asked the Minister of Labour whether he has been furnished with reports as to the extent of absenteeism in munition factories since the introduction of week-end and other forms of overtime working?

I have no statistics on this matter. It is evident, however, that undue exhaustion, which is one of the causes of absenteeism, must be prevented if production is to be maintained at the maximum, and in order to secure this I am issuing immediately some notes for guidance on "Hours of Work and Maximum Production" to give an indication of the kind of adjustment in the hours of work that should be made. I will have copies placed in the Vote Office as soon as they are available.

Is it clear that there is not as much absenteeism as among landlords and plural farmers?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when these men are away it is generally on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and that they work double-time over the week-end?

Did you ever work in a factory in your life?

I would make this appeal to the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Levy), that I think it is doing untold harm to the country to keep singling out exceptions, especially having regard to the fact that in all the air raids, in all that is going on, the men are sticking it as they are.

Is it not in the national interest that if a man wants to take a day off, it should be on a Saturday or Sunday and not on a Wednesday, when the rate of pay is single-time?

I would remind the hon. Member that very often, if men took the Saturday or Sunday off, they might, by that very act, hold up the delivery of aircraft or other things which were needed for the Forces the very next day. The question of when and how they take their time off is one for the management and the union concerned.

Is not the hon. Member showing remarkable ignorance of working conditions?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of factories upon the trading estates and elsewhere, opened by aliens, which have been closed and the number which are to contribute to the national effort under strict supervision?

I am making inquiries and will forward my hon. Friend such particulars as may be available, as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to find out how many British subjects have lost their employment as a result?

asked the Minister without Portfolio, in view of the eagerness of the people to make their contribution in the national effort, when action is to be taken to mobilise the whole resources of the country, increase the supply of materials, and make the pooling of patentee rights and licences compulsory, and, as wide powers are being used to direct workpeople and interfere with their hard-won customs when will the compulsory powers be used to direct material and production in order that the peak can be attained and the people be assured that the maximum effort is being made?

The Government warmly appreciate the eagerness to which my hon. Friend refers, which makes very much easier their task of mobilising the resources required for the war effort and has already made possible a very considerable increase in the output of war materials. Under existing legislation any patented invention can be used on proper terms for the purposes of the Crown, and Government Departments can act in this matter either directly or by any contractor duly authorised in writing. The Ministers concerned do not hesitate to use their powers of requisitioning materials, premises and tools wherever such action would be useful.

asked the Minister of Labour how many printing trade operatives were placed on munitions work through the Employment Exchanges between 17th June and 11th July, 1940; and how many more have been so placed since the latter date?

For the general figures, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Southwark (Mr. Isaacs) on 18th July. I may add that, of the 935 printing trade operatives placed on munition work through the Employment Exchanges, between 17th June and 11th July, 39 were placed in Scotland. Information as to the number placed since the latter date is not yet available, but it is known that a considerable number have been transferred to munitions work during the last fortnight.

Would my right hon. Friend keep in mind that, owing to the shortage of paper, there will be increased unemployment among printers?

The Printing Trade Joint Industrial Council have a representative body which is dealing with my Department continuously on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the heavy cost to the State of the conscientious objectors' tribunals, he will see that those objectors, who are in a position to do so, shall be made to pay a fee for the examination, since under the present law the State loses both man and money in the event of a successful appeal?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of copies of N.S. 14 that have to be made by a conscientious objector; the number of times that the continuation form has to be filled up; and why it is necessary to have eight copies of the appeal result made and seven filed?

Only one copy of the Application Form N.S. 14 has to be filled up by a conscientious objector. The continuation form is used when necessary for the recording by the chairman of the evidence obtained at the hearing and the findings of the tribunal. Any additional copies required for the use of the members of the tribunal and of others concerned, including the applicant and his representative, are made by the Department. With regard to the last part of the Question, three copies are prepared of the result of an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal, one for the applicant, one for the tribunal records and the third for Departmental record.

asked the Minister of Labour at whose instance his Department recently appealed for the complete exemption of two young men who had refused to recognise the Military Service Act; and whether, before this action was taken, due consideration was given to the possible repercussions of this official support for ignoring the law relating to military service as laid down by Parliament?

asked the Minister of Labour upon what grounds Harold Mayo, of Greenhill Grove, Manor Park, E., and A. S. Porcas, of Dunbar Avenue, Norbury, were excused from military service; what are their ages; are they married; what is their present occupation and remuneration; and whether they will be drafted into some service of national benefit?

These men were registered unconditionally as conscientious objectors by the Appellate Tribunal. The appeal to the Tribunal was made by my Department in accordance with the powers conferred by Section 5 (4) of the Armed Forces Act. Whether or not the decision from which the appeal is made is in favour of the applicant, it is the practice of the Department to exercise these rights of appeal in order to secure a decision from the Appellate Tribunal whenever it appears to them that a case contains features which requires authoritative determination by the Tribunal. I cannot agree that the Department gave any official support for the ignoring of the law; on the contrary, the action of the Department was in accordance with the procedure clearly intended by the Armed Forces Act and afforded the only means of determining authoritatively the effect of that Act in these particular cases. I understand that both men are between the ages of 21 and 23 and that Mr. Mayo, but not Mr. Porcas, is married. I have no information as to their present occupation or remuneration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both these men said they refused to recognise the Military Service Act, and is he aware that his Department, by deliberately supporting them in that attitude, was in fact supporting contempt for the law?

I do not accept the interpretation placed upon the action of the Department. The Department took the case to the only place to which they could take it to get a decision when the men themselves had refused to go.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by this action he is pointing a way whereby other people can ignore the Act and get away with it?

I do not accept that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask those responsible for taking this action to display a little less concern for young men who ignore the Military Service Act and more concern for the sons of widows?

Why was an official decision taken in the case of these two young men? Why was a special course of action taken?

No special course of action was taken. It would have to be taken in any such case having regard to the Act of Parliament passed by this House and the Section of it which I have quoted.

Arising from this Question—

There is a very large number of Questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases of conscientious objection to military service considered by the Glasgow tribunal during the months of May and June, respectively; the number of cases in which total exemption was granted; the number of conditional exemptions; and the number of refusals?

During May, the number of cases considered by the Glasgow local tribunal was 191; 45 of the applicants were registered unconditionally as conscientious objectors, 20 were registered as conscientious objectors on condition that they undertook work of a civil character specified by the tribunal, 15 were registered for non-combatant duties in the Forces, and 111 were removed without qualification from the register of conscientious objectors. During the month of June, the tribunal considered 152 cases, and the numbers placed in the four categories mentioned above were 9, 40, 13 and 90 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any effort is made when twins are called up to draft them to the same regiment?

Twins would, if possible, be called up to the same unit if they notified their wish beforehand and there were no material difference in their qualifications and medical categories. The same would apply to triplets.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. John Eaton, of Barrow Hills, Long Cross, Chertsey, Surrey, when registering for service, on 9th March last, gave his employment as that of an aircraft fitter and mechanic employed by All Tools, although he was, in fact, shortly before, and is now, employed as a chauffeur; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

I am making inquiries into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend when they have been completed.

Will my right hon. Friend expedite the inquiry? I wrote him some time ago, and this matter dates back a long time.

I am afraid I was not in office to receive the letter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the exemption from military service of men of military age in charge of libraries at medical schools when the removal of these officers would result in closure or diminished usefulness of the library in their charge, with consequent injury to medical education and research?

Under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, a full-time librarian or assistant librarian of an association or institution for research or advanced study is reserved from military service at and above the age of 30.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration those below the age of 30, many librarians being quite young men?

I am afraid that it would be very difficult to begin making exceptions.

asked the Minister of Labour upon what system the recruiting medical boards are constituted; who is responsible for actually drawing up the rotas of doctors who serve on these boards; and whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction at the existing inequalities in the apportionment of this work between practitioners willing and competent to do it?

The panels from which members of medical boards are drawn are composed of medical practitioners whose names are obtained from lists maintained by the Central Medical War Committee. A medical board normally consists of a chairman and four other members. It is the chairman's duty to convene sessions of the board and to distribute the work as evenly as practicable among the doctors on the panel, which as a general rule consists of from 15 to 20 members. I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction among medical practitioners at the present method of distributing the work of the boards. The recent increase in the work consequent upon the acceleration in the calling-up of men has made it necessary to make more frequent calls on the services of panel members. Additional boards have, however, been appointed, and the total number of panel members now exceeds 3,600.

Will my right hon. Friend note that what is complained of is the unequal distribution of the work, because while some practitioners in a district get five or six boards a week other practitioners, equally competent, get none?

I think that would be a good point for the doctors' trade union to raise.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the provision of public and district air-raid shelters in Wales, he will arrange with the trade unions concerned to allow unskilled unemployed men to be engaged as bricklayers, so as to complete these shelters at the earliest possible moment?

I am discussing with the two sides of the building and civil engineering industries the best means of making use of the labour available in these industries for all Government building and civil engineering work including the construction of air-raid shelters.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further statement to make respecting the political situation in India and conversations between the Viceroy and Indian political leaders; and whether he has reconsidered the Indian proposal of a preliminary central provisional Government, possessing the confidence of Indian democratic institutions?

I have no statement to make at present with reference to the first part of the Question. If, in the second part, the hon. Member is referring to the resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee on 7th July, I can only say that I have, of course, taken note of the whole of that resolution.

Will there be a statement early, in view of the increasingly serious situation in India; and is there likely to be a discussion at an early date in this House on this very important matter?

If there is a desire, there will be a discussion on Indian affairs; but, at the same time, I must point out that I do not admit that the position in India is so serious as the hon. Member implies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, unfortunately, there is no body which can be described as the central provisional Government, which would have the approval or authority of both the great races in India?

Is it not precisely that kind of ambiguous statement just made by the hon. Member that is deserving of discussion at an early date?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has given further consideration to the anomaly whereby a compulsorily insured worker can obtain a free air-raid shelter whilst a voluntarily insured worker in receipt of an exactly similar wage and possibly heavier responsibilities has to bear the cost himself; and whether he will amend the Regulation so as to abolish this class distinction?

No, Sir. The line of demarcation chosen has, I think, been generally regarded as a fair and sensible one.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great dissatisfaction and difficulty among people who, while in receipt of very low incomes, are called upon to bear very heavy expenses to provide what is really a State necessity, in times like these?

The line was drawn after very careful consideration, and the matter has been discussed on several occasions in this House. Unless we adopted a policy of providing free domestic shelters for all, which would have been impossible in the actual circumstances, we were bound to fix some limit of this kind.

Surely my right hon. Friend realises that the need for a free issue must depend upon the person's ability to erect the shelter and that that should be a fundamental necessity; and will he give further consideration to the great hardship that is placed on voluntary contributors who are in receipt of very low incomes?

The income limit was fixed at the level recognised in the National Health Insurance Act, £5 a week, and it is impossible to reconsider the matter now.

Is it not because they have no association to fight for them that they get nothing done for them?

This Question should read "pleasure motoring" instead of "private motor cars."

The answer to the Question on the Paper is: No, Sir. In present circumstances very large numbers of people would have to be exempted from such a prohibition owing to the nature of their occupation, and for this reason I doubt whether the prohibition would in fact achieve the result desired by my hon. Friend.

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that it is quite possible, so long as there was this prohibition of anything but necessary duties, for the reduced number of motorists to be examined in detail by the police and the Home Guard, and their statements examined and substantiated?

I should be very sorry, in the present circumstances, to impose this invidious obligation.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to make civilian training for certain branches of air-raid precautions work compulsory; and whether he can now make a statement on the subject?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to make any specific announcement regarding the completion of the personnel of Civil Defence establishments by compulsory enlistment, where the voluntary principle has proved inadequate?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 4th July, to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon).

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that air-raid centres are getting their full complement of workers, and, owing to the length of time that has elapsed and they not having succeeded so far, what action does he propose to take?

If my hon. Friend has any impression that there are large and serious gaps in many areas, I can assure him that that is not the case. There are still gaps that we should like to fill. We are considering how the principle of compulsion could be applied in this case, but the workers are part-time, and we have to remember the effect upon the interests of other vital services.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some centres where there are gaps public opinion is so far in advance of Government policy that there is serious dismay?

Is it not the case that wherever these gaps exist there are Tory representatives, which show their incapability?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that certain persons have inaugurated local funds to provide mobile canteens for the feeding of the civil population during and after air-raids; and whether he will discourage these activities?

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the provision of facilities in the borough of Wands-worth. I am informed that one mobile canteen has been provided for Civil Defence volunteers and that an appeal has been made for funds for another. I am not aware of any grounds on which it would be desirable to discourage these public-spirited activities.

asked the home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of the internment of Mr. Emilio de Filippis, who has been employed for some eight years in a key position in a business in Colchester, and whose employers are prepared to enter into any undertaking the authorities may require as to Mr. de Filippis' movements in the event of his being allowed to return to his work; and whether, having regard to the fact that his continued internment will necessitate the discharge of some 90 workpeople at present employed by the firm, he will allow Mr. de Filippis to return to his work in Colchester?

Yes, Sir. I was satisfied after inquiry that the release of this man would be in the national interest, and I gave instructions that he should be released as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made.

asked the Home Secretary whether for the fuller information of public opinion and the allaying of needless distress, he will assure friendly aliens and refugees from Nazi oppression now interned or to be interned, that internment need not be interpreted as a reflection on the sincerity of their sympathy with and support for the British cause?

I have already taken steps to give an assurance in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend, and the terms of that assurance were published in the Press yesterday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that assurance will give great satisfaction to the numerous refugees in this country and will do something to assure certain sections of the public that these people are, in fact, not aliens hostile to this country?

I am very glad that that is so.

Could the right hon. Gentleman add to what he has said an assurance that in dealing with this class of aliens they will not be referred to as enemy aliens merely on the ground that they come from Germany?

I am afraid that I cannot ignore facts.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say that friendly aliens who have been interned and who have two or three sons in the British Army will receive special consideration?

I would certainly regard that as a consideration to which due weight should be given.

asked the Home Secretary how many non-Aryan aliens are now interned under categories A, B and C; how many have been deported of each variety to Canada or Australia; how many have been released since the sinking of the "Arandora Star;" and what further steps he proposes to take?

It has never been the policy of His Majesty's Government to discriminate between aliens on the basis of creed or race; and statistics distinguishing between so-called Aryans and non-Aryans are not, therefore, available. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my right hon. Friend to the statement which I made in answer to Questions on Tuesday.

Is not the principal charge against the Government that they have always failed to distinguish between enemy aliens who are Aryan and those who are non-Aryans? Is it not possible even now for the Department to turn over a new leaf and distinguish between those two types of internees? As regards the "Arandora Star," is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the list of those who sailed on the "Arandora Star" and who perished on the "Arandora Star," murdered by the Nazis—

The right hon. Member must not make a speech.

I want to ask my second Question, Mr. Speaker.

The right hon. Member was making a speech.

May I ask a question then? When will the list of those on the "Arandora Star," which was promised to be put in the Library, be there?

In reply to the first part of the question, the right hon. Gentleman has surely been mistaking two separate matters. The Department has always endeavoured to distinguish between enemy aliens who are refugees from Nazi oppression and others, but the Department has never distinguished, and I should be very sorry if it should try to distinguish, between those who were called Aryan and those who were called non-Aryan.

What about the "Arandora Star"?

I will send the right hon. Gentleman a reply to that Question. I cannot give it to him now.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the growing apprehension as to the effect on our war effort of the internment of refugees from Nazi oppression; and will he take immediate steps to adopt a policy more in accord with the British sense of decency and dignity?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement which I made in answer to Questions on Tuesday.

asked the Home Secretary how many interned aliens have appealed personally or through others for release from internment; how many of these appeals have been granted or rejected; and whether, in view of the long delays that have occurred in dealing with these appeals, he will strengthen and expedite the machinery for deciding on them, and will make public the grounds on which he is prepared to consider release?

No statistics are available, but appeals for release have been made by or on behalf of a very large proportion of the aliens who have been interned, and in many cases a number of communications are received about the same individual. The staff of my Department has been strengthened to deal with the great increase in the correspondence. I have already undertaken to publish as soon as possible a statement of the categories of persons eligible for release and of the procedure to be followed in making application for their release.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the sooner he publishes that statement the better, because that would prevent his getting applications which have no grounds for success?

That argument certainly appeals to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to these aliens that they can perform no higher service to this country than to compare their lot with that of our own dead, our wounded, our missing and prisoners, and of the men of our own Forces, who have fought, and are fighting, their battles?

Does the right hon. Gentleman know of the suicides which have taken plase in these internment camps?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the fact that aliens' internment camps had been hitherto administered by the War Prisoners' Department of the War Office has led to much anxiety as to their status among interned refugees and other friendly interned aliens, and especially to a few lest their names might be communicated, as those of war prisoners are, through some medium to the German Government; and will he, therefore, make a statement defining the status and relieving the fears of these internees in these respects?

The fact that it has been decided to transfer to the Home Office the responsibility for administering the camps for civilian internees should reassure those who are interned in them that they are regarded as civilians and not as combatant prisoners of war.

Might we be assured that their names will not be sent to the German Government either through the Swiss Legation or any other intermediary?

The arrangement by which the names of prisoners of war are communicated to the German Government is not applicable to civilian internees.

I want to ask—[Interruption.] Why should I not be allowed to ask a Supplementary Question?

There are 122 Questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will undertake that, until adequate opportunity has been afforded to each internee affected to apply for release from internment on the grounds and by the methods outlined in his recent announcement, and until such application has been determined, no internee will be deported overseas?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give orders that no further interned Category C aliens, particularly men who have lived in England the greater part of their lives, will be sent to the Dominions until their case has been carefully examined by the new committee he is setting up?

I should hesitate to give the specific undertakings for which my hon. Friends ask, but I can say that, as at present advised, I do not propose that any civilian internees should be sent overseas unless either they have volunteered to go or arrangements have been made for them to be accompanied, or followed, by their wives and children.

Would the right hon. Gentleman remember, especially in the case of those who have already volunteered, that that agreement was based on the conditions which then obtained and without knowledge of the statement which he made two days ago? In the light of that statement those who formerly agreed might now prefer to remain where they are.

That consideration will be taken into account.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some camps, at least, considerable pressure is being brought to bear on C class internees?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me the source of his information.

Does the condition permitting wives to accompany aliens sent abroad apply to those already sent whose wives have not been informed?

Yes, Sir, it does.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of holding consultations with various sections of opinion in this House with a view to amending Regulation 398 dealing with statements likely to cause alarm or despondency in the light of experience gained of its working?

I do not think I can usefully add anything to the statement on this subject which was made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Tuesday last.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this Regulation is being carried out in a way which causes ridicule throughout the country, in view of the way in which many cases are dealt with, and does he not think that it would be better to try and amend it?

This matter was dealt with by my right hon. Friend.

Has it been brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman that many of these cases under the Regulation arise out of political prejudice?

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that I am at present undertaking a review of the cases.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions have been instituted since the beginning of the war, respectively, for spreading rumours, for statements likely to cause alarm and despondency, and for speeches or the distribution of leaflets classified as insulting behaviour or likely to cause a breach of the peace; how many of these prosecutions have led to convictions and penalties of fine or imprisonment, respectively; and whether any kind of guidance has been, or will be, issued respecting the refusal of bail and the infliction of imprisonment without the alternative of a fine, particularly respecting the thoughtless but unmalicious acts of young and elderly people?

As regards proceedings for offences against Section 5 of the Public Order Act, 1936, no statistics are available, and to obtain the information asked for it would be necessary to call on all police forces for a return. I am reluctant to impose this additional burden on the police at a time when they are working under very severe pressure. As regards proceedings for offences against the Regulation of 11th June, dealing with statements calculated to cause alarm and despondency, the number of cases is 74. These cases are being examined for the purpose indicated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement on Tuesday last. In reply to the last part of the Question, no special guidance has been given to magistrates; but I know that the Director of Public Prosecutions has been careful to discriminate between cases which, in his opinion, could be met by a warning and those of a graver character.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that it is desirable to send out some sort of recommendation, in view of the number of penalties that have been imposed of a decidedly vindictive and un-British character?

My Department proceeds always on the assumption that anything in the nature of directions to magistraates should be issued very sparingly. As regards the nature of the offences and the penalties that have been imposed, I think the hon. Gentleman should await the review which is now proposed.

How many of the stories that have been spread to the effect that parachutists have come down have, in fact, been obtained from information in the documents of the Regional Commissioners?

asked the Home Secretary the total number of members of the British Union of Fascists in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the beginning of the war; how many of these members have now been interned; and has he any record of the number now employed in Government service?

I regret that it is not possible to give any of the information for which my right hon. Friend asks except that the number of detention orders made against members or former members of the British Union of Fascists is over 500.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman tell me last week that he had the names of those who were Fascists at the beginning of this war? Should I be wrong in suggesting that there were 9,000 of those names, and are they being traced by the Home Office?

It is true that I indicated to the right hon. Gentleman informally that I understood that the number of persons who had paid their last annual subscription was in the region of 9,000. Steps have been taken to supervise the activities of those persons.

How many dangerous people among them have not been interned?

How many Communists have been interned?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange that the monthly totals of air-raid casualties shall be published simultaneously with those for road casualties in order to develop a balanced perspective in the country?

No, Sir. I have considered my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I doubt whether it would be profitable to invite comparison between sets of figures which are not in any strict or logical sense comparable.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to do honour to those civilians who became casualties through enemy air action in Great Britain, he will direct that when these casualties are published each month they shall appear as names without addresses in the form of a Roll of Honour of the home front?

I am fully in sympathy with the object which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind: but, for reasons which I have explained in a letter which I have now sent to him, I am afraid that his suggestion would not be practicable.

If the theory is that people in some parts of the country might not recognise the names as being those of relatives of theirs, might not the publication of the ages, or possibly the National Registration numbers, remove that objection?

I think that the danger of causing misunderstanding and mental anxiety owing to similarity of names is only too real.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will bear in mind, when preparing regulations governing the closing of shops during the forthcoming black-out, the changed habits of the people in favour of earlier shopping; and whether he will consider favourably making it imperative upon all shops of certain categories throughout the country to close at the same hour without giving local authorities the right to contract out of the regulations?

The points mentioned by my hon. Friend have been noted for careful consideration when the occasion arises for framing further regulations governing the closing of shops.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind also the increase in the duties of shopkeepers and their assistants consequent upon the restrictions on packing, etc.?

Yes, Sir. Everything of that sort will be taken into account.

Is the Minister aware that very few traders took advantage of the increased hours permitted by the local authorities because they found that it would not be a paying proposition, as the people do not want to shop late?

I will take note of what the hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that opposition at public meetings under the auspices of the Ministry of Information comes mainly from Communists and sympathisers with Communism; and whether he will accord to them the same treatment as that accorded to the Fascist variety of State Socialism?

According to my information, there has been very little opposition at these meetings, except at some of the meetings held in Hyde Park. There, I understand that there has been some heckling, but nothing requiring police intervention. When anything occurs at a public meeting which calls for action on the part of the police, they carry out their duties without regard to the political opinions of the individuals causing trouble.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the gentlemen who were heckling me in Hyde Park last Friday were using Moscow-inspired slogans and were obviously opposed to the war effort?

I know something about that meeting. I think my hon. Friend will admit that he made some rather challenging remarks.

Would the Minister not provide for the hon. Member's protection by inviting Himmler over here?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the House his reasons for the measures taken to stop the circulation of the Communist party document which advocated the removal of the men of Munich, and the formation of a people's Government?

The hon. Gentleman's description of the leaflet in question is incomplete. The numerous reports which I received about the resentment aroused by the dissemination of this pamphlet among persons who did not wish to receive it showed that its distribution was likely to lead to breaches of the peace and that it was, therefore, the duty of the police to take action in respect of it.

Has not the Minister given a solemn assurance that he would not use his very great powers for interfering with the expression of political opinions; and is he not further aware that the two Members who raised the question in this House were until recently notorious for their open, pro-Fascist sympathies?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the activity of propagandist societies in the direction of exploiting the war for the purpose of suppressing the particular forms of amusements of which they are not addicts; and will he continue to resist this form of political exploitation?

I agree with my hon. Friend that the Government's emergency powers should be used only for the purpose of securing the defence of the Realm and the efficient prosecution of the war, and not for the purpose of effecting changes in the law which may be advocated on other grounds.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to state the decision of the Government with reference to the compulsory surrender of firearms held on certificate, and shotguns, for which a gun licence has been taken out?

I have discussed this further with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, and investigation of this proposal has satisfied the military authorities that it is not desirable to proceed with the plan.

Is the House to understand from that reply that the Government have all the arms they require?

Not necessarily, but it has been ascertained that firearms in the possession of individual members of the public are of so many different types and that so few comparatively are of a bore suitable for use by the Home Guard that the labour and inconvenience involved in picking these out and assessing the compensation payable for them would not be justified.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the restrictions on enemy aliens who have not yet been interned, the regulations will be modified so as to permit those aliens in blocks of flats or houses without air-raid shelters to obtain admission to outside air-raid shelters during prohibited hours?

The police were instructed on 16th July that proceedings should not be instituted for a breach of the Aliens (Movement Restriction) Order in cases where they are satisfied that the alien was absent from his place of residence merely for the purpose of taking shelter during an air raid and that he returned to his place of residence as soon as possible after the "Raiders passed" signal had been sounded.

Have there been any instances of prosecution on these grounds?

I would rather have that Question on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware of the activities of the police in Stoke and other parts of North Staffordshire in visiting the houses of active persons in the adult educational movement and workers' movements; that many of these loyal people are already active in national service, but are placed under public suspicion by such visits and inquiries; and whether he will instruct the police authorities to exercise more discretion in respect to irresponsible statements which lead to such inquiries;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the search by the police of the house of Mr. McEllis, of Audley, Stoke-on-Trent; why the homes of all residing in the house were entered and property taken; what evidence justified this action against loyal and respectable citizens; why Mr. McEllis was searched personally by the police and the private correspondence of him and his wife studied; and why pamphlets of the Workers' Educational Association and branch papers and correspondence were treated as subversive documents, removed and not returned?

My attention had not previously been called to these cases. I am having inquiries made into the case of Mr. McEllis, and if my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me have particulars about the other cases he has in mind, I will cause further inquiries to be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any central authority which has been authorising or initiating this type of search, which has happened in many parts of the country?

I am not aware of any such thing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. McEllin—that is his real name—is one of my best supporters [Interruption], and an old friend of whom I entirely approve?

asked the Home Secretary what has been done with regard to the German, Fredrich Schweitzer, who was found in the small hours of the morning about a fortnight ago near the powder magazine in Hyde Park and who was remanded for a week for medical observation?

This man has been dealt with under the Lunacy Act and is now in a mental hospital.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to suspend the naturalisation of aliens until the end of the war?

As indicated in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Warrington (Mr. Goldie) on 4th June, the difficulty of devoting time and labour to the necessary investigations has, in itself, necessarily imposed a severe limit on the number of cases which can be dealt with in present circumstances, but there are some applications—including applications from British-born women—which it is in the pubic interest to investigate and, if the inquiries are completely satisfactory, to grant.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a full statement of the reasons for the evacuation of the Channel Islands without resistance, whereby the inhabitants were left to the mercy of the invaders?

The reasons were, as already stated, of a purely military character. The decision was taken by the Government in accordance with the advice of the responsible Service authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Governor of the Channel Islands was withdrawn on 21st June; that the Channel Islanders who registered for evacuation on 20th June were unable to leave owing to lack of transport; that telephonic communications between the islands and this country were operating on the evening of 29th June; that invasion took place on 30th June and on the morning of 1st July the manifesto of the German command was published in the island Press; and why, with so long notice, better arrangements for evacuation were not made?

My hon. Friend's suggestion that the Government had long notice of the date on which the enemy would take action is, of course, unfounded. The arrangements for evacuation had to be made in haste and without foreknowledge of the enemy's intentions. I have no information to confirm his statement that some of those who registered for evacuation were unable to get transport; and I know that from Jersey the number of people who came away was less than the number for whom transport was made available.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman received the information that I sent him setting out the date, which showed that there was plenty of time?

I think the hon. Gentleman is entirely mistaken. As I told him before, the first enemy attack was made on 28th June. It is perfectly true that actual occupation of the islands did not take place until two days later, but to arrange for evacuation in the intervening period might have put at great peril those for whom transport was being arranged.

Is there any truth in the statement that local officials in these islands tried to prevent or dissuade people from leaving?

I do not think I can give a categorical reply to that question. There were undoubtedly discussions between the responsible officials in the islands and the people, but what the exact course of those discussions was I cannot say.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman receive a copy, which I sent to him, of the official publication which was issued by the Bailiff of the islands intimating that there would be official evacuation?

I have been looking out for such a communication, but it has not reached my hands.

I am surprised at that. I give notice that I will raise this matter at the earliest opportunity, because I sent to the right hon. Gentleman all the information I had, and he has had it some days.

It has not actually reached my hands.

Is this an indication of what is happening in Government Departments? I sent it to the right hon. Gentleman last Thursday. I went to another Department on a similar matter after I had given a fortnight's notice, and they produced a letter then which the Minister had never had. That is what happens.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. What protection is there for a Member of this House when he is flatly contradicted by a statement by a Minister? We heard recently that the Home Secretary said he had not received a statement from me, but two minutes after that I had a letter from him stating that the statement was received on 18th July.

What I told the hon. Gentleman was perfectly correct. I said it had not come into my hands. It may have reached my office.

The letter says, "Sir John Anderson asks me …"

asked the Home Secretary how many exit permits for hon. Members to leave this country were granted for private business reasons or Government business reasons, respectively; and for what period of time the permits applied?

The grant of exit permits to Members of the House of Commons has not been specially noted in the records of the Passport and Permit Office, and I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend could not be obtained without undue labour.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary to make those inquiries in the national interest and in view of the indignation aroused because these permits were issued to Members of Parliament, and can he say at least for how long those permits are allowed and when he expects those Members to return to their duties?

Is there any indignation at these Members leaving this country in the course of business?

I am aware that there has been comment on one or two cases. The number of permits which have to be dealt with by the Permit Office runs into tens of thousands, and, therefore, to get an exact figure it would be necessary to go through all those records.

Would the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that my Supplementary Question was made from observations from the working class, with whom the right hon. Gentleman has very little contact?

asked the Home Secretary when the exit permits were issued to Gracie Fields, a well-known variety artiste, her husband, a well-known Fascist, and her pianist, Mr. Davis; and why these individuals were allowed to take with them amounts greatly in excess of the stipulated sum for persons leaving this country?

Exit permits were granted to Miss Gracie Fields and her husband on 28th May, and to her accompanist on 13th June. As regards the second part of the Question, I have made inquiries and am informed that no permission was sought or obtained to take out more money at this time than could be taken without formality.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mario Bianchi was actively associated with the movement for sending collections to assist the Italian War Fund, and can he say exactly how much was taken out by those people in money and in jewellery?

Any question regarding the taking of money out of the country should be addressed to the representative of the Treasury.

In view of the unsatisfactory reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I give notice that I intend to raise this question at the first available opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue instructions to the effect that all Northern Ireland people in Great Britain making applications for travel permits should apply for same through the Northern Ireland office, Cockspur Street, London?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the grant of exit permits to enable persons to travel from this country to Northern Ireland. Such permits can be issued only by the Passport and Permit Office which, I understand, works in close touch with the Northern Ireland office in all cases where the applications are made by persons from Northern Ireland, but I do not think that it would be for the convenience of such persons if they were required to make their applications through the Northern Ireland office instead of to the Passport and Permit Office direct.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we have this, office here in London for that purpose, and that I and my colleagues from Ulster cannot possibly answer the letters we are receiving? As the people here do not know where to apply, I hope that my right hon. Friend will make it clear where they should apply.

asked the Home Secretary whether the whole medical staff of the Home Office was transferred to the Ministry of Labour, and on whom does he now depend for medical advice in dealing with the problem of silicosis?

For the purposes of the administration of the Factories Act, the medical inspectors of factories were transferred to the Ministry of Labour at the beginning of this month, together with the rest of the Factory Department of the Home Office; but they are still available to advise me on workmen's compensation questions relating to silicosis and other industrial diseases.

asked the Home Secretary why the Everyman Cinema, Hampstead, was directed not to permit the use of its premises for an exhibition of Chinese and English paintings from 14th to 28th July?

I am not aware that any such direction was given, and I understand that the exhibition opened on 14th July and is still being held.

Is it not a fact that representations were made in the name of the Home Office or of some other Department of the Government to prevent the opening ceremony taking place?

An opening ceremony is another matter, but I know of no representations that have been made.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in reply to Hitler's assertion that this war must result in the annihilation of Germany or Britain, he will again make it plain that we are fighting and will continue to fight for a peace which, while showing that German aggression has not paid and restoring liberty to those peoples whose lands have been invaded by the Germans, will not seek to deny to the German people their own freedom within the framework of a secure European order?

Yes, Sir. The idea expressed by my hon. Friend is implicit in the statements which have been made as to the policy and aims of His Majesty's Government, and most recently in the speech broadcast by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, where he said that our aim is to see Europe as a free association of independent States.

Does that mean European free trade?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the necessity that all the people should feel that the burdens of this war are to fall equally upon rich and poor alike, he will give time for the House to debate the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs relative to Equality of Sacrifice in War-time?

[That this House regrets that, while hundreds of thousands of young men from all quarters of Britain have willingly sacrificed comfortable jobs and large wages for the dangers and hardships of military service at 2s. per day in their country's interest, landowners are still compelling the Government to pay large sums for the land required for aerodromes, camps. etc., necessary for the Government's war effort and calls upon the Government to implement its policy of equal sacrifice for all classes of the population either by ceasing to pay the market price for land required by the nation or by paying the full market price for the services of the young men who also have been required for the service of the country.]