asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to assist farmers with practical help in protecting their farms and crops against attacks from the air; and whether he will consider the desirability of setting up a special section of his Department to deal with this urgent matter?

I am actively considering this matter, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with a view to the taking of all practical precautions by farmers against air attack.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what amounts have been advanced for agricultural capital development by the various bodies existing for this purpose since the outbreak of war?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him on 30th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make a further statement concerning plans for using young people to assist on the land?

Yes, Sir. I am about to bring into operation a scheme for assisting boys leaving public and secondary schools, and those who have recently left, to obtain employment in agriculture until they reach military age. The scheme has been prepared in consultation with the representatives of the headmasters of these schools, and full particulars will appear in the Press shortly. I am inviting individual headmasters to co-operate by making the scheme known to their pupils and arranging for application forms to be forwarded to my Department. The County War Agricultural Executive Committees have been asked to obtain the names of farmers willing to take these boys and to help in placing them

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is proposing to make an appeal for additional voluntary helpers to assist farmers in haymaking?

The County War Agricultural Executive Committees have all been asked to make arrangements in a variety of ways for securing the additional help that will be wanted at harvest time. Conditions differ, of course, in different parts of the country, and local arrangements are, therefore, to be preferred; but I shall certainly be willing to make any further appeal that may be found necessary.

asked the Minister ofAgriculture what steps are being taken to utilise the services of expert agriculturists who have fled here from the Low Countries?

Refugees are being asked on arrival in this country to register with an Employment Exchange. Those with agricultural qualifications will be put forward for agricultural vacancies notified to the exchanges, which are working in close touch with the County War Agricultural Executive Committees in this matter. Farmers who are in need of labour should send in particulars of their requirements to the nearest exchange.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres ploughed up under the £2 per acre bonus scheme and the total sum paid out there under?

I am not yet able to state the total area of seven-year grassland which has been ploughed up, as applications for the £2 per acre grant continue to be received. The total sum paid and in course of payment to date in England and Wales is £2,062,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in allotting Continental refugees to neutral areas in this country, he has consulted the Service Departments regarding the propriety of placing aliens in districts containing aerodromes, military barracks, and other vital centres of military activity; and whether he will cause immediate revision to be made of the allocations now in operation with a view to the public safety?

I am in consultation with the Defence Departments on this subject. The hon. Member will appreciate that refugees arriving in this country are carefully examined at the ports of entry and that any about whom there seem doubts are detained. In addition, by an Order made by the Home Secretary on 21st May, all alien refugees are made subject to special restrictions, including restrictions on their freedom to travel and a prohibition of the possession of certain articles, such as cameras, motor vehicles, etc. In addition, no alien is allowed to enter certain areas declared to be protected areas without the permission of the chief constable concerned. If any further steps appear necessary with a view to the public safety, they will be taken without hesitation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is considerable public resentment at the fact that alien women interned in the Isle of Man are to be fully provided for by the Government in hotels and boarding houses at a payment of 21s. a week and are to be provided with swimming baths, tennis courts and golf links, while the wife of a private soldier in the Army gets an allowance of 17s. a week plus 7s. deducted from her husband's pay; and whether any arrangements have been made by which these alien women do any work of a useful character or have to carry out the domestic duties necessary in connection with their own maintenance, such as cooking, house-cleaning, etc.?

The suggestion that specially favourable conditions are being provided for women interned in the Isle of Man is based, I think, on a misapprehension. The place chosen for their internment was selected after consultation with the Island authorities, not because of its amenities, but because it is most suitable for purposes of security. Payment must be made by the Government to those persons whose premises are being used for the internment of these women and for the provision of food, and the rates fixed are the minima required for these purposes. The question what arrangements can be made to utilise so far as possible the services of the women interned is at present under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements have yet been made for reconsideration of the case of German and Austrian schoolboys between the ages of 16 and 18 who have recently been interned, with a view to the resumption of their school life under suitable safeguards?

Nominal rolls were called for last week in order that these cases may be individually examined as quickly as circumstances permit.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the adverse effect on several industrial undertakings employing English workpeople, in some cases on war work, through the sudden internment of their refugee owners or key-men; that many of these workpeople are now unemployed; that many of these owners and key-men had suffered brutal treatment and had been granted C certificates; and whether he will take early steps at least to allow such refugees to return and be confined to the vicinity of their industrial estates in order that their workpeople can be re-employed or continue their work?

Steps are being taken to review the cases of Germans and Austrians recently interned under general directions where it is claimed that their release would be definitely and directly in the national interest, but it will not be possible to allow the return of any such person to the coastal zone or any protected area unless I can be fully satisfied that his return would not prejudice the national security.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what steps he is taking to keep road and rail communications clear in the event of raids on this country so that the defence of threatened points will not be hampered by civilian refugees;

(2) what steps are being taken to prevent civilians fleeing from their homes in the event of raids on this country and rendering themselves liable to machine-gunning and bombing from the air; and whether he will give ample prior public warning of his plans in this regard?

Certain measures have already been taken, and further action is in train, to secure that in the event of hostile attack on this country members of the civil population shall not expose themselves to unnecessary risks and shall not hamper military operations. It would not be in the public interest to describe all these measures, but I can assure my hon. Friend that where publicity is required it will be freely given at what is judged to be the right moment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that small batches of foreigners are meeting together in order to advance their common interests; and will he give instructions to prohibit all assemblies of aliens?

There already exist powers under the Defence Regulations to prohibit certain types of meetings, whether attended by aliens or not; but I do not think that the object which my hon. Friend no doubt has in mind could be attained in the manner he suggests.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the difficulties and confusion created by enemy agents working through telephone call boxes during the recent invasion of Holland; and whether, during the present emergency, he proposes to restrict the use of unattended public call boxes in this country?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose any steps which may be taken to prevent the use of the telephone system in this country by enemy agents. I can assure my hon. Friend that the matter is under constant review.

asked the Minister of Health whether the latest reports reaching him show that the number of foreign refugees are being absorbed by householders without difficulty; and whether it is proposed to take over more empty houses for their accommodation?

My information is that the foreign refugees that have already arrived have been accommodated, either with householders or in empty houses, without material difficulty. It is at present proposed that further refugees should be similarly accommodated, using empty houses or accommodation offered by householders, according to local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Regulations provide for a surgeon upon the staff of a hospital affiliated to the Emergency Medical Service, but not himself enrolled in that service, being entitled to payment for his treatment of military patients?

The present arrangements for remunerating the medical staff for the treatment of military patients in voluntary hospitals where no salaried members of the Emergency Medical Service are employed on clinical work are set out in a circular, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. In any other hospital the remuneration of any medical staff not enrolled in the Emergency Medical Service is a matter between them and the hospital authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether all members of the medical staffs of hospitals affiliated to the Emergency Medical Service are ipso facto enrolled in the Emergency Medical Service or whether some special act of enrolment is required?

Enrolment is effected by an exchange of letters between my Department and the individual doctors concerned. The letter to the doctor sets out the terms of service, and the doctor in his reply signifies his acceptance.

asked the Minister of Health why the forms required by the Central Medical War Committee, to be signed by doctors in connection with applications for appointments to medical services for the Armed Forces, contained a question as to whether the applicant was a member of the British Medical Association, as this question was strongly resented by many applicants; and whether the question has now been deleted from the present forms?

I am not aware of any forms of application for appointment which contain a question such as is described by the hon. Member, but if he is able to send me a copy I shall be glad to make further inquiries.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Sir Robert Mayer, a naturalised British subject of German birth, of 3, St. Helen's Place, London, E.C.3, fled the country to America during the Munich crisis but returned back to this country by the same ship when war was averted; that, on the outbreak of the present war, he again fled the country to America, where he still remains; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider revoking this man's naturalisation papers?

The circumstances in which a certificate of naturalisation is liable to be revoked are set out in Section7 of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914. The circumstances described by my hon. Friend would not appear in themselves to render the certificate liable to revocation, but if he has any further information, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the observations of Mr. Justice Hilbery at the Norwich Assizes on 3rd June, with reference to jury service in war-time; and whether he proposes to take steps to prevent persons, who are engaged whole-time upon work of urgent national importance, from being summoned for jury service?

Yes, Sir. Certain steps to lighten the calls of jury service have already been taken by the passing of the Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, as a war-time Measure. Subject to certain exceptions, that Act dispensed with the necessity for a jury in civil cases and at coroners' inquests, and it also reduced the size of a jury from 12 to 7 in all civil and criminal proceedings except in murder and treason trials or other criminal cases where by reason of the gravity of the matters in issue the court or judge considers that this reduction should not be made. Further, under Section 3 of the Juries Act, 1922, a sheriff has power to excuse a person from attending as a juror if on application made in writing he is satisfied that there is good reason for doing so. I am considering whether any further steps can properly be taken to lighten the calls of jury service at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council have given any further advice on the effect of rationing in special invalid cases?

Yes, Sir. The Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee have recommended that extra sugar rations should be allowed to those suffering from spontaneous hypoglycaemia and extra meat rations, in exchange for the butter ration, to those suffering from steatorrhoea (coeliac disease and tropical sprue). The necessary arrangements will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the fact that the issue of new ration cards has been impeded by the fact that many citizens were not aware of the instructions given out on the wireless and announced in the advertisement columns in the Press, but in many cases not in the body of the newspapers; and whether, in the event of new instructions being issued, arrangements will be made for them to be brought to the attention of the public in post offices and in other ways?

The methods adopted for conveying to the public the instructions for applying for new ration books were carefully chosen, and the response has on the whole been satisfactory. I understand that wide publicity was given in the editorial columns of the Press. I can assure my hon. Friend that the procedure on future occasions will be considered in the light of this experience.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, to reduce the price of staple commodities and restrict deliveries, he will encourage consumers, where possible, to do their own marketing?

Yes, Sir. A statement was recently issued to the Press in which the Ministry of Food strongly appealed to the public to carry home their purchases whenever this is possible. I am glad to have the opportunity of drawing attention again to this desirable practice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will reconsider the suggested allowance of sugar for preserving fruit, in view of the fact that the present ration will mean the loss of a valuable food potential in the winter months, in the way of soft fruit preservation?

I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which was given on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for die New Forest (Major Mills) on 8th May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether steps have been taken to secure a guaranteed minimum diet for all persons; this diet to be constructed according to the results of dietetic research so as to secure continued health and working power and to be distributed free for the duration of the war to any persons unable to afford it or otherwise unable to secure its equivalent?

The Ministry's food import programme and the food production campaign of the Agricultural Departments are designed to ensure a sufficient supply of the foods essential to an adequate diet. The Ministry is guided by the advice of experts on nutrition, and in addition it will in future have the benefit of the advice of the Scientific Food Committee which has been appointed by the Lord Privy Seal. Close and urgent consideration is also being given to the provision of food supplies at prices within the reach of every class of consumer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangements have been made to compensate those whose property was damaged when the enemy bomber crashed at Clacton-on-Sea?

The Government's scheme of compensation for war damage to property, which was announced in the House on 31st January, 1939, provided for the payment of compensation after the war in accordance with a scale which would depend on the total amount of the damage and the financial circumstances of the country. Such compensation would be payable not only in respect of damage to the structure of buildings and to industrial plant, but also in respect of damage to such contents as furniture and clothing. As regards damage to buildings and plant, while no payments of compensation can be made until after the war, provision has already been made in the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, and the Essential Buildings and Plant (Repair of War Damage) Act, 1939, for essential repairs, the cost being met out of Government loans.

In order to meet urgent cases of need, arrangements have now been made whereby advance payments of compensation up to limited amounts will be made in respect of damage to essential household furniture and personal clothing where the resources readily available for replacing damaged furniture and clothing are limited. Advances in respect of furniture will be made where the total income of the claimant's household does not exceed £400 a year, and in respect of clothing where the total income of the claimant docs not exceed £250 a year if there are no dependants or £400 a year if there are dependants. An advance in respect of furniture will be made up to £50 or the amount of the damage, whichever is the less. An advance in respect of clothing will be made up to the amount of the damage or £10 where there are no dependants, £20 where one dependant, or £30 where more than one dependant, has also suffered damage. Those desiring to take advantage of these arrangements should apply to the local officer of the Assistance Board who will have authority, in the most urgent cases and on being satisfied as to the need of the applicant, to make partial payments forthwith. These arrangements will apply to all cases of damage of the kind mentioned, whether at Clacton or elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the board for considering the Government's scheme of compensation for war damage to property has yet been appointed; and, if so, whether he can say who are the members of the board and what are its terms of reference?

The Compensation Board, to which my predecessor referred in his statement of 31st January, 1939, has been appointed and is constituted as follows:Mr. Justice Simonds (Chairman).Mr. A. C. Gladstone, M.B.E.Mr. E. Stanley Hall, M.A., P.R.I.B.A.Mr. Oswald Healing, P.S.I.Mr. J. F. Linney, P.A.I., F.S.I.Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Stanley Hall, Mr. Healing and Mr. Linney were members of the committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Andrewes Uthwatt which has advised as to the general principles of the assessment of damage. The Secretary to the Board will be Mr. E. R. Copleston, of the Inland Revenue Department, Somerset House, London, W.C.2. The terms of reference and instructions to the board are appended.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost to the Exchequer of the concession granted to dealer-members of the London Stock Exchange under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, from 1st September, 1920, to 31st March, 1940; whether a comparable concession was granted during the years 1914 to 1918, inclusive; and will he take steps to suspend forthwith the operation of that Section during the continuance of the present war and for one year after the conclusion of peace?

The amount of duty paid within the period from 1st September, 1920, to 31st March, 1940, under the statutory provisions to which the hon. Member refers was £2,280,454. The total amount which, in the absence of those provisions, would have been paid at the rate of £1 per cent. is £12,064,527. The relief in question was introduced in 1920. I see no ground for suspending it at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to withdraw the Limitation of Dividends Bill now that it is proposed to raise the Excess Profits Tax to 100 per cent.?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Hely-Hutchinson) on 4th June.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will release a portion of the members of the air-raid precautions services in those country districts where they are numerous, and where their services are of small value, so that they might join up with the Local Defence Volunteers?

Local authorities already have discretion to agree to members of their A.R.P. services joining the Local Defence Volunteers, provided that this can be done without impairing the efficiency of the A.R.P. organisation of the area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour the number of unemployed men between 18 and 64 years of age recorded as unemployed on 15th April, 1940, at Employment Exchanges in each of the county boroughs in Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire; and will he express those numbers as percentages of the estimated number of insured men of the same age at each of the exchanges?

The table below shows the numbers of insured men, aged 18–64, recorded as unemployed at 15th April, 1940, at Employment Exchanges situated in each of the county boroughs in

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. B. Knott, of 56, Upper Bloomfield Road, Odd Down, Bath, has been deprived of unemployment assistance for refusing to attend a task work centre although he has been certified as only fit for light work, such as his normal occupation of shop manager, as a result of rupture; that the Unemployment Assistance Board refused to postpone Mr. Knott's appeal in order for him to go after a job with the result that the hearing took place in his absence; and whether, as Mr. Knott, who has two sons serving in the Forces with another waiting to be called up, is entirely deprived of maintenance for himself, his wife and five younger children, he will take steps to restore unemployment assistance to this man?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether civilians, who have lost their lives or were wounded in carrying back members of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk, will be treated, so far as pensions and medical treatment are concerned, on exactly the same lines as fighting men?

I have been asked to reply. I presume the hon. and gallant Member refers to the volunteers who manned the numerous craft which took part in the evacuation. The intention is that the cases arising shall be treated as Naval auxiliary personnel.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a widow with three children receives 42s. 9d. per week from the Birmingham public assistance committee as poor relief, assuming the weekly rental of her house to be 10s.; and can he see his way clear to consider increasing the allowances to men serving in His Majesty's Forces to a like amount?

Any question as to the family allowances payable by the Service Departments is a matter for those Departments. Cases in which serious hardship to a serving soldier's family is involved by his war service can be met by way of supplementary grants by my hon. Friend, with the advice of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee. For this purpose, each case is judged in the light of the individual circumstances.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour the numbers of women and girls, respectively, engaged in factory production, indicating how many are working on night-shift and the numbers working more than 48 hours per week?

I regret that statistics giving the desired information are not available.