asked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken with regard to the setting-up of the proposed area organisation for his Department?

I should explain that the country has been divided into 13 areas corresponding to those of the Regional Commissioners for Civil Defence.For the co-ordination of supply, I have arranged with the Admiralty, Air Ministry, and Ministry of Labour and National Service to set up an Area Organisation Co-ordinating Committee to deal with the problems of Supply which affect the Fighting Services. I have been fortunate to secure the services of Mr. Bertram Austin, who has been appointed Director of Area Organisation of the Ministry of Supply and who is working in close contact with the Supply Departments in setting up the organisation in the areas.In 12 of these areas there will be Area Boards consisting in most cases of the chief local representatives of the Admiralty, Air Ministry, Ministry of Labour and National Service, and the Ministry of Supply and a Secretary.The duties of the Boards have been defined as:

asked the Minister of Supply whether, before the issue of the Control of Timber (No. 1) Order No. 1031, he caused investigation to be made into the pre-war usage and custom of trade of timber merchants as to the charging of interest on credit accounts; and, if so, what body or bodies of traders were consulted?

Yes, Sir. The provision referred to was included in recommendations made by advisory committees which were set up before the war, to advise the Controller-designate, by the appropriate sections of the Timber Trades Federation and the Federated Home Grown Timber Merchants Association.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to compensate, without delay, those persons who have lost dependants or suffered damage as a consequence of the Waltham Abbey explosion; whether he will consider the question of interim payments, so as to afford immediate relief in any pressing case; and whether he can make a statement on the general question of compensation in this type of occurrence?

I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the deep sympathy of my right hon. Friend and his colleagues on the Supply Council with the relatives of the employés of the Royal Gunpowder Factory who lost their lives in this explosion.Compensation to the dependants will be dealt with in accordance with the scheme of compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Acts. The necessary procedure has already been set in motion, and arrangements are being made for immediate payments where the dependants are in distress. Employés who have been incapacitated for work will receive the compensation to which they are entitled under the scheme. As regards damage to property sustained by persons outside the factory, reasonable compensation will be paid.I am afraid I could not undertake to make a general statement as requested in the last part of my hon. and learned Friend's Question, having regard to the many classes of cases which may arise.

asked the Minister of Labour the full entries in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, as at the present date, relating to the printing, publishing and bookbinding industry, and the newspaper industry?

Following is the statement:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the hardships caused to unemployed teachers, in that they are debarred from being employed on work of national service because teaching is a reserved occupation; and will he arrange for unemployed persons in reserved occupations to be removed from the reserved list?

I have consulted my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education and we are not aware of any serious amount of unemployment among teachers, save in certain limited categories, for example, women teachers in private schools. This class of teachers has already been removed from the Schedule of Reserved Occupations. The schedule does not prevent any person from entering employment of any kind which is not whole-time employment in one of the Services of National Defence, and it does not prevent any women from joining one of the nursing or first-aid services. In regard to the latter part of the Question, there are serious objections to removing from the schedule persons in reserved occupations who are for the time being unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice of the Central Register to notify the employer before offering a post to an employé but not usually to notify the employé if the employer is unwilling to dispense with his services?

No, Sir. The Central Register is a register of individuals who volunteer to undertake such suitable work as may be offered to them except in so far as they are already engaged on work of greater national importance. The practice of the register is accordingly to approach the volunteer in the first instance to ascertain his willingness to be considered for a particular vacancy. Where he is willing he is asked to ascertain from his employer whether he agrees to his release or has any observations to make thereon to the Central Register.

asked the Minister of Labour 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, if any, and in ex-headquarter establishments, respectively, as at 1st January, 1940?

A similar Question has been addressed by the hon. Member to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury with reference to a number of other Departments, and I understand that my right hon. and gallant Friend's reply will cover the present inquiry.

asked the Minister of Pensions the approximate number of higher clerical officers, men and women, respectively, clerical officers, men and women, respectively, S-class clerks, clerical assistants, shorthand typists, estab- lished, 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 head-quarters' establishments including evacuated staffs, if any, and in ex-headquarter establishments, respectively, as at 1st January, 1940?

A similar Question has been addressed to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury with reference to a group of other Departments, and I understand that my right hon. Friend will make a comprehensive reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty 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, if any, and in ex-headquarters establishments, respectively, as at 1st January, 1940?

A similar question has been addressed to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury with reference to a group of other Departments. I understand that his reply will cover the present inquiry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury 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, if any, and in ex-headquarter establishments, respectively, as at 1st January, 1940, in regard to the Board of Trade, Home Office, Ministry of Supply, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Food, Office of Works, and Mines Department, respectively?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is not readily available, but a return of the number of staff employed in all Departments is being collected at the present time. I hope to be able to give, in the course of the next few weeks, particulars in respect of the Departments mentioned, as well as of the Air Ministry, Admiralty, Ministry of Labour, Home Department, Ministry of Pensions, Ministry of Shipping, and War Department, which answer almost completely the Questions addressed to me and to the Ministers concerned, and with the hon. Member's permission I will send them to him as soon as they are available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the policy of the Government regarding recruitment of junior staff for the Civil Service; whether the normal entrance examinations are to be restarted, and upon what conditions and for what subjects and types of candidates; and whether any provision is being made to enable candidates, now precluded from taking examinations, to sit for such examinations after they have passed the pre-war age limit?

The resumption of open competitive examinations for entry into the Civil Service is not practicable or advisable in present conditions. Posts to which it is necessary to make appointments from outside the Service are being filled on a temporary basis through the machinery of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, in the case of clerical and typing grades from the employment exchanges. I regret that I can give no undertaking at present as to the regulations under which competitive entry may be resumed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of civil servants evacuated from London up to the latest date for which figures are available?

By 24th January between 20,000 and 21,000 civil servants had been evacuated from London.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of members of the staff of the Board of Education who have been seconded for service with other Departments; and how many of them are medical advisers?

The total number of members of the staff of the Board of Education now on loan to other Departments is 663, of whom one is a medical officer.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in order to eliminate suspicion of waste in materials and dissatisfaction about the manner workmen are employed and dismissed upon Government contracts, together with the practical monopoly held by London firms, he will undertake to give greater consideration to provincial firms in the letting of future building contracts?

It is the policy of my Department to include as many suitable local firms as possible when inviting tenders for work in the provinces. The hon. Member will, I am sure, realise that the nature and urgency of the works now being put in hand are such as to render it essential that invitations to tender should be restricted to firms who have the resources needed to ensure punctual completion.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the approximate number of cases of requisitioned buildings, regarding which the Government is arguing that London office rentals slumped immediately on the outbreak of war, and that, therefore, compensation in regard to rent is only to be fixed at an amount payable under the Compensation Defence Act, 1939, upon the basis of such slumped rentals, which do not represent the real rental values; and whether he is aware of the bitter feeling which exists at what is regarded as exploitation?

Thirty-six sets of office premises, in 13 different buildings, have been requisitioned by my Department in inner London under the Defence Regulations. Compensation in respect of office buildings, as of other requisitioned properties, is governed by the terms of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. This Act provides that rental compensation shall be assessed at a sum equal to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant in occupation under a lease granted immediately before the beginning of the period of requisitioning. I cannot agree that this constitutes exploitation.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount of payments made for unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance, for 12 months, to any convenient date recently?

In the year ended 31st December, 1939, the approximate expenditure on unemployment benefit was £41,500,000 and on unemployment allowances £,30,000,00o.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken by the British Government to ratify and apply the new International Labour Office Convention on contract labour and penal sanctions inside the British Colonial Empire?

I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and understand that replies are now being received from Colonial Governors to despatches which he addressed to them last August on the subject of the application of these Conventions to the territories under their administration. As soon as all the replies have been received they will be considered with a view to an early decision being reached as to ratification of the draft Conventions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the regulations furnished to ex-service pensioners, which do not name voluntary hospitals in the list of institutions to which the pensioner should be admitted, in cases where the pensioner applies for special treatment lie is allowed to choose treatment in a voluntary hospital without himself being charged for such treatment?

The Ministry maintains special hospitals for dealing with certain types of war disability. If, however, in the Ministry's view it is not essential that any treatment for which the Ministry is responsible should be given at one of these specialised hospitals, arrangements are made for the man's admission to a civil hospital. In selecting the hospital due regard is paid to all aspects of the patient's interests.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police in Swindon are not carrying out the undertaking, given by him, that prosecutions under the lighting regulations would, as a general rule, be taken only where there had been a flagrant breach of the order, or where the offence had been repeated after a warning given; and what action does he propose to take?

I have made inquiry, and I am informed that the practice adopted by the police in Swindon in taking proceedings for offences against the Lighting (Restrictions) Order is in accord with the statement which I made in the House on 9th November last. I should, however, like to make it clear that I gave no undertaking that proceedings would be taken only in cases where a warning had previously been given by the police.

asked the Home Secretary how many tin helmets painted dark green and issued to air-raid precautions personnel, are by orders of his Department to be repainted black; and what justification there is for the expenditure of public money therein involved?

It was decided that the simplest and cheapest method of identification for the air-raid precautions services was by white lettering on a black helmet. Some 850,000 grey helmets were issued before this decision was taken, but the cost of repainting them was estimated to be considerably less than that of introducing an alternative method of identification. The work of repainting should already have been completed.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to consult local authorities on the question of air-raid precautions expenditure; whether it is his intention to invite local education authorities, as such, to take part in such consultations; and will the question of air-raid precautions grants for school purposes come under review at that time?

I am still awaiting observations from local authorities on a memorandum which I sent to the representative associations in the autumn. That memorandum did not deal with the question of the rate of grant appropriate for shelter provision at schools, but it is open to local authorities to include this matter in any representations they may make on the general issues which are coming up for review.

asked the Home Secretary whether the cost of the acquisition of land for public shelters will rank for grant; and whether he will make a public announcement and authorise local authorities to proceed to construct public shelters with expedition?

The need for acquiring land for the construction of public shelters will arise only where for some reason it appears inexpedient to secure its use either by agreement or by taking compulsory possession under emergency powers. In a circular issued on 28th August all authorities charged with the responsibility of providing public shelters were informed that powers had been delegated to them to take possession of land for this purpose, and I am not aware of need for any further announcement on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that women living at Blackpool, employed at the Euxton Royal Ordnance Factory, must get up at 4.30 a.m. in order to be on duty in time, and that it is quite usual for them to reach home again at 10 p.m., with only one hour for a mid-day meal, 20 minutes of which is taken up in walking to and from the canteen; whether this factory is being inspected by the officers of his Department; and is he satisfied that the provisions of the Factory Act, 1937, are being carried out?

This factory is inspected by the Factory Department of the Home Office, and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply on the question of improving working conditions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will revise the regulations to permit the payment of billeting allowances for privately evacuated children?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 30th November last, of which I am sending him a copy, together with a copy of the circular referred to in my reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many aid posts lack direction boards for the guidance of incoming or departing casualties, and in several instances appear not to have taken into consideration the necessity for one-way traffic, the parking of staff cars where they will not be in the way, and, in general, the regulation of traffic in the neighbourhood of hospitals and first-aid posts during the reception of casualties; and whether he will take action to see that all possible steps are taken to avoid the delay and confusion which lack of forethought in these matters is likely to occasion?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar Question on 21st November. Since then the attention of local authorities has again been drawn to the need for providing location and direction signs to first-aid posts to an extent corresponding to local circumstances; and circulars were issued by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to hospital authorities, and by my-self to chief officers of police asking them to prepare, in consultation, any plans necessary to ensure the proper regulation of traffic in the vicinity of casualty receiving hospitals during air raids.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the roads may be made more safe for motor drivers, pedestrians and cyclists if permission be given for motor-cars to carry two masked headlamps; that experiments with two masked headlamps show that the beams cover the whole of the roadway without throwing light further ahead that might help enemy aircraft; and will he consider this suggestion to reduce the strain on drivers and to lessen the number of accidents and deaths on the public highways?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to my hon. Friend the Member for Elland (Mr. Levy).

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered nominating special constables for duty at first-aid posts in case of emergency, for the regulation of traffic and the assistance of the public; and whether he will issue instructions that these special constables should acquaint themselves beforehand with the problems likely to be involved, and with the steps likely to be most efficacious in dealing with popular excitement and anxiety?.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member in reply to a similar Question on 30th November last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has figures to show the approximate amount spent annually on football pools; and what proportion of that amount is retained by the promoters?

I am informed by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Postmaster-General that his Department estimate that postal orders paid in by football pool promoters amounted, in the season 1938–39, to about £20,000,000, and that at the present time they average about £100,000 weekly. I have no information indicating what amounts reach the promoters in forms other than postal orders. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no information other than the statement of the Football Pool Promoters Association Unity Pool that they pay winners the total amount stated, subject to the deduction of their commission not exceeding 5 per cent. of the total stated and of the actual expenses sanctioned by the accountants.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to make suitable provision to put Miss Unity Mitford into a home or hospital under supervision until she is sufficiently recovered in health for detention under the provisions of Defence Regulation 18B, having regard to her recent hostile associations?

In the exercise of the powers conferred on me by this Regulation to order the detention of persons who have hostile associations, it is my duty to consider whether on the facts of each particular case detention is necessary in the interests of the Defence of the Realm. It would not be right for me to state in advance whether or not it may become necessary to take any such action in respect to any particular individual.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in many in-stances factory windows have been painted with black paint, and how the ventilation regulations of the Factory Act are complied with after black-out time?

The problem of maintaining ventilation at times when windows have to be obscured is one to which the Factory Department has given special attention. The inspectors were given instructions based on the experience acquired by the Department and on information obtained from technical bodies. As a result, the inspectors have been able to make recommendations which would enable factory occupiers to overcome the difficulty in a variety of ways, and satisfactory progress has been made in remedying the conditions which obtained in certain factories in the early days after the outbreak of war.

asked the Home Secretary what representations he has received from the police, naval, and military intelligence departments regarding the number and character of enemy aliens ho have been granted exemption from internment by the tribunals set up for the purpose of considering such cases; and what action has been taken thereon?

When these tribunals were appointed, a memorandum was issued to them by the Home Office giving advice and guidance as to the principles which they should follow in the examination of the cases of Germans and Austrians brought before them. This memorandum was drawn up after consultation with representatives of the police and of the Service Intelligence Departments, and I have no reason to doubt that, generally speaking, the tribunals have given effect to the principles recommended by the Home Office when deciding whether or not to grant exemption from internment. But the decisions of the tribunals are not irrevocable, and in any case where the police or the Service Intelligence Departments can give me information which suggests that a case requires further consideration, the decision of the tribunal is reviewed in the light of such information. It is equally open to review on representations by or on behalf of the alien concerned. I am not in a position to say how many representations have been made to me without an examination of each individual file, but any suggestion that a decision given by a tribunal precludes the Home Office from taking appropriate action on information subsequently brought to notice is entirely mistaken. In addition, as I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 17th January, I am at present considering a scheme for a further review of the cases of enemy aliens whom the tribunals have exempted from internment but have not exempted from the special restrictions applicable to enemy aliens.

asked the Home Secretary what monthly contributions out of public funds have been paid up to date to the Czecho-Slovak Refugee Fund?

There has been no system of monthly payments. As stated on Tuesday by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the total amount hitherto advanced to the Trust is £600,000.

asked the Home Secretary how many salaried persons were connected with the Czecho-Slovak Refugee Fund on 1st November, 1938, 1st January, 1939, and 1st September, 1939, respectively, and also at the present time, and the salary paid to each?

The Trust was not created until 21st July last. I am asking the trustees whether a statement can he prepared of the salaried staff on 1st September and at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue a statement of the amount of grants made by the Czecho-Slovak Refugees Trust, the number of refugees assisted, the number who have been enabled to emigrate and the amount spent on emigration by the trust?

The number of refugees being maintained by the Trust is about 4,500. A full statement of the expenditure of the Trust will be issued at an early date, and this statement will include information about expenditure on emigration.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the governing body of, or employed by, the Czecho-Slovak Refugee Fund, have resigned recently; and what were the reasons given for their resignations?

The governing body consists of three Trustees, of whom none has resigned. As regards persons employed by them in the administration of the fund, I am making inquiries of the Trustees and will communicate with the Noble Lady.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many persons who, prior to the outbreak of war, were earning small incomes from trades and professions, and were therefore liable to Income Tax under Schedule D, have subsequently obtained employment in Government Departments or the Services, where their salaries are taxable under Schedule E, thus being charged double Income Tax for the coming year; that many of them earning £3 or £4 a week have been informed that they will be unable to draw any pay for their work during the months of January, February and March in order to meet the demands of the departmental claims branch of the Inland Revenue in respect of the salaries due to them between the outbreak of war and 5th April next; and whether, in view of the grave hardship caused by this arrangement, he will investigate the matter forthwith and meanwhile make some temporary modifications?

If my hon. Friend will send me details of any cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to have inquiry made into them, but I do not at present understand his reference to double Income Tax, and I am not aware of any cases in which persons employed in Government Departments or the Services have been informed to the effect suggested in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the increasing cost of living and the high prices of the necessities of life make it impossible for most people to accept billeted soldiers at the rate of payment prescribed; and, as these payments were fixed when the cost of living was lower than now and to avoid undue resentment which exists among householders who have to suffer loss through providing such billets, whether he proposes to raise the billeting charges?

The principle involved in this Question is of wider application than to billeting rates alone. It is not considered necessary to alter the rates at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that supplies of clothing and equipment, including greatcoats, are adequate to meet the requirements of the further groups of recruits to be called up for service under the recent Royal Proclamation?

It is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in providing for further recruits, except that only one suit of uniform and one pair of boots will be available for each man to begin with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, when the border town of Newry, County Down, was recently reconnoitred with the view to its re-establishment as a military centre, certain halls and a former Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks were inspected and selected for occupation; that, in the case of the latter building, instructions were given for the installation of the telephone, and that a Masonic hall was partly cleared of furnishings for the purpose of an officers' mess; why the whole scheme was abandoned; and whether, in view of the fact that Newry is suitably situated for the location of troops, he will take steps to have the whole question immediately reviewed?

It is not the case that buildings at Newry were selected for military occupation. The telephone which was installed at the former Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks was not for military purposes, and the removal of part of the furniture from the Masonic hall was undertaken by the Masonic Lodge authorities under a misapprehension and without any request by the military authorities. The position as regards the locatian of troops at Newry remains as stated in the answer given to my hon. Friend on 30th November last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the continued display by the National Savings Committee of advertisements stating that every cargo of non-essentials coming to this country wastes the work of our ships, our sailors, our aeroplanes, and warships, he will expedite a public statement as to what non-essentials are?

Any attempt to enumerate non-essentials, involving as it would an enormously long list, seems impracticable, but I think that we can rely on the individual consumer to arrive at a reasonable judgment as to how far he can do without things without detrimental consequences.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have inquired into the relationship of the large annual expenditure upon intoxicants, and the Government's policy that luxury expenditure should be drastically curtailed, and the money saved loaned to the nation; and whether he will appeal to the nation to limit much further its expenditure upon alcoholic beverages in order to free money for more necessary national purposes, food and feeding-stuffs, transport accommodation, and sterling exchange?

It has been made plain in recent speeches by the Prime Minister and myself that the Government consider that it is the duty of everyone to restrict consumption of non-essentials so as to make available for the prosecution of the war the greatest possible proportion of our resources. I should regard restraint in the matter to which the hon. Member refers as one of many ways in which the public can fulfil this duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of restoring to a material extent the publication of those economic statistics which have been withheld since the outbreak of war?

I fully appreciate the importance of maintaining so far as possible the collection of statistics needed for the understanding of the development of the country's economic life. But the publication of such statistics is now a different matter since it is not desirable in war time to furnish enemy observers with the same detailed information about economic conditions as is furnished in peace time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as in May, 1915, he will instruct pensions officers not to raise questions in the case of existing pensioners in respect of any temporary increase of means due to the pensioners' re-employment on account of shortage of labour arising out of, and during, the war, provided that there is no evidence of a desire to pay, on account of the pension, less than the proper rate of wages [Cmd. 8320 and 8373 of 1916]?

The means test for noncontributory pensions has been widened since 1915, and while the matter will be kept under constant review, I do not consider that a concession on the lines indicated is called for at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that small holders of 4½ per cent. Conversion Loan may be induced to claim repayment on account of the prospectus conveying the impression to them that no alternative except 2 per cent. Conversion Loan is available; and whether, to avoid this, he will provide facilities for them to convert direct into 3 per cent. Defence Bonds up to the maximum permitted holding of that security?

I could not at this stage add an alternative conversion offer which would apply only to a section of the holders of the 4½ per cent. Conversion Loan; but, as I said in the course of my statement of the Government's proposals regarding that loan, if a small holder chooses to be repaid rather than accept the offer of 2 per cent. Conversion Loan and to put his money into 3 per cent. Defence Bonds, there can be no objection to his doing so.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the shortage of trained personnel, he will consider extending to Great Britain the arrangement for the despatch of newspapers, books, and periodicals for abroad at a hulk rate of postage?

My Department is already investigating a suggestion that the arrangement whereby newspapers, books, and periodicals for abroad are despatched at a bulk rate of postage should be extended to the inland service. The investigation of this suggestion involves somewhat extensive inquiries, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that they will be completed as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education when it is proposed to open the new council school, recently built by the Croydon County Borough Council, at Addington?

I understand that the school will be reopened for instruction as soon as A.R.P. protection for the children can be provided and that the local education authority are taking the necessary measures as rapidly as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that, taking advantage of the temporary suspension of the Education Acts in evacuation areas, some small employers are taking into employment children of school age; and whether the provisions against employing children under 14 years of age are at present being enforced in all areas?

Yes, Sir. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) last Thursday, the situation would be remedied if the law of school attendance was operative in the evacuation areas. This is a matter which the Government have under active consideration. The employment of children of school age is not prohibited but is subject to the provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and local by-laws which the local authorities are responsible for enforcing. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has no reason to believe that this duty is not being carried out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education for what reasons it has been thought necessary to dismiss members of the staff of the National Fitness Council since the outbreak of war; and whether, as physical fitness is more necessary in war-time than in peace-time and that it has already been found necessary to arrange for the British Broadcasting Corporation to initiate physical training broadcasts, he will consider re-establishing the work of the National Fitness Council at the earliest opportunity and in such a way as to meet the needs of the redistributed population which has been moved during recent months?

The National Fitness Council and its local committees were discontinued on the outbreak of war because the machinery of that organisation and the system of grants which were administered through it were not suited to war-time conditions. The appointments of members of the staffs were terminated in accordance with the terms upon which they were made. In view of the comprehensive youth policy announced in Circular 1486, my Noble Friend sees no reason to consider reestablishing the National Fitness Council.

asked the Parliamentary. Secretary to the Board of Education how many members of the staff of the National Fitness Council have been dismissed since the outbreak of the war?

The appointments of II unestablished members of the headquarters' staff of the National Fitness Council were terminated on the outbreak of war in accordance with the terms on which those appointments had been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the amount of money held on 2nd January, 1940, by Messrs. Glyn Mills and Company (Holts Branch), the appointed Royal Air Force agents, on account of Income Tax that they have deducted from the pay of officers of the Royal Air Force, which is due by them but not yet paid to the Exchequer?

The sum requisitioned by the Royal Air Force agents from the Air Ministry and credited to the accounts of officers of the Royal Air Force is the net amount of pay due to them after deduction of Income Tax. No sum of money representing Income Tax so deducted is, therefore, at any time held by the agents.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the fact that the allowances to officers of the Royal Air Force have, as from November, been reduced by 3s. 6d. per day; that this reduction was accompanied with the suggestion that this amount should be spent towards their own upkeep from their pay, and as this, taken in conjunction with the increased Income Tax borne on officers' pay, reduces the actual moneys received to a very considerable extent and entails considerable hardship, particularly for married officers who have to rely on their allowance to support their families, he will consider restoring the allowances?

Under an Order promulgated on 31st October, 1939, married officers appointed to acting or temporary rank on or after the outbreak of war ire required to serve for periods varying from three months to 12 months, according to rank, before becoming entitled to the rates of married allowances appropriate to the higher rank. The application of this rule entailed an adjustment, from the date of the Order, of the rate of allowance payable to officers appointed to acting or temporary rank since the outbreak of war, but no recovery was made of excess allowances paid before the issue of the Order.

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

I regret that my right hon. Friend is not in a position, at present, to give these particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether he is aware that 8,000 casks of Swedish fresh butter were sent to Birmingham and Coventry districts last week; and will he give an assurance that in future these consignments will be spread over the country;(2) whether there is any difficulty in getting Swedish or Danish butter to Lancashire depots, in view of the fact that only Australian, Argentine, and New Zealand butter has arrived there during the past few weeks?

I have no information to confirm either that a large quantity of Swedish butter was recently sent to Birmingham and Coventry, or that there is difficulty in getting Swedish or Danish butter to Lancashire depots. All butter sold by the Ministry of Food is, however, described as "National Butter," and I can assure the hon. Member that all relevant factors are taken into account in arranging the distribution of varying types of butter to different parts of the country.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to ensure that the milling offals from the wheat at the port mills are not wholly utilised for the manufacture of compound cakes and cubes and that some percentage of them is available for distribution among the corn dealers and merchants throughout the country districts?

Millers owning provender mills, and merchants who are provender millers, have been asked to allocate supplies to their provender mills on the same basis as to their other customers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which brands of margarine now on the market are fully vitaminised; whether he will take steps to prevent any unvitaminised margarine being sold to the public; will he indicate what machinery is now available for testing the dietetic value of margarine and other foodstuffs; and whether he proposes to inaugurate a publicity campaign for purposes of education in food values?

As a result of proposals that my right hon. Friend recently put before the margarine manufacturers, I understand that arrangements will shortly be made for the vitaminisation of all margarine produced for domestic consumption. As regards the third part of the Question, the services of scientific organisations as well as the Government's own scientific resources are available for testing purposes. The suggestion embodied in the last part of the hon. Member's Question is already receiving active consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in connection with the Feeding-stuffs (Maximum Prices) Order, 1940, he will consider amplifying and amending this Order, with a view to introducing some degree of stability and preventing further increases in the price of feeding-stuffs for cattle?

I shall be pleased to consider any suggestions that my hon. Friend may wish to make in regard to this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will, in connection with the supply of feeding-stuffs for poultry and pigs, consider appointing an impartial full-time director-general of feeding-stuffs, whose duties will consist in finding additional supplies of feeding-stuffs and preventing excessive supplies of straight-run feeding-stuffs being manufactured into compound cakes by the milling combines?

The Ministry of Food, which is responsible for the supply and distribution of feeding-stuffs, has already on its staff a director of feeding-stuffs with previous experience of the problems involved who has had no trade connection with feeding-stuffs.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in view of the necessity during war-time of preventing the wastage of all home-produced foodstuffs, what plans he proposes to adopt to ensure the placing in cold storage of any surplus of herring and other fish occurring through the glut during the season May to November, as well as of apples and other fruit; and whether he is aware that in both cases there was great wastage during 1939 as a result of the lack of proper appreciation of the potentialities of cold storage?

The greater part of the cold storage space in the country is needed for imported meat, butter and bacon. Steps are being taken to increase storage facilities for these commodities. The cold stores at present being used for fish are adequate to meet present needs, and it is unlikely that there will be a large surplus of fish under existing conditions. I do not think that it would be economic, at the present time, to use steel and other essential materials for building additional stores specially adapted for the storage of fruit.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the inquiry into food rationing, as it affects diabetics, will equally cover the claims of other invalids or patients needing special nourishment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a number of Oral Questions on this matter yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the clerical staffs of Government Departments are still provided with tea, sugar, and butter without ration cards; and whether this concession may now be extended to other clerical staffs?

Clerical staffs of Government Departments are in the same position as clerical staffs in other offices and receive no special privileges in regard to the supply of rationed foods. Staff canteens, whether Government or other, which were in existence when rationing was introduced have been registered by Food Control Committees as catering establishments. Such canteens are entiled to the limited allowances of rationed foodstuffs available for such establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the fact that the Eire authorities have censored letters from abroad, addressed to persons in Northern Ireland; and whether he will make representations to the Government of Eire, with a view to the cessation of this unnecessary censorship?

My hon. Friend has called my attention to a case in which a letter addressed to a place in Northern Ireland appears by mistake to have been sent to Eire in a mail bag intended for that country and consequently to have been opened by the authorities in Eire in the course of the normal censorship which is in force in Eire. As I explained to my hon. Friend, I do not see any ground for making representations to the Eire authorities in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether it was on his instructions that all the newspapers, in publishing the story of Nazi cruelty to British seamen on board the German tanker which acted as supply and prison ship for the German pocket battleship "Graf Spee," omitted the name of such tanker in all cases; and whether he will consider that, in view of this gross cruelty, the names both of the captain and of the vessel could be issued for future guidance?

No, Sir. As the House is aware, the issue of news is no longer the responsibility of the Ministry of Information. This particular item of news was issued by the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether steps are being taken to test the efficiency of flotanets as life-saving appliances at sea; and, if so, when are the tests to be undertaken?

Tests of flotanets are being carried out, and final rough weather trials are due to take place as soon as conditions allow.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give an assurance that adequate measures are being taken to protect the fishing fleets; and whether he can make a statement on the matter?

My hon. Friend can rest assured that all possible measures to protect the fishing fleets against this barbarous form of warfare are being taken

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the present conditions under which Admiralty allowance and lodging allowance, respectively, is paid to naval officers serving in the United Kingdom on shore in London and other ports; in what way the allowance differentiates between married and unmarried officers; and whether, under present rules, if an officer brings his wife to live with him at his place of duty, he becomes ineligible to receive the allowance any longer?

Admiralty allowance is a duty and responsibility allowance paid to officers serving at the Admiralty, in London or elsewhere, as part of the headquarters staff. The amount varies according to rank, and no differentiation is made as between married and unmarried officers in this respect. Lodging allowance is payable to single officers who cannot be provided with service accommodation; it is also payable to married officers in receipt of marriage allowance if such officers cannot be accommodated and are also maintaing a separate home. Lodging allowance cannot be paid if the officer is in fact residing with his family in the home for which marriage allowance is being paid.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all practicable steps are being taken to allocate contracts for the construction of light craft to those fishing ports in the North-East of Scotland which are capable of executing this work, and where the volume of unemployment is now high?

Several orders for light craft have recently been placed with firms in these districts, and the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers will be kept in mind in connection with any future requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government have in contemplation any scheme for reimbursing farmers who, having been encouraged by the Government to increase their numbers of livestock and poultry, now find themselves compelled by the lack of feeding-stuffs to sacrifice large percentages of such stock?

I am afraid it is inevitable that in some branches of agriculture—as in many other industries—war conditions are causing losses and hardship in a number of individual cases. The Government are doing their best to ease the process of adjustment to war conditions, but they cannot contemplate the provision of compensation from State funds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced in the poultry industry in obtaining feeding supplies; and whether, in view of the ruin which may result to thousands of poultry farmers, he will take steps to secure a fairer allocation of the available supplies of feeding-stuffs?

I am aware of the difficulty mentioned by the hon. Member and would refer him to the reply that I gave on 18th January last to my hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Sir A. Baillie) and other Members.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the decision of His Majesty's Government that imports of poultry feeding-stuffs are to be substantially reduced; and what arrangements have been made to improve the home supplies?

The reasons that have led to a reduction in imports of feeding-stuffs for livestock, including poultry, were set out in the announcement issued on 22nd November last by the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. Every effort is being made to encourage an increased production of crops for stock feeding as part of the food production campaign, which includes the provision of grants of £2 per acre for ploughing up grassland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will issue a list showing the agricultural commodities with regard to which statistics may be published in this country at the present time in regard to production and disposal; and whether, in view of the fact that there is already full publication of statistics with regard to such products as sugar-beet, pigs, and other livestock, he will arrange for full particulars to be available in order to enable appropriate action to be taken to overcome any disputes or criticism that arise?

The publication of official statistics on agricultural matters under present conditions is governed by considerations of the national interest, and of economy in public expenditure, and also by the extent to which measures of control of the marketing and prices of agricultural products render market reports unnecessary. In these circumstances, it is not possible to make fixed arrangements for the publication of statistics, but I would assure my hon. Friend that information will be made available when it is practicable to do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the supply of feeding-stuffs, when available, he will, through the county war executive committees, grant credit facilities to farmers to enable the farmers to pay cash to the retailers for the food supplied, since the wholesalers are calling on the retailers for ready money down, and the retailers are passing on this demand to the farmers, who, by reason of the endeavour to double their output, are, in many instances, without any ready money at all?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I propose to make during the course of today's Debate in the House, to which at present I have nothing to add.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has yet received the report of the committee on civil liabilities; and whether he can make any statement?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave yesterday in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Kensington, South (Sir W. Davison).

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the scheme for free domiciliary treatment of civilians who sustain war injuries, the remuneration of medical practitioners is to be on a per capita or attendance basis; whether the remuneration is to be disbursed through local authorities, and, if not, by whom; whether the fee of 16s. a year mentioned means 16s. for a year or at the rate of 16s. per annum; and whether this fee is exclusive of drugs, dressings, and appliances?

Under the scheme for providing any domiciliary treatment required by civilian casualties after attendance at hospital where it is not practicable for the treatment to be given in or at a hospital, a fee of 16s. is payable by my Department to the doctor for each noninsured patient treated. The fee covers a period of one year from the first visit and is exclusive of drugs, dressings, and appliances. I will send the hon. Member a copy of an explanatory memorandum shortly to be issued.

asked the Minister of Health when, and by whom, the practice was established that the British Medical Association should be solely consulted on matters relating to the medical profession; why, if all available information on the subject is to be obtained, inquiries are restricted to one body when there are many other representative bodies, such as the Medical Practitioners' Union; how much payment the British Medical Association is receiving out of Government funds for any of its work; and for which of its activities is the payment made?

The practice is not as stated in the first part of the Question, but rather to consult the body most widely representative of the whole profession, or of the appropriate section of the profession, according to the nature of the subject under consideration. As to payments, the British Medical Association is being reimbursed by the Government for out-of-pocket clerical expenses incurred in maintaining the register of practitioners compiled for emergency purposes.

asked the Minister of Health approximately how many insured persons over 65 years of age are now in insurable employment and drawing wages in addition to their old age pension?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 12th December last, to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for the compilation of a statement showing the amount of money expended on war material, not merely by belligerents but by neutral countries, as a result of the policy of aggression of Germany and Russia?

I regret that statistical information is not available to enable the suggested statement to be compiled.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the shooting of children in Poland by the Germans; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

Yes, Sir. A report of the execution of 136 students, some of whom are said to have been as young as 12 or 13 years old, was contained in a memorandum on conditions in German-occupied Poland, communicated by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to His Majesty's Ambassador at Angers.

asked the Prime Minister the grounds on which his Department advised that no permit should be granted for the despatch abroad of copies of the "New Times and Ethiopia News"?

After careful consideration His Majesty's Government decided that the circulation of this publication abroad was calculated to react adversely on relations between the United Kingdom and other non-belligerent Powers.

asked the Home Secretary whether, with a view to encouraging holiday arrangements between Great Britain and Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Channel Isles next season, consideration has been given to indefinite exemption from permit regulations of women and children, and the extension of present exemption arrangements to men outside military age?

I will certainly give consideration to the Question when the time comes in the light of the circumstances then prevailing.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make regarding material assistance given to Finland by the British Government?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on this subject on 16th January.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any record of the number of citizens of Eire who have come to the United Kingdom for enlistment in one of the Services or to obtain work respectively; and whether, in view of the prevailing unemployment in this country, steps will be taken to restrict the entry of Irishmen, except for the purposes of enlistment, in view of the fact that Eire being neutral now cannot claim the same rights as the other Dominions?

I regret that I have no information which would enable me to reply to the first part of this Question. As regards the second part, it has been the accepted policy of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom not to discriminate between British residents in different parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare on what grounds certain Japanese cargoes of German goods were released during December?

It is not generally in the public interest that detailed reasons should be given for exemptions from the operation of the Reprisals Order-in-Council; but I believe it is already public knowledge that in this particular case it was decided to exempt these cargoes from the operation of the Order, in consideration of the evidence which was produced to show that payment had been made by the Japanese purchasers before the date of that Order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make with reference to the position in Palestine; the number of Jews who have landed there during the past three months; and the number refused admission?

The situation in Palestine continues to improve. During the three months October to December, 1939, 3,042 Jews entered Palestine as authorised immigrants. These were immigrants whose entry was authorised under the April-September quota, but who had been unable to reach Palestine during that period. In addition, 459 Jews entered illegally by sea, and it is possible that some others entered undetected. There was no question of refusing admission to immigrants.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he will, during the period of the war, prohibit the export and re-export of cereals suitable for feeding-stuffs for cattle to foreign countries?

The export and reexport to foreign countries of such cereals is already prohibited except under licence granted by the Board of Trade. Licences are granted only in exceptional cases after consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and other interested Departments.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the appointment of a committee by the coal and carbonisation industries to investigate technical developments in connection with engines driven by producer-gas; to consider the fixation of a uniform price and standard of quality of the gas; and whether, in view of the public interest and economic importance of this matter, he will invite the committee to publish any report they make?

Yes, Sir. My Department is in touch with the committee referred to. I understand that a specification for transport gas-producer fuels was issued by the committee to the Press a few days ago, and that the committee propose to issue further statements from time to time.