asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered representations from certain local authorities asking, in present circumstances, to be relieved of the expenditure of labour, paper and postage involved in issuing driving-licence reminders; and what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. I recognise that the driving-licence reminders have been appreciated by many, but in view of the paramount need of economy in present circumstances, I see no justifiable alternative to reverting to the position which obtained before 1937, and am instructing local authorities accordingly.

asked the Minister of Transport for what reason iron railings are being erected on the Kingston by-pass; what length of railing has been erected; the extent to which these railings are to be put up; the cost of material and labour involved; and whether, in view of the demand for economy and reservation of iron for our war effort, he will arrange for the immediate cancellation of this work and take steps to have replanted the flowering trees that have been uprooted to make room for the railings?

Orders had been placed before the war broke out for the erection of 7,500 yards of railings on the Kingston by-pass in the interests of public safety, to prevent pedestrians crossing the dual carriageway except at specified points. It is, of course, agreed that in present circumstances work of this kind should not be allowed to proceed, and the present work consists only in the finishing off of the small section now in hand, after which no further work of this kind will be undertaken. The total cost of the work when completed is estimated to be approximately £4,000, of which one-third would be for labour on the site.

asked the Minister of Information whether he has any statement to make concerning the recent unauthorised use of the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast; and what steps are taken to prevent a similar occurrence?

The B.B.C. are willing to accept any directions, whether general or particular, from the Ministry on all matters considered to be in the national interests. All official announcements will in future be transmitted to the B.B.C. by the Ministry, and a system of checks has been established which should make impossible a recurrence of the event referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present position with regard to telephonic communication with the Continent; and whether he can give an assurance that adequate steps are being taken to provide a sufficient number of alternative lines to prevent avoidable breakdowns in this connection?

:The provision of public facilities for telephonic communication with the Continent is necessarily subject to the exigencies of the military situation; and under present conditions it has been necessary to suspend these facilities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the fullest staff of expert telephonists will be available in the less densely populated provincial districts to deal with the appearance of parachutists?

Steps have already been taken to strengthen the staff of expert telephonists in selected exchanges to meet the various conditions which might arise out of the war.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that people are allowed to go about in this country in private motor vehicles with wireless sets, which may be used not only for reception but also for transmission, whether he will issue an order prohibiting their use in this way by all unauthorised private individuals?

:The use for transmission purposes of a wireless set in a motor vehicle in this country by any person who does not hold a special wireless transmitting licence for this purpose is already prohibited under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904. Such licences have been granted only in a few special cases where their issue was considered to be desirable in the national interest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the present economic situation in St. Helena; and whether the schemes of housing and social improvement which have been prescribed in the past few years have been attended by successful results?

I can add little to the reply given to my hon. Friend by the then Secretary of State on 6th March. The presence of an enlarged garrison in the island and the purchase by His Majesty's Government of the output of the St. Helena fibre mills have had a favourable effect on the economic situation. Progress is being made with the reorganisation of the education system: and other schemes for improving the conditions in the island are being vigorously pursued. It is too early yet to appraise the results as the schemes in general are part of a long-term plan. With regard to housing, I would refer to the reply which was given to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Paling) on 1st May, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated acreage of autumn-sown wheat for 1939–40 season; and when estimates are likely to be available showing the acreages of 1940 spring-sown corn crops?

It would be undesirable in the public interest to publish statistics of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, but I am able to say that the area under corn crops shows a very satisfactory increase over last year.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that production is being curtailed at the aluminium works in Burntisland, and as a result 200 workers have been thrown out of employment, although the Government have taken over the year's output and guaranteed the firm's profits; and will he take steps to get the dismissed men restarted?

The works to which the hon. Member refers produce alumina, which is subsequently converted into aluminium elsewhere. I understand that production at these works has been curtailed because part of the alumina was previously sent to Norway for conversion into aluminium in that country. The question of keeping the works in full production is being discussed with the company. I should add that the Ministry of Supply have purchased the whole output of aluminium of the British Aluminium Company at an agreed price, but have not guaranteed their profits. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy) on this subject.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take immediate steps to implement the promises of his predecessor regarding the establishment of a factory, or factories, for war production, the placing of additional contracts, and the providing of war work for the unemployed in Northern Ireland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which were given to him on 14th February and 25th April. Since February additional orders have been placed in Northern Ireland. Although my right hon. Friend is not in a position to commit himself to any definite promises in the matter, he is prepared to review the position afresh.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider ending the stop on the American exchange, or consider under what circumstances this could be done with advantage to this country?

If the suggestion is that sterling should be freely convertible in dollars at the official rate for all purposes, I regret that in present circumstances this is impracticable. If, on the other hand, the suggestion is that the official rate of exchange, which has prevailed since the outbreak of war, should no longer be maintained, the reply is that I am convinced that it would be most undesirable in the national interests to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether officers and men of the Royal Air Force coastal command stations and others engaged in hazardous naval and military duties in the British Isles can be allowed the same privileges in regard to tobacco and cigarette duties as are granted to the Expeditionary Forces?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made on 1st May by my predecessor in the Debate on the tobacco duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now reverse the policy of the late Government and immediately introduce a war risks insurance scheme on real property?

No, Sir. I have carefully considered this matter, but, for the reasons given in my predecessor's statement of 31st January, 1939, and confirmed in the Report of the Weir Committee, I am satisfied that no scheme of insurance against the risks mentioned would be practicable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the result of his further consideration of the practicability of the resumption of examinations for the Civil Service?

:I had hoped now to be in a position to make a statement about this matter, but in view of the war situation I regret that I am unable to make any announcement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why bankers, who have recently made appeals for the raising of funds for German prisoners in this country, should be amongst the bankers appointed to approve the forms under the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1939, and Defence (Finance) Regulations, 1939, particularly Forms B.D. and E.1. dealing with the purchase and sale of registered and bearer securities and sterling transfers to foreign accounts?

Whilst I think such an appeal as is referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is both unnecessary and undesirable, I should not have considered that the fact that a private individual has been associated with it should be regarded as disqualifying the firm of which he is one of the partners from exercising the functions referred to.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to prevent those who refuse to accept the full responsibility of citizenship by serving in His Majesty's Forces from being kept or trained for pensionable Government posts by the country for which they refuse service?

Where a civil servant has declared himself to be a conscientious objector to military service and where the objection has been sustained by a tribunal, no automatic action is taken against the individual concerned in the matter of his civil employment. If, however, such an individual refuses, or asks to be relieved of the necessity, to perform any departmental duty appropriately allotted to him as a civil servant, he is not retained in the Civil Service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, to save paper and expedite business, he will instruct the staff of Government Departments not to send memorandums to colleagues when they are in the same part of the building, but to convey the information personally?

My hon. Friend's suggestion goes, I fear, too far and is not administratively practicable. I am, however, in full sympathy with his desire to restrict to the minimum departmental minutes and memoranda, and instructions have already been issued to Departments with that object in view.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether in view of the burden placed on men of His Majesty's Forces serving at home stations by the additional postal charges, he will consider the advisability of issuing a weekly envelope entitling the recipient to free postage to be issued to each man when he is paid?

As was said in reply to the hon. Members for Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson) and Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 2nd and 7th May, I regret that it is not possible to make further postage concessions of this kind.

asked the Minister of Pensions the procedure to be employed by civilians claiming State compensation in respect of injuries caused by air-raids?

Claims in respect of injuries caused by air raids should, in the first instance, be made to the local office of the Assistance Board, who act for this purpose as agents for my Department. The address of the Board's local office may be obtained at the nearest post office. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet which I issued last September to all local authorities, hospitals and Civil Defence organisations explaining the procedure for such claims in detail.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give consideration to the question of taking steps for the compulsory evacuation of women and children from vulnerable areas?

:The Government evacuation scheme which at present relates primarily to school children has been based on the principle that evacuation should be voluntary, but the question of the principles which should govern evacuation from different areas is kept under constant consideration, and the advantages and disadvantages of compulsion in the case of certain places are not excluded from that consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make with reference to the evacuation of children from East and South-East coastal towns and villages which have hitherto been treated as reception or neutral areas?

School children who had been evacuated to certain urban areas on the East and South-East coast have recently been transferred to other areas, mostly to Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. In this way certain areas which have hitherto been treated as reception areas have become, in effect, neutral areas. In addition, Sheerness has been made into an evacuation area.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many parents refuse to register their children for evacuation because they are not told where the children will be sent, although the teachers are given this information in advance; and whether he will arrange for particulars of destination to be given to the parents at the time of registration?

I am not aware that this consideration has weighed with parents to any appreciable extent. The transport arrangements for evacuation are designed so far as possible to convey particular schools to particular destinations, but it has to be recognised that these may have to be changed and that no assurance as to destination could be given to parents. In these circumstances I would not see any advantage in adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Attorney-General what action he intends taking to make it impossible for anyone to go to a tailor and buy an officer's uniform without being asked to produce any evidence that he holds a commission?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that sufficient precautions are being taken to prevent fraudulent or traitorous persons from acquiring uniforms, badges, or other insignia of rank in any of the Armed Services?

I have been asked to reply. The matter has been under active consideration, and I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that recently an unauthorised person dressed in the uniform of a British officer entered a military hospital and talked with the patients, ascertained their military units and left unchallenged; and what steps are being taken to prevent a repetition of similar incidents?

I understand that the hospital referred to is an emergency medical service hospital of the Ministry of Health, and I am asking my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what object barbed wire is being erected round Government offices in Whitehall?

The erection of barbed wire in Whitehall is part of the local defence scheme against possible enemy landings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether Robert Radford, of Muswell Hill, London, who recently appeared before the London Conscientious Objectors' Tribunal on religious grounds, is still employed on the electrical maintenance staff at Buckingham Palace?

No, Sir. Owing to contraction of the work on which he was engaged on a temporary basis, Mr. Radford was informed some while ago that he was due for discharge on Saturday, 25th May. He is now on the days' leave to which his service entitles him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the impending Order extending the list of commodities to be subject to the Prices of Goods Act, and, in view of the more immediate need now to prevent forestalling, he will make the Order effective as from the date of its issue?

In view of the alteration in the methods of pricing which traders will be obliged to adopt in many cases as a result of the new Price Regulated Goods Order and the work which this will involve for them, I do not think that it would be fair or practicable to bring the Order into force earlier than 10th June. The Order was issued last week, and it is not clear to me what form of forestalling my hon. and learned Friend has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any measures are in process with the co-operation of the Export Council of the Board of Trade for the expansion of British trade in the Colonial Empire?

:All practicable steps appropriate for the purpose of maintaining our war effort are being taken to secure continued development of our trade in the Colonial Empire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether statistics of production can still be made available, in confidence, to reputable trade organisations in this country, provided they are not published; and what is the present position with regard to this matter?

:Responsible requests for confidential information are considered on their merits in consultation with the Departments interested in the commodity or product concerned. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that it may be necessary to refuse information, even when its intended circulation is limited, on grounds of military or economic strategy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will be able to produce plans for securing maximum production in this country, both of munitions and goods for export, so that neither machines nor men may stand idle?

I would refer the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal as to the establishment of the Production Council, which represents the Government Departments principally concerned, including the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of recent developments on the Western Front, he has taken, or proposes to take, steps to intensify and expedite the training of pilots and other airmen undergoing instruction under the Empire air training scheme in Canada?

These matters are receiving consideration, and decisions are being taken in accordance with the needs of the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the names, rank and the branch of the Service of Members of this House who have joined the Royal Air Force since the last list was published; and the total number now serving?

Since the list furnished on 12th December two Members of the House, the hon. and learned Member for Withington (Pilot Officer E. L. Fleming, K.C.) and the right hon. Member for Gorton, Manchester (Pilot Officer the right hon. W. Wedgwood Benn, D.S.O., D.F.C.) are serving in the Royal Air Force. Three hon. Members have ceased to serve in the interim, and one officer of the Royal Air Force (the Marquess of Clydesdale, now the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon) has ceased to be a Member of this House. The total number now serving with the Royal Air Force is, therefore, 15.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, now that the site has been selected, he will give instructions that work on the new aerodrome in Northern Ireland shall be pushed forward with all celerity; and whether, as the matter is urgent, he will give instructions to have a site for an additional aerodrome chosen at the earliest possible moment in order that work may be provided for the unemployed as well as for national security?

Two possible aerodrome sites are being considered. One site provisionally selected is now undergoing the detailed survey that is essential before it can be proceeded with, but I am advised that the difficulties of preparation appear to be greatly due to topographical conditions. If it should be decided to proceed with this site, immediate steps will be taken for its preparation. As regards the second part of the Question, a further site was suggested on 9th May by the Department of Commerce of Northern Ireland. This will be examined and if found suitable may, on grounds of economy and speed of construction, be preferred to the site provisionally selected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is taking immediate steps to improve our relations with Russia?

Yes, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, on 21st March, 1940, the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South, was informed by letter that Mr. David Kimmond could apply for entry into the Royal Navy in the lower deck for continuous service, but that Mr. Kimmond's applications, both before and after the letter, were turned down by the recruiting officer at Southampton on the ground that this was temporarily suspended; and whether, in view of the exceptional qualifications of Mr. Kimmond and of the letter in question, he will now authorise his enlistment for continuous service?

I regret that the letter of 21st March was written under a misapprehension, as recruiting on continuous service engagements had (except for boys and apprentices) been suspended in all branches a short time before. Mr. Kinmond would in any event have been too old for entry on a continuous service engagement in the seaman branch, which is his preference. If he is fit, he is eligible to join on a special service engagement, and he might be able to transfer later to a continuous service basis, when recruiting on such engagements is reopened.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty which of the awards for gallantry ordinarily bestowed on officers and ratings of the Royal Navy are open to similar ranks in the Merchant Navy; and whether he will consider instituting special decorations to be granted for war service to merchant seamen?

Of the awards available to the Royal Navy, officers and men of the Merchant Navy may receive the following:

Victoria Cross.

Empire Gallantry Medal.

Appropriate classes of the Order of the British Empire, and the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service.

The Empire Gallantry Medal and British Empire awards for the Merchant Navy are, of course, in the Civil Division. I have already discussed with the Minister of Shipping the institution of a special decoration for war service in the Merchant Navy, and this matter will be further considered in due course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the increased cost of cigarettes, the Admiralty order under which officers of the Royal Navy are forbidden to smoke pipes in the streets when wearing uniform will now be rescinded?

At present, when officers must wear uniform on all occasions, the observance of this rule will be left to the good sense and knowledge of the customs of the Service of those concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the hardships caused to junior officers and ratings of the Royal Navy as the result of lodging allowance, which does not cover the cost of accommodation, being subject to Income Tax; and whether he will consult with the Treasury with a view to remedying this hardship?

I am inquiring into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by those on leave from the British Expeditionary Force in being obliged to produce their motor-car registration books at the nearest recruiting office in person, and are not even allowed to send them by post when the petrol-on-leave concession is granted; and whether, as the 10 days' leave is so short, he will allow applicants to post their registration books or obtain the coupons from a post office or local food controller?

I regret that, after consultation with the Service Departments, it was not considered practicable to arrange for applications for these allowances to be made by post or to provide for their issue by other than Service authorities. Arrangements are, however, under active consideration for securing, in the near future, a considerable increase in the number of issuing centres.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents to men employed in and around the mines of this country from the commencement of the war to the last available date, based on the percentage of the total employed, giving comparisons with the immediate similar previous period?

The following is the information:

Number of persons killed and seriously injured* per 1,000 persons employed at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, during the35 weeks following the outbreak of the war and the corresponding period a year ago.
Period.	Rates per 1,000 Persons Employed.
	Killed.	Seriously Injured.*
35 weeks ended 4th May, 1940.	0·77	2·88
35 weeks ended 6th May, 1939.	0·62	2·61
* Injuries which, because of their nature or severity are, under the terms of Section 80 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, required to be reported to his Majesty's Divisional Inspectors at the time of their occurrence.

asked the Minister of Health when the application forms will be made available at post offices for Part II of the Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act, 1940?

I expect to be in a position to be able to make a statement in the course of the next few days.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of patients on 30th April on the waiting list for admission into institutions and sanatoria of the Welsh National Memorial Association; the time the longest case has been on the waiting list; and the average period of waiting?

:The number of patients on 30th April on the waiting list for admission into institutions and sanatoria of the Welsh National Memorial Association was 333. Twenty-two weeks is the longest time a case has been on the waiting list, and the average period of waiting is 10 weeks.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government renews and reiterates the pledge of its predecessor that no peace will be concluded with the enemy except in agreement and co-operation with the Government of the French Republic?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the issue of a badge to men of military age who have been rejected as unfit for service?

I do not think there is any need to issue a badge to denote inability to join His Majesty's Forces on account of physical unfitness or any other reason.

asked the Secretary of State for War how soon he can provide rifles and uniforms to men who have enrolled in the new body of Local Defence Volunteers; and whether arrangements can be set up for these men to obtain rifle practice with the least possible delay?

asked the Secretary of State for War the measures now being taken to ensure that every volunteer enrolled in the Local Defence Corps who has a rifle with ammunition allotted to him is familiar with the use of the weapon; and where this is not the case, what steps are being taken to give him the necessary training?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will order local parades forthwith of all enlisted Local Defence Volunteers, instructing all who can to bring suitable firearms of any reasonable description, and that in the absence of appointed leaders Lord-Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants should be called upon to play a part?

Rifles, denim overalls and caps are available in considerable quantities, and armlets are being provided to meet cases where uniform is not available. Persons who possess rifles and shot guns should hand them in at local police stations, or bring them with them when they are enrolled. The issue of rifles and guns will be confined, in the first place, to those who have experience in handling them. Others will be given instruction, and all available sources, such as rifle clubs, are being asked to co-operate for this purpose. Lord-Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants have been invited to render assistance, and are doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the offer by the Jews to raise, train, equip and pay fully mechanised divisions of Jewish troops, subject to a British guarantee of the equipment loan, has been considered by His Majesty's Government?

I am not aware of an offer in the form given in the Question, but various offers of military assistance have been received from the Jewish authorities. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government, the raising of separate Jewish formations would present great difficulties, and it would be of much more advantage if Jews who are anxious to serve would enlist in His Majesty's Forces in the ordinary way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that suitable arrangements have been made to provide an adequate supply of arms for British Forces dealing with German troops armed with sub-machine guns?

Yes, Sir

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will consult with the Government of South Africa with a view to their assuming responsibility for offering asylum in South Africa to Dutch refugees from the Nazi destruction of Holland?

The matter is, of course, one for His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa. Their attention is being drawn to the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any instruction has been issued against members of local authorities accepting appointments with respect to food control; and, if so, will he state the reason?

An instruction has been issued to the effect that members of the staffs of food control committees cannot be given permission to become candidates for election to, or serve upon, district, borough or county councils. No objection has been raised to the continued employment of officers who were already serving upon local authorities at the time when the instruction was issued at the end of last year. In view of the close relation ship between a local authority and the food control committee in the same area, it is considered undesirable that a man should be a member of the former and an officer of the latter.