asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, on the former occasion of a nationally inspired ploughing campaign, Scottish farmers were threatened with action for damages and expulsion from their farms by landlords on account of breaking the stipulated rotation; and whether he is prepared to guarantee Scottish farmers who carry out the Government's desire for maximum ploughing, against such actions after this war?

Where a tenant ploughs up land in accordance with a formal direction issued under the Defence Regulations he is protected from any claim by his landlord in respect of breach of the conditions of his lease involved in the ploughing. As agricultural executive committees have been instructed to issue formal directions where these are necessary for the protection of tenants the difficulties referred to by my hon. Friend should not recur.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the response to the Government's circular urging farmers to protect crops against enemy incendiary action; whether he will indicate the nature of protective action taken; and what direct Government action in this connection is contemplated?

I am advised that farmers are alive to the importance of taking measures to safeguard their crops against damage by incendiary bombs. Steps have been taken to inform them in detail of the measures which should be taken and the Government are assisting by the supply of certain additional fire-fighting appliances in the main corn-growing districts.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that in Greenock sheriff court cases are being heard in camera, in some cases concerning men in the Services or in local factories; whether he is aware that the Regulations appear to be stretched to cover cases where there is no evidence of national risk; and whether he will issue a circular to all sheriff courts to the effect that, in certain situations of doubt, the court might be content to rely upon a request to the Press to withhold publication of any detail not suitable for broadcasting, rather than order a complete exclusion from the court of journalists?

The powers conferred on the court by Section 6 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, have been exercised in Greenock sheriff court in five prosecutions during the last three months. In four of these cases the evidence related to the position of movements of troops and ships. As regards the fifth case, my right hon. Friend is making inquiries. By Statute, the matter is left to the discretion of the court, and the expedient suggested in the last part of the Question is frequently adopted in practice.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will speed up the arrangements for storing 20,000 tons of coal for the borough of West Ham?

Arrangements are complete and I expect delivery to commence next week.

asked the Minister without Portfolio the names of the members of the Economic Committee?

When I said last week that I was prepared to supply the House with the names of the members of the Economic Policy Committee I had overlooked the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 11th June when he said that he was not prepared to disclose the names of the members of the various Committees of the Cabinet.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been contributed in National Savings Certificates to the nearest appropriate date; how much money has been invested in War Bonds for the same period; and how much money has been lying on deposit in the banks for the same period?

Since the opening of the Savings Campaign in November, 1939, up to 6th August, some £135,000,000 has been invested in National Savings Certificates, £139,000,000 in 3 per cent. Defence Bonds and £145,000,000 in 2½ per cent. National War Bonds. The increase in the deposits in the clearing banks during approximately the same period was £109,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in order to clear up misapprehension, whether the profits on the issue of money by the Bank of England are retained by the Bank of England or are, on the contrary, handed by the Bank of England to the Treasury; and whether all profits of the issue department of the Bank of England are paid over by the Bank to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation?

Under the Bank Act of 1844 the issue of notes is entrusted to the issue department of the Bank of England and is "separated and kept wholly distinct" from the general banking business of the Bank. The profits of the issue department are, under the law, payable by the Bank to the Treasury and by the Treasury into the Exchange Equalisation Account. The Bank of England does not issue coin.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has yet reached a settlement with the claims of the hotels and schools requisitioned by the Government; and what principles govern, and what is, the basis of the settlement?

Claims for compensation in respect of the requisitioning of hotels and schools are dealt with under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. That Act provides inter alia for the payment of the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant in occupation and the amount of any expenses reasonably incurred for the purpose of compliance with any directions given in connection with the taking of possession together with the cost of making good any damage to the premises. Payments in settlement or on account of claims have been made in more than four-fifths of the cases in which particulars of claim have been furnished to the Department concerned and negotiations are proceeding for the settlement of outstanding items.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a code of instructions so that householders who have suffered destruction or damage to their homes by enemy action may claim compensation from the Government for immediate repair or replacement of their damaged property, or, alternatively, whether he will consider a scheme of national insurance whereby householders may mutually insure their property against destruction or damage by enemy action, so that their homes may be rebuilt without undue delay?

The Government's scheme of compensation for war damage to property was announced in the House on 31st January, 1939, and provided for the payment of compensation after the war in accordance with a scale which would depend on the total amount of the damage and the financial circumstances of the country. Provision has also been made in the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, and the Essential Buildings and Plant (Repair of War Damage) Act, 1939, for essential repairs, the cost being met out of Government loans. Arrangements have also been made, and were described in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Holmes) on 6th June, 1940, whereby advance payments of compensation up to limited amounts will be made in respect of damage to essential household furniture where the total income of the claimant's household does not exceed £400 a year and in respect of damage to personal clothing where the total income of the claimant does not exceed £250 a year if there are no dependants or £400 a year if there are dependants. Those whose property has suffered damage should make a claim for compensation on a form which can be obtained in Great Britain at the local town hall or the office of the local authority or at the office of the local district valuer, Inland Revenue Department, or in Northern Ireland at the office of the Commissioner of Valuation, Armagh House, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. Those desiring to take advantage of the arrangements for advances in respect of damaged furniture and clothing should apply to the local officer of the Assistance Board. The preparation of a leaflet drawing attention to these various arrangements is now in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to extend the recently announced increases in the pay of the men in the Forces to the women whose case is equally deserving; and whether he will state the cost of such extension?

The rates of pay of members of the W.R.N.S., the A.T.S. and the W.A.A.F. represent two-thirds of the pay of corresponding ranks of the men's Forces and on this basis they will receive an increase of 4d. a day. The cost of this increase will amount to some £6,000 per annum for each 1,000 women.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 22 married internees, who were removed overseas from their internment camp in the Isle of Man, were told before their removal that they would be accompanied by their wives, but had no opportunity to communicate with their wives interned in the same island and were subsequently sent overseas without their wives; whether arrangements have been made for the wives to join their husbands and to inform the latter of this; and whether opportunities will now be afforded for interned husbands and wives to communicate with each other before being sent overseas?

A number of married internees volunteered to go to Australia on the ship which left for that country on 10th July. They were told not that they would be accompanied by their wives, but that, if possible, arrangements would be made for their wives to follow, should they be willing to do so. Completion of the arrangements which were being made for sending these wives, and other married internees with their wives and children to Australia, has had to be deferred pending further communication with the Australian Government. In connection with these arrangements, an opportunity was given for husbands and wives now interned in the Isle of Man to meet together and discuss the matter, so that the party might be confined to those willing to go to Australia together.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the complaints that parcels addressed to interned persons in internment camps have not reached the persons concerned and have not been returned to the senders; whether any action has been taken to avoid hardship and disappointment in this connection; and whether clear instructions will be published and made available in the camps as to the conditions under which parcels may be sent to those interned in these camps?

My right hon. Friend is aware that there have been such complaints and steps are being taken to remove the causes of them.

asked the Home Secretary why letters addressed to anti-Nazi aliens, who have been sent to Australia, must be sent to the Prisoners of War Information Bureau, Melbourne?

Because this is the address which has been notified by the Australian Government as that to which all letters for internees transferred to Australia from this country should be sent.

asked the Home Secretary whether a firm will be entitled to a grant towards any further expenditure on additional shelters found necessary in consequence of an increase in the number of employés in a factory since the provisions of the Civil Defence Act relating to the safety of workers were carried out; and will a further grant be made towards the cost of carrying out such measures as may be deemed necessary in consequence of the results of accident research work carried out since the introduction of the Civil Defence Act?

The grant provided for by the Civil Defence Act is payable by reference primarily to the number of persons employed at the time when the obligation to provide shelter first arose. No grant under that Act is payable in respect of the cost of new shelters for additional employés taken on subsequently or of expenditure incurred on other protective measures.

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department has collected information as to the effect of the explosions of bombs during air-raids upon different classes of buildings and upon different kinds of protection of buildings and glass; whether any research has been carried out into the value of different classes of protection of buildings and glass; whether such results are now available; and, if so, will he issue a report thereon, giving full details of the results and researches with such further recommendations as he may deem desirable in order that firms and persons may be able to judge whether the protective measures they have already taken are adequate?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 25th July to a Question by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether opportunity will be afforded to organise egg producers to consider any recommendations made to him by the Home Egg Advisory Committee before any orders are made by him dealing with egg distribution?

Egg producers are represented on the Home Produced Eggs Advisory Committee through the National Farmers' Union and the National Poultry Council. The committee, in making recommendations, give full consideration to the views put forward by these representatives.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, whereas there is a maximum retail price for the sale of eggs, there is no such maximum imposed on the wholesaler, and that the retailer must very often sell at a loss and throw the deficiency on to the prices of other unregulated goods; and can he do anything to remove this anomaly?

The fact that there is no maximum wholesale price fixed for eggs has made it possible, in conditions of short supply, for the wholesale price to approximate to, or even to equal, the retail price. This situation has been receiving my Noble Friend's urgent consideration in consultation with representatives of all branches of the trade, and an announcement of the steps to be taken will be made very soon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that owing to the difficulty of obtaining a remunerative price for eggs certain egg producers are going out of the business and concentrating on the production of table poultry which is more profitable owing to the use of waste food; and whether he is watching the egg position carefully to provide against an acute shortage in the coming winter?

I have no knowledge of a change over from egg production to the production of table poultry. The maximum prices of eggs are fixed at a level which is calculated to be remunerative taking into account the costs of production. There will undoubtedly be a shortage of eggs in the coming winter owing to the loss of the greater proportion of our normal supplies from overseas, but such additional imports as are available are being obtained. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will have a gramophone record made of passages from the Prime Minister's recent speeches, to be available to the public in this country and abroad, at a nominal price; and whether he will instruct the loudspeaker vans of the Ministry to amplify this record at their public meetings, as many people are still without means to listen to the wireless programmes?

The Prime Minister's speeches have already been made known at home and overseas. At least one of them has been recorded on gramophone records which are available to the public. I am examining in the light of practical considerations the possibility of broadcasting recorded extracts from these speeches through the Ministry's loudspeaker vans. I am afraid I cannot undertake the marketing of these recordings even at a nominal price.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will take steps to reduce the long delays and detours to which letters and telegrams in the Highlands and Islands protected areas are at present subjected for censorship?

The importance of accelerating the disposal of letters and telegrams from the protected areas in the Highlands and Islands is fully realised, and steps have recently been taken which it is hoped will avoid unreasonable delay to letters. The delay to telegrams directly attributable to censorship is negligible.

asked the Minister of Information the number of wireless broadcasts by Ministers of the Crown during the last three months, and during the previous three months, respectively?

Including the Home and Overseas Services of the B.B.C., there were 78 broadcasts by Ministers of the Crown in the last three months, and 35 in the previous three months.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities for secondary schools make provision for the supply of free solid meals and free milk; what are their respective names; and how many children receive such meals, or milk, or both?

No information is available as to the number of local education authorities for higher education who make direct provision for free meals and milk for necessitous pupils in secondary schools, or as to the number of pupils who receive such meals or milk. Even if information were available it would not show the extent to which parents are assisted in paying for meals or milk for their children, as it is the practice in many areas to provide free meals and milk indirectly by giving maintenance allowances to the parents which can be used for this and other purposes. I do not, therefore, feel justified in present conditions in asking local education authorities to furnish a return of the number of pupils who receive meals or milk without cash payment.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in cases where Government Departments find it necessary to employ the services of chartered surveyors for work in connection with the requisitioning of property for billeting, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to distribute the work among as many of the qualified firms in the district as possible, rather than to give a monopoly of the business to a selected few?

My right hon. Friend is not clear exactly what circumstances are referred to and has written to my hon. and gallant Friend for further information. When he has received this information he will be happy to consider it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Secretary is now in residence at the Foreign Office, or when it is expected he will be?

My Noble Friend expects to take up residence in the Foreign Office in the course of the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will furnish a list of the members of the various divisions of his Department showing the position held by each and the salaries attributed to the respective posts; the total number of persons employed in and by the Ministry of Information in addition to those included in the above categories; and the total annual salaries of all persons at present serving under the Ministry both in Great Britain and overseas.

I will place in the Library of the House a list of the headquarters staff of the Ministry (excluding minor administrative and technical, clerical, typing and messenger grades) at the 31st July, 1940, showing the position held by each officer and the authorised salaries of the various grades. The total staff employed at the 31st July at home and overseas was 1,687, and the total annual expenditure on the salaries and wages of this staff was at the rate of approximately £473,000. With the change in appointment of Director General I might remind hon. Members that the organisation is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons employed in the supply department of the War Office prior to the formation of the Ministry of Supply; the numbers engaged at the present time; and the cost of the same in each period?

I assume that by "supply department" my hon. Friend is referring to the Department of the Director-General of Munitions Production. Before the formation of the Ministry of Supply, the staff of this Department at the War Office numbered 675 and cost some £293,000 a year. The contracts work in connection with stores and equipment not taken over by the Ministry of Supply remains with the War Office, and the staff concerned in this work numbers 172 and costs some £43,000 a year. Other work formerly dealt with by the Director-General of Munitions Production at the War Office and not taken over by the Ministry of Supply has been spread among a number of different branches in the War Office, and it is not practicable to give comparable figures for number and cost of staff.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to increase the administration allowance to approved societies in view of the increased cost of living, postage, stationery and reduced administration allowance for serving members.

Steps are being taken to ascertain to what extent approved societies are in need of further resources than are at present available to them to meet the cost of their administration, and in the meantime my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to relax restrictions on the occupation of condemned houses in those parts of the country where there is a serious shortage of accommodation owing to emergency conditions?

As regards the re-occupation of condemned houses by agricultural workers, subject to certain safeguards, I would refer my hon. Friend to an Order-in-Council made on 2nd July, 1940, adding Regulation 68A to the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939. I am not at present satisfied that such a provision should be applied generally, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of districts in which difficulties have arisen owing to a serious shortage of accommodation, I will consider what steps can be taken to overcome them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the demand for cement for military purposes of all kinds, he will advise the suspension of all new civil road-making unless this is absolutely essential?

Only road works which are urgently needed are being continued and even then the use of cement is kept to a minimum.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of granted priority certificates for the supply of cement to be used for constructing roads in the Fenland; whether such certificates for the supply of steel have equally been granted, and, if so, to what extent; what amount of gravel is needed for the purpose; and whether this road-making scheme is regarded as appropriate in war-time?

Considerable areas of fen-land are at present derelict, or in a low state of cultivation, due to the absence of hard roads. I can assure my hon. Friend that it is in the national interest that suitable roads should be constructed as soon as possible, so that this essentially fertile land can make its proper contribution to the food production campaign. Work on the first scheme was started some weeks ago, and the contract was placed on the urgency list, thereby ensuring the release of the necessary supplies of cement, amounting to about 1,000 tons in all. A permit has been issued by the Ministry for the supply of 60 tons of reinforcing steel, and the amount of gravel required for the road is approximately 4,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Export Credits Guarantee Department propose to extend the range of facilities for export trade?

Yes, Sir. In order to enable exporters to quote a firm c.i.f. price some months ahead of delivery the Export Credits Guarantee Department have introduced a new facility in the form of a policy whereby the exporter may insure for a future period of as much as six months against any rise in marine insurance, Government war risk insurance and freight rates affecting a given contract. The policy will be available at a moderate rate of premium based upon the estimated amount of freight and insurance included m the exporter's price. The Department's guarantees at present available to exporters cover the major risks affecting export trade in war time, including pre-shipment risks. This cover is given by three separate or interlinked policies dealing with pre-shipment, solvency and transfer risks respectively. Exporters have expressed a desire for a single simple form of policy which would afford the exporter full protection against these risks, and certain other war risks not otherwise insurable, from the time of booking an order until receipt of payment for the goods. Such a policy will be available this week It will not supersede existing facilities but will be an alternative policy assuring to the exporter 90 per cent, of loss resulting from pre-shipment, transfer and certain war risks otherwise uninsurable, such as frustrated voyage, and raising the proportion of solvency cover hitherto available from 75 per cent, to 85 per cent.

asked the Prime Minister the nature of the existing arrangements for co-operation and consultation between His Majesty's Government and other Governments and organisations fighting with us against the enemy, dealing specifically with each case?

In view of the presence of these Governments and organisations in London, His Majesty's Government are able to maintain constant contact with them through the appropriate channels on all matters connected with the war. They have access to myself and to my colleagues, and their officials are working in the closest collaboration with the competent Departments of His Majesty's Government. In such circumstances I do not think it necessary to make any more detailed statement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that H. Cutler, of the Boom Defence, Mess 4, at a station whose name has been sent to him, has been allowing his mother 10s. per week out of the 14s. allowed him; and why his mother has not received any dependant's allowance?

In the time available since the hon. Member wrote to my right hon. Friend on this subject on 9th August, it has been impossible to complete inquiries into this case. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have the information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the mother of Boy Telegraphist Albert Ernest James, No. P/JX 159337, who was on board His Majesty's Ship "Calypso," sunk on 12th June, was without any information whether he was a casualty until the 13th July, notwithstanding that the disaster was announced on 15th June; that the boy, whose wages are 3s. 6d. per week, could not write until he got paid and then only by air-mail; that the letter was only received by the mother on 1st August; and as the letter was censored, will he say how this mother, and other persons in similar circumstances, can communicate with their relatives when their whereabouts are not known?

The public announcement of the loss of His Majesty's Ship "Calypso" stated that the next-of-kin of all casualties had been informed. The lack of any such notification to Mrs. James was evidence that her son was not a casualty. I recognise that since the war with Italy started, mails from the Mediterranean have been subject to delay. The recently announced telegram concession was instituted to provide a method by which the nearest relatives and friends of Naval personnel could send them urgent personal messages. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Press notice concerning this scheme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that large quantities of flax are being used for the manufacture of heavy materials for the Navy; and if he can see his way to use cotton for these materials and so release flax for the export trade of Northern Ireland since many spinning mills are closing down owing to shortage of flax, causing great concern and increased unemployment?

So far as the Admiralty's requirements of heavy linen fabrics are concerned, and these represent only about one-sixth of the present reduced consumption of the country as a whole, the need for conserving supplies of flax has been constantly in mind and the greatest possible relief has been obtained by the employment of substitute fibres such as cotton, jute and hemp.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the existence of premises full of metal rubbish and the failure to clear away dumps of scrap are suggesting to the public that there is no urgency in the salvage problem; and whether better and more prompt arrangements for clearance of both such premises and dumps will be made by his Department?

As my right hon. Friend explained in the statement which he made on 24th July (a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and learned Friend), the presence of scrap in municipal yards, village dumps and merchants' premises does not mean that the scrap is neglected or unwanted. These dumps are in effect reserves awaiting treatment for the steelworks. With regard to the last part of the Question, arrangements are being made with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service for additional labour for sorting, breaking and transporting scrap.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among certain soldiers of the Border Regiment owing to the deduction in their small pay of 1s. for sports, who are expected to sign for this impost or be marked men; and whether he will consider instructing all commanding officers that men should have their pay given them in full, leaving the question of a subscription to any sports or other funds entirely voluntary?

The total amount of all voluntary subscriptions is limited to 2s. a month, and the instructions issued make it quite clear that such subscriptions must be voluntary. I do not think that a subscription of threepence a week for sports can be regarded as in any way excessive—it is much below what would have to be paid in civil life for the same facilities—nor do I think that there are many men who are unwilling to contribute this amount. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind in which a man has been unfairly treated in this matter and will send me particulars, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of Slate for War whether he will investigate the case of Dr. Farquharson, who was, in September last, approved for the post of civilian medical practitioner at Fulwood Barracks and yet has not been appointed, and who, on inquiry, was referred by the Central Medical War Committee to the local committee, then to the medical officer of health and the regional medical officer, and finally to the director of medical services, Western Command?

I am informed that Dr. Farquharson was one of a number of civilian doctors notified to the Command as available for medical examination duties at Preston, if required, on mobilisation. It was found, however, that the existing medical staff were able to perform these duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War to whom should farmers and other occupiers of land apply for an examination of damage done to crops, fences, walls, buildings, etc., that have been affected by the emergency defence works now being constructed in different parts of the country, in view of the loss sustained and the importance of assessing compensation as soon after the event as possible?

Application should be made to the command land agent at the headquarters of the command in which the property is situated.

asked the Secretary of State for War who was responsible for the damage to crops by motor-lorries and other means used to erect poles in the fields and tractors to plough ditches, without consultation with the farmers or the Departments of Agriculture; and what steps he is taking to prevent any extension of this procedure?

Clear instructions have been issued that county war agricultural executive committees are to be consulted, and that, subject to overriding military necessity, the fullest consideration must be given to the preservation of agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether tests are being made by military engineers to ensure that parts of tank ditches are not being cut through flood banks, and that no part shall be below the level of a neighbouring main river; and will he enlist the assistance of drainage experts and catchment boards so as to check any possibility of flooding resulting from work carried out by military persons unaccustomed to drainage technicalities?

Military engineers have consulted catchment board engineers whenever work of the nature involved in this Question has to be undertaken, and the advice and practical assistance of catchment boards in the various districts concerned have been fully utilised.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of our abundant supplies of vegetables largely grown in response to the Government's appeal, he will see that, as far as possible, our military camps are provided with those fresh vegetables in place of canned vegetables imported from abroad?

I share my hon. and gallant Friend's opinion as to the importance of issuing an abundance of fresh vegetables to the Army, and the subject has recently been reviewed by the Army Council. Fresh vegetables are issued five times a week, and dried peas and beans twice a week. Canned vegetables are for issue only in emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise that a soldier proceeding on ordinary leave shall in no case be called upon to spend more than half of one week's pay towards the railway fare; the balance, if any, being provided out of public funds?

A soldier may receive two free warrants a year for leave journeys, and, if given leave at other times, he has the concession of making the return journey at the cost of the single fare. I regret that I am unable to extend these concessions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will select lectures in strategy and tactics from British Expeditionary Force regimental junior officers and men who have had actual fighting experience of the strategy and tactics used by German mechanised columns working with aircraft and infantry in France and Poland, and only appoint these to the War Office and staff college?

The persons best qualified to lecture on strategy and tactics are those who have been able to make a thorough study of the German Army and its methods, and to obtain and sift all fresh evidence as it comes to light. The individual experiences of junior officers and men on the battlefield are only parts of the whole picture, and I do not think they would claim to be the sole or the best authorities on the lessons to be drawn from the fighting.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that if 557, Foreign Telegrams, is dialled in the evening there is usually 10 to 30 minutes delay before the number is answered, and the explanation given is that the line is so overcrowded; and will he look into this matter with a view to rectification of this delay?

There has occasionally been some delay in answering calls on the foreign phonogram service due to staffing difficulties, but the delays have not as a rule exceeded one or two minutes. Certain modifications are being made in the staffing arrangements which should improve the service.

asked the Postmaster-General why air-mail letters from the United Kingdom to the United States of America take two to three weeks to deliver and why they take usually double the time of air-mail letters from the United States of America to the United Kingdom; and whether he is satisfied that everything is being done to speed up this important service?

Air-mail letters from the United Kingdom to the United States of America should usually be delivered in less than 10 days and our records show that for the past three months there is little difference between the average time of transmission westbound and eastbound. If my hon. Friend will furnish details of any letters which have taken two or three weeks in transmission I will gladly have inquiry made into the cause of the delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the postal facilities of certain country towns, all within 100 miles of London, such as Faringdon, Abingdon, Wantage, and Wallingford, in order that a service may be restored of a kind to enable a letter posted either in London or at one of the above towns to be delivered during the course of the day, allowing time for the early morning delivery to be received and dealt with; and whether arrangements can be made for an adequate express letter service, in view of

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as the law confers upon the Governor of Jamaica in Council a general power to prohibit the importation of any publication if he considers such importation to be contrary to the public interest, and as general resentment is expressed in Jamaica against the Undesirable Literature Bill, he will refuse to endorse the same?

The introduction of this Measure in Jamaica is in order to prevent the importation of subversive publications which have been arriving in that Colony in increasing quantities. The legislation confers upon the Governor-in-Council a general power to prohibit the importation of any publications if he

Though the revised postal services which were introduced throughout the country in November last are inferior to those which the Post Office was able to give before the war, the existing services between London and the towns mentioned which are as follow are regarded as reasonable.considers such importation to be contrary to the public interest. Legislation of this kind has been in force in certain other Colonies for some time, and the introduction in Jamaica of this particular Measure is the outcome of suggestions made in 1938 by the Secretary of State at that time to all the Colonial Dependencies. In the circumstances my Noble Friend sees no reason to take exception to this legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he appreciates the valuable addition to the country's food supply which can be obtained from venison; and will he look into the possibility of postponing the calling-up for military service of keepers and stalkers until the end of October, where their employer can prove that the services of an individual are essential by reason of his special local knowledge for the killing of the necessary number of stags on any particular estate?

I shall be prepared to consider any proposals upon this subject which may be made to me by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will place in the Tea Room the elevations and perspectives of the proposed new buildings in Abingdon Street overlooking the Palace of Westminster?

Perspective drawings, showing the proposed block of offices on the site of 18–28, Abingdon Street, have been made for the purpose, and by Noble Friend has arranged to exhibit them in the Tea Room. The design of this block has, he is glad to state, commended itself to the Royal Fine Art Commission.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to secure recognition of the Guild of Insurance Officials; and is he in a position to state when recognition of this and of the Engineer Surveyors' Association by the Manchester engineering insurance companies will take effect?

Intervention by my Department has resulted in negotiations taking place between the companies concerned and the Engineer Surveyors' Association, but not between them and the Guild of Insurance Officials.