asked the Home Secretary whether he can now furnish the promised statement of expenditure on air-raid precautions in the Metropolitan area?

The following table (cols. 2 and 3) shows, for the London County Council, the Common Council of the City of London and the Council of each Metropolitan borough, particulars submitted by these authorities purporting to show the gross expenditure of a non-capital nature on air-raid precautions estimated to have been, or to be, incurred for the financial years 1939–40 and 1940–41. The figures exclude loan charges payable on previous years' capital expenditure. No account is taken in these figures of the pay of whole-time volunteers

asked the Home Secretary; what progress has been made with the inspection of civilian respirators; and will he take the necessary steps to see that the inspection is completed at the earliest possible moment?

The inspection was initiated by a circular issued on the 6th March, and local authorities were asked to complete it during the next few weeks thereafter. I believe that in most cases this has been done, but the responsibility rests with the individual authorities, who were not asked to make any report to me, and I have no precise information showing how far the inspection has been completed.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the small number, some 6 per cent., of parents registering their children under the new evacuation scheme, he will consider re-planning the scheme, basing it on camp schools and groups in large houses rather than private billeting?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Elland (Mr. Levy) on 18th April.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give any figures showing the results of salvage work in each of the Metropolitan boroughs and in large cities outside London, during the latest available month?

The following table shows for each of the Metropolitan Boroughs, and certain large cities outside London, the value of the sales of salvaged material for the month of March, 1940. These figures do not include material collected by merchants or voluntary organisations:

asked the Minister of Supply the arrangements made generally for welfare work in Ministry of Supply factories; what persons or organisations are in charge of it; and whether it is being done through a Government Department or voluntary agency, and the average and maximum hours of work, including overtime?

It is part of the duty of the managements of Royal Ordnance factories to give close and constant attention to the welfare of the workpeople, and local machinery exists for discussion between the managements and the employés'representatives of any aspect thereof which may from time to time arise. Welfare officers have been appointed at factories employing women, and at all factories appropriate arrangements for internal medical services have been made. Close contact is maintained with the officials of the Home Office, with special reference to the provisions of the Factories Act, and the assistance of voluntary organisations is invoked in appropriate cases. As regards the last part of the Question, the present hours of the workpeople vary as between the different factories and as between classes of workers of both sexes. If the hon. Member desires detailed information about hours in any particular case in which he is interested, he will perhaps let me know.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that several paper mills in Scotland are closing down, and that large numbers of workers are already unemployed with little prospect of re-engagement; what is the cause of this; and what steps are being taken to reopen these mills?

The recent developments in Scandinavia have seriously affected the supply of papermaking materials, which come mainly from that region. Steps are being taken to obtain supplies elsewhere, but the production of paper in this country must necessarily be considerably restricted.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of a soldier deceased as a result of war service, a pension is paid both to a separated wife and to an unmarried wife; and, if so, of what amount?

Pension may, subject to the conditions laid down in the Royal Warrant, be paid in respect of a deceased soldier to his separated wife and to an unmarried dependant who had lived with him as his wife. The aggregate amount of the two pensions would not exceed the pension which would have been payable to his widow had she not been separated from him.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether provision will be made for the issue of a flat-rate pension of 5s. per week to a parent, irrespective of pre-war dependence, age, infirmity or pecuniary need, on the death of a son serving in the Forces who dies as a result of wounds, injuries or disease incurred while serving in the war, if the man was unmarried and no pension is otherwise being paid to or for a child or dependant?

I am not prepared to recommend a general flat rate pension for these cases. The basis of award of pensions to parents will be need, broadly interpreted as the reasonable expectation of what the son would have contributed had he lived, on the lines which I indicated in my answer to the hon. Member for the Deritend Division of Birmingham (Sir J. Smedley Crooke) on the 18th March last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, when an old age pensioner in receipt of supplementary pension is ordered into an institution, the children or grandchildren will be held liable for maintenance charges; and whether the supplementary pension will be taken into account when assessing the contributions to be paid by relatives to the local authority?

The Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act, 1940, makes no change in the existing law as to the powers of public assistance authorities to make recovery from the liable relatives of a person in receipt of relief. The question whether, in the circumstances contemplated in the Question, the person relieved in an institution would be entitled to receive a supplementary pension is one which would depend on the particular facts of the case; but if he were in receipt of such a pension, a public assistance authority would be acting properly in having regard to it for the purpose which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Health what practical purpose is intended to be served by the notification of whooping cough; and what administrative steps follow such notification?

The purpose is to afford information as to the incidence of this disease in the altered distribution of the child population and other circumstances resulting from the war, and thus to facilitate the control of the disease and the care of patients. The steps to be taken by a medical officer of health on receipt of a notification are prescribed in Regulation 4 of the regulations requiring notification.

asked the Minister of Health whether the notification of measles is intended to include that of the variety commonly known as German measles?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any plans have been made for the summer herring fishing; and when these will be announced to the trade?

Arrangements in connection with the summer herring fishing are under active consideration by the Departments concerned and it is hoped to make an announcement at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will publish a list of the staff of the headquarters and sub-offices of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, other than clerical and messengers, stating the salary of each officer and his qualifications for the post; and which held previous appointments under the Unemployment Assistance Board?

The War Service Grants Advisory Committee is assisted in determining the merits of claims by a staff of officers of the Ministry none of whom has held a post under the Assistance Board. The duties of officers of the Assistance Board are limited to ascertaining the facts on which claims are based. It would not, I fear, be consistent with the limits of a Parliamentary answer to give a nominal list and other details asked for in respect of each of the large staff so employed, but I may say that the staff (established and temporary) above the rank of clerical officer is 177.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is a fixed and invariable practice of his Department not to engage any British subject whose parents were not both natural-born British subjects?

It is a general rule not to engage a British subject whose parents were not both natural-born British subjects, but exceptions are, and have been, made in special cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider making an appeal to well-to-do persons and pensioners who are doing work in Government Departments to give their services voluntarily where they are able to do so, having regard to the financial burden of the war and the fact that hundreds of thousands of men have to sacrifice all their private interests to serve in the Forces for 2s. a day?

In many cases the Government is receiving valued assistance from persons who are serving without remuneration or at nominal salaries, but I do not feel that the circumstances warrant a general appeal of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will prohibit, under the Defence of the Realm Act, the sale or hire of service or auxiliary uniforms except to those authorised by the Services concerned?

I am having this matter considered in consultation with the other Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the rank held in previous Royal Army Medical Corps service is to be taken into account in fixing the present rank of officers in that corps, he will consider giving credit and promotion according to men who held commissioned rank as combatants in the last war and who are now doctors?

It is not considered that previous commissioned service in other branches of the Army should be reckoned as equivalent to previous commissioned service in the Royal Army Medical Corps for the purpose mentioned, but such service is, nevertheless, taken into special consideration when Royal Army Medical Corps officers are selected to fill appointments carrying acting higher rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the urgent necessity of countering German propaganda in Sweden, and interesting the Swedish public in the activities of the Allies in Norway, he will, at the earliest opportunity, provide facilities for at least one experienced and friendly Swedish war correspondent to report on the operations of our Expeditionary Force in Norway, subject to usual conditions of military censorship?

The question of neutral Press representation with the Expeditionary Force in Norway will be given consideration when it has been found possible to provide regular Press facilities in that theatre of operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the policy of his Department, when inviting tenders, to avoid the use of brand names whenever general specifications can be used, so as to avoid restricting the possibility of tender to any particular manufacturers or their customers?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware of the reluctance of exporters to send their goods to countries which may become involved in the war; and whether further protection could be afforded to traders against these risks?

The Export Credits Guarantee Department have, on the instructions of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, been actively considering the situation created by war conditions and the question of extending the transfer cover at present available to exporters. It has now been decided to make important extensions of the existing facilities. With few exceptions the proportion of transfer risk guarantee will be raised from 75 per cent. to 90 per cent., and catastrophe such as war or invasion will be expressly covered. Fuller details of the new facilities, which have been discussed with the Export Council, can be obtained from the Export Credits Guarantee Department, who are issuing a notice on the subject for publication.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether with a view to securing that only those charitable institutions which substantially promote the welfare of the British people shall be exempt from Income Tax, he will consider taking steps to amend the legal definition of the word charity for the purpose of the Income Tax Acts?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. I would remind him that this subject was one which was examined by the Macmillan Committee and I would refer him to page 221 of that Committee's report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the facilities for relieving the export trade from Customs and Excise duty are adequate?

:The export trade can be relieved of Customs and Excise duties through the arrangements which exist for the deposit of goods free of duty in bonded warehouses and for the allowance of drawbacks of duty in the case of both imported duly paid goods and British made goods manufactured from duty paid materials. The Treasury have power to allow new drawbacks or amend existing drawbacks on a very wide range of the goods which have come within the scope of the tariff since 1932. Since the outbreak of war they have been actively engaged in the task of adjusting rates of drawback payable under existing schemes so as to keep them in close relation to the average incidence of import duty. I believe that the existing drawbacks cover the greater part of the ground which it would be practicable to cover in this way; but I should welcome any new proposals which export groups, responsible trading associations, or other organisations principally affected might consider to be in the national interest. I would also refer to the announcement in my Budget Speech on Tuesday that it is proposed to improve the conditions under which drawback is payable on exported goods which have been subject on importation to Key Industries Duties. The necessary amendment of the law will appear in the Finance Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the position of the Danish legation in Great Britain?

This matter is still under consideration, as it raises a number of technical questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government has associated itself, or will associate itself, with the declaration of the United Stales Government on the maintenance of the status quo in the Far East, especially in so far as the future of the Dutch East Indies is concerned?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government on this question was indicated in the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wirral (Captain A. Graham) on 18th April.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the falling off of contributions to foreign missions in India, he will take steps to ensure that the students receiving tuition and patients receiving medical attention at these institutions are adequately provided for?

The provision of facilities for education and medical attention in India is a responsibility of the Provincial Governments, who will, I am sure, give careful consideration to any representations made to them regarding the consequences of adverse changes in the financial position of foreign missions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the County Brook Mill Company, Foulridge, who are engaged on Government contracts at their Foulridge mill, are working overtime and being permitted to do so by the Home Office, whilst at the same time refusing to honour trade union agreements regarding overtime rates; and will he inform this company that such action is a breach of the Fair Wages Clause in Government contracts and call for redress?

The firm referred to by the hon. Member does not hold any direct Admiralty contracts, but I understand that they are sub-contractors in connection with an Admiralty contract. I am arranging to investigate the firm's position in relation to the Fair Wages Clause, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result of my inquiries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the policy of his Department, when inviting tenders, to avoid the use of brand names whenever general specifications can be used so as to avoid restricting the possibility of tender to any particular manufacturers or their customers?

Yes, Sir. It is the Admiralty policy to avoid the use of brand names wherever possible when inviting tenders.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state, in tabular form, the charges per unit flat rate of each of the authorities supplying electricity in the London area as at 1st January, 1937, 1st September, 1939, and 1st April, 1940, and show the percentage increase or decrease between the first and last dates; and also give similar information regarding the charges of the same authorities in respect of their standing charges and charge per unit on the two-part tariff system?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave to the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons) on 13th March. As soon as the statement mentioned in that reply is ready, I will send a copy to my hon. Friend and I trust that it will be sufficient for his purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the representations made to him in regard to the complaints regarding the meat distribution scheme in Carmarthenshire, particularly in the Whitland district; and what steps he has taken to deal with these complaints?

I have carefully considered the representations made by the hon. Member and I have written to him on the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why, when so much sugar is made available for iced cakes and sweets, which are of doubtful food value, it is refused to housewives who, having no garden of their own, regularly purchase fruit for home jam-making, which is generally regarded as a valuable food product; and will he reconsider his decision in this matter?

A substantial reduction has already been made in the sugar supplies to manufacturers of cakes and confectionery. As regards the provision of sugar for domestic jam-making, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 23rd April to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the danger of malnutrition amongst school-children arising from rationing and rising costs, he will make provision for the supply of free milk to all school-children?

The existing law does not admit of the supply of free milk except to necessitous under-nourished children, but in nearly all public elementary schools milk is available under the Milk in Schools Scheme at less than half the ordinary retail price.

asked the Minister of Information whether, before approving or supporting the proposal for the subsidising of a news reel in Belgium, he will weigh carefully the certain disadvantages which would result from its adoption, in view of the fact that at present there is no reason for dissatisfaction over the relative display of Allied and enemy news films in that country?

I understand that the Belgian Government are contemplating the establishment of a State-controlled news reel, but that is of course entirely their own business. There is no suggestion that it should be subsidised by His Majesty's Government.