asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the case of Private P. Cooke, 613962, A.C., who, whilst attending sick quarters at Hucknall in July, 1939, was given Sloan's liniment to drink instead of medicine by the medical attendant in charge, with the result that he became acutely ill and required to be sent home, incurring considerable medical and other expenses, which, so far, have not yet been completely discharged by his Department; and what steps he proposes to take in order to meet these extra charges, and compensation to the soldier concerned?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of this unfortunate occurrence. The airman's hospital bill has been paid by the Air Ministry, and there are arrangements, which are set out on airmen's pass forms, for the payment by my Department of expenses of medical attention required by airmen on leave. I am not aware that this airman was put to any expense in this connection, but I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the officer in charge of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force stationed at Farnborough is ignoring the notification to all commands and groups that the private purchase of uniform has now been recognised officially, and is permitting the use thereof by commissioned and non-commissioned officers only; whether he proposes to take any disciplinary action thereon; and whether, in the circumstances, he will cause the notification of the official recognition of the private purchase and use of uniform to be brought to the attention of all ranks in orders of the day?

I am informed that the notification in question has now been brought to the notice of all ranks of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force at Farnborough. I do not think it is necessary to take any further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any units of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force are yet receiving uniforms for ranks other than commissioned and non-commissioned officers; and when such other ranks of the unit stationed at Farnborough who have been without uniforms since the commencement of the war can expect to receive uniforms?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Delivery of uniforms to Farnborough has begun and will be completed as rapidly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has decided to transfer for service abroad certain units of the Balloon Barrage; and whether men who joined these units voluntarily, on the understanding that they were to serve only in the British Isles or Northern Ireland, are to be included in any such units?

The Armed Forces (Conditions of Service) Act, 1939, rendered all officers and men of the Auxiliary Air Force, including those enlisted in Balloon Barrage units, liable for service overseas during their present period of embodiment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that all Balloon Barrage units are adequately defended against the possibility of sabotage or enemy troops dropped by parachute?

I am satisfied that units of the Balloon Barrage are adequately protected against such contingencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of the Air Ministry to supplement the Service pay of employés of firms under Air Ministry control who were called to the Colours on the outbreak of war?

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the shadow factories, which are managed by selected firms on behalf of the Air Ministry. I am advised that the practice of these firms follows that of good employers in similar industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of men with flying experience who have volunteered under the deferred enlistment scheme, Form 2150, and are now waiting to be called up for training; what proportion of these men are in receipt of pay; and the reason for any discrimination in this respect?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the information asked for in the first part of the Question, which cannot be obtained without undue expenditure of time and labour. None of the men referred to is in receipt of pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give an assurance that when the air service to the United States from this country is started, British flying-boats will be employed for the purpose?

It is certainly the intention to use British aircraft on this service.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet come to a decision in the case of Charlotte Arnheim, who has been interned since 10th December last; whether he is going to refer her case to the advisory committee; and, if so, how soon he will be in a position to do so?

I propose to refer this case to the advisory committee as soon as certain inquiries, which are in progress, have been completed.

asked the Home Secretary the amount of money expended, up to the latest date, on wooden strutting of tenements in Glasgow for air-raid precautions purposes, and the amount spent on erecting galvanised iron structures on footpaths in front of tenement entrances?

I understand that the total amount expended on the strutting of closes in Glasgow is about £91,500. Of this £65,000 represents strutting inside the closes; and £8,000 and £18,500 the erection of baffle walls at the front and back respectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Anderson shelters have been delivered in St. Thomas, Swansea, for two months, but cannot be erected owing to the non-provision of nuts and bolts; and what steps have been taken to remedy this state of affairs?

I am aware that the supply of nuts and bolts for the shelters delivered to Swansea has been insufficient. This has been due to difficulties experienced in obtaining the necessary supplies from the manufacturers and to delays in transport occasioned by the adverse weather conditions. Every possible step is being taken to accelerate the supply, and I hope that the deficiency may be made good in the near future.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the anomalous position existing in Swansea, where the householder runs the risk of prosecution by displaying a small ray of light during black-out hours, while the Mumbles lighthouse sheds a beam of light for miles; and whether, in circumstances such as these, he will consider easing the street-lighting restrictions to the benefit of pedestrians?

The light from a neighbouring lighthouse would not give hostile aircraft the same assistance as would be given by full lighting of towns in the vicinity; and I therefore could not agree that the lighting restrictions should be relaxed in any coastal area where navigational lights are shown. As regards the last part of the Question, I understand that it has been decided to instal at Swansea the low intensity street lighting which is now permitted under the Lighting (Restrictions) Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of his Department to make arrangements for a reduction of hours during night duty of auxiliary firemen whose present hours are 15?

Whole-time members of the Auxiliary Fire Service are required to be on duty for a minimum of 72 hours a week, the arrangement of the actual periods of duty being a matter for the local authority concerned. In some districts the periods of duty have been so arranged that there are alternating periods of 15 hours and 9 hours daily. Facilities for sleeping are provided, and I see no reason to raise objection to this procedure where it best suits local conditions.

asked the Minister of Health whether it will be open to any person injured in an air raid, whatever his income, and requiring treatment in his own home, to demand that this treatment shall be afforded him under the inclusive fee to the doctor of 16s. per year?

As the hon. Member will see from the published memorandum already sent to him, the arrangements to which he refers are available to any person injured in an air raid who, after treatment at a hospital, is certified to require further medical treatment which it is not practicable to give at a hospital, and who is not entitled to medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. Patients, however, who would normally make their own arrangements for domiciliary treatment are, of course, free to do so.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed that his arrangement with the British Medical Association, whereby air-raid casualties are to be treated by general medical practitioners for 16s. a year, shall be effective on those who are not members of this association?

Yes, Sir. The arrangement for domiciliary treatment in certain circumstances after attendance at hospital is applicable to any duly qualified medical practitioner.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the arrangements relating to medical services under which the remuneration of medical practitioners is dependent upon a so-called local emergency medical committee disbursing Government funds on such basis, whether capitation or attendance, as may be found convenient to such committee; and whether he will consider, as he is responsible for the provision of these medical services, dealing with this expenditure, and having it properly certified by the Exchequer and Audit Department?

The arrangements are working to my satisfaction. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question which he put to me on I2th December last.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposed remuneration of 16s. per annum for the treatment of air-raid casualties, not being insured persons, means that, if a practitioner treats a casualty once only, he will receive payment for one day only or approximately one halfpenny, or whether there is to be a central found representing all non-insured persons, by reason of the responsibility of the medical profession for all members of the community whether insured persons or not?

The fee of 16s. payable under the scheme covers a period of one year from the first visit, whatever the number of visits paid in the year. There is no such central fund as is suggested in the latter part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Health whether the British Medical Association, when agreeing with him that doctors should accept 16s. a year for the treatment of air-raid casualties, gave him any assurance that the medical profession has been afforded an opportunity of discussing the sufficiency or otherwise of this sum?

No, Sir, but I am informed that the matter was dealt with, in accordance with the rules of the British Medical Association, by the council of the association and its executive committee.

asked the Minister of Health under what authority he has agreed with the British Medical Association, or negotiates with any other body, to standardise the fees to be charged by general medical practitioners for the treatment of those injured in air raids?

I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the fee of 16s. which is to be paid by my Department to medical practitioners in certain circumstances for the treatment of air-raid casualties. I agreed that fee with the British Medical Association as being the body most widely representative of the profession.

asked the Home Secretary whether having regard to the findings of the Stewart Committee, 1935, quoad medical referees, he is prepared to recommend steps being immediately taken to permit of appeals from the findings of medical referees by either party to the medical referee?

The recommendations of this Committee as to the setting up of medical appeal tribunals are part of a scheme under which all medical issues under the Workmen's Compensation Act would as a general rule be decided by the medical referee and not by the courts. They would involve substantial changes in the machinery of the Act, and I do not think it would be right, even if it were practicable, to introduce such changes at the present juncture, more especially as the Royal Commission will be reviewing the whole matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions what provision has been made, in respect of the crew of the steam trawler "Star of Scotland, "for the dependants of the two members of the crew who were killed and for the two members of the crew who were injured by enemy action on 19th December last; and how the two first payments abovementioned compare with such payments as would have accrued to the dependants under the Workmen's Compensation Acts?

One of the two members of the crew who were killed left a. widow with one child. The widow has been awarded a pension of 22s. 6d. a week with an allowance of 5s. a week in respect of the child; a total of 27s. 6d. a week. It is not possible to compare awards made under the Mercantile Marine Scheme with those which might have been made under the Workmen's Compensation Acts where these Acts are applicable, as any award under these Acts would have been in the form of lump sums and not of continuing pension. No application has been received from any dependant of the other man who lost his life. Awards in respect of war injury have been made to four, not two, members of the crew, at rates varying from 27s. a week to 54s. 2d. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Chief Engineer James Scott Morrison, of the steam trawler "Dunedin, "Aberdeen, who went down with that vessel when sunk by enemy action, on 19th January last, left young children, aged 13 and 14, who are now orphans looked after by their sister, aged 23, who gave up work to act as housekeeper when the mother died in 1938; that no provision has been made for any allowance in respect of this sister; and whether he will expedite a decision?

An award of 20s. has been made to the adult sister of the children in respect of the two children. No grant of pension is permissible under the terms of the Order in Council in respect of the adult sister herself.

asked the Minister of Shipping (1) how many awards of Board of Trade medals for gallantry in saving life at sea, have been made since 1st September last in silver, and in bronze, respectively; and whether he is satisfied that his Department is kept informed of such acts of gallantry by British subjects or foreigners serving in British ships, and that recommendations for awards are promptly made;(2) how many awards of Board of Trade Medals for foreign services in gold and silver, respectively, have been made since 1st September, under Section 677 (i) (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act, and how many awards of plate, binoculars or money; and whether he is satisfied that his Department is kept informed of such acts of gallantry by British subjects serving on ships with Indian, Dominion, Colonial or foreign registry, and of like acts by foreign seamen in ships of British registry, and that recommendations for awards are promptly made?

A number of other awards have been made to officers and men of the Merchant Navy since 1st September last. No awards have so far been made of the medals to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, or of plate, binoculars, or money, but a number of cases in which such awards might be appropriate are at present under consideration. The arrangements that have now been made between the Ministry of Shipping and the Admiralty will ensure that the Ministry get full information of acts of gallantry on British ships.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement with regard to the arrest of a British subject in Sweden on suspicion of espionage?

According to my Noble Friend's information, a British subject has been arrested. An investigation is being conducted by the Swedish authorities, and His Majesty's Minister at Stockholm is watching the case. I am not at present in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information as to the numbers of refugees from all the territories now occupied by Germany permitted to enter France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and this country, respectively, giving the population of each of those countries and the percentages of refugees admitted in relation to that population?

The number of refugees from Germany, Austria, Czecho-Slovakia, and Poland now in the United Kingdom is officially estimated at 74,500. From this figure a few hundreds should be deducted

—				Refugees.	Population.	Percentage.
United Kingdom		…	…	74,000	47,000,000	0·16 per cent.
France	…	…	…	42,000	42,000,000	0·10 per cent.
Belgium	…	…	…	20,000	8,400,000	0·24 per cent.
Netherlands	…	…	…	23,000	8,600,000	0·27 per cent.
Denmark	…	…		A few hundreds each	3,750,000	Less than 0·03 per cent.
Norway	…	…			2,900,000
Sweden	…	…			6,300,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet reached a decision as to the rates of commission payable to insurance societies and companies for collecting the premiums on war risk, commodities, insurance?

It is not intended to pay to the companies and underwriters acting as the agents of the Board of Trade under the commodity insurance scheme remuneration on a commission basis. With the concurrence of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend has agreed to make, and the Board's agents have agreed to accept, payments on a scale so calculated as to do no more than defray their expenses for the work done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount now in the fund for the insurance of goods and merchandise; whether any amounts have been paid out of the funds; and the total amount of claims made thereon?

The balance to the credit of the War Risks (Commodities) Insurance Fund on 20th February,

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that deliveries of cotton yarn are slow and not obtainable in sufficient quantities, and whether his attention has been called to the fact that spinning mills continue to be sold on the instructions of the Cotton Spindles Board, on the understanding that the plant and machinery are no longer to be used for the manufacture of cotton yarn; and whether it is proposed to suspend such instructions for the duration of the war?

In answer to the first part of the Question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke) on 20th February. On his other points, I would explain that the Spindles Board have not acquired any mills since the outbreak of war, their purchasing powers having lapsed in September, 1939. The sales that have recently taken place have been almost wholly of obsolete plant or machinery acquired before the war for which use could not be found in this country. Such machinery as was fit for use was sold to the trade.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will inform the House about the circumstances in which it was decided to place the name of the Amsterdam banking firm, H. Albert de Bary and Company, on the statutory list; whether he was aware at the beginning of the war that the firm in question was under German control; and why the decision to place the firm on the statutory list has been delayed for over five months?

I have been asked to reply. As the Member has previously been informed, it is not in the public interest to give reasons for action taken in particular cases under the powers conferred on the Board of Trade by Subsection (2) of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to preventing the unnecessary use of shipping space and the importation of unnecessary manufactured goods, he will take steps to restrict, during the war, the importation of carpets into this country; and what quantity have been imported from India since the commencement of the war?

The importation of wool carpets, except under licence, has been prohibited since 5th September, 1939, and no licences are being issued for importation from any foreign country except France. An open general licence has been issued permitting the importation of wool carpets from British countries. The total value of the carpets imported from India under this licence, up to 17th February, amounted to £32,569. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend sees no need to place any restriction on imports of Indian carpets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of radio high-tension batteries in the Pershore district of Worcestershire among wireless dealers who normally supply these batteries to the country districts where no electricity supply is available, he will take steps to ensure, as far as possible, equitable distribution, having regard to the fact that certain chain-stores are able to obtain regular supplies and small radio dealers throughout the country are gravely handicapped?

If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any specific cases of difficulty, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his decision not to grant sanction for the completion of houses at Pelsall and Rushall in the urban district of Aldridge, in view of the urgent need for houses in these districts to rehouse tenants from unfit dwellings, and the loss which will fall on the local authority if these houses are not completed?

I regret that I am not in a position, at the moment, to accede to the application to which the hon. Member refers. I can assure him, however, that I am anxious that this and similar schemes should proceed as and when circumstances permit, and I am keeping the housing position under close review in relation to the demand on certain building materials for other purposes including new houses urgently required for the accommodation of workers in the factory and on the land.

asked the Minister of Health how many new council houses are available for residents in Bath; and how many applicants are on the waiting list for these houses?

According to a return furnished by the town council at the end of October last, 48 houses had been completed by them since 31st July, 1939, and they were engaged on the completion of a further 416 houses which were under construction when the wax broke out. I am unable to give the information asked for in the second part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the compulsion which rests on landlords at the present time to accept non-economic rents of new flats, he will consider legislation providing that the Rent Restriction Act shall not apply to premises erected or first let after 3rd September, 1939?

I do not consider that action of the kind suggested by my hon. and learned Friend is called for at the present time. The Act to which he refers is an emergency Measure which will cease to be in force six months after the end of the war, when it will be necessary to review the position in the light of the conditions then existing.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses commenced to be built since the outbreak of the present war?

I am unable to give the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks, but since the beginning of the war I have approved, or indicated my willingness to approve, of the erection by local authorities, or by private enterprise with the aid of subsidy, of nearly 3,000 new houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether there has been an increase in the amounts recently issued to approved societies to cover the cost of sickness and disablement benefit; if so, what is the estimated increase over and above any other similar period in any previous year; and whether he can state the reason for this?

Yes, Sir. I am informed that an increase in the amounts issued to approved societies during the present year, as compared with last year, has been necessitated by increased claims for sickness benefit, on account of the higher incidence of influenza. The figures for this year are not abnormal in comparison with those for the epidemic years of 1933 and 1937, as the hon. Member will see from the following statement of the issues for the early part of each of the past eight years.The amounts issued to approved societies during the period 1st January to 20th February inclusive in each of the years 1933–40 are as follow:

	£
1933	3,565,000
1934	2,867,000
1935	2,720,000
1936	2,308,000
1937	3,463,000
1938	2,563,000
1939	3,111,000
1940	3,486,000

asked the Minister of Health whether, until the time comes to amend the Health Insurance Act, he will consider, owing to the increased cost of living, the desirability of taking temporary steps to make an annual grant to approved societies with the object of increasing the small weekly sum at present paid to members suffering from chronic ill-health in order to provide them with the ordinary necessaries of life?

I am afraid I have no funds at my disposal out of which such a grant could be made.

asked the Minister of Health what Metropolitan boroughs have salvage plants installed for the separation of various items of refuse collected by the local sanitary authorities?

Separation plants are installed to deal with the refuse of two Metropolitan boroughs, namely, Kensington and Greenwich.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that men in the Services, and their widows, will be deprived of their contributory pensions if they are entitled to any Service pensions under present regulations; and will he take steps to remove this injustice?

The position to which the hon. Member calls attention is governed by the provisions of the Contributory Pensions Acts against double pensions. These provisions were amended to the advantage of the pensioners by the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, and I could not now undertake to introduce legislation to make further concessions.

asked the Minister of Health how many children at Liverpool have been immunised against diphtheria; what proportion of children under 10 years of age are immunised; and how many cases of diphtheria, and deaths from that disease, have occurred in immunised children in that city in the last three years?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether steps are to be taken in connection with school camps to provide separate living quarters for married teachers, either in the camps themselves or in the neighbourhood?

The question of providing separate living quarters for married teachers when a school is transferred to a national camp is primarily one for the education authority responsible for the school. The standard plans of the camps being erected by the National Camps Corporation do not provide for such quarters.

asked the Minister of Health in what respect the Central Medical War Committee differs from the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association as regards its compositon, functions, and responsibility for advising him; whether any change has been effected other than of name; and whether the Central Medical War Committee is in any way, as was the earlier committee, under the control of the British Medical Association?

The Central Medical War Committee differs from the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association in composition, functions, and responsibilities. It includes representatives of the Medical Research Council and of special branches of medicine, two of whom were appointed by the Government. It was constituted after the outbreak of war to advise the Government on the allocation of doctors to His Majesty's Forces and to civilian services connected with the war, and generally to represent the profession in any negotiations with the Government affecting questions of medical personnel. It is not in any way under the control of the British Medical Association.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Royal Anthropological Institute has appointed a committee to conduct an anthropometric survey; and will he, in the nation's interest and in consultation with the institute and other Ministries concerned, facilitate this work now while such large numbers of men and women are collected in groups and so provide the material for the survey?

I have no information as to the survey to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and I am, accordingly, not in a position to say whether I should find myself able to assist in providing facilities for it.

asked the Minister of Food whether the wholesale price of imported beef and mutton is declared to retailers as is the case in respect of home-killed; and why Australian cow-beef is being charged the same price as Argentine ox-beef?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, there is at present only one price for imported beef sold for the retail trade. Arrangements were recently made for the best Australian cow-beef only to be sold for this trade; the other grades, known in the trade as F.A.Q., will for the present be sold for manufacturing purposes only.

asked the Minister of Food the estimated cost to the Ministry in 1940, per hundredweight 96 per cent. raw sugar, of home-grown sugar and British West Indian sugar, respectively?

I regret that I am not in a position to give an estimate such as is desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food the reason for the revocation of S.R.O. 150 of 31st January, 1940, fixing maximum retail milk prices by the substitution for it of S.R.O. 197 of 8th February, 1940, in view of the fact, admitted by the Milk Marketing Board, that the Exchequer grants recently made to it were given on the understanding that retail prices are not increased above the level of last year, and that the effect of S.R.O. 197 is to raise the retail price of milk in rural areas and in towns with populations of less than 10,000 to 7d. a quart at the present time, as compared with 6d. a quart in February, 1939?

The Milk (Retail Maximum Prices) Order, 1940, of 31st January, 1940, was revoked because the uniform maximum prices prescribed did not make allowance for certain local and special prices under existing contracts and practices. The grant made to the Milk Marketing Boards was conditional on the maintenance for the present of the existing level of retail prices of liquid milk. The maintenance of the local and special prices referred to is not inconsistent with this condition. With regard to the final part of the Question, I would refer to the answer which I gave the hon. Member for North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the existing subsidies do not provide sufficient margins to enable producer-retailers of milk in scattered rural areas to meet their costs; and whether, in view of the undesirability of placing these individuals in a position where they would have to abandon their scattered rounds, he will take steps to remedy the present inadequacy of the distributors' margin?

The existing subsidy is granted to the producer-retailer in his capacity as a producer in order to meet the higher costs of milk production. The question of the margin due to the distributor of milk is at present under con- sideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced, and the extra costs incurred, by the producers and distributors of milk during January, when transport of milk from farms and outlying villages was seriously impeded by the condition of the roads; and whether any additional allowance will be payable to producers and distributors in respect of these increased costs?

No special allowance can be paid to producers or distributors in respect of the increased costs, due to the bad weather conditions, incurred in transporting milk from the farms to depots and dairies. Many other trades incurred extra distribution costs owing to the weather during January, and it would be impossible to grant compensation in this respect to farmers and milk distributors and withhold it from other trades. Milk producers are obtaining, at the cost of the public funds, an additional 3d. per gallon over the price which they received for milk in January and February of last year, and 2½d. per gallon in March.

asked the Minister of Food whether, on the introduction of meat rationing, he will extend the validity of coupons to two weeks, so that married couples without children and small families may be enabled occasionally to purchase a joint?

No, Sir. The regulation and allocation of supplies of rationed foodstuffs which are necessary so as to ensure that every coupon will be honoured when presented to a retailer makes it impracticable to extend the validity of coupons beyond a week.

asked the Minister of Food what complaints he has received on behalf of farmers with regard to the system of weighing animals sent in for slaughter; and whether farmers are at present given in all cases all the information that is necessary for them to establish what they, as experts, consider to be the weight of the animals they send in?

I am not aware of any complaints with regard to the system of weighing animals sold to the Ministry of Food. Fat cattle are purchased on actual live weight, and farmers can see their animals weighed at the collecting centre. Fat sheep are purchased on the basis of the dead weight as estimated by the certifying authority at the collecting centre, and the estimated dead weight is furnished to the farmer concerned.As regards information relating to actual dead weights of the fat cattle and sheep, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 20th February. Fat pigs are purchased on the basis of the actual dead weights of the animals, and this information is furnished to the farmer.

asked the Minister of Food in how many towns and villages in each county in England and Wales there was a shortage of bread during the recent spell of severe weather; in how many of these towns and villages was there a local baker or bakers in August, 1914, but none now; and where there are such local bakers, in how many of these towns and villages was there a bread shortage owing to the lack of supplies, and what supplies?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer to his similar Question on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Food why the replacement fee for a licence to sell by retail is fixed as high as 10s. 6d., seeing that a C licence for a commercial vehicle can be obtained for 5s. a year, and a replacement of such a licence at only 1s.?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friends the Members for Bolton (Sir C. Entwistle) and South Croydon (Sir H. Williams).

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, while the buyers of feeding-stuffs have the right to demand from the sellers particulars of the charges made above the maximum fixed by the Maximum Prices Order, they are unwilling to ask for such particulars lest they should lose the small supply they are presently receiving; and whether he will make inquiries into the retail prices of feeding-stuffs, especially mixed feeding-stuffs, with a view to the abolition of profiteering in what is essential for the very existence of the livestock in the country?

I am having inquiries made into the cases that my hon. Friend has brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has appointed, or intends to appoint, 12 men inspectors in connection with the Government's education and food campaign, at salaries of £1,000 a year each; whether any women were considered for these appointments; and, if not, whether it was because, on inquiry, there were found to be no suitable women available?

In connection with the arrangements now in preparation for giving guidace to the public on the use of foods, appointments not exceeding 10 in number are being made for the purpose of assisting in the co-ordination of the work of the various organisations concerned and the promotion of local schemes. The work will be undertaken in co-operation with the women domestic science inspectors of the Board of Education. The range of salary proposed is £400–£500 a year, and women as well as men candidates will be eligible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in order to reduce the use of road or rail transport, he will instruct Government Departments and local authorities, when giving contracts for materials for public works, to take into consideration the availability of such material locally as well as its cost?

The responsibility for the purchase of materials for Government works contracts rests as a rule with the contractor. In so far as Government Departments are concerned in the direct purchase of such materials, it is their practice to take into account the cost delivered on the site.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present membership of the Works and Building Priority Sub-Committee, and which persons on it are considered to represent manufacturers or suppliers of building materials and the architectural profession, respectively?

The Works and Building Priority Sub-Committee is part of the Government's Priority Organisation and is composed of the official representatives of the Government Departments directly or indirectly concerned with building and works of construction. It is assisted by advisory panels representing employers and workpeople in the building and civil engineering industries, and other contacts are maintained with representatives of the manufacturers of materials and of the professions associated with building construction.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the office hours of the collector of taxes in the City of London have been altered from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. till 3 p.m., and that this earlier hour of closing is causing inconvenience to taxpayers; and will he have the original hours of opening reinstated?

The offices in question are in the jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Income Tax for the City of London. The hour of closing to the public was, I understand, advanced in conformity with earlier business and banking hours in the City and in order to facilitate the return of staff to their homes in the black-out. I am assured that the Commissioners are anxious to meet the public convenience, and if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any complaint, I will gladly, with their assistance, look into it.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give the names of the members who constitute the Cereals Import Committee domiciled at God-stone?

The names of the members who constitute the Cereals Import Committee are Mr. J. V. Rank (chairman), Mr. A. E. Hooker (deputy chairman), Mr. H. R. Granger, Mr. W. C. Lamarque, Mr. J. McFadyen and Mr. J. H. Pillman. In addition, the chairman and deputy chairman of the Cereals Control Board, the administrative member and his deputy are ex officio members of the committee. Their names are as follow: chairman, Sir Alan Anderson; deputy chairman, Sir William Gowers; administrative member, Mr. H. D. Vigor, and deputy administrative member, Mr. E. P. Keely, both of the Ministry of Food.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many awards of the Distinguished Service Medal have been made to petty officers and men of the Royal Navy, and to non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines since 1st September?

One hundred and thirty-seven awards of the Distinguished Service Medal have been made since the outbreak of war to men in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many awards of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal have been made to petty officers, naval ratings, non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, respectively, since 1st September?

Four awards of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal have been made since the outbreak of war to men in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there are any objections on grounds of national interest to the publication of the weekly returns of traffics earned by the four main line companies and the London Passenger Transport Board; and, if not, will he arrange for such publication, in view of the public interest in this question, especially in view of the railway agreement?

The disclosure of figures of railway traffics would not be in the national interest, and I cannot therefore agree to their publication. I may add that the earnings of individual companies are no longer ascertained, as the need for dividing through traffic receipts ceased with the formation of a pool of revenue. Moreover, the aggregate figures would not be comparable with figures for a pre-war period, owing to circumstances arising out of the requisitioning by the Government of privately-owned wagons.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons have been killed and how many injured in accidents involving omnibuses, trolley-buses, and tramcars, respectively, operated by the London Passenger Transport Board in the four months ended 31st December, 1939, compared with the four months ended 31st December, 1938?

I am making inquiries of the London Passenger Transport Board, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport how many thousands of loaded wagons of coal have been standing in colliery sidings for weeks awaiting removal by the railway companies; whether he is aware that a colliery near Mansfield states that the northern railway companies will not be bothered with small consignments and will only deal with full train loads, but in spite of an order being placed for 120 wagons for Brighton and Chichester districts, where conditions are abnormal owing to the presence of many thousands of evacuees, deliveries cannot be obtained; and will he take immediate steps to remedy the existing deadlock which is gravely affecting public health and industry?

During the past two weeks the number of loaded wagons of coal cleared from collieries each day by the railways serving the main colliery districts has invariably exceeded the number of loaded wagons on hand in the collieries at the beginning of the day. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not aware that the railway companies have refused to accept coal in other than full train loads. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to furnish me with particulars of the order for 120 wagons, I will make inquiries, and if the difficulty proves to be one of transport, I will certainly do my best to help.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give in the Official Report a list of the United States securities taken over by the Government, showing the value of such securities and the acquisition price paid by the Government?

The list of the United States securities acquired by the Treasury, together with the acquisition price, has been published as Statutory Rules and Orders No. 213, which is available at the Vote Office. The acquisition price was the equivalent in sterling of the closing price in New York on the date of the making of the Order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the growing apprehension among the sugar planters of the British West Indies in regard to the absence of a clear indication of policy in future production; and what steps he is taking to allay this?

I am not aware of any general apprehension on this matter. The recommendations of the West India Royal Commission that the export quotas of the West Indian Colonies should be increased are receiving active consideration in relation to the probable needs of this country in war conditions and the reactions which such an increase would have on other Empire producers; and an announcement will be made as soon as possible. In fact all sugar-producing Colonies were advised some months ago to aim at an increase of production next year of 20 per cent. above their basic export quotas, which is roughly equivalent to the increase of 120,000 tons for the West Indies recommended by the Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in view of the Government's undertaking to the United Kingdom beet-sugar industry to meet the risk of rising costs, a similar undertaking is not given to Colonial sugar producers, having regard to their acceptance of a price no greater than that considered reasonable on a pre-war basis of production costs?

The undertaking of His Majesty's Government to sugar-beet growers in the United Kingdom is in respect of the crop to be planted this spring and harvested later in the year. The price for Colonial crops which were in the ground when the war broke out and have been or are now being harvested for delivery during the next few months was fixed on the assumption that costs would be in excess of the pre-war level. The hon. Member can rest assured that full consideration will be given to the question of costs in fixing prices for the new contract starting next September.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state approximately the total number of British citizens embodied in the Army, Navy, and Air Force on 31st December, 1939?

It would not be in the public interest to publish these figures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that conscientious objectors exempted from military service on condition of taking up work in agriculture and forestry are not introduced by his Department to vacancies when these can be filled by unemployed agricultural workers, members of the Women's Land Army, or other unemployed persons willing to engage in agricultural employment?

In so far as vacancies in agriculture and forestry are notified to the Employment Exchanges, it is the rule that persons selected for submission to the employer shall be those industrially best suitable. No discrimination in this regard is made in favour of or against conscientious objectors. If no suitable unemployed labour is available, arrange- ments are made for the submission of applicants from the Women's Land Army.

asked the Minister of Labour the allowances and expenses paid per week or sitting to members of the hardship tribunals under the Military Service Act, 1939?

The fees payable to chairmen of hardship committees are 2½guineas a half-day sitting, subject to a limit of 20 guineas a week, together with travelling expenses and reasonable out of pocket expenditure on subsistence subject to a maximum of 20s. for any period not exceeding 24 hours. No fees are payable to other members of the Committees, but travelling expenses, subsistence allowance and (in certain cases) compensation for loss of earnings are payable on the scale applicable to Courts of Referees appointed by the Minister under the Unemployment Insurance Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of trainees now being trained at the Ministry of Labour training centres; the number of places set aside for ex-soldiers, also the number of vacancies for trainees at the present time; and what steps are being taken to use these centres to full capacity?

The number of men in training at all the Ministry of Labour and National Service centres on 8th February, 1940, was 7,959. The pre-war scheme for the vocational training of serving soldiers about to leave the Army is in suspense owing to the war. The number of training places at present equipped but not filled is 2,332. A number of additional training places is being equipped and will soon be available. Intensive efforts to fill the vacancies are being made by means of broadcast and Press publicity, adaptation of the conditions of eligibility, and certain improvements of the financial aspects of the scheme, especially for married men. The House will be glad to know that the number of applicants accepted last week was an "all time" record.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the exceptionally prolonged unemployment prevailing in certain industries, he will restore the pre-war extended-benefit period of 312 days, which was reduced to 180 days under the Emergency Powers Regulations, 6th September, 1939?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on 8th February to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke).

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners registering at each of the exchanges in the county of Lanark and the county of West Lothian, respectively?

The following table shows the numbers of insured men, aged 18–64, recorded as unemployed in the coal-mining industry at each Employment Exchange in the counties of Lanark and West Lothian at 15th January, 1940:

Employment Exchange.	Number unemployed.
County of Lanark:
Airdrie	561
Bridgeton	127
Cambuslang	133
Carluke	93
Coatbridge	291
East Kilbride	—
Finnieston	11
Glasgow Central	85
Glasgow South Side	115
Govan	5
Hamilton	701
Kinning Park	5
Lanark	18
Larkhall	311
Lesmahagow	51
Maryhill	46
Motherwell	891
Parkhead	279
Partick	4
Rutherglen	27
Shotts	541
Springburn	86
Strathaven	5
Uddingston	214
Wishaw	347
Total	4,947

County of West Lothian:
Bathgate	197
Bo'ness	81
Broxburn	6
Linlithgow	1
South Queensferry	—
Total	285

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can state approximately, the number of persons now employed in all forms of manufacturing processes for war purposes, and in the transport of war supplies, including overseas transport?

The hon. Member has included within the limits of his Question a large variety of activities coming within the purview of many different Government Departments, and I am afraid it is not possible to give an answer. I doubt too whether it would have been in the public interest to divulge the figure even if it could have been ascertained.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can provide a list of the local authorities which have no organised services for the collection and separation of refuse; and what steps are to be taken to instigate an efficient publicity campaign in this respect?

The Salvage Department of the Ministry of Supply has called for monthly salvage returns from those local authorities whose districts have a population of 10,000 or over (5,000 in Scotland). The question of publishing a summary of the information thus obtained is under consideration.In answer to the second part of the Question, all local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland have been circularised and urged to commence salvage schemes or extend those already in operation. To stimulate further activity my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I have addressed a personal appeal to the Mayors of the Metropolitan Boroughs. I have also invited the Lords Lieutenant of the counties to use their good offices with councils in their respective counties and urge them to set up or extend salvage schemes and seek the co-operation of the voluntary organisations in their areas. An appeal to the general public was made on the 2nd February by Press and broadcast, and it is intended to follow this up by further appeals as the collection machinery becomes more complete.

asked the Minister of Supply the remuneration paid to the various commodity controllers?

The following list shows the remuneration of the Controllers of Raw Materials under the Minister of Supply:

Controller.	Remuneration.
Alcohol, Molasses and Solvents	Unpaid
Aluminium	£1,350
Cotton	— *
Flax	— †
Hemp	Unpaid
Iron and Steel	Unpaid
Jute	Unpaid
Leather	£1,500
Non-ferrous Metals	— ‡
Other Fertilisers	£1,200
Paper	Unpaid
Silk and Rayon	£600
Industrial Ammonia	Unpaid
Sulphuric Acid	£1,200
Timber	Unpaid
Wool	Unpaid
* The Controller of Cotton continues to receive his salary as a member of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
† The Controller of Flax continues to receive his salary as Director of the Imperial Institute.
‡ Not yet settled.

There are, in addition, other controls, of which examples are toluene and mercury, operated from the headquarters of the Ministry of Supply by members of the general staff of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Supply the price of raw jute on 1st January, 1939, and 1st January, 1940, respectively; and whether he will take steps to obtain an option on future jute crops in accordance with the practice pursued on last year's jute crop?

The price of jute (Daisee 2/3) was £18 15s. a ton c.i.f. Dundee on 1st January, 1939, and £46 on 1st January, 1940. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not aware of any option on last year's jute crop.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he realises that the collection of bones would be an essentially useful proceeding in connection with manufacturing purposes; and whether he will investigate the extent to which, when treated, such bones could be used for the production of the recommended fertilisers for the land?

I fully realise that the collection of household bones is desirable at this time, and the local authorities throughout the country have been asked to give all possible assistance in this connection. I am informed that household bones, after treatment for the manufacture of glue, are subsequently used in the manufacture of fertilisers.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered a resolution passed by the local fuel overseers in the south-eastern district of the London division, calling attention to the desperate position of the inhabitants of their districts owing to the shortage of coal; and what steps is he taking to meet the need?

Yes, Sir, and with regard to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the importance of increasing British exports to the United States of America, it is proposed to re-open the British pavilion at the New York World Fair?

This question has been under the most careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, who necessarily had to take into account many factors including the financial implication of participation for a second year. The British Pavilion was an overwhelming success last year, and we have received strong representations from many influential quarters in the United States of America in favour of reopening. Moreover, certain financial arrangements have been suggested by the Fair authorities towards covering the cost, and subject to the satisfactory settlement of outstanding details it has been decided to reopen the Pavilion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why sheep farmers are being threatened with legal proceedings for non-payment of Income Tax, when such non-payment is due to their not having yet been paid for their wool which was commandeered by the Government at the outbreak of war?

I am not aware of any such cases, but if the hon. Member will give me details of any that have been brought to his notice, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is prepared to consider favourably emergency legislation during the black-out period whereby the onus of proof quoad fault will devolve upon the motorist and not upon the pedestrian as at present?

I have no information which would justify me in recommending the suggested alteration of the common law of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution passed at the meeting of the Womens' Pension League, Glasgow, and West of Scotland, regarding new pensions arrangements for spinsters, new contribution rates, and the position of spinsters who have fallen out of insurance, a copy of which was communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I have considered the resolution in question and would refer the hon. and learned Member to the Old Age and Widows Pension Bill which is at present before the House. The Bill embodies the policy of the Government in regard to the payment of pensions to insured women.

asked the Home Secretary how many awards of the Albert Medal in gold and silver, respectively, have been made for acts of gallantry in the United Kingdom or on British ships for land and sea service, respectively, since 1st September; whether he is satisfied that the terms of the Royal Warrant are not being interpreted unduly narrowly having regard to the circumstances surrounding awards previous to 1919;that his Department is kept informed of acts of gallantry which might properly be so recognised; and that recommendations for awards are promptly made?

No awards of the Albert Medal have been made since 1st September last. This has not been due to any tendency on the part of my Department to apply an unduly narrow interpretation of the terms of the Royal Warrant, as no proposals for the award of the medal have reached the Home Office. I am satisfied that Government Departments and also other authorities and private persons are aware that it is open to them to bring cases of gallantry to notice. The standard for the Albert Medals is high and other awards are available for less outstanding acts of gallantry, but when cases are brought to the notice of the Home Office there is no failure to deal with them promptly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that non-commissioned officers in many areas have informed soldiers who object to vaccination or inoculation that if they later become ill their pay will be stopped; and whether he will instruct commanding officers to stop non-commissioned officers making such threats to men who are exercising their rights regarding these operations?

I am not aware that non-commissioned officers have made the statements suggested, and, in the absence of any particulars, I do not think instructions are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many awards of the Distinguished Conduct Medal have been made to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men for distinguished conduct in action in the field since 1st September; and whether, as in 1914–18, the commanders-in-chief of British Expeditionary Forces have been authorised to make such awards in the name of His Majesty without previous reference to his Department within specified limits;

There has been one award of the Military Medal and no award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal since 1st September last to the personnel of the British Expeditionary Force. The commander-in-chief has been given power, in each case, to confer immediate awards within specified limits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will extend the £2 per acre grant for ploughing to 30th April, in view of the fact that most fanners are much behindhand with their ploughing owing to the weather?

I fully recognise that weather conditions have interfered seriously with ploughing operations. I propose to review the position in a few weeks' time in the light of conditions. I hope, however, that all farmers will do their utmost to overcome arrears.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the Government's intention to assist world economic improvement at the conclusion of the war, he has considered the possibility of the present effort to increase production of uneconomic sugar-growing in the United Kingdom as being likely to present grave difficulties in the future; and whether he will review this policy, having regard to the ample scope for supplying the country's sugar requirements from Empire sources where sugar-production is a more economic proposition?

I do not think that the present effort to increase the production of home-grown sugar is likely to create difficulties for the future. Our pre-war consumption of sugar was about 2,080,000 tons, of which 1,130,000 tons were supplied from Empire sources and about 400,000 tons were produced at home. The remainder came from foreign sources.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that horses used for hunting consume feeding-stuffs badly needed by farmers; that foxes are a serious discouragement to poultry-breeders; and will he now go further into this matter, and protect important food supplies by requisitioning such horses for farming and other useful purposes, and encouraging farmers to destroy foxes wherever found?

The question of the consumption of feeding-stuffs by hunt horses is being closely watched. I would point out, however, that the number of such horses has been reduced by more than half since war began, a large number having been requisitioned for the Army; while the feeding-stuffs consumed by the remainder represent a very small fraction of total supplies. In my view, the circumstances do not justify the hon. Member's suggestion that the remaining horses should be requisitioned. As regards the destruction of foxes, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to Questions Nos. 57 and 62 to-day.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many elementary schools cannot get their usual supply of milk; and, as the reason for this shortage is that suppliers cannot get feeding-stuffs for their cows, will he confer with the Minister of Food with a view to devising a remedy?

I understand that, owing to the recent exceptional weather conditions, some difficulties were experienced in the collection and distribution of milk, but, apart from this, I was not aware of any general difficulty in supplying milk to schools. The consumption of milk in schools during January showed an increase compared with December and November. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any schools where a shortage of milk is being experienced, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will call the attention of farmers throughout the country to the desirability of producing Jerusalem artichokes, both for human consumption, and more especially for feeding-stuff for cattle, since the crop of Jerusalem artichokes is six times as prolific as that of potatoes, and can produce 30 tons of tubers per acre; and whether he will make known, as far as practicable, its immunity from disease and that it can be grown in almost any soil and situation, and after glucose has been extracted the residue of the plant is available as a feeding-stuff for fattening cattle and pigs?

Attention has been drawn to this crop in the Ministry's publicity service; a leaflet on the subject has also been prepared and will be ready for issue in a few days.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious hardship of those engaged in the fishing industry; and whether he proposes to take any action that will ensure the continued working of trawlers to prevent further unemployment occurring in the industry?

I am aware of, and greatly regret the hardship caused to those engaged in the fishing industry as a result of war. I am, however, doing everything in my power to maintain production. The hon. Member will realise that the reduction in the number of trawlers engaged in fishing is due to the requirements of national defence, which must continue to have priority.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps are being taken to provide full-time education for the elementary school children of Bridgend, Glamorganshire?

The double-shift arrangements at Bridgend are due to the use of public elementary school premises for Civil Defence purposes. In accordance with the recent statement of policy consultations are now proceeding in order to secure release of these premises. I will let my hon. Friend know immediately a decision is reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, as regards the reception areas, how many evacuated children and how many local children, respectively, are attending school full-time, and how many half-time?

Returns have not yet been received from a number of local education authorities, but as soon as the figures are complete I will send them to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, how many evacuated children and how many local children, respectively, are attending school full-time, and how many half-time in the counties of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire?

Following is the answer:

Berkshire.
	Local Children.	Evacuated Children.
Elementary
Full-time	17,260	3,842
Half-time	1,987	1,120
Higher
Full-time	1,870	45
Half-time	801	1,138

Buckinghamshire.
	Local Children.	Evacuated Children.
Elementary
Full-time	26,088	8,507
Half-time*	2,217	1,161
Higher
Full-time	2,610	1,275
Half-time*	806	622
* These children are receiving much more than half-time education but not sufficient to include them in the full-time category.
There are no children in either county receiving less than half-time education.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that, under the present scheme of distribution of milk in schools, many children who had milk are not getting any; and will he take steps to arrange a more satisfactory method of distribution by making it a part of our education service?

I am aware that there has been some reduction since the outbreak of war in the distribution of milk under the Milk in Schools scheme, though the figures for January show a welcome improvement. The Board are anxious that the arrangements for the supply of milk to school children should be maintained, and in a recent circular, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, they urged upon local education authorities the importance of continuing or resuming these arrangements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will take steps without delay to formulate a scheme whereby a free supply of milk may be made available to all children in school, in view of the proved benefit of milk to school children?

It is the Board's object to secure that milk is made available so far as possible to all children in school, but it would not be practicable under the existing law to supply milk free, save to necessitous and under-nourished children.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of education authorities now providing communal meals for their normal school population or for additional children billeted in their areas under the Government evacuation scheme, respectively; what is the number of centres at which such meals are given; and what is the total number of children receiving meals in the evacuation or reception areas, respectively?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to meals provided communally on payment by parents or house-holders. As regards provision for the normal school population, the latest information available is for the year 1938–39, when arrangements for such communal meals were made in the areas of 112 local education authorities. It is not possible to give the number of centres. Information recently furnished to the Board shows that arrangements for the communal feeding of evacuated school children have so far been made in 49 areas. The number of new centres notified to the Board is 37, but in many cases meals are being provided for these children by an extension of existing canteen arrangements. It is not possible to give the total number of children at present receiving communal meals on payment in the evacuation or the reception areas. For the number receiving free meals I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13th February to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of day nursery schools evacuated to reception areas; how many of them are established as residential nursery schools; and what is the total number of children in attendance?

At the present time there are 56 day nursery schools evacuated to the reception areas. All of them are functioning as residential schools. The number of children now in attendance at the schools is not known and could not be ascertained without special inquiry from each school. The number of children accommodated in these schools before the war was about 3,400.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (1) when the Porthcawl village school was placed on the black list and condemned by His Majesty's Inspector of Schools; why it was condemned; what is the rent paid by the Glamorgan Education Committee for the use of this school per annum; and what number of children are in attendance;(2) whether he is prepared to consider granting permission to the Glamorgan Education Committee to complete the Porthcawl school by erecting a flat concrete roof, as he is unable to supply the necessary timber for roofing; and will he allow the contractors to proceed with the building if they guarantee that they are able to complete the building and that they have the material and also to find employment for skilled craftsmen who are now idle in the area?

This school was originally a non-provided school and was placed on the black list at the beginning of 1925. The buildings were inconveniently planned, with defects in heating, ventilation and sanitation. The local education authority took over the school, and made considerable improvements; they pay a rent of £75 per annum. The number of children now in attendance is 211, including children privately evacuated in the district. The average attendance for the year 1938–39 was 146. The question of providing a new junior school for the district is receiving the Board's careful consideration. I will inform the hon. Member when a decision has been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in purchasing the entire cocoa crop, 1939–40, of the Gold Coast, His Majesty's Government fixed the price at a figure equivalent to £16 16s. per ton at Accra, which is below the cost of production; why, since this price was fixed and agreed to by the Gold Coast farmers, the export duty on cocoa has been raised by the Gold Coast Government by 18s. 8d. to 42s. per ton; and what he proposes to do so that these measures will not inflict serious loss on the Gold Coast farmers and tend to impoverish the Gold Coast Colony?

I will answer the last part of the hon. Member's Question first. The purpose of the arrangements made at the beginning of the war for the purchase by His Majesty's Government of the entire British West African cocoa crop for the season 1939–40, was precisely to ensure that serious loss was not inflicted on the cocoa farmers with the consequent impoverishment of the Gold Coast and, to a lesser degree, Nigeria.