asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that by the terms of A.M.O.A. 450/1940, it will not be necessary on and after 1st October next, to show to an officer an adverse confidential report concerning himself if, for medical, or any other reasons, this action is considered inadvisable; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that an officer who is medically fit shall always have an opportunity of reading such an adverse confidential report concerning himself?

I am giving consideration to the points raised by the hon. and gallant Member and I will communicate with him further as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can, without disclosing information useful to the enemy, publish details of balloon barrage units which have been responsible for the destruction of enemy aircraft?

I much appreciate the form in which my hon. Friend has put his Question. I am afraid, however, that details of the actual units which have been responsible, directly and indirectly, for the destruction of enemy aircraft cannot be given without disclosing information of value to the enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force officers have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as pilots since the war started, and how many sergeant pilots the Distinguished Flying Medal during the same period?

The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to 349 officers, 339 of these being pilots, and the Distinguished Flying Medal to 221 airmen, 52 being sergeant pilots.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that large quantities of fruit and vegetables are left unsold on Saturday evenings, he will consider the desirability of enforcing measures which will prevent the waste involved?

I have made inquiries into this matter, and am advised that a large proportion of fruit and vegetables left unsold on Saturday evenings is held over for sale on the following Monday. No doubt a certain amount of waste occurs, but this would appear to be largely unavoidable. I shall be glad, however, to consider any suggestions from my hon. Friend as to what practicable measures could be taken to prevent it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, how he proposes to control the price of oatmeal so that both grower and consumer will be protected from excessive price margins?

An Order is in course of preparation to fix the maximum price of oatmeal so as to limit the margins between the price paid to growers for oats and the price paid by consumers. The Oats (Control and Maximum Prices) No. 2 Order, 1940, has already fixed the maximum price of oats.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the report of the Ministry's Scientific Food Committee has been, or is to be, published, and, if not, upon what expert opinion his decision was taken; and whether there was any dissent from that opinion by members of that committee, in view of the fact that an opinion in conflict with that decision has been published with the assent of one of the most important members of the committee?

It is not intended that the reports of the Scientific Food Committee shall be published. I understand that my hon. Friend's Question refers to the committee's first report which dealt with bread. I have no reason to think that that report was not unanimous. The statement to which reference is made in the last part of the Question was not in conflict either with the report of the Scientific Committee or with my Noble Friend's decision. It is an essential part of the Ministry's plans that bread made from long extraction flour should be available for anyone who prefers it at the same price as white bread fortified with vitamin B1 and calcium salt.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will obtain, through the Ministry of Information and the Wartime Social Survey, a report to show whether public opinion in favour of white bread is so strong that it demands the expensive extraction of essential vitamins from whole-meal and their subsequent expensive replacement in the form of vitamin B1?

No, Sir. The general preference for white bread is fully estab- lished. My Noble Friend could not accept the suggestions contained in the last part of my lion. Friend's Question.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether it is intended to provide the requisite convoyed shipping for the transit from Palestine of the citrus crop, for the ensuing season which will begin in October?

In present circumstances, the carriage from Palestine of perishable cargo such as citrus fruit obviously presents considerable difficulty, but the matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether the use of chemicals for bleaching, improving or conditioning flour for civilian consumption is permitted at any stage of its preparation; and is he aware that such preparation of flour for Army use is prohibited by regulations?

The use of bleachers and improvers in flour for ordinary consumption is not prohibited. I understand that as regards flour for Army use the position is generally as stated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the scheme for adding Vitamin B1, calcium salts and other matter to white flour is now in operation; and what arrangements have been made to inform the public that the bread they are now purchasing has been so treated?

No Sir. It must be understood that the scheme for the addition of synthetic Vitamin B1 and calcium salts to white flour which I announced in the Debate on 18th July involves a great deal of work and organisation. All this is being undertaken with the utmost despatch, but it is unlikely that the scheme will be in full operation until early in 1941. Publicity will be given to the subject at every stage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements can be made to enable munition workers working seven days, or seven nights, a week to obtain an extra tea ration?

Many munition workers obtain tea from canteens, but where no canteen is available arrangements have already been made for the issue of permits for workers to obtain tea for consumption during their working hours. If my hon. Friend is aware of any cases where the existing arrangements are not being put into operation I shall be glad if he would send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that prices of potatoes last year in August and September were forced down to an uneconomic level and that the present 20 per cent. increase is not sufficient to pay the rise in wages which have risen from 35s. 6d. to 48s. a week; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider fixing a maximum price of at least £7 a ton?

Growers' prices for potatoes were somewhat below the average in August last year, but there was a general improvement in September. The prices in the present Order are not based on markets where prices were uneconomic, but on a fair average.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reduction in the number of producer-retailers of milk during the past 18 months; and whether, in view of the fact that such producer-retailers are going out of business because of the amount of clerical work involved in keeping the records and making the returns now required of them, he will take steps to ensure that such work is rendered less onerous by simplifying the procedure?

There has been a reduction in the number of producer-retailers of milk during the past 18 months of 1,736 (2.8 per cent.) but I have no evidence to show that this reduction has been caused by the clerical work involved in keeping records and making returns. The reduction in the number of producer-retailer licences is due in the main to the sale of businesses but is accounted for to some extent by producer-retailers entering into contracts for the sale of milk through the Milk Marketing Board instead of direct to consumers. The quantity of milk sold by producer-retailers in July 1940 was over one million gallons more than the quantity sold in July 1939.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, in accordance with instructions issued by his Department, a butcher cannot buy a meat-chopper without a special licence issued by his Department; and will he make convenient arrangements to enable the necessary requirements for butchers to he met?

Certificates authorising the purchase of steel are, as a rule, issued to the users of the finished article; but in certain cases, where manufacturers have many customers requiring goods which involve only small amounts of steel, general licences may be issued to the manufacturer on behalf of the users. The Ministry of Food are in touch with the manufacturers of meat-choppers and have offered to consider applications for general licences which would enable wholesalers to supply butchers out of stock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a war bonus of 2s. 6d. a week to all old age pensioners who have been refused a supplementary pension to enable them to meet the increased cost of living?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not see his way to adopt this suggestion. As the hon. Member is aware, any old age pensioner whose resources are unequal to his needs is entitled to apply for a supplementary pension, and the regulations under which the need of old age pensioners is determined and assessed make due allowances for the increased cost of living.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are firms and individuals who are able and willing to pay now their agreed Income Tax Schedule D liability for 1940–41, provided they can be given the discount of 2½ per cent. per annum; and will he arrange for an extension of Clause 159 of the Income Tax Act, 1918, to enable advance payments to be eligible for discount though the notice of assessment has not been received?

In view of the prevailing short-term rates of interest, it would not be to the Exchequer's advantage to extend the conditions under which discount is allowable on prepayment of Income Tax. Many taxpayers have made advance payments, without asking for interest or discount, in respect of forthcoming liabilities to direct taxation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to ensure a much wider circulation of the daily Report of Parliamentary Debates by issuing copies at a reduced price or/and issuing copies to all local libraries, and by other means, in order to increase the supply of accurate Parliamentary and political information and stimulate interest in our democratic institutions?

Arrangements exist at present under which copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT are on sale at half the published price to public libraries, and I do not think that any extension of those arrangements is called for at the moment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has taken, or will take, powers to ensure that on the death in action of a soldier who is carrying a mortgage on his house, a building society should not be entitled to foreclose?

Protection is already given by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts, 1939 and 1940, to mortgagors who are unable immediately to fulfil their obligations for reasons arising out of the war, and in cases such as those referred to, relief is provided by Section 1 (2) of the 1939 Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the recent increase of 6d. a day in the Service pay of members of the Forces has the effect of reducing grants made by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee?

No, Sir. As the additional 6d. a day was definitely intended to meet certain increased expenses, it was at once decided that it should be ignored by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee for all purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that retired officers who are re-employed in the present war receive a small addition to their present rank pay and do not receive any of the retired pay to which they are ordinarily entitled by virtue of their previous service and whether, in view of the differences entailed, he will state the reason for this cessation of all retired pay?

The addition is 25 per cent. The rules, which are fully set out in Article 496 of the Pay Warrant, have been in existence for many years, and are common to all three Defence Services. It is one of the conditions of the grant of retired pay that it ceases when full pay is drawn on compulsory recall under the reserve liability attaching to it or on voluntary re-employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement about increased allowances to the wives and dependants of the men in the Services?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to add anything to the answer he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on 13th August, of which I am sending the hon. Lady a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the shortage of 22 ammunition for use in miniature rifle ranges and shooting galleries, the use of which is much in request by all ranks of His Majesty's Forces, including the Home Guard; and whether he will take immediate steps to increase supplies to such ranges and galleries?

Distribution of 22 ammunition is made on a pro rata basis to units and formations of His Majesty's Forces, including the Home Guard. I regret that stocks are not available for issue to miniature ranges and shooting galleries open to the general public.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the hardship inflicted by present regulations, he will give instructions to the post offices in Great Britain to receive and forward parcels addressed to the several Army Regimental Comforts Funds in Northern Ireland without demanding an export licence?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the necessity for obtaining a permit in order to despatch parcels to Northern Ireland. In the interests of security, the sending of parcels addressed to Army Regimental Comforts Funds in Northern Ireland is controlled in the same way as civilian parcels; and I would therefore refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on this subject on 7th August. Parcels, however, addressed to commanding officers or adjutants at unit headquarters require no permit. Similarly, parcels addressed to officers and other ranks by name require no permit, provided only rank and regiment are given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the effect of the Purchase Tax upon the dutiable value of exports to the Dominions and to the United States of America?

I understand that in Australia sales taxes payable on goods sold in the exporting country for domestic consumption are not in any case included in the dutiable value of imports. In the other Dominions the authorities concerned have, at the request of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, considered the matter and have either given an assurance that the Purchase Tax would not be regarded as part of the dutiable value under existing law or have agreed to take steps to ensure that it shall be excluded. I am glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging gratefully the helpfulness which they have shown in this matter. The effect of the Purchase Tax on the dutiable value of imports into the U.S.A. has also been the subject of friendly discussion with the United States authorities, but it has unfortunately proved impossible to meet the difficulties created by their existing law without altering the structure of the tax to such an extent as would, in the opinion of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, raise grave administrative difficulties and endanger the revenue.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Export Council has taken the opportunity of organising refugee diamond cutters from Holland and Belgium to train and work with British craftsmen so as to extend the British diamond cutting industry without delay, with the object of exporting finished stones for sale in America, and to build up a post-war export trade in costly mounted jewellery?

Every effort is being made to organise the refugee diamond cutters of Holland and Belgium in order to extend the diamond cutting industry and so increase our export trade. At least eight factories are in operation, engaging approximately 100 workers and a larger factory will be started shortly which should at least double the present output and engage a further 100 refugee specialists. British craftsmen are already employed and apprentices will be trained. The Government is giving every support to the promotion of this industry.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause immediate steps to be taken to abate the nuisance which exists in the parish of Danehill, in the Uckfield district, in consequence of the failure of the local authority to empty the cesspools of the two houses Cherrils and St. Bruno, which have, until recently, been occupied by large numbers of soldiers; whether he is aware that the said parish is without either a water supply or drainage system, and that the military authorities are unable to make use of these otherwise useful billets; and that the parish council have, without effect, drawn the attention of the local authority to their duty?

The local authority has not undertaken to cleanse cesspools in the parish of Danehill under the provisions of the Public Health Act and the responsibility for doing so rests with the respective occupiers. I am informed by the local authority that they are advised by their medical officer of health that no nuisance exists at Cherrils or St. Bruno. These houses were vacated by the military on 22nd May. I am aware that the parish of Danehill is without a water supply or drainage system and that the local authority has engaged consultants to advise on the possibility of affording a water supply in the area.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British and other foreign shipping have as yet use of the Yangtze above Kiangyin; and whether difficulties continue respecting operations below that place?

There has been no appreciable change in the situation recently.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the results of the consideration given by the Government in April last to cases in which shippers at ports in China have been influenced to ship by other than British vessels.

No great improvement in the situation has been achieved, but the matter is constantly being pressed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the situation respecting wharfage facilities for the shipping of third-power nationals at Tsingtao is now satisfactory; and whether the additional berths made available to British ships in May last are still so available

The additional wharves are still available, but the situation cannot be described as wholly satisfactory. The berths allotted to third Power shipping are very exposed and have inadequate warehouse accommodation. However, it is now the exception for a British ship to suffer delay owing to a berth not being available.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the revenue from the sale of postage stamps from the date of operation of the increased charges to the last available date and the revenue for the corresponding period a year ago; and what was the corresponding revenue for the last month and the corresponding month last year, respectively?

The approximate revenue derived from the sale of postage stamps, including postage prepaid in cash, since the date of operation of the increased charges up to the end of June, 1940, amounted to £8,982,000, while the corresponding figure for the previous year was £7,802,000. Later revenue figures are not yet available. The figures for June, 1940, and June, 1939, respec-

asked the Postmaster-General the latest time of posting in Twickenham, Hounslow and Isleworth for ordinary and express delivery in London the same day?

asked the Postmaster-General the latest time of posting in London for ordinary and express delivery in Twickenham, Hounslow and Isleworth the same day?

The latest times of posting ordinary and express letters at London Head District Post Offices for delivery the same day in the towns mentioned are as shown below:

The latest times of posting ordinary and express letters at the. Head Post Office of each of the towns mentioned for delivery the same day in London are as follow:

asked the Minister of Supply what proportion of machine tools imported from America is handled by Alfred Herbert and Company; and whether he is taking full advantage of other organisations qualified to help in this work?

Imports of machine tools from the United States of America are handled by the respective agents of the American firms and there has been no change in that procedure, so that the aid of all firms who have specialised in the various American machine tools is used. Alfred Herbert, Limited, are, and for many years have been, large importers. I do not consider it advisable to give figures.

asked the Minister of Supply what opportunities are given to merchants who have been importing machine tools from Germany and Switzerland to handle machine tools imported from America; and whether he will use the services of these companies for the more expeditious distribution of machines?

Most of the American machine tools that are imported into this country are covered by existing agreements between the principal in America and the agent in this country. It will be appreciated that we must continue to use and expand these existing channels owing to their familiarity with the products, which are, of course, highly technical. Wherever possible, merchants formerly engaged in the Continental markets have obtained American agencies and are being used in this distribution.

asked the Minister of Supply when a householder gives metal goods and other salvage in response to his appeals does the value of the gift accrue wholly to the Exchequer to help the nation both financially and materially, or do others enjoy part of the value; and, if so, who are they?

The materials given by householders to the salvage schemes of local authorities, in response to my appeals, are normally sold by the local authorities through merchants for utilisation in industry. The proceeds accordingly do not accrue to the Exchequer but to the general rate fund of the local authorities, any surplus above the costs of collection being for the benefit of the rates. There are some minor exceptions such as the village dump scheme, where the surplus proceeds are devoted to the Red Cross Fund.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that the construction of Anderson shelters has ceased owing to the shortage of steel, he will take immediate steps to commandeer the miles of iron railings in London and elsewhere, whether privately owned or not, with the exception of those needed for the public safety?

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security has explained, the production of steel shelters was stopped some time ago on account of the heavy demand for steel for more urgent war purposes. These demands continue to increase and I will continue to press forward with proposals, and if necessary use compulsory powers, to obtain railings and other metal which can properly be used without detriment to public safety.

asked the Minister of Supply why contracts for paper supplies for Government Departments are given to agents and not to manufacturers direct?

It is the general policy of my Department to place orders for large quantities of paper with manufacturers. In the case of relatively small quantities, however, it is often more expeditious and economical to purchase from agents who hold stocks of suitable materials. In the case of such small quantities, the prices would be much higher and delivery much slower if mills were specially put in operation. There are also certain very special types of paper which have to be imported, and are therefore purchased through agents.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent his Department is responsible for paper supplies for the Service Departments?

My Department undertakes through the Paper control the general responsibility for ensuring that paper will be available for all essential needs. The responsibility for the purchase of ordinary types of paper for Government Departments, including the Service Departments, rests with His Majesty's Stationery Office. Special types of paper required for the Service Departments in connection with the manufacture of ammunition, etc., are purchased by my Department.

asked the Minister of Information whether an increased and more varied and more frequent Gaelic service of news and general interest and entertainment features will be undertaken in the interest of the Highlands and Islands population, and especially of the northern service men in the Army and Navy; and what steps he intends to take?

As the hon. Member is aware, the needs of national security restrict the broadcast service to two programmes in this country. Of these only the Home Service Programme is well received in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In this programme Gaelic items and Highland music are broadcast regularly; but on a scale necessarily limited by the needs of the whole listening public. Highland music, including Gaelic songs, is also broadcast in the Programme for the Forces. I will ask the B.B.C. to bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind, although the consideration of an increase and of a more varied service must be restricted by the great number of claims on the broadcasting time now available.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the uneasiness caused by the broadcast news at 7 a.m., on Friday 16th August, which, through a misleading paraphrase of an official report from Croydon to the Regional Commissioner forwarded at 10.22 p.m. on the previous evening, created a false impression as to the casualties resulting from the air raid on Croydon; and why no steps were taken to correct this false impression?

That part of the news broadcast at 7 a.m. on Friday, 16th August, dealing with the air raid on Croydon was an accurate rendering of a communiqué issued by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security. The hon. Member telephoned to the B.B.C. which in consequence put his complaint to the Ministry of Home Security. As a result, an alteration was made in the 8 a.m. news and a further statement on this subject, issued by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security, was broadcast in the 6 p.m. news. I cannot therefore agree that no steps were taken to correct the false impression given by the earlier report.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the complaint of American news agencies to the effect that British communiqués, particularly those relating to air battles, are slow in forthcoming as compared with those of the enemy, who broadcast a running commentary on the alleged progress of the attack and generally manage to tell their story first, which plays on the world's imagination without a single denial or correction from British sources; and whether he will take steps to deal with this matter so that a wrong impression will not be given to the American public through a practice of undue silence on our part calculated to cause doubt and apprehension?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of these complaints, but it must be borne in mind, that so far as recent air raids on this country are concerned, the German propagandists have had two considerable advantages: first, a previous knowledge of when the raid was to take place, and secondly, complete disregard for the truth. This enabled them to begin sending false accounts of the battle to America be fore their machines actually reached this country. However, I am arranging, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Air and the Minister of Home Security, to accelerate the despatch of news, and I am glad to say that the Press messages went through more rapidly on the occasion of last Sunday's air raids.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Miss Louise Fontaine, a lady of 70 years of age, who was attacked in the black-out a few days ago by a man who flung her to the ground, gripped her throat and tore her clothes; and whether steps will be taken to watch her assailant when he is set at large on the expiration of his two months' imprisonment?

So far as can be ascertained this was an isolated case of an attack by a man who was in a semi-drunken condition at the time: but the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend has been brought to the notice of the police.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will remove existing restrictions from friendly aliens respecting the hours where they must be indoors provided they have first satisfied a competent authority as to their bona fides?

The police already have power to grant exemptions if the alien satisfies them as to his reliability and the need for such exemption.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the desire expressed by some housewives and mothers for air-raid warnings to indicate the approach of enemy aircraft, he will consider a system of optional vocal warnings to be given when possible by the police and air-raid precautions wardens at the houses of those who have formally made the request?

No, Sir. Such a system as is suggested would be neither practicable nor desirable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that wives of arrested or interned husbands have been unable in certain cases to send letters to, or receive letters from, their husbands over an extended period; whether he will take steps to remedy this and also to secure adequate legal facilities both in respect of the appearance of internees before advisory committees and otherwise; and whether he will now reconsider the inadvisability of indefinite detention without charge under Defence Regulation 18B?

As regards the first part of the Question, I mould refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a similar Question by him on 1st August. The question of legal assistance and advice was dealt with in an answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson) on 10th July. As regards the last part of the Question, I would point out that any person aggrieved by the making of an Order under the Regulation is entitled to be informed of the grounds on which the Order is made and to make objections to the Advisory Committee.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the Foreign Legion are interned in this country; and whether they will be given the opportunity to join the British Army as was the case with some 200 Spanish members of the Legion?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a Question which he addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on 16th July. The second part of the Question is also a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the wives of alien refugees from Nazi oppression, some of them British-born, were informed some little time ago that they could join their husbands in Australia; that they sold up their homes with that intention, and were ready to sail, only to be told later that those arrangements were postponed; and can he make a statement on this subject?

I much regret that it was necessary to postpone these arrangements and fully appreciate my hon. Friend's desire that a definite announcement should be made to the persons concerned at the earliest possible moment. I hope it will be possible to do so within the next few days.

asked the Home Secretary whether the shortage of materials for building and completing air-raid shelters, in a district of which he has been privately informed, has yet been made good?

All possible steps are being taken to ease the position, but I am afraid I cannot hold out any prospect that the existing deficiencies can be made good in the near future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement about Mr. V. O. Peters, who was arrested by the Japanese in January of this year?

According to the latest report received by my Noble Friend, the investigations having been completed, this case will now be tried by the Kobe District Court, though the date of the trial has not yet been announced. Representations made both by His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo and through the Japanese Embassy in London have left the Japanese Government in no doubt as to our view that the proceedings should be expedited, and the case will continue to be closely watched.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give an assurance that British interests are not adversely affected by the Franco-Japanese agreement over Indo-China?

So far as my Noble Friend is aware, no agreement has yet resulted from the recent Franco-Japanese discussions. The situation is being closely watched.

asked the Secretary of State for War 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 commander-in-chief with supreme authority over all the military forces in these three countries for the duration of the war?

Steps have been taken to co-ordinate the defence of these territories, but my hon. Friend will perhaps agree that it would not be in the national interest to give further information.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many commissions from the ranks of the Royal Army Pay Corps have been granted as a result of the instructions to commanding officers calling for recommendations; whether the Officers' Cadet Training Unit for the Royal Army Pay Corps is open only to personnel serving in other units; and whether priority in granting commissions will be given to those already serving in the Royal Army Pay Corps?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "none, as yet," and to the second and third, "no." The position is that a number of recommenda- tions have been received, and a selection will be made from these for attendance at the first course opening shortly. The Officer Cadet Training Unit is open to men from all corps, and the grant of commissions will depend entirely on the result of the course. About 60 commissions in the Royal Army Pay Corps were granted from the ranks before recommendations were specially invited.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as permission is now granted for the formation of Jewish military units in Palestine, it has now been decided to permit the formation of combatant Jewish units from the large number of volunteers now available for the defence of the Middle East?

A number of Palestinian companies of units of the British Army are being formed, but there is no decision to raise any purely Jewish units.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the records of the soldiers returned from Dunkirk will be finally checked and payments made to the men of amounts due; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction expressed at the variation in payments made?

I am not quite clear to what my hon. Friend refers. During the evacuation, a considerable number of pay books and other records of payment were unavoidably lost or destroyed, but, when the men arrived in this country, paymasters were allocated to the various reception and collecting centres in order to make cash payments to all soldiers, and to issue new pay books where necessary. Since then, all the pay books of men who have served with the Expeditionary Forces have been called in, in order to ascertain the state of the soldiers' accounts. This work is proceeding and will naturally take some time, but this does not affect the soldier's ability to receive current cash payments. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me have particulars of any cases that have come to his notice, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to secure that Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, in addition to supplying food for the Army, shall also control its wasteful use?

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes supply only a part of the messing requirements of the Army. The responsibility for the prevention of waste of food in the Army must rest with the military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions that emergency permits, Army Form A.2038, can now be issued to all soldiers driving motor-vehicles in the course of duty; and that the purchase of civilian driving licences for military purposes can now be entirely dispensed with?

Arrangements are being made to this effect.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to remove the name of Lieut.-Colonel Cyril Roche from the. Army List, in view of his anti-British activities; and what steps are being taken to inform him that his pension has ceased and that he has incurred the displeasure of the Army Council?

This case is under consideration, and I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will issue instructions that not more than one Cabinet Minister shall travel in any one aircraft at any one time; and whether the same order can apply to the chiefs of the fighting Services and important civil servants?

The considerations which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind are not overlooked.

asked the Prime Minister the names of Members of both Houses of Parliament who have been killed in action or reported missing?

The particulars so far available are as follows:Royal Navy.HOUSE OF COMMONS.Killed: Lieut. Peter T. Eckersley, R.N.V.R.Army.HOUSE OF LORDS.Killed or died of wounds:

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether, in view of the surpluses of raw materials and products that are accumulating in the Colonial Empire in Africa and Asia, and which cannot at the moment find a market, he will consider their processing and storing in the Colonies, so that they may be ready when the time comes.

The whole question of the disposal of surpluses of raw materials and products in the Colonial Empire and in other parts of the world is, as stated in my speech on 7th August, under consideration by a Sub-Committee of the Economic Policy Committee. Particular attention is being given to the possibilities of establishing storing and processing facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether full use is being made of the railway shops in India for the manufacture of munitions; whether he can state the hours worked for each seven-day week; and whether a two-shift system has been introduced anywhere in India?

Railway shops in India are not yet being used to the fullest extent possible for the manufacture of munitions, but the Government of India have the matter under consideration. The normal hours in railway workshops engaged on railway work are 44–48 per seven-day week, with overtime up to approximately 10 hours a week in certain cases. All ordnance factories are working double or treble shifts, and same is true of many civil firms employed on munitions production.

asked the President of the Board of Education how he reconciles the figures given in the Board of Education's latest report of 5,300,000 children in England and Wales in elementary and grant-aided secondary schools between the ages of five and 16, and 96,989 children, ages not defined, in non-grant-aided preparatory and secondary schools with his recent pronouncement that, of the 6,500,000 children of the proper ages in schools in England and Wales, approximately 5,000,000 are in non-grant-aided schools?

I regret that I do not understand the Question. The recent pronouncement which the hon. Member attributes to me is entirely incorrect, and was not made by me.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a communication from the South Midland Joint Vagrancy Committee advocating the use of the provisions of the Emergency Powers Act to place in employment all casuals capable of work, together with action to prevent those unfit for work from continuing a life of vagrancy; and whether, in view of the possible danger to national security from numerous vagrants of uncertain identity, he will make a statement?

I have received the communication to which my hon. Friend refers and I had already made arrangements with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour by which particulars of vagrants in the casual wards are notified daily to the local Employment Exchanges. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland) on 14th instant.