asked the Secretary of State for War the number of applications for dependants' allowances in respect of single Service men, and the number of claims dealt with and awards now in issue?

On 10th February, approximately 120,300 claims had been received, of which 850 had lapsed owing to the non-receipt of an associated claim from either the soldier or his dependant, and 20,100 were still in course of investigation. Of the balance, 37,500 had been allowed and 61,850 rejected. In approximately 46,500 of the cases rejected, the soldier stated that he did not wish to make an allotment from his pay if an allowance was not given. Separate figures for married and single men are not available.

:asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability, on humane grounds, of securing, otherwise than through hardship committees, the retention for home service only of conscripts who are the only sons of widows?

Cases of hardship are dealt with individually on their merits.

:asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received from camps under canvas regarding the quantity and cooking of food for men in the Army stationed in England; whether he is aware that many such men have to supplement their fare with their own money; and what action he proposes to take to improve the position?

No such complaints have been received recently. Complaints made in the past were immediately investigated, and, where they were justified, action was at once taken to put matters right.

:asked the Secretary of State for War whether a reservist, classed as medically fit for home service only, who was previously employed as an examiner on important Naval work, can be released from Army service; and to whom application should be made?

Reservists, even if fit for home service only, are of the greatest value for training purposes, and release could not be approved unless the circumstances were exceptional. Application for release of Army personnel for Naval work would be considered by the War Office only if put forward by the Admiralty.

:asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is possible to provide separate camps for prisoners of war and interned aliens?

Combatants and non-combatants are interned in separate camps. As regards the latter, it is the policy to intern resident enemy subjects and captured merchant seamen in separate camps, but, owing to the interference with constructional work caused by the recent bad weather, it has in some cases not yet been possible to give effect to this.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will provide a full list of instances in which Germany has been guilty of breaches of international law since the outbreak of hostilities?

As the Prime Minister stated in his reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugged) on 6th February, the barbarity of Germany's methods of warfare appears to be sufficiently apparent as a result of recent British and neutral statements. Although my hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind, he will appreciate that it would be a very lengthy task to compile a complete list of German violations of international law, which include inter alias the sinking of neutral as well as allied merchant ships without warning and without providing for the safety of the crews, attacks upon lightships, the bombing of open towns, and the shooting of civilian populations.

:asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement regarding the present trade relations between Great Britain and Bulgaria; whether any trade agreement exists between the two countries; whether mutual trade is increasing; and what are the commodities which Bulgaria now exports to this country?

An exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and Bulgaria dated 8th November, 1939, provides that the sterling at the disposal of Bulgarian exporters from their sales in the United Kingdom shall be utilised for purchases from this country. Quotas are also provided for United Kingdom cotton yarns. Trade between the two countries has, I fear, inevitably declined considerably since the outbreak of war, but the possibility of increasing the exchange of Bulgarian agricultural produce against United Kingdom goods is engaging the attention of both Governments.

:asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to- the recent destruction of an East Coast resort pier by a German mine, and to the fact that the damage will cost between £5,000 and £10,000 to repair; and whether he can give any indication as to whether, under the Government scheme dealing with damage to fixed property by enemy action, any allowance will be granted to the proprietors of this pier from public funds to assist them in making good the damage?

If the pier is in private ownership, a claim can be submitted now for payment after the war under the Government's scheme of compensation for war damage to property.

:asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department has any statistics to show the number of cases in which building societies have foreclosed, or endeavoured to foreclose, where tenants have been unable, owing to their being called up for service, to meet the usual payments?

I regret that the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Inland Revenue authorities are agreeing to reduce Schedule A assessments on residential hotels and similar properties in London which have been hit by evacuation; and whether they are willing to consider favourably all applications of a similar nature?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, which I gave on 8th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Tarn worth (Sir J. Mellor).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on officers whose incomes prior to the war were taxable under Schedule D and whose service pay is now taxable under Schedule E; and what will be the amount of Income Tax payable during 1940 by a married man with two children whose sole income prior to 3rd September was Schedule D profits at the rate of £500 per annum and whose sole income since that date has been Army pay at a similar rate?

An individual who discontinued his business or profession and joined the Army on 3rd September, 1939, would be charged to Income Tax for the current year on his actual profits from the business or profession for the period from 6th April, 1939, to 2nd September, 1939, and on his actual Army pay for the period from 3rd September, 1939, to 5th April, 1940. If his total actual income for the year was £500 from these sources, the liability to tax would be determined by reference to that amount, and in these circumstances it is not seen how any question of hardship arises. If, however, my hon. Friend has in mind any particular case, I shall be happy to have inquiry made into it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount of the Government grant to voluntary teaching hospitals during the war?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to grants in aid of medical education. The Treasury grants to universities, including their medical schools and faculties, are made as block grants in aid of general university income on the recommendation of the University Grants Committee. The university authorities, in the exercise of their autonomous powers, naturally have regard to the needs of medical education in administering these grants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any recognised hour at which the principal officers of Government Departments are expected to commence work; and whether, during the war period, he will consider arranging for this hour to be advanced in the interests of the efficient conduct of the war?

At the beginning of the war, in order to make the maximum use of the hours of daylight, it was decided that the commencing hour for headquarters staffs of Government Departments should be advanced, in general, by one hour. The principal officers have adjusted their already lengthy hours of work to the extent necessary to conform with this arrangement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are still complaints with regard to the delays in payment by Government Departments; and whether, since the complainants have been unable to obtain satisfaction in approaching the Departments, he will take steps to secure prompt settlement of these claims?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Yardley (Mr. Salt) on 8th February.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of making adequate arrangements in advance for the summer season, he will free householders whose livelihood consists in the letting of apartments and rooms from any compulsion to hand over the premises as office accommodation?

As a general rule, only large buildings have been requisitioned for office purposes. If accommodation earmarked for the billeting of civil servants is in question, householders are at liberty to use their accommodation in the normal way until such time as it is required for the billeting of staffs actually evacuated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has ready a matured scheme, as part of the national plans of immediate employment for men at demobilisation, by which the existing soft roads in Cambridgeshire, the Fens and Suffolk will be made narrower and hard so as to bring into corn-production, districts where land is being abandoned for want of hard roads?

My right hon. and gallant Friend has not yet matured schemes for dealing with the problem of employing men in agriculture on demobilisation, and he feels that such activity on his part would be premature and distracting. At present all his efforts are directed to the war effort of agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres in the County of Norfolk have qualified for the ploughing-up subsidy of £2 per acre, to date?

My right hon. and gallant Friend is obtaining such information as is available and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the policy of his Department in respect of the holding of agricultural and similar shows in this country during the period of the war?

The Ministry is not encouraging the holding of agricul- tural and similar shows during the period of the war. This policy is supported generally by the show societies, and I understand that practically all the larger and most of the county and district agricultural shows have already been abandoned for this year. I should like to take this opportunity of suggesting that in the event of a society still wishing to hold a show, the chief officer of police should be consulted as to the requirements of the Public Entertainments (Restriction) Orders.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to consider a reduction in the price of parcels sent to the front by women's working parties, particularly as all other costs are borne locally?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 30th January on the subject of postage rates for parcels sent to officers and men serving overseas. I regret that it is not possible to make a special exception for parcels sent by women's working parties, valuable as their work undoubtedly is.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement in regard to the proposed air-bombing range in the New Forest and the arrangements which have been made to safeguard the rights of the verderers and commoners, and the amenities of the forest; and what steps are being taken to deal expeditiously with claims for compensation?

I am glad to have this opportunity of paying a tribute to the helpful attitude adopted towards the Air Ministry by the verderers and commoners of the New Forest, the New Forest Association, and others in the neighbourhood, in enabling us to meet the urgent requirement for a live bombing range in this area without damage to agriculture, and with the least possible interference with amenities.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Peter Carr, 2, Dalriada Drive, Torrance of Campsie, was offered a labourer's job at the Orkney Islands and that he is a married man with eight children, and in consequence he refused to go; that he has

Date.					Glamorganshire.		Monmouthshire.
					Boys.	Girls.	Boys.	Girls.
1939.
16th January		…	…	…	4,564	4,518	1,067	940
13th February		…	…	…	4,532	4,476	1,141	1,084
13th March		…	…	…	3,803	3,981	838	921
17th April	…	…	…	…	3,481	3,669	818	865
15th May	…	…	…	…	3,144	3,628	579	802
12th June	…	…	…	…	2,791	3,139	522	740
10th July	…	…	…	…	2,459	2,796	419	639
14th August		…	…	…	2,457	2,943	568	687
11th September		…	…	…	2,948	4,511	649	1,212
16th October		…	…	…	2,789	4,642	586	1,411
13th November		…	…	…	2,579	4,222	487	1,278
11th December		…	…	…	2,482	3,816	401	1,114
1940.
15th January		…	…	…	2,521	3,971	488	1,162

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken, in view of the prospective demands for labour shortly to be made effective, for the technical re-classification of the wholly unemployed men and women now on the register, bearing in mind the necessity for considering the suitability of individuals for the various occupations in which the vacancies will arise, and the transfer of been notified that his unemployment benefit will cease from 2nd February to 14th March, 1940; and, as this form of employment is unsuitable for Mr. Carr, whether he will see that he has his unemployment benefit paid in full?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed juveniles have been registered in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire on the appropriate compilation dates in each of the last 12 months, to nearest date, giving the figures for boys and girls separately?

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed boys and girls, aged 14–17, on the registers of Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire on one date in each month since January, 1939: labour to areas affected by additional production from districts where such employment is not available?

While some measure of re-classification may be necessary, the essential thing is to ensure that when there is a shortage of labour the search for persons suitable to fill vacancies should not necessarily be restricted to those who are registered in the particular occupational classification concerned. The exchanges are already instructed to register applicants not only in their main occupation but also in any other for which they appear to be suitable. I propose to take steps to see that this procedure is fully applied and to adopt any other measures which will help to achieve the object which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the slaughtermen, employed by the butchers whose slaughter-houses have been closed down, are out of work; and what steps he proposes to take to secure employment for them under the new conditions of meat control?

Prior to the institution of the control, it was arranged that the Ministry of Food should include the following paragraph in their instructions to slaughtering contractors:

"To facilitate the engagement of labour, both from local and more distant areas, contractors are advised to notify their vacancies to their nearest Employment Exchange."

A special instruction has been issued to local offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service on the subject, and I am hopeful that the arrangements thus made will be of assistance to slaughtermen who become unemployed by reason of the closing down of slaughter-houses under the control system.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. John Kinlock, 192, Claythorn Street, Glasgow, was before the hardships tribunal at Megan Street, Bridgeton, on 1st February, and refused any consideration; that this young man has the responsibility of attending to and maintaining his three orphaned sisters aged 15, 13 and 8 years, respectively, since his mother died of cancer in November, 1938; that there is no person who can look after the house or children; and whether he will inquire into the case with a view to giving it further consideration?

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

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of salary or expenses per sitting paid to members of the local and appellate tribunals, respectively, who are engaged on deciding claims of conscientious objectors?

No fees are paid to chairmen who are full-time salaried officers of the Crown, e.g., county court judges or, in Scotland, full-time sheriff principals. The fees payable to other chairmen of local tribunals are three guineas a meeting (half-day), subject to a maximum of six guineas a day and 24 guineas a week, together with subsistence allowances, when necessarily absent from home, of 25s. a night (to cover a period of 24 hours) or 8s. 4d. a day. As regards other members of the tribunals, the fees payable are three guineas per day for a meeting of five hours or more, or 9s. an hour for less than five hours, subject to a maximum of 12 guineas a week. These fees are inclusive of subsistence allowance.These fees are similar to those paid in the case of arbitration and analogous tribunals. The fees payable to chairmen of the appellate tribunal are eight guineas a day and to other members two guineas a meeting (half-day), subject to a maximum of four guineas a day and 20 guineas a week. Subsistence allowances are payable on the scale already mentioned. Both chairmen and members are paid any travelling expenses necessarily incurred.

asked the Minister of Labour whether crews of lifeboats, who may become liable for military or naval service, are considered for exemption upon application being made by local branches of the National Lifeboat Institution?

Whole-time lifeboatmen aged 18 or over are reserved from service in His Majesty's Forces by the Schedule of Reserved Occupations. Many part-time lifeboatmen are, no doubt, fishermen and as such are reserved, except for service in the Patrol Service of the Navy. If it were desired to apply for the temporary deferment of the calling-up of any part-time lifeboatmen who are not reserved under the schedule by reason of their main occupation, the proper course would be for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to make application to the Ministry of Shipping. I am assured that any such applications, which should be made as soon as possible after the men concerned have registered under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, would receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, after collection of waste paper, local authorities are unable to sell to paper mills but have to deliver it to dealers at 1s. per cwt., which entails a heavy loss to them; and will he take steps to allow these authorities to sell in bulk to paper mills and obtain dealers' prices and so save this loss to the rates and secure this important raw material to take the place of imported goods?

Local authorities are not compelled to sell waste paper collected by them to dealers. Any paper mill wishing to purchase waste paper direct from a local authority should apply to the Paper Controller for a licence, which would in ordinary circumstances be readily granted.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that only 1s. per cwt. can be obtained by collectors of waste papers unless they are registered dealers; that it is practically impossible to get names added to the register; that those at present on the register are doing little to collect waste paper in rural and urban areas; and will he take steps to allow names to be added to that register of anyone willing to undertake the work of collection?

The price of 1s. per cwt. relates to mixed waste paper only. Higher prices are permitted where such papers are sorted and graded ready for re-manufacture or are baled and sold in quantities of four tons or more. No authorisation to collect waste paper is necessary where the collector does not propose to acquire waste paper in single consignments exceeding 10 cwt. Where any person is able to acquire waste paper in single consignments in excess of 10 cwt. from sources not hitherto tapped, the necessary authorisation is readily granted by the Paper Controller.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the recommendations of the Kenya Government with regard to the recent report of Dr. Pole-Evans upon the problem of erosion in that Colony?

The Government of Kenya is preparing a comprehensive programme, in which account will be taken of Dr. Pole-Evans' recommendations, for dealing with questions of soil conservation and land utilisation in the Colony. I hope that the programme will be submitted to me at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary what action has been taken against those persons recently members of the organization known as "The Link"?

It has not been found necessary to take action with regard to the British subjects who were members of this organization. As the hon. Member is aware, the organization went into voluntary liquidation on the outbreak of war.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider making provision that any motor car requested by a warden to assist in dealing with air raid damage is fully insured against all risks without any additional cost to the owner?

I have considered my hon. Friend's proposal, but as at present advised I do not think that the risks to which he refers are such as could be covered by insurance.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that many gas masks are lost or rendered unserviceable through carelessness, he will take steps to provide that the cost of replacement shall be borne by the owner?

Yes, Sir. The Government have decided that a charge must be imposed on members of the public who lose or damage their respirators, and particulars of the arrangements for replacement will be notified to local authorities at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many of the Anderson air-raid shelters in and around the area of South Benfleet, Essex, are still waterlogged and unusable; whether his departmental engineers have consulted with the local authorities respecting the provision of a more suitable type of shelter; what progress has been made; and when such alternatives are likely to be made available?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar Question asked by him on 26th October last. Since then the Regional Technical Adviser and his staff have on several occasions met and advised the local authority in detail in regard to water-proofing the steel shelters by internal concreting, a method which experience gained in other equally waterlogged parts of this region has proved to be both effective and economical. In these circumstances no question has arisen of providing an alternative type of shelter.

asked the Home Secretary whether the members of first-aid squads, when called upon to examine the injured with a view to deciding whether they should be sent home, or to a first-aid post or hospital, will be obliged to do this under strict black-out conditions; and, if not, what forms of light they will be permitted to employ?

First-aid parties are provided with hand lamps for use under the conditions to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health what objections he has received from the British Medical Association to the appointment of representatives of the Medical Practitioners' Union on the Central Medical War Committee?

I have received no communication from the British Medical Association on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health the precise functions and duties of the Central Medical War Committee; why it has only met twice to date; whether its costs and expenses fall to be met out of public funds; if so, how much has it already cost; and, if not, who bears such costs and expenses?

On the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 12th December. As to the second part, it is for the chairman of the committee to decide when a meeting should be called. As to the other parts, the Government bears the expenses claimed by the members in connection with meetings, amounting to £20 to date, as well as the expenses of maintaining the register, particulars of which were supplied in my reply to the hon. Member on the 6th February. Any remaining expenses have been borne by the British Medical Association.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Medical Practitioners' Union claims to be particularly representative of general medical practitioners, has some thousands of members, and has regularly published a weekly journal for over a quarter of a century; and why this organization which could afford useful assistance in our war effort has no representative on the Central Medical War Committee?

I could not usefully express any opinion on the claims advanced by the organization referred to, but I am satisfied that the great majority of general practitioners are represented by the Central Medical War Committee as at present constituted.

asked the Minister of Health whether it was with the approval of his Department that the Circular D40 dated February, 1940, was sent out by the British Medical Association under the heading of the Central Medical War Committee, in which was included matter having no bearing upon the committee's activities and used for propaganda to obtain members; when was it passed by a full meeting of the committee; and whether any part of the out-of-pocket expenses are from time to time reimbursed to the British Medical Association out of public funds has been, or will be used in respect of the preparation, printing or distribution of this circular?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I am informed that it was not thought necessary to submit the circular to a full meeting of the committee before issue. As stated in my replies to the hon. Member on 25th January and 6th February, the out-of-pocket expenses which have been reimbursed to the British Medical Association are solely for the maintenance of the emergency register of practitioners.

asked the Minister of Health the number of evacuated mothers with children who have returned to evacuation areas and how many still remain in the reception areas; and what steps he now proposes to take?

Approximately 146,000 mothers and 223,850 children evacuated under the Government scheme have returned to the evacuating areas. About 20,200 mothers and 36,400 children have remained in the reception areas. As regards the Government's proposals for further evacuation, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House this afternoon.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to inform the House whether the promised scheme of compensation for sufferers from bysinosis is ready for submission to the parties concerned in the Lancashire cotton industry?

I hope in the course of the next few days to send some detailed proposals to representatives of employers and workers for their consideration.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the imports of chilled beef from the Dominions is imported through the same channels as Argentine meat?

Since the war, chilled beef has not been shipped to this country, and the information required as regards the pre-war period is not available. It is, however, known that of the chilled beef supplies that reached this country from the Dominions before the war, a large proportion was consigned by the same shippers as were engaged in this trade from Argentina.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will call for a report on the working of the meat rationing scheme in Shropshire up to 2nd February?

I have made inquiries into the working of the meat and livestock control scheme in Shropshire up to 2nd February, and I have ascertained that owing to the very severe weather conditions that obtained in that area during the period, supplies at collecting centres of fat stock for slaughter were short and transport difficulties were experienced in filling the gap with imported meat. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that these conditions were not limited to Shropshire and that the interference with normal supplies which they caused wasn't confined to meat only. With a view to meeting the emergency, special permission was given by the area meat and livestock officer to slaughter a limited number of stock during the week ending 3rd February in districts that were unable to obtain their requirements from a Government depot. The latest reports indicate that the distribution of meat is now working satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Food whether the slaughtermen employed in the Shropshire slaughterhouses and in the slaughterhouses providing meat for Shropshire are experts in their work; and whether they have been drawn from the slaughtermen in the district who have hitherto been employed by the butchers?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the hospitals in districts of Shropshire were unable to obtain meat last week, with the result that they had to go outside and buy anything they could, which was largely offal, thereby doubling the expenses of the dietary; and whether he proposes to make any special grants to hospitals unable to obtain necessary provisions under the meat-rationing system?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter. I understand that the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers were of a temporary nature, and I do not think that the circumstances are such as to call for any arrangement of the kind suggested in the second part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Food on what grounds he justifies sending from Wellington to Derby and Coventry all animals bred locally and feeding the people in the Wellington district with short supplies of meat bought from elsewhere?

Fat stock purchased by the Ministry at collecting centres is sent for slaughter to selected slaughter-houses, and its distribution either as livestock or as dead meat depends upon the requirements of the country as a whole, and is planned to ensure an equitable distribution of meat. The production of fat stock in the Wellington district and other parts of Shropshire is normally more than sufficient for local requirements, and butchers outside the county have in peace time always purchased a proportion of the stock. It is for these reasons that stock purchased by my officers at Wellington may on occasions be sent to Derby and Coventry for slaughter. The slaughter-house from which supplies of fresh meat are sent to Wellington is situated at Shrewsbury. I recognise that supplies at Wellington may have been below normal during the recent spell of severe weather which started with the second week of control. Such conditions were not peculiar to Wellington but affected the supplies of fresh meat and the distribution of imported meat throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that last week the roof of a shed fell on two cattle at Weston, Shropshire, so that they had to be slaughtered, but the meat control officials in the area refused to allow the carcases to be sold to the people of the district, although they had had no meat at all in the week, but compelled them to be sent to Wolverhampton for distribution; and what steps he is taking to allay the resentment which a policy of this kind is causing?

From inquiries which I have made into the matter referred to in the Question, I am aware that the roof of a shed fell on two cattle at Weston.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the butchers at Market Drayton and district last week went many miles to Whitchurch to collect meat but had to return practically empty-handed; and whether any steps are taken to warn butchers on occasions of this nature that it is useless for them to make such a journey?

The circumstances referred to were connected with the severe weather conditions in the district, which I mentioned in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend yesterday and were known too late to warn the butchers concerned that supplies would not be available to them. I have, however, arranged that when in future warning can be given of the non-arrival of supplies this shall be done. Instructions are being issued to deputy meat agents requesting them to warn the butchers in their area where possible on every occasion when supplies have not arrived at a depot.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the difficulty of buying fresh herring in the Black Country, and will he take steps to assure a more adequate supply to the local fishmongers?

I am aware that there is the usual seasonal shortage of fresh herring, but I understand that supplies are being allocated by the coastal merchants on the basis of pre-war purchases, and there appears to be no reason for supposing that any part of the country is not receiving a share of such fresh herring as are available for distribution. I do not consider that the situation warrants any interference with normal trade channels at present.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large quantities of store pigs are finding their way to the markets and slaughter-houses, due to the belief of the farming community that no food supplies are going to be available for feeding, or if such feeding supplies are available that they will be inadequate for their holdings; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this?

I am aware that in certain cases owing to the shortage or unequal distribution of feeding-stuffs supplies some premature slaughtering of pigs has occurred. Steps are being taken to improve the distribution of feeding-stuffs, and my hon. Friend will be aware that larger supplies have been available since the end of 1939. Farmers have, however, been advised to plan their production programmes on the assumption that the supply of imported feeding-stuffs available to pig producers will be reduced by at least one-third as compared with the normal pre-war quantities.

asked the Minister of Food whether, having in view the losses in livestock in the County of Lindsey, especially in the Wold districts, he will make a statement as to how the distribution of feeding-stuffs is proceeding?

During the recent spell of cold weather the transport of feeding-stuffs in all parts of the country has been seriously impeded by the snow. I understand that in the county of Lindsey supplies of feeding-stuffs from local sources have also been reduced owing to the suspension of threshing as a result of the bad weather. Increased supplies should now be coming forward to farmers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there is a shortage in the supply of liver for patients suffering from pernicious anaemia; that the price has seriously increased; and whether he will ration supplies, and control prices, giving first preference to those requiring liver for medical reasons?

I am aware of the recent shortage of supplies of liver. This was a consequence of the considerable reduction in the slaughtering of livestock during the severe weather conditions of the past few weeks. Supplies of imported liver were and are normal, and with the increase in slaughtering, supplies of home-produced liver are also approaching more normal levels. As regards the second part of the Question the maximum retail prices at present current for liver over the country as a whole are not appreciably above the prices ruling before the outbreak of war. As regards the third part of the Question, hospitals and manufacturers of pharmaceutical products are receiving priority of allocation of liver where they make their requirements known; prices for liver are of course already controlled.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the growing resentment amongst Scottish farmers regarding the grading system under the Fat Stock Control Scheme; and what steps he proposes to take to restore confidence amongst the farmers that they are getting the proper weight for their stock?

I am not aware of any growing resentment amongst Scottish farmers regarding the grading system under the scheme for the Government purchase of fat stock. I would point out that in the past it has been almost the invariable practice for fat stock to be sold and bought on the basis of estimated carcase weights. Under the control scheme this practice is being continued. The grading is carried out by a specially appointed certifying authority, consisting of a farmer, a butcher, and an auctioneer, which is given facilities for test comparisons between its grading and the actual figures available after slaughter.

asked the Minister of Food whether, before spending money on the erection of factories to convert surplus potatoes into cattle-food, he will arrange to make certain that there are adequate supplies of potatoes in the country for human consumption between the present time and the harvesting of the 1940 crop; and whether, in view of the fact that the recent severe weather may ultimately cause widespread deterioration of potatoes stored in clamps, he will postpone for the time being any decision as to whether or not there will be any surplus potatoes at all during the present year?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that no action will be taken by my Department to divert to other purposes potatoes required for human consumption. It is not yet possible to form a final estimate of what surplus stocks will be held by farmers at the end of the present marketing season.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with the large shipments of fresh apples and pears from the West Coast of the United States of America which have been taking place, he will arrange to substitute shipments from the Dominions, and utilise, as far as possible, home-produced apples and pears with a view to conserving the exchange position and avoiding the spending of a large amount of dollars for purposes other than the purchase of munitions?

Imports of apples and pears are prohibited by a Board of Trade Order dated 15th November, 1939, except under licence, and licenses for imports from foreign countries have been granted only in respect of consignments for which payment had already been made at the date of this Order. An open general licence is in force for imports from Empire countries.

asked the Minister of Pensions what provision is made for pension or compensation in the case of members of the crews of lightships injured in enemy attacks; what provisions made for the dependants of those who may be killed; and what provision is made for the employment of the crews of lightships for which light floats are substituted?

The scheme of compensation for the personnel in question is explained in Ministry of Pensions Leaflet No. 2, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Copies of the leaflet have been distributed to the general lighthouse authorities. With regard to the question of employment mentioned in the latter part of the Question, I understand that permanent men will be absorbed in other light vessels in place of Royal Naval Reserve ratings due to return to Naval service, and in vacant permanent posts. Trinity House regret they will have no option but to pay off the redundant temporary hands.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements were made to provide the survivors of His Majesty's Ship "Courageous" with the necessary compensation for the loss of their personal belongings?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugged) on 6th December, 1939. Compensation was paid for loss of effects to the survivors of His Majesty's Ship "Courageous" in accordance with the arrangements there described.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger to life and inconvenience to traffic resultant from the fact that the widening of High Street, Stratford, is still uncompleted; and whether he will receive a deputation of the Members of Parliament for the county borough of West Ham, attended by the officers of the borough, in order that he can be furnished with direct evidence as to the vital character of this much needed improvement?

I am aware of the advantages attaching to the scheme for the widening of High Street, Stratford, but, as at present advised, I am afraid that I cannot see any grounds for altering the decision given in reply to the hon. Member's Question of 6th December last. Nevertheless, if the hon. Members concerned still wish to discuss the matter, I will certainly arrange to receive the deputation suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport the conditions under which the London Passenger Transport Board make up the pay of their employés in the Forces?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a notice issued by the Board setting out the conditions in detail.

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners in the county borough of West Ham, showing contributory and non-contributory, separately?

I regret that the information asked for is not available as the records of old age pensioners are not kept on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Shipping the amount paid annually by the State to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution?

This admirable institution is supported solely by voluntary contributions.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware of the considerable inconvenience caused to owners of floating craft, which have been requisitioned for Government use, by the delay in payment of the accounts rendered by such owners; and whether he will cause investigation to be made and remedy the present state of affairs?

The rapid extension of the work of my Department has caused some delay in the settlement of certain accounts, but the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that any arrears are overtaken as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware of the appeals, presently being made, for the collection of cast-off clothing for seamen whose ships are blown up by mines; and whether he will take the earliest opportunity of making it clear that any seaman so bereft of goods or garments will not be dependent on charity but will be clothed freely through Admiralty sources?

I have not seen any such appeals, but I understand that they have been made by local bodies. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health stated on 1st February, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Birkenhead. East (Mr. White), the responsibility for providing such necessities as clothing for shipwrecked persons rests, in the first instance, with the county or county borough council concerned. It is not considered appropriate to supply men who have lost their effects with discarded clothing. The hon. Member will realise that compensation is paid to seamen for war damage to their effects under the Compensation to Seamen (War Damage to Effects) Scheme, 1939.

asked the Secretary for Mines the cause of stoppage at the Tydraw and Gelli collieries in the Rhondda Valley; the possible duration of the stoppage, and whether, in view of the urgent need for coal, he will press the company to expedite the resumption of work?

I understand that the stoppage of these two collieries is due to the destruction by the severe weather at the end of January of the overhead transmission lines supplying electric power from a central power station. I am informed that an urgent order was placed for the repair of the damage; that a large number of men are at work on this, but that the duration of the stoppage will be several weeks in both cases.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many families in Dagenham have had no fires for a fortnight; that a trainload of coal was promised to the local fuel controller by 2nd February, but did not arrive; and why the Department have not themselves used requisitioning powers or allowed the local fuel controller to do so when there are supplies in the immediate neighbourhood which would ease the situation?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that deliveries of coal from pit-head to merchants in Tottenham, Enfield, and Edmonton areas have been steadily deteriorating for months past, and that a large number of merchants have been without supplies for some time; and will he take immediate steps to remedy this shortage?

I am aware of the difficulty which has been caused by the dislocation of mineral traffic during the recent period of severe weather. I am informed by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Transport that during the past few days there has been a substantial movement of coal from the collieries. All possible steps are being taken to alleviate the position as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the distress caused to a large number of people in the county borough of West Ham owing to the lack of coal supplies during the recent severe weather; and whether he will take steps to ensure more adequate supplies for domestic consumers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to-day to the hon. Members for Essex, Romford (Mr. Parker) and Tottenham, North (Mr. R. C. Morrison).