asked the Secretary of State for War what measures are being taken at present, in the Army at home and abroad, for the prevention and treatment of venereal disease?

Every endeavour is made by means of lectures and talks to prevent soldiers from exposing themselves to the danger of infection. Facilities for cleansing and disinfection are available. Treatment is carried out by specially trained medical officers on modern lines. Patients are retained in special wards until free from infection and treatment is continued until complete cure is attained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute do not stock certain articles which are in constant demand in civilian life; and whether he knows of any means whereby firms manufacturing these products may be allowed to do business with this organisation?

I do not know what articles the hon. Member has in mind, but the majority of articles stocked by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes are naturally those most in demand in military life. Any manufacturer is at liberty to approach the Surveyor of Supplies at the headquarters of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in London.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in practice, he is able to arrange for leave of absence to be granted to soldiers to visit their homes before departure for service abroad; and whether steps can be taken to make the practice more general?

The great majority of soldiers are now given leave to enable them to visit their homes before proceeding overseas?

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons why he proposes to depose officers in the Territorial Force for officers of the Regular Army, and will he receive representations against such a change in the established system, or promise an opportunity of discussion in Parliament before any alteration is effected?

The question is entirely one of efficiency, and it is only in cases where a Territorial officer is found unsuitable for the duties involved that he is replaced, either by another Territorial officer, if recommended, or, if there is no suitable Territorial officer available, by a Regular officer. My hon. Friend will appreciate that, in war, men's lives may depend on the experience and efficiency of the officer under whom they serve.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service are employed on clerical and allied duties in the headquarters offices and in the out-stations of the War Department, respectively?

Fifty are employed on such duties in the War Office, and approximately 4,000 in the out-stations.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service are employed on clerical and allied duties at the Record and Pay Office, Foots Cray; what are the numbers of the various ranks employed there; and what is the total weekly cost to the State of their employment in that office?

The numbers are:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all units, especially the anti-aircraft searchlight units, have now been issued with full clothing and equipment?

Issues of a second suit of uniform and a second pair of boots are not yet complete in a number of cases, but it is hoped that all deficiencies will be made good in the course of the next three months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all arrears of pay and allowances have now been satisfactorily cleared up; if not, what is still holding up the settlement?

The arrears which were due to the pressure caused by mobilisation and the formation of a very large number of new units have now all been cleared, and in current cases delay has been reduced to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of state for War whether anti-waste officers are specially appointed to investigate daily in every camp, and to report how much, and why, food has been thrown away, and whether more allotted food had been drawn by the camp than was required, and, in the case of discarded meat and fish, the food was unskilfully cooked, or, in the case of bread, unpalatable; and is he aware that tepid food is as frequent a cause of its being rejected by the men and thrown away as is bad cooking?

The responsibility for the prevention of waste rests with the commanding officer, and special anti-waste officers are not appointed. Every effort is being made to improve the cooking and service of meals, and I am not aware that food is frequently tepid.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the deaths from disease of soldiers in France were those of men who had been ill suffering from vaccination or inoculation?

No information has been received that any of the soldiers in France who died from disease had been ill suffering from vaccination or inoculation.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that the temporary officials employed in his Department find it necessary continually to consult and to seek advice of permanent civil servants of lower gradings in regard to the figures of foreign countries' trade, the sources from which additional foreign trade statistics may be obtained, and the interpretation of available statistics; and whether he will consider the undesirability of employing in a higher official capacity temporary staffs who are dependent upon subordinate civil servants for the effective carrying-out of their duties?

All higher officials are dependent on subordinate civil servants for the effective performance of their duties, and there is nothing unusual in this respect in the position of the officials referred to by the hon. Member; as regards the second part of the Question, I regret I am not prepared to give the assurance asked for.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that there is employed in the foreign statistics section of his Department a gentleman who was employed in the advertising department of a West End store, and who was appointed to the Ministry on the initiative of the head of the foreign statistics section, who was also a pre-war employé of this store; that this person is receiving a salary of £450 per annum for duties which fall within the definition of clerical assistant duties in the case of established civil servants for whom a maximum of 72s. per week is prescribed; that attempts have recently been made by the head of the foreign statistics section to secure an improvement in the salary of this officer; and whether he will give an assurance that, in the interests of economy, this post will, in future, be filled by an established civil servant of clerical assistant grading?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, the gentleman in question, together with numerous other candidates from various statistical quarters, was interviewed by the head of the statistics section before the war, and his name, together with those of all other candidates, was submitted for appointment through the head of the Department; he is engaged on responsible duties which are of a character greatly superior to those ordinarily allocated to clerical assistants, and I cannot agree that his post should in future be filled by a clerical assistant; in accordance with normal practice the claims of this officer were recently considered in connection with a vacancy in a senior post in his section.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare why a married woman whose husband is also engaged in his Department worked for three months without pay; at what salary she was originally appointed; and has her salary now been increased beyond the figure of £280 per annum?

The lady referred to by the hon. Member was originally offered a clerical post at a salary of 56s. a week, but rather than take a salary at this level she preferred to work without pay until she had proved her qualifications. After three months' service she was judged fully suitable for appointment as a temporary administrative assistant (Grade III), and she was appointed to that rank at a rate of £280 per annum. Her salary has not since been increased.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that established civil servants employed in the statistics section of his Department were earmarked before the war for employment, in the event of war, in the Ministry, because of their qualifications and experience on particularly relevant work; that, in appointing these officers, their proved as well as their academic qualifications were taken into account; what are the reasons why it has been held that these officers have not the experience necessary to undertake the duties performed by temporary officials in his Department; and why the careful pre-war selection of officers for duties in the Ministry of Economic Warfare has not been adhered to?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is that the established civil servants concerned were earmarked for certain special statistical duties, which they are now performing; the reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative; with regard to the third part of his Question, the duties performed by the temporary officials are distinct from those performed by the established civil servants and require qualifications and experience of a different order from those possessed by the latter; with regard to the fourth part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the first part of his Question.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare at what time the principal officers of the Ministry commence work at the present time, and whether, with a view to expediting business and increasing efficiency, he will arrange for more of the important members of the staff to be on duty by 9 o'clock?

The time at which the principal officers of the Ministry commence work varies considerably according to the nature of their duties. Much of the work of the Ministry requires senior officers to work until late in the evening, and I am satisfied that the introduction of a commencing time of 9.0 a.m. would not, in such cases, either expedite business or increase efficiency.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will arrange that all new work given out by His Majesty's Stationery Office shall be placed with firms located in those towns where unemployment among printers is exceptionally severe?

The amount of new work is relatively small, as the greater part of the printing required for the Government service is provided for under long-term contracts which are held by firms in all parts of the country. Except where the nature of the work necessitates its execution in London, long-term contracts are open to all firms.New work not provided for under the long-term contracts is dealt with under

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what time the principal officers of the Department commence work at the present time; and whether, with a view to expediting business and increasing efficiency, he will arrange for more of the important members of the staff to be on duty by 9 o'clock?

The normal hours of work in the Board of Trade were advanced at the beginning of the war to secure a general commencing hour of 9 a.m., and the senior officers of the Department have adjusted their hours of work accordingly. So far as I can judge, the principal officers of the Board of Trade are fully alive to the necessity for increasing all forms of war effort, and are at present working even longer hours than before the war, when the pressure on senior officers was already presenting a serious problem.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can make some statement regarding the hutment scheme at Droitwich?

Following my hon. Friend's representations, I am happy to state that a contract has been let for the erection of hutments at Droitwich with a view to enabling requisitioned premises to be released. It is hoped that the hutments will be completed in the early summer.

asked the Minister of Shipping at what time the principal officers of the Ministry commence work at the present time; and whether, with a view to expediting business and increasing efficiency, he will arrange for more of the important members of the staff to be on duty by 9 o'clock?

At the beginning of the war the commencing hour for headquarters staffs of Government Departments was advanced in general to 9 a.m. This arrangement was followed in the Ministry of Shipping, and the principal officers of the Ministry have adjusted their already lengthy hours of work to the extent necessary to facilitate this arrangement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any reports on the effect of evacuation on the finances of local government in London; and whether he is in a position to make any statement on the matter?

The position remains substantially as indicated in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 15th November. The question, which concerns other areas besides London, has been under examination by the association of local authorities concerned, but my right hon. Friend has received no representations from them as a result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will sanction grants being made by local government authorities towards the purchase of wool to local organisations set up for the making of woollen comforts for members of the armed Forces?

My right hon. Friend does not think that he would be justified in sanctioning expenditure by local authorities for the purpose mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Ilford Borough Council pay salaries to health visitors which are much below the Whitley Council scale applicable in Metropolitan boroughs; that as a consequence they have recently had few applicants for such vacancies; that they refuse to receive deputations from organisations representing the staff; and whether he will take action to make the borough reconsider this question?

I am aware that the salaries paid to health visitors by the Ilford Borough Council are below the scale referred to, but I must point out that Ilford is not a Metropolitan borough, and my available information is that the salaries are not lower than those paid by some other authorities in the neighbourhood of or not far distant from London. As regards the second part of the Question, I understand that difficulty has recently occurred in filling two appointments, but I cannot say whether this was due to the cause suggested in the Question.As regards the third part of the Question, I have no information which supports this suggestion. As regards the last part of the Question, the salaries paid by local authorities to health visitors are not subject to my right hon. Friend's approval; and he has no power to require the council to alter the existing salary scale.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of persons at present contributing to the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Scheme; and whether he will give separate figures of males and females?

At 31st December, 1938—the latest date for which figures are available—there were 19,480,000 contributors (13,230,000 men and 6,250,000 women) to the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Scheme, of whom 480,000 (330,000 men and 150,000 women) were special voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937.

asked the Minister of Health whether the increase in contributions to the pensions scheme, foreshadowed in the Government's proposals, as stated to this House, is in substitution for, or in addition to, the next decennial increase which would normally take effect in January, 1946?

The increase in contributions to which the hon. Member refers does not affect the position with regard to the decennial increases of contributions, for which provision is made in the Contributory Pensions Act, 1936.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will expedite inquiries into the claim of Mrs. M. Denton, 6, Beddingfield Street, Stratford, E.15, reference number 06455354, who applied for her pension four months ago but has not yet received any satisfaction?

I am glad to inform the hon. Member that Mrs. Denton has now been awarded a pension. Her claim was based on the insurance of her husband, but she was unable to give his address, and considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining the necessary particulars of his insurance.

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners in the county borough of Halifax, both contributory and non-contributory?

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 Health what sums have been paid to the British Medical Association for keeping a register of practitioners compiled for emergency purposes; and what number of practitioners is available at any moment for immediate transfer to any area in which their services may be needed in emergency?

The information asked for in the first part of the Question was given in my reply to the hon. Member on 6th February. The number asked for in the second part is continually fluctuating owing to changes in the practitioners' circumstances, and I do not feel justified in calling for a special count of the register.

asked the Minister of Health who nominated or elected the four general practitioners who serve as such on the Central Medical War Committee?

As shown in the statement circulated with my reply to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ashford (Mr. Spens) on 26th October last, the four general practitioners to whom I presume the hon. Member refers were appointed by the British Medical Association on a territorial basis. There is, of course, a number of other general practitioners on the committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether the sum of 16s., agreed upon by him for the treatment of air-raid casualties, will be increased for the benefit of country practitioners who will have heavy travelling expenses in connection with such cases?

I have this matter under review and am prepared to consider an appropriate addition to the fee, if it appears in the light of experience that an abnormal amount of travelling is required in certain areas.

asked the Minister of Health how many children originally and officially evacuated to Oxfordshire have now returned to their homes?

The number of unaccompanied school children originally evacuated to Oxfordshire under the Government evacuation scheme was 11,793, of whom 2,783 have since returned. The figure for accompanied children is 4,400, of whom 3,690 have returned.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether there have been any recent developments concerning the relationship of the Union of South Africa to Northern and Southern Rhodesia; and whether discussions have taken place with the Union respecting the possibility of restoring a cheaper air-mail postal service?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, discussions are at present proceeding with the Union Government as regards air-mail postage rates between this country and the Union.

asked the Prime Minister what are the conditions for the exchange of British and German prisoners of war; when it is intended to commence such exchange; pending these exchanges, whether arrangements can be made for such prisoners of war to be interned in neutral countries; and, if so, under what conditions?

The British and German Governments have adopted the "Model Draft Agreement concerning the Direct Repatriation or Accommodation in a Neutral Country of Prisoners of War for Reasons of Health,'' which is suggested in Article 68 of the Geneva Convention of 1929 concerning the treatment of Prisoners of War, and is published as an annex to that Convention. The appointment of mixed medical commissions under Article 69 of the Convention is proceeding, but it is not possible at present to state when exchanges are likely to commence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that, after plans have been sanc- tioned, it will need more than two years to make them effective for providing post-war employment, he will now set up reconstruction organisations to work out subsidised employment schemes to be ready to be put into operation, with Treasury approval, immediately they are required?

The importance of the economic problems which will arise on demobilisation is fully appreciated, but until it is possible to envisage more clearly than at present the conditions likely to prevail at the end of the war, it would be premature to take such steps as my hon. Friend proposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons which have led him to provide by Rule 13 of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1940, No. 25, that a man accused of a contravention of the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, shall not be entitled, when summoned before a price regulation committee, to employ legal or other professional representatives to appear for him or to address the committee on his behalf; and is he prepared to reconsider this rule in order to restore to the subject his ancient right to employ members of the legal profession to protect his liberty?

The Price Regulation Committees set up under the Prices of Goods Act have no power to inflict penalties of any kind nor to summon before them a person against whom an allegation of a contravention of the Act has been made. Their function is to examine such allegations and, after giving an opportunity to an alleged offender of making representations to them and after hearing him if he so requests, to decide whether or not there is a prima facie case for prosecution under the Act, and, if so, to request the Board of Trade to institute proceedings. Their investigations, which are private, are in no sense comparable with trials in a court of law, and it is most undesirable that they should be regarded in that light. I am satisfied that the Rule to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers will contribute to the fair and efficient administration of the Act, and I see no reason why I should alter it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present policy of the Government with regard to trade between this country and France and whether the intention is to stimulate or stabilise it?

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 6th February by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade. The Government desire to see as much trade between France and this country as war conditions allow, and discussions have been taking place between the two countries with a view to removing obstacles to such trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to give favourable consideration to the proposal contained in the Moyne Report on British Films, for setting up an organisation to enable British film interests to obtain finance on reasonable terms for their productions?

I have lately received from the Cinematograph Films Council a report dealing with this subject, which I am now considering.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the delays which business men experience in obtaining exit permits for the purpose of visits abroad in connection with the tradeoff this country; and what steps are being taken to expedite the procedure?

I have been asked to reply. Applications for an exit permit for business reasons receive priority and are dealt with as expeditiously as possible. I am not aware that there is any avoidable delay in dealing with such cases, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Home Secretary whether prison officers occupying official quarters are being required to billet brother officers and their wives and to provide them with furniture and equipment without receiving payment therefore?

No, Sir. There is no compulsion in this matter. In consequence, however, of the redistribution of prison staff rendered necessary on the outbreak of war, a number of officers had to be transferred to other prisons at short notice, and some of these have been accommodated by members of the prison staff in their official quarters. As the official quarters are occupied rent free, subsistence allowances paid to billeted officers do not include any payment in respect of rent.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to remove the dissatisfaction now existing amongst officers at Parkhurst and Dartmoor prisons who are billeted on brother officers, and who pay their brother officers for accommodation, owing to the action of the Prison Commission in refusing to pay normal subsistence allowances, and in two cases refusing to pay subsistence allowance at all?

Prison officers when transferred from one station to another are treated in the same way as other Government servants. Subsistence allowance is payable to an officer who is transferred to help him to meet the extra expenses to which he is put during the preliminary period when he is living away from home and in finding accommodation for himself and his family at his new station. The allowance is paid only for a limited period, and when the officer has found, or has had a reasonable opportunity of finding, new accommodation and getting rid of any liabilities in respect of his former house, the allowance ceases. The allowance includes an element in respect of additional rent, except in cases where the officer is temporarily accommodated in official quarters for which no rent is paid. In the two cases in question subsistence allowances have been paid, but have ceased to be payable. Each of these officers has decided to keep on a house in London in respect of which he receives a rent allowance, and consequently cannot draw another rent allowance in respect of his accommodation at Dartmoor.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that officers at Dartmoor and Parkhurst prisons who have applied for transfer elsewhere, supporting their applications with medical certificates relating either to their own condition or that of their wives, have had their applications refused; and whether he will give instructions that such applications should be sympathetically considered and, wherever possible, complied with?

So far as I am aware, there is only one case coming within the terms of the Question, that of an officer transferred from London to Dartmoor Prison who has applied for transfer from Dartmoor on the grounds of his wife's health. The transfer of this officer, like that of many other prison officers, was rendered necessary owing to the redistribution of the prison population at the outbreak of war. The Prison Commissioners fully appreciate that such transfers must often cause inconvenience to the officers concerned and to their wives and families; they are always ready to give sympathetic consideration to any case where it is represented that transfer has involved special hardship, and the application of this particular officer has, in fact, been carefully and Sympathetically considered on more than one occasion. The commissioners are not satisfied, however, that there are sufficient grounds in this case to justify them in according exceptional treatment to this officer as compared with other officers who have been transferred.

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements have been made to compensate persons injured or the dependants of those killed as the result of the Irish Republican Army activities in this country; and whether any arrangements have yet been made to compensate those persons who were injured in the bomb explosions on Tuesday, 6th February?

While I have the deepest sympathy for those who have been injured and the relatives of those who have been killed. I regret that there are no funds at my disposal out of which I could authorise any payment to the injured or to the relatives of those who have been killed. The four persons injured in the bomb explosion on Tuesday, 6th February, are established servants of the Post Office and are eligible for sick leave in the first instance with full pay, and subsequently with pay at a reduced rate, or weekly payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, whichever is the more favourable.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that two members of the British Union of Fascists were recently sentenced to terms of imprisonment for activities prejudicial to the State, and that, prior to their conviction, they had been in communication with the British Union of Fascists on the matter which caused their apprehension and subsequent imprisonment; and what action he proposes to take against this organisation?

The circumstances of these cases did not warrant the institution of proceedings against any other person. As shown by these cases, a close watch is being kept on the activities of this organisation, and when necessary suitable action is taken.

asked the Minister of Supply why firms in Scotland, who are not members of the Forgemasters Federation, were asked to go to London to see the schedule of maximum prices for forgings; whether this schedule was, after two months, sent to Glasgow for examination but not for copying; and whether this schedule was sent to the office of the Ministry of Supply in Glasgow or to the office of the Iron and Steel Control in Glasgow?

One firm in Scotland has made inquiries regarding the schedule of maximum prices for forgings. They were given the option of inspecting the long and complicated schedule of these prices in London, where they have a representative, or of supplying details of the particular forgings in which they were interested, so that the prices could be communicated to them. They chose the latter alternative, but did not supply sufficient details to enable prices to be ascertained. Eventually, to meet their convenience, a copy of the schedule was sent to the office of the Iron and Steel Control of the Ministry of Supply in Glasgow and the firm was given an opportunity to inspect the schedule there and to make copies of extracts from it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that hardship is caused to soldiers serving in India by the high Customs Duties which are charged on parcels from this country; and whether he will make representations to the Government of India, with a view to getting these charges reduced, especially in view of the fact that soldiers serving in France do not have to pay similar duties?

The Government of India exempt from Customs Duty parcels the duty on which does not exceed 12 annas. The British troops in India are engaged on the normal duties of the peace-time garrison, and the Government of India are unable to grant any special exemption from Customs Duty similar to that which has been granted in France.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to bring to the notice of the medical boards before whom conscripts and others appear, the report of the conference convened in July last, to consider and advise on nervous instability which may become manifest in war and which has described shell-shock as a costly misnomer?

The instructions issued for the guidance of medical boards engaged in examining recruits for the Armed Forces, with regard to the estimation of nervous stability in determining a man's appropriate grading, already follow the main recommendations of the conference to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The question whether any further instructions are necessary is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the admitted shortage of skilled cooks for our rapidly expanding forces, he will allow unemployed chefs to enlist even temporarily, since they are at present debarred from so doing, as being in a reserved occupation; and whether the age-limit could be lowered for volunteers in these cases?

The application of the Schedule of Reserved Occupations was recently relaxed in respect of cooks, and the present position is that chefs, whether employed or unemployed, are free to enlist for service as cooks in the Armed Forces, even though they may be above the age of reservation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in any appeals to tribunals in Wales by conscientious objectors, any exemption from service has been granted on political grounds?

I am not aware of any definition of "political grounds" which would enable me to analyse the decisions of tribunals in the manner requested by the hon. Member, even if it were proper for me to do so. The grounds on which registration as a conscientious objector may be effected are contained in Section 5 of the Armed Forces Act, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his information shows to what extent adverse discrimination is exercised against coloured British subjects because of their colour; and whether Employment Exchanges have been instructed not to exercise such discrimination?

I have no information leading me to believe that there is any general adverse discrimination of this kind. The Employment Exchanges have not been given special instructions on the matter. In this as in other cases they must necessarily pay regard to the qualifications necessary for filling the vacancy.

asked the Minister of Labour the number, male and female, respectively, registered as unemployed at each of the following Employment Exchanges on 1st February, 1940, or nearest date: Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy, and Treorchy?

The table below shows the numbers of unemployed males and females, aged 14 years and over, on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in question on 15th January, 1940, the latest date for which figures are available:

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the possible demand for unemployed persons to accept offers of employment at some distance from their homes, and the fact that the Industrial Transference Scheme has been suspended, and no provision is now available for assistance in the removal of the homes and families of unemployed persons, he will have the whole situation reviewed in order to provide the required assistance?

The ordinary arrangements for an advance of fare to a worker who obtains work beyond daily travelling distance from his home are available for all. The facilities which were available under the peace-time industrial transference scheme are still available in suitable cases for those who complete a course of training at a Government training centre. Special arrangements have been made for assisting the movement of dock workers and others whose services in an emergency may be required away from home. The question of providing such facilities in appropriate cases remains constantly under review.

asked the Minister of Information whether, for the information of the workers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland as to the facts of working conditions in Germany, he will re-issue in leaflet form the article in No. 7 of the paper "Noteworthy," dated 19th January, 1940, entitled "Hitler and the German Worker"?

I agree that it is desirable to make working conditions in Germany as widely known as possible; the Ministry has under consideration various ways of doing this including the distribution of a leaflet based upon the article in question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that fishing boats from Kintyre ports have been requisitioned, without due warning, in the middle of the fishing season; that the national food supply has been affected, unemployment created, and that none of the owners or men of the requisitioned boats have received any compensation; and what steps will be taken to rectify the position?

For the prosecution of the war it is necessary to requisition further boats for Naval service. Every endeavour is made to spread this requisitioning fairly among the various fishing interests in this country, and only a comparatively small proportion of boats from Kintyre ports have been requisitioned so far. The hon. Member can rest assured that in this matter the Admiralty is doing its utmost to safeguard the interests of the fishing industry. Provisional payments on account of hire have been made to all the Kintyre owners who have sent in claims, and due compensation will, of course, be paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider granting similar rates of pay to officers of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve serving in the administration and special duties branch who are doing identical work to those of the Royal Air Force, especially as most of these officers have sacrificed their civil occupations; and farther, will he publish a list showing what are the corresponding branches referred to in his reply on 8th November, 1939?

There is no branch in the Royal Air Force which corresponds with the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. The officers of this branch are required to perform ground duties which would otherwise be performed by regular officers of the General Duties Branch. As officers of the Administrative and Special Duties Branch are not at any time required to carry out flying duties, they are paid at the same rates as officers of the Equipment Branch.There are corresponding branches in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve to the following branches of the Royal Air Force: General Duties Branch, Equipment Branch, Accountant Branch, Medical Branch, Dental Branch, Chaplains'Branch, and Legal Branch.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the different wages of the Air Ministry contract employéps at Cosford, Shropshire; whether he will investigate the complaint that some of them only receive £2 6s. 5d. a week, out of which they have to pay 4s. train or omnibus fare; and whether these rates are the same for other Ministry work of a similar type at other camps?

The wages of Air Ministry employés at Cosford are as follow:Skilled labour: From 69s. to 73s. for a week of 48 hours, according to trade.Semi-skilled labour: From 49s. to 60s. for a week of 48 hours, according to grade.Unskilled labour: 48s. for a week of 48 hours.After deduction of the statutory insurance contributions an unskilled labourer receives £2 6s. 5d. a week. The rates paid at Cosford and at all Air Ministry outstations are in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Wages Resolution and vary according to the prevailing recognised rates in the district for comparable labour. I should add that the Air Ministry at present bears the cost of travelling in excess of 3s. a week over the rail routes between Cosford and Wolverhampton and Cosford and Wellington.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in serving requisition notices on the owners of a farm in Oxfordshire, his representatives did so without any prior consultation with the owner or occupier; whether in this case the farmer is prevented from obtaining access to the fields severed and which his Department does not want; and whether he will make investigations to see whether the agricultural requirements of the district and of the country can be met by permitting proper cultivation of the proper land?

In the case of the site to which I assume the hon. Baronet refers, I am advised that consultation took place between an officer of the Air Ministry and the owner prior to the serving of a requisition notice. On the question of access, the tenant has been asked to state the route over which he would require access and has been informed that every effort will be made to meet him in this matter, subject only to service requirements. I am assured that agricultural considerations are always borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the milder weather, and as the cost of opening potato clamps is considerably less, he proposes to suspend the extra grant of 5s. per ton to growers; and whether he is aware of the resentment which is felt by the wholesalers at their inability to recoup themselves for distribution?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that potato growers are of the opinion that the present controlled prices are not meeting current expenditure, and, especially in view of the losses during the recent frost, will he take the earliest possible opportunity of publishing the new schedule of prices to enable growers to see whether there is a certainty of guaranteed remuneration?

The Order permitting the 5s. per ton increase in growers' prices has now been superseded by a new Potato Control Order, which came into operation yesterday, and prescribes revised schedules of growers' and wholesale and retail prices.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Teneriffe new potatoes are being imported which make up to 4d.a pound wholesale price; and will he take steps to prevent this extravagance seeing that plenty of reasonably good home-grown potatoes are available at less than 1d. per pound?

Imports of new potatoes, from Teneriffe and elsewhere, at this season of the year, are small in quantity, being mainly intended for the hotel and catering trades, and their effect upon the general consumption of home-grown potatoes is almost negligible. I do not think that it would be in the public interest to impose an absolute prohibition.

asked the Minister of Food whether, to avoid any confusion or trade dislocation, he has, before finally compiling the new schedule of potato prices, consulted all sections of the trade interested with the object of avoiding any of the difficulties which have arisen in the working of controlled systems?

The organised sections of the trade concerned, namely, the producers and the retail distributors were consulted before the schedules of prices were fixed.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in many districts, such as in Shropshire, there are thousands of miners whose staple food is cheese and bacon which is taken to the pit with them; and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider an increase of the normal ration of bacon to enable these men to secure their daily food of a nature which is necessary to the fulfilment of their activities?

I am aware of the large consumption of bacon by certain classes of workers such as those to whom my hon. Friend refers. The individual bacon ration is now eight ounces a week, but in addition there is a number of cuts of bacon which are available free of the ration, and it has not yet been represented to my right hon. Friend that miners or other workers are suffering any hardship as the result of the rationing of bacon. If, however, my hon. Friend has any facts which he would like to put before me, I will willingly consider them.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that although centralised slaughtering of cattle may be workable in towns, great difficulties have arisen in rural areas; and whether he is prepared to put forward a scheme which would fit in with existing accommodation in country districts?

I am not aware that the arrangements for the slaughter in selected slaughter-houses of fat stock for human consumption involve the rural areas in great difficulties. Any alternative scheme which did not involve a considerable reduction in the number of slaughtering points and which applied to rural areas only, would defeat many of the objects of the present scheme, one of which is to ensure the equitable allocation of home-killed meat and imported meat as between different areas.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the anomalies which are known to exist in connection with the livestock control, he will review the formulae upon which the livestock controlled prices are based?

The classification and grades of animals under which purchases of livestock are made by my Department were drawn up in consultation with the Agricultural Departments and the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales and Scotland. The experience of the first three weeks' working of the scheme indicates that the basis on which prices of livestock are framed has proved generally suitable for the purpose. I see no reason at the present stage for any general review.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give an assurance that Cornish pasties will be included under the heading of meat pies for exemption from rationing restrictions?

I can give the assurance asked for. Cornish pasties will be subject to the same provisions as regards exemption from rationing restrictions as meat pies.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now, in view of the material change in circumstances, such as increased price of feeding-stuffs, rises in price of labour and transport, which has taken place since the coming into effect of the Feeding Stuffs (Maximum Prices) Order of 6th January last, consider increasing the basic price of pigs to a level that will enable producers to secure a profit?

I am not aware that any material change in circumstances has occurred since the prescribed prices for pigs now in force were fixed to justify any increase.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a farmer near Albrighton, who breeds sheep, and has hitherto sold to the local butcher who slaughters and distributes, now has to send his animals eight miles to Shifnal to be graded, and from there has to forward them 16 miles to Wolverhampton to be slaughtered; that the meat has then to come back to Shifnal 16 miles more to be redistributed; and whether he is considering improving these methods of distribution?

I am aware that a farmer at Albrighton who has fat sheep for sale for slaughter has to send them to his nearest collecting centre, which is Shifnal, to be graded for sale there to the Government. Collecting centres have been set up at practically all the fat stock markets in the country, and I do not think there can be any hardship in requiring a farmer to send his fat stock to his nearest market for sale to the Government.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can make any detailed statements as to the progress of the utilisation of suitable standing timber in this country; how much of such timber is taken, respectively, from England, Scotland, and Wales, and how much from State and private forests, respectively?

Licences to fell 67,000,000 cubic feet of standing timber from private estates in Great Britain have been granted to the trade, of which 42,000,000 are in England and Wales and 25,000,000 in Scotland. In addition 9,000,000 cubic feet have been acquired in England and Wales from private estates and 4,000,000 cubic feet in Scotland. Some 48,000,000 cubic feet have been ear-marked for felling in the State forests. The work of felling and conversion is proceeding vigorously both by the trade and the Forestry Commission.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can give any details as to the number of Dominion lumbermen who are over in this country dealing with the preparation of timber for the home market and how their operations are progressing?

Newfoundlanders to the number of 1,964 are here for the purpose of cutting pitprops and mining timber. They are being put to work in Scotland, where large stands of suitable timber are available, and arrangements are being made to employ a small party in England on the same type of work.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the shortage of timber supplies, British forests are now being heavily drawn upon; and whether the Commission is pursuing a policy of replanting with quick-growing timber?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much land has been acquired by the Treasury in payment of Death Duties during the past 10 years?

No land has been acquired by the Treasury in payment of Death Duties during the period in question.

asked the Prime Minister which Minister, apart from the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, is specially charged with the safeguarding of the interests of the fishing industry?

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland are specifically charged with safeguarding generally the interests of the fishing industry in England and Wales and in Scotland respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what numbers of school children in evacuation, neutral, and reception areas are now receiving free meals, and what numbers of these school children are now receiving free milk in schools?

The information is as follows:

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what portion as to the area and situation and elevation above sea-level of the Tarlogie and Camscurrie estates in Tain have been acquired by the Forestry Commission; what prices were paid for the land; and what was the rate able value of the properties previous to acquisition?

Some 1,127 acres situated two miles west of Tain between 120 and 940 feet above sea-level are being acquired by the Forestry Commission. It would be contrary to public interest to disclose the price of any individual acquisition. The rateable value of the area being acquired has not yet been apportioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution of the Renfrewshire District Council of the Scottish Temperance Alliance urging restriction on the sale and consumption of alcoholic liquor in the interests of national security, road safety, industrial production, and the conservation of food supplies, a copy of which has been communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have noted the terms of the resolution referred to. The principal restrictions imposed during the last war upon the sale of intoxicating liquor, in- cluding a drastic reduction of the hours of sale, were continued with certain modifications in the Licensing Act, 1921. While I am watching the situation carefully, I have as yet no information to suggest that further restrictions are required at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the Ayr Town Council acquired the Belleisle golf course and the old racecourse; what areas these grounds cover, and on what terms these properties were acquired; and whether he is aware that these municipal open spaces have recently been let for grazing at an annual rent of £225?

I am informed that the Ayr Town Council purchased Belleisle Estate, which extends to approximately 290 acres, on 15th May, 1926, at a cost of £25,000, no restrictions of any kind being made in the title grant to the council. Part of the estate was laid out as a golf course; part was used to extend and improve the existing golf course on the old racecourse; and the remainder was laid out for the use of the public. The old racecourse, which extends to about 64 acres, was given by Royal Charter to the Burgh in the fourteenth century.Following on representations from the South Ayrshire Agricultural Committee, the town council decided to let the lands for grazing during the present emergency, and have let them to the highest offerer at a rent of £225 per annum. The public are not restricted from the right to play golf or games or from the right of access, and the gardens, etc., are open to the public as formerly.