asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received the report of the Charges (Railway Control) Consultative Committee on the fares charged by the London Passenger Transport Board, and what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. The report is being published, and copies will be available at the Vote Office to-day. The committee has recommended increases in certain of the Board's road service fares, to produce a sum equal to about 10 per cent. of the receipts from those services, and also in some corresponding Board railway fares. The chief increase on the road services, and the only increase on the railways, is the addition of ½d. to existing 1d. and 1½d. fares, and to a number of existing 2d. fares. An Order authorising the increases recommended by the committee has been made. They will come into effect generally on Wednesday, 3rd July.

Has due consideration been given to some large working-class districts some distance out, where the fares on the family are very high? Is the Minister satisfied that no undue hardship is imposed on people who have to come regularly to work in the centre of London?

If my right hon. Friend will read the report, which is available, I think he will find that the committee gave full consideration to just such points as that which he has mentioned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange a modification in the policy of running only first-class sleepers on the London and North Eastern Railway Company's lines in order that third-class passengers may be afforded an equal opportunity to benefit by such facilities as the railway can still provide?

A drastic reduction in passenger services is still necessary on the London and North Eastern Railway. It is impossible to increase the weight of their three night trains by the addition of another coach, but if the hon. Member will inform me whether he has in mind travellers to Aberdeen or Edinburgh or Newcastle, I will go into the matter further with the Railway Executive Committee.

asked the Minister of Information whether, to assist in the rate of production and prevent fatigue amongst workers in factories, he will arrange for band or other appropriate music specially selected for the purpose to be broadcast during the hours of 11 am. to 12 noon, and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., for reception in factories which provide that feature; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Supply and examine the advantages of encouraging more firms to instal this stimulant to production?

The B.B.C. introduced such broadcasts on 23rd June, and two programmes are broadcast each day, the first from 10.30 to 11 a.m., and the second from 3 to 3.30 p.m. With regard to the second part of the Question, I will consult with the Departments concerned.

While congratulating my hon. Friend on the expeditious way in which this service was started, may I ask him to bear in mind the great importance of the suitability of the music which is broadcast, as I am informed that some of the music which has been broadcast during the last two days has been rather dull?

That will certainly be borne in mind.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain types of music actually create fatigue?

Will the Minister see that jigs and reels are included?

I will also bear that in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that a very encouraging tune for the workers is the "Internationale"?

asked the Minister of Information whether he will put a stop to the publication of the names of reception areas to which children are being sent both by the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation in view of the risks entailed?

Reception areas cover a large portion of the country. For this reason it is not considered practicable or necessary to keep the names of these areas secret, and they have in fact been a matter of common knowledge both in this country and abroad. The question whether the names of the districts to which children are being sent should be published in advance of a particular movement will be kept constantly under review; in the case of certain recent movements it was considered desirable to make public the general direction of the movement.

Is the Minister aware that within two days of the children coming to this area newspapers were publishing pictures of their arrival with the name of the town, and this at a time when we are fighting an enemy who believes in a war of nerves? Is he further aware that newsagents' placards were announcing "Bombs on Wales" and that parents were running around to find someone to tell them what had happened to their children? Does he not think it wiser that a more indeterminate area should be named? It would be better for the nerves of the parents and for the children.

The hon. Member will note that in my reply I stated "general direction of movement." However, I quite appreciate his point.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that regional information officers, when desiring to notify Members of Parliament that a meetings campaign was proposed, wrote first to Members at their private addresses and then sent a copy of the same letter to Members at the House of Commons; and will he take prompt action to stop similar wasteful practices on the part of his Department?

My right hon. Friend had received complaints from some hon. Members to the effect that they had not been notified in time that regional meetings were to be held in their constituencies. He regarded these complaints as reasonable, and steps were taken to ensure that such notifications should not miscarry. In view, however, of the urgent need of economy, he has given instructions that only one such notification should be sent out in future.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider discouraging the too frequent publication in the Press of photographs of damage done by bombs from hostile aeroplanes in this country on the ground that the repetition of such illustrations day after day is calculated to give an exaggerated impression of German successes and to cause despondency and alarm among the civilian population?

The publication of these photographs has for some time been causing my right hon. Friend serious concern. He does not, however, possess powers to prohibit publication and can only hope and believe that the Press will appreciate the point made by the hon. Member and realise their serious responsibilities in such matters.

Does the Minister realise that it is only necessary to apply by Order-in-Council for him to have the powers?

My right hon. Friend is very anxious to do nothing to curtail the liberty of the Press. Hitherto, he has been able to rely with great success on the good sense of the persons concerned.

Will he make representations to the Press on this subject?

Representations have already been made.

Will the Minister also consider addressing to the Press the inadvisability of putting headlines to these photographs such as "Havoc in the Midlands"?

The question of headlines also is causing my right hon. Friend the very gravest concern.

asked the Minister of Information whether the booklet giving instructions to the civil population as to their action in the event of parachute landings has yet been issued?

A leaflet, "If the Invader comes—what to do and how to do it," was circulated to every householder in the country in the course of last week. This leaflet contained a number of instructions to the civilian population as to their action in the event of parachute and other landings. The leaflet included a statement that "more detailed instructions will be given you when the danger comes nearer."

Is that the leaflet to which the hon. Member referred during his recent speech?

It was the first instalment of these instructions.

When the danger comes nearer shall we have time to consider the leaflet issued by the Ministry?

I trust that every Member of this House and every householder has already consulted it.

What does the hon. Member mean by the danger coming nearer?

The actual danger of invasion becoming imminent.

asked the Minister of Information why the documentary film, "Squadron 992," made by the General Post Office unit, which was shown privately on 2nd April last, was not generally released until 24th June?

The film, "Squadron 992," was hurriedly completed, in order that it might be shown privately to the French Minister of Information on 2nd April. Arrangements were then made for its distribution in the normal way, through trade channels, and the first public showing was given in London on 7th June. The film was generally released on 24th June.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider it satisfactory that a film shown on 2nd April should not have been generally released to the public until 10 weeks afterwards?

No, Sir. It was owing to the delay in regard to this film that arrangements were made which, we hope, will make a much more speedy distribution possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total area under cereal crops, wheat, oats and barley, in June, 1921, and in June, 1939?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any action has been taken to bring into useful production of food the McCreagh estate in Hampshire?

Effective steps have been taken to utilise this estate in the best national interests.

As I understand it, this is an estate of many thousands of acres, and will the Minister say whether it is now being used for food production?

I can assure by hon. Friend that although this estate has been more or less derelict for 20 years, the whole of its 3,000 acres are now being effectively used.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether war agricultural committees have to get his approval before they can take possession of under-cultivated land; and is he prepared to reduce the amount of correspondence and delay so that these committees can be given authority to increase food production without having to refer every detail to him?

Under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 1939, my right hon. Friend's consent is required to a War Agricultural Executive Committee exercising the drastic power of taking possession of land. In order, however, to facilitate procedure and avoid delay, my right hon. Friend has arranged for such consent to be given by the Department's local Land Commissioner in the case of farms which are not being cultivated according to the rules of good husbandry and for which a suitable tenant is forthcoming or of derelict land.

Is my hon. Friend aware that some war agricultural committees are complaining very much about the delay in utilising derelict land for the purpose of food production? Will the Minister take steps to see this work is speeded up?

I have already explained in my reply that my right hon. Friend has delegated this power to the Land Commissioners, and as a result a good deal of delay ought to be avoided in the future.

Will the Minister see that information is given to the landowners as well as to the tenants, which is not always done?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, he will consider setting up local advisory boards of agricultural and gardening experts under the supervision of the local authority to stimulate the allotment movement?

Action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member was taken by my Department immediately after the outbreak of war. In the great majority of the larger towns horticultural advisory committees have already been established by the local authorities in order to give stimulus and technical help to allotment holders and private gardeners in their areas, and the Ministry's horticultural inspectors are available to give such assistance as may be required by the committees. In addition a panel of several hundred practical gardeners has been established by the Royal Horticultural Society in conjunction with the Ministry. The services of these men are available for lectures, advisory visits, etc., at the request of committees; they act in a voluntary capacity, receiving only their out-of-pocket expenses, and my right hon. Friend is indebted to them and to the Society for this helpful collaboration in the furtherance of the allotment movement.

I put this Question down to the Minister of Transport because it concerns passengers of the railway companies who are being paid for by the State. I put a similar Question yesterday, and it was answered by the Secretary of State for War. I hope, with your permission, Sir, and the convenience of the House, to raise this matter on the Adjournment to-night, and I think it is desirable that the Minister of Transport should be present.

Notice has been given of several other Questions that are to be raised on the Adjournment, and whether the hon. Member will be able to raise his Question depends on there being time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any funds, and of what nature, are available for welfare work among the troops in this country?

Hitherto, funds for welfare work in the Army have been found mainly from voluntary sources, to whose generosity I should like to pay a tribute. Recently, the whole question of welfare was exhaustively examined and certain recommendations were made. But my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate it if I say that the recommendations came forward just when the Battle of France was beginning, and it has been difficult to deal with them up to now.

Will my hon. Friend hasten a decision on this matter, because there is a certain amount of concern as to how the welfare of the troops is being administered?

Is it possible to meet the cost of this welfare out of the large profits made by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute canteens?

I do not know what the profits are, but the suggestion will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the Local Defence Volunteers or otherwise, he will set up for each parish an organised system of protection with a local commandant in each village to organise its defence?

Local defence must be organised in relation to defence requirements as a whole; but my hon. Friend can rest assured that one of the main objects for which the Local Defence Volunteers have been raised is to give local security to villages, most of which now have their own Local Defence Volunteer detachments under a local commander.

If it is the policy of the Government to make each village a fortress, who is responsible for such a matter as rendering fields unfit for aerial landings?

The responsible authority is the War Office.

Who is the responsible authority in the locality for doing these things?

The orders for doing these things are sent to the local military commanders.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that neither the commanders of Local Defence Volunteers nor the volunteers themselves have the remotest idea of what kind of physical structures they should now be preparing in villages and fields in order to make them as strong as possible against tanks? Should not some kind of lead be given to these people, who are very keen to be getting on with their job?

The hon. Member's information differs from that which I have received. If he draws my attention to any particular case he has in mind, I will look into it.

Could the hon. Gentleman publish the instructions which he has sent, because none have arrived?

Have instructions been given to local volunteer detachments to prepare defences of any kind?

Certainly, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the whole matter of the defence of vital posts throughout the country is really a military matter for the military authorities, and not a matter for the civil authorities?

Should not the War Office issue an order for the erection of these posts?

The military authority is issuing orders all the time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will do everything possible to bring to an end the practice of interning Jewish refugees with Nazi prisoners of war?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that civilian internees are accommodated in the same camps as prisoners of war. As regards the former, it is the policy to segregate Jewish from Nazi enemy aliens. It has not yet been possible to give effect to this policy, but it is proposed to do so as the necessary arrangements can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the advisability of dealing with the wives of certain British subjects recently arrested, in the same manner as with their husbands?

My right hon. Friend has not hesitated to order the detention of wives in cases where he has been satisfied that there were good reasons; but because there are reasons for ordering the detention of the husband it does not in every case follow that there are reasons for ordering the detention of the wife.

Is the same publicity given to the internment of the wife as to that of the husband?

Exactly the same degree of publicity is given to both, and that is absolutely nil.

In the case of a wife who is as well-known a pro-Nazi as her husband, will she be interned?

We shall be only too happy to receive suggestions from every quarter of the House.

Is it not time the Home Office stopped asking for suggestions and took a line of their own?

Is it not well known that the Home Office do make suggestions and that the military and M.I. 5 will not adopt them?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reserve from military service part-time unpaid special constables over 30 years of age, provided they had joined the special constabulary prior to the outbreak of war, and have performed, and continue to perform regularly and satisfactorily, an average of at least 12 hours duty per week?

Many part-time special constables are already in reserved occupations or are above military age, and their services will, therefore, remain available. As regards the remainder, my right hon. Friend does not think that he would be justified at present in asking that they should be relieved of their obligations for military service.

In view of the fact that these men have been giving their valuable services voluntarily since the outbreak of war, does the hon. Gentleman not think they deserve some special consideration, and will he look into the matter and make some arrangements on the lines of my suggestion?

We have no evidence that there is any demand, either by these special constables themselves or by chief constables on their behalf, for them to be excused.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the brick shelters now being erected in many public places are able to withstand heavy shock and blast, as well as splinters; what representations have been made to him on the subject by competent engineering authorities; and whether he will consider putting in suitable places more of the deep dug-out type of shelter?

I am advised that shelters of the type which I think the hon. Member has in mind are fully in accordance with the standards set by the Government's shelter policy. As regards the latter parts of the Question, I would refer him to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in the course of the Debate on 12th instant.

Has there been an increase in the provision of shelters?

A very considerable increase.

asked the Minister of Supply whether every effort is being made to use Canada's industrial capacity to the fullest degree; and what steps are being taken to ensure that this is so?

Yes, Sir; every effort is being made, in conjunction with His Majesty's Government in Canada, to utilise Canada's industrial capacity to the fullest extent.

Has the Minister had his attention drawn to statements both in the Press of Canada and in this country and in letters received from Canada by many people in this country, expressing a feeling of great frustration because offers from Canada have been very tardily investigated and taken up in this country?

I am afraid that some of these controversial matters involve internal Dominion political considerations with which it would not be right for me to deal, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I am anxious to get the greatest possible output from the Dominion of Canada.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that ornamental wrought-iron gates are being advertised for sale in the daily Press at £5 each; and whether he will consider taking them over, as metal in them would be of value in the production of armaments?

I understand that the gates referred to are probably of Italian or Belgian manufacture imported before the war, and it is unlikely that their value for re-smelting would be more than a small fraction of their sale value as gates. There are, of course, substantial quantities of iron and steel goods made for civil use still on the market, much of which might serve as an ultimate reserve for armament production. At the present stage, however, I think that we should concentrate our efforts on salvaging the large quantity of iron and steel material of all kinds which has ceased to serve any useful purpose.

Does my right hon. Friend include beacons at pedestrian crossings in that category?

I have already answered a Question by my hon. Friend on that point.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can explain and give reasons for the situation in regard to machine tools dealt with in the sixth report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure, page 16, paragraph 38; whether the report has been considered; and whether he is satisfied with the present position and arrangements?

The delay in proceeding with the expansion of a factory for the production of machine tools, to which the Select Committee refer in paragraph 38 of their report, was due to the difficulty in arriving at suitable arrangements with the company concerned. The original proposals could not be accepted and the drastic modifications which were necessary took a considerable time to negotiate. The scheme of expansion was re-cast on a short-term basis, and work on it is now proceeding. As regards the second part of the Question, I have recently taken steps to strengthen the staff responsible for the control of machine tools and, in order further to assist the Controller, have delegated to him my power of requisitioning machine tools. I fully appreciate the importance of close and continuous contact between the Departments concerned, and shall watch carefully the arrangements devised to secure it.

There are several matters which arise out of that answer, but they cannot be dealt with by way of Supplementary Questions.

What is meant by "suitable arrangements"?

That is a matter of detail, and it has been done. It had been under the consideration of the Ministry for some time before I was there. That has been settled. I have made certain changes in the machine tools department.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has given consideration to the recommendations contained in the sixth report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure, and in particular to paragraphs 28–34; whether any action has been taken, and whether it is intended to act upon the recommendations on page 19, numbers 8 and 9; and, if so, what action has been taken, or is it proposed to take?

Yes, Sir. Active steps have been and are being taken to strengthen the area organisation of the Ministry of Supply, and instructions have been issued to ensure that there is full coordination between the area officers and their staffs and the technical officers of headquarters departments, who are employed in the areas. The following steps have been taken:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the expression of views given by competent representatives, at the conference which was held on Monday, and does he think that his reply will go a long way towards meeting the ideas of the representatives who attended that conference?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of those representations. We have taken them fully into account. I think these proposals will go a long way to meet them. The hon. Gentleman and the House can take my assurance that everything will be done to get this area organisation upon a right and vigorous basis.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that the person responsible for progress will not be told to mind his own business when making observations to headquarters that there are defects in some of the units selected?

I will certainly see to that.

When selecting the staffs of these area committees will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the personnel should be selected from industries within the area and not be imported from outside?

That is a matter of organisation on which I must take the opinion of my advisers.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that in dealing with the import of timber coming into this country, the Timber Control is insisting on a method of listing and invoicing the goods so long and complicated that great delays and expense are being caused to the firms concerned; and whether he will consider adopting simpler methods?

Virtually, all imports of timber are made by the Timber Controller on Government account, and the importation does not involve listing or invoicing. If my hon. Friend has in mind the procedure for invoicing transfers of timber by wharfingers from national stock to merchants and from merchants to consumers, this procedure was adopted by the Timber Control after consultation with the Emergency Advisory Committee of the Timber Trades Federation, and is essential for the purpose of keeping an accurate record of sales on Government account.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it takes staffs the same time to do half the work that was done in normal times, and can he not make the procedure more simple?

That is over a limited field. I will investigate the point which my hon. Friend makes.

I take it for granted that the right hon. Gentleman is aware that unless he can do it within the time we are going to get a lot of things that we do no like.

That is certainly being kept in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as the withdrawal of the allowance of sugar for making jam from purchased fruit will inflict hardship on people of small earnings by compelling them to buy manufactured jam at a higher cost without necessarily bringing about a saving in the consumption of sugar, he will give further consideration to this question?

My Noble Friend has this matter under consideration, and it is hoped to make an announcement on it at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as the food value of bananas is substantially less than sugar while being more expensive, he will consult with the appropriate department in order to effect a reduction in the import of bananas, so that the import of sugar may be increased.

No decrease in the imports of sugar has resulted from any lack of shipping which could have been made good by the transfer of the specially-built banana boats to the transport of sugar. Moreover, owing to the different types of shipping employed in these two trades, the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion would not necessarily produce the results which he desires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has yet made arrangements to make use of a portion of this season's potatoes for the making of potato starch; and what progress has been made with the erection of factories for this purpose?

Returns which have recently been obtained show that the stocks of potato starch now held in this country are sufficient to meet essential industrial requirements for a long period. In these circumstances, it is not proposed to embark upon a policy of home manufacture at present, but the position will be kept under constant review.

With regard to the last part of the Question, is the erection of the factories being proceeded with?

No, Sir, not at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether trade unions covering workers in the milk distributing industry are to be represented on the committee to be set up to consider the reorganisation of that industry?

I assume the hon. Member refers to the committee mentioned my reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 10th June. As I indicated in that reply, the constitution of that committee is a matter for the milk industry. My noble Friend proposes to appoint a small committee, of persons not connected with the milk industry, to advise him independently on the matter, and arrangements are being made to secure representation of the workers' interests on this committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will reconsider his decision to destroy a large quantity of cocoa in Nigeria and the Gold Coast amounting in value to about £300,000 and paid for by the British Government; and instead either provide additional storage for 12 months to create a food reserve, in view of possible emergencies, or transfer it to the United States, by gift, for the manufacture of cocoa butter, or give it to the Red Cross for refugees, or civil populations impoverished by war?

I can assure my hon. Friend that all the possibilities which he mentions were fully considered before the decision was taken. No figure of cost can be given, as the position is being reviewed from month to month. I would remind my hon. Friend that markets to the extent of nearly 300,000 tons annually, which is equivalent to the whole Gold Coast crop, have now been lost for the duration of the war. In addition, there are difficulties in providing shipping space for cocoa. Consequently, the existing large storage capacity in West Africa is full to overflowing, and there is an ample reserve of cocoa on which the world markets can draw whenever shipping and other considerations permit. Additional stores in West Africa would take time to build and would not solve immediate difficulties. Further, even the best quality of cocoa will not keep indefinitely without serious deterioration. The question is, however, continuing to receive attention, together with a number of other suggestions which my Noble Friend has received.

Has this cocoa now been destroyed?

A very small proportion is being destroyed, but we are keeping the position under review and examining it month after month.

Will the Minister stop them from destroying it?

Will the Minister bear in mind that Lancashire cotton exports to the Gold Coast will come to an end unless the people on the Gold Coast have some means of paying for these exports?

My hon. Friend may be reassured that the matter is receiving our consideration. He must know that the Government undertook the responsibility for the purchasing of the cocoa crop in the Gold Coast and Nigeria.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the recommendation which was put before the Select Committee on National Expenditure?

The recommendation has been considered.