asked the Minister of Supply whether any decision has yet been made that all Government building operations will be directed from a single Government Department?

The advisability of a closer concentration of responsibility for Government building work is under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of staff engaged in administering the war service special grants upon the date of the Ministry taking over administrative responsibility and the number now so engaged; and whether the staff is adequate to keep abreast of the intake of claims so that the time-lag in notifying claimants of a determination is reduced to a minimum?

My hon. Friend took over administrative responsibility on 1st December, 1939, and on that date the staff dealing with applications for war service grants numbered 482. On 1st June, 1940, the number was 1,330, the increase being due not only to the increased number of claims, but still more to the transfer to the Ministry of the work of audit and payment which had previously been carried out by the Service Departments. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that temporary postmen in Liverpool are working at the rate of 1s. 1½d. per hour or £2 11s. 5d. per week and are doing the work of established postmen whose pay is £3 8s. per week; and is he prepared to make an adjustment?

Temporary postmen have recently been granted a war bonus, which in Liverpool has increased their pay to 58s. a week or 1s. 2½d. an hour. The rate for established postmen quoted by my hon. Friend, which is also subject to a war bonus addition of 5s. a week, is the maximum point of an incremental scale of pay, and is not payable until at least six years' service has been given. I see no reason for making any further adjustment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, for purposes of meat rationing, school-meal centres of local authorities have been classed as catering establishments; whether he is aware that meat rations for school meals, already inadequate, have been reduced by a substantial percentage under this rationing; and what steps are proposed?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, as catering establishments, school-meal centres have been permitted to serve meat meals without the surrender of a coupon being required, but, in common with other catering establishments, they have been rationed in their supplies of meat by being limited to 60 per cent. of their normal user. Complaints that the allocation of meat to school-meal centres is in general inadequate have not been received, but if the hon. Member cares to let me have par- ticulars of any case in which the restricted supply is thought to be inadequate, I shall be glad to investigate the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken to make available sugar to preserve strawberries and raspberries, the cultivation of which is such an important item in many parts of Scotland; and whether he appreciates the fact that plums are of relatively little importance, compared with strawberries and raspberries, to Scottish producers?

Allocations of sugar to jam manufacturers and fruit canners are being made immediately. Sugar has also been made available for the preservation of fruit grown by householders. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the protest of the Bolton and District Flour and Grain Merchants' Association against the refusal to grant licences to flour factors in that area; and whether he will make a statement on the subject?

Representatives of the Bolton and District Flour and Grain Merchants' Association are meeting officers of the Ministry to-day, when I hope that a settlement of the matters in dispute will be reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any arrangement has been made whereby surplus garden produce can be collected and sold in Scotland; and, if not, will he make such an arrangement as a contribution to our food supply and the avoidance of waste?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 12th June. The special arrangements required for Scotland are being carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints of overcharging have been dealt with by the Central Price Regulating Committee; how many prosecutions have been recommended; and how many convictions obtained?

The Central Committee have received from local committees recommendations for prosecutions under the Prices of Goods Act in 29 cases. Requests for proceedings have so far been made to the Board of Trade by the central committee in 24 cases; 9 of these have been heard and convictions obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average price paid by the Goverment for tin c.i.f. London for each of the four quarters of 1939?

I am informed that only a small amount of tin was bought by the Government in 1939, and that it was bought at the most favourable market price ruling at the time of purchase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of shipments of scrap-iron to Italy during April and May this year; and how that tonnage compares with shipments of scrap-iron to Italy in April and May last year?

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.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how he proposes to utilise the services of technical experts from the closed down agricultural institutions; and whether some will be appointed to the county agricultural committees?

The arrangement in regard to farm institutes is that they have been asked to terminate their normal courses of instruction forthwith, thus enabling the students to return to work on farms, and the staff in all appropriate cases to be seconded for work with county war agricultural executive committees. Agricultural colleges and University Departments of Agriculture have been asked to release forthwith any members of their teaching staff whose services could be effectively utilised by county committees, and to encourage the early placing on farms of students. The specialist advisory officer stationed at the colleges will remain, but steps are being taken to strengthen this service where necessary and ensure its fuller use in the food production campaign. Professor Scott-Watson, of the School of Rural Economy, Oxford, has been seconded by the University for service in the Ministry in order to secure the maximum use of the educational and advisory facilities as a whole in the immediate war effort.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government's foodstuff policy in respect of poultry envisages a reduction of poultry flocks to one-third of the pre-war figure or to one-third of the existing figure?

I have advised poultry farmers who are dependent on purchased feeding-stuffs that it will probably be necessary for them to reduce their stocks to one-third of their present numbers by the middle of this autumn. Poultry keepers generally are also being urged to make increased use of waste material for feeding purposes. If this advice is followed I hope the poultry population of the country as a whole can be maintained at a level somewhat in excess of one-third of the pre-war total.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether steps are being taken to provide balloon barrage squads and observation posts with arms?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the changes that have occurred since the National Health Insurance benefits were fixed at their present rates of payment and take early steps to increase the benefits payable?

I am afraid that I cannot at present add anything to the answers gven on 15th and 29th Febru- ary to the hon. Members for Down (Dr. Little) and Clackmannan (Mr. Woodburn). I would point out that the present rates of sickness and disablement benefits for men were fixed in 1920 when the Ministry of Labour cost of living index figure was considerably higher than it is at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now consider the desirability of issuing a limited number of free travelling passes to the parents or guardians of sick and other evacuated children, particularly in view of the greater distance to which many evacuated children have now been sent?

Frequent opportunities are afforded to enable parents of evacuated children to visit them at single fare rates. In addition, local authorities in evacuation areas are authorised to make payments to necessitous parents for visiting their children in cases of serious sickness. Parents in receipt of unemployment and public assistance may also have their fares paid.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the copy sent to him of a circular dated 21st May, sent out by the Bexhill Private Schools Association; and whether the statements contained therein have his approval, especially with regard to the further evacuation of children to that district?

I have seen the copy of the circular which has been sent to me by the hon. Member. At the time it was issued Bexhill Borough was a reception area under the Government evacuation scheme. I have, however, now made arrangements with the local authority for children who have been evacuated to Bexhill to be transferred elsewhere. Having regard to the changed circumstances since the circular was issued the Bexhill Private Schools Association will no doubt consider it necessary to withdraw it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the announcement made by Lord Provost Dollon of Glasgow, a copy of which has been sent to him, to the effect that the military authorities had asked him to advise parents that, unless a larger number of children were removed from the city by voluntary effort, it might he necessary to adopt compulsory powers; Who were the military authorities who gave that advice to the Lord Provost; and what are their powers in this respect?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary how many railway wagons and sheets have been detained with air-raid shelters; what amount of demurrage charges has been incurred; and who is responsible for payment of these charges?

Special arrangements were made early in 1939 between my Department and the railway companies for the distribution of air-raid shelters throughout the country. The arrangements included the holding of the shelters until they were delivered. No question of demurrage therefore arises, and as no records were kept of the wagons, I have no information as to the number that may have been detained. It is not the practice to sheet this traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the danger of fire by enemy action of crops growing, and to be stacked, throughout the country; and will his Department issue guidance to farmers on this subject?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative. I discussed this question with representatives of the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture for Scotland last week and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries regarding the guidance which may be given to farmers on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether rates are to be charged on houses brought into use solely for the accommodation of refugees rendered homeless by the war?

There are no statutory provisions exempting from rates premises, brought into use for the purpose mentioned, but the premises in such cases are normally taken over for the purpose by local authorities, with whom liability for payment of rates would appear to lie.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the decision not to award a pension to John Shurrock, 17, Baker Street, Leigh, is causing concern to those who are acquainted with the facts of the case; that his own doctor testifies that his present condition is due to Army service; and, seeing that Shurrock was passed fit when he joined, will he submit this matter to an independent board and allow Dr. Dillon, Shurrock's doctor, to be present?

As I have already informed the hon. Member the medical and other evidence before the Ministry does not warrant the award of a pension in this short service case. It, however, the claimant submits further evidence in support of his claim I am quite willing to have the case reviewed with expert advice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of scholarships and similar facilities being offered for Turkish students in this country for the year 1940–41?

The following scholarships and similar facilities, which have been arranged by the British Council, are being offered to Turkish students in this country for the year 1940–41:

• 2 bursaries for teachers of English, £300 each;
• 2 post graduate scholarships, £300 each;
• 15 vacation course visits, £80 each.

Assistance for two students to enable Turkish engineers to undertake five-year courses of training at King's College, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and with engineering firms.Assistance to enable two assistant teachers in Turkish technical colleges to undertake a period of practical training with engineering firms.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he is prepared to consider applications from experienced medical practitioners for inclusion upon the panel for examining recruits and to whom application should be made?

Members of medical boards are drawn from practitioners whose names are selected by the medical officers of the Ministry of Health from lists maintained by the Central Medical War Committee. Practitioners who wish their names to be included in these lists should apply to the local medical war committee for their area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour the names of the medical practitioners engaged in examining recruits at Tottenham; what other appointments they hold; and whether they are all British subjects by birth?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the medical practitioners appointed to the medical boards at Tottenham. As regards the remainder of the Question, I am not in a position, without making special inquiry, to give the information asked for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (1) whether he will now extend the age for conscripting doctors to 60 years;(2) whether he will now consider calling up doctors irrespective of their age groups and in such numbers as may be desired?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether, in view of the fact that in Scotland it is the practice for the managing clerk to be taken into partnership in the firm by which such managing clerk is employed, he will consider the placing of solicitors practising for themselves, either alone or in partnership, in the same reserved category as such managing clerks or as accountants?

Arrangements have been made whereby applications for the deferment of the date of the calling up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act of Scottish solicitors and their clerks will be considered in the first instance by a committee appointed by the General Council of Solicitors in Scotland (Secretary, James Milligan, Esq., W.S., 15, York Place, Edinburgh). The general council will present to the Lord Advocate any case in which they consider that some deferment should be granted; and the Lord Advocate has agreed to forward to the Minister of Labour and National Service any case in which he concurs in that view. My right hon. Friend considers that these arrangements will prove more satisfactory than the inclusion in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations of entries relating to solicitors and to solicitors' clerks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service whether British citizens of military age, such as Mr. W. H. Auden and Mr. Christopher Isherwood, who have gone to the United States and expressed their determination not to return to this country until war is over, will be summoned back for registration and calling up in view of the fact that they are seeking refuge abroad?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th June, 1940, col. 1365, Vol. 361) supplied the following statement:Owing to a typographical error, the name of Mr. W. H. Auden was originally printed as Mr. W. H. Austin, and my reply accordingly referred to Mr. Austin and not to Mr. Auden. I have no information regarding the latter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, in view of unemployment in the paper industry in the Gravesend district, what are the proposals which he is considering for utilising all available local labour?

Every effort is being made by the Department's local offices, with the assistance of the employers concerned, to place the available workers in other employment either directly or after training. Up to the present 136 men have been accepted for training and approximately 464 workers have been placed in other employment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour the number of unemployed persons on the register just prior to the outbreak of the war, and at the last available date, in Aspull, Blackrod, Hindley, Horwich and Westhoughton respectively?

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in the areas in question at 14th August, 1939, and 20th May, 1940:

Employment Exchange.		14th August, 1939.	20th May, 1940.
Aspull	…	514	179
Hindley	…	1,796	709
Horwich	…	671	363
Westhoughton	…	950	338

There is no separate Exchange at Black-rod; the figures for that locality are included in those for Horwich.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to prevent the charges for electricity in London becoming steadily higher as the number of consumers becomes steadily lower?

As my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from previous answers on the subject of the charges for electricity in the Central London area, the position is being further reviewed by the Electricity Commissioners at the end of this month, when the point which he has in mind will be fully considered.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that street vendors of evening and Sunday news- papers are able to obtain considerable quantities of papers for casual sale, while retail newsagents are compelled to take strictly to order, and therefore are compelled to ask their customers to place orders several days ahead; and whether, in view of the restrictions having been imposed by reason of paper shortage, he will take steps to remove, or suggest the removal of, this unfair discrimination against the shopkeeping citizen?

So far as the Sunday and London evening papers are concerned, I understand that the conditions regarding returns are the same for retail newsagents and street vendors, except in the case of a limited number of pointsmen in London for Sunday papers who are employed directly by the publishers. My right hon. Friend is, however, giving further consideration to the question Of returns.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider the possibility of obtaining iron from the extensive iron-beds in Sussex?

I am advised that it would not be to the national advantage to work the small deposits of ironstone in this area, while more suitable and better situated deposits are available.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider the advisability of issuing a weekly bulletin for circulation among the local information committees now being formed with a view to their information and guidance in the duties such committees will be called upon to perform, as circumstances change or develop week by week?

Regional circulars to information committees, serving the purposes mentioned by the hon. Member, are already issued by the Ministry's regional information officers in some regions, and I am considering the extension of the practice to areas where it is likely such circulars would be welcomed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, in settling claims for refund of Income Tax made by superannuation schemes for the year 1939–40, the Inland Revenue authorities are insisting that tax on payments to members during the year shall be accounted for at the full statutory rate of 1s. 9d., regardless of the fact that for practically the first six months of the year before the standard rate of tax was increased to 7s., the trustees were only able to deduct from repayments made to members a sum equivalent to 1s. 4½d. in the £ a quarter of 5s. 6d., and that they now have no recourse against members who have left the service for the balance of 4½d.; whether he will make provision in the current year for tax being accounted for at the rate in force at the time of such repayments; and, further, whether such provision may be made retrospective for the year 1939–40?

Under statutory regulations made by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue the trustees of a superannuation fund which is approved for the purpose of Income Tax relief under Section 32 of the Finance Act, 1921, are required to pay Income Tax on the amount of any contributions (including interest thereon) repaid to an employed contributor at one-fourth of the standard rate for the year in which the repayment is made. The regulations place this liability on the trustees and not on the individual contributors who receive the repayments. The position to which my hon. Friend refers arises solely out of domestic arrangements made by particular funds for passing on the burden of the liability to the individual contributors, and I do not think that the existence of such arrangements, with which the Revenue is not concerned, is a ground for altering the basis upon which tax is payable by the trustees.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has now been decided to provide the troops with the Cruise visor as a protection to the eyes against flying fragments?

I have not yet anything to add to the answer given by my predecessor on 7th May last to my hon. Friend the Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will consider the erection of block-houses or elevated armoured machine-gun posts in various parts of the country, especially in flat areas;(2) whether, in view of the possible interruption of telephonic and telegraphic communication, he will consider the provision of rockets for the purpose of giving warning of enemy parachute descent;(3) whether he will consider protecting a certain number of motor omnibuses and lorries with bullet-stopping armour, arming them with Bren guns, and holding them in readiness at strategic points for use against landings from parachutes, troop-carrying aeroplanes, and speedboats;(4) whether he will consider supplying arms to railway signal-boxes, especially in isolated areas; and whether adequate steps are being taken for the protection of locomotive sheds?

My hon. Friend's suggestions have been noted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the members of companies of Local Defence Volunteers are being asked to subscribe funds to meet the administration costs of the district commands, including office rents, telephone charges, lighting, stationery, postage, etc.; and whether he will take steps to see that the necessary costs of local defence are borne out of national funds?

I understand that, in some cases, Local Defence Volunteers have been invited to pay subscriptions, but instructions have been issued which make it clear that necessary expenditure of the kind referred to can be met from public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the widow and dependants of an officer who has joined the Local Defence Volunteers and been killed in the course of his duties with that body will lose any service pension rights they would otherwise have enjoyed?

The widows and children concerned will not lose any service pension rights they would otherwise have enjoyed, but the question whether any additional award will be payable in these circumstances is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will facilitate the payment to lance-corporal W. H. Kensley, No. 10124, D Company, 7th and 12th Home Defence Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment, of furlough and other allowances due to him following his summary discharge from the Service while in Joyce Green, Dartford, military hospital; and whether he will have inquiries made as to the irregular character of the man's discharge while still under treatment in hospital?

Lance-corporal Kensley's discharge from the Army as physically unfit for Army Service, and his subsequent retention in hospital as a free patient, were strictly in accordance with regulations, and the action taken was in no way summary or irregular. I am informed that he has received pay and allowances up to the date of his discharge, but I am ascertaining whether any further sum is due to him and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.