asked the Home Secretary what steps he takes to satisfy himself that orders for internment or detention of persons, to whom it is never intended to give any public trial before the lawfully constituted courts of the realm, are not made for malicious and indirect motives?

All orders for detention under Regulation 18B are made, or in some cases confirmed, by me; and it is my duty to satisfy myself in every case that the detention of the person concerned is necessary on one or other of the grounds specified in the Regulation.

asked the Home Secretary how many Class C aliens were interned; and how many have since been released?

Approximately 13,000 Germans and Austrians in category C have been interned. Of these a net total of 616 have been released.

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens who served with the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps or the Czech Army in France and Flanders, are now interned in this country?

I am not at present in a position to supply the information asked for, but I will have inquiries made and will communicate with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as British Fascists detained in prison are permitted to buy newspapers, food and drink, he will state the reasons why anti-Nazi aliens interned in prisons and camps in this country are not allowed to do so?

My right hon. Friend appears to be misinformed. Internees are permitted to buy newspapers and to receive parcels of food from outside, and in addition canteens have been or are being provided at internment camps at which certain kinds of food can be bought. I am considering whether it is necessary, and practicable, to provide any further facilities of this kind in the camps.

asked the Home Secretary why Dr. Rudolf Lipsschitz, a Palestinian citizen, was interned on 25th June; and when he will be released from Central Promenade Camp, Isle of Man?

This man was interned because he was registered as of German nationality. I have now considered all the circumstances and have given directions for his release.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet decided to base the policy of the internment of aliens upon considerations of their proven hostility to National Socialism or Fascism rather than upon their immediate utility to the British Government?

I propose to deal with this matter during the Debate on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements are being made to enable Italian internees to apply for release from internment?

As I announced in the statement which I made on 23rd July, the arrangements in the White Paper (Cmd. 6217) presented on 31st July extend so far as applicable to Italians.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state, in regard to persons interned in transitional camps, the stage at which such persons were transferred from his control to military control; the form which such transfer took; were lists supplied; and, if so, what information did they contain in addition to the name of the internee?

Male aliens of enemy nationality arrested by the police for internment were handed over to the military authority for custody as soon as possible after their arrest. The police had standing instructions that a nominal roll showing the internees' names and the numbers of their passports and registration certificates should be handed over to the military authorities at the time when the internees were handed over into military custody.

asked the Home Secretary why Home Office Registration No. 4031, an internee of 16½ years of age, working as an engineer trainee, for whom full responsibility for his education, training and maintenance until he was 18 years of age had, early in 1939, been arranged with the Home Office, has been transported to Australia; and, seeing that no official communication whatever has been sent at any time to the person who accepted responsibility, who is to be held responsible for this state of affairs; and whether the same method is to be pursued in any other cases; and what is the position of the person who accepted responsibility for this boy?

The case cannot be identified from the particulars given, but if my hon. Friend will send me the name of the boy to whom he refers I will have inquiry made and communicate with him. As regards future cases, it is not at present proposed that any internees shall be sent overseas except those who are willing to go.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will direct an inquiry under the Tribunals Act, 1921, into the circumstances connected with the issue of the recent orders for the general internment of aliens; and whether he will direct the same tribunal to inquire into the circumstances in which large numbers of aliens were placed upon the "Arandora Star."

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The decision was taken by His Majesty's Government, with whom the responsibility rests. As to the second part of the Question, I see no reason for an Inquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, but my Noble Friend Lord Snell has been asked to undertake an inquiry into the selection of aliens to be sent overseas in the "Arandora Star."

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the whereabouts of Paul Hornig, an Austrian refugee student of Aberdeen University, of whom his parents have heard nothing since he was shipped to Canada on 2nd July?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 20th August to a Question by the hon. Member for the English Universities. I am not at present in a position to state in what camp Paul Hornig is interned in Canada, but letters will be forwarded to him if addressed: c/o The Director of Internment Operations, Base Army Post Office, Ottawa.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give definite information of the whereabouts of Dr. Martin Strauss, No. 75387, Camp 009/3E, Huyton?

No internee of the name and number given can be traced, but there is at Huyton Camp a man with a different number named Hermann David Martin Strauss.

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens of different categories are now interned in this country; and how many, and of what categories, have been sent overseas to date?

So far as is known, the only "A" category internees now in this country are 71 German survivors of the "Arandora Star" and a few others recently classified as "A". Precise information is not at present available regarding the numbers of internees in the "B" and "C" categories respectively. The total numbers sent overseas are:

asked the Home Secretary whether steps have been taken to enable interned friendly aliens to rejoin their wives and families when a medical certificate has been submitted showing that the wife's health is seriously affected by the separation; and why the application of Mr. Ernst Michel David, from the Isle of Man, to rejoin his wife was refused by the Home Office, as recently as 15th August?

Each such case is considered in the light of the medical certificate and such other information as is available, but in some cases further inquiries are necessary to ascertain whether the circumstances are such as to justify the alien's release on grounds of special hardship. I will look into the individual case referred to and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the general anxiety in regard to the treatment of friendly aliens, he will state what number in each of the 18 categories provided in the White Paper, Cmd. 6217, have been released from internment since the publication of that paper; and what is the total number of males and females, respectively, still held in the internment camps in this country?

The White Paper was published on the 31st July. Eight hundred and five internees who come within one or other of the categories of eligibility have been released, and inquiries are proceeding in some 1,500 other cases. I cannot at present give the number of releases in espect of each category. Approximately 15,800 men and 3,800 women are still interned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Dr. Liebermann, a Class C alien, 67 years of age, who was recently interned, was about to open a factory for the production of X-ray tubes; and whether, in view of the fact that there are only two firms in this country at present producing such tubes, and that a large part of our supplies have to be imported from the United States of America, he will investigate, at the earliest opportunity, whether it is possible to release Dr. Liebermann, to enable him to continue with his enterprise?

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

asked the Home Secretary by what authority a whole-time paid member of the Police War Reserve is not entitled to retain his position as a city councillor?

I am advised that this is the effect of Section 59 of the Local Government Act, 1933.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the wide differences in the penalties imposed by similar courts for similar blackout offences; and whether he will take steps to ensure that courts deal with these offences in a reasonably uniform manner?

I am aware that there have been variations in the penalties imposed for these offences in different parts of the country. As the hon. Member will appreciate, however, it cannot be assumed, without full knowledge of the facts, that cases which are apparently similar are in fact comparable. It is for the courts to decide, having regard to the circumstances of each individual case—which may differ widely—what penalty is adequate for the purpose of deterring both the offender before the court and other people from committing offences of this type.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any special demand as yet for blood transfusion; whether he is satisfied that the home supply of such blood is adequate; and whether supplies are being obtained from overseas?

The demand for blood transfusion for the emergency medical services is so far well within the ordinary resources of the hospitals, supplemented by the special organisation set up in the London area and by the schemes for the production of plasma which are in process of establishment in the several regions. I am advised that so far as can be foreseen these arrangements should be adequate and that supplies of blood from overseas are not necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered and investigated the report made several weeks ago by his inspector Mr. E. Rock Carling, as to the state of preparedness for the reception and resuscitation of patients of the Sevenoaks and Holmesdale hospital; and whether he will now see that Mr. Carling's suggestions are carried out?

I am informed that in consultation with Mr. Rock Carling and others arrangements, satisfactory to the medical staff of the hospital, have been made for the use of a ward for reception and resuscitation of patients.

asked the Minister of Health whether mobile medical units have been instructed to unpack their equipment and set to work in the open air or to choose suitable buildings in which to operate as near as possible to the site of casualties?

Mobile first-aid units are instructed to adopt either of the methods stated in the Question, according to circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered representations made to him by the Medical Practitioners' Union concerning possible dangers, should country villages be isolated by enemy action or military necessity, from the aid of the normal air-raid precautions medical services; and whether he will encourage all villages to make such preparations as may be possible to deal with a state of affairs in which official medical aid may not be available for 12 hours or more?

No, Sir. I have not received any specific representations from the Medical Practitioners' Union on this matter and I cannot add to the answers which I have previously given the hon. Member on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary the number of air-raid shelters in the Maryhill division of Glasgow still without roofs, and the number of close-mouths still to be strutted, in the above-mentioned constituency?

I am communicating the information to my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary what further steps he proposes to take to relieve persons, who are engaged whole-time upon work of urgent national importance, from the obligations of jury service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Defence (Administration of Justice) Regulations which were made on the 19th June last, and of which I am sending him a copy. These Regulations abolish the right of peremptory challenge of jurors and enable a Sheriff to make good any deficiency in the number of jurors by calling upon persons who can be found in the court or elsewhere. These provisions should enable courts to carry on with a smaller panel of jurors than heretofore and thus enable Summoning Officers to grant excusals from jury service more freely. In a circular letter about these Regulations which was sent to Under-Sheriffs in July last, I called attention to the importance in present circumstances of calling up for jury service no greater number of persons than is absolutely necessary, and I expressed the view that if a person, on being summoned for jury service, could show that he was engaged on important national work, that would be a good reason for excusing him from attendance.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the strain imposed on the limited personnel of the air-raid precautions services in non-specified areas, he will review the position, with a view to placing the position in these areas on a comparable basis to the specified areas?

The Regional Commissioners are discussing with the local authorities concerned the adoption of rota systems in order to avoid undue strain on civil defence volunteers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to investigate the claim made by Dr. Gerard Savoy, of Lausanne, that he has produced an efficient antidote to mustard gas?

Yes, Sir. This matter is already being investigated.

asked the Home Secretary whether air-raid wardens are, and will continue to be provided with whistles and rattles to announce to the people any immediate gas attack; and whether such equipment is always in the possession of such wardens?

Local authorities are authorised to provide wardens with whistles and rattles according to local requirements. Whistles are used to supplement the air-raid warning signals and may be retained in the wardens' personal possession. Rattles are used to give warning of gas danger and should be kept at the wardens' post.

asked the Home Secretary whether, for the purpose of demanding and examining identity cards and of immobilising motor vehicles, special constables in civilian clothes, but wearing authorised armlets, are vested with the same authority as police officers in uniform?

I have no authority to determine any question of law that may be involved; but there is no practical reason why special constables should not carry out these duties, for a special constable wearing an armlet can readily be identified as a police officer and, in any case of doubt, can be requested to produce his warrant card.

asked the Home Secretary whether reasonable steps, as stated in paragraph 3 of the Motor Vehicles (Control) Order, 1940, are intended to include the removal by police officers on patrol of any mechanical part of a motor-vehicle in order to render it immobile?

The object of this Order is to delay an enemy who might use an unattended car, and it would in my view be quite reasonable for the police to remove part of the mechanism of a car if it could not otherwise be made incapable of being driven away.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the voluntary personnel of the war organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem are not provided for in the event of death or disablement whilst in pursuance of their duties; and whether he will include them in the provisions of the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, 1939?

Voluntary members of the organisation who are gainfully occupied persons in some other capacity are included in the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, in respect of disablement or death resulting from war injuries. Those enrolled as members of any of the civil defence organisations described in the First Schedule to the Scheme are covered by the wider provisions for physical injuries arising out of the performance of their duties as such.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider making a grant-in-aid of the education of nurses as has for many years been done for medical students, in view of the serious difficulty now experienced by the colleges of nursing in carrying on the high standard of teaching of nurses established by them and fostered by the nursing diploma of the London University?

I assume that the hon. Member's reference to colleges of nursing relates to hospitals which are recognised by the General Nursing Council as Training Schools. If so, the question of aiding such hospitals to train nurses appears to fall outside the province of my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of persons registered as conscientious objectors at present employed as teachers; and whether parents are compelled to have their children taught by them?

I have no information on the first part of the Question. The great majority of children in the country have no effective choice of schools or consequently of the teachers by whom they are taught.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have set up local youth committees in response to his Circular 1486, of November, 1939; and, if any authorities have not yet set up such a committee in their areas, will he furnish a list of these?

Of the 146 local education authorities for higher education, 129 have submitted schemes for youth committees and the administration of the Service of Youth; nine have schemes under consideration for submission to the Board, and eight have intimated their intention to defer action for the present. These eight authorities are Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, the Holland Division of Lincolnshire, Isle of Ely, Isle of Wight, Brighton, Monmouthshire and Brecon. In all these cases the Board are taking the matter up with the authority concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the House any information about the East Suffolk Youth Service?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the East Suffolk Youth Service Scheme which has been initiated by the County Youth Committee. This is a scheme for the formation of voluntary "service squads" in every parish, linked together and associated with the County Committee by means of a county badge. Its object is to provide young people of both sexes with opportunities to do useful service for their country, e.g., work in connection with the various civil defence services, digging trenches, filling sandbags, farm work, gardening, salvage, food production, messenger services, assistance to householders. I understand that a considerable number of service squads have already been enrolled under the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present membership of the National Youth Committee, indicating in terms of Circular 1486, which were appointed as being members of local education authorities, members of voluntary organisations and persons competent to speak on behalf of industry, medicine and physical training, respectively?

Members of the National Youth Committee were not appointed in a representative capacity, but on the personal invitation of the President. The following is a list of members with particulars of any special office or qualifications in each case.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Lascar institutes there are in the shipping ports in Great Britain; and whether the Government intends to provide one in each port?

I understand that there are four Lascar institutes in Great Britain, namely in London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. None of these is provided by Government. The question of providing more of them is part of the general question of the welfare of seamen in ports which is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on Saturday, 3rd August, a considerable quantity of fish for the Army arrived at Honey Station; that it was not collected until the 5th August, when, owing to the hot weather, the fish had become uneatable; and whether he will take steps to prevent such wastage of valuable food?

I am informed that a consignment of fish was ordered by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes for delivery to one of their distributing centres on 19th July. Half the consignment arrived and was duly issued. The other half arrived at the local station on 20th July too late for issue. The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes ordered it to be returned to the suppliers, but this instruction appears to have been misunderstood. This unfortunate occurrence was evidently due to a mistake, and I do not think any special steps are required.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of military marches through London, accompanied by military bands, within the last month?

No record has been kept of military marches in London accompanied by military bands. A hand of the Brigade of Guards plays every Thursday in, and while marching to and from, Trafalgar Square. A band of the Brigade of Guards also plays in the Park at week-ends.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that the title of Home Guard instead of Local Defence Volunteers is an alteration of title only; and that the Home Guard will only be required to serve in the locality in which it is enrolled?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that the change in title from Local Defence Volunteers to Home Guard does not imply that members will be asked to serve away from their own localities?

The alteration in title has not involved any other change in regard to the Force, and the provision that its members cannot be required to live away from their homes remains unaffected.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the issue of uniforms and mackintosh sheets to members of the Home Guard is likely to be substantially increased in the near future; and whether it is proposed to make an issue of one of each to every member of the Home Guard?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." Each volunteer will be provided with uniform. Mackintosh sheets are being issued on the scale of one sheet to four men.

asked the Secretary of State for War how orders are to be enforced and discipline maintained in the Home Guard without violating the principle of equality of status laid down in Army Council Instruction 924; and In the absence, which has been announced, of commissioned and non-commissioned ranks, how battalion managers should address their men and vice versa?

There are no commissioned or non-commissioned ranks in the Home Guard, but there are various appointments carrying power of command, and all members of the Home Guard are subject to military law. I see no reason to anticipate any difficulty in this matter. The form of address which members of the Force should use to one another is left to their good sense and good manners.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has completed his investigations into the case of Mr. James Bostock; and whether he can now make a full statement?

A change in the command of the Stafford Home Guard was made because of certain information which was received by the local military authorities. Further inquiries have shown that this information was based on a misunderstanding. As my hon. Friend was told in answer to a previous Question, there is no reflection upon Mr. Bostock's loyalty or military competence, upon his family or upon the firm with which his family have been associated for so long. I should like to add that I should be sorry if any injury has been caused to Mr. Bostock, or his family or business interests, and that the Home Guard will be glad to avail itself of Mr. Bostock's services if opportunity offers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to equip the Home Guard with service gas masks or respirators; and, if so, when?

It is intended to equip the Home Guard with service respirators, but I am unable to say when these will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the contractor for the erection of buildings, at a place of which he has been informed, has failed to carry out his contract; and what steps are being taken for the completion of the work?

I am aware of this case, and the contract has been terminated under the conditions of the contract. An early completion of the camp is essential, there has been no time to go to tender for a fresh contract, and the work is, therefore, being completed by a Royal Engineer unit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of 30235 Volunteer Miriam Smidt, 1st Aldershot Auxiliary Territorial Service, 168 O.C.T.U., Ramillies Barracks, Aldershot, who has had the whole of her pay stopped, also her mother's allowance, to make good a debt of £8 over-payment; and, in view of the hardship caused to her widowed mother, will he have the over-payment reconsidered?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I have the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any intention of enlisting members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service instead of the present system of enrolment; if he is aware that difficulties have arisen in providing from public funds the cost of dentures for members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service in consequence of the fact that they are enrolled and not enlisted; and what he proposes to do to rectify the position?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards the second and third parts of the Question, dentures may be supplied to members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service when the necessity for them arises from causes attributable to military service, and this is not affected by the fact that the members are enrolled instead of being enlisted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to provide, wherever made practicable by the proximity of electric supply, for the better lighting of the huts used in various parts of the country for the accommodation of searchlight and other Army units where lighting is at present restricted to hurricane lamps, which makes normal receation in the long winter nights an impossibility?

Electric lighting has been, or is being, provided wherever practicable. In other cases, a new type of oil lamp with duplex burner giving a candle power greatly in excess of the hurricane lamp is to be supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to keep in being in this country all the units of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve and the Territorial Army Nursing Service which had been organised for service overseas; and whether, when members of these units are loaned from the War Office to the Civil Nursing Reserve they will be paid equal salaries to members of the Civil Nursing Reserve?

There are no units of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve and the Territorial Army Nursing Service. Such personnel form part of the staff of military medical units. The sisters who have volunteered for service under the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health for Scotland, until they are again required for military duty, continue to receive their military pay and allowances at the normal rates while performing duties with the Civil Nursing Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the rates of pay received by Polish, Czech, Norwegian, Dutch, Belgian and French soldiers at present in this country, and serving with the Allied forces; and whether the entire expense of their upkeep and wages is borne by the Treasury?

I would first refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 24th July. From the beginning of August, provisional advances of pay have also been issued at rates related to British basic rates to the Poles and the Czechs. Final rates of pay are still being negotiated. The expenditure on pay and maintenance of the Polish and Czech Forces is borne in the first place by the British Government and charged to credits opened by the Treasury in favour of the Polish Government and the Czecho-Slovak Provisional Government. As regards the French Volunteer Force, I would refer the hon. Member to the agreement which has been published in a White Paper (Cmd. 6220).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made during the Recess and afterwards to enable parties of Members of Parliament to inspect the home defences?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Seaham (Mr. Shin-well) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Wedgwood) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 4th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that at the present time the names of the leaders of the British Armed Forces are in many cases less familiar to the British public than those of the leaders of the enemy armed forces; and whether he will consider the desirability of giving greater publicity to the names and achievements of leading personalities of the British Armed Forces?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's contention. The Ministry of Information utilises such opportunity as it has to make familiar to the public the names and personalities of the leaders of the British Army as well as of the other Services.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that articles, of a violently anti-Semitic character from the pen of M. Marian Seyda, a member of the Polish Cabinet, are appearing in the Polish language newspaper "Jestem Polakiem" published in London; whether such articles have been submitted to censorship; and whether facilities for obtaining paper have been granted to this journal?

No, Sir. The submission of such articles to censorship is not compulsory and these were not in fact submitted. No facilities for obtaining paper have been granted by my right hon. Friend's Department.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider inviting journalists and representatives of the Press, including American and other neutral correspondents and radio commentators on the war, to co-operate in the compilation of the numbers of enemy aircraft brought down, to demonstrate the accuracy of British figures and reports;and, further, whether he will make arrangements to enable these authentic statements to reach the British Press, as well as the news agencies and wireless listeners of America and other neutral countries, in time to forestall or repudiate the Nazi faked news on the battle for Britain?

The first part of the Question which is a purely service matter should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) and South Cardiff (Colonel Evans).

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to the release and subsequent cancellation, on 18th August, of an item to the effect that Nazi troops were massed on French beaches opposite the South-East Coast of Britain, ready for an attempted invasion and that they had been most successfully bombed by the Royal Air Force; by whom, and in what circumstances, this statement was released; and what is the explanation?

Yes, Sir. The item in question was passed by the Censor after consultation with the appropriate department of the Air Ministry. The task of the censorship is to prevent information of military value reaching the enemy, not to ascertain the truth or falsity of matter submitted when there is no question of information being conveyed to the enemy. On the other hand, I think that in such an exceptional case as this it would have been wiser had the Censor refused to release the message unless a note was circulated with it to the effect that there was no official confirmation of the story and that it should be treated with reserve. I have given instructions to prevent a repetition of such an incident. But I must emphasise that the Censors cannot as a general rule be responsible for verifying the accuracy of matter submitted to them.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that distorted and exaggerated German accounts of the air fighting are being circulated in America and other neutral countries many hours before any accounts are available from this country; that requests for information from this country by neutral sympathisers with the Allies have met with no response until long after the wide dissemination of German versions to the American and other neutral Press and radio stations; and what is being done to remedy this state of affairs?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) and South Cardiff (Colonel Evans).

asked the Minister of Information why Press messages to the United States of America regarding recent air raids on Britain were held up for several hours, with the result that German accounts of the attacks were published in America long before the British versions?

The rules hitherto in force to withhold information from the enemy in connection with air raids prevented the Censors from passing the Press messages in question earlier. These rules were made at a time when it was expected that official communiques would be issued more promptly than has so far proved the case. I am arranging, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Air and the Minister of Home Security, to improve the despatch of news for the future, and I am glad to say that the Press messages went through much more rapidly and smoothly on the occasion of Sunday's air raids.

asked the Minister of Information what disciplinary action has been taken against Mr. R. K. Bacon, the regional officer for the north-eastern region, in connection with undesirable matter published in a news letter which this officer issues in his region; what is the cost of this publication to State funds and what revenue is derived from it; and whether the Ministry will discourage the issue of an official publication of this character containing attacks on Members of this House by a State official?

The cost of the publication is about £8 15s. a week of which about £8 5s. is postage; no revenue is derived from it. As regards the other parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for West Bristol (Mr. Culver-well), South-East Leeds (Major Milner), and Eye (Mr. Granville).

asked the Minister of Information what position Mr. Bacon, the chief officer of the Ministry of Information in Yorkshire, held before he joined the Ministry; and the salary he is paid in his present position?

Mr. Bacon was a journalist, employed by the "Yorkshire Post." His salary is £1,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will not only empower, but also instruct, house-to-house interviewers employed by War Time Social Survey, to show to those whom they interview the letter of authorisation issued by his Ministry?

I am asking those in charge of the War Time Social Survey to consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that letters from soldiers serving in Orkney and Shetland are frequently held up for many weeks owing to the unsatisfactory working of the censorship system; whether he is satisfied that the censorship staff is adequate and its work expeditiously and efficiently performed and that everything possible is being done, in so far as this is compatible with the need to safeguard information which might be of value to the enemy, to ensure that undue anxiety is not caused to the wives and parents of men serving in these islands by the holding up of letters?

I am not aware of any such "hold-up" of letters from soldiers serving in Orkney and Shetland, as is suggested in the first part of the Question. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member will furnish particulars of any undue delay, I shall be glad to make inquiries. I have no reason to suppose that the work of censorship is not efficiently and expeditiously carried out. It is constantly under review, and in this connection I might refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Inverness (Sir M. MacDonald) on Tuesday, 13th August.

asked the Minister of Information whether he made inquiries among disabled ex-service men's associations for suitable candidates before he advertised for women Press examiners; and, if not, will he do so now?

The Ministry of Information did not advertise for women Press examiners. They were recruited, as all the Ministry's staff is, through the Ministry of Labour and National Service. The employment of women for this work was a considered contribution to the manpower problem. There appears to be no reason to change the present practice.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that Mr. Renyi, a Czech subject, with a perfect knowledge of Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and other languages, who has worked in the Press Censorship Department since the early days of the war, has been dismissed because he has not yet been naturalised; and will steps be taken to reinstate him since no equally competent censor has been found?

As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury informed my hon. and gallant Friend the member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 18th July, aliens are in general disqualified for posts in the Civil Service. Accordingly Mr. Renyi has been given notice of the termination of his appointment in the Censorship Division of the Ministry of Information. I am appointing in his place a British subject who possesses a knowledge of Hungarian and who appears to be otherwise suitable. Censorship of Press matters in other languages on which Mr. Renyi has been employed can be undertaken by the existing officers of the Division.

asked the Minister of Information the number and descriptions of positions in his Department which are salaried at the rate of the £2,000 per annum or over?

There are two posts in the Ministry of Information for which the approved annual salary is £2,000 or over, namely the Director-General (£2,500) and the Deputy Director-General (£2,000).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of the increases of pay granted since the outbreak of war to civil servants, per 1,000,000 men affected; and from what date the increases took place?

The only general increase in pay to non-industrial civil servants has been the war bonus which, following upon increases given to comparable grades in private employment, was given from 1st February, 1940, to the lower paid grades. The cost of this war bonus is estimated at £3,500,000 per annum; the numbers affected are about 350,000. In addition, some 350,000 industrial civil servants have received increases in pay in line with those agreed for comparable outside employés.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in what Departments the 249 registered conscientious objectors in the Civil Service are serving; and what is the highest salary paid to any of these persons?

The numbers of conscientious objectors in the Civil Service who have been registered unconditionally, or conditionally upon their remaining in their civil employment, is now 272. I append a list of the Departments in which they are employed. As a result of the inquiries which it has been possible to make in the short time available, it would appear that the highest salary received by any of them is of the order of £290 a year.

A list of Departments in which are serving civil servants who have been registered unconditionally as conscientious objectors, or conditionally upon their remaining in their civil employment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total personnel above clerical grades in each Government Department at the end of 1939 and at the present date; and the equivalent information with regard to women?

The numbers of whole-time staff employed by Government Departments in the administrative, executive, professional, scientific, technical and inspectorial classes at 1st January, 1940, and 1st July, 1940, were as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour what was the state of unemployment in the Greenock district by trades, numbers and percentages as at the last available date; and what were the corresponding figures for the previous month and previous year, respectively?

I am sending the desired information to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour why there is still unemployment in the shipbuilding industry, in view of the nation's need for shipping; what steps he is taking to see that all available and adaptable skilled labour in this industry is employed before unskilled labour is upgraded; and whether he is now prepared to pay workers, transferred in the national interest from one yard to another, their fares and subsistence allowances?

The total number of male persons aged 18 years and over recorded as unemployed in the skilled occupations of the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry in Great Britain at 29th July was 1,710. Representatives of employers and workpeople in the industry have co-operated with my Department in reviewing the case of all workers who were registered as unemployed in certain skilled shipbuilding and ship-repairing occupations at the main shipyard exchanges on 3rd June last, and who had not obtained employment before their cases were due to be reviewed. Of the 1,218 men whose cases were so examined, 831 were, in the opinion of the panels, suitable for employment in shipbuilding or ship-repairing either direct or after being given the opportunity of refitting themselves for the work. Steps are being taken to ensure that any of these men who have not since obtained employment are absorbed in the industry without delay. With regard to the second part of the Question, workers transferred by Employment Exchanges since 1st June last to work of national importance beyond daily travelling distance now receive travelling allowances, and married men (or single men with similar responsibilities) who continue to maintain a home in the town from which they are transferred, are entitled to a lodging allowance at the rate of 3s. 6d. per night.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons employed in and around coal mines in Lancashire, and the number unemployed, respectively, a each available date during the last 12 months?

I am having the available statistics extracted, and will forward them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has been received to the request made by Sir Robert Craigie to the Japanese Foreign Minister in Tokyo for definite information as to the future trend of Japanese foreign policy; and if he has any statement to make with reference to the situation at Shanghai and other places in the Far East consequent on the withdrawal of British Forces?

I am not aware that any direct request in the sense indicated has recently been made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo. But the hon. Member will doubtless have seen from the Press the general statement of policy which was issued by the Japanese Government on 1st August. I have no statement to make on the second part of the Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning the situation in Thailand; whether he has any information concerning Japanese demands; and whether there has been any recent communication from His Majesty's Government to the Government of Thailand; and, if so, of what nature?

The situation in Thailand is being watched. My Noble Friend has no information that any Japanese demands have been made on the Government of Thailand and no communication on this subject has in consequence been addressed to that Government by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the medical supply situation in China has become serious owing to the closure of the Burma Road to the transport of oil supplies necessary for the distribution of medical equipment; that there are 2,500 tons of supplies awaiting shipment in Indo-China and Burma, and that the Chinese Red Cross is unable to meet telegraphic requests for vaccine to stem cholera epidemics and quinine for malaria districts; and whether he will at once urge the co-signatory to the Burma Road Agreement to consent to oil being sent to the Chinese Red Cross for the transport of medical supplies?

On 21st August I gave the hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. Harvey) as full a reply as I am at present in a position to make, and I would ask the hon. Member to refer to that reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the position of British and Allied subjects in the International Zone at Tangier; and as to whether they have been refused exit permits?

The position of British and Allied nationals at Tangier remains as it was prior to the outbreak of war. Persons desiring to leave the International Zone do not require exit permits, but owing to the present situation in North Africa delays have occurred in obtaining visas to enter neighbouring territories.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has withdrawn, or intends to withdraw, diplomatic recognition from the diplomatic representatives in London of Esthonia, Latvia and Lithuania?

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on this matter yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has been received from the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics regarding the incorporation of the three Baltic States in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and, if so, whether he will inform the House of its nature?

Yes, Sir. A communication on this subject has been received from the Soviet Government. It is, however, still under consideration by His Majesty's Government, and I am not in a position to disclose its contents.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the present position in the Belgian Congo; and whether M. de Vleeschauwer has now taken up his duties as administrator?

Since 18th June the Belgian Minister for the Colonies, who is in London, has been exercising the full powers with which he has been invested as Administrator-General of the Belgian Colonies. The local administration is under the Governor-General, M. Ryckmans, who declared on 25th June that the resources of the Congo were at the entire service of the Alliance. Certain economic problems arising for the Congo as a result of the enemy occupation of Belgium are under discussion with His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware that, at a time when shipping space is declared to be unavailable for the despatch of children to the United States of America, wealthy British citizens are sending horses for safety to America, and that one owner recently sent 12 horses on the ship "American Farmer" at a cost of 400 dollars per animal; and will he take steps to prevent any repetition of this action?

The United States ship "American Farmer" was transferred to the Belgian flag in February, 1940, and renamed. She is trading on her owners' account and my right hon. Friend has no authority over her. In any case I understand that the ship is specially fitted for the carriage of horses, and is not adapted for the carriage of children.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the announcement, on 8th August, that three more solicitors were struck off the rolls for having been convicted in the criminal courts for fraudulent conversion; and whether it is intended to introduce in the near future legislation for the protection of the public?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish).

asked the Postmaster-General whether instructions as to how permits to send parcels to Northern Ireland may be obtained are exhibited in all post offices in the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether this will be done forthwith?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative: the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Postmaster-General, how many stamps have been printed of each value of the centenary issue; how many from each cylinder; and how many were over-printed for use in Morocco and Tangier, respectively?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General what special postal and other facilities exist for the receipt of parcels from relatives and friends in Canada sent to men serving in the forces in this country other than those in the Canadian forces; and are Customs duties levied on the contents?

A reduced rate of 12 cents per pound is charged in Canada on parcels for men serving in this country, whether in British, Dominion or Colonial units. I understand that there is no general exemption from Customs duty for parcels sent from Canada to members of the Forces. Gift parcels for Canadians serving in the Canadian Forces are granted exemption, and the same concession is made for Canadians serving in the United Kingdom Forces, subject to satisfactory evidence of nationality.

asked the Minister of Health what number of applications for supplementary grants to old age pensioners for the county of Glamorgan had been made; what number granted; what number refused; what is the average grant made by way of allowance; and the lowest grant and the highest grant made?

The Assistance Board are not in possession of precise information, but it is estimated that up to the 9th August about 45,200 applications had been received and dealt with at the Assistance Board's offices situated in the county of Glamorgan and that of these applications 34,400 had been granted. The average weekly grant in cases arising in Wales is approximately 9s., the lowest amount being 1s. and the highest being about £2. There is no reason to believe that the figures for Glamorgan would be materially different.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. Nathan Partington, unmarried, 71 years of age, 2, Caldwell's Yard, Blackrod, Chorley, Lancashire, in receipt of an income of 10s. per week old age pension, has made application for a supplementary pension and was given a nil determination; that he appealed against that decision with the same result, because he is living with his married niece whose husband and herself are working; and whether he will consider this case with a view to a revision of the regulations?

I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications for supplementary old age pensions have been received from the Cheltenham area; how many have bene approved; and what is the average amount granted?

Inquiries are being made and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons who have applied for supplementary old age pensions in Wolverhampton, Willenhall and Wednesfield; the number to whom pensions have been granted; and the number refused?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from tuberculosis in all its forms in England and Wales during the first six months of 1939 and 1940, respectively, with separate figures for males and females?

The numbers of deaths registered in England and Wales as due to all forms of tuberculosis during the first six months of 1939 are 8,550 males and 5,939 females. The corresponding figures for the first six months of this year are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths from enteric fever were registered in England and Wales in each of the four years 1936 to 1939; and how many cases were notified in 1939?

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the Minister of Health whether more cases of enteric fever have been notified in England and Wales in the seven months ended 31st July, 1940, than in the corresponding period of last year; and whether he will give the figures for the two periods?

The number of cases of enteric fever notified during the first seven months of last year was 641, and the corresponding figure for the first seven months of this year is 1,343. The increase for the first seven months of 1940 is almost entirely due to paratyphoid fever, a comparatively mild disease the incidence of which is subject to considerable fluctuations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered representations that the public inquiry by the Charges (Railway Control) Consultative Committee, which is to be opened on 26th August, should be postponed for two months in view of the shortness of notice to the public and to give organisations and individuals adequate time to prepare evidence for submission to the Committee on the matters within its terms of reference; and whether he is prepared to accede to the request for postponement?

The matter is now in the hands of the Consultative Committee, to whom any application for postponement of the hearing or for extended time to prepare a case should be addressed in the ordinary way.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the complaints regarding the inadequacy of cross-channel steamship service available for workers in the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory and other works in Greenock, communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and what steps he proposes to take to meet the situation?

I am making inquiries on this matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, and will communicate with my hon. and learned Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to enable the grant of a restricted licence for the duration of the war for youths of 16 to 21 years of age who are driving tractors, to enable them to take their tractors from the farms to the fields in which they are operating?

I do not think it would be in the public interest to allow tractors to be driven on roads by youths under 17, after which age they can already drive in the conditions indicated in the Question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that more than 1,000 yards of new iron railings are being erected on, and adjacent to, the railway bridge over the Metropolitan Railway, Long Lane, Ickenham, Middlesex, at a time when this material is urgently needed for the war effort; and whether he will take steps to prevent such happenings in future?

No iron railings have been erected on, or adjacent to, the bridge referred to by my hon. Friend. I understand, however, that the Middlesex County Council have recently erected old iron railings near the Metropolitan Railway Bridge at Long Lane, Hillingdon. These railings, which had been removed from Western Avenue, have been put up following a recent accident to a child, on representations from the police that protective measures were necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that grave inconvenience is being caused to many holders of those securities in which dealings have been prohibited for the past two months; and whether he will now arrange either for the securities in question to be purchased from the present holders or for negotiable certificates of deposit to be issued in place of the securities?

I fully recognise the inconvenience which has been caused to individual holders, but it is necessarily a task of some magnitude to arrange the securities in question so that immediate delivery can be undertaken in case sales are made. Every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this work and the House may be assured that an announcement will be made at the earliest possible date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to safeguard people against unbearable loss of privately-owned houses and household effects from enemy action; and whether the Government are now prepared to institute a general scheme of homes insurance or mutual help with a view to relieving the grave apprehensions of those who have invested their all in their home?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject on 13th August to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Drake division of Plymouth (Lieut.-Colonel Guest) and in which I set out the arrangements made by the Government to assist those whose property suffers damage. As I then stated, a leaflet setting out the various arrangements is being prepared.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some assistance boards are refusing to grant relief for the loss of goods and money in air-raids unless the loss is estimated at more than £5; and whether this stipulation is in accord with instructions issued by his Department?

The payments made by the Assistance Board provide for damage caused to essential household furniture and personal clothing and are limited to cases where the total damage exceeds £5. The reason for this limit is that these payments are advances on account of the compensation to be paid after the war for war damage and such compensation will not be payable where the damage does not exceed £5. I am however considering whether discretion can be given to the local officer of the Assistance Board to give assistance below that limit in special cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that he is borrowing bank deposits at 1⅛ per cent. direct from the banks, he will offer an incentive of 1 per cent. to depositors to deposit with the Treasury direct, thereby enabling them to obtain 100 per cent. increase in the deposit rate now being received by them from the banks?

No, Sir. In so far as the Government desires to borrow for short periods, I think the best course is to issue Treasury Bills or to borrow from the banks under the scheme inaugurated last month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purpose the Capital Issues Committee continues to refuse sanction for schemes proposed by public companies for redeeming debentures out of the proceeds of new issues of debentures carrying lower rates of interest?

The policy of the Committee, which has my approval, is that so long as the demands on the capital market are as great as at present the issue of new securities other than Government War Loans must be confined to issues to raise money for essential services and enterprises or to provide for obligatory repayments of maturing debt. The ban on the optional replacement of existing securities applies generally and not merely to the debentures of public companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether British subjects who are not usually liable to Income Tax because they reside abroad, but who would now be liable because they are detained in this country owing to the war, are exempt from payment of Income Tax if they join the Navy, Army or Air Force; and whether the same privilege will be extended to those over military age who, in similar circumstances, join the Home Guard?

With regard to the first part of the Question, I am not clear as to the kind of case my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind and shall be glad if he will let me have further particulars. With regard to the second part, I would remind him that members of the Home Guard are not in the same position as members of the Navy, Army and Air Force, as theirs is only part-time service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that gifts made by an individual to the Government of the United Kingdom or of any of the Dominions or Colonies for the purpose of carrying on the war, may in some cases, in the event of the donor's death within 12 months of the date of his making the gift, be aggregable with other property of the deceased for the purpose of determining the rate at which his estate is liable to Estate Duty in this country; and whether he will introduce legislation similar to Section 30 of the Finance Act; 1928, to deal with this matter?

I agree in principle that gifts of this kind should not be charged to Estate Duty, and I will propose a provision to that effect in next year's Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount which has been received by the Board of Inland Revenue, up to date, by way of deposits free of interest in respect of future tax liabilities?

The response to the invitation which I gave to taxpayers to make deposits with the Board of Inland Revenue has been very gratifying and I would like to express my thanks to all who have assisted the State in this way. Since the beginning of June taxpayers have deposited. £16,000,000 in advance taxation payments. Of this amount nearly £9,000,000 has been deposited against Excess Profits Tax, nearly £4,000,000 against Income Tax and Surtax, and the balance of over £3,000,000 without allocation. I am glad of this opportunity of drawing attention to the great service to the State which can be rendered by public-spirited taxpayers who have substantial liabilities to Income Tax, Surtax or Excess Profits Tax by remitting deposits in advance of liabilities to the Board of Inland Revenue at Somerset House, London, W.C.2.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that all moneys held at a bank by a trading concern are treated as capital employed in the business for the purposes of Excess Profits Tax; and will he inquire whether the flow of funds into National War Bonds is restricted by this arrangement?