of all grades (including those employed in regional offices but excluding civil servants on loan from other Departments) engaged since the creation of the Ministry is 476, of whom 251 were women. Of the total of 476 officers, 164 were in grades which would normally be recruited through the

Name.		Post.	Salary.	Names of Firms by whom previously employed.
Mr. H. Davis	…	Director of Oils and Fats	Serving without remuneration.	Lever Bros. and Unilever Ltd. (Director).
Mr. J. W. Knight	…	Director of Imported Oils, Fats and Oilseeds.	Serving without remuneration.	United Africa Co. (Director).
Mr. J. C. Glover	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	£1,000	Lever Bros. and Unilever Ltd.
Mr. C. E. Kidd	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	£1,000	Own business.
Mr. S. J. Knowles	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	£1,000	Lever Bros. and Unilever Ltd.
Mr. N. W. Mitchell	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	£1,000	Lever Bros. and Unilever Ltd.
Mr. M. W. Payne	…	Assistant Director of Imported Oils, Fats and Oilseeds.	£1,000	Lever Bros. and Unilever Ltd.
Mr. J. W. Pearson	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	£1,000	British Oil and Cake Mills, Ltd. (Chairman).
Mr. A. A. Pratt	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	Serving without remuneration.	Southern Oil Co., Ltd. (Director).
Mr. W. E. Waterhouse	…	Assistant Director of Oils and Fats.	Serving without remuneration.	United Premier Oil and Cake Co., Ltd. (Director).
Mr. E. C. U. Wilson	…	Head of Branch.	£800	Civil Servant.
Note.—In addition, an Assistant Secretary (Civil Servant) is engaged part-time on this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many staff of all grades have been engaged since 1st September; how Central Register. A large number of these had already been earmarked for service before the setting up of the Central Register, but 16, of whom eight were women, were actually recruited through the Register. None was recruited through the Women's Employment Federation Bureau. Most of the balance of 312 were in clerical and typing grades and were recruited, in the ordinary course, through the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

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?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th December, 1939; col. 488) supplied the following statement:many are women; and how many have been recruited from the central register and the Women's Employment Federation Bureau?

The total headquarters staff engaged since 1st September excluding permanent staff, men and women, assigned by the Civil Service Commission is 2,698, of whom 726 are women. One hundred and forty-nine were recruited from the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour and none from the Women's Employment Federation Bureau. I regret that it would not be possible to give corresponding figures in respect of outstation staff without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make inquiries into the delay of 25 days in the delivery of a business letter from Copenhagen to London; and what steps are being taken to prevent this handicap to our export trade?

The time of transmission of a letter from Copenhagen to London mentioned by the hon. Member is much in excess of the normal; and if he will send me the cover of the letter to which he refers I will gladly have inquiries made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the difficulties which have been put in the way of conducting business between this country and Scandinavia as a result of the delay in mails; what was the average delay during the past month between the posting of a letter in London and its arrival in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, respectively; and whether he can give an assurance that the delays which have occurred in the past shall not occur in the future, except in exceptional circumstances?

I am aware that under war conditions the mail service to Scandinavia is less regular and speedy than in peace-time. The position has, however, recently been improved by the establishment of an air mail service. According to returns taken last month, it appears that the time of transmission of letters posted in London and sent by surface routes to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo is now varying, according to circumstances, from approximately five to nine days, including delay due to censor- ship and to irregularity in the sea services. Corresponding times of transmission of letters sent by air mail are approximately two and a half to three and a half days. I can assure my hon. Friend that I am taking every possible step to provide as frequent and expeditious a mail service as is practicable under the existing conditions.

asked the Postmaster-General how many auxiliary postmen and other postal employés have been dismissed since the war began; and what national purpose has been served by this action?

A certain number of part-time postmen whose services could not otherwise be utilised may have been discharged owing to local alterations in services due to war-time conditions, but it would be impossible, without an inquiry covering the whole country, to state the number. Thousands of temporary employÉs have been engaged to cover the absence of postmen in the Armed Forces, and part-time officers are always given the first chance of temporary employment on full-time duties.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the approximate weight of paper used each year in the issue of telephone directories; and whether, in view of the need for economising in paper, he can arrange during the war period to cease to issue these directories at frequent intervals, and, as an alternative, to issue a half-yearly addendum and erratum list?

In normal course the annual consumption of paper amounts to about 12,000 tons, the various sections of the telephone directories being issued twice a year. I have given careful consideration to the best means of economising in the use of paper, and have arranged for the directories to be issued yearly, as soon as those showing the alterations due to the recent movements of population have been issued. I think this is to be preferred to the issue of a half-yearly addendum and erratum list. Alterations are numerous; in London, for example, they normally amount to over 100,000 in the half-year, and at present of course they are much greater.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to bring about a considerable expansion in the export trade to the United States of America in particular, and the South American countries and others in general; and is he satisfied that the principal export trades are permitted to import the raw material they require?

The Board of Trade are in consultation with the leading export industries in order that, in co-operation with the Ministry of Supply in regard to controlled raw materials, the fullest measure of supplies possible in present circumstances may be assured to these industries. In their consultations the Department invariably draws attention to the comparative importance of the various markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the total exports for the month of October and of the total since the outbreak of war to the end of October; how do these figures compare with those for the similar period in 1938 and 1937; and to what extent has there been a diminution of British exports to Turkey, China and Japan?

The following table shows the value of exports (including re-exports) of merchandise from the United Kingdom, as registered during the periods specified:

Month.	1937.	1938.	1939.
	£'000	£'000	£'000
October	52,915	48,006	26,621
September and October.	102,383	91,853	52,079

Exports to Turkey were substantially the same as last year, but there was a considerable reduction in exports to China and Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been done, or is proposed, to bring about a considerable expansion in the export trade of the pottery industry, the organisation of the home market and production?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 15th November, my right hon. Friend has been in consultation with the British Pottery Manufacturers' Federation. He has now received a memorandum from the Federation, which he is carefully considering. This memorandum, I am glad to say, takes a hopeful view of prospects for the export trade. I am not quite clear what the hon. Member has in mind when he refers to the organisation of the home market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement on what steps are being taken to bring about more economic co-operation; what machinery is to be set up to develop the French-British economic co-operation; and are other countries to be invited to join in the arrangements as soon as possible?

I would refer the hon. Member to the joint statement issued by the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and of France on the 17th November in regard to the establishment of permanent Anglo-French Executive Committees for food, shipping, munitions and raw materials, oil, aircraft production and supply, and economic warfare, and of an Anglo-French Co-ordinating Committee. It was added that the agreements reached can if required be extended to other fields. This statement was amplified by an announcement in the Press on the 27th November.I am happy to be able to add that the various committees referred to in those statements have now been set up and that the Anglo-French Co-ordinating Committee is holding its first meeting to-day.As regards the last part of the question His Majesty's Government are always anxious to secure the greatest possible measure of economic co-operation with friendly countries, but I would add that naturally our relations with France must be specially close as allies actively engaged in a common cause.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any likelihood of adequate supplies of cycle and similar torch batteries being available shortly for civilians, especially in those industrial and mining areas largely engaged on work of national importance, such as Doncaster?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on the 16th November to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, Central (Mr. Windsor) and on the 22nd November to the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson).

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision in the case of Newstead versus London Express Newspapers; and whether the Lord Chancellor's Commission to inquire into the law of defamation has presented a report?

I am informed by my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, that he has read the judgments in the case of Newstead versus London Express Newspapers. The committee established under the chairmanship of Lord Porter to inquire into the law of defamation has, after consulting the Lord Chancellor, decided to suspend further operations during the progress of the war as it is found impossible in war conditions, without grave inconvenience, to secure the attendance of some of its members and of the necessary witnesses.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of cases, at the most recent date, being assisted by the Unemployment Assistance Board in each of the urban districts of Aspull, Blackrod, Horwich, Hindley, and Westhoughton?

The available figures relate to Employment Exchange areas and not to local authority areas. The table below shows the numbers of payments of unemployment assistance allowances made through the Exchanges in question during the week ended 24th November, 1939; the figures include allowances in supplementation of insurance benefit and allowances under the Unemployment Assistance (Prevention and Relief of Distress) Regulations, 1939:

Aspull	…	…	287
Horwich	…	…	161
Hindley	…	…	873
Westhoughton	…	…	303

There is no separate Exchange at Blackrod; the figures for that locality are included in those for Horwich.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take action to ensure that clerks who refuse an appointment to serve in the provinces as temporary clerks in the Ministry of Pensions at a wage of 58s. a week, shall not be deprived of statutory unemployment benefit; and if he will issue instructions to the exchanges that applicants be informed of the fact that they may be required to go to the provinces, so that married men from districts over 10 miles from Westminster may not spend time and money seeking employment that does not provide an economic wage?

The question whether unemployment benefit is payable in any individual case is a matter, not for me, but for the statutory authorities, namely, the Insurance Officer, Court of Referees, and, in certain circumstances, the Umpire. As regards the second part of the question, it is the practice of Employment Exchanges to give to applicants full particulars of vacancies as notified to the Department and I understand that this was done in the case of the vacancies to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number and percentage of applicants who have been placed on the conscientious objectors' register by the Tribunals in the different counties of Wales and Monmouthshire?

The number of persons who have been provisionally registered as conscientious objectors in Wales is 1,052, or 3.7 per cent. of the total number of applicants who registered on 3rd June and 21st October. Three hundred and forty-eight cases have been dealt with by the North Wales and South Wales Local Tribunals and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a statement analysing the decisions of these Tribunals by numbers and percentage. I regret that separate figures are not available for each county.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will introduce legislation to establish in this country the principle legally enforced in France, that wealthy wives shall be responsible for the financial assistance of their husbands serving in His Majesty's Forces, or in any other capacity adversely affecting their financial position?

No such legislation is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is considerable grievance felt by men in service units in the Greenock area regarding the discrimination made against them in connection with charges for omnibus trawl; and whether he will consult with the omnibus companies operating the Greenock area to secure that service men travelling between their billets and their centres during the times of running of workmen's omnibuses, should be treated as workmen and be charged accordingly?

I am obtaining information as to the practice in this area and in other parts of the country. When this information is available I shall be in a position to consider what action, if any, it would be proper for me to take. The hon. and learned Member will appreciate that I must have regard to all the interests affected, but he may rest assured that the position of service-men will receive very sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the casualties on the roads of the United Kingdom during the month of October; how many occurred during black-out hours; how many were pedestrians, cyclists and occupants of motor vehicles, respectively; and whether he will consider the relative value allowing increased lighting of motor and cycle headlights as is the practice in France?

919 persons were reported to have died in Great Britain during the month of October, 1939, as the result of road accidents. Of these, 564 persons died as the result of accidents during the hours of darkness. The total figure comprises 572 pedestrians, 132 pedal cyclists, 113 motor cyclists and pillion passengers, 34 drivers of mechanically-propelled vehicles other than motor cycles, and 68 other persons.As regards the last part of the question, the new type of headlamp mask for motor cars and motor cycles gives a greatly improved driving light and I hope that the general use of this type of mask will prove to be a factor in reducing the number of accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the portion of the scheme for widening High Street, Stratford, from Bow Bridge to Marshgate Lane is still uncompleted; that the contract for such completion has been allocated; that the houses necessary for the accommodation of de-housed people are erected and available for use; and whether, as this portion of the scheme is almost the final section and the non-fulfilment would constitute a great public danger, he will take steps to collaborate with the local highway authority to ensure early completion of the scheme?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, but I would point out that the road works have not been started and there has been no interference with the footpaths and carriageway. The decision to postpone the works was taken in accordance with the general policy that in present circumstances road works should not be put in hand unless they can be shown to be essential in the national interest. As at present advised, I do not think that postponement in this case would constitute any public danger.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is prepared to release the materials necessary for the production on a substantial scale of vehicles propelled by electric batteries, since this would mean a considerable saving in oil imports and shipping?

I shall of course be prepared to give careful and sympathetic consideration to any application for materials for the production of electrically-propelled vehicles. Such an application would require consideration in relation to the requirements of materials for other purposes and the circumstances existing at the time when it was made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that certain London electricity companies have given notice to increase their charges owing to the reduction of consumption by reason of the black-out and the evacuation policy of the Government whereby many of their consumers have left London; and, in view of the serious hardship thereby occasioned to those citizens who have to remain in London for national or business reasons, what action the Government propose to take in the matter?

I am aware that owing to the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend and to increasing costs certain London electricity companies, in common with various public authorities supplying electricity and gas undertakings, have found it necessary to increase their charges. The increases have not required my statutory approval, but I am keeping the position under careful observation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that a member of the Heanor Urban District Council appointed by the council to sit on the local food control committee as its representative was objected to and declared ineligible by the divisional food officer on the ground that he was employed by a co-operative society; whether this decision is approved by him; and whether he will state the authority which authorises this discrimination?

Yes, Sir. The divisional food officer represented that an employé of a retail co-operative society is ineligible for appointment as a member of a food control committee otherwise than as one of the trade members. This applies to all persons who are carrying on or are actively engaged in the business of a trader in food or foodstuffs. The qualifications of trade members and ordinary members are set out in Section 2 of the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many complaints he has received from local tradesmen's associations respecting the prices charged by wholesalers for the commodities they supply particularly in respect of articles of food; and whether it is his intention to fix wholesale prices in the same way as retail prices are fixed thus ensuring a reasonable return to the small trader?

I have received a number of representations on the subject referred to in the first part of the question, but in view of the volume of correspondence in my Department it would not be possible to extract a total without an undue expenditure of labour. As regards the second part of the question, control of retail prices has in every case in which it has been imposed been accompanied by control of wholesale prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has noted the results of the recent test taken by the British Institute of Public Opinion on the subject of rationing, showing that 60 per cent. of those questioned approved the proposed Government system, 28 per cent. were unfavourable, and 12 per cent. were neutral; and whether, in view of this favourable opinion, he will consider extending the system to other commodities in which there is a risk of ultimate shortage?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the hon. Member may be assured that the subject is kept constantly under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is intended to provide bigger rations for growing children than for very old persons; and, if so, what are the proportions?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 8th November to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Frome (Mrs. Tate) and Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he will arrange for the Cyprus and Palestine orange crop being conveyed in refrigeration ships, in view of the longer time taken for the transit owing to war conditions?

I am advised that there is normally little demand for refrigerated tonnage in the Eastern Mediterranean trade and that, even allowing for any delay likely to be experienced in present conditions, oranges can well be carried from Palestine and Cyprus in non-insulated spaces.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the terms of the taking over of the 200 steam trawlers and drifters for mine-sweeping duties by his Department; and if there is any contract for the future restitution of the fishing fleet in the event of losses or by excessive depreciation of the vessels?

Final terms of hire have not yet been arranged for requisitioned trawlers and drifters. It is hoped that these and other financial matters, including compensation for loss or damage to the vessels, will be settled by agreement with the owners, but in the absence of agreement, compensation will be payable under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. In the meantime advances on account of hire are being made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement as to the recent recruitment of fishing-fleet crews for the purpose of minesweeping and whether their terms of enlistment are similar to those of the naval ratings?

The crews of these vessels recently requisitioned are being engaged on a special form of agreement and at rates of pay specially fixed for men temporarily engaged on work of a similar nature. The rates are not the same as those paid to naval ratings which are based on service for the period of the war.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Royal Naval Reserve ratings do not get paid for their good conduct badges the same as pensioner ratings of the Royal Fleet Reserve who get paid at the rate of 3d. per day for each badge?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why Royal Naval Reserve ratings do not get paid for their good conduct badges at the rate of 3d. a day, as do ratings in the Royal Navy, pensioner ratings, and Royal Fleet Reserve; and whether he will also consider taking steps to secure to members of the Royal Naval Reserve the payment of their retainers in war-time, in the same way that pensioner ratings continue to draw their pensions?

Good conduct badges are an award for service in the Royal Navy and any man serving in the Navy can qualify by service for such badges and the pay associated with them. Ratings of the Royal Naval Reserve are eligible for these badges in respect of mobilised service.Good service badges earned by service in the reserve alone are not on all fours with good conduct badges earned by service in the Navy and consequently carry no pay.The retainer paid to men of the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Fleet Reserves is paid not as a reward for services rendered but in respect of a liability for service in the Royal Navy and, as such, ceases on mobilisation. Pensions on the other hand are awards for service rendered in the past and there is no reason why they should be discontinued when the pensioner is recalled for further service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will keep neutral naval authorities, such as Holland and Belgium, advised of any successful methods evolved by his experts for dealing with so-called magnetic and similar mines, laid contrary to international law, in the hope that such neutral countries will feel free to take any necessary action to protect their own interests?

We are taking all possible steps to deal with magnetic and other mines, not only in British territorial waters but also on the high seas; neutral shipping will equally benefit with British shipping from these measures.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of relatives of men lost on Admiralty vessels, and if he will take steps to relieve these bereaved people without the interrogation at present necessary?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. W. S. Hall) on the 26th October. Other dependants in receipt of a dependant's allowance are similarly treated. In neither case is any interrogation involved.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the proportions, respectively, of Empire and foreign leaf in the purchases of tobacco for the Navy; and whether, in view of the necessity of reducing purchases requiring payment in American dollars, he proposes to increase the purchases of leaf grown in the British Empire?

The proportions of Empire and foreign leaf in the tobacco purchased for the Navy vary with the quantities of suitable descriptions offered when the annual purchases are made. As a general rule between 20 and 25 per cent. of the total quantity purchased is of Empire origin. The importance of making the greatest possible use of Empire tobacco is fully realised.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the present arrangements for compensating naval officers and ratings, respectively, for loss of uniforms and personal possessions when their ships are sunk as a result of enemy action; whether he is aware that in many cases under the present arrangements survivors do not receive sufficient by way of compensation to enable them to make good the losses which they have suffered in this respect; whether it is possible for them to insure their clothes and personal possession on board His Majesty's ships against such loss; and will he consider the desirability of revising the scheme to ensure that no officers or men suffer any pecuniary disadvantage through the sinking of their ships?

All officers who as a result of enemy action sustain loss or damage to articles of uniform clothing and equipment necessary for the performance of their duties receive compensation, the amount of which is calculated on the principle of making good actual losses. Ratings are treated similarly or are supplied with new articles. Compensation is not payable in respect of losses of non-service effects which may be insured under the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider employing naval pensioners called up for war service who are over 48 years of age, in harbour ships and establishments of the Royal Navy when practicable?

It is the intention of the Admiralty to relieve the older naval pensioners and reservists who are now at sea by younger men as soon as these become available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the difficulties of cyclists obtaining rear lamps and batteries owing to the increased use of cycles; and that, as they are being fined for not having rear lamps, whether he will take steps, in co-operation with the Minister of Supply, to see that these lamps and batteries are obtainable at an early date?

My right hon. Friend is informed that there has been difficulty in some cases in obtaining cycle lamps and batteries. As the hon. Member will be aware, there has been an unprecedented demand for batteries, but as my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade stated in reply to a recent question, the manufacturers have taken steps to increase their output. I understand that the production of lamps is also being increased as rapidly as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Bradford Dyers' Association have issued an instruction that persons who have taken full-time employment with the air-raid precautions authorities as first-aid attendants, auxiliary firemen, air-raid wardens and special constables shall be regarded as having left their employment and that no obligation as to reinstatement or continuance of superannuation contributions will rest with the association; and whether he will make some inquiry into the matter with a view to taking action?

My right hon. Friend is having inquiries made, and will communicate the results in due course to the hon. Member.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when the hotels requisitioned in various parts of the country and not now required are to be handed back to their owners and compensation paid?

With reference to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkdale (Sir R. Rankin) on 30th November. Compensation is payable in accordance with the terms of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. Claim forms have been sent to the hotel proprietors, and on receipt of the formal claims, I am, as I have already announced, prepared to make payments on account in appropriate cases without prejudice to a final settlement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he contemplates imposing by administrative action some limitation upon the right of the wife of a subject of a Sate at war with His Majesty who was, at birth, a British subject, to make an application for the grant of a certificate of naturalisation under Section 10 (6) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914?

No, Sir. In the statement which I made in reply to the hon. Lady's question on the 23rd November I thought it right to give some indication of the general lines on which I propose to exercise my discretion in dealing with applications made under this Section. In order to avoid misunderstandings I made it clear that certain classes of applicants might expect favourable consideration; but I do not seek to limit in any way the right of other persons to apply, and their applications would of course be considered on their merits.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of proceedings and convictions for drunkenness in England and Wales, respectively, for the years 1937 and 1938?

The following table gives the desired information:

—			Proceedings.	Convictions.
England:	1937	…	53,121	45,014
	1938	…	53,151	44,598
Wales:	1937	…	2,183	1,743
	1938	…	2,537	2,005
Totals:	1937	…	55,304	46,757
	1938	…	55,688	46,603

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of animal feeding-stuffs, he will make arrangements that every farmer should register with a feeding-stuff merchant and purchase from him alone, in order that an equitable distribution of available supplies should be assured?

My right hon. Friend does not consider that the adoption of the suggestion made by the hon. Member would in itself solve the difficulty to which he refers. The question of what action might be taken to ensure a more equitable distribution of the available supplies of feeding-stuffs is now being examined by the Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, taking counties individually, he will state those counties which have already ploughed up their quota of arable acres in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively?

Figures are not yet available regarding the actual acreage of grassland ploughed since the outbreak of war in the various counties and I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to furnish the information that my hon. Friend desires.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the amount of damage being done to the plaice fisheries by the withdrawal of the order limiting the size of the fish to be caught; and whether he is aware that, towards the end of October, 30 tons of immature plaice were landed at Fleetwood and sold for manure; that the same thing is happening at Liverpool and Wallasey; and whether he will reintroduce the size limitation order before further irreparable damage is done to the fisheries?

My right hon. Friend has been unable to obtain information of any immature plaice sold for manure in the Lancashire area; on the contrary the information is that such immature plaice as have been landed there have been sold for food at good prices. While my right hon. Friend wishes to discourge the deliberate catching of immature fish, I would remind the hon. Member that the reinstatement of the size limitation order would mean a loss for food purposes of such immature fish as are unavoidably caught in certain numbers notwithstanding that nets of regulation size are used. In present circumstances this seems to me to be indefensible, but my right hon. Friend will continue to watch the situation in order to check abuses if they should occur. I am advised that serious damage to the stocks of fish need not be feared, particularly as fishing has been so greatly curtailed by war conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total weight of white fish landed at the port of Aberdeen during 1938; and what was its total value?

The quantity and value of white fish landed at the port of Aberdeen in 1938 were 1,607,683 cwts. and £1,761,985 respectively.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what proportion of seized contraband goods have been made available to the consumer up to date, and in what categories?

Goods seized as prize can only be put into consumption after the Prize Court has decided that they were properly seized and has condemned them. Until condemnation the goods have to be kept "in specie" as the court may order their release. Sales, however, may be ordered by the court before condemnation if the goods are perishable or if the storage of the goods is likely to exceed their value, or if from their great bulk the storage might cause congestion in docks or warehouses.The following quantities have up to the present been sold:

		Tons.
Iron ore	…	81,150
Manganese ore	…	30,300
Residue pyrites	…	5,700
Bauxite	…	27,300
Sulphur	…	2,500
Phosphate rock	…	29,350
Pulpwood (approx.)	…	10,500
Palm oil	…	3,500
Frozen beef	…	734
Copra	…	600
Maize	…	481
Oranges (approx.)	…	90
Calf skins (approx.)	…	7
Wood oil	…	20
Chrome ore	…	500
Calcium tartrate (approx.)	…	50

This amounts to two-fifths of the contraband seized which, up to the 2nd December inclusive, totalled 476,496 tons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a reduction in the horse-power tax on motor cars from 25s. to 20s. would encourage many owners to take out new licences in the new year who otherwise may not do so since the small allowance of petrol available makes running costs disproportionately high and the reduction in tax thus be compensated for by the increased number of licences paid, he will consider reducing the tax?

No, Sir. Inquiries do not lead the Ministry of Transport and the Treasury to believe that a reduction in the tax would be compensated for to any material extent by the increased number of licences paid.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will exempt from the Fuel and Lighting Order, 1939, the manufacture from waste coal-slack of briquettes, which are in some districts used in place of ordinary coal?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 7th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for all short-term money borrowed by the Government as Treasury bills being created by the issue department of the Bank of England and lent to the Government free of interest, failing the reduction by the monied interests of the present high rates of Treasury bills?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there has recently been an acute shortage of water supply for the inhabitants of Grange-over-Sands; whether any qualified water engineer has been asked by the local authority to advise on this shortage; and whether that authority is adopting his recommendations?

I have received complaints and one of my inspectors has investigated the matter locally. A normal supply is now being given. I propose forthwith to communicate with the local authority on the question of permanently improving their supply. I am not aware that they have yet appointed a consulting engineer.

asked the Secretary of State for War who decides the language in which conversations may be conducted on the trans-continental telephone; and whether he will arrange in future, when important trade negotiations are being discussed, that the language of the country in question may be used?

The decision on this matter was made by His Majesty's Government. I regret that security reasons preclude the adoption of the hon. Member's proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to supply the reservists, who have been called to the Colours, with a second suit of Army clothing as, at present, when drenched by heavy rains, the clothes have to be worn in a wet condition unless there is an opportunity to dry them by the guard-room fire?

Supplies of uniform are coming in well, and second suits are in course of issue to men who have not already got them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the advantage of the possession of a supply of oil, the price of which can be controlled, he will consider the development of the oilfields of Palestine and Trans-Jordan under oil-mining legislation enacted in Palestine in 1938 and with the authority of the Emergency Defence Act of August, 1938?

Pending the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Palestine and Trans-Jordan, the question of applying emergency powers in connection with its exploitation does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the necessity for the recent loan of £50,000 to banana planters in Jamaica to aid in the restoration of their holdings damaged by storms, he has considered the desirability of establishing hurricane risk insurance, advocated for years past by those interested in the welfare of the Colony?

This matter has frequently been considered, but the growers have never been able to agree on any scheme prepared for their examination. The latest scheme of this nature was embodied in a Bill submitted by the Jamaica Government to the Legislative Council early last year. The Bill was, however, rejected, and in view of the opinions expressed on that occasion by the elected members the Government did not feel able to carry the matter any further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the poverty of the working people of Malaya, any part of the taxation will fall directly or indirectly on them, in order that the gift to Great Britain towards the cost of the war may be made; and whether the schemes for the improvement of education and expansion of social services will be prejudiced?

No direct taxation which may be imposed as a war measure in Malaya will fall on the labouring classes, and at present the only indirect taxation affecting them is a duty on imported tobacco. Schemes for the improvement and expansion of social services will not be prejudiced by such contribution as may be made to His Majesty's Government towards the cost of the war.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconstitute the Military Service (Special Allowances) Committee to provide for substantial trade union and working-class representation thereon?

I propose to enlarge the committee and in doing so it is my intention to appoint representatives of Labour. I may add that one of the members of the existing committee is a trade union official.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange for the publication of the scale or regulations used by the Military Service (Special Allowances) Committee in granting special allowances to service families and dependants?

The committee has a wide discretion to take into account a very great variety of circumstances and each case is dealt with on its merits. The formulation of scales of grant would be inconsistent with the purpose of the committee.