asked the Minister of Supply whether he can make any statement on the subject of the communication sent to him by the hon. Member for Dudley about the complaints that large numbers of men are absenting themselves from work during normal hours, and are going on duty at overtime rates?

The general response to the appeal which my right hon. Friend addressed to all munition workers to do their utmost to help the country in this crisis has been excellent. I have no reason to believe that any large numbers of workpeople are doing what is suggested in the Question. If, however, it is being done here and there in isolated cases, on behalf of my right hon. Friend I appeal to the individuals who are doing so to stop doing what is unfair both to the State and to their comrades.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give an assurance that in the limitation of paper supplies due regard will be had for the relative importance of various publications, and that reasonable preference will be given to the requirements of those publishing educational, scientific and technical journals and books?

While my right hon. Friend cannot accept the responsibility for introducing in the allocation of the limited supplies of paper anything which might savour of a censorship, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that due regard will be had to the provision of reasonable amounts of paper for educational, scientific and technical publications.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantities of scrap-iron, other metals, paper and other salved waste materials were sold during the month of June, 1940, in Scotland, England, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Greenock, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the two preceding months?

The following table shows the quantities of paper, metals and the more important other materials sold during April, May and June in the places mentioned.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will compare like with like in announcing civilian casualties consequent upon enemy air-raids by giving the monthly figures during present hostilities and those of similar periods during the Great War as is done with our shipping losses, instead of comparing air-raid casualties with road accidents; and whether he will give the comparative figures as suggested since the commencement of the present war?

I have been asked to reply. So far as air attack is concerned, conditions to-day are so different from those obtaining during the last war that I do not think it would be profitable to give comparative figures on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. As stated today, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds), I do not propose to invite comparison between the numbers of air-raid casualties and the numbers of persons killed and injured in road accidents.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the representations from the Central Council for Jewish Refugees in Manchester asking for the reconsideration of various cases of internment; and whether arrangements can be made, or are being made, for such reinvestigation?

Arrangements are being made to deal with these representations, as well as representations from many other bodies and individuals, as quickly as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Leonora Schafarik, who is now aged 17, having been born in Austria, but brought up since the age of eight by English relations in England, refused naturalisation in October, 1938, on account of age, recently taken from Hamilton House School at Tunbridge Wells and sent to the Isle of Man, now ordered for deportation to Canada; and will he, if investigations cast no doubt on her loyalty, permit her to continue her studies in this country in the event of responsible people making themselves responsible for her conduct?

There is no intention of sending this girl overseas. If arrangements can be made for her to be accommodated and maintained outside any Aliens Protected Area, I shall be ready to consider the question of authorising her release.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the immediate release of category C aliens who have been interned although they are technically aliens only, in that they were born in parts of Poland that were Austrian prior to the last war?

I do not think that the criterion suggested would afford sufficient ground for the automatic release of all such persons, but individual cases will be considered on their merits.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement on the whereabouts of Guido Goldschmied, interned on 14th June, from 28, John Street, W.C.I?

I am informed by the War Office that this internee sailed for Canada on 3rd July.

asked the Home Secretary how many detention orders have been made under Regulation 18B up to the last available date; how many were aliens; how many British subjects; how many have made representations in writing as provided for in Regulation 18B (4); in how many cases has the chairman of the advisory committee informed the detenu of the grounds on which the order was made as provided for in Regulation 18B (5); how many cases has the advisory committee disposed of; in how many cases has the committee recommended that the order should be revoked and in how many maintained; have the recommendations in all cases been acted upon; and how many persons are now detained?

The number of orders made under this Regulation to the last available date is 1,465. Of these 23 were in respect of aliens and 1,442 in respect of British subjects. Objections to Advisory Committees against the making of the order have been made in 1,093 cases. The committees have already taken up 875 cases, and the chairman has, in each of these cases, informed the person concerned of the grounds on which the order was made. The committees have disposed of 151 cases and of the 74 reports so far submitted to me, 17 have recommended release and 57 have recommended continued detention. I have accepted the recommendation of the committee in all these cases. The number of persons now detained under the Regulation is 1,266.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement based upon the experience gained in air-raids; what further precautions should be taken by local authorities and individuals; is he satisfied with the arrangement in all areas; and, if not, what should be done?

It would be difficult to make any comprehensive statement without some risk of giving valuable information to the enemy; but I can assure my hon. Friend that current events are closely watched and measures are being taken to communicate to those concerned any important lessons which are to be learned from them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given consideration to the case presented to him on air-raid shelter accommodation by the deputation of hon. Members on 17th July; and what action is it proposed to take?

The main object of this deputation was to urge upon me the need for pressing on as rapidly as possible with the Government's shelter programme and I can assure hon. Members that everything possible is being done to that end.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are in all districts well-trained decontamination squads up to full strength; and, if not, what deficiencies exist?

Effective decontamination squads have been organised and trained in all areas. In a few districts the number of squads is not yet up to the total authorised establishment but even in those places I have no reason to believe that the duties of decontamination would not be effectively carried out.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, when children are evacuated from any given area to an adjacent rural district, the frequent visits of the parents to the billets have an unsettling effect upon the children with the result that a high percentage return home; and can he see his way clear, when making future arrangements, to send the children to more remote parts from the evacuated areas in order to obviate this trouble?

I am aware of the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers, but in order to find room for all the children we have to make full use of all the areas which are suitable for their reception even if some of the reception areas are comparatively close to their home towns. Parents have been publicly asked from time to time not to visit their children too frequently and I hope that they will heed that advice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that excessive wages are being paid in some munition factories; and will he consider introducing an excess wages tax on wages exceeding 75 per cent. increase on prewar standard?

I am afraid that I could not see my way to entertain my hon. Friend's proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what basis the Inland Revenue authorities propose to assess the value, for the purpose of Death Duties, of securities, such as Canadian Pacific Railway Common and International Nickel Common, which the Government have not requisitioned, but in which they have forbidden dealings and for which, in consequence, there is no current market quotation in this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of Section 7 (5) of the Finance Act, 1894, under which the value of any property for Estate Duty purposes is to be taken at the price which, in the opinion of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, such property would fetch if sold in the open market at the date of the deceased's death. The question of what that price would be in the case of a particular security that may not be quoted is a matter which would have to be decided by reference to the relevant facts of the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements can be made to allow any refund of Licence Duty in respect of licensed premises in defence areas where the clientele of the licensed premises has virtually disappeared or has been very substantially reduced?

This matter is receiving my consideration, but I am afraid I cannot make any statement at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when men are serving with the forces in areas to which the censorship of mails applies, he will allow each man and each officer to send one or two letters per week free of postal charge?

I regret that I cannot agree to this proposal. I am not aware of any financial or other disability peculiar to service in the areas referred to which would justify preferential treatment in the matter of postal charges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the decision that nothing can be done to assist British subjects who have lost all the money they had in accounts in British banks operating in France, he will take steps to make it clear to the public what the position of bank accounts will be if, in the future, any branch of any British bank in this country or abroad is destroyed or falls into enemy hands?

Money payable in a foreign country which is occupied by the enemy necessarily ceases to be available during hostilities; but there is no analogy between such a case and that of the deposits of a customer of an individual branch in this country. So far as this country is concerned, neither the destruction of a particular branch nor the fact that it fell into the hands of the enemy would in any way affect the final liability of the bank concerned to its depositors in respect of their accounts. I may also add that the banks have jointly taken measures to ensure that adequate banking facilities continue to be available in the event of any dislocation of business or communications which may be caused by war conditions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what arrangements have been made for the payment of pensions to retired civil servants and others who are at present in the Channel Islands and are in receipt of such pensions?

I regret that at the present no means of remittance to the Channel Islands is available. Nevertheless pensions will, of course, be credited as they accrue to those entitled to them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has now given consideration to the suggestion contained in the Eighth Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure as to recruiting for Government service certain kinds of firms as a team?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on 18th July.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the policy of his Department robs industry of highly-skilled workers, thereby losing production, in order to train unskilled people who may possibly be used for dilution at a considerably later date; and will he reconsider this policy?

I assume that my hon. Friend's Question relates to the engage- ment of skilled tradesmen as instructors in the Government Training Centres. These centres are contributing in a vital manner towards the supply of engineering personnel for munitions production. At the present time men are being trained in these centres at the rate of 50,000 per annum, and this figure is being increased as rapidly as possible to 100,000. For this purpose I must have a greatly increased number of competent instructors. Every effort is being made to obtain these instructors with a minimum of interference with munitions production, but it is of paramount importance that I should continue to take steps to secure their services quickly. Each additional instructor will add scores to our engineering personnel.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Central Register is in any way linked up to his Supply Board; and whether this association is likely to absorb men and women on the register anxious to use their experience and qualifications in the best possible way for the national effort?

Yes, Sir. I have arranged for the Central Register to work in close association with the Labour Supply Board, and this will assist in the allocation of men and women on the register, who have the qualifications which are in demand, to work where their services can best be utilised.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether consideration is being given to the subject of vocational training for disabled men, especially in regard to potentially discharged limbless men awaiting fitting of artificial limbs; and the supply of temporary plaster pylons to such men?

The subject of both remedial and vocational training for men disabled as a result of service is now under active consideration between my own Department and the Ministries of Health and Labour, and the case of the limbless man will naturally be treated as an important part of the problem. It is the practice to provide articulated limbs as early as possible in order to hasten the resumption of normal activities, but temporary plaster pylons will continue to be supplied where their employment is specially indicated and adequate supplies of the necessary materials are being maintained.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now give particulars of the suicide of Professor Fritz Mayer, when visited by the authorities for internment; what compensation to the family will be paid in the circumstances; and whether he will give instructions to prevent the authorities from abusing their right of interview in the case of innocent aliens who have been friends of the country?

I deeply regret that Professor Mayer committed suicide when the police called at his flat to effect his internment in pursuance of the general directions for the internment of certain categories of Germans and Austrians. At the inquest the widow stated that the police were kind to her husband and showed him every consideration, and I am satisfied that no blame attaches to the police. Much as I sympathise with the widow, I regret that it is not possible to make any grant to her out of public funds.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the policy of reconsideration being given to the classes of Nazi refugees to be interned, he will instruct the police not to effect further internments?

The police already have instructions not to arrest for internment enemy aliens whose cases fall within the categories of exemption and to postpone internment in other cases presenting exceptional features.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what information he has of certain British children and adults recently sent to Canada being stranded there; what is the cause of this mishap and what remedial measures are being taken?

I am informed that a number of women and children who made their own arrangements to go to Canada outside of any Government scheme find themselves without financial resources to support themselves. I understand that there is not likely to be any difficulty in finding homes for the children, for whom most generous provision has been made available in Canadian families, but that it is almost impossible to find homes for the adults. I am not aware of the exact circumstances, but I must point out that the persons concerned left this country solely on their own responsibility, and signed an undertaking that no transfer of funds from the sterling area would be permitted. My noble friend is, however, in communication with the United Kingdom High Commissioner at Ottawa in regard to this matter.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will ensure that there shall be a drastic modification, if not complete elimination, of the Long Vacation, so that the law sittings shall continue without any long break, having regard to the present general policy of cutting down holidays of every kind?

As was reported in the "Times" of 16th July, the Council of Judges unanimously recommended that the Long Vacation this year should be cancelled by Order in Council, and on 17th July an Order in Council was passed giving effect to that recommendation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the decision to close the Burma road to war supplies for China is subject to revision in the event of Japan stimulating further action of a kind disapproved of by the British Government as a further encroachment on British interests or prestige in the Far East during the period over which the agreement operates?

I have no reason to suppose that the hypothesis contemplated by the hon. Member represents the intention of the Japanese Government. I am consequently not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, according to the Government's policy announced some time ago, he will see to it that the deficiency in the supply of feeding-stuffs to Northern Ireland in the month of January last is made up in the near future?

A substantial part of the deficiency referred to has been made up by releasing to Northern Ireland in June and July a quantity of cereal feeding-stuffs, 21 per cent. more than the proportion released in Great Britain. The remainder of the deficiency will, if possible, be met in subsequent months in substantially the same proportion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the cheap milk scheme can be extended to invalids and persons dependent upon unemployment assistance of various kinds?

The National Milk Scheme, which includes within its scope all expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years of age, has only recently been brought into operation. I am unable at present to consider its extension to other categories of the population.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in some parts of the country, following the institution of the scheme for issuing additional sugar for jam making, no sugar was available for the normal weekly supply; and whether, in this case, arrangements can be made to authorise the issue of sugar in respect of coupons for weeks when it was not possible to issue the sugar against them?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements were made to supply retailers in all parts of the country with sufficient additional supplies of sugar to enable them in turn to satisfy the requirements of all their customers who exercised the right given to them to obtain an additional two pounds of sugar per head for jam making; and, if not, what steps are being taken to make good the reduction in retailers' stocks which has resulted?

The distribution at short notice of a quantity of sugar representing about five weeks' rationed supplies involved a considerable transport problem. Where retailers' stocks were depleted the normal stock position is being restored. In addition instructions are being issued that if sugar was not available to meet the domestic ration the individual consumer shall not be penalised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements were made before bringing into force the scheme for the issue of an additional two pounds of sugar per head for jam making to ensure that these additional supplies were in the hands of the retailers before the issue to the public?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to similar Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Stourbridge (Mr. Robert Morgan) and Howdenshire (Colonel Carver). Instructions for the distribution of additional sugar supplies were issued in advance to refiners, dealers and wholesalers, but it was impossible in the time available to ensure a full distribution of five weeks' rationed supplies in all areas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what will be the cost of adding the new vitamin B1 to a 2-lb. loaf of bread?

I am advised that the cost of adding the new vitamin B1 to the flour used in producing a 2-lb. loaf of bread will be about one-twentieth of a penny.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food from what date he proposes to make whole-wheat bread available to the public at the same price as devitamined white bread; and whether he proposes to do so regardless of the date from which the millers' combine introduce synthetic vitamin into devitamined white flour?

I understand that whole-wheat bread made from a wholewheat flour is to-day available to the public at the same price as white bread made from national straight run flour. Therefore no special steps are necessary on the part of my Noble Friend on the lines suggested in the hon. Member's Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Scientific Food Committee have reported that synthetically revitamined white flour is as good as wholewheat flour; and whether they have expressed to him any preference?

No, Sir. The report contained no reference to wholewheat flour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered representations from the National Farmers' Union urging that a subsidy be granted for the plum pulping surplus which could thereby be used to counteract the shortage of sugar; and whether he is taking action on the suggestion?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the prospect of an exceptionally abundant crop of plums, what action he proposes to take to ensure that none of the crop is wasted and that, in particular, there will be an adequate supply available for urban populations at low prices?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave on 24th July to two Questions on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what protests he has received against the order prohibiting the delivery of milk by retailers before 6.30 in the morning; what was the object of introducing such a regulation; and whether he is aware that it prevents a great many people having any milk before they leave for work?

I have received complaints from five consumers. The Order was made on the recommendation of the Central Milk Distributive Committee with the object of securing economy in the distribution of milk by reducing the demands on labour and transport and it applies only to the City of London, the Metropolitan Police District and urban districts and boroughs in England and Wales having a population exceeding 250,000. While the Order prevents the delivery of milk in these areas before 6.30 a.m., inconvenience so caused could in many cases be obviated by purchase of milk the day before.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the complete breakdown in the efficient distribution of eggs which has resulted from the imposition of a maximum price for retailers without the imposition of a similar maximum price between retailer and wholesaler; and whether he proposes to take steps to introduce without delay arrangements which will safeguard the interests of all concerned?

I am not aware that there has been a complete breakdown in the efficient distribution of eggs, though difficulty has been caused through traders paying prices up to the maxima in the Order, which were intended to govern retail sales. The present situation is being considered in consultation with representatives of all sections of the trade, but in view of the great shortage of eggs and the complexity of the usual trade channels the problem does not permit of an easy solution.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will analyse the books of representative poultry keepers, with the object of ascertaining what would be a fair price for eggs?

Owing to the very great diversity of methods and conditions of production and of marketing an analysis of books would not yield useful results. The Eggs and Poultry Reorganisation Commission for England and Wales in their report issued in January, 1935, in dealing with this question, stated:

"While we recognise the difficulties of ascertaining the real costs of egg production we have been impressed by the wide variations in the figures of costs that have been submitted, even when those costs related to apparently similar types of production units in the same district. We have come to the conclusion that it is quite impossible, having regard to all the difficulties, to calculate a representative cost of egg production either for the industry as a whole, or for the general farmer and the specialist producer separately."

asked the Minister of Agriculture who is responsible for the insurance against accident of the school children sent to do farming work under the holiday farming scheme?

County war agricultural executive committees have been told to insist that farmers employing schoolboys should insure against accidents for which they may be liable. As the boys will not, as a rule, be directly employed by the farmers, it will be necessary for farmers' policies to be endorsed by the insurance companies so as to give the boys the equivalent of the protection afforded by the Workmen's Compensation Acts. Schools have also been advised to see that they are covered for any liability which they may incur. In addition, a Personal Accident Insurance Scheme has been drawn up by the principal insurance companies under which schoolboys may obtain additional cover on the payment of a small premium.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that parts of Ashdown Forest, in Sussex, afford a considerable acreage of gorse and heather-land suitable for potato growing and grazing, if cleared, and other land, if ploughed up, for pig production; and will he use his powers to have these areas prepared in advance for the production of food on and near the gorse and heather-land and turf of the Ashdown Forest golf courses?

I have made inquiries and find that the land in question is some of the poorest in Sussex, that it is seriously deficient in lime and essential plant foods, and that attempts made during the last war to cultivate parts of it were unsuccessful. A good deal of reclamation work would be necessary, and it is unlikely that a crop would be obtained next year. In these circumstances it is very doubtful if it would be wise to utilise, for the reclamation of this land, the necessary labour and fertilisers, which can be used to greater advantage on land which is likely to yield better crops at an earlier date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in what localities he has planned to increase the supply of pigs by encouraging the Tottenham system of using kitchen refuse for pig feeding; and will he consult the Ministry of Food, with a view to taking the initiative while there is yet time and to extending the successful Tottenham system into other urban areas?

The question is under consideration with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is likely to be any shortage of vegetable seeds next spring; to what extent has he thought out, in advance, plans by which to make available adequate supplies of vegetable seeds for allotment holders and small-scale growers of food; and has he consulted with the Ministry of Food on this matter so as to act before it is too late in the season?

The supply position regarding vegetable seeds is kept under continuous review by the Vegetable Seeds Sub-Committee of the Seeds Advisory Committee and all possible steps are being taken to make available adequate supplies of vegetable seed for allotment holders and small-scale growers of food. I cannot of course guarantee that growers will in all cases be able to obtain the varieties to which they are accustomed. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered raising the income limit beyond £250 per annum under the National Health Insurance Scheme, so that the law may correspond with the new Unemployment Insurance Scheme in this connection; and with what results?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that unemployment insurance for non-manual workers has been raised to the limit of £420 per annum, he will now raise the limit of health insurance to a like sum?

I have given careful consideration, in consultation with other Departments concerned, to this matter but the information at present in my possession is not sufficient to satisfy me that the majority of the persons affected desire to be brought compulsorily within the scheme of national health insurance and that the existing facilities for voluntary insurance do not adequately meet the needs of the case. As the hon. Members will appreciate other considerations are also involved. I am, however, continuing my investigations and as soon as I am in a position to announce my decision I will do so.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as owing to the increased cost of living much suffering is being caused by the small allowance paid, especially to those suffering from chronic illness, as health insurance benefit, he will take immediate steps to have the Act so amended that the benefits may be increased to an amount sufficient to provide the necessaries of life for these people?

The benefits under the national health insurance scheme were never intended to cover the whole cost of maintenance of the insured person during sickness. From its inception in 1911 the scheme was designed to provide in return for such a flat rate of contribution as could reasonably be imposed on all workers a payment during sickness at such rate as that contribution would cover on an actuarial basis, it being left to each worker to provide by private insurance or otherwise for supplementing that payment to meet his own individual needs. Proposals on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend would involve a large increase in the contributions payable by the workers and their employers and would necessitate a large-scale recasting of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health what is the penalty for a person being unable to produce his identity card on challenge by an authorised person?

A person required by an authorised person to produce his identity card who fails to produce it either when called upon or within two clear days at the prescribed place is, under the National Registration Act, 1939, liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine not exceeding £5 or to both such imprisonment and such fine.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take in order to prevent the financial system of local authorities in defence areas from breaking down because of serious depletion of their ordinary sources of revenue?

An undertaking has been given by the Government that they would be prepared to come to the assistance of local government if the machinery of local government in any area should be in danger of breaking down. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a statement issued by my Department following a recent conference with representatives of the local authorities of the areas concerned.

asked the Minister of Health why a large number of persons employed at or about racecourses by the Greyhound Racing Association who would ordinarily come within the scope of the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Acts have no cards stamped on their behalf?

I have no information which leads me to believe that there is any widespread failure to comply with the requirements of the National Health Insurance and Unemployment Insurance Acts in the case of persons employed at greyhound racecourses, but if the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of any cases which have come to his knowledge I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many old age pensioners have been informed that the supplementary pension will be paid on a different day in the week to that on which they now receive the old age pension; that this will cause hardship and inconvenience to them in having to go, in many cases, long distances to the Post Office; and will he see to it that in all cases the supplementary pension is paid on the same day and at the same time as the old age pension?

The supplementary pension will be payable on the same day and at the same time and place as the old age pension. If the hon. Member will be so good as to inform me of the circumstances in which misapprehension has arisen on this point, I shall be glad to make inquiries in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that he has declined to sanction the borrowing by the Buckfast-leigh Urban District Council of the money necessary for carrying out a proposed sewerage scheme, the reason being the urgent necessity of reserving capital resources for the war effort, but has consented, however, to grant a loan for completing purchase of the land should the council be unable to reach an agreement with the owner, he will say what is the amount involved, and what is the area, the price and the present net rateable value of the land in question?

No loan consent has been given for the purchase of the land. I am informed that the price is £1,110 plus legal and survey expenses, the area is approximately 12.65 acres and the land is derated agricultural land.

asked the Secretary of State for War why his promise that Mr. Jack Ward, V.C., would be reinstated in the Manchester Local Defence Volunteers has not been implemented?

The extent to which the existing rule should be modified has been under consideration, and it has now been decided that an applicant whose father was not a British subject may be enrolled if he served in His Majesty's armed forces in the war 1914–18, or has satisfactorily completed a period of not less than three years on full pay in His Majesty's regular forces. In no circumstances will an applicant be enrolled if, in addition to British nationality, he possesses German, Austrian or Italian nationality. Instructions to this effect will be issued shortly, and the question of Mr. Jack White's reinstatement will be dealt with accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangement is made for the medical care and treatment of men of the Home Guard when, on duty; and whether he has considered an offer by the secretary of the Central Medical War Committee to ask civil practitioners to undertake this duty as their contribution to home defence?

Free medical care and treatment is provided for men of the Home Guard when on duty. It is proposed to take full advantage of the generous offer made by the Central Medical War Committee, for which my right hon. Friend is most grateful.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a natural-born British subject, the son of non-enemy un-naturalised aliens, is eligible for membership of the Local Defence Volunteers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Camberwell, North (Mr. Ammon).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether some revision in the Army's diet will be made to include a greater amount of fresh vegetables and fruit so as to reduce the number of boils, etc., from which men have been suffering?

The Army ration has been carefully investigated by the expert research workers of the Medical Research Council and contains an ample supply of vitamins. The ration of fresh vegetables (potatoes 12 ounces, other vegetables 8 ounces) is ample. The incidence of the diseases of areolar tissue among the troops for the first four months of this year was one-third of the normal peace-time rate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether local military authorities who are taking steps to render land useless for enemy air landings will consult the county war agricultural committees as to the best method of serving the military need with the minimum of dislocation of agriculture?

Instructions were issued to the military authorities some weeks ago that this should be done; and these have recently been strongly re-emphasised as cases have been reported where consultation as ordered has not taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether regimental paymasters are definitely instructed to supply to applicants copies of the form M.S.A.C. 21; and whether, as many of them are still raising difficulties in the way of meeting applications, he will repeat the instructions for the general information of all paymasters concerned?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am not aware of the difficulties alleged in the Question, and the instructions on the point issued by the Army Council are clear. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have particulars of cases where these instructions are not being followed, I will inquire into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of growing civil evacuation in the defence areas, he proposes to make increasing use of houses in these areas for the purpose of billeting soldiers in the coming winter?

The places where troops will be stationed must, of course, depend on operational considerations at the time; the fullest possible use will be made of all available accommodation for troops during the coming winter. Houses in the areas mentioned by my hon. Friend are in particular not being overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give consideration to the recognition of members of the Joint Council of Chiropodists for treating His Majesty's Forces?

This matter has been considered, and, as a result, it is proposed to enlist into the Royal Army Medical Corps, for duty in training centres, a limited number of chiropodists who are members of associations recognised by the British Medical Association.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, when it is necessary in any area to require the owners or occupiers of any premises to remove themselves and their possessions so that vacant possession may be taken for the purpose of defence works, he will procure that, when necessary, immediate financial assistance will be forthcoming, either from a military officer on the spot, or through the local authority, for the purpose of enabling such persons to move themselves and their property, or that adequate transport facilities hall be otherwise provided;(2) whether, when it is necessary in any area to take possession for military defence purposes of part only of a house occupied by residents, some immediate payment will be made, or weekly rent paid, either through a military officer on the spot, or the local authority, in respect of the part so taken, particularly in those cases where part of the family or their possessions have to be moved and housed elsewhere?

The compensation payable when, under Defence Regulations, possession is taken of a property in whole or in part is prescribed in the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, and covers reasonable removal expenses. Claims have to be rendered in a prescribed form and manner, and the amounts payable have to be assessed and agreed with the claimants. But, in cases of need, payments on account can be made. The Lands Staff in Commands, who are responsible for this work, have already been increased in number, and I am taking steps to increase them further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the importance to national defence of the efficient working of the telephone system under all conditions of emergency, and the unfortunate consequences in France of the early breakdown of the telephonic system in the face of the advance of the enemy, he is satisfied that, under any circumstances, there will be complete maintenance of discipline and control in the management of the telephone system in this country?

Yes, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the decision to provide life-saving waistcoats for the use of seamen in the Merchant Navy, any similar arrangement is contemplated for the Royal Navy?

All naval personnel are provided with inflatable rubber life belts. It is not considered necessary to provide life-saving waistcoats in addition.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken to compensate Mrs. T. Hawker, whose home was wrecked by a barrage balloon on 19th March, 1940; and whether he is aware that officials of the Air Ministry instructed Mrs. Hawker not to remove any of the contents of the house, which have in consequence suffered further damage through exposure?

Mrs. Hawker's claim for damage to furniture was settled on 15th July and a small claim for incidental expenses is in course of settlement. I have had inquiries made in regard to the instructions to Mrs. Hawker to which my hon. Friend refers but there is no record of any such instructions having been given by the Royal Air Force authorities. I much regret the delay which has occurred in this case. With the help of additional staff, which has now been obtained, I hope that the increasing number of claims will be dealt with more rapidly in future.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the total casualties in the Navy, Air Force, Army, Mercantile Marine and civil population since the 3rd September, 1939, to 20th July, 1940, respectively, in dead, wounded, prisoners and missing?

The names of all casualties are published, but it is not considered desirable in the public interest to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.