asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he proposes to continue the publication of the return of expenditure on public social services?

I have reached the conclusion that the need for economy in labour and paper makes it necessary to suspend during the war the printing and publication of the full return. But in order that information should continue to be available on this very important matter, I propose to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the main new figures which would have been included in this year's return.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent decision in the case of Forsyth versus The Crown that sickness or disablement benefit paid by a friendly society to a member is liable to Income Tax, any action is proposed to secure the exemption of all such benefits from liability to Income Tax?

The decision in the case referred to was that continuing benefits received over a period of years under contracts with an assurance company and a friendly society constituted annual payments for Income Tax purposes, and I see no prima facie reason why such receipts, when forming part of a total income that is above the exemption limit, should be exempted from Income Tax. I am, however, having the judgment of the learned judge carefully considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a British war pension would be paid in Canada to a war pensioner who, being eligible for an exit permit, moved to that Dominion?

An exit permit would not normally be granted unless a declaration had been made by the individual concerned that no transfer of funds to Canada, direct or indirect, would be involved. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be glad if he will send me details.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any sum of money lent to the Government free of interest for the duration of the war will be available for the payment of Death Duties should the lender die before the termination of hostilities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 26th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it is that, as the proportion of men unfit for duty within 48 hours of inoculation is not great, the Regulations insist upon men being rested for 48 hours after this operation is undergone?

The period of 48 hours rest is prescribed in order to minimise the temporary inconvenience caused by inoculation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make it clear that the Local Defence Volunteers is not an organisation instituted for the purpose of drilling, saluting and presenting arms; that its main duties are observation, communication and attack; and that within the ambit of these duties the utmost initiative of the personnel is to be encouraged?

The main duties of the Local Defence Volunteers are as described by my hon. Friend, and he can be assured that their energies will be directed accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any enemy aliens are now members of the Local Defence Volunteers?

British nationality is an essential condition of membership of the Local Defence Volunteers and has been so since the initiation of the Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to putting every village into a state of defence, the Local Defence Volunteer units will be given instructions in such matters as the construction of tank traps and obstacles to motor cyclists, and the making of flat pieces of land unsuitable for aerial landings?

These points have not been overlooked in the instructions which have been issued for the training of Local Defence Volunteers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government will commandeer the large stock of steel helmets which are now in shops, and which are being bought by ex-service men in the Local Defence Volunteers at present out of their own pockets?

Steel helmets will be issued to Local Detence Volunteers in due course. It is considered desirable that these helmets should be of the standard type supplied from ordnance stores.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the personnel of the searchlight battalions are up to full strength, and why, after their ordinary night duty, many of these men are called upon to perform day-time defence duties?

All men in these battalions should have an adequate period of rest, and instructions to this effect have been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the fact that 148,000 dependants of the fighting forces have made application for assistance on the grounds of hardship to the War Service Allowances Committee, and having regard to the war increases in wages granted to industrial workers, and the proposed increase in unemployment pay owing to increased cost of living, he will now consider the advisability of bringing the allowance to soldiers' wives and dependants to something approaching a standard of £1 10s. per week for a wife and 6s. per week for each child?

I understand that, of the 148,000 claims to which my hon. Friend refers, between 35 and 40 per cent. were not substantiated, but that the bulk of the other cases have been settled and payments to meet the hardship have been made. I would point out that the standard rates of allowance for children have already been twice reviewed since the beginning of the war and substantially improved. The rates for dependants were also recently under review and were improved in certain respects. As my hon. Friend is aware, dependants' allowance is related to the family income as well as to the pre-enlistment contribution of the soldier. The circumstances of families and dependants of soldiers in war time are various and hard cases are being met by the existence of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee. At the same time I am fully alive to the position of soldiers' families and their needs, and I can assure my hon. Friend that I have the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will encourage miners, well used to handling explosives, to manufacture home-made bombs for the defence of their respective localities?

I am not prepared to make any public statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider mobilising large bodies of men in the coastal districts for the purpose of constructing coastal defences?

Attention is being directed to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some officers, frequently holding high rank, in the Royal Army Medical Corps are whole-time engaged on purely administrative or clerical work; and whether, in the interests of efficiency, they could be employed on professional work and the administrative or clerical work be undertaken by persons not holding medical qualifications?

There are no Royal Army Medical Corps officers, who are qualified medical practitioners, engaged in whole-time clerical work. There are, however, many officers so qualified who are wholly engaged in medical administration work, and it is essential in the interests of efficiency that they should have medical qualifications and that they should also be men of experience in military organisation and administration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, when assessing means for the purpose of supplementary pensions, money invested in national savings certificates, defence bonds, subscriptions to war loans, etc., are to be left out of account up to a limit of £375, or to be taken into account and, in the latter case, what is the exact procedure to be followed?

Pending the introduction of the legislation which will be necessary to give effect to the undertaking given by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer with regard to the treatment of war savings, I regret that I cannot make any statement on the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now insist that all identity cards shall bear the photograph of the holder?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers to similar Questions by the hon. Members for Enfield (Mr. Bull), Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett) and Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on the 28th May, 6th June and 27th June, respectively.

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to ensure that all local authorities adequately display posters, or otherwise, sufficiently to inform the public of how they should seek medical aid in emergency due to air raids?

I have been asked to reply. The adequate display of posters and direction signs for the purpose indicated in the Question is one of the matters to which my medical officers direct their attention when inspecting the casualty services in their regions. The hon. Member will be aware that information on the subject is also contained in the air-raid precautions cards distributed to householders.

asked the Minister of Health whether persons living a considerable distance from any hospital, and injured in an air raid, but not so seriously injured as to need attention at a hospital, will be obliged to visit a hospital in order to secure a certificate entitling them to free treatment?

The persons described will normally receive attention in the first instance at a first-aid post or from a mobile unit, and any necessary subsequent treatment through an out-patient department, where a certificate for free domiciliary treatment will be given, if the circumstances so require. Any exceptional case where it is not practicable to make use of these arrangements will be considered on its merits.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to secure that all medical practitioners, not at present connected with air-raid precautions organisations, are made aware of what they should do in case of severe air raids and, in particular, whether they should remain at their surgeries or should accept calls to private individuals and so pass out of touch with all others?

I do not think it is practicable to lay down definite rules as to what all doctors should do in case of air raids. Those who are not designated for immediate duty at first-aid posts or hospitals may be called upon later to reinforce those services if they are available. If, in the meantime, they receive calls from private individuals they can be relied upon to use their judgment, as they are accustomed to do, in deciding whether the patient's condition requires an immediate visit. Where the individual is injured as the result of the air raid, the necessary medical attention will normally be given through the casualty services and the need for a special summons to a doctor should not arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to give effect to the widespread feeling amongst doctors that all of them should be definitely linked with the air-raid precautions organisations so that they may be aware of their duties, and able to co-operate immediately, if suddenly called upon to assist at a hospital or aid post, or if required to cope with casualties in their neighbourhood?

I would refer to the reply given to-day to a somewhat similar question put by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves). Medical officers of health in charge of casualty services have been authorised, if the need arises, to call upon any available doctors not already attached to those services, and it is for them to make their plans accordingly, in co-operation with the profession locally.

asked the Home Secretary what purpose is now served by the red crosses displayed on various hospitals in the Eastern and South-eastern counties in such manner that they may be seen from the air?

I have been asked to reply. As stated in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member on this subject on 11th June, civil hospitals are not ordinarily entitled to display the red cross. Perhaps the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of the hospitals which he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Health why the special certificates required to be used by general practitioners in connection with the treatment of unaccompanied children when attending in billets are supplied to local medical war committees, although the financial and other arrangements are made by local authorities through medical officers of health?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the certificates to be given by medical practitioners in connection with the payment of an allowance to householders for home nursing. Distribution of forms for these certificates through local medical war committees to practitioners in their areas was arranged in agreement with the Central Medical War Committee as a matter of administrative convenience.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has taken, or will take, powers under the Emergency Regulations, to compel water companies to abstain from cutting off their supplies to persons who, for reasons connected with the war, are unable to discharge punctually their accounts for such supplies; and what procedure should be adopted to take advantage of these powers?

I suggest that my hon. and gallant Friend should await consideration of the Amendment on this point which he has put down to the Courts (Emergency Powers) Amendment Bill now before the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the number of men employed in the Royal Parks; if there has been any reduction since September, 1939; and by how many?

The number of men employed in the Royal Parks is 706, being 89 less than in September, 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the numbers and respective nationalities before naturalisation of all naturalised aliens who are engaged in any capacity in the War Office?

I know of only one case, that of a temporary male clerk who was a Czech before naturalisation. He served in the British Army for 2½ years during the last war.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men carrying on the duties of automobile assessors have, since 1st August, 1939, offered their services to the War Office; and how many have been accepted to date?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, though I have received a letter from the Institute of Automobile Assessors offering to submit the names of members of the Institute who would be willing to serve as officers to deal with investigations and general claims work arising out of accidents in which Service vehicles are involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in connection with his announcement that all vacant pieces of land must be used for food cultivation, to whom representations should be made by the public who are familiar with tracts of land which are either entirely uncultivated or have been allowed to carry rough grass only?

Where such land is in an urban area and is suitable for cultivation as allotments, it should be brought to the notice of the borough or urban district council. In all other cases representations should be made to the War Agricultural Executive Committee for the county in which the land is situated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that the Legal and General Insurance Company have now carried out their undertaking in connection with men who are insured under the group insurance scheme?

I am assured that the company have carried out their undertaking.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now withdraw the statement recommending farmers and farm workers to refuse to enrol in the Local Defence Volunteers, in view of the fact that agricultural workers are the most likely people to be on the spot to deal with invasions from the air?

When the Local Defence Volunteers were formed, it was pointed out that some farmers and farm workers might find it impossible to enrol because of the pressure and importance of their work on the farm; but there has been no recommendation from the Government that they should refuse to enrol, and those unable to do so were urged to give the Defence Authorities all the help they could. There is no objection to farmers and farm workers joining the Volunteers provided that they do not undertake obligations which would defeat the object of reserving these men from military service. It has consequently been agreed that undertakings entered into by agriculturists should not include liability for whole-time service, and that there should be local consultation between the officer responsible for the Local Defence Volunteers in the district and agricultural representatives so as to ensure that there is no avoidable interference with farm work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the personnel of the medical boards for the examination of recruits for the services is mainly composed of officials and ex-officials of local divisions and branches of a voluntary medical organisation and that non-members of this organisation are being excluded from such boards; and will he institute an inquiry into this matter, which is causing grave dissatisfaction amongst members of the medical profession?

I have been asked to reply. The medical boards to which my hon. Friend refers are composed of registered medical practitioners whose names are taken from lists compiled by the Central Medical War Committee for the various localities. I have not asked whether those practitioners are members of particular organisations. So far as I am aware, the boards have given satisfaction, and I do not therefore propose to institute any inquiry such as is suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present number of persons with technical and scientific qualifications whose names are on the Central Register as desiring employment who are still without full-time occupation?

On the 31st May, out of 97,813 persons on the Central Register, 4,197 or approximately 4 per cent. were recorded as unemployed. On the subject of finding employment for these persons I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 27th June, to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons).

asked the Minister of Supply, in view of his new decision to make salvage collection compulsory, what steps he proposes to take to enable more plant to be provided for the scientific utilisation and conversion of the additional salvage that will be collected in consequence; and whether he will consider setting up a small committee of experts to evolve efficient plans for this purpose as rapidly as possible?

The directions my right hon. Friend has issued to local authorities requiring the provision of an efficient service allow of the salvage of the specified materials in separate bundles, and accordingly do not necessarily involve the provision of refuse separation plants. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the fact that many persons are encouraged to listen-in to German propaganda broadcasts because of the practice of including therein occasional lists of British prisoners in Germany, he will take steps to have these lists made available either in the Press or in local post offices so as to remove the incentive?

As stated in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 13th June, arrangements to this end have been made and lists of the names of British prisoners broadcast by the Germans are now being published regularly in the Press.

asked the Minister of Information whether, to counteract misleading propaganda from enemy sources amongst the people of France, he will arrange immediately for aerial distribution throughout that country of appropriate leaflets, prepared by competent French linguists with journalistic experience, giving an account of the British contribution to the resistance against Germany's aggression, with an expression of our sympathy with the French nation in its sufferings, and an assurance of our determination to continue the struggle until its former freedom is restored?

The suggestion is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, despite his representations on the subject, more than one county road authority in the South of England is still employing a number of men to cut grass verges of roads and leaving the grass, some of which is of quality suitable for hay-making or ensilage, to rot; and whether he will at once, under the power conferred upon him, issue orders to the authorities in question, either to desist from this practice or cause the grass cut to be made into hay or ensilage?

It is desirable that grass and other growth on the roadside wastes should be cut. I have drawn the attention of highway authorities to the need for making the best use of it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the pronouncement of General Edwards Hay, the Mexican Foreign Minister, in connection with the Mexican oil question; and whether he can now say what action he intends taking about the matter?

My Noble Friend has seen the statement attributed in the Press to the Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs, but there has been no specific approach from the Mexican Government calling for action on the part of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to say what reply has been, or is to be, sent to the Mexican Government's officially expressed willingness to resume diplomatic relations with this country?

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on this subject a week ago.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to relieving the existing congestion on the passenger-train service between Euston and Manchester, he will make representations to the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company with a view to the acceleration of at least one train daily on the alternative route to and from St. Pancras?

I am advised that, whenever there is reason to expect exceptional traffic between Euston and Manchester the scheduled trains are strengthened or duplicated, and that congestion is not frequent. The service between St. Pancras and Manchester is designed not as an alternative to the Euston-Manchester service, but to serve important towns on the route. It could be accelerated only by cancelling the stops at some of these towns and thereby reducing existing facilities, a course which would cause more inconvenience than it would remedy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, when, and to what extent, the British Medical Association was consulted in connection with the preparation of the memorandum on the investigation of infective gas-intestinal disorders recently issued by the Department of Health for Scotland; whether he will state the names of the persons whose opinion was taken on the memorandum; and whether the British Medical Association or any of the persons concerned received any remuneration whether by way of expenses or otherwise?

While it was in draft, the memorandum in question was freely discussed on different occasions with representatives of the British Medical Associa- tion in order that the views of a body representing a large number of general practitioners might be secured. It would serve no useful purpose to mention individuals but neither the association nor any persons connected with it received any remuneration or expenses from Government funds in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land under deer forests have been taken possession of by the Government for the purpose of increasing food production; and how many acres of other land in Scotland have been so taken over?

Agricultural executive committees in the Highlands have been able to arrange for the stocking of considerable areas of deer forest land and it has not so far been found necessary to take possession of such land. Executive Committees in Scotland have taken possession of over 2,000 acres of other land that was not being adequately cultivated.