asked the Minister of Labour what is the approximate percentage of the 60,481 increase in the number of the unemployed for July attributable to the policy of restricting the sale of consumable goods; and why this restriction is imposed at a time when there are 827,266 able-bodied persons registered as unemployed?

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. With regard to the second part, I would remind my hon. Friend that there are other matters than the use of labour governing this policy as has been made clear by my light hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade in reply to Questions by the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) and the hon. Member for West-houghton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on 6th June and 23rd July.

If my right hon. Friend is unable to give any information on the first part of the Question, how are the Government able to say whether their policy of restricting the consumption of consumable goods has succeeded or not?

Questions as to the policy affecting the restriction of consumable goods should be addressed to the Department responsible, namely, the Board of Trade.

I thought that my right hon. Friend was responsible for labour.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the increase of 114,491 in the number of the unemployed in Scotland, what steps he is taking to provide employment for these people?

The figure 114,491 is the total number of unemployed registered in Scotland on 15th July. The increase over the previous month was 3,218. This increase, some part of which was due to seasonal causes, was confined to women and juveniles. A certain amount of unemployment is to be expected during the process of transferring workers from peace-time employment to war-time industries, but I am taking steps to find other employment as rapidly as possible for persons displaced.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I inform him that Scotsmen have a greater terror of unemployment at the moment than they have of the Germans?

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the question of the transfer of the workers displaced from sugar refineries?

asked the Minister of Labour the reason which has led him to grant special permits to continental artistes to appear in this country when so many British actors and actresses are out of work?

The number of fresh permits issued to foreign artistes since the outbreak of war is negligible. At the outbreak of the war the great majority of foreign artistes who had been working in this country under permission from my Department went abroad. The small number who, for various reasons, remained here were allowed to continue in their profession subject to their obtaining specific authority from my Department for their various engagements.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this authority is causing a good deal of comment among out-of-work actors and actresses who are suffering great loss?

I have not heard any adverse comment. Appreciation has been expressed to me for the work I have been doing in connection with the variety and theatre world.

Do any of the artistes referred to by the Minister belong to enemy nationality?

Will my right hon. Friend use his influence to see that E.N.S.A. give first opportunity to British artistes?

I understand that they do.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the number of workers now employed in the Cleveland ironstone mines; and what action has been taken to inform unemployed miners of the reopening of these mines at Lingdale, in the county of Durham?

The latest figures I have for the number so employed is about 3,000 for the end of June. I have made special arrangements for maintaining and increasing the labour required by the ironstone mines, and unemployers miners in Durham are being transferred as far as opportunity offers. I am making inquiry with regard to the Lingdale mines.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners registered at the Employment Exchanges at Sea-ham, Horden, Wheatley Hill, and Shotton, transferred to work on munitions in the past three months?

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of dockers and stevedores registered at the Employment Exchanges in Southampton; how many idle men have applied to be sent to other parts of the country where employment is more favourable; and what action is being taken in the matter?

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will amend Statutory Rules and Orders, 1940, No. 1305, and particularly Article 5 of paragraph 3, issued under the authority of Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940, so that those workers who are not members of a recognised trade union may receive the full benefits of the Order?

asked the Minister of Labour whether as Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 1305, Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration, Article 5, paragraph (3), safeguards the interests of trade unionists, and as there is no similar safeguard by appeal to the Minister for employés who are not trade unionists, he will take steps to remedy this injustice?

The right under Article 5 (3) to raise questions with regard to the interpretation of such terms and conditions agreed between organisations of employers and trade unions was deliberately confined to such bodies. There is, in my opinion, no reason why it should be given to individuals. An employer or worker who does not already belong to the appropriate industrial organisation can best protect his interests by joining it; he will at the same time be contributing his part towards that joint co-operation in industry on which our war effort must largely depend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what an employé has to do who is in an occupation which is not covered by any trade union?

I have no knowledge of any occupation or even profession in this country that is not covered by a trade union.

In effect, is not this Order made to force non-trade unionists into unions?

No, Sir; the Order is meant, when two bodies have arrived at an agreement, to confine the interpretation of the agreement to the two parties which are signatories to it.

In view of the fact that by far the greater percentage of workers are not members of trade unions, why are they to be excluded from benefit under this Order?

It depends on what my hon. Friend means by "benefit." The benefit under an agreement is the wages which the agreement provides. I am not aware that there is any particular benefit for an individual to have the right to interpret an agreement to which he was never a party and in the making of which he took no part. How can he interpret an agreement in the making of which he took no hand?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the attention of his officers of the Factory Department have been drawn to the working conditions at the Kilburn Park Electric Power Substation, Alpha Place, Kilburn, of the London Passenger Transport Board, on the Bakerloo Underground line; what steps are being taken to improve the ventilation, the high temperature, and the restricted space in which the employés have to work; and whether remedial measures can be expedited?

The question of ventilation was taken up by my Department with the Board last month, and I understand that some improvements have since been made. Factory inspectors are pursuing the matter, particularly the question of the control of the high temperature, and are making further inquiries as to whether I should be justified in intervening in the matter of space.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is collecting any information as to the weekly earnings of persons engaged directly or indirectly on Government contracts; and whether he can furnish any information as to how these earnings compare with those earned by the same classes of persons prior to the outbreak of war?

Information is being collected by my Department as to the average earnings, in one week of July, 1940, of workpeople employed in manufacturing industries generally and in some of the principal non-manufacturing industries. I do not anticipate, however, that data will be available for making the comparison with pre-war earnings desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is the Minister aware that there is a Government factory in Birmingham where girls in the early twenties are earning as much as £8 a week—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—and does he consider that this is just and equitable to the men in the Forces? [Interruption.]

rose—

On a point of Order. Was I not asking a question in a proper manner? I could not be heard, owing to the interruptions on the other side of the House.

The hon. Member was asking for the Minister's opinion. He should ask questions about facts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give information in connection with the transference of labour and the recognition of trade union cards agreed upon by the various trade unions?

If my hon. Friend has in mind the recognition of trade union cards by other unions, this is a matter which is not within my control and has to be settled by the trade unions themselves.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that very satisfactory arrangements are being made through the Trades Union Congress with all the unions affected?

I think the Trades Union Congress is the most harmonious body in the world.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the communication, dated 13th July, in connection with the position at the Morris Cowley works, Oxford; whether he is aware that many men on car production were dismissed; and whether he can state the industries to which these men were diverted?

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that the Government are prepared to subsidise, through the Board of Education, a course of training by the Women's Voluntary Services for canteen workers, who are prepared to act in a voluntary unpaid capacity, why a grant has been withheld by his Department from a body training workers who have to earn their own living?

I am unable to identify the body from which a grant is alleged to have been withheld. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me particulars.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he had read the leader in the "Times," he would see what the situation is?

I could not assume that the leader in the "Times" had any connection with this Question, because the leader was written after the Question had been put down.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that those in charge of the central training scheme for women, which has been run under the authority of his Department since the end of the last war, have handed in their resignations because the grant was withheld, and that my right hon. Friend, in answer to a Question last week, said that he was not prepared to continue the grant?

This is too long a matter to be dealt with in an answer to a Supplementary Question, but if my hon. Friend would like to know the whole of the facts, I am prepared to send them to her in writing. I do not accept her deduction.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men with skilled engineering experience who have applied to be placed on the Central Register and the number who have applied at Employment Exchanges; and how many of these persons have been found employment in the last three months?

I have no figures available to show the number of applications from engineers for enrolment on the Central Register. The number of engineers enrolled on the Central Register at 31st July was 46,077. To this number there will, it is estimated, be added some 42,000 engineers who are in process of being enrolled as a result of the recent Registration Order. I should add that the great majority of these 42,000 engineers are already in employment. The number transferred to new employment through the Central Register was 596 for the three months ended 31st July, 1940. It would not be in the national interest to publish the Employment Exchange figures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the number of women in London capable of work but unable to obtain it, after steadily diminishing throughout the early months of the year, has been increasing again ever since May although the whole nation has been urged to "Go to it"; and whether he will announce at an early date his definite plans for meeting the overwhelming desire of the women of London to pull their full weight in the national war effort?

I am aware of the recent increase in the numbers of women in London registering for employment. I appreciate that they are anxious to take their part in the war effort, and there are already several directions in which they can do so, particulars of which are brought to their notice. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement on "Offers of Service" which I made in June last, in which I specified openings for women anxious to undertake work of national importance. I propose to continue and intensify the existing methods of putting them in touch with employment as it becomes available.

While thanking the Minister for his answer, may I ask him whether he will further inquire into such points as the refusal of Woolwich Arsenal to consider applications for employment from women over the age of 20 years and 6 months unless they live in the immediate vicinity?

If my hon. Friend will give me some particulars, I will certainly go into it with the Ministry of Supply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of irritation in the London area at the repeated appeals by Ministers to women to "line up" because when they do line up the Employment Exchanges have not the faintest idea what to do with them?

Will the Minister examine all the obstacles which stand in the way of the employment of women, and is he aware that there are a good many?

I think there is a considerable number of obstacles both in the way of men and women, and one of the greatest is the war.

Why are there these obstacles to-day, when the work of all is needed in the national effort?

It must not be assumed that because we are at war there is available employment for every person who is being put out of employment.

There is bad organisation.

Perhaps the hon. Member will wait to hear the whole of my answer. I indicated when I took office that unemployment was bound to arise due to restrictions upon commercial work, and the Ministry of Labour is dependent in the matter of the absorption of labour upon the programmes, and the speed of the placing of orders under their programmes, of the other Departments. The orders which can be given out are sometimes dependent both upon manufacturing facilities and materials being ready.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question?

I could not understand it.

May I repeat it?

rose—

On a point of Order. If I put a perfectly proper question, which everybody understood—

No, we did not.

is it in Order for a Minister to decline to attempt to answer it on the ground that he had not the capacity?

The hon. Member has heard what the Minister said.

Further to that point of Order. Is it not the case that the critics of the present Minister of Labour are part of the majority which has been in control of the conditions in this country for the last 20 years?

What about 1931?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. A. Anderson, Ashton, Green Street, Darvel, who was registered as a conscientious objector, received a notice from his employers, Messrs. A. Jamieson and Company, Limited, lace manufacturers, that since he had registered as a conscientious objector his services were no longer required by them; and what action does he propose to take towards the firm?

I have no knowledge of the facts in this case. I have stated previously that I strongly deprecate action of the kind alleged, but I have no authority to control an employer's action in such circumstances.

Will my right hon. Friend give the tribunals authority to deal with such a matter as being contempt of court?

Is there any objection to a British firm preferring to employ genuine British men and women rather than conscientious objectors?

I take the view very strongly that when the House of Commons carries a law giving to any minority a right, it is wrong for any citizen to try by individual action, either by starving a man or doing anything else, to depreciate the right which this House has conferred.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any evidence that conscientious objectors are being starved?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. Fred Ward, who recently lost his employment at Messrs. Follands, Hamble, Hampshire, following a fine of £5 imposed on him for causing an assembly in a protected place; and, as this charge was based on a discussion of two or three minutes' duration in the firm's lavatory with two other employés, one of whom was an informer, he will take steps to secure his reinstatement as the action taken against Mr. Ward bears the appearance of being an act of political victimisation?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of evacuated school children are being fed under arrangements for communal meals; and whether this, if satisfactory, is to be extended to all children in any areas?

No information is available as to the proportion of evacuated school children fed at communal feeding centres. About no new centres have been established for evacuated school children and in addition, meals for such children are in many cases being provided by an extension of existing canteen arrangements. The question of communal feeding for evacuated and other school children is fully discussed in the Board's Circular 1520, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. While I should welcome a large extension of communal feeding for the classes of children mentioned in the circular and have offered substantially increased rates of grant for that purpose, the communal feeding of all school children in all areas would be impracticable on account of difficulties of premises and equipment, and it is certain that many parents, and also many householders with whom evacuated children are billeted, would not desire to take advantage of such facilities.

As the Minister will be aware that many directors of education are strongly advocating communal feeding as against meals being provided by foster parents, can he say that his Department will give all its weight in the direction of communal feeding?

The hon. Member will see from the circular, a copy of which I am sending him, that my Department have provided very substantial inducements to local authorities. We hope that they will take advantage of them.

Are the 110 centres provided by local authorities or voluntary societies?

I could not say offhand.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will recommend to the Burnham Committee that the war bonus to teachers below a certain income should take the form of a flat-rate increase as being more equitable and more appropriate than a percentage increase on salaries?

I understand that the Burnham Committees have already agreed upon a joint recommendation to their constituent bodies that war bonus should be granted to teachers whose salaries do not exceed a certain figure, on the basis of a uniform percentage increase on their salaries. It is not for me to make suggestions to the Committees, the function of my Department being limited to the acceptance or otherwise for grant purposes of the recommendations of the Burnham Committees.

Since my right hon. Friend rejects this proposal, is it not possible to make suggestions under which he would approve of an alternative method? Does he think that the proposal suggested in my Question is not fairer?

I had better consider the recommendation before I express an opinion.

Does the Minister appreciate that many of these people have been very hard hit as a result of the war and that they need every consideration and sympathy?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Middlesex County Council has set up a committee of three persons, armed with supreme power, to consider reports made by head teachers on the loyalty of those serving under them; that individuals so reported upon are given no written information as to the charge made against them and none of the normal privileges of defence, nor have they any right of appeal against conviction; what other local authorities have established similar committees; and whether, as this action is the result of the interpretation placed by the Middlesex County Council on the Government circular issued last May, he will take immediate steps to call the attention of this body to the undesirability of such procedure?

Local education authorities are vested by Statute with the power of appointing and dismissing teachers, and I have no means of knowing what machinery has been set up by the Middlesex authority or by any other authority with a view to terminating the appointment of teachers whose continued employment in present circumstances is regarded as undesirable. As regards the last part of the Question, the Middlesex authority have received the Board's Circular No. 1522, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Cannot my right hon. Friend bring pressure to bear on this authority through the block grant provided by the Government? Does he not think it is a shocking thing that people should be denied the ordinary rights of every individual under the law in this country, charged with an offence?

As I have said, I do not know what machinery has been set up by the Middlesex authority. The circular to which I have referred, and which this authority has received, sets out fully the principles by which they should be guided.

Is not the Minister aware that local authorities have been stimulated to this course of action by certain circulars of the Ministry of Health?

If the Minister has notofficial knowledge of this matter, surely he has ordinary knowledge of it, at any rate? Will he—

rose—

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in pursuance of the Government's view, as set out in the memorandum accompanying Circular 1522, he will make it clear to local education authorities that he does not approve the action of certain authorities in calling upon head teachers to furnish secret reports upon their staffs' political or religious views; and whether he will take steps to discourage this practice, since it is calculated to undermine the morale of the teaching profession with a consequent adverse effect on the efficiency of the teaching service?

The memorandum to which the hon. Member refers makes it clear that, in the Government's opinion, no person should be penalised for the mere holding of an opinion, and therefore that no useful purpose would be served by eliciting the views of teachers on political or religious matters. The memorandum has been communicated by my Department to local education authorities, and I see no occasion for any further action.

Would not the Minister be able to take steps to secure that the secret reports already made should be ordered to be destroyed?

I think that retrospective action would be difficult. The circular to which I have referred gives very clear guidance to the local authorities on this subject.

Is the Minister aware that very considerable dissatisfaction is caused among the staffs of local authorities by action of this kind, and that it destroys the esprit de corps of all the staffs in Great Britain to realise that one of their number should be spying on them?

Ground for many misunderstandings will be removed by this circular.

asked the President of the Board of Education, with regard to the agreement by the Bank of England and/or joint stock banks to finance the service of education in Lowestoft, what conditions the Bank has laid down as to the amount that shall be spent on the service of education and, in particular, of the number of teachers that shall be employed and the salaries they shall receive?

I have no knowledge of the matters referred to by the hon. Member.

Is the Minister aware that the Corporation of Lowestoft and their officials have no knowledge whatever of the allegation contained in this Question and that they understand they can borrow from the banks upon the ordinary terms and conditions of peace-time?

Then their position is ihe same as mine.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange that unemployed parents of evacuated children shall receive periodical free travelling warrants to visit their children without the conditions that the children shall be ill before such warrants are granted; whether he will also arrange that free travelling warrants issued to soldiers who are parents of evacuated children shall also be available to the district where the evacuated children are living; and whether any steps can be taken to mitigate the burden on parents of evacuated children due to increased postage and other factors, by arranging for the bulk despatch of letters and parcels to suitable common distributing centres at schools or by other means?

Special assistance may be granted from time to time to parents who are eligible for payments from the Assistance Board and who could not otherwise afford to visit their evacuated children, and public assistance authorities have been empowered to grant similar help to parents in receipt of relief. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend, the then Secretary of State for War, to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. H. Brooke) on 6th February, 1940. As regards the last part of the Question, I understand that the dispatch and delivery of letters in the manner suggested would contravene the Post Office Act, 1908.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that large numbers of unemployed people cannot visit their children, and can he not recommend that warrants should be granted to such parents, even when their children are not ill?

If the hon. Member will study the first part of my answer, he will realise that such help can be given.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is not being given?

asked the Minister of Health by whom, in the case of compul- sory evacuation from the Defence Areas, compulsory billeting powers will be exercised?

Billeting power? are exercised by billeting officers appointed by mayors or by chairmen of district councils as the case may be, under powers delegated to them under paragraph (3) of Regulation 22 of the Defence Regulations, 1939.

asked the Minister of Health how many surgical mobile units are now equipped and ready for action in the Emergency Medical Service; what is their distribution and personnel; and under whose orders they will move?

The number of surgical mobile units equipped and ready for action is 456, including 7 special units. Of this total 115 are in the London sectors and the remainder distributed over the principal towns in each region. A team consists of a surgeon, an anaesthetist, a sister and a male assistant who may be either an orderly or a medical student. The teams will move under the orders of the hospital officer or the group officer in the respective areas.

Is it proposed to increase that provision, or is it considered sufficient to deal with the situation at the present time?

I would like notice of that Question. Certainly, if there appears to be any need for increasing this provision, we shall increase it.

Have they been used much yet?

Yes, Sir. At the time of the evacuation from Dunkirk a great many of these mobile surgical teams did exceedingly valuable work.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to billeting allowance hardships?

I regret that I can hold out no hope of a special opportunity being given for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these hardships of billeting allowances prevail throughout the country? In the case of my division it would not be in the public interest to give the special circumstances, so perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would have a word with me afterwards.

asked the Prime Minister by whom the inquiry to find out who were the individuals responsible for conditions in internment camps is being conducted; whether it is being diligently prosecuted; when it may be completed; and whether the results will be made public?

As I have already explained to the House, certain investigations are being made. I am not prepared to make any further statement at present.

Am I right in thinking that it is now contemplated that there should be a brief discussion on the whole of this subject before the Recess, and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman or some other Minister be prepared then to consider suggestions? This matter is now in the hearts of the people so much that there should be some kind of public inquiry in the nature of a Select Committee or some inquiry of that sort.

There will be an opportunity for the hon. Member to raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that none of the people interned in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, has had an opportunity of having his case reviewed before the Advisory Committee, and what steps he proposes to take to have the law administered in this respect?

I am informed that all these men are Italians of dual nationality. I am arranging for a special committee to review the cases of Italians who have been interned as enemy aliens, and who come within the categories of eligibility for release, and I propose to ask this committee also to act for the purposes of Regulation 18B of the Defence Regulations, and to deal with the cases of Italians of dual nationality.

Is it not time that this matter was cleared up, because some of these people, who were born in Scotland, have been in Barlinnie for six or seven weeks?

Yes, Sir; I am anxious that this matter should be cleared up.

asked the Home Secretary what was the strength of the administrative division dealing with aliens and refugees, respectively, prior to the outbreak of war, prior to 1st May, and at the last available date; how many are men and how many women; how many are attached to transitional and how many to other camps; how many of those appointed since 1st May are believed to be under 40 years of age; and what are the requisite qualifications for this delicate and urgent work?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The administrative and clerical staff of the Division dealing with aliens and refugees on 1st September, 1939, 1st April, 1940, and 12th August, 1940, was as follows:

	Total.
1st September, 1939, 121 men, 75 women	196
1st April, 1940, 114 men, 79 women	193
12th August, 1940, 161 men, 92 women	253

It is not possible to distinguish between the staff employed on refugee work and on general aliens work. Of the staff appointed since 1st May, 22 are under 40 years of age, and of this number 16 are under the age of 20. The qualifications for this work are much the same as those required for other administrative and clerical work in the Home Office. So far as possible, use has been made of the services of those with suitable previous experience. None of the staff mentioned are attached to camps. All the staff now at the camps have been appointed by the War Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now completed his inquiries concerning the case of Mr. Jakob Felsenstein, No. 75948; whether this man has been deported; and, if so, to what destination, and for what reason?

Jakob Felsenstein went to Australia on 10th July on the understanding that his wife, Esther Felsenstein, would be given an opportunity to follow him if she were willing to do so and if arrangements could be made for this purpose. She has expressed her willingness to go, but, as stated in the reply given on 13th August to a Question by the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. Harvey), it has become necessary to defer for the time being the completion of the arrangements for sending the wives of internees to Australia.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that after this man's wife was informed that he had been sent to Australia, she was then informed that he had been sent to Canada? She does not know where he is, whether he is in Canada or Australia; and she cannot take any steps to travel to meet him.

I cannot understand that statement, because, as I have said, this man has been sent to Australia, and his wife has expressed willingness to meet him there.

At a later date she was informed that he had been sent to Canada, and not to Australia.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will let me know by whom she was so informed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will apply the conditions of release, as set out in Command Paper 6217, to Italian internees, as well as to German and Austrian civilians?

Yes, Sir, so far as they are applicable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will include in the categories of persons eligible for release from internment students below 20 years of age, who have not completed their course of studies and who by completion of their studies will be equipped and able to contribute to the national cause?

This matter is being considered by the Advisory Committee.

As there has been considerable delay and many cases have been held up, will the Home Secretary promise that the matter shall be expedited?

I hope to be able to make a statement in the next few days.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Herman Podolsky, a category C alien, resident in this country for several years, has been interned, and had to leave his business in Camberwell, and that his two aged parents, refugees from Nazi persecution, who know no English, are placed in grave difficulties, and cannot get into touch with the internee; and whether this man, whose character can be vouched for by several Members of Parliament, may now be released, that he may be an asset instead of a liability to the nation?

I have made careful inquiries and regret that I can find no ground for treating the case of this alien as coming within any of the existing categories in the White Paper.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been able to trace this man?

Yes, Sir.

Does the Home Secretary not think that this is an excellent ground for enlarging the categories?

I have just said that I hope to be able to make a statement on that matter in the next few days.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will extend No. 15 of the categories of persons eligible for release from internment, contained in Command Paper 6217, so as to include spinsters who have, or have had, a British born or naturalised brother serving in the British Navy, Army, or AirForce?

The proposed extension would not serve any useful purpose, since no woman placed in category C has been interned except on security grounds personal to herself, and in such a case the mere fact of having a brother serving in His Majesty's Forces would not be sufficient to justify her release

asked the Home Secretary whether Italian internees are to be treated on similar lines to German and Austrian internees?

Yes, Sir. The conditions in internment camps are the same; and, as I stated on 23rd July, the arrangements for exemptions and releases will extend—so far as applicable—to Italians.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are Jewish refugees who have fled from Fascist persecution in Italy?

Yes, Sir, I have that in mind.

asked the Home Secretary the number of enemy aliens who have been interned from the staff of the Dorchester Hotel, London; and the numbers of Swiss, Italian and German nationality still employed by this establishment?

I am informed that, among a staff of 487 persons, there are 26 Swiss, 10 Italians and one German. The German is a refugee, aged 16, whose father is serving in the Pioneer Corps; and of the 10 Italians one is a woman and the other nine have lived in this country for 25 years or more. Two persons of enemy nationality who were formerly members of the staff have been interned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Ministers of the Crown are in residence in this hotel? Can he say whether departmental documents and dispatch boxes are sent there; and does he think that that is desirable, in the interests of national security?

I do not think that that arises out of the Question.

asked the Home Secretary why Roland Hulka, a Czech refugee, has been imprisoned in Strange-ways gaol, Manchester, since 8th June; and why, as a friendly alien, he has not been placed in an internment camp?

This man is detained in the interests of national security. Persons of non-enemy nationality have not as a rule been placed in internment camps with persons of enemy nationality, but I hope to arrange in due course for their transfer to a special camp.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that this man, having on his police registration the words "Friendly alien of Czech nationality," has been interned?

As I explained, he was interned on security grounds peculiar to himself.

Has any specific charge been made against the man himself?

Not necessarily a specific charge in the sense of a criminal charge, but there are specific grounds for the internment of this individual.

What is meant by "on security grounds"? Does it mean that internment is intended to protect the person concerned?

The hon. Gentleman will understand, I think, what is meant by "security grounds" if he will refer to the Regulations under which action was taken.

asked the Home Secretary the present whereabouts of Frank Bascombe, who, in May this year, was arrested and detained in Brixton Prison; whether he is still in prison or sent overseas or transferred to a camp; and what are the grounds of his detention?

This man is a native of Barbados, who came to this country for the first time after the outbreak of war, having lived in Germany for 14 years. He has been detained on security grounds and is at present in Stafford Prison.

asked the Home Secretary how many class "C" refugees have been sent overseas, and how many of these have been so sent without the consent of their parents or guardians and unaccompanied by any adult relative?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a similar Question by the hon. Member for the Nelson and Colne Division (Mr. Silverman).

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be worth while, for the satisfaction of the parents, who do not know where these boys are, to find out how many of such boys have been deported without the knowledge or consent of their parents?

Any parent can find out where his child is by reference to the inquiry bureau which has been set up at Scotland House.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this inquiry bureau is not working satisfactorily, that individuals have made some inquiry as to the whereabouts of their children and that they have had no reply for several days, that they have put the same inquiry down again and that they are still waiting?

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I will endeavour to deal with the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the past 14 days I have had a Question down to himself about this matter and that so far he has been unable to answer it?

Yes, Sir; the reason is that statistics are not immediately available to enable an answer to be given, and it would not be desirable to make a special investigation of all the files for the purpose of collecting the information.

I was asking about an individual case.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make it clear that the Removal of Direction Signs Order, dealing with the obliteration of place names, applies to farm vehicles?

The Removal of Direction Signs Order applies to all signs visible from a highway which indicate the situation of any place. As place names on farm vehicles might assist an invader to find his way, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries has recently asked farmers to obliterate all such names from these vehicles.

Is the Home Secretary aware that a great many farmers do not know of this matter; and, in view of its very great importance, will he see that it is brought to their attention?

I will certainly consult with my right hon. Friend.

Is this not going rather far? Any invader in this country will certainly be supplied with excellent maps.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the hardship caused to some 300 building workers, citizens of Eire, at present engaged on Government construction work in Liverpool, who are refused permission to pay week-end visits to their families in Eire; and whether he will secure the raising of the ban on such short visits home by these men?

As I have explained on previous occasions, the grant of such facilities would not be consistent with the objects which the existing control of passenger traffic between this country and Eire is designed to serve.

Will the Home Secretary arrange for some method of identity cards to enable these men to visit their families in Eire?

It could be arranged, but it would defeat the object of the existing system, which is to reduce the volume of passenger traffic between Ireland and this country to a minimum.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Dr. McMullan, of Wrekenton, Gateshead, was refused by the Passport Office, Dale Street, Liverpool, a passport to Bally-mena, County Antrim, to see his dying mother, although he sent in triplicate the proper form of application required, accompanied by the local doctor's certificate, but that on 10th August he received a letter from the passport office stating that the police in Ballymena must also certify the condition of his mother; was this action taken on his instructions; and will he see that no police certificate is asked for if a doctor's certificate has been obtained?

Exit permits are granted to enable persons to travel to Northern Ireland to visit sick relatives, subject to verification of the facts in each case. I am informed that Dr. McMullan's application for an exit permit was not refused, but that as an immediate journey was not proposed he was asked to arrange for confirmatory evidence of his mother's illness to be sent to the Passport Office in Liverpool by the police in Ballymena. Experience has shown that it is necessary to obtain such confirmatory evidence in many cases, but I have given instructions that in future an exit permit is to be granted without further inquiry in any case where a doctor's certificate is produced in support of the application.

Has the right hon. Gentleman severely admonished the stupidity of this passport office in not accepting a doctor's certificate concerning a doctor's mother? It is no use now. The old lady is dead. The very time he came to see me was the time of her funeral. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will admonish these people.

As I explained, I have issued instructions that permits are to be granted in future in every case where a medical certificate is supplied with the application.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inadequate provision of communal shelters in the area of which he has been privately informed; what number of shelters have been provided; what number of people can be accommodated in them; and, seeing the amount of war work being done by night and day in the locality, he will urge the county council concerned to expedite construction of the shelters required?

This district was not among those specified for the purposes of Part III of the Civil Defence Act, and until recently it was not contemplated that domestic shelter should be provided there. I understand that plans have now been drawn up for providing communal domestic shelters in the more crowded part of the district and that work will be put in hand as soon as materials are available. Proposals for public shelters on a sufficient scale have already been approved and work is in progress.

asked the Home Secretary to whom the chief constables report, in case of emergency, in the event of their being unable to communicate with the Home Office?

In this contingency reports dealing with the emergency situation would as a rule be made to the Regional Commissioner.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that people in many areas get no opportunity of taking shelter during actual air raids owing to the failure to sound the sirens while on other occasions they receive the warning of a possible raider; whether this apparent confusion of warnings could be avoided, by the sounding of the warning on all occasions, leaving it to the decision of individuals and organisations whether or when they should act upon a warning and whether he will tell the public what is the policy regarding warnings?

Discussions on this subject have been proceeding for some time, and I hope to be in a position in the course of the next few days to issue a statement supplementing what I said on 2nd July in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds). That being so, I think it better that I should not attempt to deal with this somewhat complicated issue within the limits of an answer to a Question.

asked the Home Secretary whether the regional advisory committees which were set up to review the categories in which enemy aliens had been placed are still functioning; and, if so, how many aliens with a B certificate have been given a C certificate and vice versa since 1st July?

These committees are still in being, and I am glad to have this opportunity of paying a tribute to the value of the work which they are doing. As the answer to the second part of the Question involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that it is necessary to prohibit the sale and use of books descriptive of the English countryside?

There is no prohibition on the sale and use of such books as my hon. Friend has in mind. If he is referring to the Control of Maps Order, the relevant provision in this order relates only to the possession by aliens of guide books which give detailed information of road routes as opposed to general descriptive matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the poorer section of the community, such as the old age pensioners, have not the means to provide extra stocks of coal to meet the call of winter months; and whether he will give consideration to the fact that it is essential that we should take advantage of our present coal supplies and take the necessary steps to give an extra hundredweight a week to all in receipt of old age pensions?

The hon. Member will be aware that the regulations for supplementary pensions contain special provision for additional payments to meet needs due to winter conditions, and I think that these in effect meet the point of his question.

As we have surplus stocks of coal and the question is where it shall be stocked, may I suggest that very good service could be performed by stocking it in the homes where it is needed, and especially in those of old age pensioners?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Assistance Board act unfairly in cases of claims for supplementary pensions, by giving nil determinations in cases where the aged are living with sons-in-law, or with distant relatives, and also in cases where the old folks have invested their money in war savings in the belief that such investments would be ignored to the amount of £375; and, as the operation of a family means test is causing distress to many of the aged because they are being thrown upon their relatives for their sustenance, and thus deprived of their independence, will he institute an inquiry into the working of the Act, with a view to the withdrawal of the Measure?

The Act imposes on the Board the duty of taking into account (with certain exceptions) the resources of all members of the household of which the applicant for a supplementary pension is a member. The question whether a particular applicant is a member of a household is not one which under the Act can be decided on grounds of relationship but only after taking into consideration all the facts of the case. As regards war savings, as my hon. Friend is aware, this matter is under active consideration. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would point out that while no person is any worse off owing to the passing of the Act, over 600,000 people who had previously received nothing from the local authority, or from the State beyond their old age or widow's pension, are at present receiving supplementary pensions under it, and I do not therefore think there would be general agreement with a proposal that it should be repealed.

How does the figure of 600,000 who are now receiving supplementary pensions compare with the number of those who previously received supplementary aid from public assistance?

Before the coming into force of the Act, some 270,000 old age pensioners were receiving additional payments from local authorities. Since the coming into force of the Act that figure has increased to some 950,000 receiving supplementary pensions. Perhaps I may add that, whereas the money involved at the time when this Act came into operation amounted to some £6,000,000 a year, the figure has now risen to something like £24,000,000.

While that is the measure of the value of this Act to old age pensioners, there is obviously no reason whatever for the withdrawal of the Act, I entirely agree; but would the Minister tell me whether I am right in saying that any cases of hardship that may arise in the administration of the Act will receive the consideration of the Department?

Certainly, Sir.