asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that certain hospitals have displayed notices that in case of emergencies no private motor cars will be allowed to enter their courtyards which will be reserved for ambulances; and whether he will give instructions that wherever possible parking places for staff motor cars will be indicated so that congestion of traffic may be avoided in the vicinity of hospitals?

As indicated in the answer given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on 25th January, hospital authorities and chief officers of police were asked to prepare plans for the regulation of traffic in the vicinity of casualty receiving hospitals with a view to avoiding delay and confusion. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases where these arrangements seem insufficient I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in parts of the country the removal of direction signs has been carried out slowly and imperfectly; when he proposes to institute prosecutions; and whether such prosecutions will entail a fine of daily enforcement so long as the offending direction signs are not obliterated?

The Removal of Direction Signs Order, 1940, requires the removal or obliteration of all direction signs which can be seen and understood from a highway, except such as are exempted from the Order by a chief officer of police. It is for chief officers of police to decide whether proceedings should be taken in any particular case where a sign is displayed in contravention of the Order, and in addition to taking proceedings the police may themselves obliterate, remove, or conceal any such sign. The maximum fine for contravention of the Order is £100 on summary conviction and £500 on conviction on indictment.

asked the Postmaster-General what foreign languages are still permitted to be used over the telephone; and whether Germans are still allowed to talk in German?

The use of foreign languages on the telephone is not prohibited and German may be used without interference. Serious consideration has been given to the possibility of prohibition of foreign languages on the telephone from the outbreak of war but there are inherent difficulties in regard to the application of such a prohibition where calls are completed over the automatic system.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in conjunction with the Home Secretary, he has yet decided to curtail the telephone facilities of enemy aliens, especially with regard to the use of foreign languages?

Careful consideration has been given to this question but there are inherent difficulties in the application of such a prohibition in view of the widespread use of the automatic telephone system.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case at Southampton recently when the occupier of a cottage was heavily fined for signalling for a purpose prejudicial to the Defence of the Realm; and whether the person in question has been, or will be, interned?

If the woman concerned in this case was in fact guilty of signalling for a purpose prejudicial to the Defence of the Realm, it is clear that the imposition of a fine was a totally inadequate method of dealing with the offence. Such information as my right hon. Friend has at present about the case shows that flashes of light were caused by the opening and shutting of the door of the house, and that there is no evidence to suggest that this was done with intent to give signals to enemy aircraft. As a measure of immediate precaution, my right hon. Friend has ordered the internment of the woman and is causing further inquiries to be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many farmers and smallholders are now trying to keep poultry on the extensive system; that foxes are taking a large toll from them; and whether he will take further steps to destroy foxes to safeguard this form of food production?

My right hon. Friend has no evidence of widespread damage to poultry by foxes, but he is keeping the position under constant review and will not hesitate to exercise his powers under the Defence Regulations if specific cases are brought to his notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that farmers at the present time command the financial resources to expand production; and what steps are taken to meet cases where farmers are finding difficulty in this respect?

I think that the majority of farmers at the present time possess sufficient financial resources or can obtain the necessary accommodation. Farmers who find difficulty in doing so may obtain assistance from County War Agricultural Executive Committees in various ways.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken, or will take, powers under the Emergency Regulations to compel gas companies to abstain from cutting off their supplies to persons who, for reasons connected with the war, are unable to discharge their accounts for such supplies; and what procedure should be followed?

I do not think that the exercise of powers under Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulation by a Government Department is a practicable method of meeting the difficulties of individuals to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I suggest that he should await the consideration of the Amendment which he has put down to the Courts (Emergency Powers) Amendment Bill now before the House.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has taken, or will take, powers under the Emergency Regulations to compel electricity 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 followed to secure his protection in this matter?

I do not feel that circumstances justify action of this character. I am ready at all times, however, to ask the Electricity Commissioners to investigate with the undertakers concerned any particular case of alleged abuse of the power to cut off supplies.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a circular issued by the Social Credit Party entitled "Eleventh Hour Reminder and Warning," seeks to discourage the issue of National War Bonds; and whether in the interests of public security, he will warn that party against issuing similar circulars in future?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a Question by the hon. Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry) on 27th June. For the reasons given in that answer I do not think any such action as my hon. Friend suggests is necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when it was that complaint first came to his Department on the great increase in price of loose and processed peas; what action has ever been taken in the matter; and whether a decision has now been reached to control the price of these foodstuffs?

Following a partial failure of the home crop and the embargo placed upon the export of peas by the Netherlands Government, numerous complaints of high prices reached my Department during the autumn and winter of 1939. Concurrently the demand for pulses for the forces rose steeply. Full advantage could not be taken of the subsequent removal of the Dutch embargo owing to the need to conserve foreign exchange, and resort was had to Central European and other more distant markets. Price control was considered on several occasions during the spring, but was postponed until the weight of anticipated arrivals, which considerably exceeded current requirements, brought about a reduction in the prices then reigning. Unfortunately recent developments, including the entry of Italy into the war, have prevented the arrival of purchases made from Central Europe and other sources, and my Noble Friend cannot hold out hopes of any immediate amelioration of the supply position. He proposes, therefore, to impose price control at once.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what decision has now been reached to limit the number of courses of foodstuffs available for public supply at hotels and restaurants?

It is proposed to limit the number of courses of certain foodstuffs available for public supply at hotels and restaurants. Discussions are now taking place with representatives of the trade, and it is hoped to make an announcement next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to put at the disposal of troops arriving at, or passing through, railroad stations by night, all the facilities of railway and other hotels situate at, or adjoining such stations?

All the facilities at and near railroad stations which are available to the ordinary travelling public are at the disposal of troops; and every effort is being made, as I have just said, to provide sufficient accommodation free of charge. Extra facilities, available only to troops, are already provided at or near many main line stations. For example, near the main line termini in London there are 31 hostels capable of providing sleeping accommodation for over 3,500 men each night at prices ranging from 1s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. a night for bed and breakfast.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a recent report from his factory inspectors upon the atmospheric conditions prevailing in tin and steel works consequent upon the blackout regulations; whether that report was made as the result of a personal visit during the night and early morning hours; was it satisfactory; and, if no recent report has been made, will he call for one based on the aforementioned conditions?

I have recently received a report from the factory inspector who is dealing specially with ventilation in steel works where anti-glare devices have had to be installed under the Lighting Restriction Order. The report which was based on visits made both by day and by night, shows that conditions are not yet satisfactory in some works, but that the necessary alterations in these cases are being made as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Information whether, since the commencement of the war, the censorship Depart- ment have forbidden the publication of any particular air-raid picture in any newspaper?

The censorship of all air-raid pictures submitted by newspapers and photographic agencies has been carried out in accordance with the Defence Regulations, and under such Regulations the publication of certain photographs considered likely to convey information which might be useful to the enemy has been prohibited.