asked the Home Secretary what were the reasons for the recent order to terminate the issue of uniforms to air-raid wardens and withdraw those already issued; what were the reasons for cancelling the withdrawal order immediately after it had been made; whether he is aware that these proceedings have fostered doubts in some quarters among fully-trained wardens who have been doing their duty for many months, as to the importance attached to the wardens' organisation in the civil defence service; and whether he will take action to remove any such doubts?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular issued by my Department to local authorities on 25th July, which explains the circumstances in which the previous circular was issued. As the circular explicitly states, there never has been any intention to depreciate the great importance of the wardens' service and I am glad to have the opportunity of repeating this.

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements can be made for factories to continue working in the event of an ordinary warning and only cease when a special mauve warning is given, when it is essential that work should be stopped, so as to prevent undue interference with production?

The air-raid warning system would not allow time for a centrally-issued warning later than the action warning; but I think that the object which my hon. Friend has in mind will be secured under the policy which I announced on 2nd July in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds)

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the present regulation providing no assistance for billeting children of parents assessed as able to pay 6s. per week, he will reconsider the matter with a view to making some provision in those cases where the means of the parents do not extend beyond the 6s. per head and thus secure that children in these cases are paid for and maintained at the same standard as those of parents able to pay less than 6s. per week towards their cost?

The limitation to which the hon. Member refers is applicable in cases in which the parent has elected to make arrangements privately. I have no reason to suppose that any hardship has resulted, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind I shall be glad to have inquiries made into the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the capitation fee for treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children was fixed; why the official notification of how the fund was to be distributed was only made by a circular issued in May, although this was arranged by the Scottish Central Medical War Committee on the 29th February, 1940; when was the first payment disbursed from the pool; how much to date has been paid into the pool; and what is the amount of the undistributed balance?

The fee referred to by my hon. Friend was fixed in August last and intimation was then made that the distribution of the moneys amongst medical practitioners would be carried out by local medical emergency committees (now local medical war committees) in accordance with schemes to be devised by them. The practice is for a single payment to be made each quarter by the Department of Health for Scotland to the Scottish Central Medical War Committee, and for the latter committee to pay each local committee its share as determined by the number of children in its area. Payments have been made to the central committee as follows:24th January, 1940, £5,600.20th April, 1940, £4,426 10s.29th July, 1940, £3,020 17s. 6d.These payments represent the total sums payable to 30th June. A payment for the current quarter will be due in October.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the rise in the cost of living, he has considered the urgent necessity of increasing the pensions of the lower grades of the Post Office pensioners; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

It would not be possible to increase the pensions of retired civil servants without legislation, and as I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Deritend (Sir Smedley Crooke) on 23rd July, I cannot undertake to introduce legislation for this purpose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give an approximate estimate for any convenient period of the administrative costs of disbursement involved in the payment out of public funds to the county councils of 5s. for each driving licence, which the military authorities are required to purchase in respect of certain categories of soldiers driving motor vehicles in course of duty; whether he will give a similar estimate of the costs of collection by the Exchequer of the said 5s. per licence, which the county councils are required to refund to the Exchequer; and whether he will investigate the necessity for these self-balancing transactions?

It is impracticable to frame any estimate of the administrative cost to the War Office of obtaining driving licences or of the cost of transmitting to the Exchequer the fees collected for such licences by the licensing authorities, but it is not likely that any economy would be secured by making arrangements for the issue of driving licences without payment, having regard to the safeguards which would be necessary under such arrangements. I understand, however, that with a view to saving a certain amount of clerical labour the Departments concerned have under consideration the possibility of dispensing with the need for obtaining civilian driving licences by extending the use of the emergency permit, Army Form A.2038.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give an assurance that, whenever he is satisfied that there is sufficient prima facie evidence of an offence within the meaning of the Treachery Act, 1940, having been committed, he will direct prosecution under that Act and not under some other Act or Regulation providing less severe penalties?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 16th July, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the compulsory evacuation of civilian British European women and children from Hong Kong; whether he is aware that great distress is being caused by the conditions of this evacuation; that racial discrimination in respect of this evacuation has caused bitter resentment among the Chinese and Portuguese communities in the colony; and whether he will arrange that any further evacuation of civilians should take place on a voluntary basis without racial discrimination?

In view of the uncertainty of local conditions His Majesty's Government decided that it was necessary to bring into operation a measure of evacuation of women and children from Hong Kong. This was restricted to the minimum considered to be essential and did not extend to persons and families domiciled in the colony. I regret the disturbance which must inevitably be caused by such operations whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, and my hon. Friend may be assured that such consideration as is possible is being given to individual cases of hardship, and no evacuation beyond this restricted scheme is at present contemplated.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he took, prior to the making of his order to permit the company of Hyganic, Limited, to continue the business of a manure manufacturer, in Wood Lane, Shepherds Bush, within the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith, to verify the claims of this company with regard to the fertilising properties of their product; and whether he can state the chemical analysis of this product?

The manufacture of the product referred to, which is produced by a treatment of refuse obtained from the Kensington Borough Council, forms one part only of the activities of Hyganic Limited. The company, in addition, is engaged in the salvaging of materials such as waste paper, rags, etc., from the borough refuse. Prior to the making of the Order enabling the work of Hyganic Limited to continue despite the fact that the company's workings contravene the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, both sides of the company's activities were taken into consideration from the aspect whether it was desirable from the national point of view that they should be carried on. The Ministry of Agriculture were consulted with reference to the fertilising value of the company's product, and in view of the need for securing all possible supplies of fertilising materials favoured the making of the Order. As a result of this consideration, it was decided that it was in the national interest that both sides of the company's work should continue and an Order was made accordingly, with the concurrence of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, enabling both spheres of the company's work to continue. The Order is subject to the company taking steps necessary in the view of the Ministry of Health to reduce the risk of any nuisance arising from the company's working. The chemical content of the product is necessarily variable owing to the fact that the content of the refuse from which it is derived is itself a variable quantity and there is therefore no standard chemical an analysis, although analyses are regularly made and are available.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give instructions for priority to be given to local education authorities to enable them to secure the supplies of wire netting suitable for use in the protection of school windows?

The demand for wire netting for urgent defence purposes is such that only very limited supplies are available for other purposes. These will be required for some time to come to meet the demands from hospitals and from factories engaged on Government work, but the question of release as early as possible of supplies to schools is being kept in view. Local education authorities have been advised meanwhile to use the alternatives recommended by the Ministry of Home Security.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that many retail newsagents are suffering considerable loss owing to the no-returns order, particularly when supplies are delayed owing to air-raids; and whether he will permit a small percentage of returns on condition this waste paper is remade?

Arrangements are being made to secure that, although all newspapers will still be sold on a non-returnable basis, claims for the return of unsold copies may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that activity at certain railway workshops is less than pre-war standard; whether he can state the reason for this; and will he make a statement on the position at these works?

The reason for the reduced activity referred to is that shortly after the outbreak of war the railway companies reduced their programmes for the building and modernising of rolling stock. As the men affected included coach-builders, wagon-builders, upholsterers, painters, etc., it was not possible to absorb them immediately into other work. However, on assuming office I gave this matter early attention and in co-operation with other Ministers arrangements are now being made for the surplus capacity at the workshops concerned to be utilised in other directions.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has had such help as might have been expected from high railway company officials with regard to utilising railway workshop facilities for war production?

Yes, Sir. The railway companies have given me such help as might have been expected, bearing in mind the exacting demands made upon them in war-time to deal with their own work. I am grateful for the help they have given and am quite sure of their continued co-operation.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that there is no bottle-neck in the supplies of scrap metal reaching the steelworks and foundries; and also, that it is in the public interest that steelworks supplies should reach them only through the National Federation of Scrap Iron and Steel Merchants, and that officials of this federation should hold important positions at the Ministry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement issued by me to the Press on 25th July, a copy of which I am sending to him. I am satisfied that there is no bottle-neck in the flow of scrap metal to consumers, apart from that created by labour and transport difficulties, and that it is in the public interest that there should be a responsible organisation of employers within the scrap industry, particularly in connection with the solution of the labour problem. Moreover a policy of letting everybody do as they like in moving and allocating scrap would be contrary to the public interest. It is necessary in dealing with these highly technical matters to employ experts from the industries concerned in the various Controls, but these temporary officials sever any active connection with their businesses while serving with the Controls. I may add that I am continuing to keep a close watch on the whole scrap position.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider the removal of lamp-posts all over the country which are not now needed and which would supply thousands of tons of iron for munition purposes, or for barricades?

My right hon. Friend has already asked local authorities to take steps to remove lamp-posts no longer required even for the modified form of street lighting recently introduced, the extended use of which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security is anxious to encourage. I understand that the use of surrendered lamp-posts for defence purposes is under consideration by the appropriate authorities, with whom close touch is being maintained.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that the collection of salvage can be effective in rural districts without the support and co-operation of the county councils; and whether, to ensure a complete system of salvage collection throughout the country, he will invite the active assistance of county councils as well as all other local authorities?

I am proposing to consult the County Councils Association and the Rural District Councils Association to ascertain whether the county councils can afford any assistance to the rural district councils in the collection of salvage.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will arrange for a broadcast appeal to householders themselves, wherever possible, to deliver old meat and vegetable tins to the local authorities, that they may be used in the national effort without the cost of house-to-house collection?

I made a broadcast appeal on 28th July to householders and others to hand over scrap metal, including tins, for the salvage collections organised by the local authorities. In most places there is a house-to-house collection of refuse, and in such cases tins can be collected at the same time; this is the simplest and most effective method. In rural districts where there is no refuse collection, councils have been invited to organise village dumps where the public can deposit tins and other scrap metal. Three thousand of these dumps have already been instituted.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the large quantities of scrap and other derelict material lying in Kilbride Bay and which belongs to the Government; and whether he can make arrangements for its use?

My attention has only just been called to the material in Kilbride Bay and arrangements have been made for the matter to be investigated forthwith. My hon. Friend may rest assured that any useful material will be diverted to appropriate purposes.

asked the Minister of Supply what proportion of this season's wool clip is in merchants' hands; and what steps will he taken to pay those flock masters who, at the Ministry's request, retained their wool on the farms to receive payment after valuation, remembering that many are short of funds and credit is hard to obtain and consequently a detailed statement as to methods of payment would be welcomed?

Precise figures are not readily available, but it is estimated that about one-tenth of this season's wool clip is already in merchants' hands. This is now being valued and paid for as quickly as possible. Where storage facilities are available on the farm, flock masters have been asked to retain their wool pending the receipt of instructions for delivery, so that the clip may be taken up in an orderly manner; these instructions are now being issued to all flock masters who have returned full particulars of their clip on the census form sent out by the Wool Control, and also to the merchants authorised to take up the clips. The wool will be valued as promptly as possible after delivery, and the merchant is required to make prompt payment to the flock master so soon as the value of the clip has been established. In the case of clips which are not taken over by 1st September, an addition will be made to the price at the rate of 3½ per cent. per annum of the price for the period between that date and the actual date on which the wool is taken over.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for Northern Ireland men of a mechanical turn of mind with a bent towards engineering, the assembling of textile machinery and munition work, to be admitted to some of the training centres in Britain in order to qualify them for taking up work that is so needful at the moment for the winning of the war?

Arrangements with the Government of Northern Ireland are already in operation under which suitable men from Northern Ireland are admitted to Government training centres in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the agreement between the Air Ministry and the verderers of the New Forest as regards a certain bombing range has not been completed, seeing that reasonable terms were substantially agreed nearly six months ago; and what action he proposes to take as the range is wanted for use immediately and the verderers have no funds in hand with which to meet the cost of clearing the range of cattle and ponies, which it was agreed should be paid by the Ministry?

Certain difficulties occurred in connection with the completion of the agreement, but these have now been overcome and payment of rental in advance and of a sum to cover the cost of clearing has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a shortage of rifle ranges in many parts of the country which will interfere with the military forces and Home Guards in those parts of the country receiving adequate rifle practice; and if he will lake steps to remedy this?

I am not aware of shortage of range accommodation for military units. Some old ranges are being reopened.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to attach armourers to units of the Home Guard?

It is not proposed to attach armourers to units of the Home Guard. Arrangements are being made whereby work of this nature will be done by armourers in neighbouring regular units or in ordnance depots.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will satisfy himself that all men who were evacuated from Dunkirk are granted adequate leave?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the bad and unhealthy conditions prevailing at the Auxiliary Military Pioneers' camp at Nitshill, Glasgow, and of the dissatisfaction existing among the men at the inadequate feeding arrangements; and further, will he take prompt action to allay the resentment felt by the men at unduly harsh and insulting censures passed upon them by a major of the regiment, as a result of which discipline is at breaking point?

I am not aware of the complaints mentioned in the Question, but I will make inquiries.