asked the Secretary of State for War where Kurt Regner, saved from the "Arandora Star," now is; how many other Austrians were saved and where they now are; and whether and, if so, how many were shipped off to Australia or Canada without being allowed to see or communicate with their families in England?

Kurt Regner is on the way to Australia. Twenty-two other Austrians were saved, of whom 14 are on the way to Australia and 8 are in this country. In the case of those who have been sent to Australia, there was no time to arrange interviews, but there was nothing to prevent their writing letters, subject to censorship.

asked the Secretary of State for War what disciplinary action he proposes to take against those responsible for the harsh treatment of friendly aliens in the internment camps until recently under his control?

My right hon. Friend strongly deprecates the suggestion that there has been harsh treatment in the internment camps for which the War Office has been responsible. It is true that, as has already been explained, the recent large intakes of internees made it necessary to improvise camps for their reception at extremely short notice, and that initially conditions in these camps were not what was desirable. But camp commandants and their staffs have worked hard and unceasingly to remedy the conditions, as many letters and statements from internees and independent observers testify. Far from taking any disciplinary action, my right hon. Friend is glad to take this opportunity of expressing his appreciation to those concerned for their untiring efforts in very difficult circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons why the late Guiseppe Conti, 58622, was taken from the Warth Mills internment camp and placed on the "Arandora Star," whereon he lost his life and left bereft a widow and two young children at Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil?

This man was reported to be a member of the Fascist party.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Danilo Lebrecht, known as Lorenzo Montano, an Italian refugee and anti-Fascist journalist, has, since the outbreak of war, rendered national service at the request of the Foreign Office, and will he order the immediate release of this internee?

I regret that the information before me provides no basis for a claim that this gentleman has rendered such services to this country as to justify giving him any preferential treatment in the matter of release.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will have internee Mrs. Crete Fischer, Hotel Snaefel Hydro, Port Erin (C), sent, to the United States of America Consulate, London, in view of the fact that she and her husband have been summoned there to get their visas for America?

Arrangements are being made for Mrs. Fischer to attend at the United States Consulate, London, with a view to obtaining a visa for America.

asked the Home Secretary the approximate number of German and Austrian refugee scientists who are at present interned in this country; and whether arrangements can be made in the case of those whose internment is to continue to accommodate them all in one place where they can have reasonable access to scientific books and documents, and where they will be able, to some extent, to carry on useful activities and maintain contact with the relevant scientific bodies and institutions in this country?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the rest of the Question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 4th July. I will consider what steps can be taken to enable scientists, who are not released, to carry on their scientific activities or studies in internment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that no news of the whereabouts of a boy named Georg Wallis, who was taken from Farnborough School and interned on 12th May last, has been received since 28th June; whether he will inform the Hartfield branch of the Church of England Committee for Non-Aryan Christians, who are responsible to this boy's parents in America for his safety, where he is; and whether, under the new regulations, he can at once be released?

The committee informed me on 25th July that they had received a letter from Wallis dated 7th July. He embarked for Australia on nth July. The question of his release will be considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. T. Pulitzer, a non-Nazi Austrian, who was rescued from the "Arandora Star," is now in hospital and paralysed in both legs; and whether he will consider his early release in order that friends could take care of him?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this case, but I have called for a report so that the question of Mr. Pulitzer's release may be considered without delay.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will establish as one of the new categories for the release of friendly enemy aliens those having sons serving in the British Army?

Category 15 in the White Paper already covers the case of persons having a British-born or naturalised son serving in His Majesty's Forces; and I understand that the Advisory Committee are considering whether this category should be extended.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange for husbands and wives, or parents and children who have been interned in different camps in the Isle of Man, to be allowed to visit each other occasionally?

All husbands interned in the Isle of Man whose wives and children were in the Rushen Internment Camp in the Island were given the opportunity of meeting together on 26th July. I am considering what other similar visits can be allowed.

asked the Home Secretary whether the recent internment of Class C refugees was carried out under Defence Regulation 18B or by virtue of the Royal Prerogative; and, in the latter case, will such refugees be compensated for loss caused them by the use of such powers?

The internment of persons who are subjects of a State at war with His Majesty is effected by virtue of the Royal Prerogative. No compensation for loss in such cases is payable out of public funds.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in Huyton Aliens Internment Camp there were, on 8th July, still 26 medical practitioners and about 21 dentists qualified to practice in the United Kingdom; have these men or any of them been released; and, in view of the injury to their practices or hospital appointments likely to result from their detention, will he expedite the matter; and whether their release and permission to practise will be affected by the question of whether their practices were in protected areas?

I have not been able in the short time available to identify the 47 persons referred to, but I can assure my hon. Friend that if they have not already been released their applications under category 9 of the White Paper will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible. Those who had permission to remain in an aliens protected area will be allowed to return there.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the present whereabouts of Rudolf Shreuer, No. 7683, probably interned, from 12, The Park, N.W.11, on 27th June, and of Walter Shreuer, his brother, both were at Lingfield Park Camp, and of Horst von Clear, No. 76384, interned on 3rd July and last heard of at Huyton Camp?

According to the information in possession of my Department, these three men left for Australia on 10th July.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability, in the interests of security, of deporting overseas prominent British subjects of Fascist sympathies now interned?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 4th July to a Question by the hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Woodburn).

asked the Home Secretary whether, now that his Department has taken over the control of aliens' camps, he will assure the House that more humane methods will be adopted; that differentiation will be made between friendly and unfriendly aliens; that the families of interned aliens will be immediately informed of the whereabouts and conditions of their relations; and that the release of friendly aliens who are aged or ill will be expedited?

Many of the difficulties which confronted those who had to improvise arrangements hastily for large numbers of people have now been overcome; and I hope to effect improvements in the conditions in the camps, including any necessary measures of classification, as rapidly as circumstances permit. As announced on 6th August by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, information regarding internees will be available to their families at the Information Bureau which will be opened at St. Stephen's House on 12th August. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper presented last week.

asked the Home Secretary why aliens released from internment are requested to sign a promise to the authorities not to disclose, under penalty of being interned again, the conditions prevailing in their camps; and whether he will put an end to this practice?

I have not yet been able to ascertain what is the basis of this allegation, but as soon as I heard of it I caused an instruction to be sent to all camps that nothing is to be said or done to suggest that there is the least desire, so far as the camp authorities are concerned, to place any restriction on what an alien may say or write about the conditions in internment camps after he has been set at liberty.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, recently, during a transference to the convict prison at Liverpool persons detained at Brixton under the Emergency Regulations were conveyed to Euston in a prison van and marched along the platform handcuffed to each other; and will he give instructions to prevent any repetition of this?

My hon. Friend was good enough to draw my attention to this incident at the time. I share his view and had already given directions that handcuffs should be used only where there may be special reason for thinking that an escape may be attempted.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that certain British subjects of 73 years of age are being detained under Order 18B and have been subjected to between 18 and 19 hours solitary confinement, he will appoint an advisory council similar to that set up to deal with aliens, to inquire into the conditions meted out to British subjects?

I am anxious that, so far as may be practicable, persons detained under Regulation 18B of the Defence Regulations shall be detained under camp conditions rather than under prison conditions; and recently some 600 of those persons were transferred from Liverpool prison to an internment camp. I do not think there is any need to set up a separate advisory council such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, but I shall be glad, in settling the conditions applicable to persons detained under Regulation 18B to have the benefit of any recommendations which may be made by the advisory council which will be considering the conditions applicable to interned aliens.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway, in a district the name of which has been sent to him privately, persist in showing lights during the black-out in spite of protests from local military and civil authorities; and whether he is prepared to take steps in the matter?

Three railway companies own the two lines in the district referred to, and I recently received representations from a local trade association about lights shown; as a consequence of the action taken at my request by the railway executive committee, the association informed me a fortnight ago that they are now satisfied with the position, but if complaints continue I shall be prepared to reopen the matter. With regard to the other district which my hon. and gallant Friend has mentioned to me, I will have inquiries made and inform him of the result.

asked the Home Secretary the number of civilian casualties in air raids during July?

During the month of July, 258 civilians were reported to the Ministry of Home Security as killed and 321 as seriously injured in air raids on the United Kingdom. These figures were made up as follows:

—	Men.	Women.	(under 16 years of age).	Total.
Killed	178	57	23	258
Injured	227	77	17	321

asked the Home Secretary whether, before remitting or reducing the penalties imposed by the courts on 13 persons recently convicted of making statements calculated to cause alarm or despondency, he obtained in each case a note of the evidence from the clerk of the court?

In all these cases I had before me full statements of all the information collected by the police and as no question arose in any case as to whether the persons had been properly convicted it was not necessary to trouble the clerk of the court for any further material.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many local authorities in the unspecified areas find it impossible to carry out the instructions issued by him in a recent circular to assist householders to protect their homes against air raids, owing to the shortage of the necessary materials; and what steps he is taking to make these materials available for this purpose?

I am aware of the difficulties referred to and all possible steps are being taken to mitigate them.

asked the Home Secretary what proportion the grant, authorised by his Department for the purchase of bricks required by the corporation of Warrington for the provision of surface air-raid shelters, bears to the actual cost of such bricks, having regard to the increased cost thereof; and whether, in view of such increase, he is prepared to augment the present grant to the said corporation?

The standard basis is that the cost of the materials used in the construction of individual or multiple domestic shelters is reimbursed up to a limit of 10s. 6d. in the £ of the total cost and the balance of the expenditure is grant-aided. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars illustrating more fully the point he has in mind, I will certainly look into it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the urgent importance of removing the hooded screens from the headlights of fire engines and tenders when proceeding to outbreaks along rural roads and lanes, in view of the urgency of the task and for the safety of the men on the vehicles and also of the other road-users, and as fire engines belonging to the Services are not subject to these restrictions?

I am satisfied that the use of unmasked headlamps in the black-out involves such a degree of risk that it must be strictly limited to Service vehicles engaged on urgent military operations. A fire engine should not be delayed appreciably if it has a properly adjusted headlamp mask giving the light allowed by the Lighting Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that police in the Metropolitan area have instructions to insist that motor cars at night, although mechanically disabled, even to the extent of complete removal of engine, must still have their doors locked; and whether he will see that more sensible Regulations are enforced?

The object of these Regulations is to delay an invading enemy, and that justifies any practical measure which is likely to multiply delays. This is the reason for the double precaution to which my hon. Friend refers, and I do not think it imposes any undue inconvenience on the owners of motor vehicles.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. W. Stuart Lavender, of 10, St. Alkmund's Square, Shrewsbury, of the Local Observer Corps, was recently called to the Shrewsbury police station where his immediate resignation was demanded by the chief constable, with an implied alternative threat of sterner measures, on the ground that Mr. Lavender had caused the publishing of posters containing the War Secretary's declaration on the voluntary nature of vaccination and inoculation; and will he take steps to secure the reinstatement of Mr. Lavender?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter; but I have called for a full report and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department has considered the advisability of taking up hard road surfaces and concrete and cement backyards in dangerous and congested areas with a view to minimising the effects of bomb explosions in these areas, in view of the fact that bomb explosions cause most destruction when they occur among hard surfaces?

I cannot wholly accept the premises on which my hon. Friend's suggestion is based; but in any event I doubt whether his suggestion would be practicable.

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department has formed any estimate of the percentage of people who regularly carry their gas masks; and whether he is considering taking any steps to enforce the carrying of masks?

I have not attempted to form any such estimate, but I hope that the numbers of people who take care to carry their gas-masks will be increased as a result of the reminders which have recently been issued. As at present advised, I do not propose that failure to carry a gas-mask shall be made a criminal offence: I prefer to rely on the good sense of the public to comply in their own interests with the advice which has been given them.

asked the Home Secretary whether any compensation will be accorded to retailers for the loss of fireworks recently seized by the police in accordance with the Regulations?

I have considered this matter very carefully, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but the conclusion has been reached that it is not possible to entertain claims for compensation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement on the precise functions of the Women's Voluntary Service; and whether it receives a grant from his Department?

The primary function of Women's Voluntary Services is to bring the voluntary help of women to the assistance of the local authorities in carrying out their statutory duties in connection with civil defence; but, as my hon. Friend knows, they have rendered valuable public service in a great many other spheres. The cost of accommodation and other essential services for the headquarters and regional offices of; the organisation, together with certain limited payments to members of the staff, are met from public funds.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in a certain area, particulars of which have been sent to him, there is no provision of shelters for schoolchildren although one block of schools is attended by 1,100 children between the ages of 5 and 11; and whether he will take action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The nature and extent of the protection, if any, at a particular school are matters for the discretion of the local education authority, in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority. I understand that the district which the hon. Member has in mind is in a reception area and is not regarded as one of the more vulnerable districts, but the local education authority have, I am informed, recently decided to provide shelter in this case for the youngest children, who might not easily be dispersed to neighbouring shelter on the receipt of a warning.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether arrangements have now been made to supply all school air-raid shelters with gas curtains; and whether adequate quantities of anti-gas ointment are available in all cases?

The responsibility for determining the arrangements for airraid shelter for schoolchildren rests primarily with the local education authority, in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority. The question of antigas measures and of first-aid treatment of gas casualties is referred to in the Board's Circular 1467, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, and I have no reason to think that local education authorities are not making appropriate arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of trained nurses in this country and the long training necessary to produce qualified nurses, he can make arrangements for trained women from other parts of the British Empire to work in this country?

I have recently given special consideration to the question whether, in view of the possibility of heavy civilian casualties, the trained nurses available in this country to nurse them should be supplemented by trained nurses brought from overseas on an organised plan. I am advised that our own resources should be sufficient, if used to their full extent, to render this course unnecessary. I shall, however, keep this matter under careful review, and I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the deep appreciation of His Majesty's Government for the spirit that has prompted a number of our fellow citizens in other parts of the Empire to offer their services to the mother country in this way.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give now a definite ruling as to the steps to be taken by a person injured in an air raid and treated by a local practitioner in order to secure a certificate entitling such person to free treatment rather than require any person who might experience difficulty, to report the facts to his Department or his local senior regional officer inasmuch as any delay might occasion serious inconvenience and possible impairment in health?

As stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 2nd July, any such case is likely to be exceptional, and I do not think it necessary to take the action he suggests.

asked the Minister of Health what special experience the local medical war committees possess which qualifies them to express any helpful opinion or advice on medical staff and arrangements in hospitals within the emergency scheme?

The constitution of local medical war committees provides that there shall be two representatives of the medical staff of the hospitals, both voluntary and municipal, in the area concerned. In provincial centres where there is a medical school, there are two additional representatives of the hospital staffs connected with the school. The function of a local medical war committee in relation to the staffs of hospitals in the London area are performed by the Committee of Reference which consists entirely of members of hospital staffs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men registered and not called up find it difficult to get employment pending their calling-up notices; whether he is satisfied that the order of calling-up is working satisfactorily as between the younger and older classes; and whether he is aware that some of the younger ones registered a considerable time ago for the different services and are still not called up while the older ones are being taken?

Special arrangements are in operation to enable any unemployed men who have been registered for military service to be called up as early as possible if they so desire. Subject to the requirements of the Forces for men with special qualifications, men registered on an earlier date are in general called up before men registered on a later date. I am aware that a number of men in the earlier age groups have not yet been called up for reasons given in the statement made on 9th July in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for the City of London (Sir G. Broadbridge).

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have been put into work in the county of Durham as a result of the committee appointed for this purpose?

A number of panels have been set up to review the register of unemployed in various industries and the result of these reviews up to 3rd August in the county of Durham has been to place 502 persons into work. General panels to review workers who have been unemployed for a month or more, and whose cases cannot be brought to a conclusion by the special industry panels, are now beginning to operate, but it is too early to report results of their work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether special steps can be taken to give work and an opportunity of making a livelihood to British subjects who left the Channel Islands because of the impending invasion, as well as to friendly aliens?

Persons evacuated from the Channel Islands who were unable to make their own arrangements were sent to Scotland, Lancashire, Cheshire and the West Riding. The Employment Exchanges immediately arranged to register those desiring employment with a view to making special efforts on their behalf. I am glad to say these have produced satisfactory results. A total of 1,794 registered in the North-Western and North-Eastern Divisions; of these 1,095 have been placed through the efforts of the Exchanges, 232 have found work on their own account and 388 are still registered. Similar figures are not yet available for Scotland. My hon. Friend will, of course, realise that amongst those still registered there are a number for whom it may be difficult to obtain employment for one reason or another, such as age or physical disability, but every effort will continue to be made on their behalf.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, within 48 hours of the German occupation of the Channel Islands, all the tinned foods were requisitioned; is he also aware that there is no Red Cross organisation on the Islands; and has he any information as to the treatment and condition of the islanders?

I am unable to confirm the statement made in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question. As regards the second part there is in the Islands, a representative of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem with which the British Red Cross Society collaborates in war time. As soon as I have any information which can be made public about conditions in the Islands, I shall be glad to give it.

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements can be made for an exchange of German Nazis for British citizens visiting the Channel Islands who were unable to leave at the time of the German occupation?

I will certainly bear the suggestion in mind should circumstances permit of its adoption.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, his reasons for dispossessing tenants, under onerous conditions, from flats occupied by them in London for the purpose of housing Gibraltar refugees; and whether some different policy can be adopted to avoid unnecessary interference with family life when there are many empty houses available?

In order to make satisfactory arrangements for the accommodation and care of these refugees, it was necessary to house them in comparatively large units, which makes the use of empty houses for the purpose impracticable. Although the number of refugees approximates to 11,000, it has, up to the present, been found necessary to displace only 23 occupants from blocks of flats. The inconvenience to the dispossessed occupants is very much regretted, but they will be entitled to statutory compensation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British citizens are still held under arrest by the Japanese Government; and what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to secure their immediate release?

Six British subjects are still under detention by the Japanese authorities, nine having been released and one, I regret to state, having died under circumstances which are being investigated. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has had a number of discussions with the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and it is hoped that proceedings in connection with these cases will be expedited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations for a trade agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given in the House yesterday to Questions on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to ensure still more ample supplies of timber in this country, the Government will instruct its Ambassador in Moscow to give the question of obtaining timber from Russia a foremost place in his trade negotiations with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

The hon. Member may rest assured that in any trade negotiations that there may be with the Soviet Government due consideration will be given to the question of obtaining supplies of Soviet timber.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make it plain, both in this country and abroad, that, beyond a nebulous appeal for the cessation of hostilities, the Germans have made no proposals for peace nor any proposals for effective guarantees for the same?

Yes, Sir. This has more than once been made clear in public statements by responsible Ministers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign ffairs whether he will publish the full terms, including schedule, of the agreement with Japan, with regard to the closing of the Burma Road?

All that my Noble Friend can add to the statement by the Prime Minister on 18th July is a list of the categories of goods subject to temporary prohibition on the road. A list of these was published in the Burma Gazette on 19th July and comprises (a) motor spirit, (b) iron and steel railway track material, (c) rolling stock and component parts, (d) motor vans, motor lorries, trailers, chassis, and parts thereof, (e) arms, ammunition, and parts thereof, and military explosives.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the issue of additional and appropriate clothing for use of the Home Guard during winter months?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson).

asked the Secretary of State for War in what areas recruiting for the Home Guard has been closed?

Instructions have been given to close down recruiting in all areas, except where requirements have not been fully met. I regret that I am not yet in possession of information as to the areas in which recruiting has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will review the conditions of the mail service to Malta and see whether some arrangement can be made by which money can be cabled to the troops in Malta by relatives without incurring the high charges involved by a cabled money order?

I am making inquiries into the position and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all recruits for Army service open to women are being medically examined by women doctors; and, if not, whether he will at once adopt such a procedure?

The instructions are that recruits for the Auxiliary Territorial Service will be medically examined by medical officers, or, where this is impracticable, by civilian medical practitioners (if possible, women). I am informed that, in practice, the great majority of these recruits are examined by women doctors, but I cannot undertake that this should be so in every case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries into the treatment received by inmates of the emergency hospital, Shotley Bridge, Durham, who complain of excessive discipline; and whether he will accept responsibility for the hospital orders issued by Major Briggs, Royal Army Medical Corps, who is in control of the hospital?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has now been taken to supervise or prevent the waste of food in camps?

In addition to the standing responsibility of commanding officers to ensure an efficient and proper system to prevent waste, it is part of every catering adviser's duty to inspect and report all cases of waste of food, whether by over-drawal, or before or after preparation. It is also part of his duty to advise on the disposal of every form of retrievable messing by-product. Furthermore, inspectors of messing by-products for Army Commands have been authorised and are now being appointed. Their duties will begin where the catering advisers' duties finish, and will include intensified inspection and liaison between units and contractors for the sale of all fats, bones and swill.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider suggesting to Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, the employment of some of its profits to provide cheaper smokes and beer for the soldiers?

The principle on which the business of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes is conducted is that any margin between receipts and expenses should be devoted to the benefit of all soldiers. This is clearly more equitable than that certain commodities should be sold at a loss.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in whose names are Entertainments National Service Association accounts kept, and by whom is any expenditure, otherwise than for artistes' actual services, incurred or authorised in respect of administrative positions or other organising posts?

If my hon. and learned Friend will refer to the answers which were given to him on 30th July and 6th August, he will see that the Entertainments National Service Association has no funds, and, therefore, no accounts, and that the entertainments given to the troops are organised by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, who provide and pay staff for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War what positions have been, or are, held by Sir Seymour Hicks and Mr. Basil Dean, respectively, in connection with the Entertainments National Service Association; whether these positions are honorary; and, if not, what are the salaries and emoluments paid, and upon what fund are they charged?

The positions held by Sir Seymour Hicks and Mr. Basil Dean in connection with the Entertainments National Service Association are respectively those of controller and executive director; both positions are honorary. Mr. Basil Dean is also Director of Entertainments on the staff of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, and Sir Seymour Hicks receives from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes an allowance for expenses in connection with work which he carries out on their behalf. As I explained in the answer to my hon. and learned Friend on Tuesday last, that body is not called upon to furnish details of payments made to their staff.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the present hardship, he will give instructions for travel permits to be granted to the wives of naval, military and Air Force officers to and from Northern Ireland?

Facilities are granted freely to enable the wife of a member of His Majesty's Forces to make a single journey between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the purpose of returning to, or making her home in, either country; and members of His Majesty's Forces are not subject to the restrictions on travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland provided they are travelling on authorised leave.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the appropriate acreage of hops within the defence areas; and whether, in clearing these fields, the pickers, coming from the outside, will need permits?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the first part of the Question. As regards the second part, I understand that permits will not be needed by pickers entering defence areas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, taking the standard prices for wheat, barley, oats, rye, sugar-beet, milk, sheep, cattle, pigs and potatoes he will state in money terms the value of each form of assistance to the farmers?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the new prices which have recently been announced. The quantities of these commodities which will be marketed during the next 12 months are uncertain; certain of the prices which will operate have not yet been determined while others are subject to review. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to form a precise estimate of the value of any assistance to the farmers that is comprised in the increased prices which will be payable, but it is substantial.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Seeds Committee of his Department has made any recommendations for the scientific control of seed production; and, if so, does he propose to implement their recommendations?

Schemes are operated by my Department for the inspection and certification of crops of wild white clover and by the Welsh Plant Breeding Station for the inspection and certification of growing crops of Aberystwyth strains of grasses and clover. The Ministry also operates a scheme for the inspection and certification of crops of seed potatoes. I have received no recommendations from the Seeds Advisory Committee on the subject of the scientific control of seed production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of the number of acres ploughed up under the £2 per acre bonus scheme has been paid for?

Ninety-seven.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any scientific adviser on the control of animal breeding; and, if so, was this adviser consulted in the publication of the Ministry's handbook on the British breeds of livestock?

The competent agricultural research institutes are the source to which I look for scientific advice, as occasion arises, on questions relating to genetics. The publication to which the hon. Member refers was not intended to be a scientific treatise but was designed to fill the need for a descriptive handbook on breeds of livestock and was prepared in close co-operation with each of the breed societies concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied with the position of the agricultural industry and the way in which the farmers and farm workers have responded to the national call; and whether he can make any statement as to the policy to be pursued when the harvest is gathered?

I have just completed a tour during which I met members of the 62 war agricultural executive committees in England and Wales and a large number of their district chairmen. I am very impressed by the progress that has already been made with the food production campaign and the efforts that farmers and farm workers are making to ensure its success. I hope to make an announcement shortly regarding the programme for the coming season.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether a decision has yet been made to set up a Ministry of Building to co-ordinate all branches of the industry, eliminate waste, economise staffs and generally improve the war effort?

I am not in a position to add to the reply given on 1st August by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to a Question by the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Levy).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will have inquiries made into the reasons why the Traffic Commissioners, North-Western traffic area, refused to grant licences to Wigan firms to carry passengers to their work, in view of the inadequate services in use with a view to improving them?

Inquiries have recently been made into the travelling facilities for workmen between the district of Wigan and the factory which I understand my hon. Friend has in mind, and I shall be happy to inform him of the result. If he has received other specific complaints, which have not yet been brought to my notice, and will let me have particulars, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the case in Lowton Road, Golborne, where 13 men travelling to their work were trapped in a blazing lorry, with the result that one died and the remainder were treated at the Wigan infirmary; that the vehicle in question was an ordinary tipping wagon, not licenced for the conveyance of passengers; and whether he will immediately terminate the use of tipping lorries for this purpose?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this unfortunate accident. As it is the subject of judicial inquiry it would not be proper for me to make any comment on it at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of his appeal to parents not to bring home their evacuated children during the holidays, he will enable parents to visit their evacuated children, by continuing for them the special cheap return fares which have been withdrawn from the general public?

I hope to make a statement on this matter at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General by how much the volume of inland letters has fallen off since the rate was increased from 1½d. to 2½d.; and what are the corresponding figures for postcards of several types?

Figures of classified postal traffic will not be available for three or four weeks. I regret that the classification when available will not show separate figures for the different categories of postcards.

asked the Postmaster-General, how many workers of the various grades have been called up on war service, each separately; and what are the numbers of those now employed, these figures to include telephone staff?

The total number of Post Office servants absent with the Armed Forces on the 1st July last was 40,254, and the number absent on full-time service with the Civil Defence Force was 131. The total number of staff actually employed on the date mentioned, including staff engaged in place of absentees on war service, was 266,063.

Grades.				With Armed Forces.		With Civil Defence Force.		Staff employed.
				Men.	Women.	Men.	Women.	Men.	Women.
Executive, Clerical, Technical, etc.				1,333	12	1	25	8,449	14,654
Manipulative (Sorters, Tele-graphists, Postmen, etc.) and Supervising.				27,565	22	79	1	138,859	51,040
Engineering Workmen, etc.				10,864	—	8	—	43,348	494
Others	…	…	…	462	—	16	1	5,820	3,399
Totals		…	…	40,224	34	104	27	196,476	69,587

asked the Minister of Information whether he will publish a list, showing the numbers and salaries, of speakers employed in London and at each provincial office under his Department, respectively; by whom were these persons appointed; and how many in each case, respectively, were selected from the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour?

In addition to some hundreds of volunteer speakers employed as occasion serves, full time paid speakers are employed by the Ministry as follows:

London Region	3
Northern Region	4
North Eastern Region	4
North Midland Region	2
Eastern Region	5
Southern Region	3
South Western Region	1
Wales and Monmouthshire	1
Midland Region	3
North Western Region	3
Scotland	2
South Eastern Region	3

The salaries paid range from £4 to five guineas per week.The appointments in each case were made by the regional information officer in consultation with the Ministry headquarters. In selecting these speakers, application was made to the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour, but of the persons whose names were thus obtained only one appeared to be suitable in view of the terms of appointment and salary.

asked the Minister of Information the total number of staff engaged in his Department as at 1st April and 1st July, 1940, and the total salaries paid?

The total number of staff employed at 1st April, 1940, excluding overseas staffs but including the Press and Censorship Bureau, was 1,135, the comparable figure at 1st July being 1,334. The total annual expenditure on the salaries and wages of this staff at 1st July was at the rate of approximately £388,000.

asked the Minister of Information in how many regions of the country are there subdivisions of the Ministry attached to the commissioner's staff; how many persons are thus employed; and what are their duties?

There are no regions in which representatives of the Ministry of Information are actually attached to the Regional Commissioners' staff, as the information officer and staff which the Ministry maintains in each of the Civil Defence Regions, although maintaining the closest contact with the Regional Commissioner, are independent of him so long as communications with the seat of Government remain adequate. The total number of persons belonging to the regional staff of the Ministry is 169. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mr. Gledhill) on 16th July.

asked the Home Secretary how many physically-fit men of military age are employed in his Department; and how many are under the age cf 26 years?

There are in my Department 249 young men who are under 20 and have therefore not yet been required to register for military service. Civil servants in the administrative, executive and clerical grades are at present reserved if over the age of 25. As regards men between 20 and 25 the practice is to release them for service with the Forces, but there are still in the Department 61 men between these ages, of whom some are waiting to be called for duty in the branch of the Armed Forces to which they have been allotted, some are in Grade III, and some are in specialist occupations for which the age of reservation is lower than 25.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the limitation of paper supplies to one-third of normal is applicable to all Government Departments?

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 3rd July, it would not be practicable in view of the increasing activities of Departments directly engaged on the war effort to adopt a rationing system on the lines suggested. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that the paper requirements of Departments are being specially scrutinised with the object of securing the maximum possible reduction in all cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the new policy announced by the Government in regard to German refugees who can help in our war effort, he will communicate with county councils, withdrawing or modifying the instructions issued on 10th June, which ordered the immediate dismissal of Germans, Austrians and Czechs, of either sex, who were working in any capacity in hospitals providing treatment for men of His Majesty's Forces and the later instructions which extended this order to cover Italians?

As indicated in the reply which I gave on 1st August to a Question by the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little), this matter is being reviewed in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and the military authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to give a full answer to the representations, regarding Klaus Munter, made to him by the hon. Member for London University on 26th July?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for the information which he has given to me about this case, and will send him an answer without delay.

asked the Home Secretary whether aliens who had volunteered to join the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and have been deported to the Dominions, while their applications were under consideration, will have an opportunity of returning in order to enlist?

I do not think it would be profitable to bring a person back to this country merely on the chance that he might be accepted for enlistment. I should, however, be prepared to authorise the release of any person sent to a Dominion if the Government of that Dominion were prepared to accept him for enlistment in its Forces.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of Egyptian graduates, many of them qualified medical men, are in this country and, though willing, are not allowed to assist this country in its war effort; and, as Egypt is our Ally, will he take steps to enlist the services of these people to help against the common enemy?

If the suggestion is that foreigners admitted to this country for the purpose of medical studies and on the understanding that they would not be allowed to practise here should now be permitted to practise medicine in the United Kingdom, such a course would be contrary to the policy which has been agreed upon in consultation with the medical profession.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will remove the restrictions which have been brought to his notice imposed on persons from Northern Ireland engaged in work of national importance in Great Britain; and whether they will be granted permits to visit their families and friends in Ulster which they so much desire to do?

Persons from Northern Ireland who are engaged on work of national importance in this country are granted exit permits to enable them to return to their homes on completion of their work in this country, or in the event of their being summoned back for urgent family reasons such as the illness or death of a close relative. The arrangements are at present being reviewed in the light of experience but I fear I cannot hold out any hope in present circumstances of unrestricted facilities for holiday traffic.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make about the attitude of the Government to the 17 bottle parties that still remain in the Metropolitan police district?

Seven of the 23 bottle parties which were known to be in existence in the Metropolitan Police District when Defence Regulation 42c. was made a fortnight ago have now been closed by Orders made by the Commissioner under the Regulation. If in any other cases the Commissioner has ground for action under the Regulation, action will be taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the loss of public morale resulting from the shutting down of dancing and all forms of sport in France from the outbreak of war, he will give an assurance that, subject to military necessity and national requirements, the enjoyment of such facilities in moderation will not be interfered with in this country?

I see no difficulty in giving the assurance desired, which indeed represents the policy followed by the Government since the outbreak of war.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will in future send notifications of any kind affecting the life of residents in a Defence Area first of all to the clerk to the local authority and not to private residents so that the local authority which has the primary task of safeguarding the interests of the community may know direct what is officially suggested and the reason for such a policy?

Official instructions and notifications affecting the life of residents in Defence Areas are normally issued by the Government Departments concerned through the clerk of the local authority for communication to all concerned, and my Department frequently gives publicity to these through the machinery of the regional organisation of the Ministry of Information and other channels.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will give details regarding the operations of British broadcasting stations outside the British Isles?

National broadcasting services exist in all the Dominions and in India, and stations have been established in many of the larger Colonies. The development of broadcasting in the Colonial Empire is constantly under the consideration of the Colonial Office in consultation with the B.B.C., which maintains close liaison with all broadcasting organisations within the Empire. A shortwave overseas service is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Commission and transmissions from many other Dominion and Colonial stations are heard outside the territories in which they are situated. There is extensive rebroadcasting from all the British stations of news bulletins and other sections of the B.B.C.'s overseas programmes.

asked the Minister of Information why, in view of the recent decision not to pursue the matter, advertisements are still appearing regarding the "Silent Column," together with announcements on the news films?

As soon as it was decided to discontinue the "Silent Column" ad vertisements, instructions were given to cancel as many as possible of those which had not yet appeared. In most cases this was done, but in certain other cases cancellation was found to be impossible as the publication concerned had already gone to Press. As regards the latter part of the Question, the Ministry of Information was not responsible for any references to the "Silent Column" which may have appeared on the news films.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange for chaplains, officers and men from Northern Ireland, serving in His Majesty's Forces in Great Britain, to receive their letters uncensored?

The censorship of letters from Northern Ireland has been imposed in the interests of security. It is not practicable in this matter to discriminate between correspondence addressed to members of His Majesty's Forces and civilians in Great Britain, and my right hon. Friend is therefore, unable to comply with the hon. Member's request.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will invite ex-ministers and others with world-wide broadcasting reputations to broadcast to the United States of America in support of the national war effort?

Yes, Sir. A large number of prominent people have recently given broadcast talks to the U.S.A. and the desirability of inviting ex-ministers will be borne in mind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the tickets issued by railway companies to members of the Forces on leave as fare-paying passengers are at half the ordinary fares; and whether, in view of the fact that monthly tickets are now, and have been for a considerable time, issued at the rate of single fare and a third, he will arrange for these tickets now to be issued at one-half prevailing return rates so that the concession may in fact be a real one on present charges, and not based on old rates?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 30th April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth. (Sir J. Mellor) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the representations of Scottish newsagents expressing their opposition to the suggested application of a Purchase Tax to newspapers; and will he make a statement on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; as to the second part, Amendments to the Finance Bill have been tabled to the effect that newspapers should be exempt from the Purchase Tax and my right hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the Debate thereon.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the specific gravity, for excise purposes, of Tennant's nut brown bottled beer prior to the last Budget and to-day, and the retail price per pint on the same dates?

It would be contrary to practice to disclose particulars relating to the business of an individual trader.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, in some bankruptcy proceedings, it is disclosed that no Income Tax has been collected from the debtor until the bankruptcy proceedings actually begin; and whether he will take steps to prevent this?

Where payment of Income Tax cannot otherwise be enforced against a taxpayer bankruptcy proceedings are commonly instituted by the Inland Revenue Department as the means of recovering tax. Collection cannot, of course, be enforced until tax has been assessed and any appeal disposed of. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that care is taken to secure assessment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who were the representatives of the entertainment industry who agreed with him that the tax on the living theatre should be raised?

Whilst my hon. Friend's Question does not correctly state the outcome of the discussions to which he refers, the position is that those discussions took place with a representative committee of the Stage and Allied Arts League covering managerial and touring organisations throughout Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners now in receipt of pensions granted prior to 1st April, 1919; the amount of the annual pensions paid to constables, sergeants and head constables, respectively; and whether he will consider an increase of pension to these men owing to the increased cost of living and their diminishing numbers?

I regret that the figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not immediately available and could not be furnished without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. I may say, however, that on 30th September, 1939, there were 2,855 Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners in receipt of pensions aggregating £282,677 per annum, and that of this number 1,488 were in receipt of increases of pension under the Pensions Increase Acts, 1920 and 1924, aggregating £38,785 per annum. As my hon. Friend has been previously informed, these Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners could not be treated differently from other pensioners who are within the scope of the Pensions Increase Acts, and it has been stated by successive Governments that they cannot contemplate legislation to amend those Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of schoolchildren now receiving no education owing to the closure of schools in evacuation areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 2nd May and on 1st August, copies of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the provision of school meals is being fully maintained in those areas where schools have been closed owing to a partial evacuation of the children?

The circumstances of the areas from which children have been evacuated vary very widely. In some areas the provision of school meals is continuing for the unevacuated children, but in others it has been discontinued owing, I understand, either to the small number of children now remaining, or to the difficulty of providing adequate air raid protection at the feeding centres. I am making inquiry as to the position in certain of these areas, but in a number of those where all the schools are at present closed no provision of meals was being made under normal conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children within the area of the London education authority and over the age of five are re-receiving no education; and how many are attending school half-time?

The number of such children receiving no education is estimated at 33,000. 126,800 are attending school half-time and in addition 26,400 children are in full-time attendance.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Staffordshire County Council Education Committee are calling upon all teachers in their employ who are conscientious objectors to resign their appointments; and does this meet with the approval of his Department?

I am not aware of any decision by the Staffordshire County Council Education Committee to dispense with the services of teachers who are conscientious objectors, but I would remind the hon. Member that the appointment of teachers and the termination of their appointment are the responsibility of the local education authorities or governing bodies of schools, as the case may be.

asked the Lord Privy Seal on what special qualification the President of the Royal Society was selected as chairman of the Food Advisory Committee?

The name of the committee to which my hon. Friend refers is the Scientific Sub-Committee on Food Policy. Among its members are men of distinction in various branches of science and it was thought appropriate that the President of the Royal Society should be asked to preside.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider extending the cheap milk scheme so that old age pensioners may also be able to take advantage of the arrangements?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is prepared to extend the benefits of the free or cheap milk schemes to old age pensioners?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave on 25th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Parker). I am unable at present to consider the extension of the National Milk Scheme to any classes of the population outside the categories for whom it was devised—expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years of age.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what firm, or firms, are to supply B1 vitamin which is to fortify national bread; what is to be the source from which they will draw this vitamin; and what guarantee can he offer that the vitamin, when made, purchased and distributed will be evenly distributed throughout the whole of the country and in equal proportions in every district and every baker's shop?

It is at present intended to obtain supplies of B1 vitamin from Roche Products, Limited, which for this purpose it is proposed to bring under the control of the Ministry during the period of the war. The Ministry is not tied to any one source and would be prepared to consider obtaining supplies from other sources or to import the vitamin from abroad if necessary. I am advised that a very large number of raw materials is employed in the manufacture of this vitamin. As regards distribution I am not able at present to add anything to the statement I made to the House on this subject on 18th July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why it has been found impossible to restore to the nation's use during the present war the 90 per cent, extraction bread, otherwise known as wholemeal, which proved valuable during the last war, and was reported on with commendation by the Committee of the Royal Society dealing with the digestibility of bread in 1918?

It is true that during the last war, the Government had to compel the use of flour based upon a 90 per cent, extraction from wheat, but bread made from such flour was, as the report of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies of 1921 shows, never popular with the consuming public, which showed then as now a decided preference for white flour. Wholemeal bread can be freely obtained by consumers who have a preference for it, but the Government do not consider that present conditions require that all consumers shall be compelled to eat such bread.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the increased demand during the past year for a patented Bi product, derived from the wheat germ, was due in large measure to Army contracts and improved Empire markets; and whether, in view of the undertaking to fortify the national war bread by the reintroduction of vitamin B1, he will take steps to check the export of this product?

I have no information concerning the demand during the past year for the patented B1 product to which I presume my hon. Friend refers. It is not proposed, however, to fortify white flour by means of wheat germ, which would tend to reduce the keeping qualities of the flour but by vitamin B1 produced by special manufacture. In these circumstances, it does not appear necessary to take steps to restrict export of the product referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that numbers of market gardeners normally supplying the East Coast towns cannot dispose of their products to-day; that, in consequence, there are quantities of lettuces, cabbages, and other vegetables going to waste and that troops in the neighbourhood of these market gardeners are using considerable quantities of tinned vegetables; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?

I am aware that the absence of summer visitors and the evacuation of part of the resident population from the East Coast towns have reduced the normal demand for local market garden produce. According to my information, however, this loss has been made good to a considerable extent by the new demand created by the large defence forces in those districts. Instructions have been issued by the War Office directing that wherever possible fresh vegetables should be bought for Army consumption and the use of canned vegetables discouraged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will make it possible for all Red Cross workers engaged in the making up of materials, sewing, etc., from, say, 1 p.m. to 5·30 p.m. to purchase sufficient tea and sugar for their refreshment?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that sugar rationing has increased the demand for saccharine and caused a scarcity, with the result that many diabetics who may not use sugar cannot obtain saccharine; and whether he will make an appeal to chemists to ration the sale of saccharine voluntarily and give a special preference to diabetic customers?

The output of saccharine tablets has been very greatly increased in recent months and I have not heard of the difficulties to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I shall be glad to consider the evidence which he has if he will be good enough to send it to me.

asked the Minister of Supply whether there is any material difference in the salvage value of waste paper in large sheets or torn up into small pieces, in order that it may be saved in the most economical state?

The salvage value of waste paper depends upon the quality and condition of the material and not upon the size of the pieces. For convenience in sorting and handling, however, it is preferable that paper should not be torn into unnecessarily small pieces.

asked the Minister of Supply how many local authorities are not salvaging tins from house refuse but are burying them in refuse tips; and what steps he is taking to ensure that full use is made of this source of material?

Whatever may have been the position in the past, under the Direction recently given under Regulation 54B of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, all local authorities whose districts comprise a population of 10,000 or over are now required regularly and efficiently to collect tins from all occupied dwelling-houses and to dispose of them by sale or otherwise with a view to their use in industry. I have no reason to think the direction will not be complied with.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the serious unemployment in the linen industry of Northern Ireland, created largely by the shortage of flax for the manufacture of goods for the export trade, and that many spinning mills will shortly close down unless supplies are forthcoming in larger quantities; and will he see that further supplies are released forthwith?

My right hon. Friend is aware that unemployment on the spinning side of the linen industry in Northern Ireland has increased in recent weeks owing to the shortage in the supplies of flax. As my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, vigorous steps have been taken to increase production in the United Kingdom, but this will not be available for some months, and in any case it is not practicable completely to fill the gap caused by the cutting off of supplies from the Continent of Europe. Stocks have to be conserved for essential war purposes, but my right hon. Friend hopes to ease the present position to some extent by releasing certain supplies of flax tow in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider, with a view to meeting the claims of manufacturers in Northern Ireland for the making up of light clothing required for either men and women, as they feel strongly that they are not getting a fair share of this work?

The claims of manufacturers of light clothing in Northern Ireland are not overlooked. They are given the opportunity to tender and they obtain a fair share of the orders. It will be appreciated that there is a considerable surplus of capacity for the manufacture of light clothing, and that it is not possible to utilise the services of all firms capable and desirous of undertaking this class of work.