asked the Minister of Labour, what consents have to be obtained before a local authority, in whose area juvenile unemployment persists, can re-open a juvenile instruction centre closed on the outbreak of war?

My approval is required. If an educaťion authority consider that re-opening of a centre is justified they should communicate in the first instance with the divisional controller for the area concerned.

Can the right hon. Genťleman give my indication how many of these centres have been reopened recently?

About a week ago I think the number was 30.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that voluntary workers in connection with the evacuation of schoolchildren are, in some districts, being required to get unemployment cards, although they receive no payment for the work done and the billeting fee is paid direct to the householder with whom they live; and under what authority this is required?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to persons acting as official helpers in connection with Government evacuation schemes and receiving free board and lodging but no money payment. In accordance with Part I of the First Schedule to the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, such persons are insurable under the Act if they are employed under the direction and control of the local authority concerned on conditions which constitute a contract of service.

Is the effect of that answer that billeting allowances are treated as wages?

I would not like to add that to my answer. There is a contract of service, and if the hon. Member would like further details I will give him the particular reference.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make on the treatment by the Unemployment Assistance Board of an allotment made by a serving son to a parent?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any arrangements have been made with the other Departments concerned to ensure that recruitment of labour for Government factories now beginning production shall be made through the Employment Exchanges, and whether preference is to be given to men who have been long unemployed; and what the position is in regard to this matter?

It is the established procedure for all vacancies arising at Government industrial establishments to be filled through the medium of the Employment Exchanges, and resort to outside recruitment is had only in exceptional cases. As regards the second part of the question, the exchanges have recently been reminded of the desirability and importance, in present circumstances, of losing no opportunity of placing applicants who have been out of work for a long time, wherever they appear to be suitable for the work required.

Are all the vacancies to be filled through the Employment Exchanges, or is there any discretion left to the local authority?

This is recruitment of labour for factories, and the established procedure of Government Departments is that labour should be recruited through the Employment Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of public funds advanced, directly or indirectly, to the Subsistence Production Society of the Eastern Valley of Monmouthshire since its commencement; the excess of expenditure over income for the year ended 31st March, 1939; and whether he will make a statement on the present position of the society?

Up to 31st March, 1938, the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) approved grants amounting to £97,500 to enable An Order of Friends to carry out an experiment in subsistence production in the Eastern Valley of Monmouthshire. In March, 1938, the average monthly loss was about £1,200, exclusive of certain administrative expenditure on general organisation, and other items. I am not aware of the excess of expenditure over income for the year ending 31st March, 1939; the experiment was closed down in June, 1939.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of loss means that to give each unemployed man the actual amount provided by the Subsistence Production Society would have meant a saving of £400 a month, and will he have some inquiry made as to the reckless waste of public money which is going on in connection with this society?

I do not agree that there has been reckless waste of public money. This was a well-intentioned attempt, which has been highly praised in many quarters, to develop an original idea. The fact that it has not succeeded does not prove that it was a reckless waste of money. The Government have been sympathetic towards this attempt, outside Government circles, to do something in respect of the elderly unemployed.

While that sounds all right, is it not the case that fashionable people have made this a fashionable fad at the expense of the unemployed?

I think the hon. Lady is entirely wrong, and that the people connected with this society have shown great devotion, and, indeed, have taken upon their shoulders great risks in applying this idea towards helping the older unemployed. I must deprecate the language of the hon. Lady.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his figures for the persons employed include those engaged on air-raid precautions, etc., and the various controls; and whether his figures for the persons unemployed include friendly aliens seeking work here?

The compilation of estimates of the numbers of insured persons in employment has been suspended since September last, as the information required is no longer available. The unemployment figures compiled by my Department include all persons registered at Employment Exchanges as applicants for work.

asked the Minister of Labour how he accounts for the rise of about 10 per cent. in the number of persons unemployed in the Doncaster area during November; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with so unsatisfactory a state of affairs at such a time as the present?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

If as a result of the inquiry he finds that at railway works which are working on short time, wagons are badly wanted, will he make representations to the Minister of Transport?

It is on the short time problem that I am making inquiries. There is no problem when there is full-time employment.

In the case of short time in the collieries, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of Mines to see whether some improvement can be made?

I will await the result of this inquiry first.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of surplus cash carried to the credit of the Unemployment Insurance Fund in each of the last three financial years?

The excess receipts of the Unemployment Fund over payments during each of the three financial years ended 31st March, 1939, were:

The right hon. Gentleman will realise that this amount has been contributed by those from 18 to 65 years of age and after that age they go off the fund. Cannot a payment be made from the fund to raise the allowances of old age pensioners?

I shall he glad to discuss the matter with the hon. Member, but the suggestion he has made would be wholly impracticable.

asked the Minister of Labour particulars showing the amount of surplus derived from unemployment insurance payments made on account of persons in the following age groups: 18 to 35 years, 36 to 55 years, and 56 to 65 years?

I regret that figures are not available from which the desired information could be obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to enable the Unemployment Assistance Board to pay to parents whose children are evacuated a distance from their homes such sum as would enable the parents to pay their children an occasional visit?

The hon. Member will be aware, from the reply given by the Minister of Transport on 15th November to the hon. Member for Oldham (Mr. Hamilton Kerr), of the special arrangements which have been made in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health for Scotland to enable parents of evacuated children to visit their children in the country before Christmas. I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that they have had these arrangements under consideration and are instructing their officers that, if any of their applicants wish to take advantage of the facilities provided but are unable to do so without further assistance, such assistance may be given.

Is the Minister aware that many applicants in South London have applied for further assistance and have been refused?

I cannot deal with such cases unless I have notice of them, but I think my answer shows that the Board are sympathetic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds he has refused sanction for the purchase of 5o mackintoshes for the use of Air-Raid Precautions workers in inclement weather recently made by the emergency committee of the Deptford Borough Council; and whether, as many of these workers are not in a position to purchase these necessary articles, he will reconsider the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 31st October to a question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves). I regret that under present conditions I cannot undertake to reconsider the matter.

Is the Minister aware of the deep resentment felt by these local A.R.P. workers at this niggardly and unjustifiable refusal, and would he be surprised to learn that the efficiency of these workers may be seriously impeded if the refusal is persisted in?

I do not think the measures that have been taken to provide equipment for Civil Defence workers can fairly be described as niggardly. They have been criticised in certain quarters on the score of extravagance. I think the tact is that we have taken a wise middle course.

asked the Home Secretary what provision is being made for the supply of gas-masks to children who require larger helmets as they grow bigger?

Local authorities have been instructed to make periodical surveys to ascertain how many infants have become too big for their baby helmets, and they are supplied, from time to time, with additional quantities of children's respirators to issue in exchange for baby helmets. The needs of children supplied with either a children's or a small civilian respirator who outgrow the type with which they have been fitted will be met as the need arises by the substitution of a respirator of the appropriate size.

Is it not possible to invent an expanding respirator?

It may be, but we have not yet succeeded.

I do not intend putting this question, but as I have had a long letter from the Home Secretary about it, may I ask whether—

Is the hon. Member putting Question 33 or a supplementary to a previous question?

I only wanted to ask a question about the text of the letter which the Home Secretary sent to me on this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. T. C. Newman, of 15, Grovelands Avenue, Swindon, was prosecuted at Swindon on 6th November for contravening the lighting regulations at 5 a.m. on 20th September, and that police evidence stated that the windows of his newspaper shop were efficiently blacked-out, lights properly screened casting the light downwards; that there was a heavy canvas sheet hung across the entrance through which workmen moved in carrying out their work, and that air-raid precautions wardens were satisfied with the precautions taken; and what steps does he propose to take to ensure that members of the public are not being unreasonably prosecuted?

I have made inquiry and am informed that the sheet hung across the entrance to these premises did not reach the floor by nearly five feet, with the result that at the time when the offence was observed light was streaming through the open doorway and shining on a wall on the opposite side of the road. On the matter being brought to his notice by the police Mr. Newman would not make any effort to screen the light. I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that the prosecution in this case was unreasonable. The fact that the defendant was fined £1 shows that the court which heard the evidence did not take this view of the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on a comparative basis, there are more prosecutions in Swindon than in any other part of the country for contraventions of the lighting regulations; and, furthermore, that Swindon is more blacked out than any other part of the country?

Comparisons are apt to be very misleading.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that an old age pensioner, Mr. F. W. Mapson, of 18, Station Road, Stratton St. Margaret, was prosecuted at Swindon on 13th November for striking a match indoors; that evidence was given that if he had struck this match out-of-doors he would not have been fined; and what action does he propose to remit the fine imposed on Mr. Mapson, and to ensure that in the future no proceedings will be instituted in such cases?

I have made inquiry and I understand that the proceedings in this case were taken in respect of a light showing at an uncurtained bedroom window. There was no evidence that the light was caused by striking a match, and I am informed that, in fact, it came from a lighted candle. The case was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act on payment of 2s. costs; no question of remission, therefore, arises. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Clitheroe (Sir W. Brass) on 9th November last. Steps are being taken to bring that reply specifically to the notice of chief officers of police for their guidance.

Would it not be better when cases of this kind are brought before the court that the parties concerned should be let off with a caution?

The reply to which I have referred the hon. Member indicated that the proper procedure was that actual proceedings should be taken only where there has been a flagrant or defiant breach of the regulations, and that in ordinary cases a warning should be given in the first instance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that that applies to Scottish officers as well as to those in England?

I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that instructions have been issued to regional commissioners to give facilities to Members of Parliament to have free passage in their constituencies, in the event of the regional organisation being put into operation owing to aerial bombardment having cut off the region from the central Government?

I am satisfied that, in the circumstances described in the question, regional commissioners would do all in their power to assist Members of this House to carry out their duties; and no special instructions from me appear necessary.

May I ask whether that reply will be circulated to the officers concerned?

I have no doubt the attention of the regional commissioners will be called to my reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has sanctioned the employment of 137 paid air-raid wardens, 70 paid ambulance drivers and 88 paid auxiliary firemen in the city of Oxford, a reception area, involving a monthly expenditure of £3,170 under these heads, the whole of which falls on the Exchequer; will he reconsider the practice of prescribing maximum scales, which are an encouragement to local authorities, who have not to find the money, to work to these maxima irrespective of actual requirements; and whether his attention has been drawn to the practice in the adjoining county of Bucks, with important industrial centres in Slough, High Wycombe and Aylesbury, where the paid air-raid precautions personnel, other than the auxiliary fire services, numbers only 161, with more than 9,000 volunteers?

The fixing of a maximum establishment for each local authority, including a maximum proportion of paid whole-time volunteers, varying with the assumed degree of vulnerability, the facilities for mutual support and other local factors, has shown itself to be a satisfactory method of allocating available man-power for civil defence services. The establishments for the city of Oxford and the county of Bucks were determined in the light of these considerations, but all establishments are subject to review. I may add that I cannot identify the figures for Bucks quoted by my hon. Friend.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say which is the "wise middle course," extravagance in Oxford or parsimony in Bucks?

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept the figures of the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire County Council?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that voluntary unpaid help still lacks encouragement in the air-raid precautions services; and will he arrange that where badges are provided for paid personnel the unpaid volunteers shall also be accorded this mark of appreciation?

I am not aware of any lack of encouragement of voluntary unpaid help in the air-raid precautions services, to the high value of which I have paid unstinted tribute in this House and elsewhere. No distinction is made between unpaid and paid volunteers in the issue of badges to trained members of these services.

asked the Home Secretary why taximeter-cab drivers are prohibited from using the Lucas head-lamp mask, while it is generally used by owners of private motor-cars?

I understand that certain headlamp masks manufactured by the firm to which the hon. Lady refers for use with lamps of low power were accidentally distributed for general sale. They give too much light when fitted to a headlamp of the usual power, and the Commissioner of Police was unable to give his approval to their use on taxi-cabs. The attention of the manufacturers was called to the matter, and I am informed that they are taking steps to withdraw these masks and replace them.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell me why it was that last week taximen using these lamps were working in Palace Yard and were apprehended by the police, though private drivers using them were on the road?

I have explained that a rather unfortunate mistake was made. It may well be that a taxi driver, who comes under the direct notice of the police, came under observation before private drivers who were using these lamps on the road.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the rise of 10 points in the cost of living since the outbreak of war and of the fact that householders have found the billeting allowance inadequate to feed a child properly, apart from the cost of linen, furniture, and cooking utensils, he will how increase the allowance of 8s. 6d. by not less than 1s. 6d.?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave on 23rd November to my hon. Friend the Member for Denbigh (Sir H. Morris-Jones), of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship inflicted on teachers in evacuated areas who have been billeted in unsuitable quarters, and from whom the billeting allowance of 5s. a week has been withdrawn when they have rented suitable billets for themselves; and whether he will reconsider the decision whereby the billeting allowance is only paid when there is a householder resident on the premises?

Representations on this matter have been made to me by representatives of the teachers themselves, and will be considered in conjunction with the rate of billeting allowances, which is to form the subjecť of further consultation as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when an official pronouncement is likely to be made in this matter as people are getting very annoyed at the delay?

I am afraid I cannoť give a date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the large number of education committees that have passed resolutions or made proposals respecting billeting charges for evacuated children; whether he is aware that the present scheme has led to many children being brought home; and whether he proposes to reconsider the financial aspect of the scheme and a revision of charges?

I am aware that a number of education committees have passed resolutions in favour of postponing the operation of the scheme for the recovery of billeting charges until the end of the year. I have, however, no evidence that the scheme has been the sole or even the main cause of the recall of many children. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. In all cases in which hardship might be involved it is inťended that assessing officers should make full use of the discretionary power conferred upon them.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if it applies to only a few cases it is better to retain the children in the countryside than to get a few shillings from their parents?

It was generally accepted by the House that it was desirable that recovery charges should be made.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has yet been reached as to improvements in the billeting allowances in respect of evacuated teachers; and whether it is proposed to allow any special railway facilities to such teachers, a large number of whom have had to move to a considerable distance from their homes, in order to enable them to revisit their families and friends without undue expense?

Both these matters are under close consideration. I am afraid that I cannot say when a decision will be reached, but I can assure the hon. Member that there will be no avoidable delay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some time ago the Government stated the matter was under consideration, and that there is grave dissatisfaction owing to the inequality between the positions of teachers and civil servants.

That is the reason why it is a difficult matter, and that is what causes delay in the investigation.

If any increase is granted will it be retrospective?

I cannot say anything about that in advance of a decision.

Could the right hon. Gentleman promise an answer before the Christmas period, especially in view of all the inconvenience of not knowing what the position will be?

I will take note of the point of the hon. Member.

If the right hon. Gentleman has any funds to spare, will he give them to the hosts of the children in the country?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 32 trains, each with eight officials of the St. John Ambulance Association, are at present standing idle; what is the weekly cost of these officials; and why the train and the personnel could not be assembled quickly in case of an emergency?

The casualty evacuation trains, which, owing to the course the war has taken, have happily not been used to a great extent, have hitherto numbered 28, apart from two in Scotland. They are now being reduced to 18. The weekly cost of the orderlies averages about £26 per train. The mobility of the trains and the need for keeping them and their equipment in constant readiness for immediate service, if required, makes it necessary to keep trains and staff continually in commission.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain municipal and voluntary hospitals have instituted alterations in their visiting days and hours, whereby for greater safety in case of air raids the number of visitors will be substantially reduced at such times; and whether he proposes to recommend similar action throughout the country?

This is not a matter upon which I have specific information or upon which I should feel it desirable to make a general recommendation to the exclusion of the discretion of the authorities concerned.

Has the Minister seriously considered this matter, as many of the leading hospitals in the Kingdom have introduced this principle for safety purposes?

Surely this is the sort of thing which it is desirable to leave to the discretion of the governing bodies of the hospitals.

Would the right hon. Gentleman leave everything to their discretion at this time?

asked the Minister of Health which local authorities in Northumberland and Durham have provided free material to hospital supply depots, for the equipment of hospitals for civil casualties as a result of the war?

I am afraid I have not the information desired by my hon. Friend. It is within the discretion of the local authorities whether they will make use of the facilities offered by the hospital supply depots for the purpose of equipping their hospitals for casualty work.

In order to encourage people to join hospital supply depots would it not be a good thing if the Ministry showed a little interest and asked the local authorities whether they are taking advantage of their powers?

The local authorities receive many communications from me nowadays, and I am not anxious to add to them if I can possibly avoid it.

My supplementary question was directed to encouraging voluntary workers, not local authorities.

I understood the question was whether I would make certain inquiries of the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that many medical specialists have been waiting for months at improvised research stations in the country, where their services have not yet been needed, arrangements can now be made for them to return, until required by some special emergency, to their former work in which their help is urgently required especially in university centres?

As intimated in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Dr. Howitt) on 23rd November, I have agreed with a committee representing the medical profession upon a scheme which will enable specialists who are at present employed whole-time in the emergency medical service, to engage in other work in hospitals or elsewhere when not required for duty in that service. This arrangement extends to specialists at pathological laboratories included in the emergency hospital scheme.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the injury sustained from a bomb explosion by Miss Angela Watson while in the course of her training as air-raid warden for the Royal Borough of Kensington; and why no compensation has been granted to her?

The facts of this case are as follow: Miss Watson was injured on 27th October and admitted to hospital for treatment. No claim was made by her during her stay in hospital and her formal claim, together with the necessary supporting evidence, was not received by the Unemployment Assistance Board, who act as the Ministry's agents, until 20th November. There was some doubt as to Miss Watson's status as a volunteer, but this was determined as quickly as possible and on 2nd December the necessary certificate was issued by the Ministry. The first payment of injury allowance was made on the 6th instant and further payments will be made immediately on the production of certificates of incapacity, for which Miss Watson has been asked, in respect of the period since she left hospital.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that there is growing concern at the tendency by his Department to ignore the procedure contained in the Factories Act, and the Emergency Powers Regulations, and to have no regard to Parliament or legal formalities; and will he have a record made of all changes of this sort already made, present the statement to the House, and from now give an undertaking that no changes will be made except by his consent and a record of same made periodically to the House;

(2) whether he will inquire how far local factory inspectors are dispensing orders dealing with changes made under the Emergency Powers Regulations 59 (1) and under Section 150 of the Factories Act without his authority, especially as this is not in accordance with the Regulations, and is of doubtful validity if they are not published and are made by a delegate;

(3) whether he is aware that many workpeople's representatives have been informed that now Regulation 59 of the Emergency Powers Act is in force the Factories Act no longer applies; and whether, as orders given by his officers support that view, he will make a full statement on the position, including information as to whether all the Orders made have been made within the scope of Regulation 59 (1) or Section 150 and the proper procedure followed?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will snake a statement relative to exemptions granted under the provisions of the Factories Act, 1937?

As the statement for which the hon. Members have asked is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As far as the general statement is concerned, the right hon. Gentleman's reply is satisfactory, but can he explain why, under the Emergency Powers Regulation No. 59, he has delegated the right to issue these Orders to other people, and secondly, why Parliamentary procedure has been ignored in connection with this matter?

I think it would be more profitable to go into the matter further if the hon. Member cares to put down a question after he has seen the very long statement which I am circulating, and which deals with the points he has raised.

Is it not a rather serious admission on the part of the right hon. Gentleman that he has delegated those powers to others than himself, since Parliament gave the powers only to the Minister, and did not empower him to delegate those powers?

I did not make that admission. I said that the point was dealt wiťh in the answer, and in the answer the hon. Gentleman will see that I have, in fact, kept control in my own hands.

Does the obligation to inform Parliament which exists under the principal Act also exisť in the case of modifications made under the Regulations?

In the case of these particular orders there is no such obligation.

May I raise a point of Order on this matter. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that you are the custodian of Parliamenťary procedure. According to the OFFICIAL REPORT of 21st November, the right hon. Gentleman stated that most of these authorisations had been given under Section 150 of the Facťories Act, and according to that, those Orders should have been made in accordance with Section 129 of the Factories Act, which states thať the Orders have to be laid before Parliament and Parliament has a right to annul them. I have obtained from the Vote Office the whole of the Rules and Orders—

As the hon. Member's point of Order may ťake up too much time from other questions, I suggest to him that he should raise it at the end of questions.

You were good enough, Mr. Speaker, on Questions 20 and 25, to advise me to wait until the end of Questions. I now desire to raise a question of Parliamentary procedure and to ask for your guidance. Under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulations, Regulation 59 states:

"The Secretary of State may by Order."

I contend that the Secretary of State has no power to relegate or delegate the making of these Orders. These Orders are being made by factory inspectors in various parts of the country, and the result of that is that various interpretations are being placed upon them. In an answer given to me by the Secretary of State on 21st November, this is the most relevant passage:

"It is not possible to give a statistical reply, but the general position is as follows."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st November, 1939; col. 1055, Vol. 353.]

Then the right hon. Gentleman went on to say that for large numbers of factories in the wide variety of industries he had authorised so-and-so. Then it states that these Orders had been made under Section 150 of the Factories Act. My contention is, if that is so, that these Orders should have been made in accordance with Section 129 of the Act. That Section states that these Orders have to be laid before Parliament, and that Parliament shall have the right to annul them. I have obtained from the Vote Office a list of the Rules and Orders which have been presented up to 24th November. I find that the Orders that have been made throughout the country have not been laid on the Table of the House, and therefore I ask for your advice and guidance, as I want to know why the procedure has been ignored with regard to these Orders.

As I understand the question, I would answer that the Orders are governed by Statute. In cases where the Statute requires a Departmental Order to be laid before Parliament, the responsibility for so laying the Order rests with the Department and is not in any way subject to my supervision. If the Department neglected to lay such Orders it would not be complying with the Statute, and the Orders might be held to be invalid in a court of law. The Minister can, of course, be questioned on such a point, but it does not seem to me to raise a question of Privilege. In this particular case I understand that these are in effect Regulations, and not Orders. Therefore, the question does not arise on this occasion.

I think the Minister is quite prepared to make a statement that will clear the position. We view this matter very seriously. We have surrendered many things for which our forefathers fought. This is a question affecting the Factories Act and getting behind legislation which we cherish and value very much. It is affecting the men in the workshops. There are employers to-day who are taking advantage of the situation by evading the Factories Act. That is the point. We wish to see that when Orders are issued they are issued not simply in the interests of employers of labour and that they do not conflict with privileges and rights which the workers in the meantime have surrendered. Those rights are not ours to surrender, but ours to defend. Now they are being done away with, and we want to know what the Minister has to say about it.

In a few words I may be able to clear up the point that has been raised. It seems to be very important that the House should not be left with a mistaken belief that the Department for which I am responsible has in some way overriden the provisions of an Act of Parliament designed to provide for safeguards. The relevant provisions of the Factories Act are two. Section 329 lays down the procedure to be followed in the making of regulations and Orders. That Section draws a distinction between regulations and Orders. Regulations have to be laid before Parliament; Orders are not to be laid. The Orders to which the hon. Gentleman opposite referred, having been made since the outbreak of war, have for the most part, so far as they have been made under the Factories Act and not under the Emergency Act, been made under Section 150. That Section of the Factories Act gives power to make Orders. Therefore the provisions in question have been carried into effect by Order and not by regulation. The Orders have not to be laid on the Table of the House, and there has been no infringement of the provisions of the Statute.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind what is very much more important than that—the complaints that are beginning to be made that the health of the people is suffering?

That is another question.

asked the Home Secretary whether the evidence on which Mr. J. E. Thomas was arrested and detained in Wandsworth Prison was hearsay, written report, or by witness; and what steps were taken to verify such evidence before instructions were issued for his arrest?

It would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the nature and source of the information, which satisfied my predecessor in office that an order for this man's detention was necessary for security purposes. The main grounds for the decision are not matters of doubt or dispute, and the subsequent decision to release the man subject to a restriction order does not mean that the information was found to be erroneous.

In view of the fact that it is the procedure of justice in this country which is at stake, and that these political prisoners are allowed neither judge nor jury nor the benefit of habeas corpus, will my right hon. Friend tell us whether they are even allowed the benefit of witnesses?

I think that is raised in the next question.

This is a specific question; that is to say, whether witnesses are allowed or whether the evidence was only hearsay or written report. Will the right hon. Gentleman listen to the question if I read it? [Interruption.]

rose—

On a point of Order. Question 23 specifically inquires whether witnesses were called before his arrest.

I think that is answered in the reply to the next question.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Advisory Committee which investigated the case of Mr. Thomas heard any witnesses; whether such witnesses were on behalf of Mr. Thomas or the prosecution; and whether Mr. Thomas himself was given full facilities to cross-examine the hostile witnesses and to call witnesses in his defence?

In accordance with the usual procedure the Advisory Committee was given all the information in my possession relating to this person's case. I am informed that the committee interrogated him and gave him every opportunity to clear up any matters which appeared to be to his prejudice. The circumstances of the case were not such as to give rise to any need for witnesses, and I understand that no witnesses were called before the committee.

In view of the fact that there are no judge, no jury, and no witnesses, is there anything to differentiate the procedure in the Advisory Committee from the Star Chamber?

I think a very great deal.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the fact that this man is a Fascist, and is opposed to the war, will not in any way prevent him from obtaining complete justice?

This man will be treated in exactly the same way as anybody else and I suggest that the safeguard—and an adequate safeguard—consists in the fact that the Advisory Committee is independent of the executive Government.

Would my right hon. Friend be satisfied with this measure of justice if, by an irony of fate, he should find himself in the dock as a political prisoner?

Knowing what I do of the manner in which the committee proceeds in dealing with these cases, I should be perfectly satisfied.

Those words will be treasured by many men in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware ťhat, owing to the virtual cessation of imports of cattle from Canada, and the restriction of cattle imports from Ireland, there is an increasing tendency to sell cows and heifers for slaughter; and whether, in view of the imporťance of maintaining at as high a level as possible the milk supplies of this country, he can now state what action he proposes to take to ensure the mainťenance of this output?

I am aware that imports of cattle from Canada have been light throughout the current year, buť the total number of cattle imported from Eire during the first 10 months of 1939 has increased compared with last year, and there was no diminution in normal arrivals in September and October. A few weeks ago there was a tendency to sell for slaughter increased numbers of cows, but more recently ťhis trend has been reversed. The position is being closely watched.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether from figures of weekly sales supplied to his Department, he can give an estimate of the quantity of livestock marketed for slaughter during November of this year compared with November, 1938, with special reference to cows, ewes and sows?

I am having the desired information extracted and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as distinct from the Government grant for ploughing-up, the Government will consider granting credit facilities to farmers of £5 per acre to carry farmers over that period of time necessary before they can sell their crops from the newly ploughed-up land?

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware, over the whole question of these credits, of the stupifying absurdity of this perpetual vacillation downward, backward, and sideways, but never forward?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many smallholders and crofters are not in a position to plough up the minimum of two acres of old grassland which would qualify them to receive the Government grant of £2 per acre; and what action he proposes to take to assist these smallholders to make their contribution towards increasing the national food supply?

The Government has decided to invite Parliament to reduce to one acre the minimum acreage for the Government grant under Part IV of the Agricultural Development Act, 1939. Provision for this reduction will be made in legislation applying to the whole of the United Kingdom which it is hoped to introduce very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether county agricultural committees have power to insist on such cultivation of areas held as gathering grounds by local water authorities as can safely be conducted with due regard to considerations of health; and whether any instructions or advice has been sent to the committees on this matter?

Assuming that the gathering grounds referred to come within the definition of agricultural land in Defence Regulation 100, as would normally be the case, it is competent for a committee to give directions under Regulation 62 as to the cultivation, management, or use of the land. In giving such directions, committees would be expected to have regard to considerations of public health and to take into account any views expressed by the particular authority concerned, but no specific instructions have been given to committees on this matter.