asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether, when conscientious objectors' tribunals register men on condition that they do agricultural work, a check is kept to ascertain whether such men apply for farm work; and whether any farmer is willing to take them?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, some farmers have been willing to engage these men, but there are a number who have not been able to obtain agricultural work. County war agricultural executive committees are being asked to assist local officers of the Ministry of Labour as far as possible in finding suitable employment for them.

What is done in the case of a conscientious objector who is told to find work and cannot find it? Does he become a Cabinet Minister?

Will my hon. Friend make it compulsory for all conscientious objectors to wear a white armband, with the letters "C.O." in yellow?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether, in view of the vital necessity of increasing our available manpower, he will arrange for the immediate calling up of more age groups, as, however deficient equipment may be, the training the men would receive would be of the greatest value?

Two age groups are being registered this month, and arrangements are being made to register four further age groups in July. Additional age groups will be registered as rapidly as is necessary to meet the requirements of the Forces.

Would my hon. Friend remember that it is not necessary to have full equipment in order to train men?

That is a matter for the Secretary of State for War.

But will my hon. Friend convey this important point to his right hon. Friend?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour what consideration is given to any preference which a man may indicate for a particular service when called up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939; in the event of a man being called up inadvertently or otherwise for the Army when his preference is for the Navy, what provisions exist for the man to obtain a transfer; whether he is aware that the Army authorities refuse to transfer the men in such circumstances; and whether he will investigate the position, and, if necessary, introduce legislation or make regulations to prevent such anomalies and hardship?

All cases of men who express a preference for the Navy or Air Force are considered by officers of those Services in order to decide which of the men can be accepted. The number expressing preferences for the Navy and the Air Force is always greater than the num- ber required by those Services: it is, therefore, inevitable that many are disappointed. If my hon. Friend knows of any case in which a man who has been accepted for the Navy or Air Force has been called up for the Army, I shall be glad to have particulars.

I could draw particular cases to my hon. Friend's attention. Could he say why last Saturday, for the first time, men registering were not asked to express a preference?

There are notices indicating that preference is available for those who require it.

Was not the practice changed last Saturday for the first time?

I should like notice of that question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that offices were closed at mid-day and that applicants were told to come back on Monday?

I cannot accept that.

Does the hon. Gentleman not know that there is a war on?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour the usual practice adopted by companies engaged on war work as to the rate of payment for their office staff when kept working on Saturday afternoons and Sundays; and what is the policy which the Government are recommending should be pursued?

It is the view of the Government that questions as to the payments to be made to workpeople in respect of week-end working should be settled in accordance with any provisions in agreements relating to this matter. Where no such agreements exist the matter appears to be one for settlement between managements and representatives of the employés concerned.

Is the Minister aware that in a great many cases there are no agreements and that this is a new problem, and will the Government give some guidance to firms all over the country who really want to know what they ought to do?

In the Government's view it is best to leave managements and employés to settle these matters between themselves.

What are the Government doing in their own factories?

Would it not be advisable for the Government to suggest a remedy themselves?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on the outbreak of war our French Allies prohibited all casino gambling, and whether he will prohibit all gambling in this country?

Gaming houses are already illegal in this country, and whatever may be the arguments for amending the law on the subject of gaming and betting, I know of no justification for taking this matter up at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary whether, and to what extent, the 30 race meetings per week at the 15 dog-racing tracks in the London area are being reduced owing to his action; and the number of meetings and races which will now take place weekly before midday, between midday and 5 p.m., and after 5 p.m., respectively?

The present arrangement in regard to greyhound racing is that, in order not to interfere with working hours, meetings are only held in the evenings and in the afternoons on Saturdays and days which are local half-holidays. I am now, however, arranging that there shall also be a substantial reduction in the number of meetings.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that some daily papers feel so strongly on this matter that they are now ceasing to publish greyhound racing results?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move to appoint a committee and ask that they shall report as expeditiously as possible on how best to organise the whole nation with a view to obtaining the efficiency and results now being obtained from some sections of industry, and that they shall also report on how Parliamentary procedure can be adapted to suit the present needs of the nation?

No, Sir. I do not consider that the appointment of such a committee is practicable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether, in view of the doubts caused by the appeal by the Minister of Aircraft Production for garage hands to transfer to the aircraft industry, and the statement by the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces that the utmost services of the motor industry's repair shops and garages would be required immediately in the event of hostilities within Great Britain, he will give some guidance to the employés in motor repair shops and garages, who are anxious to serve the country fully, as to whether they should remain at their work or register for undertaking munition work?

The duty of these workers and of all others who wish to transfer to what they consider to be more urgent war work is to report at any Employment Exchange their willingness to transfer, together with particulars of their qualifications, and then to remain in their present jobs until asked by the Exchange to take up other employment. It is only in this way that the needs of urgent munitions work can be met without unduly impairing other services, including the road transport services, in which adequate personnel must be maintained as part of our combined war effort.

It was very difficult to hear the answer, but I think I caught the sense of it. I should like to know whether any public announcement has been made, so that the employés of motoring organisations throughout the country will know where their services are required, because at the moment they do not know?

I am sorry if my hon. Friend could not hear my answer. It seems difficult to-day to make oneself heard. I hope that the answer given will convey to garage workers the information which the hon. Member wants them to have.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that cases have occurred where the curfew regulation applicable to enemy aliens has been broken to enable certain enemy aliens to fulfil broadcasting engagements with the British Broadcasting Corporation; and whether this was done with his knowledge and authority?

The order to which my hon. Friend refers expressly provides for the granting of exemptions, and there is no breach of the order if the police are satisfied that for the purpose of enabling an alien to earn his livelihood some relaxation of the restrictions can properly be granted.

asked the Home Secretary what are the reasons for the appointment of the hon. Member for Bristol, North (Mr. Bernays) as Deputy Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence in the Southern Region?

My hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North (Mr. Bernays) was appointed Deputy Regional Commissioner for the Southern Civil Defence Region in succession to Mr. William Goodenough, who found it necessary to relinquish his appointment on account of his other commitments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure there is no local gentleman with local connections and greater knowledge available for this appointment?

We take the best advice in a matter of this kind, and I do my best to give weight to all relevant considerations.

asked the Home Secretary the approximate number of refugees from Nazi persecution in Great Britain who have been classed in category C, and why some of the refugees in this category have been interned; what are the reasons for interning some of these category C refugees and not others; and whether such interned refugees will be entitled to have their cases re-examined?

Approximately 52,000 Germans and Austrians were classified as refugees and placed in Category C. On 11th May I ordered the internment, as a measure of military precaution, of all male Germans and Austrians in a coastal zone on the east and south-east coasts and Category C males in that zone were interned in pursuance of this general direction. In addition, I have authorised chief constables to arrest for internment any German or Austrian in Category C about whose reliability the chief constable feels doubt from the point of view of national security. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, in present circumstances any general review is out of the question, but this point will be kept in mind for consideration when circumstances permit.

Would it not be much better to intern all foreigners?

Is it not the case that many of these refugees are being interned without any reason given?

That is perfectly true, and when it is represented to me that as a matter of military necessity action should be taken, my desire must be in the present circumstances to take that action unless there are overwhelming arguments to the contrary. With regard to the Question of the hon. and gallant Member, I have been going on the principle of doing first things first. If we try to do everything all at once, there is a danger of leaving undone those things which ought to be done.

Does the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that in every case where a chief constable has requested that action should be taken in any one of these 32,000 cases, permission has been given to the chief constable to act?

That is really a different question. The answer to it is that chief constables have discretion to take into custody enemy aliens in regard to whom they may feel some doubt.

Has the right hon. Gentleman a list of the things to be done first and then of the things to be done after the things to be done first have been done?

asked the Home Secretary whether, with regard to Emergency Powers Order 938, he will state the interpretation to be placed by his officials on the words "alarm and despondency"; and whether he is satisfied that it is in the public interest that the institution of proceedings under this Order should be left in the hands of any police officer above the rank of constable?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The effect of paragraph (3) of the Regulation, as read with Regulation 93 (1), is that no prosecution in respect of an offence against the Regulation can be instituted except by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions. It will be for the court to decide whether a particular statement or report comes within the terms of the Regulation, and I do not think a court will find difficulty in determining this question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us have the greatest difficulty in understanding what the words mean? Will he give us some indication of what he thinks they mean?

I do not think that would be at all difficult.

asked the Home Secretary what regulations are at present in force to check and control the entry into Northern Ireland of persons coming from Eire?

I have been in consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, and in view of the difficulties of controlling entry over the land border, they have decided to supplement the existing powers of the police for dealing with undesirable entrants by an Order requiring all persons in Northern Ireland to be in possession of an identity document which must be produced to the police on demand.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the imposition of restrictions and conditions on the entry of persons into Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, from Eire, which is a neutral State, is within the province of this Government or the Government of Northern Ireland?

Matters of internal security are primarily the responsibility of the Government of Northern Ireland. There are responsibilities with regard to the control of entry into the United Kingdom which are the responsibilities of the Government of the United Kingdom. In all these matters I have been in the closest consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, and I am not aware of any step that has been left undone which, in the view of the Government of Northern Ireland, it was desirable to take in the interests of internal security.

Do I take it that in any case the danger in Northern Ireland is that there would be an opportunity for both parties to cross the border?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on a number of country roads you can stroll across from Eire to Northern Ireland?

As I have said, the control of the frontier presents special difficulties, and the Government of Northern Ireland have been giving close attention to the matter.

Do the identity cards include a photograph of the person?

I cannot say, and really I do not think it would be proper for me to pursue the matter, which is within the sphere of the Government of Northern Ireland.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the present is an opportune time to make an approach to abolish the border altogether?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to avoid the squandering of war resources by prohibiting, during the present emergency, motor-coach tours, horse racing and hunting?

The use of petrol for motor-coach tours is already subject to control; and so long as the national situation is not held to require the restriction of private motoring to cases of urgent necessity there would, in the view of the Government, be no justification for further restricting motor-coach facilities, which are largely used by people without private cars. As regards horse racing, the Stewards of the Jockey Club have already decided, after consultation with me, to arrange that all horse racing meetings shall be cancelled until further notice. As regards hunting, no practical question will arise until September.

As it is at least possible that when the hunting season begins we may need petroleum for war purposes—

Order!

On a point of Order. Will you, Mr. Speaker, explain to me why my Supplementary Question is out of Order?

I thought the hon. Member was dealing with something too much in the future.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will bear in mind that when the hunting season begins hostilities may be still proceeding?

We will bear that in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the serious inconvenience caused by the restrictions imposed on travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, he will so modify these restrictions that people well affected to the State who can give a satisfactory reason for their travelling, and members of His Majesty's Forces on leave, will have all unnecessary hindrances removed to their journeying in either direction?

I regret the inconvenience caused to the public by the restrictions which it has been necessary to impose on travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but it is imperative that, during the present emergency, all forms of unnecessary travel shall be reduced as far as possible. No hindrances are placed in the way of persons who satisfy the permit authorities in Great Britain or Northern Ireland that it is necessary for them to travel in either direction on business of national importance, but it would not be in the public interest to allow unrestricted travel facilities between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for private reasons. The restrictions do not apply to members of His Majesty's Forces.

In the case of men from Northern Ireland who have come over here to work in the building industry and have not been able to get back home for nine months, will they be justified in making an application to enable them to return to their families?

Certainly, Sir. Special consideration will be given to people who wish to return home.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, I am anxious that my right hon. Friend will make it as easy as possible for students in this country to get back to their homes for a holiday and return to their studies.

I am afraid that in the enforcement of general regulations of this kind it is impossible to avoid cases of hardship, but I can assure the hon. Member that every effort is being made to reduce cases of hardship as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in connection with the appeal for all trained nurses, assistant nurses and auxiliary nurses who are not already working in hospitals, made by the Ministry of Information, many willing applicants have been unable to have their services utilised; and what steps he is taking to utilise their services?

The appeal to which my hon. Friend refers was for women prepared to register for whole-time service in any casualty hospital to which they might be sent—that is, for mobile whole-time nurses. Applications from such women are being rapidly dealt with, and the accepted applicants posted to hospitals where their services are required. Women prepared to serve only in their own localities necessarily have to wait until work is available for them in those localities. If they were willing to transfer to whole-time service wherever required, their services could be utilised.

Does not the Minister realise that what is wanted is a central department to sort out these cases so as to regulate the supply and the demand?

That is exactly the machinery which we are now setting up.

Could the Minister expedite it a little more?

We are doing it as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what is the result of his discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department in regard to extending the particulars on National Registration identity cards?

Agreement has been reached as regards the proposals referred to by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in reply to my hon. Friend's previous Question on this subject, and steps are being taken which will secure the object he has in view.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the modern military theory that the effective reply to totalitarian war is a people-in-arms, he will take steps, as and when the requisite weapons become available, to arm the whole adult population of the country; and whether, in pursuance of this policy, he will, in the meantime, order the manufacture of hand grenades, which can be quickly produced, on the largest scale and organise a system of training the population in their use?

My hon. Friend can be assured that His Majesty's Government will not neglect any measures which can properly and advantageously be taken to secure the defence of this country and its inhabitants.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if you want people to stay in their homes and not to go into the roads, you must give them arms? If the War Office will not do that, will they consider arming all ex-Service men?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the Local Defence Volunteers exist and that any man between 17 and 65 can join. That should meet the point.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the headquarters of the British Union of Fascists in Great Smith Street, Westminster, has re-opened, and that the organisation is being kept alive by volunteers; and whether he proposes to take action in the matter?

The position is being carefully watched with a view to such action as may be appropriate, but it would be better that I should not indicate in advance the steps which it may be my duty to take.

In view of the Questions which I asked before, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will not now declare the organisation an illegal organisation?

The Question on the Paper relates to one particular organisation, and I would like to have notice of the general question.

In this emergency ought not the right hon. Gentleman to close this organisation down at once?

asked the Home Secretary whether all restrictions on the employment of French citizens for civil defence have now been removed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange that, when part-time air-raid precautions workers have to lose part of their working day when called on duty, they should receive an allowance equivalent to their trade union rate of pay for that period and should be able to report to a point near their place of work in the event of an air-raid warning being given during their normal employment away from their homes?

If the advice of the Department is followed, part-time volunteers who are in employment will be called up only in conformity with arrangements agreed upon in advance between their employers and the local authority. In a high proportion of cases it may be hoped that no loss of wages will be involved, but where there is such loss the authority has power to make it good up to a maximum of 10s. a day for a man and 7s. for a woman. Local authorities fully realise the importance of arranging that volunteers should report for duty at points as near as possible to their normal residence or place of work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that though the maximum of 10s. can be paid, that still falls far short of the daily pay which many workers receive, and in view of the loss which that involves, will he direct that larger amounts may be paid in certain circumstances?

I think it would be very difficult to authorise the payment of rates exceeding those normally paid for full time Civil Defence Service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider his decision not to utilise the services of qualified and registered osteopaths in Ministry of Pensions centres and hospitals unless they are also qualified medical practitioners?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 4th March last.

May I ask whether the answer would have been different if the Question had been answered by the Parliamentary Secretary?

I can assure the hon. Member that it would not.

Do I understand from that reply that the hon. Lady has changed her mind since she sat on this side of the House?

asked the Minister of Pensions what steps he has taken to make the fullest use of modern physiotherapeutic methods and apparatus to assist the injured who come under his care as a result of the war?

A physio-therapy department working on modern lines with up-to-date equipment is part of every Ministry hospital, with one exception where such treatment is not regarded as necessary. My medical officers are in close touch with the Consultant Adviser in Physical Medicine to the Ministry of Health and with other consulting experts in physio-therapy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with any new loans to be issued, he will consider the issue of a loan carrying a low rate of interest, and the right to participate in prize drawings?

No, Sir. It is not proposed to make an issue of this kind which I consider would raise controversy and weaken the force of the National Savings Campaign.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the issue of such loans would appeal to a large body of the community who otherwise might not be interested in war loans?

That might be so, but I am strongly advised that it would greatly weaken the efficacy of the National Savings Campaign.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with any new loans to be issued, or certain of them, he will provide that such loans can be surrendered at par in payment of Death Duties?

No, Sir. I do not think that it would be desirable to attach to any new loans the condition which my hon. Friend suggests.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind that the effect would be to prevent forced realisation, a fall in value, and a loss to the Treasury?

I think the answer to my hon. Friend is that the objection in principle is to the one-sidedness of the proposal. The stock would in fact be used in payment of Death Duties only when it stood below par and the Exchequer would always be the loser.

That would happen in any case.

How much longer is the Treasury going to be the only Department that sticks rigidly to orthodox methods?

That is another question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has given consideration to the Special Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure; and whether it is intended to take action upon the report?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the House itself considered this report on 29th May and ordered that the Co-ordinating Sub-Committee of the Select Committee should, in certain circumstances, be empowered to address memoranda to the Prime Minister for the consideration of the War Cabinet. I need hardly assure the House that any such memorandum receives the most careful and urgent attention of the Government.

Have any steps been taken in regard to individuals who have been proved by the report to have been guilty of maladministration of finance?

Appropriate action will be taken on the Memorandum.

We hope so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is considering the possibility of ensuring that available supplies of foodstuffs, especialy of those rich in protective elements, shall be made available to those who are most in need of them by an extension of the system of school meals on such a scale that every child in the Kingdom shall receive a daily supply of such food, thus making malnutrition impossible and guaranteeing one of the main channels whereby victory may be assured?

The question of an extension of the system of school meals is at present receiving close consideration. As regards supplies of foodstuffs for use in the preparation of meals, a very wide range is at present available without restriction, apart from the rationed foods, and the hon. Member may rest assured that every effort will be made to ensure a maintenance of supplies.

Does not the Minister agree that malnutrition still prevails and that more serious steps ought to be taken?

I said that the question of an extension of school meals is now under close consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give details of the serious practical and administrative difficulties in the adoption of some other method for marking of pigs than that of ear marking?

The object of the earmarking of pigs is to preserve their identity through the various processes to which the carcasses are subjected. No other method has been found which is not open to greater objections than that at present in force.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there can be no objection to this practice except that the pig squeals much louder than any other animal and that he will squeal whether he is hurt or not?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as there is cold-storage accommodation in Northern Ireland for only 1,050 tons which, under present conditions, is wholly inadequate, he will provide additional cold-storage facilities both in the interests of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

The cold-storage accommodation in Northern Ireland will hold much more than the quantity given in the Question. It is not in the public interest to state what the true figure is. As much additional cold-storage space as possible is being constructed at the present time, and my Noble Friend's considered opinion is that it is better to construct it in Great Britain, where the reserves are needed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that the proposed increase in the price of liquid milk is due largely to the cost of distribution, he will arrange for milk to continue to be sold at the existing price on a cash and carry basis?

The increase in the price of liquid milk which comes into operation on 1st July is not due primarily to increased costs of distribution. My Noble Friend has asked the milk distributing trade to appoint a committee representative of the industry to make proposals for the reorganisation of milk distribution with the object of reducing costs, and all economies, such as that suggested, will be considered by that committee.

Will the trade unions covering workers in the milk distributing industry be represented on the committee which is to be set up?

I would like notice of that question.

Has a time limit been set to the deliberations of this committee?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a fact that a large proportion of the cost of milk is due to charges levied by the Milk Board?

Is the committee to deliberate until 30th September?

No, Sir. The request made by my Noble Friend is that he shall have the proposals of the committee at the earliest possible moment, but that a revision of milk charges must take place by the end of September.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the substantial wage increase that farmers are being called upon to pay and the Government assurance that the new prices will take account of the rise in wages and increased costs, he will take immediate steps to couple this with credit facilities to farmers at a rate not exceeding 3 per cent., through the existing bank channels, since some farmers are prevented from engaging extra men needed to deal with the increased acreage crops owing to lack of credit facilities?

My predecessor and I have had an assurance from the banks that they will do all in their power to assist farmers in carrying out the food production programme, and I have no doubt that they will regard this assurance as covering the matter to which my hon. Friend refers. I also propose to instruct county war agricultural executive committees to give sympathetic consideration to applications for goods and services, under the Agricultural Requisites Assistance Scheme, from farmers whose cash resources are likely to be required for the payment of wages. Coupled with the satisfactory prices I hope to be in a position to announce shortly, these measures should be sufficient to allay any apprehensions the farming community may still entertain.

Does the Minister not realise that there is very strong public feeling that some concession by banks from their charge of 5 per cent. should be made? Is he further aware that in the national interest this should be done, that the excuses put forward are neither valid nor adequate, and that the whole thing needs drastic action?

Can we have an assurance that the rise in wages, which we shall all be glad to see, shall not take place until the corresponding rise in selling prices makes that possible?

As I have said, I hope to be able to announce the prices very shortly. We are going to get them settled but it will not be an easy or simple job.

Is the Minister aware that the great difficulty farmers experience in their desire to raise funds is that they have no securities to deposit with the banks? Has he received any explicit assurance from the banks that they will, to some extent, having regard to the prospect of increased prices, dispense with the necessity of securities and make reasonable advances to the farmers?

If the hon. Gentleman will read my reply, he will see that I have covered that point.

Is the Minister in a position to take action where banks have refused to give credits to farmers who were in a position to give adequate securities?

I have not come across such cases yet, but if the hon. Member will supply me with information, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the new prices of agricultural products fixed to meet the increased charges on farming; and whether this will include vegetables and fruit such as plums, currants and apples?

I am afraid I am not yet in a position to add to the information given to my hon. Friend on 11th June.

Does the Minister realise that this question of prices is a matter of great concern to the farmers?

Yes, Sir, I have said that several times.

Does the Minister appreciate that this affects Evesham very much indeed?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take with regard to the recommendation contained in paragraph 24 of the Sixth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure with regard to the need for encouraging farmers to use fertilisers produced from scientifically-treated waste material?

I am anxious that suitable waste materials from household refuse should be utilised for fertilising purposes wherever practicable. In conjunction with the Agricultural Research Council, I am actively investigating certain processes at present in operation.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is a considerable amount of plant in this country available for this purpose, and that efforts have been made ever since the war began to try and get something done? Is he further aware that his Department appears to be the only Department which does not come to any decisions?

I am aware that there are plants, but I am advised that it does not necessarily follow that their products could be used in all cases without detriment. It is most important that adequate research should be made before general consent is given for the indiscriminate use of the products from these plants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will instruct county agricultural committees to consult with the railway and the local authorities to see that grass cut on the embankments on the roadside is not burned but is either made into hay or silage?