asked the Minister of Health how many cases of encephalitis following vaccination have been reported during the last year; and how many of these have been serving soldiers or sailors?

Six such cases came to the notice of my Department during 1939, of whom three were serving soldiers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the nurses who deal with cases of venereal disease and those nursing maternity cases are housed in the same building by the Southport Borough Council; and whether this is done with the approval of his Department?

I have made inquiries, and I understand that the maternity nurses concerned have now been given separate accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health precisely how, and on what date, was the list of applicants for appointments as chairmen of medical boards for the examination of recruits compiled by the then Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association; to what extent were the appointments advertised, and when and in what papers did the advertisements appear; what factors determined the applicants' standing in the profession; and who decided them?

As I said in the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 9th April, chairmen were appointed after consideration by my medical officers of the names of all the practitioners, numbering over 4,000, who offered service on medical boards. No list of applicants for appointments as chairmen was compiled by the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association. The remaining parts of the Question, therefore, do not arise.

asked the Minister of Health how and when it was made known to the entire medical profession that applications had to be made for appointment on recruiting medical boards whether as chairmen or members; to whom had the applications to be made; what particulars of qualifications, age and experience had to be furnished; and why were not advertisements on the subject published in all medical journals?

In the early part of 1938 the British Medical Association, at my request, inquired of each general practitioner over the age of 50 who had replied to the general questionnaire on National Service issued to the whole medical profession by the Central Emergency Committee, whether he was willing to serve on a medical board and to have his name submitted to my Department for consideration in that connection. Each practitioner so willing was asked to state his qualifications and age and to give details of his professional work, including national health insurance practice and any appointments held. In view of these steps it was unnecessary to publish advertisements on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health what, precisely, is the machinery of the Central Medical War Committee and its local committees for the selection of individual practitioners as medical officers for the Forces without dislocation or shortage of doctors for civilian needs; when was the machinery set up; and when was it approved by him?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter setting out the procedure for the selection of medical practitioners for service with His Majesty's Forces, which, with my approval, was issued by the Central Medical War Committee to its local committees on 9th April, 1940

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some employers, who employ young persons before the school-leaving age has been reached, do not stamp their health insurance cards for that period; and will he take steps to see that insurance is compulsory in all cases as from the actual date of entry into employment?

Under the existing law employers are not required to pay health insurance contributions in respect of young persons who have not reached the school-leaving age, and I do not think it desirable that there should be amending legislation to provide for the insurance of boys and girls for whom attendance at school is compulsory.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what arrangements are made throughout the country under the schemes for the protection of medical practices approved by him for the accounting of fees received by acting practitioners in respect of patients of absentee practitioners; also in what areas have payments of such fees so far been made to absentee practitioners;(2) whether he is aware of the discontent which exists amongst practitioners on active service owing to the fact that there has, in many areas, been no accounting of fees paid by their private patients during the doctors' absence on whole-time national work, and nothing is known by such doctors as to the procedure for verifying the amounts so received; and how they are being dealt with by the committees appointed for the purposes of the scheme?

The payment of fees to medical practitioners by private patients is not a matter within my purview. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give the information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the acquiring of as much gold as possible is one of the more important means of securing victory in the war, he will consider giving relief to the as yet non-producing West African gold-mining companies registered in this country on the question of limitation of dividends?

The Bill will contain provision for the consideration of cases involving exceptional circumstances, and I think that cases of the type referred to by my hon. Friend will best be dealt with, in the light of all the facts, under that machinery.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the amount he will receive in tax and Super-tax upon the profits which the Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Company will make upon the basis of 70 per cent. of the gross takings of cinemas which exhibit the film "Gone with the Wind"?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the Government's declared intention to grant to those serving in His Majesty's Forces facilities for travel at half normal rates, and having regard to the monthly return ticket being the form of return ticket normally used by the general public, he will consider making arrangements to enable members of the Forces to purchase monthly return tickets at half the price paid by the general public?

Members of His Majesty's Forces travelling on leave at their own expense are given a single ticket at half ordinary single fare or a return ticket at ordinary single fare. I see no need for an alteration in this arrangement.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the representations made to him by the Glasgow local fuel overseer regarding the extension of the deferment of the calling-up period of individual keymen in the coal distributive trade; and has he any statement to make?

I have considered these representations, among others, and further deferment in the case of a number of individual keymen has been arranged. I am not, at present, in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can supply particulars of the profit per ton, wages cost per ton, and other costs, on the coal raised in this country for each quarter during 1939, and for the quarter ended March, 1940, stated separately for each district?

Particulars in respect of the first two quarters of 1939 are published as Command Papers (Nos. 6049 and 6104) and are available in the Library. It is not in the public interest to give particulars of the financial results of the coal mining industry in war time.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give an assurance that Northumberland will receive consideration in the event of any of the committees set up for the processing of coal reporting favourably, and sites being established for any process?

Yes, Sir, together with other suitable localities.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he intends to implement the promise made in response to representations made by the trade to increase the one per cent. allowance granted to petrol retailers under the Motor Fuel Rationing Order, 1939, to two per cent.; and

I have seen the figures mentioned. As the hon. Member is aware, the Coal Production Council is actively engaged in increasing the production of coal, and I understand that one of the problems on which they are at work is the extent to which men registered as unemployed colliery workers can be reabsorbed into the industry.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in and about the mines of this country for the three months ended March, 1939, and the three months ended March, 1940?

The following is the information:whether he will make the increased allowance retrospective to the beginning of the year, the date of his undertaking to the trade?

Yes, Sir. The preparation of the amending Order which covers this and other matters has produced a number of technical and legal difficulties which have delayed its issue, but I hope it will be ready this week. There is considerable objection to making legislation retrospective, and I regret that I cannot make an exception in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for fixing a minimum age of 29 years for admission of men into the Royal Army Medical corps; and whether he is aware that this prevents many men below that age, who have been for years active members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, from serving in a unit for which their training and experience fits them?

The minimum age limit for enlistment into the Royal Army Medical Corps, for men who possess a Royal Army Medical Corps trade qualification, is 20 years and has been so since mobilisation. Not all Royal Army Medical Corps trades have been open to recruitment continuously, but various trades have been opened and closed according to the requirements of the Corps. There has never been a minimum age limit of 29 for any Corps.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, following the precedent of the last war, arrangements will be made for farmers in the East Riding of Yorkshire to have the assistance of labour battalions for gathering the forthcoming harvest?

The Government are considering certain proposals for utilising soldier labour to assist farmers this year. I hope that it will be possible for a statement to be made at an early date and that, subject to military requirements, considerable help for farmers will be forthcoming from this source.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as it is not proposed to give general publicity to the monthly statistics of the Milk Marketing Board, he will consider giving them in confidence to the Central Milk Distributive Committee and the National Association of Creamery Proprietors and Wholesale Dairymen so that they may be able to plan manufacture?

These statistics relate to the sale of milk under the Milk Marketing Scheme. The question of making them available to the organisations referred to is, therefore, a matter for the Milk Marketing Board, but I understand that the Board do not feel called upon to supply the information.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to emergency Report No. 1 of the Medical Research Council Industrial Health Research Board; and whether he proposes to take any action in connection with the recommendations contained therein?

Yes, Sir. The Home Office is represented on the Industrial Health Research Board, and I called attention to the importance of this report in a reply which I gave on 18th April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little). Action on the recommendations is a matter for all those who are responsible for the organisation and management of industry, but the Home Office is taking steps to ensure that the report shall be made widely known, and the factory inspectors will, of course, continue to do their share in securing that progress is made in those matters which fall within the provisions of the Factories Act, such as lighting, ventilation, temperature and safety precautions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the average number of changes per week in the registration of consumers; and whether he can furnish an estimate of the administrative cost involved in making a change in registration?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available, and to obtain it adequately would require a nationwide investigation, which could not be justified; I am, however, taking steps to make investigations in representative areas, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) the number of persons employed by the Ministry of Food in checking the coupons returned to them weekly by shopkeepers;(2) what is the total staff at present employed in the local food offices?

The total staff employed in local food offices at the beginning of this month was 15,215. I regret that it is not possible to give separate figures showing the numbers of staff engaged on particular duties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has considered local complaints regarding the working conditions affecting men in His Majesty's ship "Sultan"; what these complaints were; and what steps have been taken to remove grievances?

No complaints through Service channels have been received concerning working conditions on board the "Sultan" at Portsmouth, though certain candidates for trade tests have remarked that conditions are unfavourable. I appreciate that working conditions on board this vessel are not completely satisfactory, but owing to the age of the vessel it is not possible to improve them. It has been approved to establish a new mechanical training establishment on shore, and work was commenced on the building, but under present conditions it has been necessary temporarily to suspend the work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that petty officers and men of the Royal Navy are being discharged to the shore from naval hospitals without any leave due to them for previous service or the 28 days' leave usually allowed to persons invalided; and whether he will remedy this grievance?

Men discharged from naval hospitals to shore, other than pensioners, are entitled to pay and allowances for 28 days beyond the date of medical survey. This procedure is designed to prevent the men being left without any means pending the settlement of their claim to pension or gratuity, and consequently re-engaged pensioners or pensioners who have been called up are not eligible for this payment, since they are already in receipt of a long service pension; their pay and allowances are, however, extended for three days beyond the date of medical survey. I am not aware of any cases where the benefit of these arrangements has not been given to the men concerned, but if my hon. and gallant Friend would let me have details of any such case, I will certainly inquire into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any general reduction in the imports of olive oil into this country as compared with pre-war years; and what are the respective figures of such imports from Portugal?

As has already been stated in reply to previous Questions, publication of particulars of our trade in individual commodities has been suspended since the outbreak of war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Norwegian-owned fish sent to this country will be exempted from both import quotas and duties; and whether any other Norwegian products available will be so dealt with?

Fresh fish of any origin can be imported without an import licence. As regards canned fish and other Norwegian products, I do not think it would be desirable to dispense entirely with the import control, but so far as possible licences will be granted freely for the importation of goods from those parts of Norway which are not under enemy control. It would not be practicable to remove the import duties on Norwegian products, because of our treaty obligations to other countries, but their incidence on Norwegian goods is for the most part quite low.

asked the Postmaster-General approximately the proportions of Post Office stamp receipts from individual letter writers on the one hand and from business houses and organisations on the other?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the legislation which he proposes to introduce to authorise the increase of 15 per cent. in exchange subscribers' rentals from 1st July, 1940, notwithstanding existing agreements, provision will be made to allow subscribers who have agreements with the Post Office for a period of years to terminate such agreements on 1st July, 1940?

The House will have an opportunity of discussing any questions arising from the application of the increased charges to existing agreements, when the Bill is introduced; and I trust that my hon. Friend will be content to leave the matter over till that stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Irvine Committee's report on training honours botany students for Colonial forestry services has been put into operation; and, if not, when it is proposed to do this?

Yes, Sir. Provision has been made for the award of about five forestry scholarships each year to suitable candidates holding university degrees in botany or other subjects. It is intended to review this arrangement after a trial period of 10 years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the dependants of officers and men who die as prisoners of war are eligible for the same pensions and allowances as those who are killed in action?

Pensions and allowances may be paid to the widows and dependants of officers and men who die as prisoners of war at the same rates and under the same conditions as if they had been killed in action, if it is certified by my medical advisers that death was due to or materially hastened by a wound, injury or disease directly attributable to or materially aggravated by service in this war.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many of the internal air-lines now operating are entirely free from any influence of the railway companies?

I understand that of the five companies now operating internal air services four have some connection with railway interests.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the policy of the Forestry Commissioners with regard to surplus trees from the areas being planted by the Commission; and whether it is part of the Commissioners' policy to refuse to proprietors adjacent to such areas surplus trees for planting on their lands?

By long-standing agreement the Forestry Commissioners' surplus plants are offered to the nursery trade, who in the ordinary course of business provide the requirements of private planters. This agreement precludes the Commission from offering surplus plants to individual owners even of land adjacent to Commission areas.

asked the Minister of Labour who authorised the procedure under which Leslie Winn, who registered as a conscientious objector at Westminster Employment Exchange in April, was taken into a separate room and, while being asked the usual questions, was photographed?

Mr. Winn was not taken to a separate room. He attended in the usual way in the room provided for the registration of conscientious objectors. While there he was photographed without his permission. This was entirely irregular and unauthorised, and steps have been take to have the photographic negative destroyed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total estimated number of crofters in Scotland; and what steps, consultative or otherwise, are being taken to ensure their participation in the nationally necessary agricultural effort for increased production?

The number of agricultural holdings not exceeding 50 acres in extent in the seven "crafting" counties is approximately 26,000. The agricultural executive committees in the crofting areas include a large number of crofters, and increased cultivation is being undertaken this year on crofts as well as on the larger farms. With a view to encouraging additional cultivation on even the smallest holdings, the minimum area qualifying for payment of the grassland subsidy has been reduced to one acre. Applications may also be submitted by township and grazing committees covering smaller areas on individual crofts. Arrangements have also been made for the distribution to crofter communities, through the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, of seed oats at reduced prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has received from the Sutherland War Agricultural Executive regarding drainage improvements; and how many acres of land, hitherto uncultivated, are now being used for agricultural purposes on this committee's recommendation?

I have not so far received any recommendation from the Agricultural Executive Committee for Sutherland on the subject of drainage improvements, but a number of applications for grants for drainage in the county have been approved by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in recent months, and others are being investigated. As regards the second part of the Question, farmers in Sutherland have notified their intention to plough 1,244 acres of old grassland under the Ploughing Subsidy Scheme, but the actual increase in tillage in 1940 is expected to be in excess of this.