asked the Secretary of State for War whether the services of officers experienced with the British Expeditionary Force in the present war are being utilised in the branch of the War Office and on general headquarters, home forces, responsible for the administration of the Local Defence Volunteers?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the recent appointment of an Inspector-General of the Local Defence Volunteers, every endeavour will be made to ensure that the subordinate staff working under him are selected from those who have special knowledge of the requirements of the Local Defence Volunteers in country areas, since many areas have special problems occasioned by their geographical position?

The principle advocated by my hon. Friend has been applied, and General Pownall has now appointed on his staff a liaison officer in each command with local knowledge. This will, I trust, result in the smooth working which my hon. Friend and I both desire.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the possibility that this subject has been approached from the wrong angle and that still more is required? I welcome what he said, but would he see that the right men with local knowledge are given every opportunity of utilising that local knowledge?

I had that fact in mind when making these arrangements, but I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion.

Would my right hon. Friend look at the Opinion column in the "Daily Express" this morning, in which there are some very apt suggestions?

Is not military knowledge useful as well as local knowledge?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the best men are the men of the International Brigade, but that attempts have been made to keep them out?

Will the liaison officers get in touch with the county surveyors who have knowledge of the districts?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, whilst recognising that the requirements of the Army and the Local Defence Volunteers must first be satisfied, he will consider issuing arms, as they become available, to ex-service men between the ages of 40 and 55 years, and to the inhabitants of lonely farmhouses and isolated residences?

It is open to all men between the ages of 17 and 65 to apply to join the Local Defence Volunteers to whom arms are being issued.

But the Secretary of State is surely aware that many ex-servicemen are not able to do that, and would the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my Question?

The arms which are available should clearly in the first instance be made available for the organised bodies.

While I realise that fact, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to deal with the others when the arms are available?

I cannot give any undertaking about that at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Jack White, British-born Jew and holder of the Victoria Cross, was expelled from the Manchester Local Defence Volunteers on the grounds that his father, who came to this country from Russia 50 years ago, was not naturalised; and whether he will take steps to prevent such discrimination, which is calculated to prevent the best qualified recruits being obtained?

Under present rules, a man whose father was foreign, and did not become a naturalised British subject, is ineligible to join the Local Defence Volunteers, but I agree that this rule should be relaxed in cases such as that referred to in the Question, and I am giving instructions in this sense.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that even in cases where a person has not won the V.C. the anomaly exists?

I do realise it; that is why I am issuing the instruction.

Can the Minister issue an instruction that any man who served in the last war should be eligible?

That is the basis I have in mind; but, clearly, I must look into the matter carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give such instructions, through the chief signal officers or otherwise, as will result in all available Post Office resources being used to equip all Local Defence Volunteers observation posts with permanent telephone connection with main telephone exchanges at the earliest possible moment?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Local Defence Volunteer force was informed by the county commander at Stafford that they could arrange to have a telephone fixed in their headquarters, but that when they did so the Post Office officials came and took it away on instructions from the War Office that such telephones were not to be fixed; what is the policy of the Department with regard to the use of telephones under these circumstances; and whether he will state the objections to the installation of such a telephone at this headquarters?

I am making inquiries as to what took place at Stafford, but I have already received a report that the telephone has now been restored. Arrangements are being made generally for the necessary telephone facilities.

Would it be possible to give instructions to members of the Local Defence Volunteer Force as to what procedure they should follow if they want to get a telephone? I have a feeling that they do not know what to do.

Arrangements are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the official announcement of Government policy in the broadcast made by the Lord President of the Council, that in case of an invasion it is intended to fight the Germans in every village and in every home, he will take steps to place every village in a state of defence?

As my hon. Friend has already been informed, local defences must be organised in relation to the defence of the country as a whole.

If it is a fact that we are to fight in every village, should not every village be fortified?

Not necessarily. We can fight without fortifications. My hon. Friend may remember that Sparta had no wall.

Is not the Minister aware that there are thousands of volunteers all over the country who are getting disheartened because they have nothing to fight with?

The fact that there is nobody to fight against is not my responsibility.

asked the Prime Minister whether he contemplates requiring civil servants, municipal clerks and employés, etc., to take their share of Local Defence Volunteer and unpaid air-raid precautions work?

In view of the very satisfactory response for Local Defence Volunteers, no measure of compulsion is contemplated. As regards the Civil Defence services, I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) on 4th July.

Did that reply refer specifically to the Civil Service, because if there is a lack of men for the A.R.P. services, might they not draw on civil servants?

My reply dealt with the question of compulsion. If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to put a further Question, he should put it to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Home Security.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department is complying with the request of the Mines Department that maximum stocks of coal should be laid in forthwith?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Young Men's Christian Association has taken a suite of rooms in the North Western Hotel, Lime Street, as a canteen and hostel for men of His Majesty's Services, and that the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company are charging £200 per year rental; and, in view of the need for this amenity for the troops, whether he will take steps to get this service free of rental?

The Young Men's Christian Association is occupying part of the hotel as a canteen and hostel for men of His Majesty's Forces, but the question of rent is not yet settled. The general question of rent for railway premises used for welfare purposes is now under discussion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as far as my information goes, the question of renting is settled and that two other bodies in Liverpool are giving accommodation free? Is it not possible to make an arrangement whereby the soldiers can get free access to these places?

I have made inquiries, and information may be given shortly. When I receive any further information I will communicate with the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the rental is fixed, and that the question under consideration is the exemption of rates?

I am told that they are still arguing about them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there should be no argument at all, and should not these men be provided with amenities on the stations?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, to safeguard vital works and docks, he will take steps to require persons, including casual labour, employed at such places to produce national registration identity cards marked by the police vouching as far as possible their bona fides for employment as such vital places?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not in the national interest to make a public statement on this subject.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of excluding certain Communist elements from this kind of work?

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of officers holding appointments at the War Office have experience gained in the present war of serving overseas with one of the Expeditionary Forces; and what proportion of these have had actual experience in active operations?

It is impossible for me without a considerable inquiry, which would not be justified, to give the percentages. But the House may be assured that full use is being made at the War Office and in Home Commands generally of officers who have had recent experience in active operations.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the purpose of the appointment of Field-Marshal Lord Milne as Colonel-Commandant, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps; and whether this appointment entitles the holder to any additional pay or allowances?

The appointment of a Colonel-Commandant to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps follows the precedent of similar appointments in other corps, and I am sure that all ranks of the corps are much encouraged and gratified by the appointment of such a distinguished officer as Lord Milne. The appointment is honorary and carries no emoluments other than a limited entitlement to travelling allowances.

While I have no wish to under-rate the distinguished services of this officer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the age limit of recruitment of the lower ranks in that corps, he will give an opportunity for those of a humbler station in life to offer their services in the corps?

Everybody in the Army, I am sure, knows that these appointments of Colonel-Commandant are honorary positions. Lord Milne is already the Commandant of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and I can tell the hon. and gallant Gentleman that one telegram, received since the announcement, reads as follows:

"On behalf of all ranks of the 14th Corps A.M.P.C. I thank you for your most inspiring and encouraging message. I assure you we are all behind you to pull our weight on British soil as we did in France."

Is it not a fact that although Lord Milne is old in years, he is young in spirit?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that staff brassards were not universally adopted by headquarters of formations serving overseas; and whether he will give orders to discontinue the present practice of wearing these insignia in public places?

I am aware that brassards were not worn on all occasions by staff officers in formations overseas. Arm bands, however, serve a very useful purpose when staff officers visit other headquarters or troops on duty. I am examining the question whether they should be worn in public places by officers when not on duty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if there should be any attempted landings either from the air or from the sea, these staff officers showing their staff insignia would probably be the first to be attacked by the enemy?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers discharged from hospital have to report to their depôts in distant places before going on leave to their homes in London or Liverpool; that this entails loss of time and unnecessary expense; and whether other arrangements will be made to obviate so much travelling for the men affected?

I am having this matter examined with a view to the elimination of avoidable travelling.

Is it not a fact that when the soldiers are discharged from hospital they are not sent to a convalescent home?

I imagine that my hon. Friend means a later stage, when they have finished with the convalescent home.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the relatives of seriously wounded men in distant hospitals receive free travelling passes and whether the relatives of less seriously wounded men receive passes at a reduced rate; if so, what is the percentage reduction on railway fares; and whether all regimental pay offices, or the authorities dealing with this matter, make the same percentage reductions?

When a man is reported dangerously ill in hospital, two persons, one of whom must be a relative, may travel to visit him on free warrants. If the man is in hospital but not reported dangerously ill, his wife and children under 16 years of age, or, if he is unmarried, his parents, brothers and sisters, may use concession vouchers which enable them to make the return journey at single fare, whatever the distance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these reduced fares are entirely beyond the power of the soldier's wife to pay?

Would it not be possible to provide that when the distance from home is over a certain length these free passes might be granted?

They are, of course, granted in all cases when a man is dangerously ill. I think that limit would be rather a difficult one to draw.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in announcing to relatives those soldiers who are missing, he will consider subsequently supplying them with a leaflet explaining the procedure for tracing wounded and missing?

Yes, Sir. In order that relatives of missing Service men may receive an assurance that everything possible is being done, I am having a leaflet prepared explaining the steps that are taken to trace them. It is being drafted with the assistance of the Wounded, Missing and Relatives Department of the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, to whose devoted and patient labours in this field I should like to pay tribute. Copies of this leaflet, which will shortly be ready, will be sent to the next of kin of officers and men reported missing in future. The contents of it will also be issued to the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the arrangements whereby members of the public may obtain special information regarding missing and wounded soldiers by applying to Room 09, War Office, are now in operation; and can he make a statement about this matter?

The War Office casualty branch has been moved to the Bluecoat School, Wavertree, Liverpool. There is a Room 09 at the War Office in Whitehall where inquirers who call personally can furnish particulars of officers or soldiers with a view to their inquiries being sent to the office at Liverpool, where all the records of casualties are kept. No information about individuals other than that already communicated to the next of kin is available in Room 09.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner Raymond Cornelius, who, following a refusal to continue his Army training, has been recommended by the Conscientious Objectors' Appellate Tribunal in London for discharge from the Army; and whether he will consider the effect of such action on the discipline of the Army, and take the appropriate action?

This case was dealt with as prescribed in Section 13 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939. The tribunal have decided that, on discharge from the Army, the man must do full-time ambulance work under civil control, or land work.

Did this man apply for registration as a conscientious objector before he joined up? Surely it is rather late for him, when he is given an order that he does not wish to obey, to say that he has a conscientious objection?

This type of case is covered by the National Service (Armed Forces) Act. My only task, as my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, is to administer that Act.

Surely it is rather late for a man to say that he has conscientious objections when he gets an order that he does not wish to obey? All discipline would be at an end if that sort of thing continued.

This man was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, without hard labour, for refusing to go on parade. Therefore, the Act applies in the sense that I have mentioned. I have no discretion whatever but to administer the Act.

Has the man served his sentence?

Not yet. The earliest date for his release is 18th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has completed his inquiries into the statement of a conscientious objector to the Bristol tribunal that he was paid nine weeks' wages for which he had done no work; and, if so, what action has been taken regarding the man, the foreman and the contracting firm concerned?

I have been unable to check the accuracy of the statement, as neither the man nor his foreman is now in the employment of the contractor's firm in question. I am endeavouring to obtain particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the principle of promotion to officers' rank only after service in non-commissioned ranks, applies to the Royal Army Pay Corps; and why almost all commissions in this corps have been granted to persons with no previous experience of the work, and, with few exceptions, no promotions to officers' rank have been given to noncommissioned officers, and none to fully qualified Territorials?

The majority of emergency commissions in the Royal Army Pay Corps have been granted to members of the Army Officers Emergency Reserve who were earmarked before or early in the war as suitable by reason of their civil occupations for commissions in the Royal Army Pay Corps. A high proportion of these officers did service in the last war, but commissions from the ranks are now being granted to suitable men, including Territorials, who are recommended by their commanding officers. Instructions have recently been issued calling specially for such recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the services of all competent applicants to join the Army under the Army Officers Emergency Reserve are being accepted for the training of the new Army and of the Local Defence Volunteers?

Enrolment of suitable candidates in the Army Officers Emergency Reserve is still proceeding, and its members are being commissioned for duty as and when their services are required. A member of the Army Officers Emergency Reserve is free to join the Local Defence Volunteers until his services are required elsewhere.

Is the Secretary for War aware that there are men in the Army Officers Emergency Reserve, aged between 40 and 50, who long ago volunteered to do any service they could be given, and so far have not been called upon to do anything?

A very large number of these officers have recently been called upon. If my hon. Friend would like me to give the figures, I will gladly do so if he will put a Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the representations of the Business Committee of the Church of Scotland Women's Guild Council of Kirkcaldy, representing 43 branches of the council, calling for legislation on the subject of the supply of intoxicants to members of the Armed Forces; and whether he proposes to take any action on the lines of the council's recommendations?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the copy sent to him of a resolution of the Church of Scotland Women's Guild Council, of Greenock Presbytery, representing 4,500 women, asking that a no treating order for the duration of the war be promulgated immediately; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received no representations on this subject from the local councils referred to, but I am aware of the terms of the resolution recently passed by the Central Guild. On my present information I cannot find that there is a case for a prohibition of treating, but I am keeping the situation under careful review.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the women mentioned in Question No. 31 are impressed with the fact that treating is a favourite and potent weapon in the hands of Fifth Columnists, alias traitors, and will he consider the matter from that point of view?

I have all points of view in mind, including the point of view that the number of persons apprehended in the four large cities in Scotland for offences involving drunkenness during the period from September, 1939, to June, 1940, was 13,420, against 13,666 for the corresponding period 12 months before.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question of drunkenness does not enter into this matter at all, and that it is a matter of loosening the tongue and giving away information on the principle of in vino veritas?

That may be so, but my hon. and learned Friend will appreciate the facts I have given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no treating is an old Scottish custom?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the free postage to their homes now granted to Dominion troops in this coun- try, he will secure the same privilege to British troops whose pay is substantially lower and who therefore are in greater need of that concession?

No, Sir, and my right hon. Friend has already explained in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland) on 18th June some of the objections to the grant of free postage to members of His Majesty's Forces serving in this country. The position is in no way affected by any arrangements made by the Dominions authorities at their own expense in regard to letters home from Dominions forces serving away from their own country.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that numbers of our troops feel rather hurt that Dominion soldiers, who have bigger pay, have this facility, whereas our troops have not?

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give further consideration to this matter, seeing that if this concession could be granted, it would be very well received by the soldiers, many of whom have already enjoyed the facility while serving overseas, whereas now that they are in the front line here, they do not have it?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the reasons which my right hon. Friend gave as preventing him from accepting this suggestion. With regard to the hon. and gallant Member's second point, the troops have enjoyed the facility when overseas for the reason that when they are serving overseas there are no normal postal facilities. Those postal facilities exist in this country.

Does not the same argument apply to Dominion soldiers as applies to British soldiers?

Whether it does or not, it has nothing to do with me, because the Dominions make their own arrangements.

Why not follow suit?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the hardship felt by relatives of men serving in His Majesty's Forces in Egypt, by reason of the very high duty imposed by the Egyptian Government on small parcels sent to these men; and will he consider again raising the matter with the Egyptian Government, with a view to a lowering of these duties?

The Egyptian postal authorities admit free of duty all parcels for British troops in Egypt up to five kilogrammes in weight, except those containing tobacco, cigarettes and spirits. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

Is the Minister aware that relatives of hundreds of serving men in Egypt are still feeling a grievance because when they send parcels the duty at present in many cases exceeds the value of the parcel sent?

That aspect is receiving my Noble Friend's consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Bedlington Coal Company, Northumberland, in deducting from datal men Is. 4d., in other cases Is. 4d., from minimum wages Is. 4d., and in the case of coal producers Id. from the 6d. special advance, on account of being delayed in commencing work owing to an air-raid alarm, as such actions are likely to lead to industrial unrest; and will he take steps to prevent a recurrence of the injustice?

I have made inquiries and have been informed by the colliery company that they made deductions from the daily rate of pay to datallers for the alleged reason that the men were not present for work at the commencement of the shift and for the period which corresponds to the deductions made from the wages of the men in question.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the local association has made every endeavour to get a settlement of this question arising out of the peculiar difficulties of the case?

I think it is a most appropriate question for the district association to settle, and I would suggest that this matter should be referred back once again to both sides. It must be settled by agreement at some time or other, and now that the matter has been raised I think the district committees should take it up.

Would the Minister exert and use his influence to have this matter amicably settled between the two associations?

I think the two associations have full and sufficient power to settle this dispute.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the district association have repeatedly and exhaustively endeavoured to settle the question?

I should be disappointed if a question like this could not be settled amicably during a time of war.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Northumberland coal carried in Norwegian freights involves an extra charge of 2s. 10d. per ton; whether he appreciates the substantially heavier expenditure that this imposes on institutions and other concerns laying in stocks; and whether, in view of this extra charge as compared with British freights, he will take steps to avoid the increase?

The quantity of coal carried coastwise in Norwegian ships is small. These ships are on time-charter to His Majesty's Government at rates which call for a freight charge which is 2s. 6d. per ton higher than that charged for carriage by British ships. The surcharge could be avoided only by charging the increased cost to the Exchequer, a course for which I can see no justification.

Does the Minister suggest that in fact these extra charges have been pooled for these other freights?

I do not think that they make a substantial difference, and certainly now the quantity of coal carried by Norwegian ships is too small to affect the general cost.

Does the Minister appreciate the fact that certain institutions are having to pay more for their coal?

I think it is the case that certain institutions whose coal was carried in Norwegian ships were paying 2s. 6d. per ton more for the carriage of coal, but it is inevitable that these conditions should apply at this time.

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made towards the appeal he made for an increased output; and whether it has reached the point he anticipated at the present date?

With the willing co-operation of all sections of the industry, the campaign for the increased production of coal was proceeding very satisfactorily when the whole position was recently transformed by the complete cessation of the heavy exports to France. Over the country as a whole there is now a surplus of productive capacity, and while the demands on the Midland areas will continue at a very high level, the exporting areas have to face a contraction of output. Every effort is being made to meet this position and to safeguard future supplies by a policy of extensive stocking, limited only by the transport facilities available.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the feeling among the miners, after the splendid effort that they have made, because they have to be called upon to work short time; and will he go forward with the policy he has in mind to see that no colliery is closed, because every ton of coal is worth its value to the Services?

For the reason given by my hon. Friend, and for other reasons which are appreciated in all parts of the House, we are endeavouring not to permit a single pit to close. All pits are wanted to produce coal, and we shall endeavour to keep the pits at work and arrange for the distribution of the orders in the coalfield most affected, and I believe that heavy stoppages of work will be avoided by this means.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any special effort has been made to endeavour to secure export markets in other parts of the world to replace those lost in recent weeks?

Without giving figures, I can assure the House that every effort has been made, and we hope that a substantial amount of new trade will be made to compensate in part for the loss of the export to France.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that surplus coal from the Coventry district is being sent away from that city, while the surplus from South Wales is being imported into the city, and that there is a limit on the registered purchase of coal of 2 cwts., and cannot anything be done to rectify the matter?

A great deal has been done to rectify many anomalies existing at the present time. It is not as simple as it seems. All the burden of transporting coal has been thrown on to the railway system, and I would say this for the rail system and those who organise railroad transport, that great things are being done at the present time to ensure that coal is sent where it is needed in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the profit made on the sale of derated agricultural land at a high price for war purposes is regarded as a revenue profit or a capital gain?

As I have already informed my hon. Friend, the broad distinction in such cases is between the carrying on of a trade or business and the realisation of capital assets. Each case would have to be determined according to the circumstances.

Can the Chancellor explain why people who sell land of poor value at high prices get away with the huge profits that nobody else is allowed to make?

This is a matter to be settled on the merits of each case, and so far as the general application is concerned, there is a number of legal cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will open a national bank for the purpose of financing contracts, thereby avoiding the payment of interest charges to private moneylenders?

No, Sir. I do not accept my hon. Friend's contention. I would refer to the reply I gave to him on 25th June.

Does the Chancellor not realise what a contribution this policy would make towards the avoidance of hanging another huge war debt around the neck of the nation when the war is over?

Why should Government contracts be financed at a fairly high rate of interest by private banks? Surely the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that?

That is another matter. If the hon. Gentleman will put a question down, I will endeavour to answer him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the advances to agriculturalists by the clearing banks, which amounted in the aggregate to about £53,000,000 in the middle of February, 1940, he has any information as to the average rate of interest that is being charged by the banks for this accommodation?

I cannot say what is the average rate, but I understand that in most cases the banks' charge is from 4 per cent. to 5 per cent.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that it becomes clearer and clearer that there is not the least possible excuse for charging 5 per cent. to borrowers, especially agricultural borrowers who are being exhorted to obtain the maximum from their land? Why should they give everything and the banks nothing?

Is not this a complete example of what I have been saying?

Is not this the same question as I have already put to the Chancellor? Cannot he understand the point?

Will my right hon. Friend try to get away from this frustration and obstruction and make some genuine endeavour, because if he does not, he will forfeit all right to public confidence?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the decision which has been communicated to the British Bankers Association by the Governor of the Bank of England, providing for a maximum of 1 per cent. on deposit rates, he will confer with the Governor of the Bank of England with a view to securing that the British Bankers Association should agree to restrict the charges made for loans to agriculturalists and other businesses engaged on work of national importance to 1 per cent. above the existing Bank Rate?

No, Sir. Such charges must obviously depend upon the conditions of individual cases, and it would not be possible to lay down maximum interest rates in every instance.

Is not this exactly the same point as I have previously made? Will my right hon. Friend really take this matter seriously? Is he not fully aware that he will lose all public confidence if he sits down and laughs at these serious matters?

I should like my hon. Friend to realise that I do take the matter seriously, but obviously the rates of interest must depend upon the circumstances of each case.

Is not this matter long overdue for overhaul? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give consideration to appointing additional members to his Consultative Council, with a view to giving a more equal balance between orthodox and progressive financial opinion?

No, Sir. The members of the Council I have appointed represent a wide variety of knowledge and experience, and I do not think it desirable to increase the size of the Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the catastrophic decline in industrial shares during the month of June last; and, in view of the loss to the Treasury through Stamp and Estate Duties, what action does he propose to take?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 4th July to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras, South West (Sir G. Mitcheson). The upward movement to which I referred has continued.

Is it correct that the big insurance companies and other large investors were instructed to keep out of the equity market prior to the National War Loans issue?

I do not think that arises out of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the activities being carried on by the British Union of Fascists under cover of an organisation known as "Home Defence Movement," including the sending of literature to soldiers; and whether he will take steps to watch carefully this development?

My right hon. Friend made an order last May for the detention of the man by whom this literature was produced, and no further specimens of it have since come under notice. If the hon. Member has any information to show that it is still being produced, I shall be glad if he will let me have particulars.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the facts with regard to this person came out in the evidence in a case at Worthing the other day? Has he had that brought to his attention?

I dare say they did, but this man was interned more than seven weeks ago. If the hon. Member has any more recent information on the subject, perhaps he will be kind enough to let me have it.

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that if this man has a wife, she will go, too? The women are far more dangerous than the men.