asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction among Scottish sheep farmers regarding the delay in fixing the price to be paid for wool; and whether, in order to enable farmers to realise their present wool-clip and so relieve financial embarrassment, he will announce a price of 1s. per pound for blackface wool without delay?

The Order establishing the prices for wools still owned by farmers will be issued to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give any information as to when the price of English wool is to be fixed?

The Order establishing the prices for wools still owned by farmers will be issued to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Supply whether any negotiations are in progress with a view to the manufacture of calcium carbide in this country?

Various interests have in recent months placed before my right hon. Friend proposals for the production of calcium carbide, but he is not in a position to make any statement regarding them.

asked the Minister of Supply whether steps have been taken to appoint salvage officers, and where; what are the duties of these officers; and whether he will appoint individuals with a knowledge of old iron and scrap metal who also have some knowledge of the collection and treatment of swill for feeding to pigs?

A Salvage Department was set up in the Ministry of Supply early in November, under a Controller of Salvage and two Deputies. Their duties are to organise and stimulate collection of scrap and salvage of all kinds, and to bring back into industry all material that can profitably be re-utilised. They are working in conjunction with local authorities, the salvage organisations of the fighting Services, and the Raw Materials Department of the Ministry, including the Controllers of Iron and Steel and Non-Ferrous Metals.In conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture they are also stimulating the collection by local authorities, etc., of swill for pig feeding.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to the number of municipalities which provide free transit on local municipal transport undertakings to old age pensioners?

This information is not available and could be obtained only by issuing a circular to the local authorities concerned. I hope that, in present circumstances, the hon. Member will not wish to press for this to be done.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the fact that the present minimum age at which a licence can be granted to a man to drive an agricultural tractor is 21, that the great majority of young men of the ages of 2I and 22 have been called up for military service, and that there are many young men under the age of 21 who are quite capable of and competent to drive tractors, he can make special arrangements at an early date to lower the minimum age at which tractor-driving is permissible?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that no age limit is prescribed for driving an agricultural tractor on a farm or on a road in the course of the internal operations of a farm. I cannot see my way to seeking powers to vary the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts which, except in the circumstances mentioned, prohibit the driving of tractors on roads by persons under 21 years of age.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a financial agreement has now been reached between the Government and the undertakings under the control of the railway executive; if not, what are the obstacles to it; and what further steps he proposes to take to secure a settlement?

I regret that I have still nothing to add to the answer which I gave on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) and the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. Griffith) on the 22nd November.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to sanction the joint footbridge of the Glyn Ćorrwg Urban District Council and the Great Western Railway Company at Cymmer, which has been condemned and found dangerous to the public; and what grant can be given to the urban council, as it is a distressed area?

Application has been made by the urban district council for a loan for that part of the cost of the works for which they are responsible, and the matter is now under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. Grants are not available from the Road Fund towards footbridges which are constructed apart from carriageways.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will inquire why almost every train between Doncaster and King's Cross arrives from 30 to 60 minutes late; and will he ask those responsible to arrange the schedules more in accordance with the actual time when they expect trains to arrive?

The information I have been able to obtain since this question appeared on the Order Paper does not bear out the hon. Member's statement. I will, however, look further into the matter and let him know the result of my inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will have inquiries made regarding the provision of adequate air-raid protection for workmen employed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company at Hornsea Bridge; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the precautions quoted in the company's circular A.R.P. S/I are strictly observed?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the fact that the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company is threatening to increase its standing charges for light to certain shopkeepers and others in the Notting Hill Gate area by from 80 to 150 per cent., he will order an inquiry to see if these increases are justified; and whether he will sanction no such increases until the inquiry has been held?

The Electricity Commissioners are in communication with the company on the matter. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as the inquiries are completed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is strong feeling that the chairmanship of the Electricity Commission should be a full-time post; and what steps he is taking to obtain the services of a good administrator to carry out these duties?

No, Sir. For the reasons which I explained to the House on the 15th November during the Debate on the Chartered and Other Bodies Bill, I am satisfied that the arrangements in regard to the chairmanship of the Electricity Commission are the best that could be ma de in present circumstances in the interests of the electricity industry and the consumers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether officers or other ranks returning on short leave from France who have laid up their motor-cars or motorcycles, will be able to take out local taxation licences and insurance policies for short periods, and will be allowed to purchase a reasonable amount of petrol?

The reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 21st November, 1939, set out the existing statutory arrangements for short period licences, but I am giving careful consideration to the possibility of arranging further concessions in the case of officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force who wish to use laid-up cars or motor-cycles while on leave in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers stationed at Norton Barracks, Worcestershire, are at present accommodated under unsatisfactory conditions; and will he look into the matter with a view to improving these conditions and expediting the erection of the additional accommodation required?

Part of the unit is still accommodated in store tents, but these are fitted with floors, fireplaces, electric light and low sandbag walls to exclude draughts. The first of the new huts will be ready on 20th December, and it is anticipated that all men will be in barracks or huts by the middle of February next. Staff and medical officers from Command Headquarters have visited the unit and have questioned a number of men. There were no complaints, and the health of those who are in tents is reported to be excellent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the rate of Army retired pay, which was reduced before the outbreak of the present war, owing to the fall in the cost of living, is now being raised again for the same reason; and, if not, when it is proposed to do so?

Rates of Army retired pay were stabilised in 1935 in accordance with the Government decision relating to the pay and pensions of the Defence Services and the Civil Service, and the rates are not now variable with the cost of living.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the announcement by the Soviet foreign broadcast that General Sir Walter Kirke was in Finland in the first half of this year advising the Finnish Army; and will he state the nature of the mission, and how long it was in Finland?

General Sir Walter Kirke was in Finland from 18th June to 22nd June this year. His visit was purely of a private nature.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make some alteration by which, when a non-commissioned officer is reduced in rank and his wife's allowance is thereby reduced, as it takes some weeks for the reduction to take effect, his wife should not be penalised by having the whole reduction taken off from one week's allowance, as, in a recent case in Jarrow, which left a woman with only 3s. for herself and her children for the week when the deduction was made?

In the absence of particulars as to the soldier concerned, it is not possible to deal with the specific case mentioned, but, where allowances and allotment have to be lowered and over-payments recovered owing to a married soldier having been reduced in rank, steps are being taken to ensure that the amount to be recovered will be spread over a period in order to prevent hardship to the family.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the Army Council, in cases where an order for maintenance of his lawful wife has been made by a court against a soldier, takes steps to have deducted from the pay of such soldier the sum adjudged to be paid by the order, and appropriation made in the discretion of the Army Council, but so that the soldier shall be left not less than one-fourth, or, if he is a warrant officer or a non-commissioned officer not below the rank of sergeant, not less than one-third of his pay;(2) whether it is the duty of the appropriate fixed centre paymaster, on receipt of an application to assess and issue a special dependant's allowance to an unmarried wife under Regulation 8 of the Army Order 170/1939, to have regard to Section 145 of the Army Act, 1881, and to inquire and report to the War Office if the soldier has a lawful wife living and has discharged his liability to such lawful wife, or if any order has been made against him for maintenance under any Act or at common law;(3) to what officers or branch of the War Office administration the powers of the Army Council, under Section 145 of the Army Act, 1881, are deputed, and to whom applications under the provisions of this Section may be made by a deserted wife;(4) whether, in the event of a soldier having deserted his wife or left her in destitute circumstances without reasonable cause and where no maintenance order has been made by a court, the Army Council order that such sum as they in their discretion think fit, subject to the same limitations as in the case of a court order, to be deducted from the pay of the soldier and appropriated towards the maintenance of the wife?

The officers authorised to deal with such cases are shown in Army Orders 95 and 167 of 1939, of which I will send my hon. Friend copies. In addition, the powers have been deputed to officers in charge of records in the cases of soldiers serving with the British Expeditionary Force. In the case of the latter, applications should be addressed to the officer in charge of records of the soldier's unit; in other cases, to the headquarters of the command in which the soldier is serving. If these addresses are not known, applications may be sent to the War Office.Where a maintenance order is so sent or where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Army Council or of an officer deputed by them for the purpose that the soldier has deserted his wife or left her in destitute circumstances without reasonable cause, appropriate action will be taken as laid down in Section 145 (2) of the Army Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position regarding Oxford graduates who are members of the Officers Training Corps; whether any action has been taken concerning them since they were called up for medical examination at the outbreak of war; and whether it is proposed to inform them that they will shortly be called up, or that they are at liberty to pursue their academic work?

If the hon. and gallant Member is referring to cadet members of the Officers Training Corps who were accepted by reception units as candidates for commissions, a considerable number have already been called up for training. The remainder either have been or are being informed of the approximate dates when they are likely to be required.

asked the Secretary of State for War what rent is being paid for the premises at Berkeley Square House occupied by the Director-General of Voluntary Organisations, what staff is employed there, what salaries are paid to them, and if the work to be undertaken by the Director-General is not already wholly or partially covered by existing voluntary organisations?

The rental value of the space occupied is £1,375 a year. The staff consists of the Director-General, a deputy director-general, a chief personal assistant, a private secretary and a clerical staff of two, all of whom are unpaid, together with a secretary, whose salary is £500 per annum, and two shorthand typists, two typists and two messengers who have been supplied by the War Office and who are paid the normal rates authorised for these grades in the Civil Service.As regards the last part of the question, this central organisation under the Director-General of Voluntary Organisations was set up to co-ordinate the offers of comforts for personnel of the three Services, and to ensure that gifts in money and in kind, other than those specifically earmarked and dealt with by one or other of the Service organisations, shall be equitably distributed between personnel of the three Services. This co-ordinating work is not covered by other existing organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men in the British Expeditionary Force who did not arrive in France until after the 1st October will not get any leave until April next year at the earliest; and whether some better arrangement can be made?

It is hoped to arrange that men who went to France early in October shall be given leave before the end of next March.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information regarding arrangements for blood transfusion in the Army?

Overseas, an organisation on the most modern lines has been provided that will ensure that supplies are available in forward areas for any soldier who requires blood transfusion. In this country, an Army Blood Supply Depot has been formed which sends the blood required overseas and also serves the home hospitals. Civilian blood donors have patriotically volunteered to provide a source of supply. This Army service has the additional responsibility of providing supplies for the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that medical officers of health are cross-examining soldiers in regard to their reasons for refusing inoculation and vaccination; that, as the men are addressing an officer and one with a technical knowledge of the subject, they generally submit, although they are against having these injections; and on whose authority the medical officers are acting on these lines?

I have received no information to the effect suggested in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the agreements concluded between the engineering trade unions and the National Engineering and Allied Employers which provided for the relaxation of existing customs, he can make a statement on the arrangements that have been or are to be made to speed up the machinery for the release of urgently-required men from the armed forces and for the transfer of skilled men to technical units?

Arrangements for the release of skilled men from the Army have already been applied, and a very large number of such men have been released either indefinitely or for a limited period. The civil qualifications of skilled men remaining in the Territorial Army are being carefully classified, and such men, if not already employed in the most suitable positions, are being transferred, as rapidly as can reasonably be done, to other duties. Good progress has already been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that as a result of the ruling that the use of War Department mechanically-propelled vehicles is to be confined to essential training or transport services, reference W.O. letter, 53/general/5272 [Q.M.G. lb] dated 8th September, 1939, as repeated in command and unit orders, troops are being deprived of the opportunity, through lack of transport, of playing football matches away from their stations; and whether he will issue instructions that the use of such vehicles may be sanctioned by commanding officers in cases where it is considered that the lack of such transport, by limiting the scope and character of organised sport, is likely to react unfavourably upon the well-being and morale of the Army?

The object of the instruction is to save petrol, but exceptions are authorised by the War Office where the maintenance of the restriction would cause hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give orders that fresh milk instead of tinned milk be supplied to the nurses in the military hospitals of St. Albans district?

Members of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service or the Territorial Army Nursing Service are not rationed in kind and are at liberty to buy what they wish. In the case of Voluntary Aid Detachments in receipt of rations in kind, milk would be bought from a messing cash allowance at the discretion of the commanding officer of the unit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the possibility of waiving for the period of Christmas leave the regulation which requires the wearing of uniform by all ranks at all times?

It is not considered that those who obtain leave at Chrsitmas should be given special treatment in this respect as compared with those on leave at other times.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the confusion and uncertainty in the Hull district regarding air-raid warnings; whether he is aware that the knowledge that air-raid precautions bodies have received the first light warning soon becomes public thus creating genera] apprehension, even in the absence of sound warnings which are not given until the appearance of the second signal light; and whether he will take steps to ensure that, whatever signal lights are received, the siren system will be so utilised as to result in the minimum of public anxiety?

In the Hull area, as elsewhere throughout the country, the public warning sirens are sounded when an air-raid warning message is received originating from the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command. The preliminary caution message should not be made public. In very many cases this message is not followed by the air-raid warning message, but is cancelled. My right hon. Friend is about to remind all local air-raid precautions authorities of the need of preserving the confidential character of the preliminary caution message.

asked the Home Secretary whether information will shortly be available as to the results of further research into the problems mentioned in paragraph 62 of the Report of the Lord Privy Seal's conference of April last, Cmd. 6006, and particularly the problems of the effects of blast and the materials required for baffling it and protecting persons against its effects, and of the transmission of shock-waves through various materials; whether definite information was available on this problem of transmission when the thicknesses of wall and roof given in handbook 5A were settled; and which of the two thicknesses of special reinforced concrete necessary to resist a one-ton bomb mentioned in handbook 5, 6 feet or 11 feet, is to be regarded as authoritative?

The problems referred to in paragraph 62 of Cmd. 6006 have been the subject of constant research in the Research and Experiments Branch of the Air-Raid Precautions Department, who have the assistance of a number of distinguished scientists. The conclusions reached are reflected in the practical recommendations which are issued by the Department from time to time; but my right hon. Friend does not consider it advisable now to publish further results.

asked the Home Secretary whether other countries, so far as he knows, have a paid staff for air-raid precautions work; whether any appeal for any further voluntary workers has been made within the last six weeks; and whether he will consider, in the interests public economy, a campaign to secure all necessary voluntary assistance which would obviate the expenditure of £750,000 a week on air-raid precautions services?

So far as I am aware, all of the principal European countries either employ or contemplate the employment for A.R.P. work in war of personnel who are paid in one form or other. In this country the recruitment of unpaid volunteers is continuing as part of the normal basis of organisation, and the question whether an intensification of the recruiting campaign is necessary, either generally or in particular areas, will depend upon the outcome of the review of personnel which has not yet been fully completed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that voluntary workers in London are working eight-hour shifts for six days a week yet there is practically nothing to do until the need actually arises; and whether, to avoid boredom and waste of time over a long period of hostilities, he will see if it is possible to make further appeals for voluntary workers and place the whole organisation on a modified part-time basis?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's contention that Civil Defence volunteers in London are standing idle. Regular training exercises are given and combined practical exercises are taking place in all parts of the region. As I have made clear in answer to previous questions on this subject, it is necessary in the Civil Defence services in the vulnerable areas to have a nucleus of whole-time personnel to provide the immediate assistance which would be required in the event of hostile attack from the air. At the same time I am anxious that the fullest possible use should be made of the services of part-time workers.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the citizen army of 1,500,000 to 1,750,000, announced by the Lord Privy Seal, are being paid £2 a week or upwards?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the approximate total of paid and voluntary air-raid precautions workers for the latest date for which the particulars are available?

It is estimated that in November there were 291,000 paid whole-time volunteers in the Air-Raid Precautions and Auxiliary Fire Services, of whom 286,000 were in receipt of £2 a week and upwards. I would hesitate to give a definite figure for the effective strength of part-time unpaid volunteers while the whole establishment of the A.R.P. organisation is under review.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered making arrangements to afford Members of the House, during the Recess, opportunities for seeing the progress of Civil Defence organisation in their constituencies?

I would welcome any interest which Members may wish to take in the organisation of Civil Defence in their constituencies, and I feel sure that local authorities will be very happy to afford them opportunities for seeing the progress which has been made if reasonable notice is given.

asked the Home Secretary for what number of persons satisfactory shelter protection against aerial attack has already been provided under the respective heads of steel surface-shelters, strutted domestic basements, domestic shelters, factories, commercial premises and mines employing more than 50 persons, other factories, commercial premises and mines, and public shelters; for what further numbers it is proposed to make provision; and for what number of persons entitled to the provision of free materials for air-raid shelter purposes it has so far proved impossible to provide satisfactory flood-proof shelter falling within one of the first three classes above mentioned?

I regret that I am not in a position to give, under the various categories enumerated in the question, the statistical information for which the hon. and learned Member asks.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the total number of persons in the Possilpark district of Glasgow for whom air-raid shelter is provided?

I have already promised to write to the hon. Member regarding the position as regards air-raid shelter in Glasgow generally, and I will include in that communication information about the particular district mentioned in this question.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to provide air-raid shelter protection in dangerous areas for the following classes of persons, namely: employés of commercial firms; factories or mines employing fewer than 50 persons; persons entitled to receive, free of charge, material for shelter, but for whom it is impossible to provide shelter on their own premises; persons in shops, restaurants, hotels and places of entertainment; persons in railway vehicles; persons excluded from public shelters on account of the shelters being full; and cripples and invalids not evacuated; and further, for what percentage of the population of any district is it his practice to arrange the supply of public shelter accommodation?

In general, the categories of persons described by the hon. and learned Member would properly be taken into account in the provision of public shelter by the local authorities except in so far as they might be catered for by special arrangements such as are made, for instance, in many shops and restaurants. The requirements of any particular area, or part of an area, must be a matter for assessment on the spot, and it would not be possible to give any precise figure as representing the general practice followed in this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the corner of Battersea Rise and Bolingbroke Grove, London, S.W., there is a notice displayed stating that an air-raid shelter is available at a distance of 580 yards; and why he considers that such a distance to be travelled through the streets is compatible with public safety in view of the statement contained in the report of the Lord Privy Seal's Conference on Air-Raid Shelters that a distance of 550 yards is too great to be consistent with safety?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary (1) how many proposals for the construction of heavily-protected air-raid shelters have been received from local authorities; and how many of these proposals have been sanctioned by him;(2) in what places it is considered that the heavily-protected shelters described in Handbook 5A should be provided; and on how many such shelters has work begun?

Local authorities have put forward a number of proposals for the construction of strongly protected shelters; but, in view of the Government's policy, I have not felt justified in approving such proposals unless they have been based on the utilisation of some readily available feature, natural or otherwise.

asked the Home Secretary whether experiments have been held in the employment of lights, such as the Bikker, adopted for frequent use in Holland, which cannot be seen from the air, to illuminate road curbs and crossings; and, if so, when they will be generally introduced?

The performance of the Bikker lamp was investigated some time ago by officials of my Department, but they do not regard it as suitable for the purpose suggested in the question. It produces a directional beam of light without side spread, but any object which its light illuminates is, of course, as visible from the air as if it were lighted by any other light of the same intensity.

asked the Home Secretary whether adequate attention has been, and is being, paid to the effect of brighter lighting on the public morale and the stimulation of trade; and whether he is aware that the public, as a whole, would be prepared to run some measure of risk if life could he made somewhat more attractive for them?

The general policy of the black-out is regarded by the Government as an essential part of our defences. I have, however, been giving continuous attention to the considerations to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and I hope that the relaxations of the lighting restrictions recently made in regard to shop windows and announced to-day in regard to street lighting will tend both to stimulate trade and to make conditions easier for people in the street.

asked the Home Secretary which is the local authority responsible for the provision of air-raid shelter for the London County Council flats at Creighton Close and Orwell House, Hammersmith; whether he will take steps to see that the present unsatisfactory temporary shelter is promptly replaced by the provision of proper shelter; and when the amended order fore- shadowed in his circular No. 282/1939 is likely to be made?

The terms of the amending Order making the London County Council the shelter authority in respect of its own flats and tenements has been under discussion with the council, and the Order will be made very shortly. The council have, however, already undertaken this responsibility by agreement. As regards the flats at Creighton Close and Orwell House, the position is that the council's plans for replacing the emergency trench shelter by a more substantive provision have been considered by my technical advisers, who offered certain suggestions. I understand that the council are about to send me a further communication in the matter and I can assure the hon. and learned Member that every effort will be made to enable the council to start work as soon as possible on the substantive scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the case in which a child, known to be suffering from an infectious disease and having been refused admittance by a fever hospital, was billeted by a doctor and a billeting officer in a reception area on a householder whose husband is away on active service, while she was out, despite the fact that other children were in the house; if such action is officially recognised; whether he will give an assurance that if the other children contract this disease the local authority will pay all individual expenses; and if he will give instructions to the authorities concerned that such action will not be repeated, and that children suffering from infectious diseases should not in future be re-billeted on houses where there are other children and will only be sent to hospitals equipped for the purpose?

I have not received information of the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will be good enough to send me particulars I will have inquiries made immediately.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of cases of bag snatching during the blackout hours in each of the last three months in the Metropolitan area and in the rest of the country, respectively; and what special steps he proposes to take to deal with this form of crime?

Figures for the whole of the country are not available. The following are the figures for the Metropolitan Police district.Numbers of Larcenies from the Person (snatching bag or other property only) recorded by the Police in September, October and November, 1939, and in the corresponding months of 1938:

Month.			Number of crimes recorded in
			1939.	1938.
September	…	…	22	14
October	…	…	31	52
November	…	…	46	24
Total	…	…	99	90

Numbers of Burglaries and Housebreakings in September, October and November, 1939, and in the corresponding months of 1938.
Burglary and Housebreaking.
Crime.	1939.				1938.
	September.	October.	November.	Total.	September.	October.	November.	Total.
Burglary	4	10	6	20	24	29	19	72
Housebreaking	308	385	440	1,133	415	491	483	1,389
Total-Burglary and Housebreaking.	312	395	446	1,153	439	520	502	1,461

All burglaries are committed at night, since to constitute the crime of "burglary" the breaking into and entering a dwelling house with felonious intent must be between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. As regards "housebreakings" it is not possible to state the numbers of cases which occurred during "black-out" hours, because in a large number of cases the crime is only discovered on the return of the occupier to his house, and no precise time of entry can therefore be determined.

asked the Minister of Health whether the communication by Sir Charles Wilson in a London daily paper, dated from the Ministry of Health and of a propagandist nature, regarding the staffing and use of the London hospitals, was made with his approval; and, if not, whether he will take steps to see that no unofficial communications emanate from his Department?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of cases of burglary during black-out hours in each of the last three months in the Metropolitan area, and in the rest of England, respectively; and will he give a comparison of these figures with those of the same periods during 1938?

Figures for the whole country are not available. The following are the figures for the Metropolitan Police district.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I think that the principle indicated in the second part of the question, which applies, of course, to both permanent and temporary officers of Departments, is generally well understood by those concerned. The dating of the letter in question from the Ministry of Health was, I am assured, quite accidental.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the number of emergency beds provided by the London County Council and other municipal authorities under the emergency hospital scheme is much in excess of those provided by the voluntary hospitals, but that the former are not provided with anything like the same proportion of extra doctors and surgeons; and whether he will state the proportions of extra doctors and surgeons engaged under this scheme in voluntary and municipal hospitals, respectively, relative to the number of emergency beds provided?

The number of beds available in municipal institutions is naturally larger than in voluntary hospitals. It is the case that the proportion of medical staff enrolled in the Emergency Medical Service, to casualty beds, is higher in the case of the voluntary hospitals than in that of the municipal hospitals, but in the latter hospitals the medical staff available for casualties includes also a number of doctors in the employment of the local authority but not enrolled in the Emergency Medical Service. In any case, I do not consider that any useful conclusion could be drawn from a comparison between the respective proportions of beds to medical staff in the two types of hospital. The medical staffing of a hospital included in the Emergency Hospital Scheme is governed by medical needs, and depends on a number of factors, such as the probable use and the arrangements with affiliated hospitals.

asked the Home Secretary by whose authority chief constables are instructing their constables in many areas in rifle and revolver firing; and what is the object of such instruction?

There has been no departure from the settled policy that for ordinary police duties the police shall not carry firearms; but for certain special war duties, such as the guarding of specially vulnerable points against sabotage, it has always been recognised that the police so engaged might need to carry arms. It is the duty of a Chief Constable to see that before any of his men are allowed to carry arms, they are trained in their use—but there is no general scheme in operation for the training of the police in the use of firearms.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will exercise his discretion in the case of a 15-year-old boy, found guilty of arson at the recent Birmingham assizes; and, in view of the police evidence as to his low physical and mental health due to the extreme poverty of his unbringing, cause the remission of that part of the sentence which relates to the 12 strokes of the birch?

I understand that when informing the court of the boy's character and antecedents, the police quoted a report of the headmaster of his school which included a statement to the effect that his impression was that the boy lacked vitality, physically and mentally, because of the poverty of his home, but the headmaster, in the same report, also expressed the opinion that he was a normally healthy boy. Under the arrangements made for carrying out the sentence of the court, a medical officer will be present and will satisfy himself, before the sentence is carried out, that there is no medical reason against the infliction of the punishment ordered by the Court. I have been unable to find grounds which would justify my recommending any interference with the sentence which the court thought it necessary to impose.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice to intern German-Jewish refugees in the same camps with German internees belonging to the Nazi party; and what measures are taken to prevent the abuses to which this may give rise?

Steps are taken by the Military authorities who are in charge of these camps to prevent any misbehaviour—whether it takes the form of attempts at victimisation or any other form; and, so far as concerns Germans who were resident in this country, I understand that no difficulty has resulted from political or racial differences amongst Germans accommodated in the same camp. Such difficulty as has arisen is due, I am informed, to the arrival at the camps of a number of German seamen, and arrangements are now being made to accommodate these men in separate establishments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will consult with the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to improving the quality of their news bulletins and propaganda both in English and in foreign languages?

The Ministry of Information is in the closest touch with the B.B.C., which is constantly concerned to maintain and improve the high quality of the material broadcast by it in all languages.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether, in view of the resentment that exists in many neutral countries against the damage done to their interests by the action of His Majesty's Government in stopping German exports, he will consider taking advertisement space in the leading newspapers of those countries in order to set out clearly and sympathetically why His Majesty's Government have been forced to take this step?

His Majesty's Government have taken every opportunity to make known in neutral countries the reasons for the action taken by them to stop German exports, and are satisfied that these reasons are widely understood and appreciated. They are of opinion that in the circumstances there is no need to supplement the steps already being taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what is the purpose for which Sir E. Denison Ross and Major H. M. Burton are being sent to Turkey and the nature of their duties; whether the former has been retired on pension, and what is his age; whether the latter is still on the active list of the Regular Army; if either of them can converse freely in the Turkish language, or have had any diplomatic experience; and whether he is satisfied that these appointments will give satisfaction to the Turkish Government?

The purpose of the appointment of Sir E. Denison Ross and Major H. M. Burton is the promotion of the existing friendship between Great Britain and Turkey. Sir Denison Ross is the former director of the School of Oriental Studies, in respect of his services to which he receives no pension. He does, however, receive a pension of £120 per annum from the Government of India, granted to him after his retirement from the directorship of the School of Oriental Studies in recognition of his services to Education in India from 1900 to 1914. He is among the leading authorities on the literature of ancient and modern Turkey. He is 68 years of age.Major Burton for the last four years has been seconded from the Regular Army for special duties. Both Sir Denison Ross and Major Burton are familiar with a number of Oriental languages, including Turkish; and the Turkish Government have agreed to their appointment.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many hotels have been requisitioned by his Department during the past six weeks; and whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to this matter following the reception of a deputation from the interests concerned?

Only one hotel has been taken over by this Department during the past six weeks. This hotel, which is in Scotland, was taken on behalf of the Department of Health for Scotland for an emergency hospital. I have a t present no further statement to make following the reception of the deputation referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the large sums of money which are being spent in rehousing civil servants in different parts of the country, there is any long-term policy in existence for the future of the Civil Service Departments as a whole; and whether, instead of spending large sums of money on temporary structures, he will take over and adapt for permanent use, if such be required, buildings already in existence in different parts of the country?

A long-term scheme for providing more Government offices in the provinces was under consideration before the outbreak of war. The difference between present conditions and those which may prevail after the war render it premature to attempt to settle definitely now permanent dispositions for post-war governmental activities.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why civil servants must be migrated to districts over 200 miles from London, when reception areas for all sorts of evacuees are officially regarded as being within less than 20 miles of Charing Cross?

Main factors in the housing of civilian refugees are the safety of the areas and the availability of billets. The location of Government Departments requires in addition, inter alia, numbers of big buildings suitable for the office accommodation of very large aggregates of staffs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the situation which will arise next summer as it affects boarding house proprietors who have been compelled to accept civil servants as billetees; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that these boarding house proprietors are not deprived of their summer season?

The arrangement whereby certain civil servants are billeted by agreement with boarding house proprietors is only one aspect of a general situation which will have to be considered when the time comes in the light of the prevailing circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the costs of the evacuation of civil servants which has already taken place; and what is the estimated cost of the complete evacuation scheme for civil servants?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the present approximate extra cost of transferring civil servants to the country, over and above the normal charge for these State employés?

Pending a determination of the expenditure on certain major items, such as compensation for requisitioned premises, I regret that no reliable estimate of the extra cost can be furnished.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the increased cost, the inconvenience to civil servants, and the growing realisation that London is relatively protected from air raids, he will undertake to review the whole question of evacuation of Civil Service Departments from the London area; and whether, pending the results of this review, he will suspend any further evacuation for the moment?

No, Sir. As I stated in a reply given to the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) on the 12th December, the Government are satisfied that the existing policy in relation to the evacuation of civil servants is still necessary in the public interest, though, of course, the whole question is kept under constant review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is regarded as essential to remove still more civil servants from London; and if he can state the numbers which have already gone and the additional numbers which it is intended to remove?

As I stated in the answer on the 12th December to the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson), the Government are satisfied that the existing policy is still necessary in the public interest. About 16,000 civil servants have now been moved out of London, and some 5,000 more will be evacuated at an early date. The whole matter including the question of the evacuation of further staff is kept under constant review.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, before the nation incurs more expenditure on the evacuation of civil servants, he will review the whole policy of evacuation with the object of evolving some permanent policy other than mere avoidance of air risks; whether he is aware of the feeling in the Service that evacuation is involving them in considerable financial and family disadvantage; and whether, as firms are now returning to London, he will reconsider the policy of sending civil servants far from the Metropolis?

No, Sir. As I stated in a reply given to the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) on the 12th December, the Government are satisfied that the existing policy in relation to the evacuation of civil servants is still necessary in the public interest, though of course the whole question is kept under constant review.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some 3,000 civil servants employed in the pensions and insurance section of the Ministry of Health are to be evacuated from the Government offices at Acton to Blackpool during the first week of next month, and that the great majority of them are opposed to this decision to move them from their homes and friends; and whether he will reconsider his decision, especially in view of the fact that although the Government has decided to turn them out of their building, nevertheless the vacated premises are to be occupied by other Government Departments?

On the general question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave to him on 12th December. I can assure him that the premises vacated at Acton will be occupied only by staff whom it is essential to locate in London.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, how many education committees are providing hot midday meals at schools in rural districts for evacuated children billeted at a distance from school; and whether he is recommending this policy generally to local authorities?

In Circular 1484 of the 21st November the Board pointed out that the provision of communal feeding is especially desirable in the rural parts of reception areas where children are billeted so far from the schools that they are unable to return home to dinner. Information is not yet available as to the number of areas where such provision has been made, but local education authorities have been asked to submit not later than the 31st December particulars of their arrangements for communal feeding for evacuated children.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any action has been taken in Plymouth in response to the recent circular 1486; and whether the education authority have taken the initiative in forming a local youth committee?

I have not yet heard what action the Plymouth authority have taken in response to the circular. I am hoping to hear shortly of the action which they propose to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the Swazi Chief Fakisandhla Nkambule has been lying in prison, under sentence of death, for more than a year; that their Lordships of the Privy Council granted special leave to appeal; that more than 75 per cent. of the substantial funds required to prosecute the appeal have been raised; that one of the main difficulties in raising the balance is that the Swazis attribute the long delay to an intention to execute at an early date, and are advising the people to contribute no further funds; and whether, in these circumstances, he will instruct the Resident to invite the Swazi Native Council to inform the chiefs and people that His Majesty's Government would be quite unable to allow execution before the appeal had been heard and the decision of their Lordships made known?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first two parts of the question, but I have no information to indicate how far any difficulty in raising funds for the appeal may be due to the reason mentioned by the hon. Member. I understand that the Resident Commissioner advised the appellant's representative in Swaziland that if any such allegation were made while he was collecting funds for the appeal, he should take the individual making it before the District Commissioner of the district and have the position explained. I will consult the High Commissioner further in regard to the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether recruitment for the colonial administrative and technical services has been suspended for the war period; and what arrangements are being made to encourage and to ensure suitable candidates for this important work?

I would invite reference to the answers which I gave to similar questions by the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Paling) yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether local food committees have power to refuse to grant a licence merely because the applicant was not in business as a food retailer before the war and to refuse to agree to a transfer of a business to anyone unless he has been a food retailer prior to the war?

Food control committees have been instructed as a general rule, in the performance of their duties under the Food Control Committees (Local Distribution) Order, 1939, not to grant licences to food retailers who were not engaged in the same business in their area at the outset of the war. They have, however, discretion in special cases, particularly in the issue of a licence or transfer of a licence to a new owner where a business has changed hands.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction among Scottish farmers with regard to potato prices; and whether, in order to stimulate production and provide the necessary sense of security in the market, he will announce fixed price, for the various grades of potatoes?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, East (Mr. Boothby).

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can give particulars of the salaries to be paid by the Ministry to officials on the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards who are being transferred from those boards to positions in the bacon and ham branch in the Ministry of Food?

As these matters are at present under discussion with the boards, I am not yet in a position to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he proposes to implement his promise given on 19th September last whereby vegetarians will be able to surrender their meat and bacon coupons and receive in exchange coupons which will entitle them to an extra supply of fats?

The letter to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was written in relation to the rationing scheme then in course of preparation, which extended to other commodities than bacon and butter, and particularly to other sources of fat. As regards the present scheme, I would refer to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte) on the 6th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, when rationing is instituted, there are to be arrangements for increased rations for those engaged with heavy industries?

I would refer to the reply which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) on 23rd November.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that difficulties have occurred in Nottingham owing to the unequal distribution of bacon; and if any steps have been taken to improve distribution?

I am aware that difficulties have occurred in some districts owing to the fact that the distribution of bacon has been made on the basis of prewar demand. These figures have now been adjusted on the basis of the number of ration books issued in each area and in those areas where it has been found necessary, which include Nottingham, an additional allotment of bacon has been made. It is hoped that this extra supply will reduce the difficulties which have been experienced. When the results of registration have been collated and are available, inequalities of distribution should disappear entirely.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, when abolishing the margarine pool and reverting to the peace-time system of branded margarine, he considered that the pool margarine was to have been uniformly vitaminised, whereas those existing brands which are within reach of the poorest classes have no added vitamins; and will he take steps to ensure that the only brands of margarine sold during the period of butter rationing shall be those which contain an adequate quantum of the vitamins of good summer butter?

When the production of margarine was decontrolled freedom of action was restored to the manufacturers to manufacture margarine to their own particular formula. Some manufacturers including the largest producers vitaminise all their margarine, both cheap and dear. As regards the last part of the question I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on the 14th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the price of oats on 1st August this year and on 1st December; and whether he proposes to take any steps to check the rise in price of this important foodstuff?

The average price of home-grown oats in England and Wales was 5s. 11d. per cwt. for the week ended 5th August, and l0s. 9d. per cwt. for the week ended 2nd December. I have now under consideration proposals for introducing control of the price of homegrown oats as soon as practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how he proposes to deal with the complaints that the price at which a 280 pounds sack of flour is sold in Glasgow for Christmas sale is above the ordered price?

I have not received complaints that flour is generally being sold in Glasgow at more than the price specified by the Flour (Prices) Order. My attention has, however, been called to instances where some small quantities of imported flour which it has been difficult to classify under the Order have been sold at more than the permissible price. Steps are now being taken to regularise the matter by means of refunds.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can provide a higher maximum price than Is. 7d. for butter produced by farmhouse butter-makers, in view of the fact that prices last year, and in recent years, for this class of butter have been much in excess of the present maximum price?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether imports of butter from Jersey and the Channel Islands have been prohibited or restricted in any other way?

I understand that the Jersey authorities are arranging to prohibit exports of butter, but similar arrangements have not yet been introduced by Guernsey.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can say under what conditions or circumstances an extra butter ration is to be available for invalids who need it?

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what rationing provisions are being made to enable persons such as actors, who are constantly moving from district to district, to obtain a normal butter ration?

Arrangements are being made for such cases by means of a travellers' ration book.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered the protest of the women's section of the Greenock Trades Council and Labour Party, communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock, against the proposed increase in the price of milk as being to the detriment of the children at school especially and to working-class households; if he will give an assurance that no increase will be made in the price of milk; and if he has any statement to make on the subject?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which I hope to make in the course of the Debate to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether ice-cream is regarded as a luxury or necessity; and what is his policy in respect of furnishing to the trade the necessary ingredients?

I regard ice-cream as a non-essential foodstuff; in the allocation of materials, the ice-cream trade will be treated no less favourably than other trades in non-essential foodstuffs.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the unanimous desire of the meat traders of East Elloe Rural District Council, Lincolnshire, for a slaughterhouse at Long Sutton; that a satisfactory building is available; whether this building has been examined by officers of his Department; and whether, in the interests of efficient distribution, he will sanction such arrangements for a trial period?

I have given careful consideration to the question of including a slaughterhouse at Long Sutton in the Control Scheme for meat, but I am satisfied that the needs of the area can be properly met from the slaughterhouse at Spalding. I am, therefore, not prepared to authorise the use of a slaughterhouse at Long Sutton. In these circumstances the question of inspecting slaughterhouses at Long Sutton did not arise. If experience of the scheme indicates any inadequacy in the meat supply arrangements the matter will be reconsidered.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what direct or indirect interest his Department or any official of his Department has or I: as had in the Midland Wholesale Meat Supply Association, Limited, which was registered on 5th September to make and carry out arrangements with respect to the wholesale meat trade in the Midland area?

The Midland Wholesale Meat Supply Association, Limited, is one of eight similar Associations that have been set up by the Ministry of Food to act as agents of the Ministry for the wholesale distribution of meat, when full control of meat and livestock has been introduced. The Midland Association incorporates the wholesale meat traders in the following counties:

Shropshire.	Hereford.
Warwick.	Northampton.
Leicester	Rutland.
Stafford.	Worcester.
Derby.	Lincoln.
Nottingham.

Under the Association's Articles of Association, I have the right to nominate up to five members of the Association and a member of the Management Committee: one of the former and the latter will have the power to exercise a majority vote. I have not yet made these nominations. One of the Trade Officers of the Meat and Livestock Branch of the Ministry is a partner of a firm which is a member of the Midland Association. He is serving in the Ministry under the conditions stated in the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 1st November last.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that some rural district food control committees have refused to permit the normal exchange of produce arranged by women's institutes; if he will encourage the women's institutes both to produce and to exchange produce; and whether he will have a communication sent to all such committees urging that they should collaborate with the women's institutes and, wherever necessary, grant licences for limited trading between members of the institutes?

I am aware that some difficulties of the kind referred to have occurred. To remove them and to encourage production, instructions have been issued to Food Control Committees which should ensure the granting of licences to Women's Institutes, including those recently established, to enable them to sell by retail their garden and farm produce.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what instruc- tions have been issued to food executive officers regarding the provision of supplementary rations in respect to foods about to be rationed, to heavy workers, vegetarians, invalids, etc.?

Food executive officers have been informed that no arrangements are being made, in connection with the present scheme, to provide supplementary rations for heavy workers or alternative rations for vegetarians, having regard to the adequacy of supplies of alternative foodstuffs, and that the issue in certain circumstances of supplementary rations to invalids is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what he is doing to allay the widespread anxiety of farmers at the proposed livestock marketing control scheme, as they feel confident of being better able to supply the country's requirements through a free market, failing which, they would prefer control on the lines of the control in operation during the last war; and, above all, they do not want any deadweight procedure with closure of slaughter-houses?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any widespread anxiety of farmers at the proposed livestock marketing control scheme. The close consultations my Department and the Agricultural Departments are having with the National Farmers' Unions of England and Scotland provide farmers with an opportunity to draw my attention to any such anxiety as may exist. The proposed scheme which has been devised in the light of the experience gained during the last war, has the objects of ensuring that the meat supply, whether home-produced or imported, is allocated fairly throughout the country; that the producer receives a fair price and that the consumer is not exploited; and that all the by-products are properly handled. I am satisfied that these objects can be attained only if the Government buys the fatstock, slaughters it and distributes the resulting meat to the retail meat trade and the by-products to the trades who normally handle them.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that at Hull there exists an organisation called the Hull Fish Manure Company, of which many of the trawler owners are directors; and whether he will give instructions that no edible surplus fish is to be sent to that factory until everyone has had enough?

I am aware of the facts mentioned in the first part of the hon. Member's question. I understand that no fish is sent to the factory for which a market for human consumption is available. In these circumstances there is no reason for issuing instructions of the Kind suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the shortage of feeding-stuffs in the county district of Holland. Lincolnshire; and whether he can take steps to assist the pig and poultry keepers and their suppliers?

The shortage of feeding-stuffs, especially barley and maize, which is being experienced in most areas of the country at the present time is due to reductions in imports consequent upon the adjustment of shipping programmes to war-time conditions and the heavy demand for cargo space for munitions and other essential war materials. It must be anticipated that these factors will continue to operate in some degree.My Department has made arrangements for the supplies available to be allocated to merchants upon the basis of their prewar turnover, and I am taking steps to verify that the Holland district of Lincolnshire is receiving its proper share on this basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory price offered by the Cupar sugar beet factory to Scottish growers, resulting in reluctance on the part of farmers to grow beet; and whether, in order to stimulate production and effect economies in transport, he will take steps to secure a reconsideration of the prices offered?

The price fixed for beet for delivery to the Cupar sugar beet factory in 1940 represents, in beet of average sugar content, an increase of 4s. 11d. per ton over 1939, and the Government has already undertaken to reconsider the position in January, 1941, if experience shows that the provision made for increases in cost of production is insufficient.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any statistics to record the number of persons who have recently passed out of national Unemployment Insurance or who are on the verge of doing so, through receiving war bonus or other increases in their wages, and yet have paid into the fund all their working lives?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available. I should perhaps point out that when persons previously insured against unemployment cease to pay contributions on account of the remuneration limit they retain their benefit rights so long as they satisfy the condition of having paid 30 contributions in the past two years.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) when he proposes to increase the limit of income of insured workers to £400 per annum as recommended in the majority report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee, or at least to £300, as recommended in the minority report;(2) whether, pending legislation, as recommended by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee to increase the present salary limit of £250 for compulsory insurance, he will in the meantime retain in insurance those who have been paying into the fund for, say, five years, as a minimum, but who now find themselves liable to expulsion from the fund?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to previous replies on this subject. The alternative suggestion made by my hon. Friend is one that would itself require legislation before it could be put into effect.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes, as a guide to seasonal workers, to instruct at an early date the different referees and umpires to decide whether, in view of the war, seaside resorts which are mostly filled with evacuees and which are nowadays leading a normal life, should be regarded as having no so-called season?

I have no authority to issue instructions to the Courts of Referees or Umpires under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, to whom I assume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I have no doubt that they will take into account all the relevant facts which are put to them in any case which comes before them in accordance with the provisions of the Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour why the tinplate works at Pontardawe, Glamorgan, which were formerly turning out Anderson shelters, have not been restarted and are still idle; and, as a large number of people are unemployed in the area, will he take immediate steps to make use of the unemployed skilled workers in the area?

I am making inquiries into the present position in this area and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that W. Snell, an ex-service man with 16 years' Army service, has been dismissed by the Army authorities from his, post as caretaker of the Burnley Lads' Club, after 29 years' employment, when the military took over the premises, and that subsequently he has been offered the post again at £1 per week; and what does he propose to do to safeguard this man's unemployment pay if he refuses this low wage?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of the unemployed now in Nottingham; and how this figure compares with the pre-war period?

I am having the available figures extracted and will forward them to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the case of a former employé of Messrs. Butterworth and Company, publishers, communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock, who was dismissed from his employment while serving in the Auxiliary Fire Service, and who has been informed that the company is unwilling to re-employ him at the end of the war; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Manchester King's Roll Committee; the number of meetings held by the committee during 1938 and 1939; the average attendance of members other than the chairman and secretary; and whether the position calls for special attention?

On 9th December, 1939, 987 disabled ex-service men were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Manchester King's Roll Committee, a decrease of 317 since 9th January last. The committee did not meet during 1938 and, so far, one meeting has been held this year at which three members were present in addition to the chairman and secretary. I understand that certain proposals were to be considered at a meeting arranged for September last which was, however, postponed owing to the outbreak of war. The question of holding this meeting at an early date is now under consideration. I would, however, draw the attention of my hon. Friend to the fact that under the standing arrangements, applications for enrolment and renewal may be dealt with by the exchange manager by arrangement with the chairman, subject to confirmation by the committee. The work of placing disabled ex-service men is receiving the constant attention of the local office.

asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he can state the number of persons in receipt of unemployment assistance in the area covered by the Pontefract area office at the present time; and the comparative figures in August last?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th November, 1939, Vol. 355, col. 220), supplied the following statement:During the week ended 24th November, 1939, 2,150 payments of unemployment assistance allowances were made at the Employment Exchanges in the district covered by the Pontefract area office of the Unemployment Assistance Board; this figure excludes payments in supplementation of insurance benefit and 48 payments made under the Unemployment Assistance (Prevention and Relief of Distress) Regulations, 1939. The corresponding figure for the week ended 25th August, 1939, was 2,542.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that medical practitioners travel six, seven, eight and 10 miles to Romford in Essex to examine recruits; and why it is considered necessary to introduce general practitioners from outside Romford for this purpose when the practitioners in that town are fully qualified to carry out the services required?

The members of the two medical boards held at Romford are drawn from panels, containing the names of 25 practitioners, residing mainly in East London and Essex, supplied by the British Medical Association to the medical officers of the Ministry of Health. I do not think it would be right to confine the opportunity of undertaking this work to medical men residing in the immediate locality. Any practitioners in Romford who desire to offer their services can communicate with the secretary of the local emergency committee of the British Medical Association in order that they may be considered when further appointments are made.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether ample quantities of so-called Christmas trees are available from the State forests this season; and what steps should would be wholesale purchasers, including nurserymen, take to secure supplies?

Quantities of Christmas trees are available from the State forests. Requests for supplies should be sent to any of the Forestry Commission Offices.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for talent in the reconstruction period after the war, he will instruct the different Departments to record and encourage any inventive or scientific ability capable of development in the national interest?

The civil departments concerned with research maintain in peace-time a close contact with universities, other institutions and private firms engaged in research. The research departments of the Service Departments, which have been much expanded for war purposes, are in close touch with outside bodies engaged on work bearing on their problems and have a close and satisfactory liaison with the civil research departments. Careful records are kept of any new ideas which cannot be applied to an immediate war problem, but may be applicable to post-war needs. The records include details of the originators. In addition there is in the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour and National Service a very comprehensive record of men and women with scientific, technical and professional qualifications. All this material will be available when the problems of post-war reconstruction are considered. I do not think any new instructions are required.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the figures of casualties in the Army, Navy, and Air Force during the first three months of the war; and the comparable figures for 1914?

The total number of officers and other ranks who lost their lives on active service in the three months September-November, 1939, is approximately 2,100. The corresponding figure for the months of August-October, 1914, was approximately 12,500.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information concerning the number of British subjects employed for broadcasting in Germany with particulars?

I regret that I have no information on this subject; but I shall be glad to consider any suggestion by my hon. and gallant Friend as to how it might best be obtained.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with the Irish Free State Government, will take any further action to secure the release of Frank Ryan from imprisonment in Spain?

As the hon. Member was informed on 21st June, the case of Mr. Frank Ryan is being looked after by the Eire Minister in Spain. His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid has offered to support any representations which the Eire Minister might be instructed to make on Mr. Ryan's behalf.

asked the Prime Minister the names of the companies which have been and are being subsidised by the British Council; and the amount of such subsidies?

If, as I presume, my hon. Friend is referring to theatrical companies, the British Council has never granted any subsidies to such companies. From time to time, however, the council has contracted with the following theatrical companies to perform abroad, and has defrayed their expenses to the amounts set out below:In 1937, the Vic-Wells Ballet and the London production of Mr. Bernard Shaw's "Candida," at the invitation of the French Government for the exhibition in Paris, £2, 985 3s.In 1938, the Dublin Gate Theatre Productions Company, for a season in Athens at the invitation of the Greek Government, £719 9s. 6d.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British Red Cross headquarters are not forwarding parcels to British officers who are prisoners of war in Germany, but have notified the parents of the said officers that all such parcels are being opened, and the contents pooled in the shape of standard parcels, which are forwarded to the prisoners of war; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this pooling system?

I understand from the war organisation of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John that they have made arrangements to send three eleven-pound parcels every two weeks to prisoners of war, both officers and men, as well as to interned civilians and in addition what is termed a "personal parcel" once a quarter. Standard foodstuff parcels have been made up after consultation with medical authorities, and relatives who desire to send foodstuff parcels have been advised to send remittances rather than to make up their own parcels. Owing to censorship requirements all private parcels have to be opened and repacked at the Red Cross offices. Nevertheless private parcels are being forwarded within the above limits to the addressees after repacking. In some cases, however, relatives have sent such large quantities of gifts for individual officers that it has been impossible to forward them all. In a recent instance rather than return the surplus articles they were forwarded to other officers in the same camp for whom personal parcels had not been received, and the senders were so informed. If such cases should arise in the future, the Red Cross propose to inquire from the senders whether they desire the articles to be returned or sent on for the benefit of fellow prisoners of the addressees. The British Red Cross is performing with voluntary helpers a praiseworthy humanitarian work, and I hope that their efforts to organise the despatch of parcels to prisoners of war and others in accordance with the regulations which war-time necessities impose will receive the sympathetic co-operation of relatives.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have been able to obtain payment to British shareholders in the Shanghai-Nanking Railway of the interest due to them: and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that the railway in question has been in Japanese occupation for two years and is reported to be doing excellent business, he will press upon the Japanese Government the urgency of this matter?

No, Sir, but His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo made further strong representations to the Japanese Government on 10th October last, and will continue to press this matter as and when opportunity offers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which financial firms or banks are acting on his behalf in issuing and underwriting the new wartime loans; and what is the form and extent of their remuneration?