asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that skilled men have recently been discharged from a well-known aircraft factory; that this gives great concern when aircraft is being ordered abroad; and will he consider making an arrangement to transfer men to other firms or some other method than discharge?

I am informed by the management of the factory to which I understand the hon. Member refers, that such discharges as have taken place represent nothing more than the normal movement's of personnel which are usual in any large organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the best use is being made of the material available in the construction of all types of aircraft and in the progressive development of new types or machines built for research or training; and has recent consideration been given to making more use of wood or improved wood?

Yes, Sir; unremitting attention is given to the efficient and economical utilisation of all available materials in aircraft construction. As regards the second part of the Question, it is the settled policy of the Air Ministry to require that training aircraft shall be mainly constructed of wood; and my Department is in close and constant touch with developments in the use of wood in various forms for any aeronautical purposes for which it may be suitable.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any change has taken place, or is contemplated, in the contract issued to Lindsay, Parkinson and Company, at the Rolls-Royce factory, Glasgow?

As I informed the hon. Member on 8th November last no change has taken place or is contemplated, apart from the sub-letting of certain specialised work on foundations.

Has this sub-contracted work in any way increased the original estimate submitted by Messrs. Lindsay, Parkinson and Company?

I will inquire into that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the total number of Scottish building firms on the Air Ministry's list; and the number of such firms engaged on direct contracts for the Ministry?

The number of Scottish building firms on the Air Ministry list is 100, 45 of which are engaged on direct Air Ministry contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in order to ensure that the jobs will be ready for the men, he intends to make use of labour in the counties of Northumberland and Durham at present unemployed by the establishment of Air Ministry factories in that region?

Having regard to all relevant considerations, it is not considered desirable to establish a factory for aircraft production in this area. But preference in the placing of contracts for ancillary material will continue to be given wherever possible to this district in common with other Special Areas.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there are members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force who, after five months' service, are still without their uniform; that in a number of cases members of this force have been supplied only with thin service raincoats, supplemented during the last three weeks with an extra lining, and whilst a few of independent means have been forced to purchase their own uniform this is beyond the resources of the majority, as no allowance in lieu of uniform has yet been forthcoming; and will he take the necessary steps to see that uniforms are issued immediately?

It is the case that there are deficiencies in the contract supply of certain items of clothing for members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, but the contractors are being pressed to expedite deliveries and the position is being speedily remedied. The raincoat with extra lining is, I am advised, considered to afford better all-the-year-round protection than a greatcoat which is not therefore being issued.

asked the Minister of Information why a junior female clerical officer was recently promoted to the higher clerical grade over the heads of some 17 officers, mostly ex-service men with greater seniority; whether the post had any special features for which only the promoted female officer had the necessary qualifications; and will he give an assurance that in making future promotions to this grade, full regard will be had to the experience and qualifications of senior clerical officers eligible by seniority for such promotion?

The officer to whom I think my hon. and gallant Friend refers was selected before the war for a post, recently advanced in grade, which she has filled since the war began. It requires special experience and qualifications, and this officer was considered the most suitable person for promotion to it. I have no hesitation in giving the assurance asked for in the last part of the Question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increased difficulties of all those concerned with the delivery of letters, especially during black-out hours, through persons not giving a full and proper address, he will make an appeal to the public to give the number of their house and the name of the street or road; and whether he will secure the co-operation of the local authorities in the matter?

Local authorities have certain powers to require houses to be numbered and their attention is drawn by the Post Office to cases where the absence of house numbers causes inconvenience or delay in the delivery of correspondence. The Post Office has long stressed the desirability of the display on notepaper of the full and correct postal address of the person concerned, including the number of the house if it bears one. As my hon. Friend appreciates, the matter has become one of greater importance under war-time conditions, including the employment of a large number of temporary staff; and I should welcome any steps taken to facilitate the work of postmen on delivery.

In view of the difficulties which my right hon. Friend has detailed would it not be possible to arrange a broadcast appeal on this matter?

I think it is of the greatest importance that numbers should be given, and I will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

Does not the Postmaster-General think it desirable to make representations to the local authorities that they should proceed with the numbering of the houses in their district in view of the black-out?

I do regard this as a matter of importance, and postmasters have instructions to approach local authorities. It is of the greatest inconvenience to postmen, sometimes men taken on for the first time, when people instead of having a proper number call their house "The Cedars" or some such name.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has been able to make arrangements for a telegraph service to the British Expeditionary Force?

Yes, Sir. I am pleased to say that by arrangement with the War Office and the Air Ministry a special telegraph service will be available from Friday, 9th February, for private messages of an urgent nature to and from officers and men serving with His Majesty's Army and Royal Air Force in France. With the generous co-operation of Cable and Wireless, Limited, similar facilities will be provided for messages between other parts of the Empire and France, and also for messages to and from members of His Majesty's Army and Royal Air Force serving in places abroad other than France. As the details are rather long and complicated I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

:asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any information as to the use of the speaking-clock service and the prospects of extending the service to the whole country?

The speaking-clock service is now available in London and 12 other large towns, and nearly half of the total number of telephone subscribers in the country have access to the service at a fee of 1d. The use of the service increased from 12,250,000 to 24,500,000 calls a year up to the outbreak of war. Since then, the demand has fallen slightly as a result of evacuation and other causes, but the figures are now again steadily increasing. A wide extension of the service was being arranged when war broke out. There may be some difficulty in carrying out these plans in full under war conditions, but I propose to continue to extend the service as plant can be made available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that whenever there is a heavy fall of wet snow, a gale of wind or a silver thaw, most of the telephone lines in Southern and Western England are brought down, especially those on exposed upland country or under trees in vale country; and whether, as it would be more economical, in view of the fact that there are now excellent trench-digging machines on the market, he will consider putting the majority of these wires under ground?

I am sorry that during the recent snowstorms a considerable number of telephone subscribers' lines were put out of order; but I cannot accept the suggestion that most of the telephone lines in Southern and Western England are brought down whenever there is a snowstorm or gale. The recent snowstorms were exceptionally heavy in the south-western region, but even at the worst period the proportion of telephone subscribers' lines out of order in that region was less than 4 per cent. It is the policy of my Department to provide telephone service by underground wires in preference to overhead, wherever this would be reasonably economical; and over 14,500,000 miles or more than 90 per cent. of all Post Office telephone wires are already underground.

Would it be possible to utilise the services of unemployed men rather than take soldiers off their training, as has been done?

I was not aware of that being done, but if my Noble Friend will give me particulars I will go into the question. We do regard this matter as important, and in the year 1938–39 we spent over £9,000,000 on underground construction work.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will specify the schemes which have been submitted to him for lighting the Central Lobby during black-out hours; and the cost of each of them?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask whether anything is to be done with regard to the Central Lobby?

I should be sorry to summarise the reply, which is long, but it shows the difficulties present in the undertaking.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulties in the Central Lobby—policemen have to stand in semi-darkness, people have to sit a considerable time in semi-darkness, and secretaries are not able to do their work? Whatever the cost, cannot something be done?

I am aware of that, but the hon. Member will see when he reads the reply that there are considerable difficulties in the way of remedying the position.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is proposed to build hutments on the outskirts of the city of Bath?

Temporary buildings are to be erected by my Department on the outskirts of Bath in order to provide alternative office accommodation for Government staffs and to enable some of the requisitioned buildings in Bath to be released.

Is there a real hope that the hotels in Bath will be restored to their owners for the purpose for which they were built? May I also ask whether these hutments are to be built by local labour and local firms instead of by firms from London?

I can assure my hon. Friend that local firms who are competent to undertake these jobs are being invited to tender.

Are there not a large number of empty houses available in Bath?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information in connection with the new dart bombs that were dropped on the Grimsby trawler "Russell" on Wednesday last?

On the evidence available it is not possible to identify or describe the dart bombs which were said to have been dropped near the Grimsby trawler "Russell."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the responsibility of the Admiralty in regard to clothing, etc., towards naval officers and seamen who have lost their possessions at sea as a result of enemy action, and are invalided from the Navy on account of wounds or ill-health?

Officers and men who have lost service effects as a result of enemy action and are then invalided from the Navy are paid compensation by the Admiralty on the basis of the value of the articles at the time of the loss.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a letter begging for greatcoats and other clothing for men such as I have referred to in my Question, because they cannot be obtained from the Admiralty, and will he take steps to remedy this grievance?

There is no valid grievance, because if application is made to the proper quarter compensation will be paid. On the other hand, statements to the effect that compensation cannot be paid and attempts to obtain money from other quarters would also be deserving of inquiry.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether vessels for the merchant navy, built under the direction of his Department, will, on completion, be managed by private firms or the Ministry of Shipping; and whether any of the vessels now building for private owners will be transferred to the Government?

Merchant ships built by the Admiralty will be delivered to the Ministry of Shipping, who will make arrangements for their management. Vessels now building for private owners will not, so far as can at present be foreseen, be transferred to Government ownership but will be subject to requisition or other control by the Minister of Shipping.

So far as tonnage under the control of the right hon. Gentleman is concerned, I take it that there will be no allocation to private firms, but that the ownership will be vested in the Ministry of Shipping?

We build for the Ministry of Shipping and we transfer the ships when built to the Ministry, and they arrange what the future of these ships is to be.

If Questions are addressed to the right hon. Gentleman as to the disposal and ultimate use of the ships which are being built under the control of his Department, will he be able to answer, or should they be addressed to the Minister of Shipping?

In my view the ultimate fate of these ships rest with the Ministry of Shipping.

Will the ships which are transferred to the Ministry of Shipping be subsequently managed in all respects by the Ministry of Shipping?

Certainly, that is what it is for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has noticed that the number of men normally employed in shipbuilding and ship-repairing registered as unemployed at the South Shields Employment Exchange, rose from 578 and 588 in September and October, 1939, respectively, to 721 and 703 in November and December, 1939, respectively; and what steps he is taking fully to employ the man-power available for shipbuilding and ship-repairing at South Shields?

I am aware of the figures referred to by the hon. Member. The position is that all available shipbuilding berths in South Shields are occupied with merchant ship building orders. The volume of ship repair work is bound to fluctuate and the policy is to spread such work over the country as far as possible. The facilities at South Shields will be fully borne in mind both for repair work and naval conversion work. All will be needed. The January unemployment figure at South Shields in this industry fell to 521.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to reopen the yards that were closed during the 20's and 30's?

I am quite sure that every yard and every man are going to be used to the utmost capacity.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless he opens yards and restores yards formerly in use it will be impossible to replace our lost tonnage?

Will my right hon. Friend take care to see that Sir James Lithgow has nothing to do with this?

He has almost everything to do with it. In answer to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell), I am sure the whole capacity available will have to be used.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the scheme under which the Admiralty becomes responsible as from the 1st February, 1940, for all mercantile shipbuilding and repairs will include the transfer of all shipbuilding and repair establishments to Government control and ownership; and whether the employés in such establishments will, as from the date mentioned, become Government employés?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the negative. There is no intention of preventing shipbuilding on private account, and the Admiralty is responsible for issuing licences for this purpose.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an assurance that he will take whatever action is appropriate to prevent the publication of the sinking of merchant ships until the shipping companies concerned have had a reasonable time to inform the relatives of any details about the personnel?

While I fully appreciate the advantages of my hon. Friend's proposal, it is not within the power of the Admiralty to delay publication of such information unless there is a security reason for so doing. Even so publication is often made abroad.

From the humanitarian point of view, will my right hon. Friend consider making strong representations in the appropriate quarter?

Yes, Sir. In regard to His Majesty's ships, we do not publish losses until we have informed the relatives, and I should like to see that practice applicable to the Mercantile Marine, but there is nothing like the same control there, and the possibility of publication abroad must always be borne in mind.

Will my right hon. Friend, with his reputation for forceful action, use that forceful action in the appropriate quarter?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how he proposes to meet the labour requirements and to enrol the requisite number of men and women for war production if no use is to be made of unemployed persons in the counties of Northumberland and Durham by the establishment of a fair proportion of Government factories?

As was stated in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 23rd January, every consideration will continue to be given to the North-Eastern Area when new Admiralty factories are to be built. Before a new Admiralty factory is established the Ministry of Labour and National Service is consulted in order to ensure both that the requisite labour will be available and that the claims of areas with a high degree of unemployment are given due weight in deciding upon the site.

In view of my right hon. Friend's previous statement that every man will be necessary, may I presume that, so far as Admiralty work is concerned, vulnerability will not necessarily preclude Admiralty contracts from being given?

Virtually even/body will be drawn in.

Thank you.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of enemy air attacks upon defenceless lightships round the coast, any steps are being taken to protect these vessels by the mounting of guns upon them, or by any other method?

Lightships have never heretofore been specially protected because they have always been regarded by civilized nations as outside the scope of hostilities and immune from attack. Consequently the lighthouse service has never assisted us in reporting enemy activity. I think that should be noted. In view of several recent savage anarchic attacks by German aircraft upon lightships round our coast and the murder of some of their crews, special measures will be taken to provide protection for this service; and where possible, light floats will replace lightships in outer positions.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of accidents on the roads during the last three months in which motor-lorries and motor-cars, respectively, were involved?

The statistics which have been kept since the outbreak of war do not enable me to give the particulars for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks.

Does not the Minister think that these statistics would be worth collecting, in view of the number of occasions on which one sees lorries driven in an unsatisfactory way and no action is taken?

My hon. and gallant Friend will probably know that we are going to have sample investigations in certain selected areas, and I think that will give us valuable data on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the fact that pedestrians at present take very little notice of the traffic lights during the black-out, many of which are difficult to see, he will consider experimenting with pedestrian light controls working in conjunction with the traffic lights but in the opposite sense, in order to show pedestrians when traffic is flowing and when it has stopped and a free passage across the road is available?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on 26th July last, I had proposed to issue a circular to highway authorities urging the provision of additional light signals for pedestrians wherever these are practicable and warranted. I much regret that owing to the diversion of members of my staff to other urgent war duties, the issue of this circular has been delayed; but the matter is now in hand and it will be issued in the near future.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that pedestrians very often cannot see the traffic light in the dark, and that accidents occur because they begin to cross just as the green is showing and the traffic begins to move? It is really a very serious matter in the dark.

As I said in the Debate last week, the pedestrians should look at the traffic and not only at the lights.

They cannot.

Will the inquiry which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman said he was to undertake pursue its investigation into how far pedestrians contribute to accidents as a result of wearing excessively dark clothing?

We shall try so far as we can to discover the primary cause of every accident.

Do I understand that pedestrians are expected, at the light control, to look at the traffic and not at the light?

The pedestrian should make perfectly certain that something is not turning to the left. If he relies entirely on the light he may be in danger of being run over.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the difficulty drivers have of estimating accurately the speed at which motor vehicles are travelling in the dark without illuminating the speedometer on the dashboard, he will issue instructions as to how the new 20-mile an hour speed limit in built-up areas can be observed; and whether it is the considered opinion of the experts of his Department that dashboard lights should remain alight or should be extinguished when driving in the black-out?

The new 20-mile-an-hour speed limit during black-out hours applies only in localities where a 30-mile-an-hour limit has previously been in force. I do not think that motorists are finding any additional difficulty in observing the new speed limit, or any greater need for the use of dashboard lights.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend give the answer for which I asked, which is whether his experts at the Ministry say that the light ought to be alight or whether it ought not to be alight? That is the Question I asked my right hon. and gallant Friend.

If the light shows outside the car it is an offence against the regulations, but if the driver really does not know whether the car is going at 20 or 30 miles per hour I cannot think that, if he switched on the light for a moment to look at the speedometer, he would be run in.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent difficulties have been again experienced with firms or an association of firms manufacturing machine tools which are urgently required; in how many cases have they refused to submit their books or costing systems for an investigation by Government officials; what steps are being taken to deal with the matter; what is the percentage of profit that the Government are prepared to allow these firms; and, in view of the urgency and difficulties, whether he will take early steps to take over or control this section of industry, or set up shadow factories, in order that the best results can be obtained at the minimum of cost?

The Machine Tool Trades Association recognises the statutory powers now conferred on the Government to investigate costs, and no resistance on the part of individual firms is anticipated. The method of procedure for checking prices is under consideration. I am not prepared to announce a general margin of profit which would be applicable to the whole industry. As regards the last part of the Question, the industry is already controlled. Subject to this, the problem of obtaining the necessary machine tools in the time required can best be solved by the willing co-operation of the industry.

Does that reply mean that the evidence tendered before a committee of this House by a representative of the Treasury is not accurate?

It means that the evidence before the Select Committee was all tendered prior to the passing of the Ministry of Supply Act. In the Ministry of Supply Act, compulsory powers were taken to investigate costs. Those powers did not exist before, and because of the knowledge that those powers now exist there is not the slightest difficulty in costing the price of any maker of machine tools.

Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that his Department is not fixing the price of machine tools; and if so, will he consider some cases which I have put before him in which the Department has decided at what price tools shall be sold?

I did not say that. I said that I was not prepared to announce a general margin of profit applicable to large numbers of different instruments; but I am always willing to consider any specific instances that hon. Members care to bring to my notice.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give a list of the firms who supplied the 20 items for civilian gas masks to the Government-controlled factories in which these items were assembled, and of the directors of both groups of firms?

It would be contrary to the public interest to publish the names of the firms in question or other particulars from which they could be identified.

asked the Minister of Supply what provisions exist, or are proposed, for the collection of paper and scrap-iron in the rural areas?

Some rural district councils are collecting waste paper separately from other waste, and in many other areas collections are undertaken by, or in conjunction with, various voluntary organisations. Arrangements have been made, in conjunction with the National Farmers' Union, for the collection of iron and steel scrap from farms and estates in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. If these arrangements are successful, it is proposed to extend them to the rest of the country in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are now large accumulations of waste paper in many villages and that there is no means of disposing of them?

Yes, Sir. I am most anxious that all that waste paper should be collected. It is primarily a matter for the local authorities, but paper mills will have a difficulty in absorbing it in less than a given tonnage at a time. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me all the information he has, I shall be happy to make some special arrangements.

Is there not some difficulty in regard to price?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in the majority of London boroughs—indeed, in a great part of the country—local authorities are refusing to discharge their duty of collecting paper and metal separately; and will the right hon. Gentleman, in such cases of refusal to perform this most important work, consider taking compulsory powers?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the Question on the Paper relates to rural areas, and I have not dealt with the Metropolitan position in my answer. I am aware of it and I hope these authorities will use their powers in order to ensure that this essential work should not be interfered with.

Could not the collection be made by the ordinary trade channels if the prices were such as paid for collection?

If prices are the difficulty I will look into that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the arrangements for the collection of waste paper in the country outside one or two big towns is absolutely farcical and that there are actually 1,000,000 tons of paper a year being thrown away which is valuable raw material; and will he make some effort to put the matter right? It is largely a matter of price.

I shall be glad to have the maximum co-operation in a piece of organisation which is obviously very difficult and equally obviously in the national interest. I am making every possible effort to secure the result which everybody desires.

Will the Minister consider the question of transport in relation to outlying areas where a lot of paper has accumulated?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the closing of the Baltic by enemy action and of the White Sea by ice during winter months, steps are being taken to seek fresh sources of timber supply in other parts of the world?

Yes, Sir.

Will the Minister also bear in mind the importance of increasing stocks?

Yes, Sir. Every effort is being made to buy timber whenever it is purchasable and to increase stocks.

I would like to know whether the Minister has made inquiries for timber from Southern Ireland, as several owners of forests in the neighbourhood of Queenstown have told me that they have pit props and conifer to sell but had not been approached about it?

I am much obliged for the suggestion and I will have it examined.

asked the Minister of Supply what prospect there is now of his being able to arrange for camouflage nets to be made by fishermen and their families, working singly or in groups, as anticipated in the invitation issued by his Department through the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation in October last?

Contracts for the making of camouflage nets have now been placed in many districts and the names of all who have applied to the Ministry with a view to assisting have been passed to the appropriate Employment Exchanges. The contractors have been asked to co-operate and to say whether they could utilise the services of additional outworkers if further orders were placed. In some districts the work has already been organised by contractors so as to employ fisherfolk, and further progress in this direction is being made daily.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the specification as at present drawn is rather complicated, and would it be possible to see whether some alternative and more simplified specifications could be adopted?

I am willing to have it examined, but the hon. and gallant Member will realise that it is necessarily difficult. There is some difficulty because my Department orders according to a specification laid down by the War Office. At present the supplies of camouflage nets coming forward are what the Service Departments require.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction in certain villages in the West country, and will he further see that these villages are not exploited by London firms and companies offering small wages to fishermen to make nets?

As soon as the Service Departments required camouflage nets a broadcast was made and a nation-wide announcement that these camouflage nets were required. There was a large response to my appeal and the names of all those who responded were taken. I cannot promise to go outside those who have made offers in response to the nation's appeal until they have had a fair share of the orders to be placed.

Would my right hon. Friend answer my question with regard to exploitation?

That is a matter which can be dealt with only when there is proof that something is wrong and it has been brought to my notice.

If I produce details of such a case will the right hon. Gentleman give them his attention?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Food (1) whether, with a view to preventing the victimisation of efficient bakers selling bread at economic prices, he will set up an independent tribunal to which the baker may appeal should his supply of flour be threatened or cut off;

An investigation into the bread price scale and its application in different parts of the United Kingdom is being conducted by my Department and will, I hope, be concluded in the near future. Until this investigation is complete, and all the facts are available, it would be premature to consider the introduction of legislation or to set up a tribunal. If, however, my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any cases of alleged victimisation, I shall be glad to inquire into them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the coercive and dictatorial methods employed to prevent millers supplying individual bakers who may produce a cheap loaf? Is he also aware that the Food Council has been shut up, that nothing has been put forth to protect the public and that there is no protection from the Food Council? Further, are not these methods the rascally manoeuvres of the milling combines?

I could not accept the general statement of my hon. Friend, but I can assure him that the matter is being carefully investigated and in the light of the ascertained facts we shall take appropriate action.

In the meantime will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no partial affections or favouritism will be allowed to operate?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food why the report by the Food Council on the schemes for the regula- tion of bread prices was not permitted to be printed by the Stationery Office; and whether, in view of instances which have occurred since the outbreak of the war and the implementing of certain systems to withhold supplies of flour from recognised baking establishments, he will state what safeguards exist to protect the consumers of bread in view of the fact that the Food Council is no longer functioning?

I understand that while certain reports by the Food Council which were of general interest were published, it was not the practice to print all reports, but copies were always available to applicants, and were given to the Press. This applies to the reports prepared in 1935 and 1936, copies of which have been recently supplied to my hon. Friend. As regards the second part of the Question, I shall be happy to consider any facts in regard to individual cases which my hon. Friend may care to submit to me and, as he knows, I have already under examination one case on which he has been in correspondence with my Department.

Perhaps my right hon. Friend will be kind enough to have a word with me afterwards?

Would the Minister say when he is going to publish the findings of that special medical committee of his concerned with butter?

That is another question.

I know it is another question, but I would like an answer to it.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give the country guidance as to the most economical use to be made of food; whether he advises the home-making of marmalade; and whether it is desirable to avoid, as far as possible, the use of imported tinned goods?

Yes, Sir. It is my intention, with the assistance of the various official and unofficial organisations concerned, to make advice continuously available to the public in regard to the use of foodstuffs. The preliminary arrangements are nearing completion and I hope shortly to make a more definite statement. The particular subjects re- ferred to in the second and third parts of my hon. Friend's Question will be borne in mind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last war an economy was made by restricting the use of starch for washing and is he prepared to repeat those restrictions?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied that the abattoir at Chesterfield is serving satisfactorily the area and population at present allocated to it, and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to remedy the position?

The plan of control has not been in operation sufficiently long to enable a final conclusion to be reached as to whether the Chesterfield abattoir is adequately serving the needs of the area and population at present allocated to it. Weather conditions have added to the difficulties of the initial period. The abattoir was, however, carefully selected having regard to the needs of the area, and I have no reason to think that it will not serve them satisfactorily.

As there have been grave local difficulties, will the right hon. Gentleman give this matter special consideration?

Yes, I will gladly consider it.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will arrange to supply meat for school meals without the surrender of ration coupons?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of meat in Tibshelf, Derbyshire; and what steps he is taking to improve the situation?

I am aware that some shortage of home-killed meat occurred in Tibshelf last week owing to the small offerings of livestock for slaughter largely as a result of the in- clement weather. Ample supplies of imported meat were made available to fill the gap in home-killed supplies. No complaints from the district have been received in the last few days.

Is the Minister aware that the statements contained in his answer are not in accordance with information which has been supplied to me? Is he further aware of the grave local dissatisfaction because the population is engaged in work which involves a very heavy expenditure of physical energy, and in those circumstances will he give the matter his further attention?

I am not aware of the information which the hon. Members has, but I have the information which has been given to me, and perhaps afterwards we can compare notes.

Was not there a great shortage of meat, both home-produced and imported, in most places last week; and will my right hon. Friend take immediate steps to remedy this, and to amend this scheme?

That was due to the weather.