asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as a result of restriction of sales on the home market, the export trade in cotton goods may be prejudiced; and will he take steps to permit that substantial volume of home trade which is a necessary basis for a prosperous export trade?

The limitation on sales of cotton goods on the home market was designed primarily to ensure that the heavy volume of Service orders would be met at the expense of domestic civilian consumption rather than of production for export. Service demands on the cotton industry remain heavy. Any surplus of productive capacity that may become available will, it is hoped, be largely absorbed as a result of the efforts now being made by the Cotton Board to encourage export trade. I must emphasise, however, that the Government cannot permit the use of materials, which cost us shipping and foreign exchange, to meet unessential home demands, and that to do so would be a wasteful employment of the resources on which we depend for victory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures of retail consumption for June, 1939, and June, 1940, or the nearest available date?

There are no figures showing the actual value of retail consumption. Certain traders make returns of their sales to the Bank of England from which the change compared with the corresponding month of the previous year is calculated. For this sample of the trade average daily sales in May, 1940, the latest month available, were 4·5 per cent. higher in value than those in May, 1939. In view of the rise in prices, the volume of goods sold must have been considerably reduced. Detailed particulars were published in the "Board of Trade Journal," dated 4th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures for the consumption of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, for June, 1939, and dune, 1940, or the nearest available date?

As has already been stated in reply to previous Questions, the publication of detailed statistics as to individual commodities has been suspended since the outbreak of war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in any new legislation, he will consider the question of causing directors of public companies to make a return of any transactions in the shares of all companies in which they are directors?

I have had a note made of the suggestion, so that it will be considered when the amendment of the Companies Act is under review. The hon. Member will be aware of the present provision made by Section 108 of the Companies Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those who were responsible for the arrangements for the first camps for aliens and refugees are still employed in these duties?

A separate directorate has now been formed in the War Office to deal with questions affecting prisoners of war and interned enemy aliens, so far as my Department is concerned in those questions. The directorate includes part of the clerical staff of the branch which originally dealt with these matters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the work done by his Department for the Ministry of Supply, such as ordnance factories, national depots, etc., is subject to the same restrictions with regard to tendering as operated in peace time for the ordinary work of his Department; whether he is aware that the Ministry of Supply does not impose such restrictions on work clone directly for it, and whether he will remove these restrictions for such work?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The restrictions with regard to tendering which operate in peace time have been modified to suit war conditions. Steps have been taken to expedite the procedure in cases of urgency, but it would not be in the public interest, from the point of view of both efficiency and economy, to abandon the competitive tender system entirely.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made in all Government Departments to provide an efficient emergency service for putting out fires in the event of damage from incendiary bombs in an air raid; and to what extent departments rely on their own initiative, or on the assistance of the Auxiliary Fire Service in this connection?

In Government buildings of importance fire protection is normally provided day and night by voluntary squads from among the staff, who have been trained and equipped to deal with incendiary bombs. They are instructed to seek assistance from the Auxiliary Fire Service if a fire becomes too serious for them to control, and suitable liaison arrangements have been made to this end.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider laying down that members of the Local Defence Volunteers on road duty should have a blank cartridge for the first shot so that this could be fired as a warning to motorists?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been considered, but it is not thought practicable to adopt it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to preventing newly-appointed officers being deprived in practice of their right to choose their own tailor for their outfits, and of the consequent benefit of competitive prices, he will issue instructions that adjutants should abstain from any interference in the selection of tailors, and that they should not make a practice of being present at the fitting-on of uniforms ordered from the regimental tailor, and should not claim the right to approve or disapprove of the uniforms?

Instructions have already been issued making it clear that officers are to be allowed complete freedom in the choice of a tailor. It is no part of an adjutant's duties to issue instructions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that adequate steps are being taken to ensure that by expert inspection and instruction the feeding arrangements for all ranks on detachment or in requisitioned houses are clear and satisfactory; whether officers in command of units or detachments have facilities for obtaining expert advice in that connection; and, if not, what steps are proposed to ensure early improvement?

The responsibility for feeding arrangements in these cases rests with commanding officers who have adequate staff for the purpose. The help and advice of the catering department of the Army is at the disposal of general officers commanding, who have several catering advisers attached to their staffs: in addition, each division has a catering adviser.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider instituting in each command schools of instruction for junior infantry non-commissioned officers for intensive training under specially selected instructors?

Every infantry training centre has a class for the instruction of potential non-commissioned officers, and recruits who show ability during their training with this class are retained by infantry training centres for an additional period of one month for special instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a marriage and dependants allowance is paid in respect of the wife and child of Roy, William Hill, No. 1424966, 27th Heavy Battery, Royal Artillery?

I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in possession of the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 737 Private E. J. Ansell, No. 11 Depôt, Royal Army Medical Corps, was sent on seven days' leave from Leeds to Tottenham on 27th June pending discharge; that except for one week's pay and ration money he has since received neither payment nor discharge; and, in view of the fact that his mother is a widow and unable to keep him, will he take immediate steps to secure payment of the arrears?

I am making inquiry into the case. In the meantime, pay and ration allowance for 28 days from 27th June have been issued to the man.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Royal Warrant for pay and promotion will be altered so as to allow Territorial Army quartermasters, with six years' service, to be promoted captain in accordance with the recent War Office decision, as such promotion is held up until the amendment is made?

The amendment of the regulations will be published in Army Orders for July, but will have retrospective effect to 1st July, and steps are being taken to give effect to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether roads passing through areas in which parachute or other enemy troops have, or are believed to have, landed will be closed to ambulance traffic until any danger which threatens such traffic has been eliminated?

It would not be practicable to make any definite rule on this matter, but due precaution would, of course, be observed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present number of military bands actually in the country; and what steps are being taken to employ them in stimulating public morale by the arrangement of parades of troops headed by bands through the principal urban areas of the country so far as it can be arranged without interfering with training?

More than 100 bands have been authorised, and many of these are now in being. Instructions have been issued that every opportunity should be taken, so far as is practicable, of utilising these bands for the purpose which my hon. Friend has in view.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a visor for the protection of the eyes against fragments from explosives, attached to the steel helmet and so arranged as to be used as occasion requires, may be made a standard equipment of the Army and the Local Defence Volunteers?

As indicated in the answer given by my predecessor on 7th May last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser), it has been decided to carry out a large scale trial with a visor incorporated in the steel helmet. Supplies of these visors are beginning to come forward and it is hoped that the trial will soon take place.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that local authorities feel that they are not being offered proper co-operation as between the Army authorities and themselves in their area for the billeting of troops; that frequently there is tampering with the water and sewage services without reference to local government surveyors concerned; and whether he will inquire into this matter and take action?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases which he has in mind, I will have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement on the plans for billeting during the coming winter the large number of troops in this country, more especially as to whether it is to be done in private houses or in specially erected buildings?

It will not be possible to provide new buildings to any considerable extent, and a large degree of quartering in private houses will be inevitable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when possession is taken for the purposes of military defence works of unoccupied houses, or land, or timber, or other property in any area, any notice is either required to be given, or is, in fact, given to the owners or anyone else; and, if no such notice is given, whether he will arrange for written notice to be given to the clerk of the local authority in which such property is situate, so that there may be some written record available to owners of property so taken?

When possession is taken of a property or when work is done on it, the serving of a notice is not required by law. In fact, a notice is served on the occupier wherever possible, and the War Office have recently drawn the attention of General Officers Commanding-in-Chief to this procedure in connection with the programme of defence works. There are, however, many thousands of these works and their construction is of the first urgency; it is probable, therefore, that the serving of notices is sometimes delayed.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether the Production Council have been furnished with a statement as to the number of employés of contractors and sub-contractors to Government Departments engaged in the inspection of parts and finished goods; and also how many employés of the Government are engaged in similar work in the same factories?

No, Sir. On the general question of the inspection of war material I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 16th July to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Sir M. Sueter).

asked the Minister of Transport whether any arrangements have been made to distinguish vehicles engaged on essential defence services, so that such vehicles should not be unduly delayed by the military in the event of an air raid taking place at the time of an invasion?

During an air raid warning motor vehicles generally are allowed to proceed if the drivers have good reason for doing so. There is, therefore, no need for any distinguishing mark for vehicles engaged on essential services so far as air raids are concerned. Should it be necessary at any time to restrict traffic on roads required for military purposes arrangements have been made under which essential vehicles can be allowed to proceed.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to send to the Dominions leading members of the British Union of Fascists, who have been placed in custody under Regulation 18B?

I regret I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Woodburn) on 4th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Sevenoaks and Holmesdale Hospital has made the arrangements for the reception and resuscitation of casualties, as recommended by his Department; and, if not, whether he will see that they are now carried out?

The Sevenoaks and Holmesdale Hospital is a class I hospital, accustomed to do general casualty work in normal times, and at present holding available for war casualties from 40 to 50 beds. I do not know what arrangements the hon. Member has in mind, but I have no reason to think that this hospital is not fully capable of dealing with casualties, if received.

asked the Minister of Health whether persons resident in country areas at distances of five miles or more from the nearest aid-post or hospital, but within a short distance of the nearest doctor, will normally be conveyed to the nearest aid-post or hospital if injured in an air raid, although such injuries are of a slight character and can be dealt with by the local practitioner on the spot?

Casualties occurring at some distance from an aid post or a hospital would normally be dealt with by a mobile unit to which a doctor is attached. As I said in reply to the hon. Member on 2nd July, any exceptional case where it is not practicable to make use of the organised arrangements, will be considered on its merits.

asked the Minister of Health whether the particulars entered upon the lists of medical practitioners kept by the Central Medical War Committee are so full as to make it possible for any hospital to obtain at once in emergency the services of those in their neighbourhood who may have valuable experience of the administration of anaesthetics, blood transfusion, surgery, etc.; and whether hospitals are in fact supplied with lists of such practitioners?

Staff are already assigned for the various branches of medical work in all hospitals within the emergency scheme. To meet the possibility that additional medical staff might be required in an emergency, arrangements have been made for them to be supplied through the hospital officer or his representative from lists compiled with the assistance of local medical war committees. These committees are in possession of information showing the special experience of the practitioners concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what steps should be taken by a person injured in an air raid who has obtained immediate treatment from a local practitioner in order to secure a certificate entitling him to free treatment?

In any exceptional case where it is not practicable for the injured person to avail himself of the arrangements described in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 2nd July, the facts should be reported to my Department, or to my senior regional officer locally, for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the basis of valuation on which the 160 acres of bogland was purchased from each of seven different owners for Royal Air Force purposes?

The basis of the valuation in these several transactions was the market value of the land as assessed after taking all relevant considerations into account.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many residents in the Channel Islands who were anxious to be avacuated were unable to do so following the air raid on 28th June as there were no boats available; and whether he will approach the German authorities, through neutral channels, to arrange for the evacuation of such of the remaining inhabitants who now wish to leave?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) on the 18th instant. As regards the second part of the Question, I regret that it is not possible on present information to hold out hope of any such arrangement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will release and make use of the services of Sebastian Haffner, the author of "Germany: Jekyll and Hyde" who has been interned despite the great assistance he has given to the allied war effort?

This case is at present under consideration and my right hon. Friend will communicate his decision to the hon. Member in the course of a few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether supplies of tea have been rationed to hotels, restaurants, etc., as well as to private individuals?

The supply of tea to catering establishments and institutions which include works' canteens and hospitals, is not at present restricted under the Tea (Rationing) Order, 1940, but the release of tea has been adjusted by the Ministry in such a way as to limit these establishments as a whole to their former consumption. Residential establishments which include residential hotels and boarding houses use the coupons of the residents and are therefore restricted in the some way as private individuals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements have been made about butter supplies for diabetics and other invalids in connection with the new rationing scheme?

The matter has been referred to the Food Rations (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council. They are giving it urgent consideration and a decision will be taken as soon as their recommendation has been received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a list of the ways in which a man serving in the Forces receives preferential treatment in national or local taxation?

The information required is as follows:—Members of the British Armed Forces receive special treatment in the matter of taxation in the following respects:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take any action with regard to unclaimed balances which for years have been in the keeping of British banks?

No, Sir. The amount of such balances is not large, and the process of taking them into the Exchequer would be costly and complicated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the formula on which Excess Profits Tax on standing timber is to be charged has yet been evolved; and, if so, will a copy be made available for those interested?

This question is still under examination by the Board of Inland Revenue. The Board are in touch with the Forestry Commission, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that, as soon as the examination is completed, the matter will be discussed further with the organisations representing woodland owners.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give some indication to actors and other professional men who have registered for military service and have been medically examined as to when they are likely to be required, so that it may be possible for them to continue to obtain theatrical engagements for as long as possible whilst they are not required?

It is not possible to give any more precise indication than that contained in the statement made on 9th July in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for the City of London (Sir G. Broadbridge).

asked the Minister of Labour why, in spite of repeated promises that recruits would be permitted to choose the service in which they would prefer to enlist, the Army authorities refused to withdraw the calling-up notice of Matthew Sullivan, who gave long notice of his desire to join the Royal Navy, for which he had the approval of the Admiralty and the Ministry of Labour?

Mr. Sullivan notified a preference for the Navy but was not accepted by the naval authorities. His posting to the Army was therefore quite in order.

asked the Minister of Labour in how many cases special arrangements have been made to enable recruits to be registered at their place of work?

I regret that precise information is not available. The number of cases is believed to be small.

asked the Minister of Labour for what times per day and whether daily or not medical boards sit for the examination of registered persons; and what, approximately, is the average number of doctors employed, wholly or partially, respectively, on this duty at the latest known date and at similar dates in March, April and May, 1940, respectively?

I regret that it is not possible without the expenditure of much time and labour to give the exact information asked for by my hon. and learned Friend. A session of a medical board occupies approximately 2½ hours. A board holds from one to four sessions a day, and the frequency with which it meets varies according to the numbers of men awaiting examination. The number of boards at present in operation is 223 and their work is distributed as evenly as practicable among all the chairmen and panel members, who exceed 3,600. Both chairmen and panel members are employed and paid on a sessional basis.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether, having regard to the fact that each new merchant vessel must be provided with one motor lifeboat, it is his intention to make it compulsory that, in future, all existing merchant ships shall be equipped with one motor lifeboat; and, if so, whether he can give the date from which this is to apply?

As the hon. Member is aware, the course he proposes would involve not only the provision of a large number of motors and the adaptation of existing lifeboats or the building of new ones, but also extensive alterations to the lowering gear on the ships themselves. I am afraid that this is not practicable in present circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were imprisoned in England during last year for failing to implement decrees ad factum praestandum; what was the longest period served by one person, what was the shortest period, and what was the total period for all; what was the total charge on public funds in respect of such imprisonment; and what was the total cost to creditors on whose behalf such imprisonment was imposed?

I have made inquiry and I regret that separate particulars are not available of the kind of case which I understand the hon. and learned Member has in mind.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were imprisoned in England during last year for failing to pay debts; what was the longest period spent in prison by one person; what was the shortest period, and what was the total period for all; and what was the total cost to public funds, and to incarcerating creditors, respectively, in respect of such imprisonment?

The latest information available is in respect of the year 1938. In that year 3,357 males and 62 females were committed to prison from county courts, and nearly all were committed for failure to comply with an order or judgment to pay a debt. It would not be possible without the expenditure of much time and labour to supply the information asked for in the second and third parts of the Question. The maximum period for which a person may be committed to prison in such circumstances is six weeks; though in practice the period of committal seldom exceeds four weeks and may be only a few days. As regards the last part of the Question, there is no separate record of the cost of maintenance of debtor prisoners. No part of this cost is borne by the creditors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were imprisoned for debt in Scotland during the last available year; what was the longest, the shortest and the total period of such imprisonment; what was the total cost to the Exchequer and to the incarcerating creditors, respectively, in respect of such imprisonment?

Imprisonment for debt is not competent in Scotland except in the case of taxes, rates and assessments and aliment. During the year 1939 one person was imprisoned for non-payment of taxes, two persons were imprisoned for non-payment of rates and assessments, and 112 persons for non-payment of aliment. The longest, shortest and total periods of such imprisonment were 42 days, I day, and 1,564 days respectively. The extra cost to the Exchequer for victualling, clothing, bedding, furniture, medicines, etc., by reason of the admission of these persons to prison is estimated at £51 1s. 10d. and the cost to the incarcerating local authority in the cases of non-payment of rates and assessments was £1 18s. In the other cases no payment fell to be made by the creditors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were imprisoned in Scotland during the last available year for failing to comply with orders ad factum praestandum; what was the longest, shortest and the total period of such imprisonments; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer and to the incarcerating creditors, respectively, in respect of such imprisonment?

During the year 1939 the number of persons imprisoned in Scotland for failing to comply with orders ad factum praestandum was 10. The longest, the shortest, and the total periods of such imprisonment were 42 days, 3 days, and 207 days respectively. The extra cost to the Exchequer for victualling, clothing, bedding, furniture, medicine, etc., by reason of the admission to prison of these persons is estimated at £7 0s. 6d. and the cost to the incarcerating creditors was £1 8s. 7d.

asked the Minister of Transport why he has not yet ordered the removal of the bars across the window frames of certain railway passenger trains, which are constructed of wood, in view of the peril to passengers in such trains who would be trapped in their compartments in the event of fire through enemy action or other cause; and will he treat this as an urgent matter seeing that these trains are frequently overcrowded?

These bars exist only on certain suburban trains the carriages of which are of exceptional width. At some points on the lines the clearance is small and it is necessary to prevent passengers from leaning out of the windows and being injured. In the interests of safety generally I do not think it is desirable that the bars should be removed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements can be made for any registered docker or stevedore leaving his work during the war for other work to have his registration card back when he wishes to resume dock work?

I have already asked all port registration committees to make arrangements to ensure that registered dockers, who take work of national importance outside the docks, shall retain their registered status.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the growing public interest in hydroponics, he will consider the publication periodically of the results of any investigations that have taken place by the Department or other responsible bodies into this process?

A summary of the results of investigational work in hydroponics was published in the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in November, 1938. Experiments are continuing at certain centres in this country, and reports on the work carried out have been published in scientific journals. I shall be happy to arrange that consultation shall take place between my Department and the Agricultural Research Council on the question of the publication from time to time of further summaries of the results obtained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will cause an official badge, brooch or medal to be issued to all farmers and agricultural workers; and whether he will consider issuing such badge, brooch or medal through the representatives of the farmers and workmen?

This matter has been considered but the Government has decided not to issue badges to the general body of workers engaged on civil work of national importance, and I do not think that there is any occasion for giving different treatment to farmers and farm workers. I may add that the National Farmers' Union and the unions representing agricultural workers are in agreement with this view.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much money has been authorised to meet the ploughing-up subsidy scheme in the United Kingdom; and how much of this remains unpaid?

The total sum paid and in course of payment to date in respect of the ploughing grants of £2 per acre is 3,668,000. The amount still to be paid in respect of ploughings for the 1940 harvest is estimated to be about £180,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, taking into consideration all the recent price modifications, he can now state the subsidies actually granted to British agriculture?

No direct subsidies are now being paid in respect of British agricultural products except wheat. Some products are, however, being sold at a loss—home-produced fat stock, milk and sugar beet by the Ministry of Food and home-produced wool by the Ministry of Supply. In the event of the average market price of oats being less than the standard price in force under the Agricultural Development Act, 1939, a subsidy will also be payable for oats and rye.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further arrangements he has made or proposes to make to ensure the destruction of foxes in Great Britain in view of the depletion in the number of hunt servants, the great reduction in the number of hounds kept, and the consequent inability of local hunts to prevent the depredations of foxes amongst poultry and lambs?

The Masters of Foxhounds Association have impressed on their members the need for the maintenance and intensification of their efforts to keep down the number of foxes in their districts and these efforts will supplement the measures which individual occupiers are able to take. Where it may prove necessary my right hon. Friend will consider the exercise of powers under the Defence Regulations by the appropriate county war agricultural executive committee.

asked the Postmaster General whether, in cases where persons or firms, such as hotels and boardinghouses, in defence areas to which access by holiday-makers is prohibited have relinquished their telephones owing to inability to carry on their businesses, he will endeavour to keep the telephone number available so that it may be used for the same premises when the restrictions referred to have ceased?

Every endeavour will be made to re-allocate subscribers' original telephone numbers in the circumstances described by my hon. Friend, but my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to reserve such numbers indefinitely if they are needed to meet other applications for service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the correspondence between the Department of Health for Scotland, Reference No. 277113/7, and the Medical Practitioners' Union and the letter of 29th June from his Department, he is prepared to take any action on the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the information regarding the subject matter of the correspondence in question which was given in my replies of 25th June, 9th July, and 16th July. A further explanatory letter was sent to the Medical Practitioners' Union by the Department of Health for Scotland on 6th July.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Lieut.-Colonel Roche, who is broadcasting from Rome, is still drawing retired pay?

No, Sir. Payment of retired pay has been withheld.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can now make any statement as to the price of the wool clip for 1940?

The prices at which the 1940 British wool clip is being acquired by the Government are set out in the Schedule to the Control of Wool (No. 13) Order, 1940.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will co-operate more closely with the Minister of Labour for Northern Ireland in providing additional war work for the large number of unemployed in Northern Ireland who are ready and willing, awaiting the word of command to do their part for the defeat of our enemies?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the closest attention is given to the question of providing additional war work for Northern Ireland. Close touch with the Minister of Labour for Northern Ireland is maintained through the Ministry of Supply's Area Officer in Belfast.

asked the Minister of Supply what active steps have county councils been asked to take with regard to the collection of salvage and scrap?

Compulsory directions were issued on or about 26th June to all town councils, urban district councils and rural district councils in England and Wales with districts comprising a population of over 10,000, requiring them to provide an efficient service for the collection of waste paper, metals and household hones. Directions were not issued to county councils in these countries, because they are not responsible for the local refuse collection services, which normally are used for the collection of waste materials. In Scotland, the directions have been issued to burgh councils where their population exceeds 10,000, and to certain county councils who have under their jurisdiction special scavenging districts of like population.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production, in view of the fact that the best method of production to obtain the maximum results in the minimum of time is the three-shift system, based upon 24 hours continuous working, what steps are being taken to organise the three-shift system, and why are there not three shifts engaged now on the most urgently required aircraft?

My hon. Friend can rest assured that the productive capacity of the factories working for us is employed for the greatest possible number of hours each day so far as the supply of materials and of skilled labour permit.