asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has con- sidered the advantages of a scheme for selling war bonds on an instalment plan?

Wide facilities already exist for the purchase by instalments of savings certificates and Defence Bonds out of regular weekly savings, and the Post Office and trustee savings banks are available for the accumulation of sums for the purchase of National War Bonds. I do not think that any additional facilities are called for in the case of those bonds, but I will keep the matter under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will permit a condition that loans made to the Government free of interest may be used at any time for the satisfaction of taxes due to the Inland Revenue Department?

As I stated in the appeal which I made on 18th June, it would be most convenient if loans free of interest could be made uniformly for the period of the war and three months thereafter. I recognise, however, that there are many people who are not in a position to make loans to the Government free of interest for the duration of the war, but would gladly lend money free of interest for a shorter period until their tax liabilities fall due. In such cases I suggest that the best way in which they can help is to make advance payments in respect of their future tax liabilities to the Board of Inland Revenue at Somerset House. This is really equivalent to making a loan to the Government free of interest for the shorter period and will be equally beneficial to the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any action can be taken to accelerate the making of assessments to Excess Profits Tax?

The assessment to Excess Profits Tax is made by reference to the trader's accounting year and the determination of the liability for any accounting year must necessarily await the production of the accounts for that year and the due examination of any questions affecting liability that may arise on the taxpayer's return. It is therefore important that taxpayers and their advisers should make every effort to render returns and accounts as early as possible. Where the returns or accounts throw up questions that call for investigation it is proposed to make provisional assessments on which an agreed amount of duty could be paid forthwith. Many trading concerns have already been assessed provisionally at their own request to cover the amount of liability that can be seen to be certain and their public-spirited action in thus accelerating the flow of revenue to the Exchequer is deserving of the highest praise. I hope that in the present time of national crisis their example will be followed generally and that all concerns liable to Excess Profits Tax will co-operate with the Inland Revenue authorities in ensuring the early payment of the tax.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many articles needed for agriculture will be exempted from the operation of the Purchase Tax; and whether he can give details?

On reference to the Purchase Tax Bill my hon. and gallant Friend will see that the needs of the agricultural industry are well covered by the classes of exempted goods set out in the Fourth Schedule. Provision is made in Clause 17 (3) for the issue of lists more particularly defining the goods to be taken as falling within the exempted classes. Details are at present under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in calculating means for the purposes of supplementary old age pensions, the war savings of both husband and wife who are pensioners are ignored or that of only one of them?

Legislation will be necessary to enable war savings to be excluded from the calculation of means for the purposes of unemployment assistance and supplementary pensions. It is the intention to provide in this legislation (which will, I hope, be introduced shortly) for the consideration of war savings for those purposes of each member of the household separately whose resources fall to be taken into account and for their disregard up to a proposed limit of £375.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether, having regard to the importance of conserving petrol, he will state the reasons for permitting taximeter-cabs to cruise for hire on London streets; and whether he will take steps to prevent such use of petrol, which places at a disadvantage those drivers who await fares on a rank?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to his similar Question on 18th April. As most hirings are for a single journey, unhired travelling cannot altogether be avoided, but there has been an appreciable reduction of such travelling since petrol rationing was introduced.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he will now review the position in regard to private and pleasure motoring, bearing in mind the damage to public morale caused by the spectacle of luxury travel in the midst of a war, and the possible menace of recent events to the supplies of petrol?

I would refer to the answers given to Questions by the hon. Member on 18th June. The position is kept under constant review in the light of all the factors involved.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he is aware that the petrol allowance for the vehicles for the British Red Cross is only two gallons per motor car per day; and whether he will consider increasing the supply of petrol for these vehicles?

No general ration has been fixed either for vehicles owned by the British Red Cross Society or for private cars which the owners use partly for the society's work. Under an agreed scheme each application for a ration in respect of Red Cross work is examined by the society's organisation in the light of knowledge of the amount of Red Cross work done by the vehicle, and sent with the society's recommendation to the divisional petroleum officer. A society's liaison officer has been appointed in each region. I understand that the society is well content with the working of the scheme.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum the considerations upon which he decided that allowances of petrol to commercial travellers should vary accord- ing to the horse-power of the motor cars, but otherwise should be uniform for all travellers without discrimination as to the type of merchandise concerned; and whether he will consider a revision of the system of allowances, with a view to establishing a substantial discrimination in favour of representatives of businesses considered by the Government to be of direct national value?

Representatives of businesses certified to be engaged on work of national importance are given special consideration, but as regards commercial travellers it would be impracticable to differentiate between classes of merchandise. The main consideration underlying the present uniform system of allowances to commercial travellers is that equality of treatment shall, as far as possible, be accorded to all. The rates of allowance were settled only a few months ago in consultation with representatives of the commercial travellers' organisations, and I see no sufficient reason for modifying them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, before obstacles are placed by air defence orders in standing wheat and oat crops, he will issue an order that 24 hours' notice be given to the owner or farmer affected to enable him to cut rides in his corn fields and thereby save some of the crop from damage?

In so far as this work is carried out by the Royal Air Force, instructions have been issued that crops and plough are not to be disturbed and that contact is to be made with the local member of the War Agricultural Executive Committee with a view to minimising interference with food supply.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider the desirability of requiring the news to be broadcast at 1.15, 6.15 and 9.15 p.m. instead of at 1, 6 and 9 p.m., in order that workers, many of whose periods of work either end or begin at 1, 6 and 9 p.m., may have a better opportunity for listening in?

Each of the bulletins broadcast at 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. draws an audience amounting to between 40 and 50 per cent. of the total adult population. There is no evidence that substantial advantage could be gained by changing the present times, to which listeners have become accustomed. Any alteration would at first cause considerable confusion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the desirability that farmers should at the present time purchase and store as large as possible stocks of feeding-stuffs and fertilisers so as to disperse our stocks of these commodities over as wide an area as possible and to avoid unnecessary transport during the autumn and winter, any additional facilities are to be provided to enable farmers to finance purchases of such commodities?

My right hon. Friend hopes that most farmers will be able to get the necessary accommodation from banks or merchants but where they fail to do so, they may apply to their County War Agricultural Executive Committee for help under the Agricultural Requisites Assistance Scheme. My right hon. Friend is instructing the committees to operate the scheme with a sympathetic regard for the additional cash which farmers will need in order to lay in stocks of feeding stuffs and fertilisers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, instead of the one day previously required for the delivery of letters posted in Northern Ireland to centres in Britain, it now takes three, four, or even five days for the delivery of such letters; and whether, in face of this hardship, he will look into the matter and use every means possible to expedite the delivery of these letters especially to those from Northern Ireland serving in His Majesty's Forces?

The imposition of a censorship on correspondence passing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has added to the normal time of transit. The importance of the rapid transmission of correspondence is realised by all concerned and, while occasional delay is unavoidable, a constant effort is made at every point to minimise it.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the total number of wireless receiving licences in force on the latest date for which figures are available; and how this total compares with the number of licences in force just before the outbreak of war?

The number of wireless receiving licences in force on the 31st May last was approximately 9,065,000, representing an increase of about 21,000 on the number in force on the 31st August, 1939.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that

No, Sir. Mr. Munnings has not been commissioned by the Admiralty to paint any pictures.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give examples of some of the principal rates and conditions of payment covering employés of clerical, typing and messenger grades in offices of the Royal Ordnance Factories with regard to payment for overtime for work on Saturday afternoons and Sundays beyond the normal hours?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is contained in the following statement:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the communication sent to his Department by the county clerk of the Perthshire County Council pointing out the impossibility of finding accommodation in that county for the numbers of evacuees allocated to it; and what action he proposes to take?

The difficulties which the county council thought likely to arise in connection with the evacuation scheme in their area have been carefully considered and adjustments have been made in consultation with the county clerk.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the last meeting of the Scottish Central Medical War Committee was held; how many members were present; and when the committee dealt with the arrangements for the distribution of the pool created for treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children?

The last full meeting of the Scottish Central Medical War Committee was held on the 25th April, 1940, when 24 members were present, together with representatives of the Defence Services and Government Departments. The last meeting of the Executive Committee was held on 20th June. Arrangements for the distribution of monies received from the Department of Health in respect of the medical treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children were considered by the full committee at a meeting held on 29th February, 1940.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will give directions that neither men nor materials shall be used for buildings other than those within reasonable distance of completion and essential for war purposes; and whether he is aware that while possible targets for enemy bombers are being protected, new targets are being built for no apparent purpose and that this waste of labour and material is inconsistent with appeals for extra war effort and economy?

The building programme of the Government has recently been reviewed so as to concentrate the available resources of labour and materials upon the acceleration of vital works nearing completion, and arrangements have been made to divert labour and materials to these works from others of less immediate urgency. If the hon. Member will bring to my notice any case in which work is proceeding on a Government building which does not appear to be of urgent national importance I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Home Secretary whether more use can be made of the Report of the Health of Munition Worker's Committee; and whether a summary can be given to members of the Central Consultative Council?

I have been asked to reply. The work of this committee, which was dissolved before the end of the last war, has been largely continued and developed by the Factory Department of the Home Office, now transferred to my Ministry, and by the industrial Health Research Board of the Medical Research Council, both of which bodies have issued, in the light of subsequent developments and research, more up-to-date pamphlets and other publications on matters dealt with by the committee. While some of the committee's findings and recommendations are common knowledge, and a number of them have been implemented by legislative action, many are no longer appropriate. The relevant conclusions have already been brought to the notice of the Factory and Welfare Advisory Board.

asked the Home Secretary what members of the staff of the factory department are on the Labour Supply Committee appointed by him; and how is the committee just formed, under the chairmanship of Lady Cynthia Colville, linked up with the factory department with its practical knowledge and experience of the problems involved?

I have been asked to reply. The chief inspector of factories, and other headquarters inspectors as necessary attend the meetings of the Board. The Central Consultative Council representative of voluntary organisations, is concerned more particularly with the co- ordination of the work of those organisations in the matter of welfare outside the factories and through its chairman is in direct touch with the Factory and Welfare Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the new Army instruction, dated 24th June, saying that no unlicensed or uninsured vehicles may be used by the Local Defence Volunteers and that if the Local Defence Volunteers do accept the loan of these vehicles the cost of licensing and insuring them cannot be met by the War Office, he is aware of the serious effect this will have on the utility of this force, which has already received many offers of vehicles which are not being used by their owners at the present time but who are naturally not prepared to license such vehicles for the Local Defence Volunteers; and whether, in view of the difficulties created, he will reconsider this policy?

The whole question of the use of vehicles for the purposes of the Local Defence Volunteers is under consideration. My hon. Friend may rest assured that, if I find it necessary to make use of unlicensed or uninsured vehicles, I shall take steps accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in certain areas only a small proportion of the men enrolled in the Local Defence Volunteers have been called up for training; and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

I have not received any information of undue delay in beginning the training of Local Defence Volunteers as soon as their enrolment is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps are being taken to provide the Local Defence Volunteers and the Defence Forces generally with caltrops for the purpose of preventing the passage of enemy motor-cyclists and tyred vehicles in hostile hands?

I do not think it would be desirable to make any public statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to provide emergency rations for members of Local Defence Volunteer units who may be engaged in active operations with the enemy?

Arrangements have been made for feeding Local Defence Volunteers in the varied circumstances which may arise, but it would clearly be undesirable to publish details.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on 23rd April, the hon. Member for North Tottenham drew attention by letter to the case of No. 170300 Driver B. P. Seaward, Royal Army Service Corps; that, on 3rd June, the Parliamentary Secretary informed him, Reference G/655, that Driver Seaward would be discharged without delay; and can he say when this decision will become effective?

The effective date of Driver Seaward's discharge was 28th June, 1940.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the issue of passes to enable Members, in the event of any emergency which may involve the blocking of roads or railways, to reach this House from their constituencies or homes?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the understanding that ex-service married men serving in the Royal Ulster Rifles should have week-end leave to visit their families, they have been deprived of this privilege for several weeks past; and whether he will give orders that soldiers shall have their weekend leave, as promised, granted to them in future?

I regret that, in present circumstances, it has been necessary to suspend all leave, unless exceptional reasons exist for granting it, and I think the necessity for this is well understood.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, apart from voluntary enlistment, he will consider calling up suitable ex-soldiers and Army pensioners up to the age of 55 to act as Army instructors and giving them a short course of training for that purpose?

There is no existing power under which ex-Service men and Army pensioners, other than reservists and those who come within the provisions of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, can be called up for service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the South African Public Health Act allows parents to exempt their children from vaccination, if they so desire, he will make representations to the High Commissioner for South Africa with a view to permitting exempted children from Great Britain to reside in South Africa on the same terms as unvaccinated children born in South Africa?

The Public Health Amendment Act of 1928 of the Union of South Africa provides for exemption from vaccination for bona fide conscientious objectors on personal application by the father within six months of his child's entry into the Union of South Africa. In the case of children going to the Union of South Africa under the Children's Overseas Reception Scheme, parents who object to their children being vaccinated on conscientious grounds should set out the grounds for their objection in writing before the child's embarkation. If a declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination has been made by a parent in the United Kingdom, a copy should, if possible, accompany the statement.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the increasing gravity of the financial position of many residents in the Isle of Wight, especially hotel, boarding-house and apartment keepers, he has considered, or will consider, the adoption of some means of effective assistance in a crisis which is solely due to war considerations?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is already familiar with the Unemployment Assistance (Prevention and Relief of Distress) Regulations, 1939, the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, and the Amending Bill which has recently passed this House. The working of these statutes is kept under review with a view to seeing whether any further steps can and should be taken.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has completed his review of injury allowances to civil defence personnel; and whether he is in a position to announce any changes in the existing scale?

The rates of these allowances are at present under consideration and any amendments that may be made in them will be embodied in a revised scheme under the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, which will be issued as early as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider recommending to small districts, particularly villages, the desirability of pooling all anti-incendiary apparatus so as to ensure that those householders who are less well supplied with equipment may be helped by others who are better provided?

Where a rural district council submits an air-raid fire precautions scheme to my Department any emergency fire-fighting appliances, including hand-pumping appliances, provided by the Government are placed in the charge of the fire authority. The pooling of fire-fighting appliances obtained by householders at their own expense is primarily a matter for local arrangement, and I have no doubt that, rural district councils, as fire authorities, will be ready to help with arrangements for joint use of householders' appliances wherever possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the proved quali- ties of the stirrup-pump as a fire-fighting appliance, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that adequate supplies are manufactured and made available for the public?

Apart from supplies to local authorities, substantial issues of these pumps have been and are being made for distribution through local authorities to the supplementary fire parties which are being formed throughout the country. In addition, further large orders have been placed; but I am afraid that some time is bound to elapse before supply can overtake the present overwhelming demands for these pumps.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now come to a decision on the question of placing restrictions on the sale of road maps, large-scale maps and ordnance maps of this country?

An Order has been made under the Defence Regulations for the control of maps, and a statement of the effect of the Order has been published in the Press.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered utilising the services of many of the unemployed in various areas by organising them into salvage units under skilled direction for the purpose of clearing débris after air raids, demolishing dangerous buildings, repairing roads and bridges, fighting fires in woods and harvest fields and other similar emergency work?

Local authorities have a general responsibility in these matters and I have no doubt that they will be glad to avail themselves of the services of suitable unemployed persons in cases where additional help is needed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now arranged for adequate accommodation in reception areas for children under five years of age now in evacuation areas?

It is not considered that it would be in the best interests of young children that they should be compulsorily billeted. The amount of provision which can be made depends, there- fore, on the extent to which they can be accommodated by individual householders by agreement, or in efficiently organised groups. Priority for the latter purpose is being given to children who are without parental care. Where parents in evacuation areas are able to arrange for the reception of young children in reception areas, payment of railway fares and of billeting allowances has been authorised, and these facilities are available for unaccompanied young children and for young children accompanied by their mothers. I should add, however, that the difficulties at the reception end are such that the accommodation is likely to be limited, save in the case of an actual and apparent emergency.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a notable measure of evacuation in East Sussex is now in progress; whether it has his approval; whether orders have been issued to local authorities in East Sussex to evacuate a portion of the population from any area; and whether he has any such orders in prospect?

I am aware that a number of persons have left the coastal areas referred to in the Question; the only arrangements which require my approval are those made under the Government evacuation scheme: under that scheme evacuated children from the London area have recently been removed from the coastal districts of the county east of Newhaven. No further directions have yet been given; but the situation is kept under regular review.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is within his knowledge and with his approval that nearly all the boys 'and girls' preparatory schools in the coastal areas between Beachy Head and Portslade have recently moved to other districts; and does he intend to extend facilities to State schools and State-aided schools in the district to make similar arrangements?

Arrangements made by private schools for their transfer on their own responsibility do not require my approval; none of the districts referred to in the Question are evacuation areas but children who were evacuated into the more eastern districts from other towns have recently been transferred elsewhere. The situation is kept under regular review.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of threatened invasion, he will consider the advisability of urging the 11,300 municipal authorities in the country that they should make immediate inquiries in their own districts as to how many men not already registered are available for home service; how many motor cars and motor cycles are available; what the reserves of petrol are; what stores of food, drugs and medical supplies exist; and what arms and ammunition are in possession of local inhabitants?

No, Sir. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the answer which he gave to the Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Colonel A. Evans) on 4th July, an organisation has been worked out which ensures the effective concert of the whole apparatus of Home Defence both civil and military; I do not think that the suggestion made by my hon. Friend would add materially to the information available to that organisation.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the event of invasion it is proposed to establish martial law forthwith with the particular object of controlling the movements and activities of the civil population which might otherwise interfere with the efficiency of action by the defence forces; and whether he will take the necessary steps at the earliest opportunity to prepare the public for such a step so that the transition would be effected immediately and without any confusion?

Full powers to control the movements and activities of the civil population are already vested in the civil authorities by the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act and the Regulations made thereunder; and in the event of an invasion it would not follow that the civil machinery of government would cease to operate. On the contrary, numerous measures have been taken by means of the regional organisation and otherwise to ensure that the military authorities shall have the assistance of the civil authorities to the fullest possible extent. If in any area it should become impracticable for the civil authorities to continue to carry on their functions, any orders and direc- tions which circumstances make necessary would be issued by the military authorities in pursuance of their common law power to take such measures as are necessary for the preservation of order and facilitating the conduct of military operations, and it would be the duty of all civilians to comply with such orders and directions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of issuing a medal to the personnel who voluntarily joined the Armed Forces between 3rd September and 31st December, 1939?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to a Question on a similar subject put to me on 11th June by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the dissatisfaction caused among medical practitioners with the Armed Forces by the dispersal of private patients owing to the want of adequate supervision in connection with the scheme for the protection of practices, he will devise some reasonable safeguards for the private patients as well as National Health Insurance patients of absentee practioners?

I have no jurisdiction over the schemes for the protection of the private practices of medical practitioners serving with His Majesty's Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements are being made for workers from Eire to come to this country for the harvest; and whether any guarantees are demanded as to the reliability of such men in these difficult days?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have been made to enable workers to come to this country from Eire for agricultural work provided they can satisfy the United Kingdom permit officer in Dublin that a visa can properly be granted.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the letter from the medical officer of health of Newcastle-upon-Tyne protesting against the omission from the cheap-milk scheme of the power whereby the source and quality of the milk supplied must be approved by the medical officer of health of the welfare authority; and whether he will restore forthwith the above-mentioned safeguard, which can be carried out without legislation or undue administrative difficulty?

My right hon. Friend has received the letter to which the hon. Member refers. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food found it impracticable to impose in connection with a national scheme any condition of the kind suggested. It is, however, open to any local authority concerned, in addition to exercising its powers under the Food and Drugs Act, to give advice either through welfare centres or otherwise to expectant and nursing mothers and children with regard to the choice and use of milk supplied under the national milk scheme.

asked the Minister of Health when the last meeting was held of the full Central of War Committee; the number of members now constituting the committee; and how many attended the last meeting, and what was the business transacted?

At the last meeting of the committee on the 28th June last, 37 members were present out of the full number of 45 and various matters affecting the supply of medical personnel for war-time purposes were discussed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representations from the Medical Practitioners' Union on the question of inoculation against typhoid fever; and whether he is proposing to investigate this important matter so as to be ready and able adequately to combat any possible aftereffects of the war?

I have received certain representations from the Medical Practitioners Union on this subject, which was already under examination in my Department.