asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of Lord Ancaster's parkland in Lincolnshire have been scheduled for ploughing, and how many have already been ploughed?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that Lord Ancaster offered to make available for ploughing any portion of the park considered suitable, but the county war agricultural executive committee were of opinion that it was unsuitable for breaking up and it has accordingly not been scheduled for ploughing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantities of butter and cheese produced in factories and made on farms in Great Britain during the year 1938?

Following is the information available:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the liquid wholesale price of milk sold through the English Milk Marketing Board, the weighted manufacturing price, and the weighted pool

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the United Kingdom output of bacon for the years 1931, 1937 and 1938, and the amounts put into cure during each of those years by curers registered under the bacon marketing scheme?

The output of bacon and hams in the United Kingdom for the years 1937 and 1938 (excluding the output of unregistered curers in Great Britain) amounted to 3,115 and 3,236 thousand cwts. respectively. The quantity of bacon put into cure by curers registered under the bacon marketing scheme in these years was 2,452 and 2,517 thousand cwts. respectively. The bacon marketing scheme was not in operation in 1931 and corresponding figures for that year are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the names of the members of the war agricultural executive committee in the County of Lincoln (Lindsey), specifying the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and executive officer?

The members, chairman, secretary and executive officer of the committee are as follow: Sir John St. V. Fox (Chairman), Mr. J. Evens, Mr. J. A. Godfrey, Mr. C. W. Parker, Mr. J. R. Sanderson, Mr. H. Spilman, Mr. L. P. Stephenson, Mrs. Wintringham. Secretary, Mr. E. W. Scorer, Clerk to the County Council. Executive Officer, Mr. G. L. Tinsley. A vice-chairman of the committee has not been appointed by me. price for the six-months periods April to September, 1938, October, 1938, to March, 1939, and April to September, 1939?

The following table gives the figures required:

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many producer-gas tractors are in operation in Great Britain at the present time; and what is the policy of his Department with regard to them?

Apart from a very few machines of an experimental nature, I am informed that there are no producer-gas tractors in operation in Great Britain at the present time. While my Department is sympathetic to the introduction of a producer-gas tractor, I understand that the types of machine so far tested are not entirely satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give a date when a decision will be reached in regard to the general question of Exchequer assistance for training schemes in the interests of agriculture?

A considerable measure of Exchequer assistance is already provided for training schemes in the interests of agriculture, but I assume my hon. Friend is referring particularly to the training of youths who wish to work on the land. As stated in my reply to the Question he put on 7th March, this matter is now under review, but I am not yet in a position to say when a decision will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any decision has been come to with regard to the evacuation of schoolchildren to Peterhead and Fraserburgh?

The main object of the evacuation scheme is to transfer children from the congested areas where the results of air raids would be most serious to areas where the advantages of dispersal can be obtained. I have carefully considered the representations made to me by the town councils of Peterhead and Fraserburgh in favour of the classification of the burghs as neutral areas, but I regret that in view of the foregoing considerations I do not feel able to make the changes suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, owing to the suitability of the Ford-Ferguson tractor for work in the North of Scotland and the desirability of ploughing-up the maximum possible amount of land, he will increase the facilities for importing these tractors into the United Kingdom?

A licence has been issued for the importation of a number of Ford-Ferguson tractors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider adding to the Export Council suitable persons with experience, as export merchants, of those markets abroad in which progress is particularly desired?

The executive members of the export council have already been in touch with organisations representing merchants and they are considering what machinery can be devised to ensure that the experience of the merchanting community in all markets is regularly available to them. I do not think that it would be desirable to enlarge the membership of the council in the manner suggested. A large number of persons would have to be added to secure personal knowledge of all the markets which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will clarify the arrangements which have been made for assisting manufacturers for export to obtain supplies of raw materials in such quantities and at such prices as will enable them to compete successfully in over-sea markets?

My hon. Friend will no doubt have read the White Paper recently published on "The Aims and Plan of Work of the Export Council"(Cmd. 6183). Information in regard to the export groups already formed was given yesterday in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the present informal arrangements fully prevent the sales, through intermediaries, of German-owned securities on the London Stock Exchange?

The steps taken by the Government in this matter cannot correctly be described as informal arrangements. Sales such as those referred to in the Question are prohibited by the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act, and declarations are required by the Stock Exchange and by paying agents of foreign loans in order to prevent any evasion. Those concerned have recently been requested to exercise special vigilance in the matter, and the question will continue to be carefully watched.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the auxiliary police war reserve in East Sussex have not yet been supplied with uniform or any protective clothing save a pair of waterproof leggings; that there is much discontent over this matter and service conditions in general; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to providing a remedy?

I understand that uniform clothing for the East Sussex Police War Reserve has been ordered by the police authorities, and delivery is expected shortly.

asked the Minister of Health the location of the national camps already completed, or in course of completion, and the purposes for which such camps are being allocated?

The 31 camps which are being erected in England and Wales are in the following places:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent in Press advertisements of the three per cent. War Loan? Sir J. Simon: About £37,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation so that payment of Excess Profits Tax may be made by instalments similarly to the provision made for the payment of Excess Profits Duty under Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1922?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the requisitioning of foreign balances and securities under the Defence (Finance) Regulations may, in certain cases, result in the taxation of income which otherwise might not have been taxable; and what steps he proposes to take to relieve this hardship?

I am aware that a hardship may arise as regards Income Tax and Surtax in relation to such foreign income as would not be chargeable to Income Tax unless remitted to the United Kingdom, by reason of the fact that the operation of the Defence (Finance) Regulations may result in the compulsory remittance to the United Kingdom of income which might otherwise have been left abroad and the consequent taxation in some cases of income which would otherwise not have been taxable. In order to meet the taxation hardship that might thus be caused it is proposed to deal with these cases on the following lines:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the fact that a great deal of disappointment exists in relation to the comparative smallness of the supplementary allowances recommended by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, and that this is borne out by the recent statement which shows that the average amount of the grants is less than 7s. 6d. per week; and can he give an assurance that the committee will be urged to recommend such allowances as will more assuredly relieve deserving applicants from hardship?

I think the hon. Member has drawn the wrong deduction from the figure that he quotes as the average amount of the grants made on the advice of the War Service Grants Committee. This figure indicates that the regulation allowances are adequate, or nearly adequate, to meet the reasonable commitments of the general body of Service men's families. My Committee exists to supplement these allowances in cases where serious hardship would otherwise exist, and I am satisfied that this is being done.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the regulations governing the employment of a telegraph messenger in industrial towns; whether there is any condition as regards population before this privilege can be granted; or whether there is any other condition which must be fulfilled?

There are no hard and fast regulations on this point, but it is the practice to employ one or more uniformed telegraph messengers at any post office where the daily average number of telegrams for delivery and the extent and nature of the area to be served are considered to justify this course.

asked the Postmaster-General why notice has been given to telephone subscribers in Nottinghamhire that telephone directories are only to be issued once a year; and why the charge for certain entries therein is to be the same for one issue as it has formerly been for two?

It has been decided to publish telephone directories once a year in order to conserve the supply of paper. The charge per annum for special entries has not been altered because these entries are in the nature of advertisements, and there is no reason why they should not be charged for, in the usual way, according to the period for which they are published.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will place in the Tea Room after Easter, copies of the various greetings telegraph forms issued by the Post Office, for the information of Members?

I am arranging that after Easter the complete series of greetings telegram forms will be available for inspection by hon. Members in the Post Office in the Members' Lobby of this House.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether arrangements had been made for Christmas parcels arriving in Port Said between 14th December and 14th January to be duty free; whether he is aware that in various instances men had to club together to pay the duty charged on these, and will he make inquiries into these cases;(2) why photographs of the wives and families of members of the forces serving in Egypt, or the vicinity, have been charged with duty, in view of the arrangements made for their exemption?

As stated in the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor) on 13th December, a limited concession was made by the Egyptian customs authorities in respect of Christmas presents, except tobacco, cigars and cigarettes, sent in parcels to members of the British forces serving in Egypt. I can only assume that the cases to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were outside the scope of this concession. As my right hon. Friend stated on the previous occasion, the question of levying customs duty on parcels sent from this country to British troops in Egypt is a matter for the Egyptian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is in a position to announce the composition of the Civil Aviation Advisory Committee?

No, Sir, but I hope to be in a position to do so shortly after the Easter Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to the granting of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Flying Medal?

As I informed the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) on 6th March, the advice of the Co-ordinating Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in time of War is being sought on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what qualified man was employed to advise on the site for a certain Royal Air Force station in the Manchester area; to what extent it has since been found that building operations polluted the water of a bleaching factory; and how much has been spent on the necessary settling tanks?

The selection of the site referred to was made on the advice of departmental officers of the Air Ministry, who are considered to be fully qualified to give such advice. Complaints were received that pollution of the water supply to a bleaching factory resulted from the building operations on this site, but this trouble has been overcome. The estimated cost of the settling tanks referred to in the last part of the Question is £3,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total value of building contracts held by Western Engineering, Limited, from the Air Ministry as chief contractors and as subcontractors from other firms, respectively; and, in the case of subcontracts, what is the name of the chief contractor?

This firm has no direct contracts from the Air Ministry but it is executing one sub-contract from Messrs. George Wimpey and Company, Limited, of the value of £80,000.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider making fuller use in the national effort of the premises, equipment and personnel available in the motor garages and repair shops in the country, bearing in mind the adverse effect of the war upon their normal business?

As I informed the House on the 15th March, every effort is being made to use the resources of garages and repair shops to the best advantage. Approximately 200 have been brought into a scheme for the repair of vehicles from overseas and others are being used for repair work for home units. In addition to repair work, garages with suitable plant and machine tools are being considered for production work.

asked the Minister of Supply whether it is the intention of the Government to build a factory in the county of Durham; and, if so, when and where?

As I informed the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 13th March, certain new productive capacity is being planned in Durham County which will involve substantial additional employment. The hon. Member will not expect me to give details as to the localities. Building operations are expected to commence within the next two or three weeks.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to the frequent indications that in foreign countries, and even in the Dominions and Colonies, the erroneous belief is prevalent that the people of Great Britain are in a starving condition; and what steps he is taking to make the true state of affairs known?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of rumours abroad—no doubt deliberately created—of serious shortage in commodities. The Ministry is increasing its efforts to counter this form of enemy propaganda, through overseas representatives resident here, as well as by other means.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered a protest from the Llantrisant and Llantwit-Fardre Rural District Council against the allocating of imported meat, which is unsaleable, to their district; whether he is aware that the meat and foods inspector reported to this council that imported lambs in course of delivery on 4th March were hardly heavier than good-sized rabbits; and what steps does he propose to take in order to avoid such unfit carcases being consigned to the local butchers for sale?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has considered the protest and is aware of the report to which the hon. Member refers. Instructions have been given that no similar carcases are to be issued to butchers in future and that any stocks of such carcases are to be withdrawn from the depots.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the anxiety of small seaside resorts with regard to the difficulty that will be experienced by visitors who have to attend the local food office to obtain emergency ration cards; and what steps he proposes to take to ease matters in the case of those small seaside resorts that are some considerable distance away from the nearest local food office?

I am not aware of the difficulty referred to. Consumers are able, where an emergency ration card is required for the purchase of foodstuffs when away from home, to obtain that card at their home food office before proceeding on holiday.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the bacon ration is to be reduced; and what extension or variation of rationing in other directions is now contemplated?

There is no present intention of reducing the bacon ration or of extending or varying rationing in other directions except that, as already announced, the butter ration is to be doubled.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is taking any steps to increase the import of cooking eggs, in view of the high consumption of this food in poor households?

All possible steps are being taken to obtain adequate supplies of cheap eggs.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider arranging for school-children who partake of school meals to present meat coupons for use by the school authorities who are now disabled from supplying adequate meat provision at dinners?

I see no sufficient reason for the arrangement suggested in the hon. Member's Question. I have received no complaints that the allocation of meat to school canteens and school-feeding centres is inadequate.

asked the Minister of Food what notice was given to the trade before the order permitting sugar to be sold for private marmalade- making was cancelled; and what steps he is taking to provide extra sugar for private jam-making during the summer?

Arrangements for providing sugar for private marmalade-making were introduced on the 27th December, 1939, and were continued for a period of 10 weeks until 9th March. In these circumstances it was not considered necessary to give more than two days' notice of cancellation. Arrangements for providing sugar for private jam-making are in hand, and an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Food under what authority he proposes to make a house-to-house inspection of marmalade made from sugar issued under special permits; and whether any estimate has been prepared of the cost of carrying it out?

No instructions for such a house-to-house inspection have been issued by my Department but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the case to which he refers, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Food whether any steps have been taken by his Department to secure a more equitable distribution of feeding-stuffs; and whether there is any likelihood of an improvement in the shortage that exists in the county of Hereford?

The securing of an even distribution of feeding-stuffs throughout the country is a matter which is subject to the continuous attention of my Department. I am advised that there has recently been an improvement in supplies in the county of Hereford and that the shortage in that county is now no greater than in other parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the decision of the Government to set up a central slaughter-house in the city of Hereford has resulted in a shortage and a deterioration of meat Supplies in the county market-towns of Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye; and whether he is now prepared to authorise the re-opening of one slaughter-house in each of these market-towns?

As regards the first part of the Question, while during the first two or three weeks of the control scheme the abnormal weather caused a general shortage of home-killed meat, which doubtless affected Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye like other parts of the country, I understand that both towns have secured their full ration requirements. I am not aware that the supplies of meat have deteriorated but if my hon. Friend has details of any specific case in which the meat supplied was not in good condition, I will be glad to have inquiries made into the matter. As regards the last part of the Question, I am advised that apart from the fact that there are insufficient grounds to warrant the opening of additional slaughter-houses, there is in neither town one slaughterhouse of sufficient capacity to serve the needs of the population of that town.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now given further consideration to the representations from the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Great Britain with regard to the interference in their legitimate business by the greatly increased number of bottle parties; and whether he now proposes to take steps to deal with this abuse by an order under the Emergency Powers Defence Act, 1939,or by legislation?

As stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) on 18th March, the information which the Commissioner of Police has given shows that there is no ground for the suggestion that there has been any substantial increase in the number of bottle parties since the outbreak of war, but my right hon. Friend is considering whether the war situation has introduced special conditions calling for special war-time measures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state approximately the percentage of the total number of men conscripted into His Majesty's Forces who were engaged in the distributive, clerical, and allied occupations?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange with the Services that registered men who are unemployed have an opportunity of commencing their service forthwith?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 14th March to a Question put by the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah).

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when compiling the cost-of-living figures for the purpose of the index, there will be any change in the estimated consumption of butter, bacon and other essential commodities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 4th March to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth recently issued to contractors forms headed "Tender for the supply of Norwegian or Swedish kerb," in which the specifications specifically named Norwegian or Swedish stone; whether he is aware that there is considerable unemployment in British quarries which can supply this material; and whether he will impress on local authorities the importance of purchasing British materials before those of countries who are not our allies?

I understand that the tenders referred to were for Norwegian, Swedish and other stone for use as kerbing. Work of this character in a metropolitan borough is not eligible for a grant from the Road Fund, but I agree with my hon. Friend that wherever possible British materials should be used. This has for many years been a condition of grant from the Road Fund towards the cost of roadworks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has circularised highway authorities on the advisability of using hardstone for repairing and making roads in war-time?

Highway authorities are aware of the importance of using suitable materials for road construction and maintenance, and I do not think it necessary to circularise them regarding the use of hardstone, where it is available and can be effectively employed.

asked the Minister of Transport the quantities of whinstone and other hardstone used in making and repairing highways of England, Scotland and Wales in the years 1938 and 1939, respectively?

I regret that the particulars asked for are not available, and their compilation would involve an expenditure of time and money which could not, I think, be justified in existing circumstances.

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made with the substitution of alternatives to petroleum products for motor vehicles; and what measures are being taken to expedite the process?

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to replies on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) on 29th February and to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 14th March. As regards the second part I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made at the end of Question time today.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the extra 300-mile petrol ration allowed to the British Expeditionary Force when on leave applies equally to units of the Royal Air Force on active service stationed in this country, and to units of the Royal Air Force on operational duties stationed in this country?

The arrangement in question applies to members of operational crews of the Royal Air Force stationed in this country but not to other Royal Air Force personnel stationed in this country

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the position in connection with the shortage of coal in Greater London?

I have received a report on the domestic coal position in Greater London to-day. On the whole it has improved, although some districts are still short of their requirements. I hope that after the end of the month the position will gradually revert to normal.

asked the Minister of Health whether his medical advisers have noted the recent unparalleled increase in sickness in this country; and whether he is taking any steps to prevent a recurrence?

The phrase used by the hon. Member would give, I think, quite a mistaken impression. Influenza has been prevalent in recent months though the largest number of deaths in any one week has been 629 (for the week ending 24th February) which compares favourably with the maximum for 1933 (1,934 deaths) or for 1937 (1,155 deaths). There has also been a considerable pre-valance of cerebro-spinal fever but owing to new methods of treatment the mortality rate has been considerably lower than in the past. The experience of this winter has been, for most diseases, actually more favourable this year than in the year previous.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the considerations upon which the Government has decided to continue during war-time the exclusion of mortgages repayable by instalments from the scope of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restriction Acts; and whether, having regard to the Government's declared policy of keeping interest rates at a low level, he will introduce legislation to prevent building societies and other mortgagees from taking advantage of this exclusion in order to increase rates of interest payable by mortgagors except in special circumstances?

The Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Acts relate, and have always related, primarily to houses which are let, and there are no peculiar conditions at the present time which have not obtained during the long period in which these Acts have been in force which indicate that extension of the scope of the Acts in the direction suggested is desirable. With regard to the last part of the Question there is at present no evidence to suggest that special restrictions need to be applied to contracts of this kind which do not apply to contracts generally, and I see no grounds for such action as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that certain building societies propose to call in existing mortgages by the giving of three months' notice unless borrowers are prepared to pay an additional ½per cent. interest; and whether, in view of the fact that the majority of such mortgages are for a period of less than 10 years, he is prepared, in view of the hardship likely to be inflicted on such borrowers by such proposed action, to introduce emergency legislation so as to amend the provisions of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1920, as to afford adequate protection to such borrowers?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the British Social Hygiene Council is in danger of ceasing to exist for want of Government and public financial support; and is he prepared to provide advisory and publicity services dealing with the particular aspects of public health hitherto covered by this organisation or to assist the organisation to carry on its work?

I am aware that financial difficulties have been experienced by the council, and I have drawn the special attention of local authorities responsible for education in social hygiene to the value of the facilities provided by the council in discharging their responsibilities.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he can inform the House of the value of German exports which are allowed to proceed to Japan after the issue of the reprisals order of November, 1939; and whether such exports are still allowed to proceed by sea?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. Since the issue of the Order-in-Council four Japanese and one Norwegian ship have been allowed to pass through our control containing German goods which were certified by the Japanese Government to have been ordered and paid for before 27th November. A further application in respect of the export of certain German goods to Japan has recently been received and is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has any information about the extent of the increase in the cotton exports from Brazil to Italy since the beginning of the war; and whether he is satisfied that no part of this increase has found its way to Germany?

I am aware that deliveries of Brazilian cotton to Italy have been substantially larger since the outbreak of war than in the corresponding period of 1938–39. The hon. Member will, however, be aware that imports from Brazil constitute only a small proportion of Italy's total imports of cotton. I have no reason to suppose that any part of these imports from Brazil have been re-exported to Germany and appropriate guarantees against re-export have been obtained.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that there has been a considerable increase in the export of rubber from the Dutch East Indies to Vladivostock since the war; and, in view of the likelihood of part of the consignments being re-exported to Germany, whether he will take steps to place further shipments under contraband control?

I can assure the hon. Member that this point has not been overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to ensure that casualty lists are promptly and accurately published so as to avoid unnecessary suffering to the relatives and friends?

Information as to casualties is communicated to the next-of-kin as soon as it is received. The policy followed in the matter of publishing casualty lists was explained in the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the right hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Lees-Smith) on 30th January last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider modifying the provision of Memorandum 30/211/4445, dated 7th December, 1939, which excludes men who re-enlisted in the. Territorial Army and other reserve and auxiliary forces, and who have now been embodied owing to mobilisation, from obtaining a refund of purchase money paid in respect of their discharge from previous engagements; and whether he will take steps to enable any man, who so re-enlisted to obtain a refund of discharge purchase money, provided he applies for and is granted a transfer to one of the Regular Forces on a normal regular engagement for a period of not less than three years with the colours?

Refund of discharge purchase money under the conditions mentioned in the last part of the Question is already provided for in the memorandum, and interim service such as is referred to in the first part of the Question would not constitute a disqualification.

asked the Secretary of State for War of how many cases he has now been informed in which accounts of civilian practitioners called to attend acute illnesses of soldiers on leave have been refused payment on the ground that such soldiers should have sought admission to the nearest military hospital, if within two miles of their residence; and what steps he has taken to deal with such accounts?

I am not aware of any such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Army Form O. 1667 is so worded that accounts of civilian medical practioners rendered thereon cannot be passed for payment without a certificate to the effect that there was no military hospital within two miles of the residence of the sick soldier, and that there is no provision on this form for the payments of accounts in cases of acute illness or accident to which a civilian medical practitioner is called unless the illness or accident has occurred outside this two mile limit; and what steps he proposes to remedy this anomaly?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on 27th February last. An instruction has been issued that the certificate referred to is not required in the case of men on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps should be taken by a soldier taken suddenly ill while on leave to discover the whereabouts of the nearest military hospital before he is permitted to go to a civilian medical practitioner?

The information is obtainable from the nearest military unit or from the nearest police station.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is satisfied that proper steps have been taken by his Department to prevent the leakage of military information to enemy countries by way of neutral countries through the agency of foreign telegrams;(2) whether, in dealing with the possibility of leakage of information to the enemy on air strength and dispositions, he will take into consideration the possibility of such leakage by way of foreign telegrams which are uncensored and unrestricted except in respect of their ostensible meaning?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that foreign telegrams can be freely despatched without any check upon their authenticity and without any precautions against espionage other than a cursory censorship of their prima facie contents and meaning; that the contents of such telegrams can be promptly re-cabled from neutral to enemy countries; and whether he will take steps to remedy this, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction in service circles with the opportunities thus afforded to enemy agents?

It is not the case that foreign telegrams can be freely despatched without any check on their authenticity and with only a cursory censorship of their prima facie contents and meaning; and proper steps are taken to guard against leakage of information by this means. I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction in service circles in this matter, nor do I think that such dissatisfaction, if it existed, would be well founded.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the death of No. 953092, Gunner William Barnes, following on vaccination; if he is aware that no inquest took place, although no medical inspection was made of his arm between date of vaccination and date of death, a fortnight later; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such occurrences in the future?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19th March by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements to grant a period of leave at an early date to men requiring leave to do their spring land work in the Western Isles, so as to maintain agricultural production and enable them to qualify for the Government subsidy for new ploughing-in?

Arrangements have been made to release a limited number of men from the Army for short periods, on the recommendation of the Agricultural Departments, in order that they may undertake agricultural work, but, in view of military requirements, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet requests for releases. I am, however, in consultation with the Agricultural Departments as to what further assistance it may be possible for the Army to give to agriculture in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many men have recently come home on leave in Hornchurch and district without ration money, and have had to appeal for assistance from public or private funds; and whether he can take further steps to prevent this undesirable state of affairs?

If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will have them investigated.