asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make a regulation whereby men who may be in reserved occupations, but have previous military experience, or none, can be enabled to join His Majesty's Forces without the loss of pension rights or prospects of re-employment in their present posts, and making it incumbent on their employers to fill their positions during hostilities?

The Schedule of Reserved Occupations is constantly open to revision according to changing circumstances, but if a man is covered by the current provisions of the Schedule, it would be contrary to its whole object to require or allow him to join the Forces.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, subject to the requirements and safety of the State, that a man's conscience should be allowed free play in this matter; and will he urge upon the employers, who are in some cases sheltering behind the Reserved Occupations list, to free as many men as possible?

I cannot allow conscience to operate in that way as far as the Schedule of Reserved Occupations is concerned. In that case you would probably get so many men away from skilled work that you would upset the whole balance of production. Therefore, I am engaged in the constant revision of the Schedule according to the changed circumstances that arise in each trade.

asked the Minister of Labour how many conscientious objectors from the Civil Service have been exempted from military service on condition they find work of national importance; how many have found such employment; and how many still remain in the Civil Service?

Thirty civil servants have been ordered by the local tribunals to be registered as conscientious objectors conditionally upon their taking up work outside the Civil Service, and of these 13 have found such employment. Of the remaining 17, four were ordered to remain in their present employment by the Appellate Tribunal, which varied the local tribunal's orders in their cases; in five cases appeals by the men concerned are awaiting the Appellate Tribunal's consideration; one was registered unconditionally as a conscientious objector by the Appellate Tribunal and has now left the Civil Service; one was registered for ambulance work and is waiting for a vacancy in a training camp; six have not yet been able to find the work specified, and are keeping in touch with the Exchange.

In reference to the man who is awaiting admission to a training camp, is not immediate employment available with the L.C.C.?

I cannot answer for the L.C.C.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now ascertained the number of con- scientious objectors placed by tribunals on the register on 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 others?

Up to 27th June the tribunals had registered 4,514 men as conscientious objectors on condition that they remained in their present occupations and 2,282 on condition that they undertook work in new occupations. Of the latter 980 had found or been placed in such work. The remainder are required to do their utmost to comply with the condition as soon as possible, and to report on their efforts at monthly intervals. Most of the work prescribed in the 2,282 cases is agricultural or other work on the land, and this is also true of the 980 who had found the prescribed work. I have been in constant touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture with a view to arranging for the absorption of those men who have not yet secured agricultural work.

Would it not be possible for these men to be formed into gangs to take over derelict land and really work it in the national interest?

That question should be put to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. I have arranged to hand the men over as soon as he is ready.

Would it not be wise for these men to be put into non-combatant work so that they shall not get any privileges or advantages over the men who really go to fight?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many Gateshead miners are not allowed by his Department to undertake other work, although they are only receiving unemployment pay, when they could earn as much as £6 per week on armament work; and will he see that it is made possible, by taking away his restrictions, for these men to work more than two or three days a fortnight?

To meet the changed circumstances resulting from recent events, I have, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines, issued instructions that unemployed coal miners for whom employment in their own industry is not immediately available, should be submitted for other employment. I am also making arrangements to allow men who are on short time to work in other industries as a temporary measure until more regular work in the mines is available for them.

Will my right hon. Friend make a similar arrangement with regard to the relief dockers in Greenock, who are subject to a similar prohibition to take other work?

asked the Minister of Labour approximately how many of the registered unemployed must now be regarded as incapable of useful employment; whether they will be excluded from future returns of unemployment; and what further measures are being taken to use the effective unemployed for the national war effort?

A general review of the Register is now being undertaken to assess the suitability for employment of all persons who have been unemployed for one month or more. Meanwhile the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part of the Question, I have this matter under consideration. As regards the third part, the review that has already taken place of the unemployed in certain industries has proved most helpful in getting men back into employment, and I am hopeful that the general review will have similar results. I have already made provision for payment of travelling and subsistence expenses of men who take important work away from home, and am considerably expanding the facilities for men to take training.

Can we now anticipate in the near future that the unemployment reports will really show the exact position of affairs and not give a false impression?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that women of 26 and 16 years of age with four years' and 10 months' experience of aircraft work, respectively, are earning only 28s. 2d. and 18s. 8d. each for a 47-hours week at a certain factory; and whether he can take action to see that reasonable conditions obtain for such good war work?

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the cases to which he refers, I shall be glad to have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many local authorities have highly-trained staffs and workmen employed on non-essential work and sometimes not fully occupied; and whether he can make arrangements by which the services of a large amount of skilled labour and plant can be more fully utilised for the national effort in the present emergency?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has circularised all local authorities requesting them to review their staffs with a view to releasing such of them as are qualified by their previous experience for employment in the armament and shipbuilding industries, and my local officers have been instructed to co-operate with the local authorities in facilitating the transfer of such men.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking into account the fact that local authorities are naturally unwilling to deplete their staffs beyond a certain framework, and would it not be better that some work should be handed over?

That is a question for the Supply Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that no trade union labour is employed by Victoria Mills, Limited, Cleckheaton and Doncaster; that employés receive wages 10 per cent. less than in similar textile mills where conditions are negotiated by trade unions; and, as this firm are on Government contracts, will he insist on trade union freedom or consider the cancelling of Government work?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend. He will no doubt be aware that Government contractors are bound by the Fair Wage Clause in their contracts and that the question of enforcing observance of the clause is a matter for the contracting Department concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in some of the reception areas in the West Country, to which school children have been recently evacuated, no air-raid shelter is provided, and that in some instances the children have been taken from the school and placed against hedges and bushes; and what steps it is proposed to take to remedy so undesirable a condition of affairs?

The nature and extent of the protection, if any, at a particular school are matters for the discretion of the local education authority in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority. In rural areas, except where aerodromes or other similar objectives are in close proximity to the school, there is, generally speaking, no occasion for formal protec- tion other than simple precautions of the type recommended for private households in the pamphlet issued by the Ministry of Home Security entitled "Your Home as an Air-Raid Shelter." Local education authorities have recently been informed in the Board's Administrative Memorandum No. 233, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, that the practice of dispersing children to such cover as tray be available in open country is not now recommended.

In view of the changed conditions, are there now different standards in evacuation and reception areas?

I do not quite know what the hon. Gentleman means by "different standards." In rural areas, of course, broadly speaking, it is for local education authorities to decide, in consultation with the local A.R.P. authorities, the degree and form of protection necessary.

The whole point is that the conditions have so changed now that you cannot make quite the same distinction between areas as you could six months ago.

In that case it is a matter for discussion between the school authorities and the A.R.P. authorities to see whether further protection is required.

Is the Board of Education making a current review of some of the places to which children have been evacuated, in view of recent conditions?

This matter is always under review by local education and A.R.P. authorities, and it is the responsibility of these two authorities to decide what protection is necessary for the schools in question.

Is it the local authority or the central authority which decides the places which have to be evacuated, and is the central authority the responsible authority for reviewing places in my area, where children have had unhappy experiences during the last few days?

The central authority in that case is the Ministry of Health.

Would it not be desirable for the Board to send a circular to all authorities particularly in rural areas, calling their attention to the changed conditions and asking them to see whether shelter provision ought not now to be provided?

I am sure local education authorities are aware of their responsibilities in this matter, but the question of re-classifying areas is one for the Ministry of Health and not my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the construction of air-raid shelters has been impeded by difficulties in the transport of bricks; and what steps he proposes to take to remove these difficulties?

The question of obtaining increased supplies of bricks for this and other purposes is under review by the Government; but I have no reason to believe that transport difficulties have played any significant part in present shortages.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the reports of many local authorities which are unable to obtain bricks because they are not allowed to carry them by lorry for a distance of more than 30 miles?

Yes, Sir, I know these complaints were made some time ago. I believe the present position is a shortage of supply and not a lack of transport.

If information is brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice showing that transport is still a difficulty, will he take some action?

I certainly will, because I am most anxious that bricks should be available for civilian defence, especially in the most vulnerable areas.

Is the Minister aware that local brick works in the country are "going broke" because they cannot get any business, and that in most cases they are told they must wait until these great monopoly concerns produce the bricks?

Is the Minister aware that on the main lines near London there are millions of bricks standing on the sidings?

Those bricks may be required for purposes near at hand, but the whole matter is receiving attention.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to make a clear distinction in the national registration identity cards issued to children, women and men, further to reduce the possibility of these being fraudulently used for enemy purposes?

The substance of the hon. Member's suggestion is already generally secured by the requirement that the holder's age should be entered on the identity card in the case of children under 16, and by the existing indications of sex afforded by the names upon the cards. To carry the suggestion any further would entail the re-issue or special examination and marking, of some 45,000,000 cards.

asked the Minister of Health when it is intended to make effective the promised and any other extension of the usefulness of national registration identity cards; and whether he will make a further statement?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the steps to be taken to render the system of identity cards more effective?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider entering on the blank space at the back of each national registration identity card particulars of personal appearance corresponding to those on passports, with or without finger prints, for closer identification in special cases?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now make a further statement on extensions of the identity card system?

As the answer is rather long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Was the English gentleman, who said he was a German parachutist the other day, asked to produce his identity card?

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any limitation on the number of letters which can be sent by, or received by, interned enemy aliens?

All civilian internees are allowed to send two letters a week. As regards the reception of letters, there is no fixed limit, though there may have been difficulties and delays in handling the large volume of letters and parcels addressed to internees.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is true that there are many instances in which relatives have heard nothing from them for as long as a fortnight and do not know where they are?

I believe there have been instances of delay, and I have been doing my best to see that they are reduced.

asked the Home Secretary to what extent the conditions under which persons are detained for reasons of security in prisons resemble those of ordinary untried prisoners or those of ordinary convicts; and whether some arrangement could safely be made to reduce their hours of solitary confinement or grant more frequent access to library books, and also to improve the hygienic facilities and generally bring their confinement more into accordance with internment conditions?

The regulations governing the detention of such persons in prisons are based—with some modifications—on the rules relating to the treatment of persons awaiting trial. I am anxious that, so far as security considerations permit, their treatment shall be as little as possible oppressive, but at the present time, owing to the large numbers detained and the limited staffs available for their custody, it is not possible to allow longer hours of association, or to arrange for other modifications of the routine which is necessary for custodial purposes. The question whether any improved arrangements can be made is engaging my attention, and I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestions.

Could a copy of those rules be made available for the information of Members of the House, and will the right hon. Gentleman tell us where he gets statutory authority to make an entirely new set of prison regulations?

I think the hon. Member will find that express provision is made in Regulation 18B for the issue of rules governing the treatment of these persons in their places of custody. I was under the impression that the rules had been made available to Members. I will look into that, and, if it has not been done, I will see that it is done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing information as to the treatment of democrats in Fascist countries?

Is the treatment accorded to these persons that accorded to offenders in the first division?

No, Sir. It is based on the treatment given to persons awaiting trial, with some modifications.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to intern German refugees from Nazi oppression who have done or are doing work of national importance by exposing in newspapers or books the Nazi menace and suggesting means by which it can best be met, and those who, given an opportunity, are willing and anxious to do any work, military or otherwise, which may contribute towards the defeat of the Nazis?

The decision taken on military considerations that the large numbers of Germans and Austrians in this country ought not in present circumstances to be left at liberty necessarily involved the internment of many who, as far as I know, are anxious to assist this country. Arrangements have been made to exempt from internment certain categories of persons whose work is of special value to the war effort.

Does the right hon. Gentleman include as valuable to the war effort the work of such people as are mentioned in my Question?

I think that must be a matter of judgment, but I have always been prepared to consider any representations with regard to the form in which particular aliens could render useful service.

May I ask the might hon. Gentleman whether those categories would include distinguished scientists and operators whose names and records are included on the Central Register under the aliens section?

Any persons answering that description have been released from internment on the ground of the useful service which they are in a position to render.

asked the Home Secretary to what extent the chief constables have exercised the discretion allowed them in respect of the exemption from internment of Class C aliens?

The discretion given to chief constables is not a discretion to exempt enemy aliens from internment, but a discretion to intern individuals falling within the exempted categories if as regards a particular individual the police have special information showing that his immediate internment is necessary on security grounds.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect that at any time he will have any statistical record or indication of the extent to which this has been done?

Yes, Sir. The police have been asked to report specially the action taken with regard to persons covered by the exceptions referred to.

Is the discretion of the chief constable in such cases subject to any review by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Yes, Sir. I have said that chief constables have been instructed to report the manner in which they have exercised the discretion which is entrusted to them by the Regulation.

Is that retrospective?

My hon. Friend explained in the Debate yesterday that this particular step applicable to aliens who have been classified in Category C was initiated only a few days ago. As regards persons who were arrested under instructions given on, I think, 11th May, as my hon. Friend explained, the Department is taking the initiative in arranging for the consideration of individual cases which would have come within the exceptions had they been dealt with under the instructions of a few days ago.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of making arrangements for one Minister to be responsible for everything affecting the internment of aliens, in view of the overlapping and additional respon- sibility now existing between the War Office and the Home Office on this subject?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery).

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether, if it is not possible to appoint a new Minister in charge of the whole arrangements, the Home Secretary should be given charge of all these camps, taking over the camps for male internees from the War Office?

The whole matter is now under close consideration.

Did not the statements made show that the War Office is not now concerned, except as regards custody of male aliens, and would it not, therefore, be better if the entire administration of friendly aliens were in the hands of the Home Office?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the British Union of Fascists transferred their books, files, stationery and propaganda effects to two ground-floor rooms in Paddington, using two commercial vans marked with the letters "W.D.", and having the War Department arrow-head sign; and what action has been taken?

I have ascertained that the removal was carried out by a removal contractor, who used for the purpose a van on which the letters "W.D." had been painted last year when it was employed on a Government contract at Aldershot. This marking has now been removed, and the owner of the van has been cautioned.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman really think that under his own instructions his Department ought to have been able to stop such a thing before it actually took place? Is this organisation being watched carefully?

Yes, Sir. The organisation is being watched carefully.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has a list of the private houses where official Fascist propaganda is printed on silent duplicating machines; whether he is aware of the police and public anxiety regarding the growing number of incidents arising from the open distribution of such propaganda; and what action he has taken?

Inquiries and searches are being undertaken by the police where there is any suspicion of current Fascist activities, and my information is that the steps taken for dealing with the organisation and active members of the British Union have been effective. An order has now been made under the Defence Regulations which makes it an offence to issue propaganda on behalf of this organisation, and the police have been instructed to take appropriate steps if there is any contravention of the Regulation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the statement in the Question that these incidents, particularly in the Paddington area, are creating concern both to the police and to the public?

I have no information to the effect that that practice is being carried on.

Does the same answer apply to Communist propaganda on noisy duplicating machines?

That is a separate question.

asked the Home Secretary whether any restrictions have been placed on the movements and activities of Lady Pearson, who founded a Fascist branch in this country, and what are the extent of such restrictions?

By an order made against her on 8th June under Regulation 18A of the Defence Regulations, Lady Pearson is precluded from being in any area which is a protected area under the Aliens (Protected Areas) Orders and is also required to notify the police of any change of address.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no modification of those restrictions will take place because of the fact that this lady is related to a Member of the Government?

Why was not this lady interned?

Perhaps I ought to tell the House that the decision taken in this matter was taken by me personally after consideration of the facts reported by the local police and that no extraneous consideration or argument whatsoever was taken into account.

Did the right hon. Gentleman take into account the anxiety of public opinion with regard to the freedom of this lady while others are being interned and committed to prison?

I try to take all relevant considerations into account in these matters.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider issuing an order to all landowners or occupiers, especially in rural districts, compelling them immediately to render their land unfit for aeroplane landings except in such cases as the military authorities may decide to the contrary?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue an order to landowners and occupiers forthwith that all land over two acres in extent, shall, by the placing of obstructions, be made unfit for aeroplanes to use?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given yesterday to a Question on the same subject by the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons).

What was the effect of the answer?

It was a very brief answer to the effect that the work has already been organised under the guidance of local authorities and is proceeding satisfactorily with the aid of voluntary labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some parts of the country this has been done very well, but that in other parts nothing at all has been done?

Instructions have been issued in all areas which have been designated by the military authorities as suitable for such landings.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made certain local authorities understand that they have the power to requisition the materials required for this work and that the Government will pay the necessary charges, because I believe that question is actually holding up the work in places where it might be done?

I have been issuing instructions through the Regional Commissioners, and I believe, from what I have seen, that the matter has been made clear to local authorities concerned.

Does this policy operate in regard to golf courses throughout the country?

Yes, Sir, it applies generally.

Is it not the case that there is confusion in rural areas owing to the fact that orders were given by the Air Ministry?

I have no doubt that the Air Ministry are taking certain steps in regard to matters in which they are particularly concerned, but the work referred to in the Question has been the subject of instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Security.

Should not the competent air or military officer decide whether these places are suitable or not in each case?

The instructions given call attention to the importance of seeking guidance from the local military or air authorities as to the lines upon which the work should be done. The function of the local authority is to organise the work, that is to say, to collect the labour and the implements necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider sending out another circular as to the points of requisitioning and payment?

Certainly, Sir. I will have those points looked into.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the reason for his decision that it is not practicable to issue an order to cut gaps in hedges bordering on high roads and temporarily cover them with hurdles in order to enable civilians attacked from the air to get out of the roads into the fields?

I do not regard this as a practical proposition as, apart from all other considerations, the amount of work involved would be out of all proportion to the advantages which might accrue from it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware, judging from experience in France, that the fact of roads being full of refugees has prevented the efficciency of military operations? If anything can be done to stop that, it is worth considering.

We are determined to stop it, and we are taking the steps best calculated to secure that object.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider some revision of the arrangements in respect of persons desiring to proceed to protected areas, so that they may have an assurance that they will be allowed to pay their visit before they commence their journey?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a Question on this subject by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Lyons).

On a point of Order. The Home Secretary has referred me to an answer given yesterday to a Private Notice Question. My Question was tabled last Monday. I take it that you, Sir, would not have permitted the Private Notice Question yesterday unless it was different from mine. In those circumstances I take It that I am entitled to a different answer from the Horne Secretary.

I am afraid I overlooked that.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the check on civilians entering military-controlled areas is not being enforced; and will he consult the Secretary of State for War with regard to making use of special military police for this purpose?

I am not sure what my hon. Friend means by military-controlled areas, but if he will supply me with details of the cases which he has in mind, I shall be happy to consider what action I can most usefully take.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has recommended all householders to put on the back of their front door the number of persons sleeping in the house so that, in the event of the house being partially destroyed, rescuing parties might have this guidance as to the number of occupants?

No, Sir. Even if the record remained intact after destruction of the property, complete reliance could not be placed upon the accuracy of the record at the time of the incident, and rescue parties would still have to depend upon the personal knowledge of neighbours and wardens.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are islands on the West Coast of Scotland owned by private individuals, and that, in the case of at least one island, one individual determines who may or may not land; and what steps he has taken to ensure that activities on these islands generally are supervised in the interests of national security and, in particular, that none of the islands are used by pro-Nazi sympathisers?

I am informed that the police keep these islands under supervision. They have had occasion to investigate certain recent reports but have satisfied themselves that there was no ground for any action.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of these islands is owned and occupied by the father and the family of Miss Unity Mitford, relatives and former associates of Fascists, and that it is causing great perturbation in the North of Scotland that these people are entirely unsupervised and have entire control of the island?

Those people are not, as far as I know, resident on the island. I have information as to the persons who are there.

Is it not the case that the father of Miss Unity Mitford went to an island that he possesses off the West coast of Mull and is still resident there?

Miss Unity Mitford is not there.

Her father, who was an associate of Fascists, is.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes, by regulation, to introduce compulsory service for Civil Defence in parts of the country without, at the same time, extending it to all; and when he proposes to take the necessary action?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the Question put to me on 4th July by the hon. Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon).

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to see that drivers of civilian vehicles give the right of way to all military traffic, particularly in controlled areas?

Under the Traffic on Highways Order, 1940, made by the Minister of Transport under Defence Regulation 70, Regional Commissioners have been empowered to issue directions which will ensure that military traffic or other essential transport is given such priority within their Regions as may from time to time be necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making an appeal on the wireless and through the Press to this effect?

I do not think it is a question of making an appeal. As I have explained, instructions have been given and directions will be issued and enforced if the necessity arises.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give further guidance to the nation as to the part which able-bodied civilians, not members of the Regular or Local Defence Volunteer Forces, should play if enemy invasion materialises, either by passive resistance, by refusing or hiding food, by giving no information or misleading information, or will they be permitted and encouraged to offer active resistance with any weapons they can improvise or that are made available to them?

Yes, Sir. This matter is at present under consideration, and instructions will be issued to the public without delay.

They will be issued, then, before the emergency arises?

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take with regard to small shopkeepers, who are suffering considerable losses owing to the compulsory surrender of fireworks without any compensation?

This matter is under consideration, and I am not in a position to make a statement to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will appoint an emergency committee to recommend what steps should be taken to alleviate the distress caused to hotels, boarding houses and other businesses in coastal resorts affected by the new Defence Area Regulations concerning visitors?

Regulations have been issued applying a moratorium to rent, rates and certain other local debts, within any part of a Defence Area which may be declared by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security to be an evacuated area. Relief is moreover afforded in certain conditions by the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, and persons who are in distress as a result of the war are eligible for assistance under the scheme for the prevention and relief of distress. In these circumstances I do not think the appointment of a committee is necessary.

Would my right hon. Friend be prepared to receive representations?

Certainly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that owing to the effect of the war on seaside hotels there are many cases where, unless the law is altered, the licence duty will increase 20 and 30-fold, and will he take any steps to alter it?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are boroughs in London which are just as badly hit as the coast towns?

Those are some of the difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement respecting recent conversations between the Viceroy, Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Jinnah, respectively; and whether he has any information respecting the circumstances of the arrest of Mr. Subhas Bose?

I have no statement to make with reference to the first part of the Question. As regards the second part, the Bengal Government report that the immediate reason for the arrest of Mr. Subhas Chandra Bose on 2nd July was to forestall a breach of the peace in Calcutta on the following day when he had declared his intention to initiate forcible action to secure the demolition or removal of the Holwell Monument in Calcutta commemorating the "Black Hole" tragedy. He intended to take this course as an attempt to induce the Bengal Government to come to a decision on the matter, which was under their consideration, within 24 hours. He is now awaiting trial under the Defence of India Rules for certain subversive speeches recently delivered by him.

Is the Minister likely to make a statement in the near future with regard to the conversations, especially in view of the fact that he stated last time that conversations were being held then and that he might have some report to make later on?

I hope so.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there has been any substantial increase in the number of commissions granted to Indian applicants; and what justification there is for the complaint that many applications have been refused?

Yes, Sir. The output of trained Indian officers is expected to be very largely increased during the coming year. The authorities in India have to select the best men for the vacancies available, and presumably a certain number of less well qualified candidates have to be rejected.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in fact there have been certain complaints recently regarding the very small number of Indian applicants granted commissions? Is that likely to be remedied?

All the other applicants are Indian applicants, and as rapidly as the Indian Army is expanded applicants are taken, by selection.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proportion of rejects in India is greater than the proportion of rejects at home?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to conserve valuable food supplies, steps will be taken to deal with poultry and rabbits, etc., which may be abandoned in certain areas owing to compulsory evacuation of the civil population?

I have been asked to reply. I do not anticipate that any considerable numbers of poultry and rabbits will, in fact, be abandoned in the circumstances mentioned. Owners of such stock in the areas in question should make arrangements prior to evacuation for the disposal of their stock either to other breeders or by slaughter and sale for human consumption.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to agriculture?

No, Sir. I can hold out no hope of a special opportunity being given for discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the all-important point in this Motion is that the banks are still charging 5 per cent. to agricultural borrowers, and that they are not able to put forward any justification for this high rate of interest which they are charging?

The point of the hon. Member's Question was to ask whether time could be given for the Motion.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he is Chairman of the Cabinet Committee dealing with agriculture, and is he also aware of how little he knows of what he ought to know?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what he estimates the total sum to be that farmers will receive in a full year as a result of the increased prices recently announced by him?