asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many members of the staff of the Civil Service Commission are now on loan to other Government Departments; and what proportion they form of the total staff?

Forty-seven are on loan to other Government Departments and 14 are serving with His Majesty's Forces. Together these represent approximately 40 per cent. of the total staff at the outbreak of war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that banks and other institutions are following the example of the Civil Service and refusing entry into their service of boys over 17 or 17½ years of age, he will take steps to change the Government policy in this matter?

Although, as the House is aware, it has been necessary to suspend ordinary recruitment to permanent posts in the Civil Service, it is not the case that boys of the age mentioned are prevented from obtaining temporary employment in Government Departments, subject to the rule that, other things being equal, preference is given to ex-Service men.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what extra staff has been taken into the service of the Board; and what arrangements have been made to replace the 433 members of the staff of the Board and the 80 members of the inspecting staff and the medical department whose services have been transferred either to the armed Forces or by loan to other Departments?

:The total number of officers of the Board, excluding the museums, now on loan to other Departments or serving with the Forces is 623 including 48 inspectors on loan and 14 serving with the Forces. 124 new appointments have been made since the outbreak of war. 32 inspectors, who had been lent to other Departments have already returned to duty under the Board and arrangements have been made for the recall or replacement of a further 16 in the near future. Further staff, both for the office and the inspectorate, will be made available as and when required.

asked the Minister of Food the number of officials and staff still being retained under the so-called Bennett scheme of fish control at the various fishing ports; and what is the cost thereof per week?

No officials are retained at the ports in connection with the September scheme of fish control.

asked the Minister of Food the number and details of staff still employed at the fish control office, Oxford, and the cost per week of such staff?

The staff employed at the Fish Finance Branch, Oxford, consists of: 1 Director of Fish Finance, 1 Assistant Director, 1Deputy Assistant Director, who are employed part of their time on other duties. There are also: 3 Accountants, 16 Trade Specialists, 3 Administrative Assistants, 42 Clerks and Typists, six of whom are under notice. The weekly cost is £298 3s. 7d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that uncertainty is having a serious and detrimental effect throughout the country on the national savings campaign, he will give an assurance that he will not introduce a scheme of compulsory saving by a levy on wages?

I know of no foundation for the suggestion in the first part of the Question, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have to-day given on the same subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated yield of an additional 6d. in the £ on Schedule A; and whether, in view of the widespread demand for some form of Government insurance against damage to property by enemy aircraft, he will introduce a scheme under which the proceeds of an additional 6d. in the £ of Schedule A would be set aside for pro rata compensation to property owners suffering any damage during the current financial year, such amount to be supplemented by an agreed maximum amount contributed by the Government and the balance, if any, being carried forward for compensation in the subsequent year?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah) on 6th February. The con- siderations set out in the letter which I circulated with that reply apply equally to the scheme of insurance now suggested by my hon. Friend. The information necessary to make the estimate asked for in the first part of the Question is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that business transactions and export trade are being seriously delayed and prejudiced by delays of the foreign exchange control in dealing with applications to remit funds abroad; and whether he can arrange to expedite the machinery for dealing with such applications, particularly in the case of those which are ultimately granted?

A constant endeavour is made to secure that the exchange control should be administered in such a way as to involve the minimum possible delays to business transactions. Generally speaking, there is little, if any, delay as regards normal trading transactions, but if my hon. Friend considers that there is any particular class of transaction where existing arrangements could be improved, perhaps he would be good enough to communicate with me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set up a committee to examine the whole question of foreign exchange rates in time of war, with particular reference to their effect upon the cost of living and the export trade?

No, Sir. I do not think there is any need for such a committee. I am satisfied that adequate arrangements already exist for examining questions of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Czecho-Slovakia Financial Claims Office has already been established; and, in view of the fact that these claimants have now been obliged to wait for almost a year, whether he will give directions that payments in respect of established claims should be made without further delay, and that the final settlement should be arrived at as soon as possible?

The Czecho-Slovak Financial Claims Office has been set up and claims will be dealt with as rapidly as possible once the draft Czecho-Slovakia (Settlement of Financial Claims) Order has been approved by Parliament. It must however be appreciated that the number of claims to be dealt with is very considerable and that they have to be properly investigated.

asked the Minister of Health the number of uninsured widows of 60 years of age and over whose husbands, although uninsured at death were at some period contributors to the National Health Insurance Scheme; and whether he will take steps to include such widows in the provisions of the Old Age and Widows' Pensions Bill?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available. The Government's policy on pensions is embodied in the Bill now before the House, and I am afraid that my right hon. Friend cannot at present contemplate a further extension of the pensions scheme on the lines suggested in the Question.

asked the Home Secretary how many alien Jews have found asylum in Great Britain since 1932; and whether he has information as to the number which have entered the British Dominions in that period?

All persons coming into this country must satisfy the immigration officer as to their nationality but they are not required to declare their religion or racial origin, and I regret therefore that I am unable to give figures showing how many of the refugees who come to this country are Jewish. Similarly, as regards the Dominions, I understand that except in the case of Canada the immigration returns do not distinguish immigrants by race or religion. Returns from Canada show that from January, 1933, to December, 1939, 6,182 persons who were classified as "Hebrews" were admitted to Canada, 4,246 through ocean ports and the balance from the United States.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities who are supplying powdered milk for babies and very young children instead of liquid milk; and whether, having regard to Circular 1840, they will be allowed to continue doing so?

According to the latest information in my possession, 60 welfare authorities in England and Wales supply dried milk as part of their maternity and child welfare arrangements, and 313 supply both dried and liquid milk. I have no information indicating the kind of milk supplied to the special groups mentioned. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware of the complaints which have been made by passengers on neutral vessels detained for examination in British contraband control bases that they have been unable to get a supply of British newspapers; and whether, in view of the desirability of making British newspapers as freely as possible available to all potential neutral readers, he will co-operate with the Ministry of Economic Warfare in arranging a supply of up-to-date British newspapers to all neutral vessels waiting in contraband control bases?

I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for calling my attention to this matter. Immediate steps have been taken to ensure that with the co-operation of the Admiralty, neutral ships at British contraband control bases will receive a free supply of up-to-date British newspapers beginning on Monday, 4th March.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of applications submitted to the War Service Grants Advisory Committee for special grants from the date of appointment of the committee until the end of February, 1940, with the number to whom grants have been given?

Up to the end of February, 1940, 80,181 claims have been received. Of these, grants have already been made in 37,525 cases, while another 13,000 are under investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the intention of the Government with regard to the British-owned cargoes now detained in German ships taking refuge in neutral ports all over the world; and what he proposes to do in the case of those neutral Powers who are continuing to permit the indefinite detention of British-owned property within their territory?

:Under licence from the Board of Trade, the London Chamber of Commerce have been conducting negotiations on behalf of all British cargo-owners with a view to concluding a general settlement with representatives of the German ship owners for the recovery of British-owned cargoes from enemy ships in neutral ports. On 7th February, however, the negotiations broke down, as extraneous and unacceptable demands were advanced by the German ship owners when an agreement had already been drafted and was believed to be on the point of signature. Unless the German ship owners reconsider their position, a series of test actions will be fought on behalf of the cargo owners in the courts of the neutral countries concerned. Funds for this purpose have been advanced by British insurance interests, on the understanding that the sums expended will be recoverable from cargo owners when in due course their cargoes are released. The proceedings will be conducted under the direction of a joint committee comprising nominees of the insurance interests and the Chamber, and His Majesty's Government have noted with satisfaction the comprehensive plan of action which this committee has formulated. The question of making representations to the neutral countries concerned would only arise in the event of proper facilities not being granted for pursuing the matter in their courts.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether his attention has been called to the German drive to flood European markets with German cinematograph films; and whether he proposes to take any steps, in conjunction with the President of the Board of Trade, to ensure adequate competition from British films?

:I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, my Department and the Department of Overseas Trade are always prepared to give every possible assistance to British films in foreign markets.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that members of the Forces are charged 2d.for a cup of tea, coffee or cocoa in railway refreshment rooms, he will take steps, in collaboration with the railway companies, to secure that these men may be able to get such refreshments at reduced prices when travelling?

I am satisfied that the charge of 2d. made to members of the Forces, as compared with a charge of 3d. made to civilians, is reasonable and I am not prepared to press the companies to make any further reduction.

asked the Minister of Transport under what authority he proposes to abolish or alter the status of the Railway Rates Tribunal?

:It is not proposed, in present circumstances, to abolish the Railway Rates Tribunal, nor to limit their jurisdiction except in regard to the general level of charges and, in very special circumstances, the level of particular charges. Such limitation as is necessary will be effected by regulations made by Order-in-Council under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, or by Orders made under such regulations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has taken any steps to satisfy himself that the recent increase of 50 per cent. in the charges to domestic consumers of electricity by the London Electric Supply Corporation, Limited, is justified and, further, that such increase is not in the nature of profiteering?

The increase in the electricity charges of the London Electric Supply Corporation, Limited, has not previously been brought to my notice. I have asked the Electricity Commissioners to obtain particulars from the company, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give any information in connection with the closing down of the Arsenal on Saturday; and whether it applies to all departments?

Except for the usual closure on Easter Saturday there is no intention to close down the Royal Arsenal or any department of it on Saturdays.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to unsatisfactory arrangements, considerable quantities of cocoa may be left on hand, and that exports to Scandinavia may be lost; and what action he is taking to avoid the necessity of Scandinavian purchasers securing supplies elsewhere.

:The total crop of raw cocoa produced in British West Africa during the current season is being purchased by His Majesty's Government and is now being sold in the world markets. The hon. Member will appreciate that in making sales regard must be had to the exigencies of economic warfare and the demands of other commodities on shipping space. Quantities of raw cocoa sufficient to meet the normal requirements of Norway, Sweden and Denmark are being shipped to Scandinavian ports.

asked the Minister of Food the nature of the administrative difficulties which exist in the way of supplying the farmer with the actual killing-out weights of his material?

asked the Minister of Food the exact reason why the Government has issued instructions to slaughter-house managers that the fanners must not be told what their animals actually weigh when killed; and whether he will take steps to see that any difficulties, administrative or otherwise, are surmounted in the interests of fairness?

:The practical difficulty in the way of supplying farmers with the actual killing-out weights of their cattle and sheep arises from the fact that there is no satisfactory method in every case of positively identifying individual animals and their carcases at the slaughter-house. Individual lots of sheep are not separately marked at the collecting centres and the labels used for marking cattle frequently become detached, especially in wet weather, during the journey to the slaughter-house. Furthermore animals presented at a particular collecting centre may be dispatched to different slaughter-houses. In order to supply farmers with the killing-out weights of their animals, it would be necessary to make elaborate arrangements for the definite identification of the individual animals and the carcases at all slaughter-houses; such arrangements would add considerably to the complexity and administrative costs of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the high prices for peas and lentils, the former of which before the war were 3½d. per lb. and are now 10d. per lb., and the latter of which were 2d. per lb. before the war and are now 6d. per lb.; and whether he proposes to control the prices in the case of these commodities?

I am aware that high prices are being charged for peas and lentils. The question of price control is under examination, and if my hon. Friend cares to let me have particulars of the cases to which he refers, I shall be glad to see that they are considered.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider adopting the procedure of the Government of Northern Ireland with regard to feeding-stuffs, which prescribes that the makers of compound mashes may not use, for the purpose, more than one-third of the available meals, thus leaving two-thirds of such meals to be sold to those who need them in their original form; and whether he is aware that any such procedure will be welcomed by British poultry keepers?

An alternative method of securing the distribution of an increased proportion of straight meals has been formulated, and it is hoped to bring it into operation shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the evolution of future policy in connection with milk prices, he will state what organisations are being consulted both in respect of liquid-milk and milk for manufacturing purposes?

Location of Slaughterhouse.					Number of staff.	Salary of Manager.	Salary of other staff.*
						per annum.	per week.
						£	£	s.	d.
Burry Port	…	…	…	…	1	250	—
Carmarthen	…	…	…	…	2	400	3	10	0
Llandilo	…	…	…	…	2	350	3	10	0
Llanelly	…	…	…	…	2	400	3	10	0
Newcastle Emlyn		…	…	…	1	200	—
* Checkweighmen.

The actual slaughtering is carried out by contractors who employ their own slaughterers.

asked the Minister of Food whether it will be the practice during the summer months, as it is at present, to have only one delivery of milk per day; and, if so, whether he will bear in mind that there is likely to be considerable waste

:In the consultations which are taking place on the subject of the future policy in connection with milk prices, I have been in touch with representatives of the following organisations:PRODUCERS:National Farmers' Union; Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales; Scottish Milk Marketing Board; Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board; North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board.Distributors:Central Milk Distributive Committee; Amalgamated Dairymen's Association; Scottish Milk Trade Federation; Scottish Co-operative Milk Trade Association; Aberdeen and District Retail Dairymen's Association.

asked the Minister of Food how many slaughterhouses have been taken under his control in the county of Carmarthen, their location, the number on the staff of each, and the scale of wages, salaries and emoluments to the manager and staff in each case?

:Five slaughterhouses in the county of Carmarthen are being used under the control plan for meat and livestock. The following statement gives the information desired:in households where facilities for storage in refrigerators does not exist?

No official restrictions have been placed on milk deliveries but representations as to hours of delivery have been made by the various interests concerned and are now being investigated. The point raised by my hon. Friend in the latter part of his Question will certainly be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what guarantees he has obtained from neutral countries which were allowed to import raw materials in excess of their requirements that the surplus would not be re-exported to Germany; and that, in view of the constant pressure upon the neutral Governments by Germany, any guarantees can be relied upon?

The hon. Member will appreciate that it would not be possible for His Majesty's Government at least without the consent of the neutral countries concerned, to publish a complete list of the guarantees against re-export which have been obtained. As regards the last part of the Question, I have had no reason to suppose that neutral Governments will dishonour their undertakings for fear of German pressure or threats.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of forming an Army Chiropodist Corps similar to that of the dentists, so that the equally-important matter of the soldiers' feet can be attended to by properly qualified men who can be recruited from the register of the Joint Council of Chiropodists, who are willing to serve at home or abroad?

It is not thought necessary to form an Army Chiropodist Corps. The existing arrangements, as indicated in the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Sir M. Sueter) on 1st February, are considered to be adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made that men in the national defence companies, anti-aircraft and searchlight units, some of whom are war veterans, can participate in the distribution of cigarettes, comforts, etc., from the various funds to which the public is subscribing, as they are now rarely thought of in this distribution?

The social welfare officers who have been appointed throughout the country are concerned with the welfare of all the troops in the irrespective areas wherever they may be employed. These welfare officers are in close touch with the various organisations providing comforts of one sort or another, and they ensure that all units have an opportunity to participate in their distribution. Special consideration is, in fact, given to the needs of the small and scattered detachments engaged on home defence duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man who has served in the Territorial Army for four consecutive four years' periods, making a total of 16 years, is now obliged to remain in His Majesty's Forces; and whether he is entitled to a gratuity for the 16 years' service?

Under the Military and Air Forces (Prolongation of Service) Act, 1939, the term of service of a soldier who would otherwise be entitled to be discharged at an earlier date is deemed not to expire until the end of the emergency. No gratuity is admissible on completion of 16 years'service in the Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in some Highland regiments recruited on a Territorial basis two and more men from the same family serve in the same company; and whether he will, while encouraging this while the units are on home service, arrange for their dispersal before going into action abroad?

Men of the same family often wish to serve in the same unit or sub-unit. If a transfer to another sub-unit is asked for before a unit goes overseas, I have no doubt that the commanding officer would give careful consideration to the request, but such a transfer might involve the removal of a specialist or of a vital member of a team.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of motor vehicles hired by his Department; and the rate per day paid for each class of vehicle?

I regret that the information is not available. Hirings are arranged locally, many of them from day to day, and the rates vary in different localities. To produce a total figure for hirings on any given day would entail very considerable labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state what arrangements he proposes to make in order to provide members of His Majesty's Forces with food within the period of 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 a.m.?

:There is provision for a supper meal, the normal hours for which are from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Where the men's messing committee prefer it, tea and supper are combined in a high tea served usually at about 6 p.m., and in some units soup or cocoa is available at a later hour. Normal breakfast hours are from 7.30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the over-congested state of the town of Frome, in Somerset, and the consequent lack of recreational facilities or accommodation where the troops can spend their evenings; and will he take steps to remedy this?

I am informed that, although Frome is somewhat crowded, adequate recreational facilities are provided for the troops, and that they are quite comfortable and contented.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make an announcement in connection with his examination of the position of soldiers' dependants?

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the introduction of Army Estimates, when I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War how soon he can make a statement on education in the Army?

I hope to be able to say something on this subject on the introduction of Army Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the discharge of men who are described as mentally unsound by reputable members of the medical profession?

Soldiers are discharged as being of unsound mind on the recommendation of an Army medical board normally consisting of a president, who is a senior member of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and two other members.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men now in the Army under the various calling-up notice, with the numbers who were registered as unemployed at the date of their being called up?

It would not be desirable to give the information asked for in the first part of the Question, and that asked for in the second part is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now reached a decision about providing the cruise visor to members of His Majesty's Forces; and what action he is taking as a result?

The cruise visor is still under trial, and no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War what measures are being taken to prevent waste in the provision of food and other supplies for the troops; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Agriculture on the utilisation of waste from Army kitchens and catering establishments for the production of pig food?

:As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Hallam (Mr. Jennings). With regard to the second part, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is represented on the Interdepartmental Messing By-Products Advisory Committee, which deals with the disposal of fats, bones and swill.

asked the Secretary of State for War why wastage of food is, only now, being considered in particular relation to the special system which prevented food wastage in the last war, instead of it having already been put into operation; and, in view of the loss caused by this delay, will he order a special inspection of the home camps with a view to seeing that there is now no avoidable waste?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the appointment of inspectors in 1916, catering inspectors were appointed before the outbreak of the present war, and their numbers have been considerably increased since. Every endeavour is being made to obviate avoidable waste.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider instituting some means of storage for soldiers' kits at the point of embarkation in France, in order to obviate the carrying of heavy kit by soldiers for long distances when on leave to their homes from France?

Men on leave from France in this country are not required to carry with them anything besides their rifles, webbing equipment and greatcoats. It is essential for them to retain these articles, as their units may move while they are on leave and they may return by a different route. The same practice was followed in the last war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now arrived at a decision on the question of appointing a Jewish chaplain to serve with the British Expeditionary Force?

Yes, Sir. A chaplain has been nominated and will be posted to the British Expeditionary Force very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of lorries requisitioned in Monmouthshire; and the average price paid for each lorry?

I regret that the information is not available, as records are not kept on a county basis.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of lorries requisitioned in Monmouthshire for Army purposes for which weekly payments are being made; and the average sum paid weekly for each lorry?

No motor vehicles have been requisitioned by the War Office for hire in Monmouthshire or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that no British Army horse will be sold in France or any other Continental country; and that those worn out and unfit to be brought back to Britain will be painlessly destroyed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rusholme (Mr. Radford) on 7th November last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a full statement of the circumstances under which the raid on Ballykinlar military camp, County Down, was carried out; the number of rifles and guns taken by the raiders; and whether he will give an assurance that the camp will be so guarded in future as to prevent a repetition of such an outrage?

A report following the investigation of this occurrence has only recently been received in the War Office. If my hon. Friend will repeat his Question next week, I hope to be in a position then to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the report on the cost of certain Militia camps in England, which have been indicated to him more precisely, has yet been received; whether he is aware that these camps are reputed to have cost approximately £400 per militiaman, whereas the estimated cost by the War Office was £120, and that of the White City flats constructed by the London County Council inclusive of all expenses is below £166 per head; and what steps he is taking to prevent such undue expenditure in the future?

:Though I have not yet received final figures for the camps which the hon. Member has in mind, I have grounds for believing that the rate per head will prove very much lower than he anticipates.

asked the Secretary of State for War from what persons are references accepted as to the moral and professional integrity of applicants for registration in the Army Officers Emergency Reserve?

References are accepted from senior officers in the fighting or civil Services (either serving in or retired and living in Great Britain or Northern Ireland), Members of either House of Parliament, members of county, city, borough or district councils (or their equivalents in Scotland), holders of judicial office, magistrates, practising barristers and solicitors, directors, secretaries, and departmental managers of public companies, ministers of parishes or other local clergymen and registered medical practitioners.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to complaints from the British Expeditionary Force that too much beef is being issued; and whether he will arrange for home-grown or New Zealand lamb and mutton to be issued more often?

:No complaints have been received that too much beef is being issued, but, at the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, additional supplies of mutton are being provided for the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among some 100 women volunteers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service employed in the regimental pay office at Hastings who have hitherto been permitted to live at home or in lodgings, as are also the men of the Royal Army Pay Corps, and are now informed that large empty buildings are being requisitioned to house them; whether he is satisfied that this change is necessary, and for what reasons; and whether women who can show that their present living arrangements are satisfactory will be permitted to continue them?

No reports of dissatisfaction have come to my notice. It is ordinarily far better for the health, discipline and well-being of personnel of the Auxiliary Territorial Service that they should be in quarters, but permission to sleep out can be given in suitable cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, owing to the withdrawal for naval and Army service of many hundreds of agriculturists from the Western Isles, many smallholdings will be left fallow and food production decrease this year; and whether, in order to meet this situation, he will urge Army and naval authorities to give these men some weeks of leave soon for their land work?

I am aware that the response to the call to the armed Forces has given rise to special difficulties in maintaining food production in the crofting districts of the Western Isles. Consultations are now taking place with the Service Departments on the subject, and I can assure the hon. Member that his suggestion will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the serious shortage of agricultural labour in the North-East of Scotland due to the fact that a substantial number of key farm workers have been called up for military service; and, in view of the necessity for maintaining food production at the highest possible level, whether he will take steps to release those who have already been called up, and to exempt trained agricultural workers from military service in the future?

I am aware of the labour difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. As I informed him on 21st November arrangements were made with the War Office for the consideration of applications for the temporary or permanent release from military service of farm workers who are irreplaceable key men. A certain number of men have been so released and arrangements to postpone military training for a larger number are being made. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to a Question by the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Levy) on 22nd February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local education authorities in Scotland have bylaws permitting the employment of school children on school holidays in harvesting or other agricultural operations for under four hours and for over four hours per day, respectively; and which authorities permit such employment for six, seven, or eight hours per day?

:The information is as follows:Number of education authorities in Scotland having bylaws permitting the employment of school children on school holidays in harvesting or other agricultural operations for:

Under four hours per day	3
Four hours or more per day	30

Education authorities having bylaws permitting such employment for:Six hours per day—Ayr (Winter), Dumfries, Dunbarton, Moray and Nairn, Orkney, Selkirk (Girls), Aberdeen (Burgh) (Boys only), Dundee (Burgh) (Summer holidays and Saturdays only).Seven hours per day—Ayr (Summer), Berwick, Bute, Peebles, Selkirk (Boys), Wigtown (Girls).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local education authorities in Scotland have, by byelaw, prohibited all employment of school children on school days under the age of 13; and how many have extended this prohibition to school holidays?

The answer to both parts of the Question is four.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children of school age in evacuation, and in reception areas, respectively, in Scotland, are not receiving education; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher). All children in neutral areas are receiving education.