asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make a statement on the progress of the war in Finland, and can supply any further information with regard to assistance being rendered to the Finns by Great Britain?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any further statement about the negotiations between Finland and the Soviet Union?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the Russian-Finnish peace negotiations?

Perhaps the hon. Members will be good enough to await a statement which the Prime Minister will make after Questions.

His Majesty's Minister in Helsingfors was informed this morning by the Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs that Soviet-Finnish peace terms were signed in Moscow last night and that an armistice had been arranged at 11 a.m. to-day Finnish time between the two armies.

Throughout the Soviet-Finnish struggle, His Majesty's Government, in concert with the French Government, have furnished to the Finns large quantities of war material and supplies of all sorts, particulars of which have been made known as far as it was in the public interest to do so. His Majesty's Government have in fact made plain their readiness to give all possible help to the Finns in their gallant struggle against aggression, and, as I informed the House on Monday, we had made preparations to throw the full weight of all our available resources into the scales on hearing that this would be in accordance with the desires of the Finnish Government. It has always been understood that it was for the Finnish Government to decide upon the course of action which they considered best suited to their interests, in the light of all available knowledge. In their decision they may be assured that the people of this country are united in sympathy for the situation in which they find themselves and in admiration for the courage with which they have mantained for so long the struggle against overwhelming odds. This epic story will ever be recounted in the chronicles of their own history and will remain alive in the memory of all peoples.

May I say that on this side we all agree in our admiration for the Finns in their struggle, and that while we are, all of us, relieved that slaughter should have been stopped, we deeply regret the success of aggression. May I ask the Prime Minister whether he does not agree that, just as this country has been willing to assist the Finns in defending themselves against aggression, so we shall render them all the assistance we can in order to repair the damages of this unprovoked attack upon a free people?

While associating myself with the expressions of sympathy for the Finns, is it not the fact that repeated appeals have been made by that country for assistance, not only in material, but in men, and is it not a pity, in relation to the magnitude of these events and of their far-reaching character, to plead as an excuse for inaction a pure technicality; and will the right hon. Gentleman say when an opportunity will be afforded to the House to discuss, in the light of these events, the whole conduct of the wax?

And to discuss you too. Are we to fight the world?

It is not correct that repeated requests for men have been made by the Finnish Government. The Finnish Government have made repeated requests for materials, and every one of these requests has been answered. They have been informed, as long ago as 25th February, that, if they were to make an appeal to us, we would be prepared, and were making preparations, to send them men as well as materials. In the situation in which they find themselves, they have decided not to make such an appeal.

When we have won the war, shall we allow these terms to stand?

I associate my hon. Friends with the condemnation that has been uttered by the Leader of the Opposition of this successful aggression, and with the tribute that has been paid, both by him and by the Prime Minister, to the gallant Finnish Army and nation. May I also ask the Prime Minister this question? When he referred to the particulars which had been made public of the assistance which had been given to the Finns, may I ask him whether the Government accept responsibility for the statements which were made last Saturday in the newspapers of the quantity of material assistance which had been given to the Finns? May I ask him whether these statements were not greatly exaggerated, whether they were intended to be an estimate of the amount of help which did reach the Finns, or even was on its way to reach the Finns at that time from this country; and may we have an official statement now of the actual amount of assistance—guns, shells, ammunition and so forth—which has been sent from this country?

No, Sir; the Government do not take responsibility for the statements to which the right hon. Gentleman referred. We have never made any official complete statement of the amount of assistance which has been given to Finland. No doubt some distinction must be made, as the right hon. Gentleman made it, between what was sent and what had actually arrived in Finland, because it has taken some considerable time for material sent to Finland to reach that country. As to whether we shall issue any official statement of the actual material which has been sent to Finland, I would like to have notice and to consider that question.

Will the Prime Minister take this opportunity of neutralising German propaganda by making it quite clear that His Majesty's Government at no time threatened to violate the neutrality of Sweden and Norway?

There was never any threat to violate that neutrality.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he confirms the statement which was made in the French Chamber by M. Daladier yesterday, that an expeditionary force consisting of 50,000 French soldiers, and still more British troops, was actually ready; whether this force was promised to the Finns for their assistance, or were any restrictions placed upon its use in the defence of Finnish territory—restrictions which had the effect of causing the Finns to believe that it was inadequate to repel Russian aggression? May I also ask whether I can have an answer to my earlier question as to whether the House will have an opportunity of debating this question?

With regard to the last question, I have had no official request for a Debate on the subject. If I received a request, I should have to consider it when it was made. With regard to the statement to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, I have endeavoured to obtain an accurate account of what was said by M. Daladier, but I have not yet received it, and until I do, I prefer not to comment upon it.

Arising out of my right hon. Friend's reply, there are, of course, a number of Supplementary Questions which could be asked, and I do not wish to ask any question which could in any possible way be contrary to the public interest, this matter being at the moment closed. But would my right hon. Friend take seriously into consideration the desire of the House that this matter should be debated, and if it is to be debated, that it should be debated under conditions upon which speeches can be delivered which will not be contrary to the public interest? Would he, in other words, allow on this matter a Debate to be held in private, because in a Debate held in public any Member who had regard to his duty would find it very difficult to discuss the conduct of this matter during the last few months?

I do not think that that is a matter which I can discuss across the Floor of the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while a considerable number of people are glad that the slaughter of the Finns is over, we believe that the overwhelming mass of the people of this country are of opinion that Stalin and his Nazi bureaucracy have brought down upon them the loathing and contempt of every decent-minded citizen?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman two questions? Is he satisfied that in these harsh peace terms which have been accepted by Finland there is a guarantee that they will be really observed in the spirit by Russia, and secondly, can he say whether the help which we and the French offered to Finland has been rendered impossible to be given owing to the action of the Norwegian and Swedish Governments?

It is obvious that I could not give any such guarantee as that for which my hon. and gallant Friend asked. With regard to the second question, the point was that the request for this help was not made by the Finnish Government.

Has it not become clear from recent events that there would have been a settlement of the Finnish question in November without any bloodshed at all if it had not been for outside pressure?

A great blow to freedom.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make inquiries as to the proposed action of the League of Nations in sending a commission to investigate the Russian bombardment of unfortified towns and the civil population of Finland, and whether he will inform the House of the result?

No such commission has been or is about to be sent by the League, and reports to this effect are evidently based on some misunderstanding.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the memorandum handed to His Majesty's Government by Mr. Sumner Welles, the American President's envoy, setting out the bases of the foreign economic policy of the United States Government?

No such document has been handed to His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered a letter from the Nationalist members of the Senate and House of Commons of Northern Ireland sent to the Foreign Office requesting an interview to be arranged for them with Mr. Sumner Welles during his visit to London; whether he has sent a reply to that letter; and, if so, to what effect?

A letter to this effect, signed by Mr. Cahir Healy, has been received. Mr. Healy has been informed that owing tithe shortness of the time at Mr. Welles' disposal it has not been possible to arrange an interview for him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, with a view to maintaining the high traditions of the Civil Service, and in the light of the temptations created by a state of war and the great development of industrial contracting by his Department, he will consider the advisability of bringing to the attention of employés in his Department the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Acts, which inflict heavy penalties by way of fines and imprisonment for the receiving of bribes or secret commissions?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that there is, of course, no reflection intended on the civil servants in his Department?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of air service clerks Grade I, civil assistants and accountants Grade III, air service clerks Grade II and air service clerks Grade III, air service assistant clerks, established and unestablished, air service assistant clerks, temporary, temporary clerks, male, temporary clerks, female, superintendents of typists, clerk shorthand typists, shorthand typists, clerk typists, typists, shorthand typists, temporary, and typists, temporary, employed at each Air Ministry out-station in the United Kingdom in the following groups: maintenance group, works and buildings group, Royal aircraft establishment, aeronautical inspection directorate, and Royal Air Force units?

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give a list of those officials in the employ of the Ministry of Food who are in receipt of alternative incomes, stating the respective amounts and sources of the same, together with their present offices, and the respective salaries attached to the same?

I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

As this is a matter of very considerable public interest, may I inti-

It would be impossible to furnish at short notice details of the civilian clerical and typing staff employed at each Air Ministry out-station. Particulars can, however, be given of the approximate numbers, by grades, of the civilian clerical and typing staffs at present employed in the United Kingdom in each of the five types of Air Ministry out-station mentioned in the Question, but as these particulars can most easily be given in tabular form, I am arranging for them to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Food the special qualifications of the Divisional Food Officer for the Southern Division who receives a salary of £1,000 per annum and is in receipt of a pension of £633 per annum from the India Office; whether these ruled out the question of the appointment to this post of a qualified person not in receipt of an alternative income; and, if not, whether he will alter his decision not to reconsider this appointment?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on Wednesday last, to which I have nothing to add.

As there is a considerable amount of unemployment among competent people at the moment, could not the Minister, in the general interests of those people, reconsider his decision?

If this official is competent, would it not be better to keep him in his appointment?

I could not accept the position that because a man is receiving a pension which he has earned by past service, and which is part of his contract of service, that fact in itself should debar him from an appointment of this kind.

asked the Minister of Food what position in the Ministry of Food is occupied by Mr. W. Paterson, agent for the Commercial Bank, Turiff; whether he is continuing to act as secretary of the Farmers' Union, and secretary of the Turiff Agricultural Association; what is his salary from the Ministry; and does he draw other salaries in respect of other occupations?

The officer referred to is presumably Mr. N. M. Paterson, who is the area meat and livestock officer for the North Scotland area, his salary being £1,000 per annum. I understand that, whilst he has not formally resigned the posts referred to by the hon. Member, he is not himself actively performing the duties involved in them. I have no information as to Mr. Paterson's receipts by way of salary or income from these or other sources, but I may say that his Ministry appointment is a full-time one and I am satisfied that he is complying with the general conditions attaching to such an appointment.

asked the Minister of Food what position Mr. Lovat Fraser, partner of McDonald Fraser, livestock salesmen, holds in the Ministry of Food; what is his salary, and whether Mr. Fraser still carries on his own business in addition?

Mr. Lovat Fraser is the area livestock supervisor for the North Scotland meat and livestock area, and the salary attaching to his post is £900 per annum. The conditions of Mr. Lovat Fraser's appointment allow him to retain some connection with his private business, provided that such outside interests do not conflict with his official duties and responsibilities. I am satisfied that these conditions are being properly observed by Mr. Lovat Fraser.

In making these appointments, does the right hon. Gentleman take care that the work of these gentlemen inside the Ministry does not coincide with their interests outside the Ministry?

It is a condition of their employment that they do not permit anything of that kind to happen.

Can the right hon. Gentleman at some time, if not to-day, give the House information indicating the number of part-time employés of this kind?

Gladly, if asked.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the persistent breaches of international law by the German Government in sinking Norwegian and other neutral ships and the inability of the Norwegian Government on occasion to prevent the sinking of British and neutral shipping within the three-mile limit, he will consider the advisability of action being taken by the British Government, by way of reprisal against German action, to stop the further conveyance of Swedish iron ore to Germany in any section of the seas?

As my right hon. Friend the First Lord af the Admiralty indicated on 6th March in answer to Questions arising out of his reply to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell), this matter is under constant and careful consideration, but I have nothing at present to add to this statement on 6th March.

Is it not the case that the Norwegian Government are unable to maintain neutrality within their Territorial waters and that three ships have been sunk, two British and one Greek, by German action? Is it not about time that we took some steps to stop this sort of thing happening?

The seriousness of the situation must have been appreciated by the hon. Member when he listened to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. I can assure him the matter is taken very seriously by the Government.

But how soon is some action going to be taken? Too late, as usual, I suppose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the appropriate Department under his control has not yet compiled a list of packing-case manufacturers in Scotland and details of their capacity and output; and, if this is now being done, who is responsible for the collection of these details, and where is the office located?

The Air Ministry already has full particulars of packing-case manufacturers in Scotland and elsewhere. I regret that a contrary impression may have been created as a result of a misunderstanding.

Is the Minister aware that appeals have been made to the Lord Provost of Glasgow on this matter?

I am aware of that, but there is some misunderstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the daily ration of members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force; whether it includes a light supper dish; and, if so, whether a similar supper dish is provided for men in the fighting services?

The standard mess ration for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, like that for airmen, consists partly of issues in kind and partly of allowances in money. For both airmen and women, the money allowance includes an allowance for supper; and supper is provided as part of the normal messing arrangements.

Is my information correct that women receive four meals each day, while men only receive three, and that that is why the women are putting on this extra weight?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will ask for a report on the adequacy, or otherwise, of sanitary and canteen arrangements for workmen engaged on a camp in the West of England and take such action as may be necessary to improve the matter?

I am assured that the sanitary and canteen arrangements for the workmen employed on the Air Ministry contract at the station to which I understand the hon. Member refers, are adequate, and I am aware of no complaints.

Will the Minister receive any representation I may send to him?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has approved the practice of Western Engineering, Limited, now working on contracts for the Air Ministry, of asking sub-contractors to make price contracts for deliveries over considerable periods, while retaining the right themselves to terminate the contract at any moment; and whether he can give an assurance that this practice will not prevent supplies coming forward at lowest prices?

This firm has no direct contracts from the Air Ministry, but it is acting as a sub-contractor to one of our contractors under a fixed price contract. The arrangement which the firm has made with its suppliers is, I understand, common in the building industry, and the amount ultimately payable by my Department under the contract is not affected by it.

Is the Minister aware that this matter has amazed all the local builders in the area and that supplies which might be available for construction are held up because of this practice, while the workmen stand there with nothing to do?

I am told that this is quite a usual arrangement.

Are we to gather from that answer that contractors may be taking into their accounts very large figures for sub-contracts without the right hon. Gentleman's accountants being able to scrutinise these figures?

Oh, no, Sir. That is not so.

When the Minister says this firm is a sub-contracting firm, is it in fact a subsidiary of the firm from which it received the contract?

I am not aware of that. If the right hon. Gentleman has any information which he thinks has a bearing on this matter, I shall be glad to have it.

Perhaps the Minister would give me the name of the head contracting firm?

I will inform the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of complaints of the pilfering of food from camps and its despatch to civilians; and whether he has taken particular action to prevent this practice?

The normal procedure in force at Royal Air Force Stations should provide adequate safeguards against pilfering, and I have had no complaints in this connection brought to my notice. If the hon. Member has any information on the matter, I should be glad if he would communicate it to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the assurance that in future no person from Northern Ireland serving in His Majesty's Royal Air Force will be permitted to go on leave without first being properly clothed and equipped for his journey by land and sea?

All Royal Air Force personnel are provided with suitable clothing for any journey by land or sea, and before proceeding on leave they are inspected to ensure that they are properly clothed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total amount of Air Ministry work in Scotland undertaken by the firm of Mowlem's, Limited?

The value of the work concerned is approximately £500,000.

Has the greater proportion of this contract been given direct to this firm without any other firm having the right of tendering?

I will obtain that information and let the hon. Member know.

Can my right hon. Friend say what the firm of McAlpine's are doing in England?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the reason for refusing permission to the Press to disclose the full story of the rescue of Squadron-Leader Farquhar, at Berwick, when he brought down his third aeroplane; why the German airmen have not been allowed to receive public credit for this humane act; and whether he will see that in future brave as well as brutal acts of Germans are published?

The details released to the Press on the occasion to which the hon. Member refers were limited only by security considerations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why the fact that two German airmen rescued this British officer was not published, and why the "Daily Mail"on 23rd February, having published the story in its first edition, was compelled to delete it? Is it in the interests of the country that we should refuse to acknowledge brave acts that are performed by Germans? Surely there is nothing to be gained by the suppression of this humane act?

Certainly not, on general grounds, but in this case a security question was involved.

As the place, the types of machine, and everything connected with the incident were stated in the Press, what were the security reasons which prevented the story being told?

I am not able to say, but as a matter of fact there were other considerations.

It is a shocking thing and pure humbug.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether air-liners of the age and type of the missing Hannibal are being replaced by up-to-date aircraft; and how many semi-obsolete types are still engaged in civil air service?

Air liners of the Hannibal class employed on the Empire Air Services are to be replaced by more up-to-date aircraft as soon as these can be made available. There are in addition 13 aircraft in use on those services which can be described as of semi-obsolete types, but are completely airworthy, having to pass the necessary airworthiness tests and periodic inspections. They have given excellent service on those routes and can continue to do so until it is possible for them to be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered representations made to him by the county borough of Swansea on the proposal to suspend the air services link between Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea and Barnstaple; is he aware that, for reasons connected with the war, the steamer service from Swansea across the channel to Devon will be discontinued this summer, thus giving an added reason for the continuance of the air service for the benefit of business men and the holiday amenities of the Devonshire coast; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation?

The air line to which the hon. Member refers is one of several others affected by a decision dictated by Royal Air Force needs on which I am to hear representations on Friday next from the operating companies concerned. The hon. Member will not expect me therefore to say anything further on this individual case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the charges being made for demurrage on coal wagons, and to expedite the distribution of coal from railhead in many provincial towns throughout the country, he will permit, as a temporary expedient to save the present delays, that the owners of motor-lorries with C licences should be permitted to carry the coal from railhead for distribution, seeing that the restrictions of the A licence-holders do not permit them at the present time to deal effectively with this traffic?

In view of the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Road Vehicles and Drivers Order, no breach of the law is involved if a vehicle operated under a C licence or Defence Permit Certificate is used for work for which an A or B licence or equivalent certificate would normally be required. To protect hauliers against unfair competition from C vehicles provision is made in the Order for the restriction of the licence or certificate to C conditions at the discretion of the Commissioners. This power, however, would not be exercised if the Commissioner were satisfied that a C operator was fulfilling an urgent need for haulage for which no A or B haulier was available.

Could my hon. Friend make that more widely known, for if it were known, a great deal of this congestion would be relieved? I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for his answer.

I am very glad to have the co-operation of my hon. Friend.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in spite of this useful concession, it will not meet the trouble of the small coal merchant, who, being small, has no storage place for his coal, his whole time is occupied in delivering coal, and he cannot retain stocks in wagons on account of the high demurrage charges?

I do not think that that arises out of the Question, but I propose to make a statement on the demurrage regulations after Questions.

As indicated by my right hon. Friend last Wednesday, in reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Warrington (Mr. Goldie), consideration has been given to the effect of the recent exceptional weather conditions upon the ability of traders to comply with the demurrage regulations made on 15th December last. I am able to inform the House that, following the advice received from the Railway Executive Committee after their review of the situation, it has been decided that any demurrage charges incurred between 18th December, 1939, when the new charges came into operation, and 29th February, 1940, shall be remitted. This will not apply to wagons retained for "internal user."

Furthermore, as the conditions during the period mentioned have prevented the laying-in of stocks and have been unfavourable to the adjustment of coal merchants' arrangements to the altered circumstances, it has been agreed to extend until 30th June, the additional 24 hours free time allowed to coal merchants, which would otherwise have come to an end at 31st March. This further concession is being given on the understanding that, within the extended period, the merchants throughout the country will have made such necessary adjustments of their arrangements as will enable wagons to be released within the free period of 24 hours generally allowed by the regulations. It must also be understood that the whole matter is subject to review in the event of a substantial change of circumstances.

Finally, it has been decided, in the light of experience, that the free periods before demurrage is incurred shall be calculated, in the case of siding traffic, by excluding the day of arrival of the wagon, and, in the case of station traffic, by excluding the day of receipt by the trader of notice of arrival of the wagon.

Is the Minister not aware that if the coal could be sent along, there would be no demurrage to pay?

asked the Minister of Transport what statements he has received from manufacturers that they were unaware of the closing of Coventry goods station against the reception of consignments until they caused inquiry to be made into the reason for non-delivery to their customers; and whether in these cases he is satisfied that the manufacturers were warned by the railway companies by means of cartage foremen, carters, motor-drivers, or other responsible representatives?

My hon. and gallant Friend has sent me representations from seven traders in regard to 21 consignments to Coventry which were delayed during the month of February. In the case of only seven of the consignments was there any indication that the consignor was not informed of the restriction on acceptance of goods for Coventry. I am making inquiries into these cases and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Will my hon. Friend promise that in future, if it becomes necessary to close important stations, due public notice shall be given in the most public manner available?

Yes, Sir, and I have drawn the hon. and gallant Member's Question to the attention of the Railway Executive Committee, but he will appreciate that the railways for two months have been operating under exceptional difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause investigation to be made into the cause of the inefficient transport and distribution of coal in Coventry, which is inflicting grave hardship on householders and the manufacturers?

Although transport was unavoidably impeded during the severe weather in January and February, inquiries have not shown that there are at present any transport difficulties in connection with the supply and distribution of coal at Coventry. I am informed by my hon. Friend, the Secretary for Mines, that the statutory restriction on household supplies to 2 cwts. per week was lifted in Coventry three weeks ago. All applications recently made for supplementary fuel rations for coal transport by road in the Coventry area have been granted.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the utterly inadequate capacity of Coventry station to deal with coal, goods or passenger traffic?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport in what cities and towns in Scotland notices are erected at omnibus and tramway stopping places instructing the formation of queues; and whether he will take steps to see that this practice is extended?

The information for which the hon. and learned Member asks is not available, and owing to the time and labour involved I should not feel justified in present circumstances in taking the steps necessary to obtain it. If the hon. and learned Member considers that such notices are needed at any particular place and will let me know, I will look into the matter, but statutory powers would be necessary for their enforcement?

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that where passenger traffic has increased owing to the war emergency some regulation is necessary, and will he look at the matter from that point of view?

I shall be glad to have a word with the hon. and learned Member.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the adequate service provided by the Socialist administration in Glasgow makes queues unnecessary?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now been able to give consideration to the possibility of reducing still further the period during which cheap-day tickets are not available for the return journey?

Yes, Sir. Since the reintroduction of summer-time the positionhas been reviewed, and I am glad to say that it has been found possible to remove the restriction upon the hours during which cheap-day tickets to London are available for return journeys. As from Monday, 18th March, until further notice these cheap-day tickets will be available for return by any train on the day of issue.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the order recently issued to firms in Burnley, to the effect that petrol would not be supplied for the transport of goods to distances above 75 miles, is general throughout the country; and by whom and on what authority it was issued?

I have made inquiries and am informed that no such instruction has been issued by the Regional Transport Commissioner concerned or any of his officers.

Then can the Minister say how it is that a number of individual firms have written protesting against this order?

I do not know. They must have written under a misapprehension.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now give particulars of the report he asked for from the Electricity Commissioners with reference to the large increase in charges for electricity of the Central London Electricity Company and other companies; and what action he is taking in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The Electricity Commissioners have carefully examined the detailed estimates of income and expenditure and supporting data upon which Central London Electricity Limited have based their increased charges for electricity; they have advised my right hon. Friend that they see no reason to dispute the estimates. These estimates provide for earning a dividend of less than 5 per cent. on the ordinary stock of the company, as compared with the standard dividend of 7 per cent. under the sliding scale of prices and dividends to which the company is subject; and are made on the basis that the sales of electricity in 1940 will be only 70 per cent. of the sales in 1938. It will be appreciated that the company's costs are mainly fixed costs which they cannot avoid; and that with such a considerable decrease in sales, the result must be a material increase in the costs per unit apart from other increased costs due to the war. Whether the company's estimate of decreased sales will or will not prove to be correct depends, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, upon factors which it is impossible to forecast, and any appreciable variation in either direction would materially affect the results of the company's operations. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend, while not proposing to intervene at the present stage, intends to review the position at the end of the first six months of the current year. I am expecting to hear from the Electricity Commissioners at an early date with regard to the charges of the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company.

Does my hon. Friend realise the urgency of this matter? Is he aware that the increased charges are largely due to the evacuation policy of the Government and that this burden is being borne by persons who are engaged in national service work and by traders who have remained in London discharging their duties for the benefit of the public?

Yes, Sir, but I am afraid I cannot answer questions on evacuation.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the borough of West Ham there is no increased charge and that they have the cheapest electricity in the country?

Why is there this great differentiation in charges throughout the country?

It is largely due to the differences in the scale of evacuation. Obviously, the greatest amount of evacuation has taken place from Central London.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now make any statement with reference to increased charges for electricity?

A statement of the increases which have been made in electricity charges is in course of preparation by the Electricity Commissioners as the outcome of a communication which they addressed to all electricity undertakers in January. The statement involves a good deal of work and inquiry: I will furnish my hon. and learned Friend with a copy as soon as it is ready.

Is it realised in my hon. Friend's Department that a great deal of public feeling is being aroused by these increased charges, and will he confer on the matter, not merely with the big undertakings, but with some representative people who have to bear the cost of the increased charges?

Certainly, Sir, and if the hon. and learned Gentleman has anybody in mind who would like to make representations I shall be glad to bring the point to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

Is not the trouble about extra costs due to the fact that the Government's ideas are out of joint with existing conditions, and that the supply of electricity ought to be nationalised?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in certain districts throughout the country bread is at present being sold as low as 1d. per pound wholesale; and whether he can give some assurance that this bread is being manufactured from flour of a standard quality supplied at a standard price and furnishes the producers with any profit above the cost of production?

I am informed that a firm of bakers in the North of England has started selling bread wholesale at 1d. per pound, but I am not in a position to say whether it is able to do so at a profit. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, no flour may be sold of a quality or at a price lower than national straightrun flour.

asked the Minister of Food, in view of the fact that it is estimated that 21,000,000 poultry have been slaughtered since the outbreak of the war owing to shortage of feeding-stuffs, whether he will take steps to ensure an increased allocation of feeding-stuffs for the poultry producers throughout the country?

I am not aware of the basis of the estimate referred to, but I would remind my hon. Friend that there is normally a seasonal decline in the number of poultry in the second half of the year. This decline was about 19,500,000 head in 1939 compared with 22,500,000 in 1938. I regret that I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion, which would have the effect of reducing the supplies of feeding-stuffs available for other classes of livestock.

Did not my right hon. Friend tell us yesterday that the grass was now growing, and is he not aware that the difficulties of poultry producers are growing also? Why is it that up to now no equitable distribution has taken place? Will he take steps to expedite the scheme for more equitable distribution of feeding-stuffs, because distribution is still very irregular throughout the whole country?

The scheme for distributing the supplies that are available is going ahead very well, and I think matters have improved.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to an increasing practice in South Wales, whereby wholesale potato merchants are charging 1s. 8d. each for non-returnable potato bags; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this profiteering?

Complaints of this practice were received some weeks ago, but, following conferences between the wholesale and retail interests concerned and the reduction in growers' prices after the recent frost, charges for the use of sacks have either been greatly reduced or have been abandoned, and no complaints are now being received. Complaints already received are being investigated and in one case legal proceedings have been instituted. If the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish me with particulars of the cases referred to, I will have them investigated also.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman yet received the communications which I sent to him?

Yes, Sir, I have received them, and if these are the same cases, they are being investigated. I thought the hon. Member's Question might possibly refer to other cases.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that certain local food control authorities are refusing to grant licences to shopkeepers for the sale of goods on the ground that the articles offered for sale had not been available for purchase in the shops concerned prior to the outbreak of war; and whether any steps will be taken to remove this restriction?

Food control committees have been instructed that as a general rule in the performance of their duties under the Food Control Committees (Local Distribution) Order, 1939, they should not grant licences to food retailers in respect of any foodstuffs in which the retailers were not dealing in their area at the outset of the war. Food control committees have, however, been given discretion in special cases, to depart from the general rule. I see no reason to modify these instructions.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to create a public utility company to take over milk supplies, at any rate, during war?

No, Sir. In view of the existing organisations, I see no need at present to create a new one.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the strong feeling among the farmers and cattle raisers of Northern Ireland at the refusal to supply the owners with the dead weight of their fat beasts; and whether, in view of this, he will look into the matter and make arrangements whereby the sellers of fat cattle will be furnished with the dead weight of the animals sold by them?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 5th March to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Chatham (Captain Plugge) and Cardiff, East (Mr. Temple Morris).

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that a grader viewing a live beast can arrive at a true estimate of the weight of the animal when slaughtered?

These matters are constantly being checked, and they depend, not upon the opinion of one man, but upon that of a panel of breeders. Tests have been carried out which show that the grading is being done with great accuracy.