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

The figures asked for are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the total number of liquor licences granted in England and Scotland, respectively, during the year ended 31st March, 1939, distinguishing publicans' licences on-beer and on-wine, retailers' licences off-beer and off-wine, retailers' licences or dealers' licences for spirits, beer and wine, respectively; and the total net receipts of duty in each class?

The information required is as follows:

I assume that the hon. Lady wishes to have information about both the Departments for which I am responsible. Since the 1st September, 1939, 1,101 officers of all grades, 535 of whom were women, have been recruited to the Home Office and the Ministry of Home Security, including the Regional Commissioners' organisation and Women's Voluntary Services, but excluding staff seconded from other Government Departments and local authorities. Sixty-three officers have been recruited through the central register. The majority of the staff recruited are temporary officers in the clerical, typing, manipulative and messenger grades, and were engaged in the ordinary course through the machinery of the Ministry of Labour. None has been recruited through the Women's Employment Federation Bureau.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can now make a statement regarding the holding of examinations for the recruitment of personnel for the Civil Service; and what reply he proposes to give to the proposals made by the staff side of the National Whitley Council?

I regret that, in view of the general and practical difficulties, I can hold out no hope in present conditions of the resumption of competitive examinations for entry to the Civil Service. The staff side of the National Whitley Council have been so informed; but I understand that they intend to make certain further proposals, which will be considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has given further consideration to the position of candidates who sat at the first part of the competitions for officers of customs and excise, and for assistant inspectors of taxes in the Inland Revenue Department and third-class officers in the Ministry of Labour, but were then told that these competitions could not be completed; and whether he will make a statement?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to have this opportunity of making a statement. As the hon. Member is aware, the competitions referred to fall into two parts, a written examination and a viva voce test held at a later date. Written examinations were held during the summer of this year but in consequence of the outbreak of war it was not possible to complete the competitions. I have, however, decided that tables of results of the written examinations shall be circulated to candidates, and this will be done within the next few days. Candidates will be informed that the Civil Service Commissioners are unable to indicate when, or under what conditions, any further steps in connection with the competition will be possible but that, whilst no undertaking can be given, it is intended that, after the conclusion of hostilities, the position will be considered, in the light of the circumstances then obtaining, of those candidates whose place in order of merit would have entitled them to be summoned for the viva voce part of the competition. I would point out that the proportion of candidates who have reached this standard is rather less than 25 per cent. of the total number of candidates. I would stress, in conclusion, that this special measure does not affect the general decision to suspend Civil Service examinations during the war period.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wife of the Under-Secretary of the Admiralty has been appointed to act in a secretarial capacity to her husband; and whether, as the employment of wives as secretaries to their husbands is not a desirable arrangement, he will have the arrangement referred to brought to an end?

Yes, Sir. The lady in question worked at the Admiralty in a similar capacity for two years during the last war and has considerable experience of secretarial work, including five years established service under a Colonial Government. She entered Admiralty service in an unofficial and unpaid capacity before war broke out and she has carried out her duties in an extremely efficient manner. She has recently been officially appointed and is receiving the salary commensurate with her duties.While I am satisfied that the appointment was justified in the emergency, the question of its continuation is under review.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider if any improvements can be made in the weekly wages of £3 2s. paid to temporary clerical workers in London with family responsibilities, and of £2 18s. out of London?

The rates of wages quoted are those generally applicable to the Civil Service for temporary clerks and are regarded as appropriate to the duties performed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the 13 persons who have been appointed to temporary posts in the Ministry of Pensions, and who are related to permanent officials of the Department, were taken in each case from the register of the Ministry of Labour for temporary Government service in accordance with the Government's scheme?

Four of the officers were recruited through the local Employment Exchange; of the others, three had previously served in this or another Department as established officers and the remainder were among the numbers recruited, as indicated in the reply given on Tuesday by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) as a matter of urgency in the early days of the war when it was difficult invariably to take advantage of the normal supply arrangements.

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

The total number of staff of all grades, apart from the Emergency Medical Service, engaged by my Department since the 1st September, 1939, is 328, of whom 187 are women. None of these officers was recruited through the central register and the Women's Employment Federation Bureau.Included in the above numbers are 39 men and 47 women assigned to the Department by the Civil Service Commissioners as a result of open competitions held prior to the war; three men and 49 women with previous Government service; six men and 20 women taken over with existing hospital services; four medical officers, three men and one woman, appointed as a result of a selection board held before the war; and two men engaged on account of their special experience of hospital finance. The remainder consists of officers engaged on routine duties who were recruited through the Employment Exchanges.

asked the Postmaster-General how the extra men and women are selected for Christmas work; and whether the old Post Office men with experience are given a chance of doing any of the work before Christmas?

Extra staff required for casual employment at Christmas is recruited through the Employment Exchanges. Preference is given to former Post Office servants who desire temporary employment during the Christmas pressure and to those employed on previous occasions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether arrangements are being made to salvage any of the ships sunk since the outbreak of war; and, if so, when operations are likely to begin?

Salvage operations have already been undertaken to save damaged ships and have been successful on a number of occasions. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that the salvage of sunken vessels under war conditions presents very great difficulties, but such operations will be initiated in suitable cases whenever possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the position of the Royal Fleet Reserve, Class B ratings, who, before the war, joined the Reserve Fleet Supplementary Party and were serving under short-term engagements in that party when war was declared; are they to be treated in the same way as Royal Fleet Reserve, Class B, called up for service as regards pay and allowances; and will time served during the war count for Royal Fleet Reserve medal and gratuity?

Men of the Royal Fleet Reserve joining the Reserve Fleet Supplementary Party ceased to be members of the Royal Fleet Reserve. They are, therefore, not being mobilised as reservists but are being retained for service on their engagements in the Reserve Fleet Supplementary Party. The time they serve on their present engagements will count for Royal Fleet Reserve medal and gratuity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the names, rank, and branch of service of Members of this House who are serving in the Navy, other than those holding honorary positions?

The following Members of the House of Commons are serving in the Royal Navy:

• Captain A. Marsden, R.N.
• Commander R. T. Bower, R.N.
• Lieut.-Commander R. T. H. Fletcher, R.N.
• Lieut. the Hon. W. W. Astor, R.N. V. R.
• Lieut. J. G. Braithwaite, R.N.V.R.
• Lieut. A. Hopkinson, R.N.V.R.
• Sub-Lieut. P. T. Eckersley, R.N.V.R.
• Sub-Lieut. (A) R. A. Brabner, R.N.V.R.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that while Royal Navy pensioner ratings and Royal Fleet Reserve ratings get paid for their good conduct badges at the rate of 3d. per day for each badge the Royal Naval Reserve ratings do not get such payments; that pensioner ratings in the Royal Navy are allowed to draw their pensions while on service, but Royal Naval Reserve ratings had their pensions or retainers stopped on the outbreak of war; and whether he will take steps to put the Royal Naval Reserve ratings on the same basis as the others doing the same work by granting them also payment for good conduct badges and continuance of their retainers in war time?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) and the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that there is complete interworking between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in dealing with German air raids on the Orkneys and Shetlands?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent publication of the conditions proposed by Russia, during the recent Anglo-Russo negotiations, for the infringement of the independence and integrity of certain Baltic States, which conditions were rejected by the representatives of His Majesty's Government, he will now issue a White Paper setting out the exchange of views during the negotiations?

My Noble Friend is now reconsidering this question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the grave need for economy, he will appoint a Minister especially to conduct war against waste?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has explained more than once to the House the various measures he has initiated to secure economy. In addition, the House will shortly be invited to appoint a Select Committee on National Expenditure with a like object. The appointment of a separate Minister is, in my judgment, quite unnecessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many schools have been requisitioned by the military authorities and His Majesty's Office of Works, respectively; and under what codes, elementary, secondary or technical, were such schools being used prior to requisitioning?

The Board have no figures as to the total number of schools which a have been requisitioned by the military authorities. The position is altering from day to day, some of the requisitioning being purely temporary, and the two Departments are in close and constant touch on the matter.The total number of grant-aided schools requisitioned by the Office of Works is 80, of which 57 are elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, nine technical schools and four training colleges. Of the elementary schools four are occupied of which it is hoped that one will soon be released. The remainder of the elementary schools and all the secondary schools are available for educational use on the understanding that they may have to be vacated in an emergency at 48 hours notice. One technical school has been occupied, and the remainder have been returned to the respective local education authorities upon the same understanding as that affecting elementary and secondary schools. It is hoped that one of these will shortly be wholly released.As regards training colleges, one has been wholly occupied, one partly occupied arid two have been offered reoccupation on the same terms as those affecting the other types of school?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many men and women, respectively, have been admitted to the training colleges for teachers this autumn and what were the comparable figures for 1939?

The Board have now received returns from 97 of the 105 Training Colleges and Training Departments. These returns show that the numbers of students admitted this year as compared with last year are as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many applications for advice have been made by local education authorities to the advisory panel of architects and engineers on strengthening schools in evacuation areas; and how many schools are covered by these applications?

The Board have not the information desired, as authorities apply direct to the secretaries of the regional advisory committees, and not to the Board, for the use of these panels.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps are being taken to provide medical services for children in evacuation areas?

In Circular 1479 of 29th September and Circular 1487 of 23rd November the Board emphasised the importance of maintaining the health of children left in the evacuation areas and of resuming the school medical service for these children, and they propose shortly to issue a comprehensive circular setting out in more detail the action which appears to be needed. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of this circular as soon as it is issued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many men and women, respectively, in the service of the area committees formed under the National Fitness Council were dismissed at the outbreak of war; and how many, giving the numbers for men and women separately, have since been absorbed in Government service?

Notice of the termination of their service was given at the outbreak of war to 51 men and 118 women employed in the area offices under the National Fitness Council. Of these it is known that is men and II women have obtained appointments in Government offices: a further 19 men and two women have joined His Majesty's Forces or undertaken full-time Civil Defence duty. I have no information as to whether further members of the staff have been absorbed into Government service.

asked the Home Secretary whether the ban has yet been lifted on the rot-proofing of sandbags with a copper solution by municipal authorities?

Local authorities were advised in a circular of the 20th October last to treat sandbag revetments against rot; and one of the methods recommended was the use of an organic copper salt.

asked the Home Secretary what has been the cost to each authority, separately, in Wales on air-raid precautions up to the last available date and the amount expended on salaries and wages; and what grants in each case have been paid by the State to each authority?

asked the Home Secretary why the recruitment of special constables is ended; and if he will take steps to re-open such recruitment, considering the added assistance needed to the police forces of the country in these difficult days of black-out and war?

As regards the Metropolitan Police District, recruitment for the special constabulary was suspended in September last as the Commissioner of

According to the returns furnished by the local authorities, the total estimated expenditure on air-raid precautions, including emergency fire precautions, in the administrative counties and county boroughs in Wales and Monmouthshire during the period 1st January, 1937 to 30th September, 1939, was as shown in column 2 of the following statement. The returns do not indicate how much of this expenditure is in respect of salaries and wages. The total grants paid to date by my Department are shown in column 3. These represent provisional payments pending audit and final examination of claims. Nothing is included in any of these figures in respect of the pay of whole-time volunteers within the authorised War Establishments, as this charge is borne by the Exchequer.Police was satisfied that the numbers available were sufficient to meet requirements. So far as I am aware, there has been no general suspension of recruitment elsewhere.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to a complaint made by the Watch Committee of St. Helens Town Council with regard to the increase of prices for the supply of fire brigade canvas hose; whether he is aware that on 4th October, 1939, tendered prices of £5 14s. and £5 1s. 6d. per complete hose length, accepted by the council, were subsequently increased by over £1 and whether he will take immediate steps to prevent abnormal rises in prices, after tenders have been made and accepted, so that the economic interests and safety of ratepayers may be protected?

The hose referred to is not hose supplied under arrangements made by my Department, but I will look into the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary why no provision is made for the payment of a grant in respect of civilian duty and service respirators, protective clothing for staff engaged on air-raid precautionary duties, the training of employés in such duties, covering of glass with wire-netting, the provision of dark blinds, screens and paint to render windows opaque, equipment and stores for first-aid parties and the fitting out of decontamination squads to organisations exempt from the payment of Income Tax, whilst in the case of profit-making concerns such expenditure would be admissible as a deduction in computing trade profits for Income Tax purposes; and whether it is proposed to take steps to remedy this anomaly?

Such expenditure can be admitted as a trading expense for Income Tax purposes on the same principle as certain other types of expenditure by employers on the welfare of their workpeople. The fact that an allowance is made for Income Tax purposes would not appear to be any reason for making an equivalent grant to persons or bodies that are exempt from Income Tax.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he has taken to reduce the cost of air-raid defence by substituting voluntary service when required for paid full-time service; and whether he has formed any estimate of the present cost per month falling upon national and/or local funds of wardens, auxiliary firemen, war police reserve, first-aid and ambulance drivers?

The greater part of the Civil Defence services consists of unpaid volunteers. In the more vulnerable areas whole-time paid personnel has been authorised up to a maximum figure for each area. I am conducting a review through the Regional Commissioners into the possibilities of reducing the number of paid personnel in some services, where this can be done without impairing the efficiency of the service in the area. In order to help in the replacement of whole-time paid personnel by unpaid volunteers, I have announced that unpaid volunteers who lose wages through attending to their duties during an air raid will receive compensation for this loss of wages. In addition, I have received offers from important industrial organisations that in the event of serious raids in their area they will send the trained parties from their establishments to help the local authority. The cost of the various services during October, before the review was completed, was at the rate of approximately £3,770,000 per month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider any relaxation of the black-out regulations for shops in rural towns in reception areas during the Christmas shopping period?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, I have already authorised certain relaxations of the lighting restrictions in order to permit shopkeepers in all parts of the country to display a sign and to use a reduced form of window-lighting. I should not feel justified in making any additional relaxations in favour of shops situated in reception areas.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the lack of uniformity in the lighting of street refuges adds greatly to the danger of driving in the black-out; and whether he will urge all local authorities to adopt the system of white lights without delay?

I have already taken steps to impress upon all local authorities the necessity of installing the new system of lighting street refuges as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a large number of motor car owners, including many who have hitherto given their services and the use of their motor cars without remuneration for Civil Defence purposes, cannot afford to re-license them after 1st January next owing to the increased tax; and whether, in these circumstances, he will reduce the tax or make some other concession in the case of motor cars so used so as to enable their services to be retained?

I have given this matter careful consideration, but cannot see my way to add to the reply which my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Yardley (Mr. Salt). It would be impracticable to make a tax concession which was limited to cars used for Civil Defence.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the views of the Small Traders' Association of Greenock, regarding the hardships entailed by the early closing of shops, as conveyed to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; what alleviation he is prepared to grant to such small traders in this regard; and whether he will give an assurance that the present restriction on the hours of shopping will be removed, and pre-war hours re-introduced at the end of the present winter?

The views of the association referred to have been brought to my notice. As the association are aware local authorities have discretion to vary within certain limits the general closing hours fixed by the Order-in-Council, and I understand that they are about to submit to the Corporation of Greenock an application for such a variation. The working of the Order-in-Council is at present under review, and the views of the association will be borne in mind along with those of other bodies concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a Government grant is being made to the South Metropolitan Gas Company in respect of expenditure incurred in undertaking extensive Civil Defence measures at the re- quest of the Government; and, as this expenditure is stated by the company to be the chief factor justifying the recent increase in the price of gas to the user, can he state the proportion of such expenditure being borne by the company concerned?

A grant will be made to the company in respect of approved capital expenditure incurred on measures taken at the direction of the Government. In addition the company are voluntarily undertaking, at the suggestion of the Government, a substantial number of other measures involving capital expenditure only part of which will rank for grant. The exact proportion cannot at present be stated but it will be substantially less than 50 per cent. of the total capital expenditure.Much of the expenditure referred to as causing an increase in the price of gas falls on the company's revenue and does not rank for grant. I am not aware that the company have stated that expenditure for air-raid precaution purposes is the chief factor justifying the recent increase in price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will consider providing portable cinema entertainment for the children in the evacuated areas in view of the difficulties of otherwise obtaining entertainment?

I am not aware that there are difficulties that prevent children in the evacuated areas from obtaining entertainment; but if the hon. Member is referring to children evacuated from these areas, I can inform him that concrete schemes for the showing of films to evacuated children are now being discussed with the Board of Education and the Ministry of Health. The practical difficulties are formidable, and complete schemes would be expensive. I fear that until the further investigations now being made are completed, I can make no definite promise as to the outcome. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that all the Government Departments affected fully appreciate the importance of the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the heavy expense imposed upon residents of Fakenham. Norfolk, called upon to maintain evacuated secondary school boys; and whether he has any statement to make?

The billeting allowances have been increased in respect of children who have attained the age of 16 to 10s. 6d. a week in all cases. Experience has shown that the position of householders may be further improved by arrangements for communal meals. The provision of communal meals is now a matter for the Board of Education, and I am asking my Noble Friend the President of the Board to inquire into the possibility of instituting arrangements of this kind at Fakenham.

asked the Minister of Health how many private boarding houses have been selected as billets for civil servants at St. Anne's-on-the-Sea; how many of them are being used; and what compensation is being paid to proprietors where no civil servants have been billeted, and where they are unable to accept other boarders?

Billeting of civil servants in private boarding houses at the usual rate of 21s. a week has been done only with the consent of the proprietors. I am unable to say how many billets have been so allocated. Pending the actual billeting of civil servants, the proprietors are at liberty to let their accommodation in the usual way, and no question of compensation, therefore, arises.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the local war pensions committees will make inquiries and administer grants under the regulations of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee; and whether copies of the regulations of the committee will be made available for Members of this House?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The work of investigation will be carried out by the same agency as hitherto, and the decisions on claims will rest with my Department instead of with the three Service Departments.As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present drastic curtailment of milk supplies to makers of Lancashire cheese involves the risk that this trade will be so crippled during the winter months that the market for their product will be lost, with the result that they will be unable to utilise for cheese production the surplus milk which occurs during the summer months and which has to be quickly converted into dairy produce; and what steps he proposes to take to maintain the milk supplies of the country during the present emergency both for liquid consumption and manufacture?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, at this season of the year there is a decline in milk production compared with the summer months, and it has usually been necessary to divert milk from the butter and cheese markets to more remunerative markets. I understand that, owing to the exceptionally heavy demands for supplies of condensed milk for the fighting services, the quantity of milk available for cheese-making last month was somewhat less than in the corresponding month of last year, but more than the quantity available in November, 1937. As to the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that every endeavour is being, and will be, made to maintain normal supplies of milk, both for liquid consumption and for manufacture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider favourably guaranteeing a price for rye in the same way as he has done for other cereals?

Yes, Sir. It is proposed to seek the authority of Parliament to treat rye on similar lines to oats, for which a standard price is guaranteed under the provisions of Part I of the Agricultural Development Act, 1939.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the average weekly prices received between the beginning of October and the middle of November of this year for the following agricultural products: King Edward potatoes, silks and reds, at Wisbech and Spalding; Majestic potatoes, black greys, at Ely, Ormskirk and Peterborough; fat cattle at Bridgewater, Cambridge, Hereford, Shrewsbury and Carlisle; fat sheep at Ipswich, Shrewsbury, York and Gloucester; and whether he will state the average wholesale prices received during the same weekly periods for these types of potatoes and for fat cattle and sheep at central markets?

As the information for which the hon. Member asks contains a number of statistical tables, I am having the information extracted and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether under the new scheme for the purchase of fat stock by the Government, the Treasury will continue to pay the subsidy on beef-cattle or whether the buyer of beef will be charged a price to cover the value of the subsidy that has hitherto been paid?

The prices to be paid for fat cattle when the Ministry of Food becomes the sole purchaser will take account of the subsidy at present payable under the Livestock Industry Act, 1937, which will cease to be payable when these prices come into operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to remove the hindrances on trade between Great Britain and France?

Both this country and France have been obliged, by reason of the necessity to economics exchange, to introduce restrictions on imports. Naturally these restrictions, in common with other war measures, have caused some difficulties. So far as, imports from France are concerned, we have throughout had special regard to the interests of our ally in the operation of the restrictions and recently, in the spirit of the conversations between my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the French Minister of Finance, further substantial relaxations in respect of imports from France have been agreed to. The complaints which I have received about difficulties in securing licences to import United Kingdom goods into France are being brought to the notice of the French Government, and there is reason to hope that the difficulties will be removed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to issue number six of the preliminary reports of the results of the Import Duties Act Inquiry for 1937; and when is it proposed to make available the final report of the inquiry?

I do not propose to issue any further preliminary reports on the results of the Import Duties Act Inquiry for 1937, and it will not be possible to present a final report on the inquiry during the war period. The hon. Member may have observed from the public announcement made on 14th October that, during the continuance of the war, inquiries under the Import Duties Act, 1932, and the Census of Production Act, 1906, have been suspended.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it has been decided to suspend the publication Survey of Industrial Development; and, if not, when it is proposed to make the issue for 1938 available?

The Survey of Industrial Development for 1938 will be published very shortly. I do not propose to compile the particulars for any further survey during the war.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any age limit is being applied to persons applying for temporary employment in Government factories or establishments?

A question on this subject is addressed to-day to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, who is the Minister principally concerned, and I would ask the hon. Member to await the answer to that question.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that men over 60 years of age are refused forms of application for employment at Woolwich Arsenal and Enfield Small Arms Factory; and, in view of the fact that many men are physically fit at this age, will he give them an opportunity of having their applications considered?

There is no absolute age limit for workmen generally at these establishments and a number over the age of 60 have recently been engaged. In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service my right hon. Friend is considering whether limits which it has hitherto been the practice to apply to certain classes of labour can properly be modified.

asked the Minister of Supply for what reason ready-made huts in sections are being imported from overseas when there is plant instantly available for this work at home, and a large number of woodworkers unemployed?

The Ministry has not made any such purchases from overseas.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the total value of contracts for the erection of huts placed with the firm of Messrs. Neave, of Catfield, Norfolk, to date; and how many other firms are carrying out similar work?

My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of the work referred to. Messrs. Neave have not been employed by the Ministry of Supply in connection with the erection of huts. If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the supply of huts in connection with hutted camps for the Army I must refer him to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the number of staff at present engaged in the Department of Timber Control and the annual cost of such Department, with corresponding figures for the last complete month in the war of 1914–18; whether, in view of the shortage of timber and the difficulty of securing adequate supplies and uniform distribution, he has secured the advice of persons whose practical knowledge of this industry qualifies them for such services; and is he satisfied that the control in its present location is more advantageous than if located in London, where this business is normally conducted?

The staff of the Timber Control at a recent date consisted of 522 persons, the total pay-roll expenditure being at the rate of approximately £172,000 per annum. These figures exclude the staff dealing with home-grown timber who are mainly civil servants of the Forestry Commission in receipt of their normal salaries. I have no official figures as to the number and cost of the staff of the Timber Supply Department in the last war, and the many changes that have occurred would, I think, render any comparison of little value. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.As to the location of the Control, it was considered desirable, as I informed the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 19th October, that the offices of the various raw materials controls should not be set up in London; and, as a part of the general scheme, accommodation at Bristol, a centre with good communications, was allocated to the Timber Control.

asked the Minister of Supply whether in view of the system whereby the Air Ministry and War Ministry must obtain permits from the Timber Control Department before they can order supplies of timber, he has any qualified person with knowledge of the industry and the requirements of these service departments acting as liaison officer: or will he consider making such appointment with authority to meet the need of the services without delay?

The demands for timber for direct requirements of the Departments referred to are made through their own experienced officers, who work in close touch with the Timber Control Department. No special appointment is, therefore, necessary.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the arrangements operating in the war of 1914–1918, whereby with the authority and co-operation of the Government of France and a supply of competent woodsmen provided by the Government of Canada, the timber required by the British Army was obtained from French forests; and whether, in view of the need for setting free for food transport all possible ship tonnage, he will consider relieving the demand upon sea-transport and the more economical supply of timber by endeavouring to make a similar arrangement with the Governments named?

I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on this subject, and arrangements for obtaining timber from French trees are already in train.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken, and what steps he is proposing to take, to make available the timber necessary to complete the houses under construction but whose completion has been delayed through lack of the necessary timber?

Arrangements have been made for the grant of licences, subject to the issue of a certificate by the Ministry of Health in each case, for timber required for the completion of the largest possible number of houses under construction, having regard to the limited supplies of timber available for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the general terms of authority he gives to controllers and advisory committees in connection with the commodities which he controls in his Department by virtue of the statutory powers vested in him; and whether in every case he retains unquestioned power to ignore, veto or reverse controllers' decisions and advisory committees' recommendations should he consider such action in the national interest?

The controllers are officers of the Ministry of Supply entrusted with the application of the general policy laid down from time to time to the circumstances of the particular materials with which they are concerned. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. It is naturally my desire to allow the controllers proper initiative and discretion in their difficult task, but they act in my name and are subject to my direction. The function of the advisory committees is to advise the controllers.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the respective ages of the controllers of wool and of dyestuffs?

Sixty-one and seventy, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that chiropodists employed in the Army do not get as long and full a training as chiropodists in civil life; and whether he will consider altering this?

Treatment by a regimental chiropodist is given under the supervision of a medical officer, and the present course of training is found to be adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the official announcement that claims for family allowance must in all cases be made by the soldier, what action should be taken by wives whose husbands refuse to take steps to obtain an allowance for them?

Entitlement of a wife or any other person to an allowance from Army funds derives through the soldier concerned, and, if he is not prepared to seek an allowance for her, no claim is accepted from any other party. Where the soldier and his wife are separated owing to the unwillingness of one party to live with the other, family allowance—which is a grant to assist the soldier in maintaining his home—is inadmissible. Where, however, a soldier's wife has obtained a court order against him for maintenance, or the appropriate military authority is satisfied, without such a court order, that he has deserted her or left her destitute without cause, he can be placed under compulsory stoppages of pay under Section 145 (2) of the Army Act, and wives situated as suggested in the question should therefore either seek a court order or represent the circumstances to the War Office with a view to the case being dealt with under the section quoted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Command Paper 6139 gives only a general description of the allowances for families and dependants of men in His Majesty's Forces, and that many important details of the scheme are omitted; if the full scheme is published and available to members of the public; and, if not, will he arrange for the immediate publication of the full scheme in convenient form?

If hon. Members wish to go into more detail than is given in the White Paper, I can only refer them to the actual regulations.The Army regulations for family allowance are contained in Section 5 of the Army Allowance Regulations, 1938, as amended by Army Order 66 of 1938. A further amendment is about to be made incorporating the new rates of children's allowances which are shown in the White Paper. The Army regulations for dependants' allowance are contained in Army Order 170 of 1939.Analogous regulations have been published for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some 700 horses, many of them hunters from well-kept stables, stationed with the Scottish Horse, Dunkeld, Perthshire, are tied up in an open field, without waterproof coverings, in a condition which amounts to cruelty, at the same time im-pairing their condition and value, and means hardship for the troopers who have to attend to them; and will he have suitable protection provided?

In the absence of covered accommodation, it was necessary that the horses of this regiment should remain in the open, but the suggestion of cruelty is not accepted. The general health of the horses, with some exceptions, has been reported as very satisfactory in the conditions prevailing. The erection of shelter has been authorised, but, as the regiment is moving, it will now be provided at their new location.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether commanding officers have been advised of the kind of detention which may be imposed under Subsection (2, a) of Section 46 of the Army Act, 1938?

There is only one kind of detention for the purpose of punishment under the Army Act. A sentence of detention may be undergone either in a detention barrack or in military custody. Rules have been made under Section 132 (2) of the Army Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has issued any rules for the guidance of courts martial under Sub-section (5) of Section 44 of the Army Act, 1938; and whether, in particular, he has issued rules defining the words personal restraint?

The rules are published in the Manual of Military Law, 1929, page 787.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the reason for abolishing the "Y" from the shoulder-straps of Territorial Yeomanry units; and whether, in order to maintain the esprit de corps of county Territorial units, he will endeavour, as far as practicable in war-time, to fill up their ranks with recruits from their own counties and take them from their own county recruiting organisations?

As regards removal of the letter "Y," the explanation In is the same as that given, in the case of the letter "T," to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn on Tuesday last. Every endeavour is made to post recruits to their county regiments, but, during the war, it is necessary that there should be only one recruiting organisation for the Army as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give statistics covering the rate of sickness in the Army conscript by comparison with the experience before the introduction of conscription?

During August, 1939, the average number of sick was eight a thousand in the Militia, and thirteen a thousand in the Regular Army at home. The figure for the Regular Army at home was the same in August, 1938. Separate figures are not available for the period since the war began.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the names, rank and branch of service of Members of this House who are serving in the Army, other than those holding honorary positions?

I will circulate particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as they have been compiled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the amount and on what basis fees are paid to members of the medical profession who examine recruits under the provisions of the Military Service Act?

Members of medical boards are paid at the rate of two guineas per session for the first five sessions in a week, and one and a half guineas for any subsequent sessions in the week. An additional half-guinea is paid to the chairman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now received the new draft regulations from the Unemployment Assistance Board; if so, whether the Government has accepted them, and when they will operate?

I have received from the Unemployment Assistance Board and have approved draft regulations proposing certain increases in the scale rates of unemployment assistance. These draft Regulations have been laid before Parliament for approval, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Section 52 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1934. If Parliamentary approval is received by 14th December, it is hoped to make payments at the increased rates to the great majority of applicants before Christmas.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make special rationing arrangements to meet the case of railway employés in the traffic departments who are intermittently required to be away from home for periods which make the use of the ordinary or travellers' coupons inconvenient; and how he intends to meet these exceptional circumstances?

I am not aware that the rationing scheme, which includes alternatively an ordinary book and a traveller's book, presents any special difficulties in the case referred to, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars, I will gladly consider the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will arrange when butter and bacon rationing is introduced to allow an exchange of coupons in respect of these commodities by vegetarians and other persons who do not consume bacon but require more than the minimum ration of butter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Tiverton (Colonel AclandTroyte).

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the regulation controlling the sale of animal feeding-stuffs provide that where a merchant is unable to supply the whole of a two-ton order, but only part of it, the merchant is only entitled to charge at the two-ton rate?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 22nd Nov amber to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that owing to the shortage of stocks of Lancashire cheese, producers at the present time are obliged to send out cheese only a few days old, and are unable to supply their customers with more than one-third of their usual requirements; and whether, since Lancashire cheese is mostly sold in a limited area and cannot be replaced by Colonial cheese, he can take steps at an early date to remedy the present position?

While the supply position of cheese as a whole is not unfavourable the stocks of Lancashire cheese may have decreased recently. I could not agree, however, that Lancashire cheese is not replaceable by other varieties. The home production of cheese generally has been reduced lately by the necessity for increasing the output of condensed milk for Service requirements. The general problem of milk products, including cheese, is under active consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that during November the situation of the stocks of Cheshire and Lancashire cheese has become seriously aggravated, and that unsold stocks are now much less than last year's, particularly as many retailers are not carrying their normal stocks through fear that the cheese controller might commandeer them, or fix an unremunerative selling price; and whether, in these circumstances, he will re-investigate the position with a view to remedial action?

The information at present available suggests that there may have been some decline in stocks of Cheshire and Lancashire cheese during November. I have no information as to stocks in the hands of retailers, and there is no intention of requisitioning such stocks. The price of the varieties concerned is being regulated by the manufacturing and trade interests in consultation with the Ministry of Food and the position is being kept under constant review.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, owing to the demand for seed potatoes of good quality from plot-holders in England, and as a change from the soil of Ulster to the soil of England would be productive of good results, he will consider taking over at a fair price the available supplies in Northern Ireland where there has been a large crop this year of high-grade potatoes?

Seed potatoes grown in Northern Ireland may be freely consigned to Great Britain for sale subject to the provisions of the Maximum Prices Order now in force, and of course, of the ordinary health regulations affecting the movement of seed potatoes in this country, and I have no reason to think that the supply will fall short of the demand. There seems, therefore, to be no need for special action of the kind suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the general terms of authority he gives to controllers and advisory committees in connection with the commodities which he controls in the department of food supplies by virtue of the statutory powers vested in him; and whether, in every case he retains unquestioned power to ignore, veto, or reverse controllers' decisions and advisory committees' recommendations, should he consider such action in the national interest?

As I stated on the 7th November in reply to questions on the subject of the commodity organisations, the directors became Government employés on appointment and each organisation is under the administrative direction of an Assistant Secretary of the Ministry. The function of members of advisory committees is to make available to the Ministry the advice and experience of their trade. The answer to the second part of the question as regards both the decisions of directors and the recommendations of Advisory Committees is therefore in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the strong objections to the pooling of beef supplies when rationing is instituted; and whether he will provide for consumers getting the grade of beef they prefer to meet their tastes and pockets by arranging supplies of different qualities at different prices?

I fully appreciate the objections to the pooling of meat supplies when rationing is instituted. The proposals at present contemplated under full control of meat and livestock will provide for supplies of different qualities being available for consumers at different prices; but the hon. Member will appreciate that it may not be possible to arrange for the same wide range of qualities as obtains in normal times.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to provide cheap transport to bring food supplies from the Highlands of Scotland to industrial areas?

Careful attention is given to the movement of foodstuffs in order to ensure that an efficient service is provided on the most economical basis possible, and the whole question of the organisation of food transport and distribution is under review. If the hon. Member will be good enough to communicate to me particulars of any special proposals which he may have in mind in regard to transport of foodstuffs from the Highlands of Scotland I shall be happy to consider them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to extend special consent to the raising of loans in respect of houses in an advanced state of construction to make it permissive for the raising of loans to erect additional houses in rural areas, notwithstanding that building operations on these houses have not been already commenced, in view of the increase in the population in many rural districts as a direct result of the Government evacuation scheme?

I have already given instructions that proposals from rural areas for the completion of houses not in an advanced stage of construction, and also for the erection of new houses, should receive sympathetic consideration. My hon. Friend will, I am sure, agree that in the latter case preference must be given to houses urgently required for the accommodation of agricultural workers and will appreciate that consideration of all proposals must take into account the availability of building materials.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the repeal of the registration provisions of the Rent Restrictions Acts by the 1939 Act, he will issue a circular explanatory of the duty of county borough and county district councils in maintaining the register, allowing the public access thereto, and issuing certificates of registration or non-registration?

The present rent restrictions legislation contains no provisions for the decontrol of houses and there is accordingly no need for the registration machinery. Although local authorities no longer have any duties in relation to the registers required to be kept under earlier legislation, I have no doubt that they would readily allow access to those registers by any person interested, and I think it undesirable under present circumstances to send a special circular on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the sentences on the 43 young Jews for having been in possession of firearms without permission as reduced by the general officer commanding Palestine are to stand; whether these Jews were Revisionists, Communists, or official Zionists; and what is the estimated total cost to this country or Palestine of these sentences of imprisonment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my information is that these Jews were members of the Nistadruth, and not Revisionists or Communists. I am afraid that I am not in a position to furnish the figures asked for in the third part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that, owing to the war, many sections of the community will be unable to pay their rates, whilst at the same time the expenditure of most local authorities will increase, he will consider the advisability of further Government assistance for local authorities until times become more normal?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras, South-West (Sir G. Mitcheson), on 15th November.

asked the Minister of Health how many adult cleansing stations and how many children's cleansing stations in the London County Council area are open new?

I am informed that in the London County Council area there are now open two cleansing stations for adults only, 11 for children only and 21 for both adults and children.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether all the shipyards of the country are now engaged in building to their full capacity; and, if not, whether there are special reasons for this and whether this policy is to be altered?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) on the 7th November. Every effort is being made to secure the maximum output from our shipyards.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the 100 per cent. electricity ration is still in force for private households; and, if so, what steps householders who have special circumstances which make it necessary for them to ask for more than 100 per cent. of last year's supply should take to secure that they be allowed a larger amount?

Rationing of electricity (as well as of gas and coal) is still in force on the basis of 100 per cent. of previous consumption. As regards the second part of the question householders should apply to their local fuel overseers who have power to grant an increased allowance where they are satisfied that special circumstances warrant it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information why the scheme of regional all-party committees, originally proposed by his Department, was abandoned; and, in view of the widespread desire in the constituencies for public meetings and other functions calculated to maintain a vigorous spirit in the people, he will reintroduce the scheme and use every effort to make it effective?

My Noble Friend has not abandoned the scheme for regional advisory committees to include representatives of the political parties, if feasible. It is intended that one such committee shall be established for the purpose of advising the Minister's regional representative in each of the civil defence regions. It is desirable that all these committees should include representatives of local movements and other prominent persons.The original plan for an extensive network of local voluntary committees, has been found to need simplification; but it will be possible under the new arrangements for local committees to arise in accordance with local demand, and it would then naturally be part of their business to assist in the activities to which the hon. Member calls attention.