asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that an American-born woman, who acquired British nationality by marriage 18 years ago, has been dismissed from her post as a senior air-raid warden by the local council of a Hertfordshire town, who informed her that they felt it imperative to eliminate from Civil Defence Services all persons of alien origin; and, in view of the fact that American pilots are now being accepted in the Royal Air Force, will he issue instructions to local authorities discouraging such dismissals from Defence Services of friendly Americans on technical grounds, particularly those who have subsequently acquired British nationality?

My attention has been drawn to this case. The responsibility for deciding whether any particular individual is suitable to act as a member of one of the public Civil Defence Services rests with the local authority concerned. I have suggested to local authorities that they should take steps to satisfy themselves as to the reliability of individual members of these Services; but no instruction issued by my Department would justify the dismissal of a British subject from those Services solely on the ground that he or she was of alien origin.

asked the home Secretary whether it is intended to make a boot allowance to air-raid precautions wardens on the same lines as is made to the special police and observation post members, especially as many of these men are unemployed?

No, Sir. It is not proposed to make a boot allowance to wardens.

Is there any reason why the air-raid wardens should be treated differently from people in the same Services?

No, Sir; the treatment is similar in regard to the Civil Defence Services properly so-called. The police and observation post members, to whom reference is made in the Question, are under entirely different terms of service.

If the local authorities made an allowance, would that allowance rank for grant?

No, Sir; it would not rank for grant.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the recent order compelling the immobilisation of all small craft in Eastern England has been taken in East Norfolk to require the laying up of small craft on the Broads and adjacent rivers and the stopping of all facilities for recreation and fishing in this district, thus causing serious hardship to many persons whose livelihood depends on the use of such facilities; and whether he will make it clear that there is no objection to small sailing and rowing craft being used for short periods for these or other innocent purposes provided that such craft are kept strictly immobilised when not in use?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the direction issued by the Regional Commissioner in July. That direction was issued after consultation with the Service authorities and was based on military requirements. It does not apply to boats regularly used for trading or essential services or by professional fishermen.

asked the Home Secretary the result of the police surveillance of the Fascist Club, "Roma"?

Yes, Sir. The premises of this club were recently visited by the police in the execution of a search warrant: and as a result of the search and of various inquiries made by the police about the membership of the club, no grounds can be found for the suggestion that it is a centre for Fascist activities.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has been reached yet in regard to sending British Fascist sympathisers, interned under Regulation 18B, to Canada or Australia?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 22nd August to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Pickthorn).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now two months since the Government said they were considering this matter; and does it mean that any decision in this respect has been indefinitely postponed?

I am not aware that the Government have said more than that note would be taken of a certain suggestion.

Does it mean that it is not the intention of the Government to send these Fascists abroad?

The answer means that, if it were the intention to take such a step, the matter would have been brought to the notice of this House, and as that course has not been taken, hon. Members can draw their own conclusion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has had the categories of enemy aliens to be released translated into German; and is there any form available in English and German on which applications for release can be made?

Experience shows that the internees have no difficulty in understanding the White Paper. The few who cannot read English, if not helped by other internees, can obtain help from the official interpreters and the liaison officers in the camps. The question of a form of application for release has been considered, but there would have to be so many different forms to fit the different classes of cases that this method would not be helpful to the internees.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of wives and relatives of internees who are outside the camps and who also want to know these things; and does he realise that they write to Members of Parliament, who would be very much assisted if there was a translation sent to them?

I am prepared to consider any suggestion of that kind, but I should have thought that most of the people are already in touch with refugee organisations, which are very willing to give all assistance possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the need is felt so great that some of us have to issue our own printed form, and that many thousands have applied for them; and would it not be far better to have an official form?

I am sorry to hear that, but if the matter had been brought to my notice earlier, perhaps it could have been done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some camps there are no copies of the White Paper available even in English for the internees, and will he look into that matter?

Yes, Sir; and perhaps my hon. Friend will send me particulars.

asked the Home Secretary whether Franz H. Weinberger was given facilities for attending at the American consulate in time for him to leave the country on the boat on which passage had been booked and all arrangements made, at the beginning of this month?

I have ascertained that this boy has obtained his visa for the United States and that an exit permit has been granted, and he is now awaiting the sailing of his ship.

asked the Minister of Health what action local authorities are responsible for taking immediately after bombing raids in their districts, as regards damage to dwelling-houses and as regards assistance to persons affected by the same?

Local authorities are responsible for carrying out repairs immediately necessary to avoid danger to health in the case both of houses on their own estates and houses of which the owners are unable or unwilling to take action. Responsibility for immediate assistance to persons rendered homeless rests with the public assistance authorities, who have made arrangements which include the provision of food and shelter for a short period, and, where necessary, temporary billeting. Where houses have been destroyed outright or are too badly damaged to be repairable and the families find it difficult to obtain accommodation, local authorities have been given special powers to take possession of houses or other buildings which can be made suitable for housing, and to let them at reasonable rents.

May I ask by what method one can quickly ascertain whether an owner of a house is willing to put it in repair or not?

I think the normal method is that officials of a local authority visit the spot where there are damaged houses as soon as possible after the incident, make appropriate inquiries, and so find out very swiftly whether an owner is ready to do repairs or not. I have been to a good many of these places myself, and I am satisfied that generally this is working very satisfactorily indeed, but if there were individual cases of complaint, I should be glad to bring them to the notice of the local authority.

If a local authority carries out that suggestion, will that rank for grant?

The expenses of these repairs are charged on the owner of the property and regarded as a loan on which interest is not charged during the war and in regard to which no payment is required during the war. The whole matter comes up after the war.

What about people who lose their furniture and effects?

Are public assistance authorities limited in the amount of expenditure with regard to this question, and can they make any monetary grant?

There is no limit to the expenses which local authorities can incur. The Government give assistance with regard to the raising of loans in order to carry out these repairs. With regard to the last Supplementary Question asked by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne), where furniture has been destroyed, then the Assistance Board can make grants up to a certain figure for replacement in cases where the family income is below a certain level.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware of the unsatisfactory state of affairs which exists where the public have been evicted from their houses because of time bombs or unexploded bombs? Will he see that these people are given shelter by the local authority?

In these circumstances it is certainly the responsibility of the local authority that these people should be looked after in a similar way to people whose houses have been damaged or destroyed. Again, if hon. Members will let me know of cases where that is not being done, I will look into them at once.

asked the Home Secretary how many retired Indian civil servants are at present employed in the air-raid precautions section of the Ministry; and which of them are paid £500 a year or more?

There are in the Ministry of Home Security 38 persons who have retired from civil employment under Government in India. Thirty-one of these are in receipt of a salary of £500 a year or more.

Will the Home Secretary say how many of these Bengali tigers have special qualifications for air-raid precautions work?

Order.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consult with the Ministry of Information with a view to making special inquiries in selected districts of Great Britain with regard to the examinations which aged people have to undergo before the Assistance Board Appeal Tribunals when applying for supplementary old age pensions, in order to test the public feeling which has been aroused throughout the country about the hardships suffered by these old people and the ordeals they have to undergo when applying for more money to keep body and soul together?

More than 1,000,000 persons have received supplementary pensions, and I cannot agree that applicants have to suffer hardships or ordeals in the examination of their claims. I do not think therefore that there is a need for the special inquiries which the hon. Member suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some instances the officers making the inquiries ask the applicants to produce even their laundry bills, and also their rates bills and their rent book, that in many cases they ask the amount of wages earned by the son-in-law, and that if they refuse the information the supplementary pension is refused? It is a scandal.

Parliament has decided that a certain investigation should be made. The only question that arises is whether these inquiries have been carried out properly and impartially. If hon. Members will bring to my attention any cases where harshness has been used or where improper inquiries have been made, I will look into them.

There are thousands of them.

While admitting that Parliament decided upon the investigation, is not the Minister prepared, after months of its operation, to have an inquiry to see whether the intention of Parliament is being carried out in the proper spirit? Will he reconsider his decision and have an inquiry made?

The authorised inquiry is being made. Many hon. Members have sent me cases from their constituents, and having looked into all those, I am not satisfied that the number involved is so great that a general inquiry is required. If hon. Members have particulars of other cases and will bring them to my notice, I will look into them.

Is the Minister aware that the method of doing this is not to overburden any Cabinet Minister but to take up these cases locally? Will he not reconsider the matter and set up a neutral body to re-examine the position, as there is intense feeling in the country?

Is it not true that there are about four times as many people getting assistance as need it?

Is not the Minister aware that there are bitter complaints being made about the questions being asked and the very small amounts allowed to deserving old age pensioners? Will he not make an inquiry into how these Regulations are operating?

The opportunity which I have had of looking at this matter is of looking at the various individual cases, but if hon. Members felt that a whole category of cases are not being treated in accordance with the desires of Parliament, I would certainly like to consider those cases with a view to seeing whether some inquiry by a Board or some other authority was required. I have not so far had such categories brought to my notice.

When the Minister asks us to send him cases, does that mean that he has taken over the Scottish aspect of this question as well as his own, or must Scottish Members send their cases to the Secretary of State for Scotland?

Cases coming within the purview of the Secretary of State for Scotland should go to him and not to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when negotiating the sale of dollar securities, the Treasury are guided solely by the nominal market quotation for a limited number of shares, or whether they seek advice as to the real value attaching to the assets concerned?

The actual selling of securities is handled by a representative in New York of the Treasury, who keeps in the closest possible touch with the market and with expert opinion and is, therefore, in a position to advise the Treasury on all questions regarding the selling of securities.

May I ask whether in all cases a person who has given up dollar securities will receive in payment approximately the same sum as has been received by the Treasury on account of their sale?

I will look into that.

An air-raid warning has been given. [HON. MEMBERS: "Carry on."] I understand that an arrangement has been made whereby the Air Ministry will inform the House when the raid is more imminent. In view of that fact, I think the House can continue its proceedings now.

On a point of Order. With regard to air raids, I understand that the public galleries have been cleared. May that not be reconsidered in view of the fact that many of those attending Parliament in these days would much prefer to carry on in the Gallery rather than be shepherded to shelters?

The question has been very carefully considered, and we came to the conclusion that it would be best in the interests of the visitors themselves that, on a red raid warning being given, the public galleries should be closed.

Could it not be revised and left to the discretion of the visitors?

You do not close the theatres of the country and turn the audiences out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many banks have subscribed to the interest-free loan; and the total amount of those subscriptions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 23rd July.

As the banks create all the currency and the Government now control the banks, is it not possible for the Chancellor to give instructions to the banks that they should subscribe liberally to these loans?

I must leave that to the corporations and individuals themselves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the whole or any part of the £30,000 a year increase in salaries and pensions to the seven active Directors of the Bank of England will be provided by the issue department before calculation of its profits or by the banking department of that institution?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question of 20th August. The profits of the issue department are calculated after allowing for all necessary current expenses, including such proportion of the general overhead charges of the Bank as may reasonably be attributed to that department, and the amount allowed as an expense of the issue department in respect of Directors' remuneration is less than one-tenth of 1 per cent. of the total costs of that department.

The Chancellor has not answered my Question. Will he tell me whether this sum is to be voted from the issue department or the banking department, and will he say whether he himself really considers that this extra payment to Directors is justified, and, if so, on what grounds?

That is not a matter for me. So far as the other part of the Question is concerned, I hope the hon. Member will study my reply. I think he will find I have answered the Question on the Paper. So far as my powers in connection with taxation are concerned, they will be fully exercised.

Is a bank any more than any other firm entitled to issue great sums to its directors so as to escape Excess Profits Tax?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce a moratorium now to relieve, in particular, the overdrafts of small depositors which are being called in by the banks?

On the question of a moratorium, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General gave him on 25th June, 1940. I have made careful inquiries into the suggestion that the banks are calling in the overdrafts of small customers, and as a result I am satisfied that customers who are in difficulties through no fault of their own are receiving sympathetic consideration by the banks.

Did not the absence of a moratorium on the outbreak of the war force small and other investors to liquidate their securities, which were forced on to the market and bought up by waiting dealers at a grave decrease in value, to be sold later at a high price, while the original owners were ruined? Can we have an inquiry into this?

I will, if my hon. Friend has any particular case.

May we have a Debate and a deputation?

Let us have the papers first.

Banks should not be allowed to liquidate securities as they are doing. Have they not done this at uneconomic prices, which has caused great distress, and why has there not been some finished thought? There has been too much unfinished thought.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will make a contribution by sending me some of the cases.

Perhaps my right hon. Friend will have a word with me afterwards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present position with regard to the War Savings (Determination of Needs) Bill; and whether consideration has been given to the inclusion of allowances made by public assistance committees?

This matter is still under consideration, and I am not in a position to make a statement at present. The reply given to my hon. Friend's Question on 22nd August was the result of the consideration given to the point raised in the second part of the Question.

Is not the Chancellor aware that this point was raised by the Leader of the Liberal party during the original discussion? Will he consult with the Secretary of State for Air?

I am glad to consult with anybody who can give me any assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the real meaning of the regular official announcement to the effect that when a British plane is lost the pilot was saved; and whether this statement includes the rest of the occupants of any machine concerned?

I have been asked to reply. Reference in an official statement to the pilot of an aircraft being saved normally implies that the aircraft was a single-seater fighter. With other types of aircraft, reference is made, when appropriate, to members of the crew.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in actual fact there is not any reference made to other members of the crew? At least I personally have not seen it. The only reference is to the pilot.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he has considered a detailed statement from the shop stewards' committee of Rootes Securities, Limited, reflecting seriously on the organisation of production in which the suggestion is made that an official inquiry should be made into the conditions prevailing in the factory; and what steps does he propose to take?

Yes, Sir. I have myself read the statement referred to. On 17th and 21st June, the manager of the factory in question held long discussions with representatives of the workmen. I have read the accounts of these meetings and am satisfied that all the substantial points raised by the workmen which could be met were met. The output from this factory is satisfactory, and any further official inquiry unnecessary.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the shop stewards and workers in the factory are not satisfied that the output is what it could be or that the organisation of the factory is what it should be, and will not the Minister take steps to have an inquiry of some kind made so as to make absolutely certain whether the workers or the management are right?

We sent a representative of the Ministry to the factory, and the resident managing director came down to the Ministry. There is, it is true, some shortage in the supply of raw material, but an endeavour is being made to bring that up to date as quickly as possible.

Did you not have any workers down at the Ministry?

asked the Minister of Shipping the progress made in the provision of motor lifeboats to vessels of the merchant navy?

Yes, Sir. Motor lifeboats are being fitted on all merchant ships of 500 tons gross or over under construction on Government account, and I am advised that, of the ships now under construction for private shipowners, about one-third are being so fitted.

What is the position with regard to second-hand tonnage?

Owing to shortage of supply and labour in general, it is not possible to do more than I have already described in my answer.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether steps are being taken to man the guns of merchant vessels when in our ports by naval ratings and not by the customarily overworked ship's personnel?

Yes, Sir. This is being done as far as possible. There is one naval gunlayer on each ship, and a second gun-layer is provided where possible, but my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty informs me that the demands on the Royal Navy at the present time make it impossible for him to provide complete guns' crews for merchant ships in port.

Is it not the case that the present arrangements made with the consent of all parties on the national Maritime Board in the Tyne area have been most loyally and efficiently carried out?

I am extremely grateful to the hon. Member for mentioning that and I recognise the fine work done by the crews in manning their guns.

Will the Minister call for the opinion of masters of vessels as to the effect on ships personnel of excessive hours of labour?

I have obtained very full information on the point and I do not think they are excessive hours of work. I have made the best arrangements possible in the circumstances and no man is called upon to work the guns two nights in succession. If it should occur that they have to man the guns on successive nights substantial payment would be made.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now make a statement relative to the position of the coal trade generally; and with particular reference to the export areas of the coalfields?

I hope, if time permits, and if it is the wish of the House, to make a statement on the lines suggested on the Motion for the Adjournment to-day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why no suitable plan was thought out 18 months ago to meet, in the event of war, an inevitable shortage of European and Asiatic imported eggs by importing increased supplies of feeding-stuffs, and, with them, increasing home poultry breeding?

I cannot accept the suggestion that 18 months ago a shortage of European eggs should have been regarded as inevitable, and there has been no shortage of Asiatic eggs, imports of which have increased since the outbreak of war.

I wish only to prevent a recurrence of this. Will my hon. Friend use every endeavour to see that feeding-stuffs are available for small poultry keepers? Is he aware that it takes more than an air raid to put me off this subject?

I am well aware of that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the special hardship imposed upon those railway employés who are compelled to lodge away from home by the small rations of tea and sugar allowed; and if he will, in view of the special circumstances, consider the advisability of increasing the rations of these commodities?

Railway employés receive the same rations of tea and sugar as any other classes of the community, and my Noble Friend is unable in present circumstances to sanction an increase. The Food Control Committees are, however, authorised to issue special permits for the purchase of tea for industrial, business and clerical workers, for consumption during their working hours, in cases where they cannot obtain tea from a registered canteen. I realise that special problems arise in regard to the provision of rationed commodities to certain classes of railway employés, and I am in consultation with the Minister of Transport in an endeavour to find a solution of those problems.

Is the Minister aware of the fact that there is no canteen in a coal-mine and that the collier who takes down one bottle with him cannot get any more; and will he not arrange for those men to get more tea?

The Question refers to railway workers and not to coal miners.

Will these special facilities for tea apply also to mobile units of men working at the ploughing-up campaign a long distance from their homes?

I am informed that an air raid is now considered to be imminent, and I will accordingly suspend the Sitting.

The House will remember that when I suspended the Sitting, it was on the receipt of a message from the Fighter Command that an air raid was imminent. Since then I have received a further message that the immediate danger is passed, but the House must remember that the red warning is still in operation, and we are still on the alert. I have given orders that strangers should be readmitted to the Gallery. The House will also remember that when I suspended the Sitting at 20 minutes past three o'clock we had not finished Questions, and on the present occasion I propose that we shall continue Questions for a further 25 minutes.

In view of what has happened this afternoon, may I ask whether our procedure in this respect cannot be revised? This is not exactly a good advertisement for the House of Commons. We cannot hope to make successful appeals to factory workers to carry on their work during air raids, if the House of Commons itself is constantly to adjourn on receipt of air-raid warnings. I do not know what is the correct procedure to follow to have this matter reconsidered, and whether it rests with you, Mr. Speaker, or with the Prime Minister, but I earnestly trust that the whole system will be revised.

When the Prime Minister makes a statement later, I understand that he intends to refer to this matter, and perhaps the House will await that statement.

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what arrangements have been made with respect to the staff of the Refreshment Department during the coming weeks, when the sittings of the House will be intermittent; how many of the staff, apart from the few who are on full pay all the year round, are being dismissed; how many are retained during Recesses on half-pay; whether those on half-pay are expected to hold themselves ready for service without any opportunity of taking other employment; whether there is any arrangements for holidays with pay; whether, in the existing exceptional circumstances, he will consider maintaining a nucleus on adequate wages; and how it is proposed to ensure an efficient staff on the days when the House meets during the customary Summer Recess?

The Kitchen Committee found it necessary to rearrange the staff duties in view of the intermittent Sittings of the House, and this involved a reduction in the number of employés. 29 members of the staff were engaged for the Session only, and their employment came to an end on Thursday, 22nd August, but the Committee were assured by the Employment Exchange that there would be no difficulty in finding work for them. In addition to the nine permanent members of the staff, 24 were retained on full pay for two weeks, and afterwards on half pay, and 16 members were offered half pay for the whole of the Recess. All members of the staff are at liberty to take up other employment. Holidays with pay were given to all members of the permanent and retained staff, and the Kitchen Committee have arranged to maintain an efficient service, at adequate wages, on those days when the House meets.

In view of the fact that many of the employés during intervals in the Sittings of the House are liable to be called on at short notice and are therefore unable to take other employment, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that they are dealt with properly under this scheme?

I wish to assure the hon. Member that the Kitchen Committee made its decision with a full knowledge of all the facts and in an endeavour to cause as little hardship as possible, and at the same time to show some regard to the Treasury.

I understand from the hon. Gentleman's reply that some members of the staff are allowed to go on half pay. Do I understand that they can obtain other employment and still have the half-pay?

They can take the half pay and take other employment as well.

Was the decision of the Kitchen Committee unanimous?

Yes, Sir.

Are adequate measures taken to enable members of the staff to make representations to the Kitchen Committee?

Yes, Sir, the Members of the Kitchen Committee prefer that members of the staff should make representations or complaints to the Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to make the whole civil population of Germany realise the peril in which it is placed by the action of the German air force in bombing and machine-gunning purely residential areas in this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23rd July last in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis).

Is it not possible to take more direct steps to protect our own women and children? For instance, if residential areas are machine-gunned and bombed here, is it not possible, after giving due warning so as to allow of the evacuation of the German women and children concerned, to wipe out corresponding residential areas in Germany?

What possible object can be gained by throwing into so much prominence, in perspective, the dangers which the civil population incur; and would it not be better to concentrate on the smallness of those dangers in comparison with the dangers run by the Fighting Services?

I think those points are dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received a report on the serious allegations of waste and extravagance and other irregularities preferred by Major Evans, Major Reid Kellett, D.S.O., M.C., and Mr. W. H. E. Carr, in connection with War Office works; and can he now make any further statement on these allegations, and the further steps he proposes to take in order that these allegations may, in the public interest, be substantiated or refuted?

The allegations by Major Reid Kellett and Mr. Carr were the subject of two special investigations conducted by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Bolton (Sir C. Entwistle) and the Treasury Solicitor respectively. As a result of these investigations, it was decided that there was no reason for any further inquiry. My hon. Friend may remember that, in a letter to the then Secretary of State, he himself concurred in this decision. I am sending him a copy of the letter in question. As regards the allegations by Major Evans, these have been carefully examined, and, as a result, I am satisfied that no prima facie case exists which would justify further inquiry. I have written to my hon. Friend, enclosing the results of these inquiries, and I am hopeful that, when he has perused them, he will concur in the view which I have just expressed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that since that letter was written I have been given to understand that no witnesses were allowed at the inquiry; and as these allegations are so serious, may I ask him to suggest to his right hon. Friend that a special inquiry should be held, at which these three gentlemen could be heard and could produce their witnesses?

In the case of the inquiry held by the hon. and learned Member for Bolton (Sir C. Entwistle), it is, I think, true that these witnesses were not present, but my hon. Friend should not take it that the officer in question had not every opportunity of putting his case. I would point out that this inquiry was not one which invoked the whole machinery of the law. Its purpose was to discover whether or not it was necessary to invoke that machinery, and it was quite clear from the evidence that that was not necessary. With regard to the Treasury Solicitor's inquiry, all kinds of witnesses were examined at it and it is clear that every one of the charges was of a completely frivolous character.

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities have now been arranged for reducing the charges for money remittances by cable to troops serving in Malta or any other stations where a regular mail service cannot at present be relied on?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General that while it is not practicable to reduce the cost of transmitting telegraph money orders to Malta, special arrangements are being made for a more expeditious method of advising ordinary money orders, which should result in a much speedier service and go far to render unnecessary the transmission of money orders to Malta by telegraph.

Can my hon. Friend say what measures he proposes to introduce, as great hardship at present exists and people have to pay as much as four or five shillings in order to send £2?

I am afraid that for obvious reasons I cannot yet give details of the measures proposed, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the great expense which he describes will not be characteristic of the new arrangements.

How are the people concerned to know what steps they can take, when there is no notice given to them?

When these arrangements have been completed, fuller information will be given, and they are being made now.

If the Minister would pay the men sufficient wages, there would be no need to send them remittances.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the exchange of letters with British prisoners of war in Italian hands and for the despatch of food and clothing to them?

Pending the receipt of the camp addresses of British prisoners of war in Italian hands, letters and postcards which are posted to them in this country are being forwarded to the Italian Red Cross in Rome for re-direction. As regards parcels of food and clothing, the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John have requested the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva to send parcels, from stocks in their possession, through the same channels for distribution to these prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps are being taken to give fuller opportunities for the troops to attend technical, vocational and cultural classes, especially during the forthcoming months; whether adequate use is being made for such educational work of the teachers now enlisted in the Forces; and whether further use can be made of civilian organisations in arranging for classes, lectures and study groups?

Yes, Sir. Machinery already exists for securing the assistance of universities and voluntary bodies as well as of local education authorities through the Central Advisory Council for Adult Education in His Majesty's Forces and the Regional Committees associated with it. in providing for the educational needs of all types of the troops, and steps have already been taken to secure an expansion of the educational service to meet the requirements of the coming months. It is contemplated that the fullest possible use should be made of the resources for this work available in the Forces together with those offered by civilian organisations.

Would that include making use of the services of teachers of technical colleges, and lecturers of the Workers Educational Association, and others already enlisted?

Yes, Sir, I think it includes all those.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when deciding on the new assessment for the replacement sums to be paid to officers who lost their kit at Dunkirk, he will consider the practice of the Admiralty; and will he also take into account the greatly increased cost of this kit and the fact that depreciation of its value is unfair as the majority of officers could reasonably expect never to have to replace it?

While it is not proposed to adopt the Admiralty rules. I am glad to be able to tell my Noble Friend that instructions are being issued which will have the effect of introducing considerable relaxation in the basis of the assessment of compensation, to the benefit of the officers concerned. The new basis will be applied with retrospective effect to cover the replacement of kit lost in Norway and France, and will take into account the present increased cost of kit.

May I ask whether the increase will be given to those officers who have already had a settlement—there was a large number of them in the case of Dunkirk—without their making further application for it?

The details of the scheme have not yet been worked out, and I am not in a position to say whether the review will be automatic or whether applications will have to be made, but in any case the officers will be entitled to get the increase.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether doctors in civilian practice who served in the Navy in the last war will be given priority of appointment on application to join up as surgeons or otherwise?

The Admiralty, who make appointments of temporary medical officers on the recommendation of the Central Medical War Committee, at present require only young officers, mostly for seagoing appointments in small ships. The rank and responsibilities which newly entered officers are given would thus not be suitable for medical officers who served in the last war and who have now had long service in their profession.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether these older officers are not better than the younger ones and have they not acquired skill in dealing with special diseases?

We want up-to-date officers.