asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction among officers who lost their entire kit at Dunkirk on the smallness of the sums received from the War Department to replace it; and will he see that these sums are made up to a figure which bears some relationship to the cost of replacement, and are not based on a wholly academic and unfair rate of depreciation, in that the great majority of such officers might otherwise reasonably have expected never to have to replace most of their kit?

asked the Secretary of State for War what rates have been allowed to officers of the British Expeditionary Force for loss of uniform and equipment where such loss was incurred in the evacuation from Dunkirk?

Compensation for loss of necessary articles of uniform and equipment incurred in the evacuation from Dunkirk is assessed on the basis of the prices at which the lost articles can be replaced, less an abatement in respect of wear and tear. Compensation is limited to the articles which the officers have to replace to comply with military requirements. The matter is not a simple one, but the basis of assessment of compensation in these cases is under review, and arty alterations which may be approved will be applied to claims, arising out of the evacuation, which have already been dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of his investigations, he will reinstate Mr. James Bostock as group commander of the Stafford Home Guard?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the appointment of a group commander in the Home Guard is made by the military area commander, and I do not feel able to interfere with his discretion in this case. I should add, however, that there is no reflection upon Mr. James Bostock, either upon his character

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the many complaints as to the wastage of food in Army camps owing to its bad preparation by untrained cooks, what steps are being taken to provide competent people for this work?

Intensive training at the Army cookery schools is being given to messing officers, instructors, and cooks. In addition, there are now over 80 emergency training centres, each producing or his military competence, or upon the firm with which he and his family have been so long associated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement on the long-distance shelling of this country by the enemy?

No, Sir. I do not think it would be in the national interest to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give two or three examples of the daily diet of enemy prisoners of war?

I append three examples, the third of which is from a camp where the prisoners of war prefer a light breakfast and a heavier dinner and tea meal:45 trained cooks every six weeks, and further training facilities are being provided.

asked the Secretary of State for War why requisition claim forms are sent out on paper similar to blotting paper; and, as writing thereon is practically impossible, will he cause more suitable paper to be used?

My hon. and gallant Friend's description does not apply to the printed claim forms. Possibly at some time a local officer may have been without copies of the printed form, and may have produced forms on duplicating paper as a temporary measure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Cherrils and St. Bruno, two houses in the parish of Danehill, Sussex, until recently used as billets for troops, are now not available in consequence of overflowing cesspools, thereby creating a nuisance in a village without a water or drainage system; and whether he will use his powers to abate this nuisance, either with military appliances or otherwise?

The move of troops from these two houses was for reasons quite unconnected with the matters referred to in the Question, and I am informed that there is, in fact, no nuisance. "Cherrils" has a properly constructed septic tank and filter beds. "St. Bruno" has a cesspool, but the troops used buckets and a conservancy contract. The cesspool is now only three-quarters full. A representative of the Uckfield Rural District Council has inspected both houses and has reported everything to be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the view of members of the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association, Greenock branch, communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock, that pensioners' associations should be represented on the appeal tribunals to consider appeals against determinations regarding supplementary pensions; and whether he proposes to agree to this request?

I have considered the representations referred to. As my hon. and learned Friend will be aware, the Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act, 1940, provides that the appeal tribunals set up under the Seventh Schedule of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, are to act for the purpose of dealing with appeals in relation to supplementary pensions. The tribunals as constituted under the Seventh Schedule consist of a chairman appointed by the Minister of Labour and two other members appointed by the Assistance Board, one to represent the Board and the other to be selected by the Board from a panel of persons nominated by the Minister to represent workpeople. The Act does not provide for pensioners' associations to be represented on tribunals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many old age pensioners there were in Scotland as at the closing date for applications for supplementary pensions; how many applications were made for supplementary pensions; how many were granted; what was the average weekly amount of the supplementary pensions granted; and how many appeals have been intimated against the determinations as regards supplementary pension?

I cannot give a precise figure in answer to the first part of the Question but the latest returns available show that there were in Scotland about 254,000 old age pensioners and 39,600 widows over 60 in receipt of pensions under the Contributory Pensions Acts in the first week of July and 54,756 non-contributory pensioners at 31st March last. Up to and including 5th August, the latest date for which information is available, approximately 132,500 applications for supplementary pensions have been received from pensioners resident in Scotland. At that date all except 7,000 cases had been dealt with and 92,700 supplementary pensions had been granted. Information is not yet available as to the average weekly amount of the supplementary pensions granted but I will let my hon. and learned Friend have the figure in due course. With regard to the last part of the Question, 1,908 appeals had been lodged against decisions on applications for supplementary pensions up to 5th August.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been completed in Scotland since 1st August, 1939; how many of these were subsidised; and how these have been distributed among cities, large burghs and the remaining parts of counties, respectively?

Eighteen thousand five hundred and twenty houses were completed between 1st August, 1939, and 30th June, 1940, the date of the last return from local authorities. Houses built by private enterprise included in this figure comprise only those of five apartments or less. Thirteen thousand five hundred and five of the total number completed were subsidised houses, and of these, 2,776 were built in the four cities, 3,219 in large burghs and 7,510 in small burghs and county areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the moneys so far paid to the Scottish Central Medical War Committee for treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children were in fact distributed among medical practitioners; and whether he is aware that the question of the distribution was only first discussed by the full committee on the 29th February, although the first payment was made by his department in January, 1940?

I understand that payments in respect of the medical treatment of unaccompanied evacuated children were made by the Scottish Central Medical War Committee to local medical war committees on 30th January, 8th May and 7th August, 1940. I have no information as to when individual doctors received payments from the local committees. The payments were made to the Scottish Central Medical War Committee in accordance with arrangements made when the evacuation scheme was inaugurated. I am informed that the Scottish Central Medical War Committee had these arrangements before them at meetings held on 5th September, 1939, and 15th December, 1939, and that a report on the action taken was made at a meeting held on 29th February, 1940.

asked the Minister of Supply how often the advisory committee appointed to deal with jigs and gauges in December last had met prior to the end of June last; and if they have met since that date?

The main Advisory Committee on Jigs, Tools and Gauges met on two occasions prior to the end of June and has met once since. A sub-committee has met on eight occasions. At the meeting on 1st August it was decided to divide the committee into two advisory panels, one on gauges and measuring instruments and the other on jigs, fixtures and press tools. The members of these panels have been appointed and will meet whenever necessary.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is now prepared to state the names of the area boards and the salaries paid to them?

The names of the members of the Area Boards are given in the appended statement. As regards the second part of the Question, the chairman and deputy-chairman and the representatives of the employers and of the trade unions on the boards are in all cases serving without remuneration. The official representatives are members of their respective Departments and receive no additional remuneration for serving as members of the Area Boards.(1) NORTHERN AREA BOARD.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking with the Supply Departments regarding wage rates, so as to maintain the purchasing value of money and to avoid a rise in the cost of living with other evils of inflation?

Rates of wages on Government contracts are not fixed by the Contract Departments. Under the Fair Wages Resolution of the House it is a condition of contracts for Government work that the rates of wages paid should not be less favourable than those settled by joint agreement or observed by good employers in the industries concerned. By agreement with the Ministry of Labour's Joint Consultative Committee, which consists of representatives of the British Employers' Federation and of the Trades Union Congress, wage rates have continued to be regulated by the joint collective machinery in each industry. The Ministry of Labour's recent Conditions of National Arbitration Order provides for arbitration in cases in which no settlement is otherwise reached.

asked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the position of base metal mining companies in the Dominions with a life of not more than approximately 20 years, who are unable economically to increase their production at the present time by reason of the levy of 100 per cent. Excess Profits Tax on them; and whether he can arrange for the cases of such companies to be considered, having regard to the best interests of the Dominions;

I have been asked to reply. Provision has already been made to meet the case of the companies referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, as they will be able to apply to the Board of Referees, if Clause 13 of the present Finance Bill becomes law, for an increase not exceeding 4 per cent. in the rates of percentages on capital allowed for certain purposes of the Excess Profits Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was with his approval, or on his instructions, that Sir Robert Kindersley, chairman of the War Savings Committee, on 2nd August broadcast the suggestion that boards of directors are impeding the national war effort by refraining from investing their companies' funds in National War Bonds because of the low rate of interest?

My hon. and gallant Friend has misinterpreted the intention of this broadcast. Sir Robert said, after referring to certain doubts, that the response to the issue had been definitely good and added, as I should have wished, an exhortation to even greater efforts on the part of subscribers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the long delays in the settlement of claims for the Government occupation of premises; and will he augment the staffs of district valuers so that claims may be settled with reasonable punctuality?

The settlement of compensation in respect of occupied premises is not dealt with by the Treasury but by the Departments concerned. They have been authorised to make substantial payments on account pending a final settlement and I understand that this authority has been widely used. Additions have recently been made to the staff engaged on this work in the War Office, and if necessary the staff in other Departments will be augmented.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to the more efficient co-ordination of defence in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, he will consider the desirability of appointing a Governor-General with supreme authority over these three countries for the duration of the war?

In order to provide for effective civil co-ordination and to ensure the best use of resources in the common war effort of the East African Dependencies, my Noble Friend has recently approved a reconstitution of the Conference of East African Governors for the period of the war. The Governor of Kenya has become the chairman of the Conference and Sir Philip Mitchell, who has relinquished the Governorship of Uganda, deputy-chairman. The deputy-chairman, who resides at Nairobi, is in general charge of the Conference. It is felt that efficient co-ordination will be secured by these arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he accepts the total domestic tin assessments in Malaya, as allocated by the assessment committee appointed by the Government of the Federated Malay States, as representing the productive capacity of Malaya; and, if so, whether he will give instructions to the Malayan Government to use those figures in future when considering standard tonnages?

My Noble Friend is advised that these assessments are the best estimate that can be formed locally as to the productive capacity of the territory, but they are, of course, merely estimates. These assessments are in continuous use for the purpose of translating into domestic quotas the international quotas fixed from time to time by the International Tin Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the total number of wireless receiving licences in force on the latest date for which figures are available?

The number of wireless receiving licences in force on the 31st July last was approximately 9,132,200. This is the highest total recorded in this country since broadcasting began.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of subscribers who have availed themselves of the right given by the Post Office and Telegraph Act, 1940, to cancel their telephone contracts and the loss of revenue thereby occasioned?

I regret that I am unable at the moment to furnish my hon. Friend with the information he desires. Returns which will include this information have already been called for and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as they have been collated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when the Purchase Tax comes into operation, it will be necessary for retailers and distributors to increase the amount for which their stocks are insured under the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939, by the amount of the tax paid to the wholesaler?

Yes, Sir. The insurance must be for the full value for the time being of the goods insurable under Part II of the Act.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to announce the result of investigations by Lord Ridley's Committee into the use of alternative fuels for road transport; and whether it is proposed to publish any report of the findings of that Committee?

I have to-day received the report of Lord Ridley's Committee and shall study it with great care. The report is a very comprehensive one and contains a large number of recommendations, many of which relate to the encouragement of the use of coal gas and producer gas as alternative home-produced fuels for motor vehicles. Until I have had an opportunity of studying the report in detail, I cannot say whether it would be desirable in the national interest to publish it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the potato acreage is to be increased next year; and whether he is aware that many growers have decided to grow corn instead, in view of the unremunerative prices of potatoes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The prices for the 1940 main crop will have regard to the yield of the crop when that is known. Since these prices have not been fixed the question whether they are remunerative or not cannot yet have arisen.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has taken place in North-East Cheshire in regard to allotment development?

Between the outbreak of war and 15th April, 1940, the borough councils of Stalybridge and Hyde received and dealt with 120 applications for allotments, which represented an increase of between 8 per cent. and 9 per cent. of the number of allotments previously recorded for those two boroughs. The percentage increase for Cheshire as a whole in the same period was 35 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present approximate number of goats maintained in the country; and what steps are being taken to popularise the keeping of goats at the present time in order to increase available milk supplies?

No recent statistics of the present number of goats maintained in this country are available. There are probably about 50,000. The evidence before my Department shows that the demand for goats at the present time exceeds the supply. It would, therefore, appear to be unnecessary to take further steps to increase the demand.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the reason for the detention of Ernest Hapgood-Stratton in Winchester Prison; whether he is aware that this man is under sentence for deportation which, if carried out, would leave his wife in a precarious position; and whether he will give the matter his immediate attention?

This man is detained in Winchester Prison awaiting deportation. He has recently completed a sentence of 12 months' imprisonment for obtaining credit by fraud. He was also sentenced in respect of an offence against the Aliens Order and was recommended for deportation. I can find no ground for setting aside the Court's recommendation, and the deportation order which has been made will be enforced as soon as a passage to the United States of America can be secured, which it is hoped will be before the end of the present month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make inquiries into the case of Dr. Fritz Kurfmann, 44517, interned at Camp 014, and his son, Dr. Gerhard Kurfmann, Hutchison Camp, House 13, Douglas, Isle of Man?

Both these aliens have applied for release. I have asked for a medical report on Fritz Kaufmann and will consider his case in the light of that report. I regret that the case of Gerhard Kaufmann does not appear to come within any of the categories of eligibility for release.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a factory worker who, while working on after an air-raid warning has been sounded, receives an injury as a result of an air raid, is entitled to an allowance under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, 1940?

Workers who have been permitted or encouraged to continue at work after an air-raid warning has been sounded would not by so doing prejudice their claims under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme in respect of any war injuries they may sustain.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether a factory worker who, while continuing urgent necessary work after an air-raid warning has been sounded and external lighting has been extinguished, receives an injury due to accidentally falling or striking against some object as a result of these black-out conditions, is entitled to an allowance under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, 1940;(2) whether a factory worker who, while proceeding to an air-raid shelter after an air-raid warning has sounded and enemy aircraft are overhead, either dropping bombs or not, receives an injury by accidentally falling or striking against some object in the factory, is entitled to an allowance under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, 1940?

In reply to both these Questions, I would say that it is not possible to give a categorical reply to hypothetical questions. While, ordinarily, accidental injuries sustained during blackout conditions would clearly not of themselves be within the statutory definition of war injuries, each case would have to be determined in the light of its individual circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many doctors and others engaged in essential air-raid precautions work are without steel helmets and service respirators; and will he do his best to have this handicap removed as soon as possible?

Steel helmets have been issued to local authorities and to hospital authorities for the use of doctors attached to first-aid posts or casualty hospitals whose work may take them out of doors during a raid and arrangements are at present in hand for increasing this allocation. Further arrangements are in hand for making helmets available to all doctors as soon as the supply position permits. Civilian duty respirators have also been issued in sufficient numbers, for use by staffs attached to hospitals and first-aid posts. Service respirators are not available for these staffs. As regards Civil Defence volunteers generally, the provision of steel helmets is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security.

asked the Minister of Health how many buildings in the Sevenoaks rural district have been noted in advance or requisitioned as suitable for the temporary accommodation of air-raid casualties; and by whom the selection of these buildings has been made?

Up to the present three buildings have been noted, by my regional officers or the British Red Cross Society, to serve Sevenoaks rural district as temporary or auxiliary hospitals, although one of them is situated in the urban district. I am having inquiries made from the local authority as to the noting of accommodation for the temporary use of mobile first-aid units.

asked the Minister of Health what steps his regional medical officers have taken to confer with general practitioners in their areas, and with the authorities of emergency hospitals, with a view to securing that there shall be no waste of medical man-power; and whether he is aware that many general practitioner are still quite unaware of what they are required to do in the event of an air-raid or attempt at invasion?

As indicated in my previous replies to the hon. Member on this subject, the making of plans for calling upon general practitioners in an emergency has been entrusted to medical officers of health in charge of casualty services, and my regional hospital officers are in close contact with them on this matter. In a number of areas the hospital officer has had meetings with the general practitioners. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his Question on 2nd July.

asked the Minister of Health what supervision is exercised by him over the Central Medical War Committee; what is the precise scheme under which such committee is acting as a clearing house in connection with the transfer of surplus doctors from evacuation areas to reception areas; when it was prepared; and who was responsible for it?

With regard to the first part of the Question, officers of my Department are attached to the committee as observers. As to the remaining parts, the committee is acting in the capacity described in pursuance of its general functions as stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on the 12th December last and not under any scheme.

asked the Minister of Health why the precise functions of the Central Medical War Committee have not been made known; and why are there so few general medical practitioners as members?

The functions of the Committee were stated in a reply given to the hon. Member on 12th December last. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would point out that the constitution of the Committee is based on recommendations of the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association, which represents the great majority of general practitioners.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give particulars of the defence emergency organisation of road transport; into how many districts and sub-districts the country has been divided; what is the total number of people employed, and what is their relationship to the military authorities; how far are they in contact with the offices of the regional commissioners; and under what authority can they requisition vehicles?

There are 12 regions, 2 sub-regions, 86 districts, and 477 sub-districts, 1,929 persons are employed by the Ministry. In addition the industry nominates 477 sub-district managers and about 9,500 group organisers. Among other duties, regional transport commissioners requisition vehicles for the military and other authorities, and assist them to obtain the transport they need. District officers are responsible to the Transport Commissioners, each of whom has a liaison officer with the Regional Civil Commissioner, and there is close contact between the two. Requisitioning of vehicles is carried out by the officers designated in the Emergency Powers (Defence) Road Vehicles and Drivers Order, 1940, under powers conferred by Regulation 53 of the Defence (General) Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many residents in Valley Drive, Gravesend, are refusing to pay their rates on account of the bad drainage conditions; and whether he can now say what decision has been reached after his reception of a deputation from the Gravesend Council?

I am informed that certain residents petitioned the borough council of Gravesend complaining of the drainage conditions and threatening not to pay their rates, but that no individual refusal of payment has occurred. The deputation from the Gravesend Council sought approval of a modified scheme not previously submitted to the Ministry. Details of this scheme were received on the 13th August and are now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the congestion of traffic at the Wilderspool level crossings on the main Warrington to Chester and Knutsford roads, whereof complaint has been previously made to his Department, has been greatly increased by war conditions; and whether he will make immediate representations to the railway company with a view to ensuring that the gates at these level crossings are only closed when absolutely necessary and in order to reduce as far as possible the periods for which the gates are left closed?

A scheme for bridging this level crossing had been approved and a grant of 75 per cent. promised. The work was unavoidably postponed by the war. I am assured, however, by the railway company concerned that the gates of the Wilderspool level crossing are closed to road traffic only when necessary for the passage of railway traffic, the war-time increase of which inevitably necessitates more frequent closing of the gates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any information is available as to the fate of the different British war memorials erected on French soil after the war of 1914–1918?

No definite information as to the present condition of the British war memorials erected on French or Belgian soil has so far been received. The Imperial War Graves Commission have naturally been making inquiries through all available channels, and an announcement will be made by them as soon as authentic reports have been received. There is, however, evidence that the damage done to these memorials is not as great as had been feared.

asked the Minister of Information why sentences relating to war destroying natural resources, and the fact that working populations everywhere will be very poor after the war, were cut out from an Empire broadcast delivered by the Reverend Henry Carter from a Bristol Methodist church a few weeks ago?

The B.B.C. asked the Reverend Henry Carter to withdraw the sentences as they gave an unbalanced view of the position in this country and might mislead overseas listeners. The B.B.C.'s policy excludes economic controversy from Sunday sermons

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many tradesmen in the large towns will not handle cheap plums on the ground that the profit is not sufficiently large; and whether he can investigate the possibility of distributing this commodity differently in the public interest?

I have made inquiries but have been unable to find any evidence of a situation such as my hon. and gallant Friend describes. According to my information, the marketing of the plum crop is proceeding satisfactorily in a normal manner, and it does not appear that an investigation of the nature suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend is called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, taking the chief types of plums, he will state the average payment now being received by the producer, and the average price demanded by the retailer; and how the difference is made up?

Both producers' and retail prices of plums have varied from day to day and district to district, according to conditions of supply and demand. There is no machinery for obtaining average producers' or retail prices for the whole country. It is not possible, therefore, to furnish the information asked for in the last part of the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he will initiate an emergency publicity campaign, with a view to disposing of the large surplus of early plums;(2) whether, in view of the fact that a considerable percentage of the early plum crop is likely to remain unpicked owing to its having ripened earlier than expected and to the absence of adequate arrangements to ensure its utilisation, he can make emergency arrangements to compel distributors to maintain a stock of plums in proportion to their total sales;(3) whether he can arrange to withhold from the market for a week or two a certain proportion of fruit that can be easily preserved in cold storage in order to encourage the public to utilise the large supply of early plums which will otherwise be wasted?

If my hon. Friend will refer to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 1st August, he will find therein particulars of the arrangements made by the Government for dealing with the prospective surplus of the plum crop. According to, my information, the marketing of the crop is, on the whole, proceeding not unsatisfactorily, and there is no indication that measures on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend will be necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps he is taking to ensure a satisfactory price for plums; and that there will be no wastage of the crop?

It is not practicable to prescribe a grower's price for plums. In regard to the latter part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the reply which I made on 14th August to a Question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South-East Leeds (Major Milner).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether arrangements have been made by barracks and other shore establishments, where there are permanent messes in existence, to utilise, directly or indirectly, any part of the surplus plum crop for jam-making or preserving in any form?

All jams and preserves for the Royal Navy are bought from contractors. The cooking staffs are fully occupied in preparing meals for the very large numbers of men now in depots, and could not be spared for jam making.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether arrangements have been made by barracks and other shore establishments where there are permanent messes in existence to utilise, directly or indirectly, any part of the surplus plum crop for jam-making or preserving in any form?

All jams and preserves used by the Royal Air Force are bought from the N.A.A.F.I. I understand that extensive orders are being placed by the N.A.A.F.I. for preserved home-grown plums. The demand for plum jam made from home-grown fruit is also expected to be considerable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a large number of people living in the defence areas have left behind well-tended gardens with vegetables and fruit; whether his Department is taking them over; and whether he will state the procedure to be adopted in these cases by the owners?

The reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, my Noble Friend has no power to take over these properties; neither would it be practicable for them to be brought under direct Departmental management. So far as evacuation areas are concerned, the matter will be dealt with by any custodians appointed under Regulation 5 of the Defence (Evacuated Areas) Regulations, 1940, and the relations between the custodians and absent householders will be such as may be settled within the framework of these Regulations. In the defence areas, which have not been declared to be evacuation areas, the disposal of the produce rests with the owners of the gardens, and from inquiries which he has made, my Noble Friend has no reason to believe that more than a comparatively small number of such owners have left their homes without making arrangements for their gardens to be tended and managed in their absence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the advantages of bread made from flour of higher extraction than at present in use; whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps to encourage the public to use, and millers to produce, flour of an extraction percentage of 80 to 85 per cent.; and whether additional stimulus will be given to this matter by including it in the Ministry's publicity campaign?

The Ministry of Food has repeatedly drawn attention to the merits of bread made from high extraction flour as a protective food. As I explained on 18th July last, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that bread of this type shall be made available at the same price as fortified white bread, and every effort will be made to acquaint the public with its advantages.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the national milk powder is intended to act as a substitute for liquid milk, or to replace the milk foods which have been found necessary by medical men generally for infants for the last 15 to 20 years?

National Milk Powder will be issued as a substitute for liquid milk under the National Milk Scheme, only in the case of infants under 12 months of age for whom a medical certificate is received that such milk powder is to be supplied instead of liquid milk.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on hill-farmers in South Wales by the delay on the part of the Milk Marketing Board in making payment for May, June and July; and will he take steps to expedite these payments?

I am not aware of any delay on the part of the Milk Marketing Board in making payments to those farmers' who rendered the returns required under the Milk Marketing Scheme, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases he has in mind I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that boys of the King's School, Chester, who are engaged in the heavy work of cultivating vegetable crops have been refused rations of tea and sugar; and whether he will take steps to see that such rations are allowed?

My Noble Friend appreciates the value of the work which the boys of this and other schools are doing in harvesting and cultivating various food crops but he would not feel justified in increasing their normal rations of tea and sugar.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is proposed to increase the sugar allowance for the purposes of preserving during the forthcoming harvest of the blackberry and apple crop, as was done recently with regard to other fruits?

The special allowances of sugar for fruit preservation which have been made to householders and to fruit preservation depots, and the additional allocations which are being made to jam manufacturers can be used for preserving any available fruits. It is not proposed to make any further allowances for fruit preservation during the present season.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is an offence against the Defence Regulations for a person to offer to pay more than the appropriate maximum price for eggs than that set out in the Home-Produced Eggs (Maximum Prices) Order; what action is taken to prohibit payment in excess of the prices set out in the above Order; and whether he is aware that contravention of the maximum price regulations are taking place in the vicinity of camps?

The Order referred to provides that no person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or buy any eggs at a price exceeding the maximum price prescribed in the Order. I am not aware that contraventions of the maximum price regulations for eggs are taking place in the vicinity of camps but in any case where satisfactory evidence of contravention of the price regulations is furnished to the authorities the appropriate proceedings will be taken.