asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the proved activity of enemy agents in Holland, Belgium and elsewhere, he will direct that all police officers skilled in the use of firearms shall be provided with them, especially in the rural areas?

I would refer my hon Friend to the reply which I gave on 23rd May to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Yardley (Mr. Salt) and the Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore).

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the only uniform issued since 20th March to the East Sussex Auxiliary Police War Reserve has been three pairs of gloves per man and caps to some members; that their own clothes which are worn on duty have been worn out; whether they are to be paid for these; and whether they are to receive uniforms?

This is primarily a matter for the East Sussex Standing Joint Committee, but I am informed that uniforms have now been issued to all members of the East Sussex Police War Reserve except in one division, where issues will be made as soon as the uniforms, which have been despatched by the manufacturers, are received. The conditions of service of the Police War Reserve do not include the payment of any allowance for men doing duty in their own clothing.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any control, apart from Customs examinations, of persons crossing the Eire-Northern Ireland border; and, if not, whether steps can be taken to prevent the entry by this route of undesirable persons?

The control over traffic is not exercised on the land border between Northern Ireland and Eire but on traffic between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Every person proceeding from Northern Ireland to Great Britain must obtain an exit permit from the competent authority in Northern Ireland before he is permitted to embark.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the desirability of arming the men of all home service balloon barrage units with rifles or other suitable weapons as a protection against attack by parachute troops or enemy agents operating in this country?

Yes, Sir. These units are now being armed.

asked the Minister of Health whether steps will be taken to inoculate the civilian population, beginning with Civil Defence and other key workers, against typhoid, tetanus, etc., in case of the danger of epidemics following serious air raids?

I do not think that any such general inoculation of the civilian population is practicable or indeed advisable. Inoculation may, however, in particular circumstances and for some diseases be of value, and facilities are available for anti-typhoid and anti-tetanus inoculation where required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the names and amounts of salaries of members of the staff of the Sugar Commission earning more than £200 per annum?

The staff of the Sugar Commission has been disbanded and is now serving in the Ministry of Food.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a report on the trade boycott against British goods which is being carried on in Shantung, particularly in Tsinan and Tsingtao?

Yes, Sir. A report has been received confirming the existence of a committee for the enforcement of anti-British activities at Tsinan. The committee is ostensibly a private organisation. It has been engaged in registering all stocks of British goods under penalty of confiscation, but it would seem that in practice it has found itself unable to enforce its full intentions. Recently there have been indications of a gradual improvement in the situation both at Tsinan and elsewhere in the interior of the province, and the situation will continue to be closely watched to see if this improvement is maintained.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give details of recent increases in wages to non-industrial Civil servants?

By agreement between the official and staff sides of the Civil Service National Whitley Council a war bonus has been granted to all whole-time non-industrial civil servants whose remuneration is at the rate of 95s. a week or less in London, 91s. a week or less in intermediate centres or 87s. a week or less in provincial centres. The bonus for adults is 3s. per week for those receiving less than 40s. per week, 4s. per week for those receiving 40s. to 50s. per week inclusive, and 5s. per week for those receiving over 50s. per week. For juveniles the rate is 1s. 6d. per week for those under 18, and 2s. 6d. per week for those 18 and over but under 21. The bonus takes effect from the 1st February, 1940.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether donors of 12-bore cartridges, in response to the wireless appeal, will receive priority in the event of a continued shortage of such ammunition should it be necessary for them to replenish their own supplies in order to keep down rabbits and vermin, or for food production purposes; and whether he will make it clear that the gift or surrender is unconditional, should this be the case?

Gifts of 12-bore cartridges must be unconditional, and it is not expected that such cartridges should be offered if they are required for other essential purposes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to accept the offer of the Jewish Agency for Palestine to raise a strong Jewish unit to be placed at the disposal of the Allies for military service in any field, thus enabling Jews to participate as a nation in the Allied Fighting Services?

I have been asked to reply, and would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on Thursday last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what wages are paid to park assistants at the Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh; and whether he will inquire what is the wage paid to similar workers by the Edinburgh Corporation?

The parks labourers at the Royal Botanic Gardens are paid 52s. per week. I am informed that the park labourers employed by the Edinburgh Corporation are paid on a scale of 55s. on recruitment, rising to 58s. after one year's service, and proceeding to 60s. after four years' service.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the uneconomic position in which the paper trade of this country have been placed owing to stringent orders which have necessarily been imposed on the production of paper by the Paper Controller without a corresponding alteration in the price of the finished product; what recommendations have been made to him by the Paper Controller for increased prices; when such recommendations were made; and when he proposes to give his decision?

An Order was made on 24th May increasing the maximum prices which may be charged for paper.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the difficulty that exporters are experiencing in obtaining timber for packing cases; and whether he anticipates any improvement in the available supplies at an early date?

I cannot hold out hope of any early improvement in the supplies of timber generally, but every effort is made to facilitate the provision of timber necessary for packing goods for export, and special instructions have been given to the area officers of the Timber Control on this point. In certain instances where the attention of the Control has been drawn to difficulties in obtaining such timber, owing to shortage of supplies, steps have been taken to overcome them, and I shall be glad to investigate any specific instances my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to protect workers in Government establishments producing explosives, from the deleterious effects of fumes and harmful materials?

As indicated in the reply given by my predecessor on 25th April to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), appropriate local arrangements for medical services have been made at all Royal Ordnance Factories. Everything possible is done to prevent exposure to fumes and harmful materials. Adequate ventilation is provided and fume and dust absorption systems are installed where required. Adequate first-aid treatment is available should any case occur of accidental exposure. Workmen employed in processes involving harmful substances are issued with a complete change of clothing which is washed once a week, protective rubber gloves and goggles and fume masks. Extensive washing facilities, including baths and showers, are provided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the position occupied by Mr. Donald Noble, Inverness, in the Ministry's organisation; what salary does he receive; and what was his occupation prior to appointment?

Mr. Donald Noble, of Inverness, holds a part-time appointment as the Assistant Divisional Food Officer for Enforcement in the North of Scotland Division. His salary is £300 per annum. He is in practice as a solicitor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider suspending the making of iced cakes, in view of the consumption of sugar which could be employed for better purposes?

A meeting was held on 24th May between representatives of the Ministry of Food and of the trades concerned. Further consideration is now being given to the matter in the light of the discussion.