asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the provender millers receive equitable allocation of straight-run feeding-stuffs for cattle, and that the provincial corn merchants shall receive equitable allocation of cattle feeding-stuffs as they become available?(2) what steps the Government are taking in connection with the supply of feeding-stuffs for pigs, poultry and cattle to ensure that no preferential allocation is made to the milling combines and milling combines agents as compared with the allocation made to the independent corn merchants and dealers; and will he consider introducing at once the policy of share and share alike on the basis of pre-war arrangements?

All supplies of imported cereal feeding-stuffs are allocated to c.i.f. buyers in proportion to their share of the imports in a pre-war datum period, and they, in turn, have been instructed to allocate their supplies to each of their customers in a similar manner. Merchants and millers have been asked to treat their provender mills as customers in the same way.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the quantity of feeding-stuffs imported into Northern Ireland during the months of September, October, November and December, 1939, and the quantity imported in the corresponding months of 1938; and whether the quota assigned to Northern Ireland since the outbreak of war is based on pre-war imports?

The figures referred to in the first part of the Question are not available; the procedure referred to in the second part of the Question is that followed for the United Kingdom as a whole, including Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is his intention to introduce any form of whole wheat or standard flour to replace the present white flour, as such a measure would, by conserving food values and the health of the people, considerably aid our war efforts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bére) on 13th December last.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can make known to poultry keepers the foodstuffs available in the shape of grain, etc., for their purposes; and whether they are such as will enable them to carry on their business in a normal manner, or to what extent curtailment is needed over the whole country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on 18th January to a number of Questions on this subject, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that food control for Sheffield is centred at Leeds, and that this anomalous arrangement is causing resentment and inconvenience among business people in Sheffield; and will he, in view of the size of the city and its industrial importance, give Sheffield its own food control officer?

Food control is administered locally by the Food Control Committee appointed for each borough and district area. Committees have been appointed and local food officers established both in Sheffield and Leeds. The functions of the Divisional Food Officer situated at Leeds relate to the whole of the West and East Ridings of Yorkshire.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered the requests from the Miners' Federation for additional food rations for people engaged in heavy industries; and does he propose to accede to the request?

A letter was addressed to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister by the South Wales Miners' Federation, urging that some extra allowance should be given to men engaged in heavy industries such as mining. I am, however, advised that on the basis of the present rations and the large range of unrationed foods available, no supplementary rations for heavy workers are necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is in- tended that the wholesale buyers of ware potatoes will have to pay the tonnage levy under the new Potato Marketing Scheme shortly to be introduced, themselves; and whether the levy, if there is no eventual surplus to be guaranteed, will be returned to them?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to the Question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Gledhill) on 18th January.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he proposes to lay before the House the regulations governing the new Potato Marketing Scheme; and whether time will be afforded for their discussion?

The levy will be imposed by a Treasury Order under Subsection (1) of Section 2 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, and the Order will be laid before the House in accordance with the provisions of Subsections (3) and (4), the latter of which requires approval by resolution of the House. The regulations governing other provisions of the Scheme will be the subject of an Order under Regulation 55 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the margin to be allowed to retail butchers for costs and remuneration under the control scheme; and whether it is an agreed basis between the Ministry of Food and the trade?

The margin at present allowed to retail butchers for costs and remuneration under the control scheme represents approximately 23½ per cent. of the selling price of the side or carcase taken as a whole. It was fixed on the basis of a costings investigation into a number of representative retail' butchers' businesses during the pre-war period and after consultation with the retail trade organisations, including the co-operative movement. The margin is provisional and is subject to review upwards or downwards in the light of actual experience of the operation of the scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the number of retailers engaged in the meat trade and registered under the control scheme in Great Britain?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member are not available without reference to the records of local Food Offices, and the work involved in extracting this information at the present time would necessitate the employment of additional staff. I hope that later on it may be possible to obtain the information without incurring extra expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the estimated quantity of home-killed and imported meat, respectively, consumed on an average per week in Great Britain; and how much it is estimated to be when rationing becomes operative?

The average weekly quantity of home-killed and imported meat consumed by civilians in Great Britain is estimated to be 20,000 tons and 16,000 tons respectively. The quantity which will be consumed when rationing becomes operative will depend upon the supply situation at that time.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what number of wholesalers engaged in the meat trade are organised in the National Association of Wholesale Meat Traders;(2) what is the agreed basis upon which costs and remuneration of wholesalers engaged in the meat trade is to be met under the control scheme?

The wholesale distribution of meat, both home-killed and imported, is effected through not one national association, but through eight area wholesale meat supply associations. The final number of wholesalers who have been organised in these eight associations is not yet known since seven associations have outstanding for further consideration a number of applications for membership, but on present indications it is likely to be about 900.The basis on which the costs and remuneration of these associations are to be made is a commission basis. Rates of commission will operate for a provisional period of three months from 15th January when control was introduced and will be fixed for subsequent periods after costing investigations. The amount available out of the commission for the members of the association will be distributed to them having regard to their peace-time turnover.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give some concession as regards price to farmhouse-made butter, provided the allotted weekly allowance is not exceeded?

I fear that it is not practicable to allow farmhouse-made butter to be sold in excess of the prescribed retail price of 1s. 7d. per lb. without prejudicing the operation of the control scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can give the House any information with regard to an impending reduction in the price of tea?

The range of teas available for distribution to the trade naturally varies from time to time, but I am not aware of any change in the general character of the supply which is likely to lead to any immediate variation in the retail price.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the regional liaison officer working in the south-eastern divisional office of his Department, is or was medical adviser to, and in close attendance upon the south-eastern divisional food officer; whether he is satisfied that the knowledge and experience of a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons are being put to the best use in a post of this character; and on what particular qualifications this appointment was based?

I have no information as to whether the gentleman in question acts, or has acted, as medical adviser to the Divisional Food Officer, but I am satisfied that he is fully qualified for the duties of the post he holds.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will now make a statement regarding the provision of more canning factories in the Clyde area, to make available for Service men and the general public the abundant supplies of herring in these waters?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to his previous Question on this subject on 12th December. The further inquiries which have been made confirm the view that the capacity of the existing canning factories is sufficient to cope with any demands that are likely to be made upon them in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the authorised strength of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and its distribution; and what are the names of the women holding positions as officers?

The authorised establishment of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force is approximately 11,000. Personnel of the Force are serving at a large number of Royal Air Force stations, and it would not be practicable to give details of their distribution. The names of officers of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force are published in the "London Gazette" when they are appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what wages are paid to women pilots employed to fly aircraft from factories to aerodromes on delivery?

Women pilots engaged on this work are paid a basic salary of £230 per annum plus consolidated flying pay at the rate of £8 per month.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that hardship is felt in the ranks of the Royal Air Force by reason of the Air Ministry order of 9th November, 1939, which forbids commissions being granted to serving airmen unless they are airmen pilots or warrant officers; and will he consider the advisability of revising this order so that other airmen who are worthy of it and are otherwise qualified may have the chance of being commissioned?

The Air Ministry Order to which my hon. Friend refers was provisional and was prefaced by the statement that a more comprehensive Order would be issued as soon as possible. Under the terms of the present Order, it is the case that recommendations for commissions are limited to airman pilots and warrant officers. The further Order, which will be issued as soon as possible, will call for recommendations in respect of other airmen. Such recommendations have in fact already been invited in respect of personnel specially qualified for commissioned air gunner and for balloon duties.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the result of his recent suggestions to local authorities for the encouragement of pig- and poultry-keeping in their areas?

The recent circular to local authorities to which my hon. Friend refers related to the keeping of pigs and poultry on municipal housing estates, and was issued for the guidance of the authorities and did not call for a reply. A number of local authorities have, however, themselves informed my right hon. Friend that they have modified their rules in order further to facilitate the keeping of pigs and poultry on their estates. As my hon. Friend is aware, the management of these estates is expressly vested by statute in local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of timber, he is advising local housing authorities in the use of alternative building materials of which there is an ample supply?

Yes, Sir. In the special cases in which my right hon. Friend has found it possible to approve of the building of houses by local authorities, his approval has been subject to the plans being drawn so as to reduce the amount of timber required to a minimum and, in order to give balanced employment to the building industry, to provide for the use, as far as possible, of all the other materials of which a house is normally built.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to set up a central control for the building industry, as building has been brought virtually to a standstill, and unless comprehensive steps are taken to ensure its continued employment, serious difficulties will be experienced with regard to working-class houses and other buildings when these are required?

There is already a central co-ordinating body dealing with building works in which the Government are directly or indirectly interested. It is the Works and Building Priority Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service. The sub-committee is composed of representatives of all the contracting departments and of those departments, like my own, which, while not placing contracts themselves, are closely concerned with building works. The sub-committee has the benefit of the advice of employers and workpeople in the industry. I can assure the hon. Member that I fully appreciate the desirability of taking steps to ensure that, when the time comes, normal activity in the erection of houses and other buildings can be resumed without delay.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a circular to local authorities, especially London borough councils, pointing out the need to give preference to British subjects and that Irishmen from Eire should not be employed on casual labour, either as foremen or labourers, unless they have resided in the United Kingdom for over five years?

I do not think that I could usefully adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider issuing with every Budget statement a memorandum explaining broadly the relation of the taxes proposed to the national totals of wealth and income and the ratio of taxation to income at different points in the income scale?

The ratio of Income Tax to incomes at various points on the scale is, of course, known, and this information is always published with the Budget statement. I regret that official estimates of the other totals are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, by what authority the Royal Air Force agents, Messrs. Glyn Mills and Company (Holts Branch) deduct Income Tax at the full rate from the monthly pay of officers of the Royal Air Force before it is due without knowledge of the amount of the assessment and without the consent of the officers concerned?

Income Tax is deducted from the pay of officers of His Majesty's Forces under the provisions of Rule 11 and Rule 15 of the Rules applicable to Schedule E in the Income Tax Act, 1918, which provide for the deduction of tax out of official pay as and when the pay is paid. The amount of the deduction, which is made from the monthly instalments of pay, is estimated by reference to such information as is available. Officers are afforded an opportunity of furnishing particulars of personal circumstances affecting their tax liability, and any necessary adjustments are made as soon as the liability is finally determined. If the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind, I shall he glad to cause inquiries to be made into them if he will send me particulars.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that when Scottish printing firms are asked to tender for Government printing, great inconvenience is caused by their being instructed to call at His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, to see a specimen of the job required; and whether he will arrange that specimens of such jobs be made available for inspection at His Majesty's Stationery Office, George Street, Edinburgh?

In about 50 per cent. of the tenders the specification contains sufficient technical information for estimating purposes. In about 30 per cent. of the tenders only one original specimen is available. In the remaining 20 per cent. specimens will be exhibited in Edinburgh except in a case of special urgency which precludes such exhibition. I should add that in the case of contracts running for a term of years specimens are exhibited in Edinburgh where the work is suitable for Scottish firms.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the recent protest from the Civil Service Clerical Association against the employment of an individual in an executive post in the Ministry, who was invited to accept his appointment by the principal assistant secretary of the Ministry with whom he is on friendly terms; whether he is aware that the individual against whose appointment the protest was made is related to a Member of the Government; at what Employment Exchange the individual registered under the Government's scheme for filling such appointments through the Ministry of Labour machinery; and how many other applicants were sent by the Ministry of Labour to be considered for this particular appointment?

I am aware that a protest regarding this appointment was made in November last by the Civil Service Clerical Association, who were informed, after due investigation, of the conclusion that objection could not properly be taken to it. I have seen a statement that the individual is related to a Member of the Government, but this consideration did not affect his selection, which was based solely upon his qualifications for the work.As regards the last two parts of the Question, at the time that the individual was offered the temporary post in question the Ministry of Supply was expanding very rapidly, and as the names of many candidates were being submitted from day to day by the Ministry of Labour and National Service, the precise number of them is not available, nor is the name of the Employment Exchange at which many of them, including the individual in question, were registered. He, however, merely offered his services in a temporary capacity pending being called up by the Royal Air Force, on the reserve of which he was, and at the beginning of this month he was called up and in consequence resigned his appointment at the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Supply how many members of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service are employed in his Department on clerical and typing duties?

No members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are employed at the headquarters of the Ministry of Supply. Twelve are employed at outstation establishments, all on clerical work.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, following the recent lapse of many thousand motor car licences, he will sanction increased petrol rations for motor vehicles used for approved commercial purposes?

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that besides the reduction in the number of private cars licensed (particulars of which are not yet available), there are many other factors to be taken into account. In view of the continued need for economy in the consumption of petrol, I cannot at present hold out the prospect of any material increase in the scale of rations.

asked the Secretary for Mines the estimated cost for a full year of the fuel department?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth).

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the petrol control for the city of Sheffield is placed at Leeds, which causes inconvenience and waste of time among Sheffield business men; that there is a strong desire among Sheffield citizens that a city of 550,000 inhabitants, and a place of great industrial importance, should have its own petroleum officer; and will he therefore make such an appointment and obviate the cost and waste of time involved in travelling 40 miles to Leeds when grievances have to be discussed?

In selecting the centres for the Divisional Petroleum Offices, it was considered essentialy to fix them at the centres adopted for the headquarters of the Regional Commissioners, and both on financial grounds and with a view to securing uniformity of administration it is desirable to keep the number as few as possible. While, therefore, I am fully alive to the great importance of Sheffield as an industrial centre, I am afraid I cannot see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he proposes to take with regard to the increase in the number of accidents to coalminers, reportable by reason of seriousness of injury, in the mines of the Northern division; and what compensation is being paid to the 50 miners injured under this heading in 1937 and the 64 injured in 1938?

While the number of persons seriously injured by miscellaneous underground accidents in the Northern division in 1938 was higher than in 1937, I am pleased to note that there is a substantial reduction in the number of persons killed. I regret that information in reply to the latter part of the Question is not available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether steps can be taken to improve the postal services in Clackmannanshire; and whether, in particular, he can arrange for the delivery of letters in Coalsnaughton before the afternoon of each day?

The times at which the deliveries of letters commence in Clackmannanshire are mainly determined by the local train services. At Coalsnaughton the delivery begins at 11.30 a.m. and finishes at about 1 p.m. Owing to improvements in the train services, the delivery at Coalsnaughton will begin about 35 minutes earlier on and from Monday next. I am looking into the details of the specific case which the hon. Member has now kindly sent on to me, and I will communicate with him.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider introducing the same postage for letters to France as for letters to the British Empire, Egypt, and the United States of America?

I am already in communication with the French Post Office with a view to introducing the Imperial rate of postage for letters posted in this country and addressed to French troops in France. I regret that I cannot see my way to go any further.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to make a uniform working day for clerical officers in all departments of the telephone service in Edinburgh, and so remove anomalies existing at present between different departments for members of the same grade?

The hours of attendance for clerical staff outside London are normally 44 a week, and these hours apply to the telephone manager's office at Edinburgh as elsewhere. In the headquarter offices of the Post Office in Edinburgh the hours have for many years been 42 a week, but the staff were warned in 1936 that it might be necessary to bring these conditions into line with those in other regional directors' offices outside London by increasing their hours.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the very serious effect upon business in India owing to the high rate of surcharge on Empire air mail; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter to the maintenance of our overseas trade, he will take action to bring about a material reduction in the present charges?

The amount of aircraft accommodation at the disposal of the Post Office for the conveyance of air mails on the Empire air routes is limited, and I regret that it will not be possible to reduce the existing air postage rates unless and until further accommodation can be made available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the serious delay in business telephone trunk calls due to the numerous priority calls; who is entitled to claim priority; what steps are taken to ensure that such claims are justified; and whether he is taking steps to reduce the number thereof?

I am aware that in some cases business telephone trunk calls are delayed owing to priority traffic, but appreciable delay from this cause is confined to a limited number of trunk routes. Priority is accorded to urgent calls from Government Departments and from selected services and undertakings of national importance in war. The list of priority subscribers is under constant review and deletions are made from time to time if conditions no longer justify retention on the list.

asked the Secretary of State for War what official records describing the financial results of the various kinds of salvage work in connection with the war of 1914 to 1918 have been published and where such records are available?

The hon. Member will find some information on this subject on pages 549 to 553 of "Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War, 1914–20," a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Minister of Pensions the reasons for disallowing a special allowance to the wife of a serving soldier whose total income is 24s. per week, including her husband's allotment, and who pays 17s. 6d. a week rent?

I am satisfied that the War Service Grants Advisory Committee would not fail to advise me to make a grant in a case in which the facts are as stated by the hon. Member. I might say that if he has in mind a case on which he has recently written to me, he is under a misapprehension as to the amount of the household income. The case has, however, recently been reviewed by the committee following an appeal by the soldier's wife, and I am accepting their advice to award her a small weekly allowance.

asked the Attorney-General whether persons who, under the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, have been permitted to suspend payment of rent, etc., will be called upon at the end of the war to pay up the accumulated arrears due, or whether some scheme for the complete remission or scaling down of such debts is contemplated?

It is manifestly impossible now to state the policy to be adopted at the end of the war with regard to the operation of the Act in question. Such policy must necessarily depend on the circumstances then existing. The corresponding Act of 1914, though initially only a temporary Act, was made permanent by the Expiring Laws Act, 1931, but only in respect of orders made before 31st August, 1921, which was the statutory date of the termination of the last war. If, at the end of the present war, it is decided to follow precedent and to continue the Act of 1939 in force for orders made during the war, the courts would be in a position to revoke or vary the provisions of any orders made in wartime and take into account any alteration in the circumstances of the debtors.

asked the Attorney-General when the committee appointed by the Government to inquire into the serious position in which boarding-house, apartment-house, and residential hotel keepers have been placed, largely by reason of the evacuation policy of the Government, are likely to present their report; and whether he will expedite it in view of the great hardships which are being suffered by these persons owing to the long delay on the part of the Government in dealing with the matter?

The House will appreciate, from the answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) on 2nd November last, that the scope of the investigations of the committee to which my hon. Friend's Question refers is a very wide one, covering the whole field of civil liabilities; also that the committee do not issue any formal report, but report from time to time to the Home Policy Committee, who then consider whether legislation or other remedial action should be set on foot. The position of the classes of person to whom the Question refers has received the particular attention of the committee and a close investigation made both of the nature of that position and of possible remedies. Of the possible remedies, there is not one which is not beset by difficulties and the investigations have necessarily taken time. An advanced stage has, however, now been reached, and the committee will be reporting on this subject to the Home Policy Committee very shortly.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the office of the Collector of Taxes, 2a-8a, High Street, Walthamstow, E.17, is still without an air-raid shelter, the only place of refuge being in the boiler-house, which cannot be used at the moment; that his Department announced in September last their intention of providing a permanent shelter immediately; and whether, in view of the fact that four months have now elapsed, he can state when work on the shelter will be commenced?

The Collector of Taxes' staff, numbering 23, occupies the two upper floors of these leased premises. I regret that, owing to constructional difficulties, it has not yet been possible to provide a permanent air-raid shelter either on the premises or in neighbouring property, but every effort is being made in this congested shopping area to find a suitable site or building for a refuge. Pending the provision of a permanent shelter, the first floor of the office, which is a steel framed building, affords a temporary refuge with good overhead protection.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in order to make available an additional quantity of scrap-iron, as well as to facilitate access to public parks and open spaces for air-raid precautions purposes and to improve their appearance, he will secure the removal of all iron railings surrounding public parks and open spaces in the United Kingdom and the utilisation of the metal thus obtained for the production of munitions?

Where air-raid shelters have been constructed in the Royal Parks, to which parks only my jurisdiction extends, arrangements have been made in every case to facilitate and control access. It has long been the policy to cut down railings in the Royal Parks to a minimum: but, while I sympathise with the object that the hon. and gallant Member has in view, I regret that it is not, for practical reasons, possible to go farther than we have done or to dispense with railings altogether.

asked the Attorney-General whether, pending the promotion by the Law Society of applicable legislation acceptable to Parliament calculated to terminate the continually recurring cases of theft of client's property by solicitors, he will take steps to ensure that when a solicitor applies for probate of a deceased estate all relative money, securities, and documents of value shall be deposited temporarily by him for safe custody with the Public Trustee before probate is granted and until the winding-up of the deceased estate has passed out of the hands of the solicitor to the satisfaction of the Public Trustee?

My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has given consideration to the suggestion made by the hon. Member, but is of opinion that it would not be practicable, or possible, to put such a scheme into operation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement as to the Government policy with respect to poultry keepers who deal in day-old chicks; whether they are to carry on with their businesses in a normal way; and what proportion of such business the Government advises should be foregone in order to conserve feeding-stuffs?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the feeding-stuffs position and other questions connected with the poultry industry will be raised in the Debate on the Adjournment to-morrow. Perhaps the hon. Member could await that discussion.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether his attention has been drawn to the increase of soya bean purchases by Holland and certain Scandinavian countries since the outbreak

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of the Sunbury local authority in making available for inspection its lists of air-raid precautions paid workers; and whether he has any object- of war; and whether, in view of the fact that Germany is in great need of soya beans, he will consider rationing the supplies that reach contiguous neutral countries?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 23rd January to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Loftus).

asked the Home Secretary the number of prisoners who were in each of the prisons at Wandsworth, Lewes, Chelmsford, Cardiff, Exeter, Bristol, Stafford, Holloway, and Dartmoor on 31st August last, and how many prisoners are now in each of those prisons; and how many prison visitors were actually making regular visits to each of the said prisons in July last, and how many are now making such visits?

The following are the figures asked for:tion to other local authorities adopting a similar policy?

My right hon. Friend understands that in making the list of its paid air-raid precautions staff available for inspection the local authority concerned was following a practice em- ployed in the case of its ordinary employés. The adoption of a similar practice elsewhere is a matter for the scheme-making authority concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered any revision of the peace-time procedure for hearing cases of summonses for nonpayment of rates under the Emergency Powers Act, as the normal peace-time procedure is not applicable under conditions arising as a direct result of the war?

The question of the arrangements necessary to allow of the hearing and due consideration of applications by persons summoned for non-payment of rates, who wish to take advantage of the protection afforded by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, is one for each bench of magistrates to decide. As I stated in reply to a Question on this subject on 2nd November, I have no doubt that magistrates and their clerks appreciate t clerks appreciate the importance of making proper arrangements for this purpose, and I do not think that any action on my part is necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether, in view of the widespread opportunity existing for the dissemination of British news in neutral countries, he will consider making all necessary arrangements to facilitate the availability and easy purchase of all British newspapers in those countries?

I am glad to inform my hon. and learned Friend that arrangements are already in operation for the rapid transport by air of British newspapers to certain European neutral countries and for their sale at reasonable prices. An extension of these arrangements to cover some of the more distant countries of Europe is being pressed forward with the help of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, and will, I hope, shortly be realised.

asked the Home Secretary what visas have been granted to representatives of the Imperial Policy Group to visit European countries since the war began?

asked the Home Secretary what visas have been granted to representatives of the Society of Friends to visit European countries since the war began?

The records of exit permits issued by the Permit Office are not kept in such a form as to show how many permits are granted to members of particular organisations, and I regret, therefore, that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that there is no recruitment of British subjects by Italians in British Somaliland for service in Abyssinia?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now accept applications for naturalisation from the inhabitants of Palestine who have upwards of five years' residence in that mandated territory in the same way as he accepts such applications from those inhabitants who have been employed from five years upwards in the High Commission's administration in Jerusalem?

Applicants for the grant of a certificate of naturalisation as a British subject are required by Section 2 of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, to show that they have either resided in His Majesty's dominions for a period of not less than five years in the manner required by that Section of the Act, or have been in the service of the Crown for not less than five years within the last eight years before the application. Residence in Palestine does not constitute residence in His Majesty's dominions, and such residence cannot, therefore, be counted as a qualification for naturalisation as a British subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the case in which a certain Swazi chief has been kept in prison under sentence of death for 15 months while the sum of £650 is being collected to enable his appeal to the Privy Council to be made, and in view of the importance of justice in our Colonial relationships, he will give an assurance that any such heavy financial obligation in regard to our Colonial possessions will be met from public sources or waived in similar cases in future?

I fear that I am not in a position to give such an assurance. I have at present under consideration, however, the question of the costs involved in criminal cases where leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has been granted in forma pauperis.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers at present serving in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who are entitled to the 1914–15 decoration, together with the respective rank granted to them during the 1914–18 war and that held now?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is not readily available and could only be obtained with a disproportionate amount of labour.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the normal pay of a temporary second-lieutenant in the Royal Marines is 6s. 10d. a day; that the messing contribution is about 3s. per day, the mess subscription about 10d., the payment in respect of servant about 8d., making a total of 4s. 6d.; that this leaves a balance of approximately 25. 4d. per day for all other personal expenditure; that the pay is substantially less than that of a temporary second-lieutenant in the Army; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure at least equality of payment between the Royal Marines and the Army?

The Question raised by the hon. Member is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that retired Naval officers called up in September, 1938, were, after demobilisation, supplied with copies of Admiralty Fleet Order 2480/38, regarding uniform allowance; that, in the absence of any other order the conditions in that order were taken as a guide by officers called up on the outbreak of war; and that the issue of Admiralty Fleet Order 2525/39, since the outbreak of war, has been unfair to officers retired between three and five years, in regard to the recovery by them of money on uniform in the public service; and whether he will now take steps to remedy their position?

I am aware that in 1938 allowance was made for renewal of uniform to officers who had been out of the Service for only three years. The present regulations are based on the fact that it is not reasonable for officers who have been out of the Service for less than five years to expect a grant for renewal of uniform as a matter of course. A refund is made of actual expenditure necessitated by change of figure of an officer, if he has been out of the Service for over a year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the authorised strength of the Women's Royal Naval Service and its distribution; and what are the names of the women holding positions as officers?

No establishment has as yet been laid down for the Women's Royal Naval Service; numbers are increased in accordance with the need to replace or augment Naval personnel in shore establishments. The names of the senior officers were given in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for the Jarrow division of Durham (Miss Wilkinson) on 13th December, 1939, and the names of all the officers will appear in the Navy List in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for the railway companies to give to members of the Mercantile Marine travelling on leave in this country from their ships the same fare concessions as are at present applicable to men of His Majesty's Navy?

Yes, Sir: I am glad to say that the railway companies have agreed to give these concessions, during the period of the war, to officers, men, and female members of the Mercantile Marine, who will therefore be able to travel, in the circumstances stated, at half the ordinary single fare for single journeys and at the ordinary single fare for return journeys, on surrender of an appropriate voucher.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the unemployment prevailing among the workers concerned, he will consider a change in policy with a view to proceeding with the most necessary road construction?

In present circumstances I do not feel justified in putting road construction work in hand unless it is essential to meet national needs. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 16th November last, I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in regard to all labour problems affecting road workers, and I can assure the hon. Member that full regard will continue to be given to this aspect of the matter.