asked the Minister of Labour whether he will use his powers to prevent the utilisation of labour on any but vital war production?

I intend to use my powers in order to secure an effective priority in the supply of labour for vital war production; but I presume my hon. Friend would not wish me to create unemployment by stopping useful work if the workers concerned are not required for more urgent or important work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, within a few minutes of this House, there are men employed on finishing a certain building, while next door other men are employed protecting buildings already up; also, that men are employed protecting monuments that ought never to have been erected?

asked the Minister of Labour what functions he has assigned to Sir William Beveridge in connection with man-power?

I have appointed Sir William Beveridge as commissioner to survey the available resources of manpower of all kinds and to report thereon with suggestions as to the means by which these resources can be utilised fully for national purposes. The survey will cover man-power in all forms, that is to say, men, women and young persons now in employment or out of employment. Sir William Beveridge will not exercise any executive powers as commissioner.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that somebody does exercise executive powers to put these suggestions into practice?

That duty has been entrusted to me by Parliament.

Can my right hon. Friend say how long Sir William Beveridge will take to complete this report?

That, I cannot answer, but as each group of suggestions is dealt with they will be brought to me immediately, and I am in daily touch with him.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date he informed the Institute of Automobile Assessors that he would be glad to take advantage of their offer of service; and what steps he has taken in connection with the offer?

On 24th June, the Institute of Automobile Assessors was informed by the Central Register that inquiries had shown that the offer of assistance made by the Institute could not at present be made use of by the War Office. The Institute were informed that I should be glad to take advantage of their offer should the opportunity arise. No vacancies for automobile assessors have since been notified to the Central Register, and persons with these qualifications are not in demand under present conditions. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave last Thursday to the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons), indicating other directions in which such persons could usefully serve the country at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while the first intimation made to the Institute was on 24th of last month, the offer was made in September of last year?

I was not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make it clear to employers, employed and officers of Employment Exchanges that a workman employed in a factory engaged on work of national importance, is entitled to search for other employment and leave his job, provided he can satisfy the authorities concerned that his prospective employment is nearer his home and is on work of similar national importance?

The Undertakings (Restriction on Engagement) Order, 1940, provides that a worker seeking to be engaged for work in the engineering, the civil engineering contracting, or the building industries, shall register himself for work at a local office, and obtain his employment by means of being submitted to an employer by the local office. In such cases, therefore, workers should not search for work on their own account. There is no corresponding restriction in other cases, except that men previously employed in coal-mining or agriculture cannot take new employment outside their industries, unless such employment is obtained through an Employment Exchange or appropriate trade union approved for the purpose.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a hardship upon a man if he is compelled to work in a munition factory half time when he can find work full time at the same kind of employment, and still be doing national work?

That is not in the Question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the allegation of engineering shop-stewards, that certain firms engaged in war contracts are retaining redundant numbers of qualified engineers who are urgently required and could be fully employed elsewhere; and whether he will review the basis of remuneration of such firms which appears to put a premium upon the retention of maximum possible staffs, whether adequately employed or otherwise?

I have had a number of representations made to me of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend. In each case I am having inquiries made by my inspectors of labour supply, and, to the extent to which the circumstances warrant such action, I shall not hesitate to transfer the redundant labour to meet other urgent demands. The last part of the Question should be addressed to the Minister in charge of the Supply Department concerned.

The Minister will no doubt be aware that the views and allegations expressed in the Question are fairly generally held; ought not a statement allaying the same be made at an early date?

I am aware that there has been a tremendous hold-up of skilled labour, and I have put every pressure upon the Supply Departments that they must fight less for themselves and must try to accommodate, to meet the urgent orders of priority, in conformity with the strategy of the war.

asked the Minister of Labour how many conscientious objectors have been registered for farm work; and how many have satisfied the requirements of the tribunals and are now at work upon farms?

I am obtaining the information asked for by my hon. Friend, and will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will endeavour to devise and put into operation a scheme whereby chauffeurs and chauffeur-mechanics in private employment could be used to better advantage for the war effort?

Men of the type referred to by my hon. Friend should be able to adapt themselves to work in armament factories, especially after a period of training in a Government training centre or art employer's works. I would, therefore, suggest that private employers should consider whether they could not release their chauffeurs or chauffeur-mechanics for this vital national work. The men should not, of course, be dismissed, but advised to register at their nearest Employment Exchange and indicate their willingness to take a course of training when so instructed.

If the suggestion proves ineffective, will the right hon. Gentleman take other measures?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to utilise the services of able-bodied Belgian refugees, of both sexes, many of whom are living in idleness, and would welcome an opportunity of being usefully employed?

I would refer to the reply given to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on 13th June.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the distressing circumstances now existing in many public parks in London, where hundreds of able-bodied Belgians congregate under the trees, men and women, and are there all day long with nothing to do?

I realise the great difficulty, but I would ask hon. Members to appreciate that, in dealing with refugees, many other considerations have to be taken into account, and that it is not an easy problem to solve.

Is the Minister not aware that many of these men are highly-skilled workers with unimpeachable characters, and would be only too glad to take part in war work in this country?

If the right hon. Gentleman will send me from any organisations the names of men for whom the Home Office can vouch, and who are skilled men, I will see that they are placed immediately.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to an offer by a company in which I am personally interested to give employment to 250 skilled refugees? If they are here, why has not the Minister replied to that letter?

I have no knowledge of that letter at the moment.

Then I will draw the Minister's attention to it again.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the assistance to be given to him by a committee of women Members of Parliament?

On 19th June I received a deputation of women Members of Parliament and discussed with them various questions relating to the employment of women in war-time. At the end it was agreed, at the suggestion of the deputation, that a small committee of women might usefully be created. I promised that, if this committee arrived at any agreed proposals—[Laughter]—I meant that quite seriously—I would put them in touch with my Labour Supply Board in order that they might have an opportunity of putting before the Board any proposals and information which might be useful in connection with the employment of women in war-time. This would be similar to arrangements I have made in other cases to put persons and organisations in touch with the Board.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, I would like to know whether he is aware that the committee in question has already agreed to a proposal which has been forwarded to the right hon. Gentleman?

asked the Minister of Labour what guidance and suggestions it is proposed to give to those engaged in industry with a view to the formation of suitable types of works councils for the consideration of industrial matters of mutual interest in their works; and whether he will take steps to see that the experience of his Department is made available to all those interested?

Whitley Councils and joint machinery generally cover a very wide field of industry, and in this way a variety of forms of workshop organisation has been established. I take the view that this matter is best handled through joint machinery of this character.

Could not the great experience of the Ministry of Labour and all the information which it has in this matter be placed at the disposal of anybody interested in the problem?

I did that before I entered the House.

Will you continue doing it?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that thousands of young persons are working excessively long hours and that in some places they are compelled to sleep in common lodging-houses; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware that during recent weeks young persons have, in a number of cases, been working long hours; I have recently made an Order which will have the effect of bringing this to an end. In answer to the second part of the Question. I am taking active measures, in consultation with my colleagues, to arrange that suitable lodging and hostel accommodation is provided for young persons.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that, so far a it is practicable, it would be expedient to run three shifts a day instead of running one or two shifts?

It depends on labour supply in the different districts. I am circulating a suggestion to industry for a practical rota of work that can be adopted, so as to secure adequate rest and yet maintain the optimum of production.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make in reference to the desire expressed by many hon. Members as to the fuller utilisation of their services in mobilising the national will and effort for victory?

I do not think that I can usefully add anything to the reply which I gave on Tuesday, 11th June, to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson).

Is it to be expected that hon. Members will "go to it"?

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will consider putting a stop to the use of steel, concrete and skilled labour on private works, and transferring all three to works of national importance, such as the construction of fortifications?

Arrangements have been in existence since the outbreak of war for priority to be given to direct and indirect Government works. Labour and materials are being diverted from less essential works, and additional steps are being taken to reserve steel and other materials in short supply for works of urgent national importance.

While I recognise the accuracy of that answer, cannot the Government go further towards stopping the unnecessary use of material for private work and using it for more important work?

The Ministry of Supply is now on the point of issuing an Order which will make it necessary to obtain a licence for the further use of steel on buildings.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in registering for military service, young men are still allowed to express a preference to serve in one particular Service or whether this system has now been abolished; and whether he is aware that a number of young men who registered on 22nd June were not given such freedom of choice?

Men registering under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act may express a preference for Naval or Air Force service. The previous practice of asking each man separately whether he wishes to express such a preference has been suspended, but his right to do so is emphasised in the public notices and in the instructions to the Ministry's staff. I should point out that the extent to which effect can be given to preferences is determined, of course, by the number of vacancies in the Services concerned, and by the suitability of the individual applicant for the Service for which he expresses a preference.

May I take it that, as far as possible, such preference will be observed, since, as is no doubt within the knowledge of the right hon. Gentleman, a soldier, sailor or airman in the Service which he prefers is more happy and more efficient?

That is correct, but I found that there were 175,000 waiting to be interviewed, many of whom would never be taken in. I felt that it was unjust to go on calling up men of a later age until these Services had determined whether they would take them or not.

Would the Minister consider the possibility of asking the War Office, when it takes in young men, to take them to camps according to their occupation, in the special occupations of garage engineer and other engineers, so that these men will not be put into the wrong places?

That is a separate question.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of persons registering under the Military Service Acts who have registered as conscientious objectors in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively?

The percentage of men who have been provisionally registered up to and including 22nd June, as conscientious objectors, is 1.39 for England, 1.46 for Scotland, and 2.56 for Wales, making a total percentage of 1.45 for Great Britain.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department knowledge of any reason why there should be such a higher percentage of conscientious objectors in Wales?

I can only assume that they were, until recently, a little further away from the battle.

Is not that higher percentage due to the teaching of the Labour Members in Wales?

asked the Minister of Labour how many resolutions he has received from public bodies urging the compulsory enlistment of conscientious objectors in an organisation under Government control for non-combatant duties at rates of pay and allowances identical with those made to persons of similar grades in His Majesty's Forces; and what reply he has returned?

I have received 24 resolutions from public bodies in the sense indicated, and have taken note of the views expressed. No reply has been sent, beyond a formal acknowledgment. I may add that I am giving further consideration to the whole question.

In view of the fact that conditions have changed much since the original legislation was introduced and that we are now fighting for our hearths and. homes, will the right hon. Gentleman review the whole situation and bring it more into tune with public opinion?

I understand that there has been a development, even in the points of view in this House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now been able to ascertain the number of conscientious objectors placed by tribunals on the register on the condition that they undertake work of national importance; how many have found, and are now engaged in, such work; and what has happened to the balance?

The information which I promised to obtain in response to my hon. and gallant Friend's Question of 27th June is not yet complete, but I hope to be able to let him have it shortly.

Does not the difficulty in obtaining this information show that no proper check has been made of these people? If I put down the Question next week, shall I have an answer?

I do not think that is necessarily so. It must be remembered that my Department handles a problem concerning nearly 17,000,000 people in this country.

Are there any conscientious objectors in the Civil Service?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the large number of employés of the Fulham Borough Council who have registered as conscientious objectors; and whether he will make inquiries to see what subversive influence is at work in the district to bring about this state of affairs?

On the information I have been able to obtain, I can find no ground for the suggestion that the number of conscientious objectors amongst the employés of this council is large, or that any such influence as my hon. Friend suggests is at work in Fulham.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government will now order the compulsory evacuation of women and children from certain vulnerable areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, East (Miss Cazalet) on 20th June, to which I hive nothing to add.

Will the Minister give the substance of that answer, because I do not know what it was?

In effect, it was that in cases of military necessity we should not hesitate to introduce the compulsory evacuation of women and children, but in the absence of such necessity we would continue to rely upon voluntary evacuation.

Is the Minister aware that posters have been put up in certain towns specifying that certain categories of workers must remain, and would not they resent their wives being compulsorily evacuated if they wished to remain with them?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the great danger of being too late in this matter of evacuation? It is much better to do it now.

asked the Minister of Health how many children under five years of age remained in evacuation areas on 1st June last; and how many have since been evacuated?

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available; about 1,500 children under five have left evacuation areas since 1st June under the Government scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the necessity of evacuating from vulnerable areas expectant mothers in the later stages of pregnancy, whose names and addresses can be readily ascertained owing to the present system of reporting such patients at hospitals, with approximate dates of expected delivery; and whether he will take immediate action to preserve from danger this vitally important element of the community?

Yes, Sir. Detailed plans have been prepared, as they were before the operation of the evacuation scheme last September, for the evacuation of expectant mothers, and for their accommodation in reception areas. Arrange- merits are in force in all evacuation areas, under which any expectant mothers who wish to do so may register for evacuation under the Government scheme. A number of women in the later stages of pregnancy are already being sent out at frequent intervals from London and other towns to reception areas, and facilities are ready for much larger numbers if the demand increases, or if circumstances make it desirable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now revise the present official scheme for dealing with air-raid casualties, in view of the fact that this scheme was planned in peace-time before any experience was available of the nature of air-raid injuries in modern warfare, and that the most experienced surgical opinion condemns more particularly the arrangements proposed for the collection, classification and disposal of the injured persons at the time of injury when it is especially imperative to secure the most highly-skilled professional attention available?

Although improvements are, of course, continually being effected in the emergency hospital scheme, I do not think that the experience up to date warrants any change in the main conception of the scheme, which has the approval of experienced medical and surgical opinion generally. It is designed to secure the most highly-skilled professional attention for the greatest possible number of casualties at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Health whether, owing to the evacuation scheme in operation on the East Coast, and to the serious decline in work in consequence, he will consider giving preference to doctors thrown out of work thereby to enter the services, or for appointments to war-time posts?

Yes, Sir. A number of doctors normally practising in the towns involved are being given appointments in the Emergency Medical Service. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular recently issued on the subject. In addition, the Central Medical War Committee is giving preference to other doctors in these towns in submitting names to the Service Departments for such vacancies as exist in their medical branches.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the formation of mobile building squads to repair promptly all damage from air raids in their respective districts?

I am sending my hon. Friend copies of two circulars, issued in August and September last, in which guidance was given to local authorities on this subject. My regional officers have been in touch with local authorities on the action taken, and I am not aware of any cases in which arrangements made in compliance with those circulars have not operated satisfactorily.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received reports on the experiences of the recent air raids, and will he make a statement that will assist to guide both those people who have some official responsibility in air raids and all others?

I have communicated with my hon. Friend on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue instructions that local authorities shall at once take steps to provide all people in the lower income grades with adequate air-raid shelter accommodation at their homes?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the wide area now covered by enemy attack, he will favourably consider a review of shelter policy with the view of providing shelters in every area?

So far as the specified areas are concerned, I think that local authorities are fully aware of their responsibilities. So far as concerns the areas not hitherto specified, I am taking certain further steps, but it is clear that residents in those areas must now rely in the main on measures of protection which they can provide themselves, in accordance with the advice given in recent official publications, and with assistance in certain directions from local authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that where Anderson shelters have been provided in the areas concerned, it has given great satisfaction to the people who have got them, but it has also created anxiety among those who have not been provided with them? In those circumstances will he be prepared to meet a deputation of Members of this House who desire to see him on this matter?

Yes, Sir, I shall be very glad indeed.

In the areas that are not specified, will the local authorities have power to make provision for people, and will they be able to receive a grant from the Government for so doing?

Yes, indeed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet been able to strengthen any existing air-raid shelters, more particularly in the vulnerable target areas?

So far as I am aware, local authorities have not embarked upon this course, and, in present circumstances, I do not think it would be right for me to press them to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter particularly in regard to aircraft factories, harbours and such like places?

I think my hon. Friend knows that I have considered the matter. I addressed a letter to him a short time ago on the subject from that point of view. The matter is really one of labour and material.

Will the Home Secretary see to it that the places which have not got shelters shall receive shelters before the others, as there are thousands of places which have not shelters?

I quite agree, and that is why I do not want to concentrate material unnecessarily in particular places while other places are not provided for.

If the problem is one of labour and material, is my right hon. Friend aware that in the South of England there is a vast number of people unemployed in the building industry?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has rescinded the limitation on the provision of public shelters by local authorities to a certain percentage of the population in the area?

There has been no arbitrary limitation by percentages, but it is possible that local authorities have tended to attach too much importance to the percentages tentatively suggested in the Department's Circular of 25th April, 1939. If my hon. Friend will inform me of any cases which he has in mind, I shall be very glad to look into them.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will consider giving a general instruction to local authorities that they should provide the shelters which they believe to be necessary irrespective of all suggestions about the percentages which have previously been made?

I will consider that.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now using compulsory powers to induce local authorities to construct communal shelters for all sections of their respective areas for which no shelter at present exists?

Wide powers have been delegated to Regional Commissioners in this matter and in some cases an intimation that they would be used in the absence of more rapid progress has been given and has had effect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now recommended the specifications of the two stage air-raid shelter to local authorities?

No, Sir. In present circumstances the local authorities should concentrate their efforts on the most urgent task of increasing the amount of shelter provided; and I do not think it would be right to do anything at present which might have the effect of preventing them from giving their undivided attention to this work.

In view of the credit which the Home Secretary took to himself in a recent speech on this improved idea for shelters, would it not be reasonable to circulate to local authorities his suggestion as to this method of making effective shelters, especially in the most vulnerable districts?

I will certainly consider that, but the hon. Member, no doubt, realises that many things have happened since I made that speech.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied with the results of appeals made by local authorities for recruits for Civil Defence; and whether he contemplates the introduction of compulsory measures without further delay?

In the areas of most local authorities the results of the recruiting campaign to date are decidedly satisfactory. In some cases, however, there is still need for further recruits, and I am now considering, as a matter of urgency, how the principle of compulsion can best be applied in order to meet the needs of those areas where local authorities have not yet succeeded in completing their establishments and reserves in all the Civil Defence services.

When will my right hon. Friend be able to make a definite statement on this matter? It is a pressing matter.

I hope to be able to do so at a very early date.

Is the Home Secretary aware that all defence in this country, to be efficient, must be military defence?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the measures now operative for the observation of the activities of aliens and other organisations and persons prejudicial to the national interest are being rigidly and effectively carried out in rural districts in all parts of Great Britain?

I have no reason to doubt that the police are as active in this matter in rural areas as in urban areas, but if my hon. Friend has any information to the contrary, I shall be glad to consider it.

Has my right hon. Friend received any information from any part of the country that chief constables and other officers are being hampered because of lack of co-operation from the Home Office?

I am quite certain that there is no ground for any such statement.

Is that activity to include the 17 exceptions which are making work for the chief constables impossible?

asked the Home Secretary whether instructions have now been issued to all chief constables informing them that in the event of individuals declaring the possession of firearms and having no certificate for them, no prosecution should take place; and whether he will make it clear whether such weapons made available for national defence will remain the property of the individuals concerned, or what the position is?

The police already have instructions to accept without formalities firearms surrendered by persons who have no firearm certificate authorising their possession, and I do not think there is any need for me to remind chief officers of police of this. As regards the second part of the Question, such persons have been required to sign an undertaking that they abandon all right to the firearms surrendered, and I think this practice must be maintained.

Will the Home Secretary bear in mind that there is a number of persons who possess these firearms who are reluctant to surrender them for confiscation, but would be only too glad to hand them over on loan, without any guarantee even that they would be returned?

I am very reluctant to arouse any expectations which may not in practice be fulfilled, and I see a great difficulty in giving any sort of assurance that property will be returned.

What do the police do with these weapons when they are surrendered? Are they to be kept until the end of the war? Cannot they be handed over to the military?

That is one of the main objects we have in mind.

Is the Home Secretary aware that I am not asking for any guarantee that they will be returned?

I am quite aware of that, but I am not quite sure what I am asked to do.

Return them if you can.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to mechanical devices for the protection of shop windows from the effect of blast in air raids; whether the resistance of any such devices to blast from high explosives has been tested officially or otherwise; and whether he can recommend their use, or will he advise shopkeepers of methods whereby the safety of the public from splintered plate-glass can be in any way safeguarded?

The value of devices of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers has been under investigation, but the results so far obtained disclose no grounds for thinking that these devices are likely to prove as useful as the methods of protection recommended in the official publications already issued.

asked the Home Secretary whether Primo Bosi, a member of the Italian Fascisti, who was recently prosecuted at Edinburgh and fined 20s. for being in possession of an automatic pistol and 97 rounds of ammunition, has now been interned as an enemy alien?

This man has been detained under Defence Regulation 18B as a person of hostile associations.

How many more of these people are at large, and how long is this sort of thing going on?

If my hon. and gallant Friend means by that, "how many more people who ought to be interned are at large?" my only answer is that all such persons are immediately interned when they are brought to my notice.

How is it that such persons can have firearms, when Members of Parliament are not allowed to have them?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that servants' registry offices are still sending alien, including German, servants to all parts of the country; and what control is kept over this activity?

There are two forms of control. First, an alien who changes her address is required to inform the police of the change, and there is an obligation on the householder to see that this requirement is complied with. Secondly, as regards areas which are Aliens Protected Areas, an alien cannot move to an address in such an area without obtaining the special permission of the chief constable.

Would my right hon. Friend consider issuing instructions that instead of these servants being sent by registries throughout the country, their names should first be sent to my right hon. Friend so as to ensure that they should not be sent where they ought not to go?

An alien ought not to be at large at all anywhere in the country inside a protected area.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of his latest order in relation to the employment of Auxiliary Fire Service workers, he will consider the financial position of these workers, in comparison with wages of men in industry on the basis of a 70s. per week minimum; and will he issue such orders as will prohibit one set of workers being on continuous night duty?

In consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health, I have recently had under review the rates of pay of whole-time members of the Auxiliary Fire Service and of other Civil Defence services. I have also been in consultation with trade union representatives. In the result I have decided upon an immediate increase in the standard weekly rates of pay, with effect from 1st July, of 5s. for men and 3s. 6d. for women. In reply to the last part of the Question, so far as I am aware no member of the Auxiliary Fire Service is on continuous night duty under stand-by conditions.

If the attention of the Minister is drawn to two of these flagrant cases of continuous night duty, will he take action?

I shall be very glad to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the case of persons convicted of being in illegal possession of charts or maps of aerodromes or of other offences involving the security of the country's defence and thereafter sentenced to a relatively short period of imprisonment, he will consider taking steps to have such persons detained; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

If in any case when a person is convicted of an offence against the Defence Regulations there are any grounds for thinking that the prolonged detention of the offender is necessary on security grounds, my hon. and learned Friend can be assured that appropriate action is always taken, but there are many convictions for offences against the Defence Regulations in which there are no reasons at all for thinking that the offender had any intention of assisting the enemy. In the case which my hon. Friend no doubt has in mind, I am informed that the mental condition of the offender is such that it is most improbable that he was engaged in any sinister activities. I am having him kept under medical observation while he is in prison and am making further inquiries with a view to reaching a decision before his sentence expires on the question whether it is desirable that he should continue in custody.

asked the Home Secretary whether steps are being taken to ensure that Sir Oswald Mosley and other potential allies of Fascism are placed beyond reach of rescue by invaders; and whether he will consider transporting such people overseas to the custody of one of the Dominions?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of the consideration indicated in the first part of his Question had not escaped the attention of the Government, and due note has been taken of the suggestion made in the second part.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the air-raid warning in London, on 25th June, was inaudible to many people; and whether he will arrange for a more audible warning in future?

The representations which I have received about the audibility of the air-raid sirens are divided, almost equally, between those suggesting that the sirens are too loud and those suggesting that they are not loud enough. It appears, therefore, that we have struck the golden mean.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people did not hear the warning signal at all but heard only the raiders passed signal?

Where the sirens are found to be inadequate, they are being supplemented by further ones.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of an uninterned German named Fredrich Schweitzer, aged 22 years, who was arrested near the powder magazine in Hyde Park after midnight last week-end; why this man had not already been interned, and how many enemy aliens are still similarly at liberty?

The German in question is believed to be suffering from some form of mental disorder and has accordingly been remanded for a medical examination. He was classified by the local tribunal as a refugee from Nazi oppression and placed in Category C. As regards the last part of the Question, some 25,000 male Germans and Austrians were placed by the tribunals in Category C, but as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, the internment of further classes of C Category males is at present in progress.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman fully experienced in that attitude of pretending to be simple, deaf and daft, and will his experience in this case not open his eyes at long last to the risks we are running with 25,000 other men who may do potential damage?

I thought it would be clear from my answer that the person has been remanded. That means remanded by a court.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that nearly all the aliens who were placed in Category C were placed there because on investigation it was found that they were themselves the victims of those who are the common enemy?

That is the plain truth.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to the efficient co-ordination of all military and civil Departments concerned with the defence of Great Britain, he will appoint a commander-in-chief with the necessary liaison staff for this purpose, who would come under the direct orders of the Minister of Defence?

A closely knit and necessarily elaborate organisation to ensure the effective concert of the whole apparatus of Home Defence has been over a considerable period of time gradually worked out by the combined staffs of the three fighting Services. This organisation, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, supported by their professional advisers, gives to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, the necessary control over not only the military but the civil sphere, subject, of course, to the fact that he has direct access to the Prime Minister or Minister of Defence for the time being, and can thus receive such guidance upon questions of high policy as may from time to time be required. It would be the greatest mistake, at the moment when it may well have to be put to the proof, to liquidate and remould this organisation, which at the present time is working to the satisfaction of all the principal executive persons concerned. It must, of course, be continually tested and improved. I cannot conceive that the proposal pressed in some quarters to appoint a super Commander-in-Chief over the whole field of the three Services and the civil power would not be a serious impediment to effective action; and I have never yet heard any practical suggestion as to who that officer should be.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the desire of hon. Members to satisfy themselves that our defence against invasion is adequate, and that our production in arms and aircraft is being speeded up, he will afford an opportunity for hon. Members to inspect defences and factories at an early date?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will allow Members of Parliament to inspect the civil and military defences of their country, will facilitate such inspection, and will welcome reports from them?

The Government would always desire to treat Members of the House with all possible consideration and courtesy, but no general right to inspect military defences, dockyards or secret munition factories has ever been claimed by the House for its individual Members, and I cannot think that any such departure should be taken at this time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the purport of my Question was not to claim the right to inspect factories where operations are conducted in secret or defences which ought not to be inspected by other than military authorities, but that hon. Members should have some opportunity, other than the assurances given by the Government, to see that our defences are in an adequate condition? Is he also aware that hon. Members did have an opportunity of seeing the defences in their own areas and occasionally were disquieted by what they saw?

I hoped that aspect of the hon. Gentleman's Question would be covered by what I said about treating Members of this House with all possible consideration and courtesy, and I do not mean that to be an empty form. I think there are many contacts between Members of this House and the Ministers representing the different Departments, and I wish it to be clearly understood that it is desirable to facilitate the necessary work of Members of Parliament, especially in their own constituencies, so far as this may be done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that during the last war he himself gave me and other Members frequent opportunities of visiting the front in France? Are we not to be allowed to do the same here?

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that when he was not in office himself he had very adequate facilities, more than other private Members, of going overseas, seeing the defences there and interviewing British generals?

I think that all these matters had better be decided in a spirit of the utmost good will.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government that every adult should have his definitely assigned place and allotted task in the defence of Britain; and whether plans are being rapidly organised with that end in view?

It is certainly the intention of His Majesty's Government to utilise the man-power of the nation in the best possible way and to the utmost limits practicable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people want to do something for their country and are ready to do anything if only they are told what to do? We are far ahead of the Government in this matter.

We quite recognise that everything should be done to find work for the people of this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from the Central Register, which has been in operation for 10 months, only one-tenth of its 100,000 have been placed? Is the rest of the job proceeding more expeditiously?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the uncultivated state of thousands of acres of land which are visible on a railway journey from Birmingham to London; and whether he will take steps to ensure improved cultivation of this land?

The county war agricultural executive committees, in consultation with my Department, have the matter of uncultivated or under-cultivated land under constant consideration, and all possible steps will be taken, whether by directions to the owners or occupiers of the land, by the termination of tenancies and re-letting or holdings, or, if necessary, by taking possession of land in suitable cases, to effect an improvement. I should add that, apart from administrative action of this nature, my Department, acting through the county committees, is assisting farmers in various ways with the object of enabling them to bring their land into a better state of cultivation.

Will my right hon. Friend pay special attention to the particular matter to which I am alluding here, because anyone who makes that railway journey knows that what I have said is true?