asked the Minister of Supply to whom claims for compensation should be made by those persons who lost relatives or suffered damage as a consequence of the Waltham Abbey explosion; what is the latest date when such claims can be received; and what steps are being taken to notify dependants that they can claim compensation together with the particulars required to be furnished?

Claims of, or in respect of, those who have lost relatives have already been received; claims from those who have suffered personal injury are dealt with in the first instance by the superintendent of the factory under a procedure which is believed to be well known among employés of the factory; the claims are in fact being prepared by the staff of the factory, and they will be dealt with finally in the headquarters of the Ministry of Supply. Claims in respect of material damage should be sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Supply (S.F.1), Ade1phi, W.C.2; for these no special form has been prescribed, but arrangements have been made for claims to be dealt with in whatever form it may be convenient to claimants to make them. No final date has been fixed for receipt of claims of any class.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give a list of the firms who supplied the Government with gas masks, and the directors of these firms?

The Ministry of Supply does not purchase complete respirators, either of the general civilian, civilian duty, or Army types. The components, which for the Army respirator number 40, and for the general civilian and civilian duty respirator, some 20 items are purchased separately, and the supply is spread over a very large number of contractors. The components are assembled in Government-controlled assembly factories.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many war-blinded men are now under the care of St. Dunstan's in Great Britain, in the Dominions or elsewhere, respectively; what is the total of pensions paid to officers and other ranks, respectively; how many are engaged in earning or contributing to their own livelihood; how many children dependent upon them are the subject of allowances from the Ministry of Pensions; and what is the expenditure by St. Dunstan's per head of blinded men in Great Britain, blinded men in the Dominions and children of such men?

St. Dunstan's is not a Ministry institution, and I am not in a position to give information as to the number of war-blinded men under its care or its expenditure on such cases.Pensions in respect of 100 per cent. eye affections are in payment to 67 officers and approximately 1,800 other ranks, the total annual payments amounting to £18,800 and £234,600 respectively. Four of the officers and To of the men are resident overseas. The award of pension in the majority of cases was made fraal many years ago, and the Ministry has no recent reports to show the employment position of the recipients.The number of children for whom allowances are being paid could only be ascertained by a scrutiny of the cases, bat as 18 years have elapsed since the end of the Great War the number must be extremely small.Cases in which blindness occurs as a belated result of war service still arise, but I am glad to say they are very few. Where necessary, training at the public expense is given at St. Dunstan's.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that considerable injury has been done to the trade of the "Good Intent" by the closing of part of the Southend Road, Hornchurch; and whether any compensation is to be paid?

I regret any hardship which may have been caused by the closing of this section of the Southend Road, but this action was essential for the security of defence interests. There is no provision in the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, for loss which may result from the stopping up of public highways.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give close consideration to the present inadequacy of the payments for naval officers and men billeted upon victualling houses, having regard to the services which have to be provided, with a view to revising the scales of payments?

Billeting rates are the same for all three Services, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given on 25th January by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rochester (Captain Plugge).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, whereas a recent Admiralty order authorised an increase of pay for the masters and crews of steam mooring and salvage lighters in the dockyards when engaged on work in dangerous areas, no increase of pay has been awarded to the riggers and labourers who are carried in these craft and who perform the necessary work in these dangerous areas; and whether he proposes to remedy this anomaly and increase the pay of these men?

The question of granting a war risk allowance to the personnel working on but not forming part of the crews of yard craft is under consideration, and I will communicate the decision to my hon. Friend as soon as it is reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will discontinue the practice of informing relatives by telegram when lives are lost at sea, and rely instead upon the more personal letter, which is subsequently forwarded; and whether he will send telegrams to relatives of survivors?

I consider that the procedure by which the next of kin of officers and men who lose their lives on war service are informed by the quickest possible means, is to be preferred, particularly having regard to the possible risk of postal delays under war conditions. Telegrams are also sent to the relatives of survivors when necessary to avoid suspense and anxiety.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for Czech subjects in this country to place their services at the disposal of the Allied cause; and whether the National Czech Committee have been consulted?

I would refer the hon. Member, as regards the first part of the Question, to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, Central (Mr. Leach) on 23rd January last, and, as regards the second part of the Question, to the answer he received from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24th January.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department is receiving information regarding illness amongst the troops in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Channel Islands; whether he has been informed of the high percentage of men who have suffered from the effects of vaccination for small-pox and also from inoculation for typhoid fever; whether he is aware that in some instances inoculation against tetanus has caused high fever and general malaise; and whether, in view of the imperative necessity for the maintenance of the troops in good health, he will order medical officers to stop vaccinating and inoculating the men?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The percentage of men who require treatment in hospital as a result of vaccination for small-pox is not high—some 3 to 4 per cent. These effects invariably occur amongst men who have not been vaccinated in infancy. With regard to inoculation against typhoid, a small proportion show reactions; for this reason, men are excused all duties for 48 hours following inoculation. Experience has shown that reactions following inoculation against tetanus are non-existent or negligible. These procedures, compulsory in other European armies, are designed to afford individual protection to the soldier and to prevent epidemic disease in the Army, and so to conserve man-power.Except that a man is not accepted for a normal engagement in the Regular Army unless he consents to be vaccinated, all vaccination and inoculation is voluntary.

asked the Secretary of State for War the nature of the information he has received regarding the serious results of vaccination amongst recruits in Great Britain or Ireland?

The information at my disposal shows that from 3 to 4 per cent. of soldiers require brief hospital treatment following vaccination. It is further reported that the more severe reactions occur amongst those who have not been vaccinated in infancy, but serious results are exceptional.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that one of the big assurance companies is charging a largely increased premium on life insurance policies taken out by men serving in the Armed Forces of the Crown; and whether, in view of the difficulties and anxieties caused by this action, he will take steps to enable these men to keep up such policies and not to lose the benefits secured to them?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me details of the particular cases of which he has knowledge, I will consider whether any action in the matter is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious plight of garage owners, he will instruct authorities connected with motor transport used by the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps to avail themselves of existing service stations instead of setting up their own stations in districts where garages with repair shops are practically idle?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East (Mr. A. Edwards) on 18th October last.

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued to the soldiers in France that they must not make complaints in their letters home and be careful not to prejudice the morale of the people at home?

The only instruction bearing on this point is that no mention or allusion must be made, in private correspondence, to criticisms or statements calculated to bring into disrepute our Forces or those of our Allies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will assure the House that no men will be sent overseas to the British Expeditionary Force before they have received sufficient instruction in musketry to enable them to acquire proficiency in the use of the rifle?

Every effort is made to ensure that all men sent to the British Expeditionary Force have had training in the use of the rifle appropriate to the duties they are required to perform.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Church of England chaplains, Class IV, at present serving in the Army, showing, respectively, those who are in receipt of benefits accruing from livings still held and those who hold no other preferment, and also the number of those in each of these classes whose rates of pay arc, respectively, 19s. and 15s. 4d, per diem?

The number of such chaplains is 512. Of these, 371 are in receipt of pay at the rate of 19s. a day, and 141 at the rate of 15s. 4d. a day. I have no information as to those who are in receipt of benefits accruing from livings still held, and those who hold no other preferment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the battle dress, is now to be regarded and issued as the normal second or walking-out dress for all soldiers, or whether certain regiments are to he provided with peace-time tunics and trousers for walking out; and what proportion of the total uniforms on order, and for which orders are now being prepared, is represented by the battle dress and by tunics and trousers or other peace-time uniforms, respectively?

Battle dress will, when stocks permit, be regarded as the second or walking-out dress for all troops except horsed personnel to whom Service dress is issued. At present, no more Service dress is being provided, and stocks surplus to the requirements of horsed troops are being issued as second suits for other troops, until battle dress is available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the use of corrugated asbestos sheets as roofing for Army hutments and how they react to fire; and what was the experience of them as roofs of the Militia hutments in the fire at an East Coast camp on 5th January of this year?

Corrugated asbestos sheets are considered satisfactory as roofing for Army hutments. They do not ignite readily, and in no way contributed to the spread of the fire in the case referred to.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the circular issued intimating that the strength of the air-raid precautions services was to be reduced in towns in Scotland was interpreted in Dundee as meaning that all the women were to be dismissed; and whether he will bring to the notice of the local authorities that such reduction should be carried through on fair principles applied to both sexes?

Some of the air-raid precautions services are mainly composed of women, but my right hon. Friend assumes that the hon. Member is referring to the wardens' service. The selection of persons for this service is a matter for the local authority, and I understand that the decision to dispense with paid women wardens in Dundee was taken in order to rearrange duties within the reduced numbers. In answer to the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend has no reason to think that local authorities do not apply these principles.

asked the Minister of Health how many children were evacuated from the borough of Gillingham, Kent, on the outbreak of war; and how many have since returned to their homes?

The number of school children evacuated from Gillingham under the Government scheme was 2,633, of whom 1,339 have since returned home. In addition, about 750 children were evacuated accompanied by their mothers, of whom it is estimated that about 80 per cent. have returned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement indicating the number of applications received, and the number of certificates granted, by the Silicosis Medical Board to miners in 1939, giving particulars of certificates of total and partial disablement, and certificates certifying silicosis as the cause of death; and giving separate particulars for the anthracite coalfield?

The following are the figures:

Applications to the Medical Board for certificate under the Various Industries (Silicosis) Schemes from Coalminers, 1939.
—	Total.	Anthracite Mines.
Disablement or Suspension—
Number of applications for certificates.	850	298
Number of certificates granted.	445	204
Deaths—
Number of applications for certificates.	128	25
Number certified as due to the disease.	77	14

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any steps are being taken by the Government to open any of the coal mines in South-West Durham, where millions of tons of coal could be mined if the necessary arrangements were made for the introduction of pumping plant to deal with this water-logged coal area?

I am not in a position to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) on 7th November last in reply to a similar Question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increasing road accidents due to black-out conditions, he will instruct local authori- ties to renew white lines more often, and to mark dangerous crossings, corners, etc., with reflecting studs?

I have no power to instruct local authorities as suggested by my hon. Friend, but the officers of the Ministry have not failed to impress upon authorities the need for the efficient maintenance of white lines and to urge the extended use of reflecting studs in situations where the additional expenditure can be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the cutting down of the transport services operating between Sunderland Boldon Colliery and the borough of Jarrow in the county of Durham by the Northern General Transport Company is causing hardship to large numbers of the travelling public; and will he take the necessary steps with a view to an early improvement?

I am informed by the Regional Transport Commissioner that, while the petrol rationing has made it necessary for reductions to be made in this service, he has received no complaints from members of the public or from local authorities. He has, however, been furnished by the Northern General Omnibus Company, Limited, with a copy of their reply to representations made to them by the Boldon Urban District Council, from which it appears that a census of traffic on this service was taken during the 14 days from 9th to 22nd December. This census showed that out of a total of 572 single journeys passengers were unable to secure accommodation on 16 occasions. If, after consideration of the company's reply to their representations, the Boldon Urban District Council consider that some re-adjustment of the service should be made, it is open to them to approach the Commissioner in the matter.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether, as a neutral, Sweden is refusing to supply to all belligerents equally, any articles of war, or material that could be used for the manufacture of such articles?

As the hon. Member is aware, the Swedish Government have proclaimed their neutrality, and I have no reason to believe that they are treating either belligerent except in strict accordance with its terms.

asked the Postmaster-General the amounts of moneys paid out oat from the post offices in the borough of Gillingham, Kent, for the year 1939 in respect of war pensions, contributory widows' orphans' and old age pensions, and other issues under his Department, including payments to blind persons, respectively?

The following amounts (approximately) were paid out in the year ended 31st December, 1939, from post offices in the borough of Gillingham, Kent, in respect of;

	£
Army and Navy and Air Force pensions and allowances	434,000
Contributory Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions and non-contributory pensions, including payments to the Blind	123,000

asked the Postmaster-General for what other Departments of State does the Post Office undertake services; and what is the nature of such services?

The Post Office undertakes services for all Departments of State. In addition to ordinary postal and telecommunications services, it conducts business of many kinds, such as the payment of Navy, Army and Air Force allowances and of old age, widows' and orphans' pensions, the sale of insurance stamps, the sale and repayment of National Savings Certificates, the issue of licences of many kinds, and of petrol rationing books, and the payment of billeting allowances. It also affords publicity for certain announcements of general interest. In addition, it acts as the purchasing agent for certain items, mainly uniform clothing, on behalf of some other Departments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade what salaries and allowances have been fixed for the chairman, members and secretary of the Price Regulation Committee (Prices of Goods Act, 1939), for the North-Eastern Region, Leeds?

I am happy to state that the services of the chairman and members of this committee have been secured without the payment of salaries, but travelling and subsistence allowances under the appropriate Civil Service regulations will be payable if incurred and claimed. The secretary is a seconded established civil servant, who receives his normal salary. He is eligible for the travelling and subsistence allowances appropriate to his rank under the relative regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he proposes to secure a return of the debts due by Czecho-Slovakian importers to British exporters; what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of United Kingdom traders who have debts in Czecho-Slovakia; and whether, at the cessation of hostilities, debts due from Czecho-Slovakia will be regarded in the same way as debts due from the German Reich and receive the same treatment from the Custodian of Enemy Property?

The question of making a register of debts due from persons in enemy territory and in territory in enemy occupation is receiving careful consideration. The whole subject of the indebtedness to this country of persons in enemy and enemy-occupied territory will be borne in mind, but I am unable to forecast what arrangements it may be found possible to make in respect of the settlement of such debts at the conclusion of peace.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many shops and offices in Regent Street, the property of Crown Lands, have been vacated, and to what extent has the annual rent roll been affected?

Omitting small shops in side arcades, there are now 30 shops and 19 half shops empty in Regent Street, as compared with 21 and seven respectively shortly before the outbreak of the war. Information is not available in regard to offices, as the buildings in Regent Street are not under the direct control of the Commissioners of Crown Lands but are in the possession of lessees who pay a ground rent for the whole property in each case. For this reason the emptying of individual shops does not affect the Crown's annual rent roll.

asked the Minister of Health in connection with Circular D. 17 /1939–40 of the British Medical Association Central Emergency Committee, to what extent the Central War Medical Committee is an independent body and not subordinated to or within the administration of the British Medical Association?

The circular to which the hon. Member refers was not issued with my knowledge or assent. The Central Medical War Committee's functions were determined by the Government and, as indicated in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 7th November, the committee is not confined to members of the association.

asked the Minister of Health why the case of the boy, aged 18 years, included in the account of eight cases of post-vaccinal encephalitis reported in 1938 in the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry for that year, page 19, was not included amongst those in regard to which death certificates were received in 1938 on which death was attributed wholly or in part to vaccination or vaccinia as given in his answer of 24th April, 1938?

The death certificate of the boy, age 18 years, to which the hon. Member refers did not state that death was attributable wholly or in part to vaccination or vaccinia, but gave the cause of death as "encephalitis." The case was afterwards discovered to have followed vaccination.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the alterna- tives to public examinations for filling vacancies in the Civil Service are proving satisfactory; and is he aware of great dissatisfaction in secondary schools that examinations are no longer held?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative. I appreciate the point of view of the secondary school authorities, but I regret that in present conditions the resumption of open competitive examination for entry into the Civil Service is not regarded as justifiable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state the revised arrangements for billeting allowances in respect of evacuated teachers and civil servants, respectively; and the date at which the new arrangements will come into force?

Following are the revised arrangements which will apply in future to evacuated civil servants, who are householders. Discussions with the representatives of the teachers are, I understand, still proceeding.Officers eligible for free billeting during the first three months will at the end of that period be required to bear a part of the cost on the following scale:

Salary.	Charge per week.
	s.
Up to £200	Nil.
Above £200 and up to £300	3
Above £300 and up to £400	5
Above £400 and up to £550	7
Above £550 and up to £700	10
Above £700 and up to £850	13
Above £850	16

In the case of officers who have already been evacuated, the above scale will be put into operation with effect from 29th January, 1940, or at the expiration of the period of three months, whichever date is the later.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what special circumstances the son of a Member of the Government has been given an appointment in the Treasury as secretary to his father; and what qualifications of the person concerned justify this appointment?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the son of the Minister without Portfolio, who was appointed private secretary to his father on the outbreak of war when a rapid expansion of the Civil Service was necessary. He possesses the academic and general qualifications appropriate to this appointment. He is not receiving remuneration from public funds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that scientific personnel is being recruited for temporary employment in Government Departments at the present time at salary scales below the normal recommended in the Carpenter Report, and that some chemists, with several years' research experience were recently appointed to the Government laboratory at salaries between £200 and £218 per annum, whereas the recommended salary for equivalent posts in the Carpenter Report is £275; and whether he is prepared to see that such temporary staff should receive salaries commensurate with the normal scale?

I understand that a few chemists have been engaged by the Government Chemist on a temporary basis at a salary of £218 per annum during a probationary period. The duties of these officers do not, however, correspond in range and responsibility with those appropriate to the Carpenter grade of chemists, whose normal commencing salary is £275 per annum.

asked the Minister of Shipping the approximate number of higher clerical officers, men and women, respectively, clerical officers, men and women, en, respectively, S-class clerks, clerical assistants, shorthand typists, established, shorthand typists, temporary, typists, established, typists, temporary, male temporary clerks, Grades I, II and II, 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?

I would refer to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member on 25th January by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for War 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?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on Thursday last.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ascertain the number of contributory old age pensions paid to recipients who continue in employment after acquirement of pension?

Information as to continuance in employment is not required to be given in connection with a claim to a contributory old age pension, and the particulars asked for by the hon. Member are consequently not available. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12th December, 1939, by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White), in which it was stated that in England and Wales the approximate number of men and women, aged 65 and upwards, who had been for a period in insurable employment during the first half of the year 1939, as shown by the receipt of contribution cards bearing one or more contributions for the period, was 356,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether any steps have been taken to prevent Germany from re- selling in this country German sterling loans repurchased in the years before the outbreak of war;(2) whether he is aware that there has recently been a certain revival of dealings on the Stock Exchange in the Dawes and Young loans; and whether he is satisfied that no German-owned bonds of these loans have been placed for sale in this country?

Such information as I have does not support the view that there has been a revival of dealings in the Dawes and Young loans. I am satisfied that the prohibitions contained in the Trading with the Enemy Act, along with the requirements of the Stock Exchange and of paying agents of foreign loans, are such as effectively to prevent sales in this country of securities which at the outbreak of war were in enemy ownership.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra services are rendered by the Bank of England for which increased interest is being paid to them as a result of increases in interest rates; and whether he is prepared, in the interests of national economy, to ensure that necessary changes in Government financial policy involve no increased payments to the Bank of England and other banks not justified by essential service?

The rates of interest payable on Ways and Means Advances from the Banking Department of the Bank of England are settled by agreement between the Treasury and the Bank and must take account of prevailing market rates. The present rates, which I referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 16th January, are, in fact, the lowest on record.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulties of firms such as Messrs. John Moncrieff, Limited, the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, and other firms producing scientific glass products, in obtaining an adequate number of highly-skilled workers essential for their activities; and whether he can give an assurance that he will do everything possible to assist these firms in obtaining the release from the Fighting Services of the workers they require?

I am aware of the urgent demand for qualified workers of the kinds described. The question of the release of such men from the Fighting Services is one for consideration by the Service Departments in the light of any representations that may be made to them by the Department which is interested in the products of the firm making the application.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Glass Manufacturers' Federation was recently informed by the War Office that no more men could be released from the Army to undertake vital skilled work in factories producing scientific instruments, glassware and other products essential to many branches of British industry; and whether, in view of the fact that the position is still far from satisfactory, he will arrange for the matter to be reviewed at the earliest opportunity?

There has been considerable correspondence between the War Office and the Glass Manufacturers' Federation, in the course of which they have been informed that, apart from the scheme under which certain men in special categories of civil employment have been and are being released from the Territorial Army, releases from the Army to any branch of industry could be considered only on the recommendation of the appropriate Government Department. Certain releases have been approved, and further releases could not be granted unless the circumstances were very exceptional.

asked the Minister of Labour the amounts received up to 3ist December, 1939, by the chairman and members, respectively, of conscientious objectors' tribunals by way of fees, expenses allowances, and travelling fares?

The amount paid up to 31st December, 1939, to the chairmen and members of the conscientious objectors' tribunals in respect of fees, subsistence allowances, and travelling was £2,089 11s. County Court judges and sheriff-substitutes who act as chairmen do not receive fees.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, to encourage the production in this country of further alternative fuels, he proposes to take any additional steps during the war period to stimulate the production of sludge-gas, or methane, for industrial purposes?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of sewage gas (methane) as an alternative fuel is fully recognised by my Department, and the question of its production and utilisation for that purpose is being actively considered.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, to stimulate the production in this country of further alternative fuels, he proposes to take any additional steps during the war period to encourage the extraction of benzole from gasworks?

I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on this and related subjects.

asked the hon. Member for Swansea, West, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether, under the terms of his appointment, he is expected or requested to attend regular meetings of the Charity Commissioners?

My attendance at meetings of the Board of Charity Commissioners for England and Wales is optional. I am under no obligation to attend such meetings unless requested to do so by the other Charity Commissioners.

asked the hon. Member for Swansea, West, as representing the Charity Commissioners, what matters are referred specifically to him for his consideration; and, in particular, whether matters are automatically referred to him by the other Charity Commissioners for ventilation in the House, or whether it is for him to suggest to the other Charity Commissioners that topics should be so ventilated?

No special duties in relation to the work of the Charity Commissioners are assigned to me, but any matters arising in this House having reference to the work of the Charity Commission or to its duties and functions are matters for my special consideration. I am in constant communication with the other Charity Commissioners and should consult with them as to any topics which to myself or to them appear to require discussion in this House.