asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has asked for any report from the Government of Northern Ireland of the new acreage applied for, and that actually ploughed under the subsidy conditions; what acreage ploughed has been refused the subsidy, and the reasons given therefor; and whether the £2 an acre grant will be paid in Northern Ireland upon the same conditions as in England and Wales?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I am informed, however, that, up to 13th January, applications had been received for the grant of £2 per acre for ploughing up seven-year grassland, covering approximately 160,000 acres in Northern Ireland, but figures are not yet available as to the area of land actually ploughed. I have no information as to the acreage, if any, which has not qualified for the grant. The grant will be paid in Northern Ireland on precisely the same conditions as apply in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of insured persons in agricultural employment decreased between 1st July, 1938, and 1st July, 1939, whereas according to the agricultural returns there was an increase between 4th June, 1938, and 4th June, 1939; and will he state the cause of the apparent discrepancy?

The two sets of statistics are not compiled on the same basis, and there is a number of reasons which account for the apparent discrepancy. I am sending my hon. Friend a detailed statement explaining the differences between the two sets of figures; but probably the most important reason is that the figures compiled from the agricultural returns of 4th June include a number of casual and seasonal workers who, are not insured under the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the recent slaughter in the United Kingdom of many calf cows who would be due to calve in April, May, or June; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this practice?

I am aware that, owing to the increased demand for home produced meat of all descriptions, there has been an increase in the sales of fat cows for slaughter, but I have no information as to the numbers of such animals that were in calf. The Ministry of Food is now the sole purchaser of all fat beasts for slaughter at fixed prices, and the certifying authorities at collecting centres have been instructed by that Department not to purchase any animal which in their opinion is pregnant, unless they are satisfied that the condition of the animal is such that slaughter is necessary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons why information with regard to the mishap whereby the Trinity House lighthouse tender "Vestal" recently lost seven lives while effecting relief at the Eddystone lighthouse was not released for publication in the West Country papers on the evening in question or on the following morning when the news was broadcast in a British Broadcasting Corporation news bulletin on the same evening, especially in view of the fact that two of the lives lost were residents of Newlyn and Penzance?

The Admiralty representative at the Press and Censorship Bureau immediately concurred in the publication of this information as soon as it was referred to him, and no delay arose on this account. I understand from the Press and Censorship Bureau that the story was dealt with immediately and released to the West of England Press, with certain deletions made on the advice of Trinity House, in less than an hour from its submission. The full story without the deletions was released two hours later simultaneously to the Press, the news agencies and the B.B.C.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the danger to local fishermen resulting from the practice of sinking unexploded mines, he can arrange for steps to be taken to ensure that these mines are blown up instead of being sunk by rifle fire?

Special ships are being fitted out for blowing up floating mines, and these ships will work in the areas where most of the floating mines are to be found. It is essential, however, that patrol craft should continue to sink floating mines by rifle fire, as a mine on the surface is a menace to shipping.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the protection to be afforded to the interests of insurance policy-holders who find themselves unable, owing to war conditions, to maintain full payment of premiums?

asked the Attorney-General whether he has yet reached any decision in connection with the negotiations which have been taking place recently between the Government and life insurance offices regarding policy holders who are unable to continue paying premiums on life insurances owing to the war; and, if so, will he make a statement regarding his decision?

In the case of "ordinary" life policies, the Government have now given their approval to the arrangements referred to in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 14th December, which have been designed to afford substantial protection to policy-holders who find themselves in difficulties owing to war conditions. Protection from forfeiture will be granted by the companies in all cases of hardship so long as the surrender value of the policy is sufficient to cover the advance of premiums necessary to keep the policy alive. If a claim arises while the protection lasts, the full sum assured will be paid less the amount of unpaid premiums and interest thereon. For this purpose it will be assumed, in the case of all whole life and endowment assurance policies, that a policy has acquired a surrender value as soon as two years' premiums have been paid.Further, where there is no surrender value or insufficient surrender value to maintain the cover, the offices will deal as generously as possible with each case with a view to keeping the policy in force for some further period, and where, in spite of the protection granted, policies have lapsed, the offices will make such arrangements as possible for reinstatement after the war. To supervise the working of these arrangements, the offices are setting up committees which will give advice to their members as required and will report the position from time to time to the Board of Trade.In the case of industrial assurance policies and assurances with registered friendly societies, discussions have taken place, and it is proposed to introduce legislation in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many permanent civil servants now serving in the department responsible for postal censorship have relatives in temporary posts in that department?

On the postal and cable censorship staff, there is one established shorthand-typist with a sister serving as a temporary typist. There are no other cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are given full family allowance, and officers over 30 years of age receive a flat rate; whether family allowances are granted at equal rate to officers, according to rank, whether there are children or not; and whether, in making payment to officers, Income Tax is deducted at source?

The rates and conditions of issue of family allowance to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are shown in Cmd. 6138. The allowance issued to a married officer over 30 years of age varies according to his rank and not according to the size of his family, while that issued to a married officer under 30 years of age varies according to the size of his family and not according to his rank. Officers are not liable for Income Tax on the allowance except in a few special cases of fixed appointments. In these cases, the tax is deducted from pay at source.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men called up under the Compulsory Military Service Act who have been found physically unfit and discharged after entering the Army?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, and could not be obtained without considerable research.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the prevailing Army allowances regarding lodging, fuel and light, travelling allowance, subsistence allowance, servant allowance, camp kit allowance, ration allowance and any other allowance, for the ranks of lieutenant-colonel, major, captain, and lieutenant?

A statement is appended:(

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the authorised strength of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and its distribution: and what are the names of the women holding positions as officers?

The authorised establishment of the Auxiliary Territorial Service is 40,000. The personnel are serving in military establishments in the United Kingdom. There are some 800 officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is still receiving complaints of delay in granting allowances to men and officers in the Fighting Services; and, if so, whether he can give any indication when the granting of such allowances will be in full working order?

So far as I am aware, the machinery for the issue of allowances to men and officers is now in full working order, but in a vast and complicated organisation such as the present day Army it is inevitable that some complaints should arise. When such complaints are received, they are promptly investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War what pay a soldier, joining the Royal Engineers, receives; and what allowances are given if this soldier has a widowed mother dependent on him?

A soldier enlisted for service in the Royal Engineers is eligible for the normal rate of pay of 2s. a day applicable to recruits for other arms unless he is qualified and accepted for service as a tradesman. In the latter event, he is eligible for pay varying from 2s. 3d. to 3s. 3d. a day according to the classification of his trade in the Army pay groups. The conditions under which allowances can be given to mothers and other dependants of men joining the Army are shown in Cmd. 6138.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with the 17 Germans who tried to escape from an internment camp in the South of England; and what kind of tools were used to effect their escape?

A tunnel was being made from below the floor of a hut with 14 occupants, the tools being some pieces of board roughly shaped to an edge. Progress appears to have been at the rate of about six feet a night, and there were still many yards remaining to be excavated when the work was discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the regulations providing that greeting cards, Christmas and birthday cards, as well as newspapers for neutral countries, must be ordered and despatched from particular booksellers, printers and publishers, for submission to the censor, are causing great inconvenience to British subjects with friends and relatives in neutral countries; and will he consider some relaxation of these regulations?

I naturally much regret any inconvenience which has been caused by the Order referred to in the Question, but the rule is necessary in the interests of national security.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large responsibilities and business commitments, generally speaking, of the older classes under notice for military registration, he is considering giving such classes the right to engage legal aid in representing their circumstances to the various tribunals concerned?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to applications for the postponement of their liability to be called up for service on the ground of exceptional hardship. The present Regulation does not permit counsel or a solicitor to appear on behalf of applicants before hardship committees or the Umpire. Full consideration has recently been given to this question, and it has been decided to modify the Regulation to the extent of permitting counsel or a solicitor to appear before the Umpire and also to appear before a hardship committee if he satisfies the committee that he is a relative or personal friend of the applicant. The necessary amendment to the Regulation will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that narrow interpretations are being placed by the appellate tribunal in London on the meaning of conscientious objection to military service, and that before long genuine conscientious objectors will be taken into the military forces where they will be obliged to disobey orders, be court-martialled and severely punished, even where objectors have established the genuineness of their objection to the satisfaction of the lower tribunals; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent the punishment of conscience in this way?

Section 5 (4) of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act provides that the decisions of the Appellate Tribunal shall be final, and I have no power to vary them.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have registered as conscientious objectors under the Military Training Act, 1939, and the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, giving the number who have registered on religious grounds and on political grounds, respectively, and stating in each of these two categories the number who have been granted a certificate of conscientious objection freeing the applicant from all duties under the Military Training Act or the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, the number who have been ordered to undergo military training in a combatant unit, the number who have been ordered to undergo military training in a noncombatant unit, the number who have been ordered to undergo work of national importance at trade union rates, and the number who have been ordered to undergo training at a Ministry of Labour training centre at rates of pay similar to those paid to a member of His Majesty's Forces?

At 31st December, 1939, 15,626 persons had been provisionally registered as conscientious objectors under the Acts referred to. Statistics are not available to show the extent to which such registrations are based upon religious or political grounds. Up to 6th January, 1940, 4,988 applications had been considered by local tribunals. 714 applicants were ordered unconditional registration in the register of conscientious objectors, 868 had their names removed from that register and are liable for service in the Forces, 1,177 were registered for non-combatant duties only in the Forces, and 2,229 were registered in the register of conscientious objectors on condition that they undertook work under civilian control specified by the tribunal. No applicants have been directed by me to undergo training under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have appealed from the decisions of local tribunals to an appellate tribunal under the Military Training Act, 1939, and the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, giving the number who have been registered on religious grounds and on political grounds, respectively, and stating in each of these two categories the number who have been granted a certificate of conscientious objection freeing the applicant from all duties under the Military Training Act or the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, the number who have been ordered to undergo military training in a combatant unit, the number who have been ordered to undergo military training in a non-combatant unit, the number who have been ordered to undergo work of national importance at trade union rates, and the number who have been ordered to undergo training at a Ministry of Labour training centre at rates of pay similar to those paid to a member of His Majesty's Forces?

Up to 16th January, 1940, 897 persons had appealed to the Appellate Tribunal from decisions of local tribunals. Statistics are not available to show the extent to which the appellants were registered on religious or political grounds. Up to date 255 appeals have been considered by the Appellate Tribunal. As a result, nine applicants were ordered unconditional registration in the register of conscientious objectors, 71 had their names removed from that register and are liable for service in the Forces, 97 were registered for non-combatant duties only in the Forces, and 78 were registered in the register of conscientious objectors on condition that they undertook work under civilian control specified by the tribunal. Where applicants were ordered training under the Military Training Act, their cases have been referred again to the local tribunal under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act in order that civilian work, instead of training, may be specified. No applicants have been directed by me to undergo training under the latter Act.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount standing to the credit of the Unemployment Insurance Fund as at 1st January, 1940?

At 1st January, 1940, the total balance of the Unemployment Fund was about £61,000,000, including investments at cost.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the village of Burnside, Fife, contains neither an air-raid shelter nor an air-raid warden, despite the fact that it is situated in a vulnerable position; that the proposal to provide individual shelters is unsatisfactory owing to the male population being employed on Saturdays and Sundays and unable to do the necessary work on them in the black-out; and what does he propose to remedy this situation?

I understand that work was started last week on three communal surface shelters for this village. The whole work of construction will be undertaken by the county council. The local employment situation has created difficulties in manning the wardens service, but difficulties of this kind have been overcome in other areas, and my officers are keeping in touch with the position.

asked the Home Secretary to what extent the Anderson shelters have been purchased by persons in the country whose means were in excess of £250?

Facilities for the purchase of these shelters have hitherto been limited to 52 urban areas: and in these areas up to date the number of applications for purchase is 1,020 and the number of shelters actually purchased is 730.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a large number of the Anderson steel shelters distributed in various towns have never been utilised by the people who have received them; and what action he is proposing to take in the matter?

Under Section 26 of the Civil Defence Act local authorities are empowered to erect these shelters with the consent of the householders who are eligible to receive them. In cases where a householder has failed either to erect the shelter himself or to ask the local authority to do so, the authority has been given discretionary power, after the lapse of a reasonable period, to reallocate the shelter to another householder.

asked the Home Secretary the annual estimate of expenditure for air-raid precautions in the respective regions of England and Wales on the basis of the estimate already published by the London and Wales regions?

This information is not readily available in the form in which the hon. Member has asked for it, but I am having the material examined and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to secure part-time volunteers for air-raid precautions work, who are still needed in large numbers; and whether he is aware that many local authorities are content to work those volunteers who have already come forward to the maximum possible extent without evolving any proper relay system which would enable all workers to have two or three days off a week thereby avoiding boredom?

Local authorities are fully aware of the need for additional part-time volunteers, especially in view of the reductions in whole-time paid personnel which are being made in many areas. I am not aware of the conditions suggested in the second part of the Question. Local authorities were instructed in October that part-time volunteers who are in regular employment should not be called upon to do duty shifts of more than four hours or to do a duty shift during the night, except occasionally. I have no reason to think that many of them are acting as the hon. and gallant Member indicates. While the volunteers are on duty they are receiving regular training and thus full use is being made of this period before air attacks occur.

asked the Home Secretary how many exemption orders, dispensing with provisions of the Factories Act, 1937, have been issued since the outbreak of war; how many he has confirmed; whether any such orders have been acted upon without his confirmation; in which industries such exemption orders have been made; and how many of such orders relate to the working hours of young persons, to overcrowding in factories, and to the work of women, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on this subject which I circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT in reply to Questions on 7th December. The full report to which I referred in that statement is being prepared, and I hope to issue it in the early part of next month. The total number of orders made since the outbreak of war is about 3,000, but this figure includes orders valid for short periods which have expired or been superseded by fresh orders, so that the number of orders now in operation is much smaller. No exemption has been granted from the requirements of the Factories Act relating to overcrowding. All such orders are made by the Secretary of State, and they do not require confirmation.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order that local authorities, manufacturers, and others may be informed, he will now state the conditions under which trailer ambulances may be authorised; and is he aware that in the interests of economy and efficiency such ambulances are used in Germany?

The conditions under which I am prepared to consider authorising trailer ambulances were stated in a circular sent to local authorities on 20th October, 1939, a copy of which I will send to my hon. and gallant Friend. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am only concerned with the ambulance service as designed to meet civil defence requirements in this country: and I am satisfied that, in general, trailers are not to be preferred to self-contained ambulances on grounds of either economy or efficiency.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the impossibility of voluntary hospitals being able to maintain and extend their services in such a way as to meet the urgent needs of the sick and injured, he is, in view of the national emergency, prepared to organise the whole hospital system on a sound economic basis, co-ordinated and planned to meet the needs of the population?

As I stated in the course of the Debate on the Address on 5th December last, the problems of the coordination of the hospital system as a whole, including the proper relation of the voluntary hospitals to the municipal hospitals, are matters requiring our closest attention. A very large measure of cooperation from all sections for the purposes of the emergency medical service is necessary and has in fact by the good will of all concerned been secured, but I do not think it is practicable in present circumstances to embark upon far-reaching changes such as those suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that eight Green Line coaches have been standing in the public highway opposite Tottenham town hall, night and day continuously since 1st September, 1939; and whether it is intended that these coaches will remain in the public highway for the duration of the war?

I am aware that certain Green Line coaches serving as emergency ambulances are stationed outside Tottenham Town Hall, by arrangement between the London Passenger Transport Board and the police. I am informed that it is not practicable to station these coaches at a garage in view of the fact that they must be kept with tanks constantly full, and the present arrangements may need to continue so long as the vehicles are required as war-time ambulances. The number of Green Line coaches taken over as ambulances at the outbreak of war has already been reduced by about 150.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the practice when assessing parents of evacuated children for payment for same, to take a disability pension into consideration as part of the household income; and whether he will give instructions that in future such pension should be ignored when compiling the figure of income?

In making the assessment referred to by the hon. Member, it is not the practice to make an automatic deduction of a disability pension from the parent's income, but the cost of medical extras and any other special expenses arising out of the disability would properly be taken into account by the assessing officer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has in view any increase in the billeting allowance for children in reception areas, owing to the increase in the cost of living and the expense borne by many small householders in providing warm clothing?

I am afraid that I cannot accept the suggestion that the billeting allowances are inadequate, I know that many householders throughout the country have been extremely generous in providing children with clothing at their own expense, and I deeply appreciate their kindness, but as I have said in a circular on clothing and hoots, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy, I am anxious that householders should neither be put to this form of expense nor feel that it is expected of them.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that some aliens tribunals put many aliens into category B, whom other tribunals put into category C so that they become friendly aliens and are allowed to work, he will arrange for a review of category B cases by petty sessions or police court magistrates?

I would refer the right hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. blander).

asked the Home Secretary whether he will have an inquiry held into the charge against a police constable that, in making his report on a traffic accident which occurred in Highbury Grove on the evening of 1st March, 1939, he attributed to the victim of the accident words indicating that the accident was her own fault although there was evidence from three persons present at the time to prove that the police constable did not speak to the victim nor she to him?

This case has already been the subject of exhaustive inquiries by the Commissioner of Police. There was a direct conflict of evidence between the injured person and the constable who was called to the scene of the accident, and the statements of both parties were supported by those of other witnesses. In these circumstances the Commissioner of Police decided that the matter could not be carried further, particularly in view of the possibility that the incident might form the subject of civil proceedings.

asked the Minister of Supply what orders for armament requirements he has placed with the engineering works of the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company?

Persons condemned to death in England and Wales for murder during 1939.
Name.			Age.	Reprieved or Executed.	Date of Execution.		Place of Execution.
Daymond, John	…	…	19	Executed	8th February	…	Durham.
Bond, Leonard A. J.	…	…	23	Reprieved.
Butler, William T.	…	…	29	Executed	29th March	…	Wandsworth.
Gascoigne, George W.	…	…	41	Reprieved.
Kennedy, James	…	…	32	Certified insane.
Armstrong, Harry	…	…	37	Executed	21st March	…	Wandsworth.
McAulcy, Margaret L.	…	…	37	Reprieved
Mahoncy, Arthur J.	…	…	24	Certified insane.
Pope, Edward W.	…	…	46	Reprieved.
Smith, Ralph	…	…	40	Executed	7th June	…	Gloucester.
Gamble, Harry H.	…	…	44	Reprieved.
Illingworth, Albert	…	…	24	Reprieved.
Smith, Arthur J.	…	…	26	Executed	26th October	…	Wandsworth.
Boon, Stanley E.	…	…	28	Executed	25th October	…	Wandsworth.
Hucker, Leonard G.	…	…	30	Executed	10th October	…	Wandsworth.
Cousins, William H.	…	…	45	Certified insane.
Wilshere, Eric R.	…	…	19	Reprieved.
Smith, Raymond	…	…	34	Reprieved.
O'Brien, Terence	…	…	28	Reprieved.
Watts, Winifred M.	…	…	19	Reprieved.
Cossey, Thomas A.	…	…	42	Reprieved.
Dillon, Ronald	…	…	18	Sentence quashed on appeal, and verdict of "Guilty but insane" substituted.
Johnson, Hilda	…	…	25	Reprieved.
Richards, James	…	…	29	Appeal still pending.
Barnes, Peter	…	…	32	Appeal still pending.
Of the 12 persons reprieved on grounds other than insanity 10 had been recommended to mercy by the jury.

asked the Home Secretary the names of police forces in the country which have agreed to enrol women as police constables and those which have decided not to do so?

The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company has various orders for the Ministry of Supply, but it would not be in the public interest to give details.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the names and ages of persons condemned to death in England and Wales during 1939 and state which were reprieved and which executed, with the date and place of execution, and how many of those reprieved had been recommended to mercy by the trial jury?

The particulars are as follow:

On 29th September last, the latest date for which information is available, police women were serving in the following forces in England and Wales:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the protest by the Kirk Session of Free Gaelic Church, Greenock, against the Sunday opening of cinemas, a copy of which was forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I have noted the protest referred to. The recent Order-in-Council dealing with the Sunday opening of cinemas applies only to England and Wales. No such regulation for Scotland is in contemplation.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank; and the aggregate amount of their deposits at the latest convenient date in 1940?

The number of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank at 4th January, 1940, was approximately 11,750,000, and the aggregate amount of their deposits was £552,380,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the General Post Office in Maidstone is closed at 6.30 p.m. each day and sub-offices at 6 p.m., and will he state the number of towns in which these are the closing hours for the aforementioned offices; and, in view of the inconvenience alleged by large numbers of people, will he review the policy and endeavour to meet the local requirements?

I am aware that the closing hours of business at Post Offices in Maidstone are as stated by the hon. Member, since the Earlier Closing of Shops Defence Regulation came into force. These times are the normal closing hours for Post Offices in town areas throughout the country, except where a local authority has exercised its power of fixing the general closing time of shops later than 6 p.m. In such cases Post Offices in the area concerned are kept open until the general closing hour, provided this is not later than 7 p.m. The existing practice is in harmony with the closing hours for shops, and so far as I am aware, satisfactorily meet local requirements in most districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, in view of the vital necessity of maintaining export trade at the highest possible level and in order to give further help and guidance to firms engaged in export at a time when they are necessarily encountering many difficulties, he will devise machinery for establishing closer contact with manufacturers and exporters throughout the country?

As was announced during the Debate in the House on 7th December, a special Division has been created in the Department of Overseas Trade to which exporters can refer problems which they may encounter in their export activities. I am anxious, however, to try any further measure which will establish still closer contact with exporting interests. I have therefore appointed a committee consisting of senior officers of chambers of commerce in a number of the most important industrial centres, and of the Federation of British Industries, together with the Secretary of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce.This committee, which will meet regularly and frequently at the Department, will provide a useful and convenient channel for the investigation of difficulties and the encouragement of effort in our export trade. The committee will also, I hope, be able to provide me with an appreciation of the industrial capacity from time to time available for export. Details of the constitution of the committee follow:The presidents of the following chambers of commerce have very kindly nominated officers to serve on the committee:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (1) whether he is now in a position to make any statement on purchases of Turkish tobacco;(2) whether, with a view to conserving our dollar resources, His Majesty's Government will apply the Import Licence Regulations in such a way as to curtail, so far as is practicable, the import of Amercan leaf tobacco, and to increase our imports of Empire, Turkish, and Balkan tobacco?

The need for concentrating the available dollar resources of this country on the purchase of commodities essential to the prosecution of the war made it necessary to stop purchases of tobacco in the United States shortly after the outbreak of war.As indicated by the Prime Minister on 16th January, arrangements have been made for the purchase of a substantial quantity of Turkish tobacco by His Majesty's Government. I am happy to say that the tobacco manufacturing companies have intimated that they are prepared to co-operate with His Majesty's Government in finding a suitable use for the tobacco in this country. The arrangements involve the despatch of a purchasing mission, which will leave for Turkey very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade what imports of wine and spirits have been received from Spain, Portugal, and all other non-sterling countries, respectively, from 1st September to the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the imports for the corresponding period 12 months earlier?

Publication of particulars of our trade with individual countries has been suspended since the outbreak of war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, in view of the serious discontent that is being caused among farmers by the export of wheat offals to Denmark, he will give an assurance that no licences have been issued recently, and that no further such licences will be issued?

No licences for the export of wheat offals to Denmark are being issued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of batteries for hand torches and the high accident rate to pedestrians in black-outs, he will now consider arranging the production and distribution for sale of these articles?

I am not satisfied that any radical alteration in the existing methods of production and distribution of batteries for hand torches would result in an increase in supplies. The Board of Trade are continually in consultation with the manufacturers with a view to ensuring that everything possible is done to meet the abnormal demand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the large stock of the 1939 crop of potatoes still unsold and for which there appears to be slow demand, he will see that steps are taken to deal with the situation by fixing a minimum price and so prevent the possibility of a reduced acreage this year?

I have been asked to reply. Minimum prices for growers' sales of potatoes of the 1939 crop will be provided for in the Order which is about to be issued in connection with the new scheme of control.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what yield is expected by his Department from the levy on all 1939 potatoes to be sold under the new marketing plan?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage under the proposal under the new Potato Scheme to raise a tonnage levy to form an insurance fund for ensuring a reasonable return on any surplus created, remaining at the end of the season it is proposed to earmark for the cost of the scheme?

The rates of levy ire still under consideration. It is not yet possible, therefore, to form an estimate of the yield or to state what percentage of the levy will be required to meet the cost of the scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the present cost of the operation by the Government of the Ministry of Food, potato section; whether the introduction of the new scheme for dealing with Ware potatoes of the 1939 crop will necessitate any increase of staff; and, if so, to what extent and at what additional cost?

The cost of the present Potato Section is estimated at £72,000 per annum. It is not considered that any increase of staff will be necessary in connection with the scheme referred to.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, under the new plan for the distribution of Ware potatoes produced in the United Kingdom in 1939, any surplus is expected, and of what extent?

A census of potato stocks is being taken with a view to estimating the probable surplus, but the final figures are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any guarantee will be incorporated in the proposed potato plan which will ensure that the levy to be added by the first buyer to his price on re-sale is not payable from the first buyer's margin?

No such guarantee is possible without fixed prices for all resales, which would be impracticable, but full account will be taken of the levy in fixing the maximum prices on first resales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the selected livestock slaughtering centres throughout the country are owned or managed by cooperative societies?

I have been asked to reply. 101 slaughter-houses owned or managed by co-operative societies have been selected for use in connection with the control plan for livestock.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has now reached a decision IA ith regard to supplementary rations for diabetics and others who, under medical orders, must have a special diet, which usually requires larger rations of butter and bacon than are allowed under the existing scheme?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether arrangements can be made for an additional butter ration to be provided for expectant mothers and nursing mothers?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that medical officers of health and organisations concerned with the service of tuberculosis prevention and cure are anxious to ensure that tuberculous patients shall be enabled to obtain adequate quantities of butter; and will he state the position and prospects of such requirements?

As announced on 26th December, reference to medical opinion has not established that supplementary allowances of rationed foods for invalids are necessary at the present time, but I am arranging to obtain further authoritative advice in regard to particular illnesses. At the request of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and of myself, the Medical Research Council have appointed an expert committee to advise from time to time whether it is necessary on medical grounds to modify or supplement rations in the case of invalids and other persons on special diets. As regards nursing mothers, the local food offices issue a child's ration book as soon as a birth is notified, and this may be used by the mother in supplement of her own book.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the estimated cost to the Treasury of the amended scheme for the control of meat and livestock prices?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would be so good as to put a further question at a later date.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the provision trade associations and small shopkeepers in the country owing to the unfair conditions of the Butter Rationing Scheme, whereby the multiple shops and large stores are given an unfair advantage by way of double profits under the scheme; and will he put all provision traders on an equal basis, as it is a national scheme and there is no free market for butter?

I have received representations in the sense suggested about the butter distribution scheme, which is based largely on pre-war practice, and I am in consultation with the trade on the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the great difficulty that is being experienced by farmers in obtaining milling offals for feeding purposes; and what steps are being taken in order to have these made obtainable, in view of the demand and the urgent necessity for these essential feeding-stuffs?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the difficulties which producers have experienced owing to reduction of imports of feeding offals, consequent upon readjustment of shipping programmes to suit war-time conditions. It is anticipated that supplies in January of imported offals will be considerably larger than those available in December.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the names and addresses of the two bacon-curers in Renfrewshire who will qualify for a bacon production licence under the Bacon (Licensing of Producers) Order?

The hon. and learned Member's Question refers presumably to the two small curers in Renfrew-shire to whom I referred in my reply on 13th December, 1939, to a question by the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), as being curers whose average weekly output of bacon in 1938 was as much as 5 cwt. but was less than 15 cwt. The names and addresses of the two curers in Question are as follow:

• Mr. W. Loudon,
• 34, Roxburgh Street,
• Greenock.
• Mr. J. A. Pinkerton,
• 69, Neilston Road,
• Paisley.

There are in addition six curers in Renfrewshire who do not come into the category of small curers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, under the rationing scheme, bacon should be sold with the skin on as in England or with the skin off as in Scotland?

Under the rationing scheme bacon can be sold with the skin on or with the skin off, in accordance with the consumer's request. The ration of 4 ozs. per head per week is for bacon boned and with the skin on, and in the schedule of prices the retail price for the sale of bacon is for bacon with the skin on. To meet the specific request of the retail trade in Scotland, the price schedule is being amended to permit a charge of 2d. per lb. for the service of skinning bacon.

asked (1) the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolution of the Greenock Co-operative Party protesting against the proposed increase in the price of milk, a copy of which was forwarded to him; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?(2) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered the protest by the members of Greenock Co-operative Women's Guild, No. 3 Branch, against the proposed increase in the price of milk, a copy of which was sent him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject;(3) whether he has considered the protest of the Greenock Vigilance Committee, against the proposed increase in the price of milk, which has been communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I have seen the communications in question, which, however, were made before my statement in the House on 14th December, when I indicated the steps to he taken to prevent an increase in the price of liquid milk.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration has been given to the improvement of conditions of the railway em- ployés in Nigeria and the payment of wages weekly instead of monthly; and whether the railway provident fund will be extended to the shopmen and the principle of industrial arbitration extended to disputes?

I have received representations on these matters, which are under consideration by the Governor of Nigeria, whose final recommendations I am awaiting. The importance of establishing conciliation machinery has been impressed on all Colonial Governments, and I am asking the Governor of Nigeria whether the enactment of legislation with this object is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the dairy producers in Kenya have yet received payment for the butter and other dairy products requisitioned by the Government since the war?

If the hon. Member refers to requisitioning of supplies by the Ministry of Food, I am advised that the answer to his Question is in the affirmative. I have had no report of any other requisitioning of such supplies.

asked the Prime Minister whether the aid that is being given to Finland by the Allies includes financial aid; and, if so, to what extent?

This matter is now under discussion with the Finnish authorities. The exact extent of the financial aid which may be necessary of possible cannot yet be determined.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet decided upon the body to be consulted under the National Health Insurance Medical Benefit Amendment Regulations (No. 3), 1939, and what that body is to be; and what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the body is representative of the general body of insurance practitioners?

The body which I propose to consult is the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association, which is the body authorised by the conference of local medical and panel committees to represent their views on matters arising out of their statutory functions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has ensured that the effect of the National Health Insurance Medical Benefit Amendment Regulations (No. 4), 1939, will be not to interfere with the free choice of doctors by insured persons; and whether he consulted insurance committees, local medical and panel committees, approved societies or any other body before the amendment regulations were prepared?

I am satisfied that the regulations to which the hon. Member refers do not infringe the principle of the free choice of doctors by insured persons. I consulted the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association and the National Association of Insurance Committees before making the regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to grant permission to local authorities to resume the building of dwelling-houses in areas where there is a shortage of houses, overcrowding or slum dwellings?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the great number of building trades operatives at present unemployed, he will advise local authorities to proceed with housing schemes, especially those connected with slum clearances already passed by his Department?

asked the Minister of Health to what extent it is proposed to continue existing building contracts to supply new houses instead of slums and to diminish overcrowding?

I am prepared to give sympathetic consideration to proposals for the provision of a certain number of houses urgently required, in particular, houses for the accommodation of workers in the factory and on the land. Having regard to the shortage of certain building materials and to the financial position, however, I am not in a position to modify the general advice which I gave to local authorities in Circular 1866.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the appeal to the public to increase agricultural output and the consequent necessity for housing larger numbers of people on the land, he is endeavouring to expedite the erection of additional houses in rural areas; how many such houses are being built now; and how many have been sanctioned?

All proposals for the provision of houses in rural districts are being sympathetically considered, and all proposals shown on consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to be essential to an increased agricultural output have been approved.I am unable to give the number of houses at present being built in rural districts, but returns received by my Department towards the end of November, 1939, showed that the number of houses completed by rural district councils since 31st July, 1939, was 2,651, and that out of 5,810 houses under construction those councils were concentrating on the completion of 4,878 which had reached an advanced stage. All proposals subsequently received for the completion of the balance of 932 under construction have been approved. The number of new houses in rural areas approved under the Housing Acts since the beginning of the war is 120.

asked the Minister of Health whether his regulations provide that a dwelling within the rateable values set out in Section 3 (1) of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1939, let furnished at the date that Act commenced to operate comes under control if subsequently let unfurnished?

The matter to which the hon. Member refers is not dealt with in regulations, but I am advised that the effect of the Act of 1939 is as indicated in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the steps taken in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the establishment of a radio-therapeutic institute for the treatment of cancer?

I understand that steps are being taken to convene a meeting of representatives of the counties and county boroughs concerned to consider further the question of establishing a radio-therapeutic institute for the treatment of cancer in this area.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons are being accommodated in the camps built under the Camps Act, 1939; who those persons are; and what progress is being made with the uncompleted camps?

asked the Minister of Health the number of camps which have been begun and completed, with the dates of completion, by the National Camps Corporation, Limited; and how many are occupied?

Thirty-one camps have been begun by the National Camps Corporation. Of these, 12 are now completed, five will be completed by the end of this month, and the remaining 14, with the exception of one on which work was only recently started, are well on the way to completion. The dates of completion of the 12 camps are as follow:

• 1 on 6th October, 1939.
• 1 on 3rd November, 1939.
• 1 on 18th November, 1939.
• 3 on 27th November, 1939.
• 3 on lath December, 1939.
• 2 on 7th January, 1940.
• 1 on 13th January, 1940.

Two camps are already occupied. One of these is occupied by physically defective children from London, who with their teachers number approximately 190; and the other is in the temporary occupation of the Bank of England, who are under notice to quit by 29th January. A third camp will be occupied in a fortnight's time, and negotiations for filling other camps are now proceeding.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the question of the desirability of securing the right of the dependants of men on service to medical treatment from their own doctor, as an alternative to the charity of the doctor or treatment secured by application to the public assistance authority?

I have received representations on this subject, which are being considered in consultation with the War Office.

asked the Minister of Health the number of males and females who, at the date of the National Register, described themselves as gainfully occupied; and what increase these totals represent as compared with the census of 1931?

I regret that the occupational figures asked for are not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many schemes under Circular I840 of August, 1939, concerning proposals for the increased supply of liquid milk under maternity and child welfare schemes, have been presented to the Ministry; how many have been approved; and how many are being operated?

One hundred and seventy-six welfare authorities in England and Wales have submitted proposals, of which 25 have been approved. According to the latest information in my possession, schemes are in operation in seven areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Doncaster County Borough have adopted a cheap milk scheme for expectant and nursing mothers and children under school age; that milk vendors have refused to participate and the scheme is held up; and whether the local authority are authorised by him to purchase wholesale from the Milk Marketing Board and provide their own distribution scheme?

I am aware of the county borough council's proposals, and of the difficulties which have arisen. The general question is receiving active consideration at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that where men serving in His Majesty's forces are making allotments out of their Army pay to dependent relatives who are in receipt of public assistance, such allotments are taken into account by public assistance committees, and the amount of relief which would normally be granted is being reduced by the amount of the soldier's allotment; and, as this practice operates harshly against both the soldier and his dependent relative, will he consider making it possible for public assistance committees to exclude either the whole or part of such allotments?

It is the duty of public assistance authorities, in assessing relief, to take into account any income received by the applicant by way of an allotment from Army pay, and I have no power to act as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Health whether ratepayers will be given every opportunity during the postponement of the quinquennial valuation of obtaining revisions of their assessments; and, if so, under what circumstances?

The statutory provisions governing interim revision of assessments will remain operative, and I have advised local authorities that they should endeavour to maintain whatever organisation may be necessary for dealing with any questions which may arise in relation to the valuation lists now in force.

Grade.			Headquarters.		Ex-Headquarters.
			Men	Women	Men	Women
Higher Clerical Officers	…	…	43	1	78	1
Clerical Officers	…	…	119	85	318	129
"S" Clerks	…	…	14	—	146	—
Clerical Assistants	…	…	—	74	—	218
Established Shorthand Typists	…	…	—	39	—	109
Temporary Shorthand Typists	…	…	—	1	—	12
Established Typists	…	…	—	41	—	115
Temporary Typists	…	…	—	4	—	22
Temporary Clerks:
Grade I	…	…	—	—	—	—
Grade II	…	…	—	—	2	—
Grade III	…	…	10	1	173	59
Teleprinter Operators	…	…	—	—	—	—

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will see that employés of the main and suburban line railways in charge of stations are instructed to call out the name of each station during black-out hours at which a train may stop, since it is impossible to read any names at night; and that the London Passenger Transport Board's omnibus and underground railway employés, where necessary, follow the same practice?

Employés of the main line railway companies and of the London Passenger Transport Board have already received instructions to call out the names of railway stations and the stopping places of buses. Steps are also being taken to improve the illumination of station name plates.

asked the Minister of Transport the approximate number of higher clerical officers, men and women, respectively, clerical officers, men and women, respectively, S-class clerks, clerical assistants, shorthand typists (established), shorthand typists (temporary), typists (established), typists (temporary), male temporary clerks grades I, II, and III, respectively, female temporary clerks grades I, II, and III, respectively, and teleprinter operators, in headquarters establishments, including evacuated staffs, and in ex-headquarter establishments, respectively, as at 1st January, 1940?

The following are the figures:—

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to recent accidents in which injured persons have been dragged long distances under motor omnibuses; and whether any further safety precautions are contemplated?

My attention has been drawn to the reports of these two most regrettable accidents. The problem of road accidents in the "black-out" is engaging the constant attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security and myself, and steps have already been taken to deal with the special lighting needs of public service vehicles.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether rates for requisitioned tonnage have yet been agreed, and whether such figures will be made public?

When the rates which are now under negotiation have been settled, they will be made public.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether prices charged for new tonnage for the Mercantile Marine are now controlled whereby reasonable figures are ensured for this national service?

Yes, Sir; it is intended to exert control by a suitably devised costing system.

asked the Minister of Shipping what orders have been placed for the replacement of lost collier tonnage; and what deliveries are anticipated?

The hon. Member may be assured that full account is being taken of the need for replacing various types of lost vessels, but I hope that he will not press me for details of the building programme.