asked the Minister of Labour his plans for the organisation of welfare work in factories on war work, giving the names of the organisations and persons engaged thereon?

I am glad to have an opportunity of making a statement on this matter, but, as it is somewhat lengthy, I propose, if I may, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Briefly, I may say that I have established a Factory and Welfare Department, which includes the Factory Department and its staff transferred from the Home Office and also a Factory and Welfare Advisory Board. I am appointing a number of Welfare Officers to deal locally with welfare outside the factory, and to act in close association with my Labour Supply Committees and with all the local organisations concerned, including the various voluntary organisations who have promised full co-operation and have set up a Central Consultative Committee for this purpose.

If Members send any letters they receive from their constituents in which, for example, names of mills and factories are given where conditions are not too good, will the Minister see that such letters are not passed on to the mill-owners in question in order that the interests of constituents may be safeguarded?

I think it is preferable for Members to go to their unions and put it into the hands of the local supply board.

To what extent is it intended that this organisation should cover hours and general conditions outside factories?

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Order Paper.

If these welfare committees have advisory area committees, will one be set up in Scotland connected with the trade union movement?

There is a Question on the same subject later on.

asked the Minister of Labour what specific measures have been taken by the Welfare Committee recently set up by his Department to deal with the social amenities of munition workers in Scotland?

The Factory and Welfare Advisory Board is a central advisory and not an executive body. It is contemplated that specific measures to supplement or modify action already taken in the matter of amenities for workers in any particular area would be secured through local machinery, and that this will include the special appointment of a regional and at least two local welfare officers for Scotland. A conference of representatives of voluntary organisations is being held in Scotland this week to consider the organisation and co-ordination of voluntary services.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that in the past there has been great difficulty in a central organisation dealing with the needs of workers in Scotland, and will he reconsider the position with a view to appointing a Scottish industrial representative on the central committee?

I will bear that in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of promoting amongst firms engaged on war work the setting up of works councils based on trade union organisations, with a view to promoting the utmost degree of conciliation and co-operation?

I have already indicated in various statements my desire that efficient arrangements should exist in all industrial establishments for the purpose of enabling all questions affecting the workpeople to be dealt with smoothly and quickly and for the purpose of co-operating with the organisation I have established for the supply of workpeople to meet present needs. The form of workshop organisation is, in my opinion, a matter to be determined by arrangement between the employers and the unions.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the great importance of letting the workers feel that they are fully consulted and taken into co-operation, and will he use all his influence to see that that is secured?

I have been doing that for 30 years.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fishing industry of Hull having now almost ceased, he will issue instructions to the Hull Employment Exchange that fish dockworkers can now be permitted to undertake other work of national importance without having to wait two months?

I should like to make it clear that there is nothing in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations which prevents a man from undertaking any kind of civilian work. The restrictions in the Schedule apply only to acceptance for service in the Armed Forces or for full-time Civil Defence work, and even in such instances are in general removed in the case of a man who has been unemployed for two months. I am considering whether this period of two months should be reduced in appropriate cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any plans designed to utilise firms in the building industry, particularly the smaller firms, many of whom have had to dismiss their employeés owing to lack of orders or inquiries from Government Departments?

The Departments responsible for the letting of building contracts are represented on the Works and Building Priority Committee, and in accordance with that committee's policy are endeavouring to spread such contracts over as wide a range as possible.

Is the Minister aware that in February his predecessor promised that something should be done in the matter of the smaller firms, but that today they are still without even inquiries for estimates, while three or four large firms have all the work throughout the country?

I am not responsible for the allocation of the orders for building. I can only refer my hon. Friend to the Building Priority Committee. If he will put down a Question a little later, I will look into the matter more deeply.

Cannot the small people be given a chance to do war work, as the big people are getting a monopoly?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a large number of contracts have been handed out to a very few large contractors without their sending in any tenders, while the small firms have been completely neglected?

I will look into the matter, but I would remind my hon. Friend that it is the contracts Department and not my Department which allocates these orders.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to mobilise for national service the many persons whose names have been enrolled on the Central Register and others who are ready and willing to engage themselves in the war effort but who have received no suggestion of employment; whether he will arrange for them to be considered by qualification at once, and set up machinery whereby a great number of those persons of varying ages can be utilised forthwith?

The purpose of the Central Register has been to keep a record of persons with scientific, technical, professional or higher administrative qualifications who have offered their services, with a view to submitting such persons for posts, mainly in Government Departments, where their professional or other qualifications would be of service. The great majority of persons enrolled on the Central Register are already in employment. It must, however, be recognised that, however valuable these qualifications are in peace time, many of them are not in demand in war time. I am therefore taking immediate steps to bring to the notice of such persons other ways in which they can usefully serve the country at the present time. I should point out that, apart from such opportunities as are offered by the Armed Forces and Civil Defence services, these would for the most part be in the nature of manual work. I am issuing a notice on the subject to-day, and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate a copy in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not a fact that a large number of the people whose names are on the Central Register are not in employment at all, and that when employment is given in a Government Department the people are chosen from outside and are put on the Register for appearance sake? Is he also aware that there are thousands of people ready and willing to work in the national interest who get no more than a postcard acknowledgment?

I have made investigation personally into the position of the Central Register, and I find that nearly 90 per cent. of the people are in fact in employment. I have no knowledge of the latter part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's statement. It has certainly not occurred since I have been in office.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the matter?

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present position with regard to recruitment for the Government training centres?

The number of civilians in training at the Government training centres is now about 10,700. This is a record number. It is nearly 1,000 more than a week ago and nearly 2,000 more than a fortnight ago. In the last four weeks more than 6,000 men have been sent forward to training centres. This is also a record, but we need many thousands more. Those awaiting entry into training will be quickly absorbed, and a continuous flow of applicants will be needed to keep the centres at full strength and to fill the new places which are being provided. Shift working is being introduced and new centres are being established, and greatly increased numbers, both of men for training and of instructors, are required. The shortage of fully qualified instructors is at present the most serious factor limiting the increase of the numbers in training. I hope any fully skilled fitters, machine operators and instrument makers, who are not only highly skilled craftsmen but can also impart their knowledge to others and who are not at present employed on work of vital importance, will come forward at once for this most important work.

When these trainees are given work will they be put on to useful production, that is, on things that can be used in the war and not on mere matters that are ultimately wasted?

The whole of the schedule for training has been changed to bring it into strict conformity with the immediate placing of men in war industry.

Is my right hon. Friend taking steps to train women instead of men of military age?

Not in the training centres. We are trying to establish a system by which large works take a proportion of women to train. That is the best place for training women for the kind of work which they will have to do in factories.

Is use being made of the central committee for the employment of women, which has done good work but which is not being fully utilised?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make in regard to the deputation which waited upon him on Monday last and which represented 250,000 unemployed operatives in the building trades; and how he proposes to utilise, without further delay, this immense pool of skilful and patriotic labour for getting greater drive into the national war effort?

The deputation referred to represented certain unemployed building trade workers in the London area. I do not understand my hon. Friend's reference to 250,000 unemployed operatives in the building trades. The total number in these trades unemployed at the date of the returns for 20th May was 87,226, of whom about half were skilled operatives. The indications are that there has since been a substantial reduction in this number. Energetic steps are being taken to transfer to important Government work skilled operatives of the types required. The new agreement on wages and conditions, including the question of travelling and subsistence allowances, on important Government work will be of great assistance in the task of moving labour to places away from home where it is required. Furthermore, the Undertakings (Restriction on Engagement) Order which has recently come into force is being administered in such a way as to ensure that for the future unemployed labour in this industry will be utilised in preference to the admission of workers from other industries.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to have the Bank Officers' Guild recognised as the negotiating authority for all bank employès now the joint stock banks have come under State control?

I have received representations on this subject from the Bank Officers' Guild, and the matter is under consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this is a long-standing grievance and that the banks have long been out of touch with modern practice?

I have that well in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with a view to the speedy carrying out of urgent defensive works against possible enemy landings, he will invite the mayors in the areas concerned to make an appeal for voluntary labour, particularly in the evenings and during the week-ends, to supplement the work already being done by whole-time personnel?

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, regarding this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the national emergency and the embarrassment to the military caused by the public using roads and streets, he will consider issuing orders banning all, save the military and auxiliary services, from all thoroughfares during air raids, the landing of troops from aeroplanes, and any form of invasion?

All practicable steps are being taken to ensure that in the event of hostile attack the movement of troops is not impeded by unnecessary traffic on the roads.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, after weeks of recruiting in Birmingham for essential Civil Defence services, the applications received are inadequate; and what steps he intends to take to make good this deficiency?

I am aware that special difficulty is being experienced in Birmingham in recruiting volunteers for the Civil Defence services, and that although a considerable number of recruits have responded to my recent appeal there are still deficiencies in some services. I am keeping a close watch on the position throughout the country, and I shall not hesitate to take such steps as I think necessary to arrest further wastage of personnel from these services. Meanwhile, however, it is essential that the local authority should continue to make every effort to bring home to local residents the possible consequences of failure to man their services adequately.

Is the Minister aware that the recent appeal produced only one-tenth of the necessary recruits, and that the existing A.R.P. services cannot be fully manned?

Is the Minister also aware that great discouragement is felt by those who have volunteered, by reason of the lack of proper A.R.P. equipment?

No, Sir, I do not agree with that at all. Equipment is available for the authorised establishment—

Oh no.

—but it has not been issued in respect of reserves in excess of those authorised.

I will give the Minister proof of what I say.

Could the right hon. Gentleman send the Lord President of the Council to Birmingham?

And send him to Scunthorpe too. It is a wilful misrepresentation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the drastic reduction in the number of paid air-raid precautions workers in the Hull district; and whether he will take steps to allay public apprehension because of the substitution of volunteers for full-time and skilled personnel?

I am not aware of any drastic reduction in the number of paid Civil Defence volunteers in Hull or of any cause for public apprehension. I am, however, arranging for local inquiry to be made.

Is not the Minister aware that in some localities the drastic cut has been 50 per cent.?

Yes, Sir, that is certainly so in the case of paid wardens; and it was the general wish of this House, made clear on many occasions, that the strength of that service should be cut down.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that resignations of personnel in the Civil Defence services are seriously affecting their efficiency; and what action he proposes immediately to take?

I am aware that the loss of personnel due to calling up for military service and other causes is giving rise to concern in some areas. I made a special appeal for volunteers two weeks ago, and I have taken action to prevent further wastage among whole-time members of the A.F.S. and to maintain the strength of this service. I am keeping a close watch on the position in other branches of the Civil Defence organisation.

Is it not a fact that considerable personnel are resigning for causes other than that they are being called up, and does not my right hon. Friend think the time has arrived to give A.R.P. officials power to refuse to accept resignations?

Measures are being taken to prevent further wastage, including matters relating to pay and a further extension of the principle of compulsion.

When the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that there is inefficiency due to reduction of personnel, or to some other cause, what action does he take?

Action of the kind which I have indicated.

Yes, but does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman still persists in voluntary action when it leads to inefficiency?

The hon. Gentleman cannot have listened to my supplementary answer, in which I said that the action included a further extension of the principle of compulsion.

Why not apply compulsion forthwith?

asked the Home Secretary the current number of vacancies to bring the Civil Defence forces to full strength, and the weekly increase in personnel over the four weeks' period most recently elapsed for which figures are available?

The position varies widely between different areas, and, as the Civil Defence organisation is essentially a local service, any statement of deficiencies or surpluses in any particular service for the country as a whole would be misleading. The services are, of course, largely dependent upon part-time volunteers, and appeals have been made for additional recruits. There are, however, some deficiencies in the number of whole-time paid members of the services in certain areas, and active steps are being taken locally to increase the strengths according to local needs. Figures are not available centrally, showing the weekly changes in personnel, but, in the first week following my special appeal, about 28,000 persons responded, and volunteers are still coming forward.

If this service is of any national importance at all, is there not a danger when these vacancies continue in the service, and does not my right hon. Friend think that the spirit of the nation now demands that a measure of compulsion be introduced in areas where the voluntary principle does not succeed? [An HON. MEMBER: "Low wages."]

Questions of pay are one of the matters concerned, but I would make it clear that the principle of compulsion has been applied already to a certain extent, and that a further extension is being considered. With regard to voluntary and part-time personnel, the principle of compulsion is very difficult in practice.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the country expects prompt action to be taken in this matter?

Is it not a fact that if Birmingham had better representatives, it would get better A.R.P.?

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that, in any area where the A.R.P. service is not up to the strength required, he will apply the principle of compulsion?

I cannot give an undertaking of that character, and I suggest that my hon. Friend read my answer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the absence of financial provision for messengers will make Civil Defence services unworkable if telephones are put out of action; and is he prepared to give the necessary assistance?

The Civil Defence organisation already includes provision for a messenger service. I am not aware that the effectiveness of this service is hampered by financial considerations, but the arrangements for messengers are at present under review, and I shall be glad to consider any particular difficulties which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will cause an order to be issued to the effect that any person driving a motor vehicle must carry and produce their driving licence when called upon, either by the military or police, in order that it may be compared with their identification card and thereby form an additional safeguard against unauthorised persons using the roads?

I agree that the production of a driving licence may serve as a useful check on a person's identity and that motorists should, therefore, in their own interests, carry their licences with them. A driver who, on being stopped, is unable to satisfy the constable or sentry as to his identity is liable, under the Defence Regulations, to be detained for inquiries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the law as it stands a driver is allowed five days in which to produce his licence?

I am well aware of that, but the fact that the possession of a licence will help very considerably in identifying a driver should, I think, be a sufficient inducement to drivers to carry their licences with them.

Ought not the right hon. Gentleman to issue a notice informing the whole of the motoring public?

No doubt this Question and answer will attract some public attention.

asked the Home Secretary the number of British citizens who have been interned?

The number at present detained is approximately 750.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are plenty of people at large who ought to be interned and that the general impression is that the Home Office are not sufficiently active in this matter?

Those who have that impression are not aware of the facts.

asked the Home Secretary the number of enemy aliens who have been released from internment since 1st September, 1939?

The number is approximately 340. These include children of 16 and 17 who have been released to continue their school education, nuns who have been allowed to return to their convents, technicians wanted for special work of national importance, and some persons who have been released after close investigation of their cases by the Advisory Committee.

Have any of these people been re-interned?

There may be one or two cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether instructions have been issued to local authorities to complete their air-raid shelter programmes within the next few weeks and that thereafter the construction of further shelter will not be authorised?

While local authorities are being strongly pressed to carry their programmes to completion, it does not seem to me that any advantage would be gained by threatening to penalise the inhabitants of an area in which, at any given date, the programme remained incomplete.

Can the Minister give an assurance that no such threat has been made?

No such threat has been made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the position of the landward parts of the burghs of Bo'ness comprising Castleloan, Newtown, Carriden and Muirhouses, in respect of Anderson or other shelters; and whether he is now prepared to comply with the request that such shelters should be provided?

I understand that these places are represented to be so much a part of Bo'ness that they ought to be treated in the same way as the burgh. No further supplies of the standard steel shelter are available, but if the responsible local authority favours the construction of domestic shelter in some alternative form, I shall offer no objection.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether steps are being taken to compel local education authorities to provide adequate air-raid shelters in all reception areas?

No, Sir. The matter is one for the discretion of the local education authority in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority.

Is the Minister aware that children are received in reception areas where there is no air-raid shelter provided by the local authority, whereas there are air-raid precautions in the district from which they come?

I am sure that the authorities are taking appropriate steps.

asked the Home Secretary whether Miss Mary Allen still represents the Women's Auxiliary Service on the Advisory Council of Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, set up under the auspices of his Department?

I am informed that, when Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence came into being two years ago at the request of my predecessor in office, the Women's Auxiliary Service was one of a large number of voluntary organisations invited to be represented on the Advisory Council. I understand that this organisation has, in fact, been represented on a number of occasions in the past by Miss Mary Allen, but that neither she nor any other representative of the Women's Auxiliary Service has attended a meeting of the Council since January last.

May I take it from that answer that this lady will not be asked to further meetings and that she is to be interned, in view of the facts that she has boasted openly that she is a Fascist and proud of it, and that she is now living on the coast?

Questions relating to individuals had much better be put on the Paper.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that he has answered the Question? I want to know whether this lady is still able to attend these meetings when she so desires?

The position is that organisations which were invited to be represented on the Central Council were left to choose their own representatives on the occasion of a particular meeting. I think it will be found that I have answered the Question on the Paper. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The supplementary question relates to a different matter altogether.

Further to that answer—

rose—

On a point of Order. Am I not entitled to an answer to my question?

The hon. Member had better put a further question on the Paper.

The question asked of the right hon. Gentleman was whether this lady was still permitted to attend these meetings. That question has not been answered, and I suggest that the House is anxious to know the answer.

The question should be put upon the Paper.

Mr. Speaker, may I ask for your guidance? It will be recollected that during Question Time, I put a Question to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, asking him whether Miss Mary Allen still represents the Women's Auxiliary Service on the Advisory Council of Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence. He told me, in effect, that neither she nor any other representative of that organisation had attended any recent meetings. May I put it to you that that is not a reply to my Question; and, as this lady publicly announces that she is a Fascist, and as this is a Government Department dealing with Civil Defence, may I ask you whether, if I put a Question down again to the Home Secretary, you will instruct the Clerk at the Table to pass it?

The hon. Member had better put the Question down in a different form. An answer was given to the Question on the Paper, although it did not satisfy the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that mineworkers are complaining about having to use the same gas mask at home that they use at work; and whether he will consider allowing two gas masks to persons who are engaged in occupations where the gas mask is likely to get covered with dust?

I am advised that the dust will not affect the efficiency of the respirator, and I am afraid I cannot authorise the issue of two respirators to one man. I understand, however, that in many areas metal containers have been provided for masks which are taken down the mine.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when a miner comes home with his gas mask and uses it, his face is covered with coal? Surely a collier is not expected to undergo that inconvenience. I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this question.

Other people have raised a similar question. The general public have been provided individually with a gas mask, in every case at the public expense, and surely there is very little ground for complaint.

asked the Home Secretary what reply he has made to the repeated representations of the Government of Northern Ireland on the dangers of the unrestricted right of entry into that country from Southern Ireland?

I explained in reply to questions on 20th June the result of my consultations with the Government of Northern Ireland on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister in the Northern Ireland Government said that they had no control whatever over the frontier, and had made representations to the Imperial Government on the matter?

In his Question the hon. Gentleman referred to "repeated representations." I have not the slightest idea what he has in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the whole of Ireland becomes united?

That is not my responsibility.

On a point of Order. May I put this question to the Home Secretary—

We must get on with Questions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will order a photograph of the bearer to be attached to identity cards, and make the failure to show such cards on challenge by a competent person an offence?

I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the affixing of a photograph on an identity card would be a source of danger rather than of safety unless it were properly authenticated as that of the true holder of the card. As stated in my right hon. Friend's reply of 6th June to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett), the whole subject has been under examination, with a view to providing additional means of authenticating the holder of an identity card; and an announcement upon the subject will be made as soon as possible.

Does the hon. Member agree that these identity cards, as at present used, are absolutely futile as a means of controlling the population?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it would be more dangerous if a person could get a card which did not belong to him and put his own photograph on it.

Surely you can get people to put their photographs on these cards, as they do on passports?

I think that if my hon. and gallant Friend will await the further scheme, he will see the dangers and difficulties that might occur if we adopted his suggestion.

Will my hon. Friend take some note of the repeated suggestions which have been made by me on this matter?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state that the Emergency Medical Service is prepared to approve of the employment of blind persons who are qualified in massage and/or medical electricity under the same conditions as sighted members of this profession?

Yes, Sir. I hope that many blind persons who are qualified and suitable for this work will be found employment in the hospitals.

asked the Minister of Labour how many conscientious objectors placed by Tribunals on the register on condition that they undertook work of national importance, have now found and are occupied in such work, and how many have remained in their former occupation?

I am taking steps to obtain the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend and will communicate it to him as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Norwich City Council reported, on 18th June, that at least 40 per cent. of the members of their staff affected by military registration have registered as conscientious objectors; and whether he will have inquiries made to see what subversive influence is at work in the city of Norwich to bring about this state of affairs?

My hon. Friend has been given an erroneous figure. My information is that 125 men of the staff of the Norwich Corporation have registered for military service or joined the Forces voluntarily, and that the number who have registered as conscientious objectors is 16, of whom four are undertaking non-combatant service in the R.A.M.C. My inquiries do not indicate that there are grounds for suspecting the existence in this city of special influences of a subversive character, but, in present circumstances, the danger that pacifist propaganda may be misused for purposes prejudicial to the national interest cannot be ignored, and this matter is receiving my close attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will be in a position to state the prices which the Government will guarantee for farming and dairy produce, and also for poultry and eggs, prior to the date upon which the minimum agricultural wages come into operation?

I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on this subject in a broadcast on Saturday evening.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary that a very important statement like this should be kept from the House and reserved for a broadcast?

I had hoped to be able to announce it this afternoon. There was every intention to make a statement in answer to a Private Notice Question; but the matter is frightfully complicated, and I am very sorry to say that it was not possible to make the announcement in that way. I apologise to the House, but in the circumstances I am afraid it was impossible.