asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now prepared to include in the regulations stemming plugs as a permitted method to be used in shotfiring?

The use of stemming plugs is permissible under the existing shot-firing rules, as long as the plugs and any attachment thereto are non-inflammable.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not actually in the regulations, and that there is anxiety that it should be included among the permitted methods?

The regulation in question specifically mentions "clay or other noninflammable substances."

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that of the salary of the personnel of the assistant coal officers and the liaison officers, totalling £12,700 per annum, the sum of 5,620 is paid to retired and pensioned home, or Colonial civil servants; and, as persons thrown out of employment and possessing excellent qualifications for such work should have preference, what action he proposes in the matter?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to divisional coal officers and coal liaison officers, and not to assistant divisional coal officers. As I informed him in answer to a question on 3oth November, these officers were selected and familiarised with their wartime duties in peace time in view of their capability for the duties required of them in war time. It would not be in the public interest to replace officers so selected and trained by other persons without experience in work of this nature.

Does the Minister agree that, all things being equal, unemployed persons ought to have preference?

The important thing is to have people with the necessary qualifications.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of his decision to suspend the rationing of gas and electricity, and that of coal, to 100 per cent. of previous deliveries but with greater supplies where required, he has decided to close the rationing section of his Department and thus save a substantial sum to the Exchequer?

As I informed the House on 9th November, I hope, if the position remains as at present, that: it will shortly be possible to close many of the local fuel offices and retain only a skeleton staff.

Does the hon. Gentleman anticipate that this happy event will take place at an early date?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement indicating what progress has been made in the development of producer-gas-driven vehicles?

Since my statement on 8th November last, an announcement has been made that the design of conversion equipment evolved by the committee on the emergency conversion of motor vehicles to producer gas may be obtained from the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by firms able and willing to undertake its manufacture. An announcement will also be made shortly by the Mining Association on behalf of the coal and carbonisation industries regarding fuel for gas-producers.

Have any applications been received so far?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information as to the granting of rent and coal allowances by the Northumberland and Durham coalowners to miners who are serving in the Defence Services?

I understand that the arrangements at present in force have been extended for a further period.

Will those arrangements be permanent until the end of the war?

I said that my information at present is that they have been extended for a further period. I cannot add anything to that.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he proposes to take with regard to the increase in the accident rate to boys of 16 to 18 years employed underground in the coal mines of the North, from a rate of 293 per 1,000 employed in 1934–36, to a rate of 319 in 1937?

Comparing 1937 with 1934–36 the accident rate for boys rose as stated, but it was slightly lower again in 1938. The chief measures required to bring about a further reduction of these very high accident rates are an improvement in the working conditions on haulage roads and more training, instruction and supervision of the boys. I cannot within the limits of question and answer explain the steps taken in these respects, but the information is given fully in the published reports of my Department.

Will the Minister agree that an additional cause is the sending of boys direct from school underground without their first having overground training?

Will the hon. Gentleman agree also that one cause is the speed at which these boys have to work?

I appreciate the hon. Member's point, but it is also a fact, with which most people would agree, that preliminary training on the surface is very important.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that competent typists capable of statistical work are being paid £2 10s. per week and shorthand typists £2 17s. 6d. in the department of petrol supplies; and whether these girls will be paid overtime for the extra work they have been warned will have to be done by working through the Christmas holidays?

The typing staff of my Department is paid at the standard rates authorised by His Majesty's Treasury. I have given instructions that only the minimum staff required for essential duties should be at work during Christmas Day or Boxing Day; should it prove really necessary to keep any typing staff on duty on either day they will be entitled to take a day's leave at a later date.

Does the Minister's reply mean that these girls who work through Christmas Day and Boxing Day will not be paid the overtime rate?

The question of the rate is a different one.

If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I asked about the rate —whether they will be paid overtime rates for doing this work on Christmas Day and Boxing Day?

I think I answered that question.

Have I the Minister's pledge that they will be paid?

That is what I understand.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why many of the staff being taken on temporarily by Government Departments are people who have never previously worked as clerks and in many cases relatives of permanent officials, especially as many ex-service men who were temporary civil servants until recently are now unemployed; and if he will ensure that in future preference is given for any vacancies occurring in Government Departments to such ex-service men who were previously employed by the Government and who are not in receipt of a pension?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 5th December to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones). With regard to the second part, it has been and remains the practice that, other things being equal, preference is given in filling temporary vacancies in the Government Service to ex-Servicemen.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there is grave discontent and distress among the wives of civil servants because their husbands are to be evacuated to country districts remote from their homes, while they are left: in the danger areas; that this move will cause trouble and the breaking-up of their home life; whether the policy of taking men and women of the Civil Service out of London is still necessary; arid, in view of this feeling and of general criticism of this policy, will he reconsider the matter?

I am aware that there has been some protest against the separation of civil servants from their families which is a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the evacuation schemes. The Government are, however, satisfied that the existing policy is still necessary in the public interest.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some 3,000 civil servants in the Insurance and Pension Departments are being transferred from Government offices at Acton to Blackpool during the first week of the New Year, and that the evacuated premises are to be filled by the staff of other Government Departments, and does he think that is reasonable, equitable and just?

That is not the question which I have been asked, and I should like to have notice of any question of that character.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of complaints that in many cases, after getting export licences, exporters are unable to secure the necessary supplies from the controls; what is the liaison between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of supply in this connection; and what action he proposes to take to remove this obstacle to essential export trade?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the case of wool, wool tops, noils and yarn, where difficulties have arisen with regard to the export issue price of wool, I understand that this difficulty has now been overcome. There is a close liaison between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Supply, and I shall be glad to look into cases of difficulty on receipt of as full information as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the despatch of Government trade delegations to foreign countries, he will consider a plan in connection with these delegations of officially co-ordinated advertising in each country, showing in detail how our traders could individually implement or supplement the commercial treaties that have been arranged?

The normal object of despatching Government trade delegations to other countries is to negotiate agreements affording facilities of which United Kingdom exporters can take advantage. Appropriate means are adopted of informing exporters of opportunities so created, and I am sure they will make the most of these by advertising or otherwise as their individual judgment may dictate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that French quota committees are refusing import licences to British textile firms in consequence of the restriction on French imports imposed by his Department; and whether these matters have now been adjusted to the satisfaction of importers in both countries?

I am aware that there have been difficulties of this kind. Steps have been taken to bring them to the notice of the French authorities and I trust that the difficulties will now disappear. As I stated in the reply which I gave on 7th December to the hon. Member for Central Leeds (Mr. Denman) substantial relaxations have been recently made in respect of imports from France. The goods affected include certain textiles.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the President of the French Chamber of Trade in Paris on this subject?

He was here recently, and was in touch with my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to issue some statement as to which home-manufactured articles are in demand for export so that in cases where this demand was known to exist the public should, as far as possible, refrain from purchasing them and utilise the money they would have spent by lending it to the Government for the successful prosecution of the war?

I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now take steps to improve the supply of batteries for electric torches?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 16th November to the hon. Member for Central Hull (Mr. Windsor) and on 22nd November to the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson). I am arranging for the position to be reviewed in consultation with the manufacturers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we are now entering the darkest period of the year; is he further aware that the supply of batteries is considerably less than the demand, and is he also aware that the black-out is one of the most vexatious features of the present restrictions?

I will not discuss the relative vexatiousness of the black-out or the comparative vexatiousness that would result from not having it; but with regard to torches, I realise that the supply is not equal to the enormously increased demand of the last two or three months. It is that subject which I am now discussing with the industry, but the House will realise that one cannot in a minute meet such an increased demand.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there is plenty of evidence that the most vexatious feature of the present restrictions is the blackout, which is most widely felt by the general population?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the necessity for the equitable treatment of all interests in price control, whether he intends to establish machinery which would enable the retailer to appeal against the increase of prices by the wholesaler where he considers it unjustified?

In the case of goods to which the Prices of Goods Act may be applied, it will be open to the retailer to complain to a price regulation committee about an increase of the price charged to him by a wholesaler.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that typewriters are being imported into this country at approximately 50 per cent. of the pre-war quantities; and that the Import Licensing Department are issuing licences without consulting the British manufacturers; and will he take steps to consult the interested parties?

I am aware that substantial quantities of typewriters are being imported. With regard to the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the purpose of the import restrictions is to secure economy in the use of foreign exchange to the greatest extent that is practicable, and this is a matter for the Government to decide. The Import Licensing Department has, however, asked United Kingdom typewriter manufacturers for certain information.

Is the Minister aware that increased consumption at home will improve our competitive force in the export markets of the world?

That may be the case, but in restricting imports from various countries one has to take into consideration all the other circumstances as well.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure that all companies directly or indirectly concerned with Government contracts or the supply of essential goods publish consolidated balance sheets giving the full net profit from each subsidiary and the amount of their holdings therein; and whether, to this end, he will make compulsory a standard form of publishing accounts?

While Section 126 of the Companies Act, 1929, requires that there shall be annexed to the balance sheet of a holding company a statement showing how the profits and losses of subsidiary companies have been dealt with in the accounts of the holding company, it expressly provides that it shall not be necessary to specify in any such statement the actual amount of any profits or losses. The question whether any modification of this statutory provision is required is one of the points which have been noted for examination when amendment of the Companies Act is under consideration, but I doubt whether it will be possible to introduce legislation on this subject in the near future.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the general public, out of whose efforts all these profits have to be produced, have a right to a true and accurate picture of the position; and is he aware that concealment is possible under the present regulations?

The matter was under actual consideration long before the question of armament profits arose and this, as I say, was noted for amendment, but the amendment required would not be at all simple in character, and could not be undertaken except as part of a general review of company legislation.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it vitally important, having regard to the circumstances of the war, that there should be full and accurate public knowledge as to the profits which are being made by contractors to the Government?

Everybody wishes the fullest and most accurate public knowledge that is practicable to be given, but this requires technical amendment of a particular part of the Companies Act, which cannot be done in any simple way. It is a matter which has been under consideration, quite apart from this question of armament profits.

Is it not a fact that every company, whether it be a parent company or a subsidiary company, will, fact, pay Excess Profits Tax?

asked the Minister of Shipping whether arrangements are being made to supply an adequate amount of shipping tonnage to meet the increased demand for coal from this country to markets overseas, particularly France?

Every effort is being made in this direction. The allocation of ships for the carriage of coal to France is being dealt with by the Anglo-French Permanent Executive Committee for Shipping, in consultation with the Anglo-French Coal Requirements Committee.

Is the Minister satisfied that there is adequate shipping to meet the demands of France?

There have been various factors in the increased demand for coal and t;he disappearance of neutral tonnage has affected the position, but we are doing everything we can to expedite the matter.

Does my right hon. Friend keep under consideration the possibility of purchasing ships in foreign countries where it is profitable to do so?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare why the Order-in-Council dealing with German exports is based on the precedent of March, 1915, and not that of February, 1918, which was much more thorough?

The hon. Member is presumably referring to the Order-in-Council of February, 1917, not 1918. The recent Order-in-Council dealing with German exports was based on the precedent of March, 1915, because that was considered sufficient for the present to ensure that; goods of enemy origin or ownership do not reach their destination overseas, and because His Majesty's Government are anxious to cause as little loss and inconvenience to neutrals as is compatible with the due execution of their policy of intercepting German exports. The question whether any more vigorous procedure should be adopted must depend on future circumstances.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he can give this House any information about the trade agreement between Germany and Rumania; and what steps His Majesty's Government have taken to divert Rumanian exports to this country?

A protocol renewing the economic agreement of last March between Germany and Rumania was signed on the 29th of September. The quotas of goods to be exchanged under the agreement are stated to be approximately equivalent to those for the preceding year with a proportionate increase to cover Rumanian trade with Bohemia and Moravia. Further commercial negotiations are reported to have been initiated in Bucharest last month by Herr Clodius, but so far as my information goes no result has yet been reached. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that it would not be in the public interest to indicate the measures which His Majesty's Government have taken. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that the importance of this aspect of economic warfare is not being neglected.

Are we to take that answer as indicating that, as yet, the Government have not succeeded in diverting Rumanian goods from Germany to this country?

I could not accept the suggestion that that is what my answer indicates.

Can the Minister say whether the quota of oil exports from Rumania to Germany has not yet been altered?

No, Sir, I do not think I could give the hon. Member any information on that point. There is, as far as I am aware, no quota which could be said physically to relate to oil. I think it relates rather to certain foreign exchange considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the issue of cigarettes, tobacco and matches to the forces in France; is he aware that some companies have only received 50 per cent. of what they were promised, and will he see that there is an equal distribution of the available supplies to all ranks; that there is no preferential treatment to any; and that the men in or near the lines are given first consideration?

Since the middle of October the full scale has been issued. Equal distribution is made to all ranks irrespective of their location, and further enormous quantities of tobacco and cigarettes have been given to the troops.

Will the Government try to show appreciation of the action of Turkey by buying tobacco from that country?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether sufficient practice is given to gunners with anti-aircraft guns to ensure a high degree of accuracy against enemy aeroplanes?

All anti-aircraft units are given practice before taking their place in the scheme of anti-aircraft defence, whether at home or abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the instructions issued to commanding officers with regard to granting of leave to men whose relatives are seriously ill or who wish to attend the funerals of near relatives?

Commanding officers at home may at their discretion grant compassionate leave to military personnel in the event of the serious illness or death of a near relative. In the case of the British Expeditionary Force, leave cannot be granted for the sole purpose of attending a funeral, but it is always given, if possible, in the case of the serious illness of a father, mother, wife or child.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases in which a commanding officer has not so exercised his discretion, thus causing considerable grief to the parties concerned; and will he look into that matter?

I know that my hon. Friend has in mind a particular case and the peculiar circumstances attached to it, but he may rest assured that commanding officers do use their discretion in the circumstances I have indicated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the conditions under which horses were being kept by the Scottish Horse Regiment, Dunkeld, Perthshire, last month; that nearly 700 horses were standing in the rain in a field fetlock-deep in mud beside a river; that they were covered with ordinary night rugs which had been soaked through for 11 days; that the horses were thin and weak; that they remained tied up for 22 hours out of the 24, and that they were unfit for military or other service due to constant exposure to rain; and has this state of affairs now been rectified?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Yardley (Mr. Salt) on Thursday last. It has since been ascertained that the horse lines were frequently moved and the only available roadways used for standings. Covered accommodation has now been provided.

Is the Minister aware that these questions were inspired by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and that, had a private individual been responsible, the society would have taken proceedings in this case?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers who have been given commissions, or approved for commissions, since the war started who have been educated at public elementary schools?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

Would not information of this kind be exceedingly interesting as showing the democratic character of officers in the Army at the present time, and is it not possible to obtain it?

Everybody knows that the system for provision of officers for the Army could hardly be more democratic than it is.

Is there a record in the War Office of the educational qualifications of officers of His Majesty's Army?

I suppose this information could be obtained, but it would require great labour to do it, and I am reluctant to impose this burden on the Department in these days.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds candidates for commissions in possession of Part I of Certificate A are accepted as qualified to be dealt with by the joint recruiting board of some universities and public schools, while others demand full Certificate A?

Candidates for commissions between the ages of 18 and 31 were eligible for acceptance by reception units if they were in possession of full Certificate A, or, in the case of resident university undergraduates and graduates under the age of 25, if they were recommended by the joint recruiting boards which were set up at universities and university colleges to deal with this group of candidates. In the latter case, the possession of a military certificate was not a necessary qualification. Acceptance of candidates for commissions under this procedure ceased on 21st October, and all further candidates for commissions, other than those enrolled in the Army Officers Emergency Reserve, are now selected from the ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when a court-martial decision is ultimately given on members of His Majesty's Forces who have been detained in custody for an alleged offence pending such decision, no regard or mitigation is given for the period of detention prior to the court-martial; and will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

It is laid down in the Rules of Procedure that the length of time during which the accused has been in confinement awaiting trial shall be taken into account when the sentence is considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of soldiers of the Regular and the Territorial Army have been freed from other military duties to perform full-time clerical work on the headquarters staff of his Department; what number of these have been given executive rank; and what number have had previous experience as professional clerks?

Approximately 400 military clerks, normal entrants into the Regular or Territorial Armies, are employed in the War Office. About 160 of them state that they were clerks in civil life. I am not clear what the hon. Member means by executive rank.

How is it that 250 out of 400 have never had any experience, prior to going into the War Office, in the work that they are actually doing now—clerical work; and why is it that so many qualified clerks are out of work and these people are being kept away from their own job of soldiering to do clerical work?

There have always been clerks in the Army, and a large proportion of these men who are now employed as clerks at the War Office are employed there under training.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what social influence takes them away from the work that they ought to be doing to do the work of men who are out of work?

No social influence.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of men, who enlisted under the Military Service Act, 1939, have been freed from other military duties to perform full-time clerical duties at the War Office; and what number of these have had previous experience as professional clerks?

Eight soldiers called up under the Military Training Act, 1939, are employed as clerks in the War Office. They were all clerks in civil life.

May I ask again what social influence brings young men of this character into the War Office, which is merely a hide-out from the job they ought to be doing in the Army?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by social influence. There is no new departure in having soldiers employed at the War Office on clerical duties.

I mean the same kind of influence that brings wives and daughters of highly paid officials into the Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Territorial Army officers are not being allowed to occupy the higher posts in the Army, that brevet colonels of several years standing in the Territorial Army have been relieved of their brevet rank and that retired Regular officers are being brought back in the service as colonels sometimes after having been on the retired list for as long as 14 years; and whether, as Territorial Army officers complain that promotion is not being given on merit in accordance with assurances, he will give the necessary instruction to remove these grievances?

There are, at present, 98 Territorial Army officers of the rank of colonel and above holding higher posts in the Army. The relinquishment, on embodiment, by Territorial Army officers of the rank of brevet colonel, which they are given in peace, if recommended, on completion of tenure of command as lieutenant-colonel, places these officers on an equality with Regular lieutenant-colonels who do not obtain the rank of brevet colonel in the same circumstances. On disembodiment, the brevet rank will be restored. It is the intention that promotions and appointments during the war should be governed entirely by merit.

Is my hon. Friend aware that correspondence that I have received shows that there is a fair amount of dissatisfaction among Territorial Army officers in regard to the position, and will he be good enough to discuss it with my right hon. Friend so as to alleviate the position if possible?

I shall be very glad to discuss it with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War what course is open to a man who possesses technical qualifications such as the Army is appealing for, but finds himself posted to a unit where they will not normally be used, and desires to apply for transfer to a more appropriate unit?

He should apply to his commanding officer, stating his qualifications and experience.

Does my hon. Friend's answer make sufficient allowance for the fact that commanding officers are human, and if a man is a general, all-round man, will not any commanding officer be inclined to retain his services rather than to facilitate his transfer to where his skilled qualifications are required?

I think my hon. Friend is rather making out that commanding officers are inhuman. I should say they are human. We do encourage these transfers so far as they are compatible with the requirements of the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will withdraw the instructions to commanding officers that soldiers should apply to them before marrying and present certificates from two responsible persons as to their bride's character?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the commanding officer of an infantry training centre has issued orders that soldiers wishing to get married must apply for permission to do so through their company commanders, and that such applications must be accompanied by certificates from two responsible persons as to the woman's character; and whether this order has his approval?

Commanding officers have not been instructed or authorised to require soldiers to obtain permission to get married, and I am not aware of any case in which a commanding officer has acted in the manner suggested.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that such a case did arise and that the War Office informed journalists who inquired that this authorisation did exist and had existed for a long time; and will he make further inquiries to see whether such a regulation does exist?

The answer is as I have stated. If the hon. Member can give me information concerning any particular case, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider arranging for the British forces to brew their own beer behind the lines, as the farmers did in England, and so obtain draught beer which the consumer prefers to bottled and which could be sold at 1d. per pint, a figure more consonant with soldiers' pay?

If my hon. and learned Friend will send detailed particulars of his scheme, together with an analysis of estimated costs, to my right hon. Friend, he authorises me to say that he will consider it.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that the ingredients of a gallon of beer cost less than a penny, that the ingredients of a bottle of champagne cost less than a halfpenny, and that there are plenty of soldiers in the regiments who could make it, just as they cook their meals? It ought to be issued with the rations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that the troops now being called up will not be asked to serve under canvas during the coming winter?

Yes, Sir, except in two or three cases where small numbers of men will be living temporarily in specially fitted store tents, having tarmac floors with floor-boards, beds, electric light, and fireplaces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that salutary drill has been insisted on in France which is not consistent with the assurances given by the Secretary of State in answer to the hon. Member for Stoke during the Debate on the Estimates; and is such drill in accordance with War Office policy?

Perhaps the hon. Member would give me particulars of what he has in mind by salutary drill.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take all possible steps to obtain the widest publication of the salient features of the White Paper dealing with family and dependants' allowances (Cmd. 6138), set out in plain understandable language for the benefit of the very large numbers of the general population affected?

asked the Secretary of State for War, in what form it is proposed to make the contents of Command Paper 6138 known to men serving with the Forces, and to those to be subsequently enlisted?

The contents of Command Paper 6138 have been drawn from a number of Army Orders, Army Council Instructions, etc., which have been issued to the Army from time to time. A further Army Council Instruction setting out shortly the general position in regard to the allowances and the way to obtain them was issued on 23rd November last, with a special injunction that commanding officers will be responsible for seeing that it is brought to the notice of every officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer and man. The scheme has already been given considerable publicity through statements and answers to questions in the House, through the Press and by broadcast. The White Paper, which I think is written in plain, understandable language, is on sale to the general public and can be obtained through any bookseller for the price of twopence.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that copies of this document are available at Employment Exchanges, public assistance offices, unemployment insurance area offices and post offices, so that any person desiring this information can have it handy? Is he aware that there are still cases where husbands left home seven or eight weeks since and where no allowance has been received? Will the hon. Gentleman not only publicise the recent very clear statement, but facilitate payment in these outstanding cases?

We are trying to clear up outstanding cases as quickly as we can, and if hon. Gentlemen will send cases to me we will do our best to clear them up. With regard to having the White Paper available at the premises mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, I will look into that.

Can this White Paper be simplified, as it is a curious mixture of past and future and few people can understand it?

Is it not the case that applicants whose cases are under review and who suffer hardship can, under present arrangements, receive relief pending a decision?

Yes, that is so.

Is there any appeal against the decision of the paymaster where the settlement is considered unfair?

These cases are settled on questions of fact, and paymasters are able to judge for themselves whether the facts are fulfilled. I do not think the hon. Gentleman would accuse them of unfairness.

If my judgment of a case differs from that of the paymaster from my reading of the papers, to whom has the aggrieved soldier an appeal? Am I to receive hundreds of these cases each day and send them on to the Minister?

The hon. Gentleman frequently writes to me.

I do not want to do so.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an answer that can be published which will enable these people to go to somebody and get relief while they are waiting? If they go to the Unemployment Assistance Board they are told that the Board have no powers.

I will let the hon. Gentleman have the information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulty and inconvenience experienced by men of the Armed Forces when proceeding on leave, by the fact that their railway warrants compel them to travel by specific railway routes, in many instances causing long delay and waiting at railway stations; and will he make some arrangements whereby their warrants will allow them to travel by any route that takes them to their home?

My right hon. Friend is obliged to the hon. Member for his suggestion, and effect has been given to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in cases where a soldier is awarded field punishment he forfeits not only his own pay but his allotment to his wife, often imposing serious hardship on the wife and family; and whether he will give consideration to any necessary alteration of the Army Regulations so as to prevent the suffering of innocent persons?

In such cases, the normal family allowance continues to be issued to the wife. If the period of forfeiture of pay is less than eight clays, the amount of the allotment also continues to be paid to the wife and is subsequently recovered from the soldier. An extension of the eight-day limit is being considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of cases where a deduction has been made?

The hon. Gentleman asks what the regulation is and I have given it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consult with the director of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service as to the advisability of paying increased allowances on the basis of proficiency pay in other categories to proficient cooks with a view to interesting women in cooking and increasing the number of good cooks?

Members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service who qualify as cooks are eligible for additional pay of 4d. or 6d. a day, according to classification, while employed within the authorised establishment of cooks for their unit.

In view of the fact that cooking is an honourable profession, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to consult the director of the Auxiliary Territorial Service regarding the proposal in my question?

My answer states that they can get additional pay. I do not think the hon. Lady heard me.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that private soldiers are being charged a minimum of 3d. to attend performances given for their entertainment; why is this charge made, and by whose authority; and will he take steps to ensure that soldiers shall be admitted to these shows free of charge?

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes have undertaken the responsibility for this entertainment and have created an organisation for the purpose. The charge of 3d. was authorised by the War Office after consultation with General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of Home Commands, and helps to recover some part of the cost of providing these entertainments. It is hoped to arrange that a proportion of seats in the smaller type of entertainment shall be available at 2d. The general evidence is that the soldier in no way objects to paying for his voluntary attendance at an entertainment.

Is my hon. Friend aware that only a few days ago, in a very large camp, the soldiers refused to attend a concert because of the imposition of this charge, and therefore the concert was very ill-attended?

Is not this just on a level with the overcharge for the soldiers' beer?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many liaison officers and members of the missions attached to the French Army and French general headquarters have not passed the interpretership examination in French; and how many have passed this examination?

Seven have qualified as interpreters and 15 have not. Of the latter, six were tested. In the case of the remainder, no test was considered necessary in the light of their previous experience and employment, and of knowledge of their qualifications in the French language.

If a knowledge of French is a necessity for liaison officers, how can it be known that they are proficient in the language if they have not passed an examination?

Some of these officers were employed upon this work in the last war.

Why should any officers go to the trouble of passing an examination if the highest positions for which these qualifications are necessary are occupied by people who have never taken the trouble to pass them?

Does the fact that somebody held a position as liaison officer in the last war necessarily prove that he can speak the French language?

I said that no test was considered necessary in their case, in the light of their previous experience. If they were good liaison officers in the last war, presumably they will make good liaison officers now.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether tests by French national examiners are now in all cases substituted for the interpretership examination in French; who these examiners are and what tests they apply; and whether any certificate is given to officers passing these tests?

Interpretership examinations ceased at the beginning of the war. The examiner who tested the liaison officers was Monsieur André Turquet. The test was viva voce, and those who obtained 80 per cent. were considered by the examiner to have reached a standard equivalent to a First-Class Interpretership in the Army. No certificates were given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that large numbers of men stationed in this country are still without greatcoats; that many of them are not getting any allowance for the civilian coats they are wearing in the camps; that they are not allowed to go from the camp in these coats, and when on leave they go home without any overcoat and are subject to the rigours of the weather without protection, and with very little money in their pockets; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs?

If the hon. Member will bring to my notice any instance of the statements made in his question, I will have inquiries made.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there are many firms who do not want to make greatcoats, because they can make more profit out of smaller articles of wearing apparel?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when purchasing horses for the Army, buyers will be instructed, where possible, to give priority to geldings and mares unlikely to be of value for breeding?

It is a general rule that entire horses should not be bought for the Army. It is intended that future purchases should be by voluntary agreement with owners registered for that purpose, and it is not considered that any special instructions as to mares suitable for breeding will be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the £50 a day which it costs to keep 23 German officer prisoners includes the rent for the mansion and the cost of erecting the barbed-wire defences and guarding the prisoners?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on Tuesday, 21st November, the £50 does not include rent, which has not yet been settled, nor does it include any capital expenditure. It includes the cost of guarding the prisoners.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider arranging that the House should meet in the forenoon and adjourn before darkness sets in?

I have considered my hon. and learned Friend's suggestion, but I regret that many practical difficulties make it impossible for the Government to propose an earlier meeting of the House.

Is it not a fact that hon. Members are much better employed in the black-out here than they are likely to be anywhere else?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will furnish the latest figures of the increase in total bank deposits since 1st August, and state as far as he is able the origin of such increase?

This information is not issued through any official agency. So far as the clearing banks are concerned, the figures are published by the banks themselves regularly in the Press.

Does not the Chancellor think that since Parliament has, obviously, no control over the issue of credits, it would be as well to abandon all pretence that we have really any control over the monetary system?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that claims which have been established against the Czech assets now blocked in this country will be met without further delay; and that any necessary legislation will be carried through before the Christmas Recess?

After full consideration His Majesty's Government have decided that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the right course in present circumstances will be for the unexpended balance of the free gift to be paid over as and when required to the trustees of the Czech Refugee Trust Fund and for the unexpended balance of the advance to be used for the payment of coupons of the Czecho-Slovak External Debt and for payments in respect of cash claims. A detailed scheme will be prepared and legislation will be introduced as soon as may be after the House reassembles.

Will it be possible for my right hon. Friend to have the legislation printed so that we can have it before we rise for the Recess?

I will consider that. I have seen a draft, but I am not sure whether it is in final shape.

Under this arrangement what will be the position of the 4½ per cent. Austrian internationally guaranteed loan as regards the Czech portion of the guarantee?

The service of the Austrian Guaranteed Conversion Loan was guaranteed as to 24½ per cent. by the Czecho-Slovak Government, and the position of coupons on bonds of this loan which have been certified as owned by British holders will be taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolutionof the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association calling for an increase in the payments to old age pensioners, in order to meet the increased cost of living; and whether he can now state when the report of the committee set up to consider the question of pensions and contributions will be issued?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, I cannot at present add to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 5th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will be in a position to make a statement on old age pensions before the Christmas Recess?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to increasing the rate of old age pensions?

I am pressing on with the inquiry which I promised on 1st November, but I fear it will not be possible to make a statement before the House rises for the Christmas Recess.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that our patience is well nigh exhausted, and are we not entitled to know where the difficulty is and whether the Treasury or the employers are holding something back? Are we not entitled to that in fairness to our constant requests?

I am glad to tell the hon. Gentleman that there is nobody who is holding anything back. The inquiry has to he made, and there are a number of difficult questions that have to be considered.

Is it not a fact that in July last, when the promise was given to set up this inquiry, it was stated by the Minister that a short period was required and that five or six weeks were considered to be ample for the inquiry? Has not the whole time which was then anticipated as being necessary long since passed, and what is the reason for this continued delay?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman's recollection is quite correct. My recollection is that it was stated that it was hoped to get the inquiry carried on far enough to enable an announcement to be made to the House in the autumn. That, I think, was the nature of the statement. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it is more difficult to carry things on rapidly in time of war than it is in time of peace. I still hope, however, that I shall have an announcement to make after the sort of interval that was then suggested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement before Christmas?

That was the question asked in No. 52 which I have just answered.

When the right hon. Gentleman does make a statement, does he expect it to be favourable?

I think the right hon. Gentleman misunderstood my question. No. 52 said "before the Christmas Recess." Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make any statement which may comfort the old age pensioners before Christmas?

I think the statement will have to be made to the House.

Will it be before the Recess? I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will invite the committee considering the question of old age pensions to consider the adoption of a scheme for providing assistance to necessitous old age pensioners in the contributory group from funds provided by transfer from the Unemployment Insur- ance Fund of money which may be assumed to be unnecessary for the provision of unemployment insurance benefit to persons in the older age groups?

No, Sir. I do not think that an assessment of surplus moneys in the Unemployment Fund could be made on the basis suggested by the hon. Member, and even if it could I should hesitate to suggest that the surplus should be requisitioned for purposes quite different from those for which it was contributed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that on Thursday last I was informed by the Minister of Labour that there was a surplus of £42,000,000 in the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Could not that be transferred to give an increase to old age pensioners, or, if there is a "snag" there, could it not be used to give an increase to the unemployed?

As to the second suggestion, that might be considered, but I am sure the hon. Member will see that any surplus which there is in the Unemployment Insurance Fund belongs to the beneficiaries of that fund, and there are various ways in which it could be used, but that it could not be taken out for the purpose of being used for others.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated loss to the revenue since poundage charges on postal orders were suspended; and whether, seeing that the chief benefit through such suspension accrues to those engaged in gambling, he will restore the former practice?

I hope to announce a decision at an early date. In reply to the first part of the question, no real estimate can be given; on the hypothesis that the use of postal orders for remittance purposes, apart from use in connection with the pools, had continued on the same scale as before the war, the loss of revenue to date due to the absence of poundage might have been roughly £450,000, of which, however, only a small proportion would be attributable to orders used in connection with pools since they recommenced on a reduced scale last month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, for the assistance of the revenue and for public convenience, he will consider permitting motorists who motor only at week-ends to pay a proportion only of the horsepower tax during the winter quarter when otherwise their cars would be entirely laid up?

I am not satisfied that any such proposal would assist the revenue, and in view of the practical difficulties involved both in the issue of the licences and in enforcement of the conditions to be attached thereto, I am afraid that cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government is considering the advisability of introducing legislation to amend the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939?