asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to overcome the shortage of raw material in the paper industry?

The shortage is being met by drastically reducing consumption of paper, by developing to the fullest extent the home supplies of material, chiefly waste paper, and by importing from North America. It will be appreciated, however, that considerations of availability of shipping space and of the conservation of exchange restrict the extent to which recourse can be had to the last-mentioned step.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the shortage of raw material for the manufacture of paper, any steps are being taken to use straw for this purpose; and whether any arrangements are being made with suitable paper mills to increase the necessary plant for handling this kind of material?

Considerable quantities of straw are being acquired by the paper mills which are suitably equipped to deal with it. At least one straw pulping plant is being extended, but any general expansion must have regard to the quantities of raw material available. Continuous attention will be given to the problem.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the lack of adequate provision for the welfare of youths imported into new factory areas; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure for them proper housing, feeding, and opportunity for recreation and healthy use of their leisure?

There has not been any substantial number of youths imported into new factory areas around factories belonging to the Ministry of Supply. Active consideration, however, is being given to steps for ensuring proper housing, feeding and opportunities for recreation and use of leisure in the case of two factories now under construction where there is a chance that labour of this kind may be required and may be imported from other districts.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of recent events in Norway, His Majesty's Government will now establish in the Scottish Highlands water-power area a calcium carbide industry, in view of the urgent importance of this commodity, and the relative safety from enemy action of this area?

Our requirements for calcium carbide have been provided for for some time to come. The proposals referred to by my hon. Friend will be considered along with others, but it has to be remembered that a new hydro-electric power scheme could not be brought into operation for some considerable time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the recent announcement in the trade Press inviting hairdressers, who desire posts in naval establishments, to get into touch with a certain individual was issued with his authority; and what arrangements are being made for the provision of adequate hairdressing services for the Royal Navy?

I have no knowledge of the announcement to which the hon. Member refers. The normal arrangement in shore establishments of the Royal Navy is for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to conduct hairdressing saloons: in His Majesty's ships haircutting has necessarily to be done by ratings who volunteer for and have acquired proficiency in the work. I am satisfied that these arrangements are adequate for the purpose. If the hon. Member will send me particulars of the announcement which he has in mind, I will gladly make fresh inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the names, rank and the branch of the Service of Members of this House who have joined the Army since the last list was published; and the total number now serving?

It is not possible to revise the list of the many hon. Members who are serving in the Army without an expenditure of time and labour which, in present circumstances, would interfere considerably with important work; and I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will agree not to press his request.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has made any inquiry into the advantages in the stick grenade used by the Nazis, which have led to its general use by them; whether it is a percussion or time bomb; and whether he can give an assurance that the War Office is able to supplement supplies of the Mills type with grenades, having the advantages of the new stick-bomb which led to its adoption by Germany?

The advantage of a stick grenade is a somewhat greater range; the disadvantages are bulk, difficulties of carriage and limitations of use. The German stick grenade is produced with both time and percussion mechanism, mainly the former. My hon. Friend will perhaps agree that it would not be desirable to disclose our own intentions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can now make a statement as to the further supplies of straight feeding-stuffs for milk producers, and control of evasion in connection with the sale of compounds?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to-day to a Question on the same subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the value of exports to Great Britain from Latvia, Esthonia and Lithuania, respectively, for the periods October to December, 1938, and October to December, 1939, and January to March, 1939, and January to March, 1940;(2) the quantity of timber imported into Great Britain from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other sources, respectively, in the period from the outbreak of hostilities between Great Britain and Germany to the last convenient date, with corresponding figures for the same period in 1938–39?

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