asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been directed to the recent assurances given by Mr. F. D'Arcy Cooper, the Chairman of the Export Council of the Board of Trade, to the biscuit exporters of all raw material, sugar and flour, &c., which they might want for their exports; and whether, in view of the fact that these ingredients might be vitally needed at home, he will enforce some limiitation of exports as regards food from this country during the period of hostilities.

I am aware of the assurances referred to. The quantity of staple foodstuffs such as sugar and flour, required for our valuable export trade in manufactured foods such as biscuits is so small in relation to the supplies and the consumption in this country that I am happy to say that my noble Friend the Minister of Food has been able to agree to facilitate the export trade in these products.

asked the Minister of Shipping, whether he is aware that a firm engaged in manufacturing for export, paid £61 10s. 1d. for freight and insurance to a shipping company; that the voyage was cancelled and the goods unloaded; that the shipping company refuse to refund the sum paid; whether this was done with his authority and approval; and whether, in view of the harm such treatment of British exporters will do to our export trade, he proposes to take any steps in the matter.

If my hon. Friend will enable me to identify the particular case which he has in mind I will write and inform him of the position in regard to that case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount premiums collected since the inception of the Compulsory Stock Insurance Scheme, and the claims made up-to-date.

After allowing for refunds under the concession made in regard to the premiums for September, 1939, and in respect of goods declared to be uninsurable, the premiums collected up to 1st October, amount to £39,829,958. It is not in the national interest that the amount of claims should be disclosed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is a feeling of grievance on the part of chief wardens that they have been excluded from the increase granted to first-aid leaders recently; and whether he is now prepared to deal with the warden service on the same basis of service as other branches, and make some allowance for responsible service?

I think my hon. Friend's Question is based on a misapprehension. There has been no special increase in the pay of leaders of first-aid parties, who receive the standard rate of pay of full-time civil defence workers.

asked the Home Secretary whether Martin Freud has yet been released from internment?

Yes, Sir. Dr. Freud was released from internment on 17th September

asked the Home Secretary the numbers to the latest available date of enemy alien internees released under each of the categories for which an application for release may be made?

I doubt whether it would be desirable at this stage to give separate figures for each of the various categories; but the total number of persons whose release has been authorised up to 5th October is 4,603.

asked the Home Secretary the date on which it is intended that Prees Heath internment camp, under canvas, shall be closed; and to what other camps the internees have been sent?

It is intended to close this camp by the end of this month. Less than 300 internees are at present in the camp, of whom the majority are waiting to join the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. The others have been, or will be, transferred to the Isle of Man or Huyton or some other camp.

asked the Home Secretary what steps should be taken by aliens who have been interned without ever having come before a tribunal and who desire to have their cases reviewed with a view to being classified in Category C; and whether those who have been placed in Category B by a tribunal can take steps to obtain a revision of their cases?

As stated in Part B on page 5 of the White. Paper (Cmd. 6223) the case of Germans or Austrians in Category "B" (provided that they were not classified in that category as a result of a review of their cases by a Regional Advisory Committee) will, if they come within any of the categories of eligibility for release, be referred to an Advisory Committee which will review the classification in accordance with the principles followed by the Regional Advisory Committees. In addition, as my predecessor promised during the Debate on 22nd August, a revision will be undertaken as soon as possible of the cases of Germans and Austrians placed in category "B" even though there may be no question of their immediate release.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement about Franz Schneider, of 152, Parbrook Road, Huyton, near Liverpool, No. 54186, in relation to whom it is believed an application for release on health grounds was signed and forwarded by the commanding officer of Whiston County Hospital at the beginning of August?

In consequence of an attack of acute bronchitis, Franz Schneider was transferred from Huyton Camp to hospital on 30th July. A certificate dated 12th August that his continued internment would be detrimental to his health was forwarded by the Camp Commandant, and on 17th August instructions were given for his release on medical grounds. On his discharge from hospital on 28th August, however, it was found that the first diagnosis had been unduly pessimistic, and that his condition had so much improved that he was no longer eligible for release on medical grounds. He was accordingly returned to the camp where he still is under medical observation. Mr. Schneider has since applied for release under category 19 of the White Paper, and his case is being referred to the Tribunal appointed to consider such claims.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now make any further statement as to the use of certain tube railway stations as additional air-raid shelters in emergency conditions?

So far as is consistent with public safety and with the overriding necessity of maintaining the essential transport facilities provided by the London Underground system, the public are now allowed to use tube stations at night for shelter purposes. The amount of accommodation available must, however, be limited by the paramount need to preserve the tubes as a means of transport for the workers.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to appoint to the committee now investigating public health considerations in reference to air-raid precautions shelters one or more municipal officials with practical experience of the provision, maintenance and supervision of such shelters?

As the House will be aware, a committee has already been appointed, under the chairmanship of Lord Horder, to keep these matters under review. The committee consulted a number of local government officials, in the course of their first inquiries, and I have no doubt that in their further inquiries, which are proceeding, they will continue to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a resolution from the Swail Griffin Lodge, Six Bells, Monmouthshire, of the South Wales Miners' Federation, regarding the construction of deep bomb-proof shelters in the vulnerable areas; and what answer he proposes to give.

I have considered the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. Any proposal for adequate shelters which can be constructed rapidly and with due regard to the availability of materials, etc., will always receive my sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many cases in the county borough of West Ham where houses have been by enemy aircraft rendered uninhabitable, there are two or more families; and whether compensation will be paid for loss of furniture and clothing in each case.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether the case of Mr. E. L. Diamond, A.M.I.M.E., M.Sc., detained under Regulation 18B, who, before the war worked for 13 years on the staff of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, has yet been heard by the Advisory Committee; and, if so, what was their decision.

This case has not yet been heard by the Advisory Committee, but I understand that they hope to be able to hear it in the near future.

asked the Home Secretary when the case of No. 1341, Mr. John Wynn, now detained under Defence Regulation 18B at No. 7, Prisoners of War Camp, at Ascot, will be heard by the Advisory Committee; for how long he has been detained; and for what reason?

I hope that it will not be long before the Committee is able to hear this case. Mr. Wynn has been detained since the 13th July, the reason for his detention being as specified in para. (1A) of Defence Regulation 18B.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that air-raid wardens in certain districts are preventing retail shops from continuing business during public air-raid warnings; and whether he will make a statement on this subject?

I am not aware that air-raid wardens have been stopping shopkeepers from doing business after the sounding of the alert. I am however considering whether it is necessary to revise the present instructions as to the advice which air-raid wardens should give to pedestrians generally on the sounding of the alert.

asked the Home Secretary whether industry is now intended to be observing the proposals for continued work during public air-raid warnings announced by him on 10th September.

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the anxiety caused, especially to soldiers serving in units recruited from county or industrial centres and now stationed at a distance from their homes, by vague references in the official statements reporting enemy action, arrangements will be made to publish in the Press, as soon as possible, the names of casualties and their addresses; and, if this is not considered to be in the public interest, whether some arrangements will be made whereby the local authority should communicate with the officers commanding units recruited in such districts, the most suitable corresponding arrangements also being made for the benefit of serving sailors and airmen?

Arrangements have been made whereby members of the Armed Forces (including the Women's Services) may be specially notified by the appropriate Service Department in the event of members of their families or other near relatives being killed or injured in an air raid. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a recent announcement describing the steps which should be taken by families wishing to avail themselves of these arrangements.

asked the Home Secretary whether a general increase will now be made in the number of women police in view of the many problems arising from air-raids and other war-time questions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my predecessor gave to Questions on this subject on 22nd August. I have no doubt that the review which he asked police authorities to undertake will result in an increase in the number of policewomen and women police auxiliaries employed, but I am not in a position, as yet, to give any detailed particulars.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now seek powers to compel hotels and boarding-houses to take elementary safety precautions against enemy air attacks, observing that in many cases air raid shelters, fire appliances, and sand buckets are not provided, and the representations of residents ignored?

Local authorities already have power to provide, with the assistance of Government grant, air-raid shelters for persons eligible for free shelter who are living in boarding-houses and similar establishments. As regards establishments accommodating persons not eligible for free shelter, there are difficulties, but I will certainly consider whether any action can be taken to improve the present position.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is satisfied that the appropriate compensation, with the minimum of delay, is being paid in all cases where civil defence 'workers are victims of air-raids.

I am satisfied that the arrangements made by me secure the payment of the compensation provided by the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme with the minimum of delay. If the hon. Member has any particular case in view in which undue delay appears to have occurred I shall be very pleased to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether financial contributions made to so-called Spitfire funds will be made subject to relief from income tax?

No, Sir. I would remind my hon. Friend that it is a cardinal principle of the Income Tax that the State cannot take any account of the way in which a person chooses to dispose of his income. The maintenance of this principle is clearly of the greatest importance if the revenue is to be safeguarded.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many incomes brought under the review of the Inland Revenue are relieved from paying Income Tax through the abatement and the allowances for a wife and children respectively?

My hon. and Gallant Friend will find the latest estimates of the number of individuals with total incomes above the Income Tax exemption limit in Table 44 on page 57 of the 82nd Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmd. 6099), which distinguishes the numbers who pay tax from those who are entirely relieved from tax by the operation of the personal allowances and reliefs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many incomes are brought under the review of the Inland Revenue; what is the total amount of income brought under review; and how much escapes taxation?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Table 44 on page 57 of the Eighty-second Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmd. 60,99) for the first part of his Question, and to Tables 41, 42 and 43 on pages 54, 55 and 56 of the same Report for the second part. As regards the third part, I am not able to furnish any estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the increasing hardship caused by the higher cost of travel to many taxpayers who cannot obtain a place of residence near their place of business by the provision that cost of travel between home address and business address is not an admissible deduction in computing liability to Income Tax; and whether he will consider introducing a system of allowances which will cover all expenditure essential to the carrying on by an individual of his business or employment?

I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope of extending the existing Income Tax allowances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the finances raised by the various so-called Spitfire funds are actually disposed of; and whether the monies so raised are in any real sense allocated to the construction of aircraft not otherwise provided for in the Air Estimates?

All money raised for Spitfires or other aircraft are paid to the Ministry of Aircraft Production and are credited as Appropriations-in-Aid of the Vote for that Department. They are thus allocated directly to the construction of aircraft in accordance with the wishes of the donors. The cost of the construction of aircraft is in all cases made from the Vote for the Ministry of Aircraft Production. Where the cost is covered by donations, the aircraft concerned have been paid for by the donors and the charge on the Exchequer is correspondingly reduced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that hardship is being suffered by persons who have been compulsorily evacuated from parts of defence areas under Regulation 16A of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, such persons not being entitled to compensation under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, nor, in some cases, to the relief given by the Defence (Evacuated Areas) Regulation, 1940, because the areas in question have not been declared evacuation areas for the purpose of that Regulation; and whether he will amend the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, to provide that property compulsorily evacuated for military purposes under Regulation 16A shall be deemed, for the purposes of that Act, to have been requisitioned for such purposes under Defence Regulation 51, or, alternatively, whether he will arrange that property compulsorily evacuated under Regulation 16A for military purposes shall be formally requisitioned by the military authorities, so that compensation will become payable under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939.

I am aware of the hardship suffered by persons by reason of military measures taken for the defence of the country, and the matter is at the moment engaging the anxious consideration of the Government. I may remind the hon. Member that compulsory evacuation has been directed in a very few parts of the Defence Areas, evacuation for the most part having been effected without the need of compulsory measures. Whether or not the moratorium and other provisions contained in the Defence (Evacuation Areas) Regulations, 1940, should be further extended is one of the matters which is being considered. In regard to the last part of the Question, the Government do not propose to introduce legislation to amend the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, or to attempt a scheme of notional requisitioning with a view to payment of compensation under that Act. Such treatment would be inequitable in its incidence and would not fairly meet the circumstances of the cases of the various sections of the community who in one way or another suffer loss or hardship from war operations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any scheme of food rationing without coupons has been submitted; and, if so, whether it is receiving consideration?

Yes, Sir. Various schemes of food rationing with and without coupons are being investigated at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will permit the extra ration of tea now made to certain classes of workers who are unable to obtain tea from canteens during working hours, to be made for agricultural and other outdoor workers, especially in view of the approaching winter season when such work must, in the national interest, be performed under weather conditions much more trying than those of factory, business or clerical workers, who now receive this concession?

Arrangements have already been made through the food control committees for the issue of special permits for the supply of tea, on behalf of industrial, business and clerical workers, for consumption as a beverage during their working hours. This concession is applicable to agricultural workers, and although I do not know what other outdoor workers my hon. Friend has specially in mind, I believe that the existing arrangements meet all reasonable requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether instructions have now been issued to food control committees for the registration and licensing of railway companies' premises for the setting up of canteens where meals, including rationed foods, can be obtained, and for the issue of permits for obtaining supplies?

Yes, Sir. No difficulty should now arise in regard to the provision of meals at railway booking-off depots where canteen facilities are available. Further canteens will be set up where possible at places where they are needed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Pewsey Vale Garden Produce Association complain that, although in response to the Government's appeal, large quantities of fresh vegetables are being produced on allotments and in village gardens in proximity to the military camps on Salisbury Plain, many of the troops are still being fed from tins; and whether he will consult with the War Office with a view to correcting this state of things?

Consultations are taking place with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War in regard to this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that farmers are at present sending in so many animals for slaughter that there will be a shortage of home-produced animals next spring; and whether he will stop this by indicating to centres how many beasts they are to take so as to secure that a proportion of foreign meat is supplied from cold storage to butchers who at present can only get expensive home-produced meat?

This is the time of the year when home-produced meat is always most plentiful, but I am aware that farmers have been sending in for slaughter more fat animals than usual. For the last two weeks limits have been imposed on the numbers of beasts accepted at the collecting centres, and similar limits will be continued so long as entries are exceptionally heavy. We are continuing to make substantial issues of imported meat.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the provisions of the Government milk scheme will be extended to invalid children not attending school?

My Noble Friend is unable at present to consider the extension of the National Milk Scheme to invalid children of school age not attending school.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will institute an inquiry as to why stocks of imported timber have not been dispersed in comparatively small lots throughout the country seeing that so many timber yards in relatively safe areas have been, and are, empty?

Steps have already been taken to reduce the stocks of timber in vulnerable areas by removal of existing stocks and diversion of fresh supplies. It is, however, essential to keep some timber in these areas ready for urgent current work.

asked the Minister of Supply, whether he is aware that many people engaged in air-raid precautions work desire the use of steel helmets; whether, seeing the supply for such persons is not yet adequate, he will explain how a universal store in Warrington was selling them to the public at 10s. 9d. each; and will he inquire how the supply of such useful articles came into the possession of the sellers?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". Inquiries that have been made in Warrington do not disclose that any firm there now has stocks of steel helmets. A certain number of helmets have been on sale to the public in Warrington and elsewhere within recent months. A number of these, however, were not of service pattern. The Ministry of Supply has now requisitioned for Government purposes all suitable helmets included in wholesalers'. or retailers' stocks, when the number exceeded ten, but it has not proved possible to trace every helmet placed on sale. For a statement on the general question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 19th September to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). An Order was made on 5th October controlling the production of steel helmets.

asked the Minister of Supply the result of salvage work for each Metropolitan borough and for the large cities outside London, respectively, for the month of August, 1940, giving the population in each case?

The following table shows for each of the Metropolitan Boroughs and the larger cities outside London the population and value of the sales of salvaged material for the month of August, 1940. These figures do not include material collected by merchants or voluntary organisations:—

Metropolitan Boroughs.	Population.	Value.
		£
Battersea	141,000	483
Bermondsey	97,240	445
Bethnal Green	92,910	316
Camberwell	229,300	430
Chelsea	39,800	137
Deptford	95,460	545
Finsbury	56,960	299
Fulham	137,700	629
Greenwich	95,770	568
Hackney	180,000	922
Hammersmith	125,100	131
Hampstead	70,000	692
Holborn	34,350	317
Islington and	295,400	1,235
Stoke Newington	50,350

Metropolitan Boroughs.	Population.	Value.
		£
Kensington	130,000	1,667
Lambeth	272,800	1,139
Lewisham	229,000	758
London, City of	10,808	411
Paddington	110,000	644
Poplar	134,400	769
St. Marylebone	97,627	786
St. Pancras	138,000	698
Shorditch	84,000	345
Southwark	171,659	453
Stepney	210,000	656
Wandsworth	353,110	893
Westminster City of	129,579	1,451
Woolwich	150,000	358
	3,962,323	£18,177

The corresponding totals for previous months were:

June	£11,214
July	£17,350

Large Cities outside London.	Population.	Value.
		£
Glasgow	1,131, 600	18,036
Birmingham	1,048,000	11,318
Liverpool	855,000	6,347
Manchester	733,000	6,376
Sheffield	520,000	5,386
Leeds	494,000	4,605
Edinburgh	475,500	6,414
Bristol	413,000	3,256
Total	5,669,600	£61,738

The corresponding totals for previous months were:

June	£45,805
July	£57,143

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the explanation of the recent ringing of church bells in Oxford?

The order to ring the bells was given owing to a misunderstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, in what manner do the services of a pilot-sergeant in charge of aircraft in action differ from that of a commissioned officer similarly engaged?

There is no practical difference. The hon. Member will however appreciate that the actual piloting of an aircraft in action, while admittedly the most important part, is still only part of the duties and responsibilities of officer and airman pilots.

asked the Minister of Information, when the North Midland Regional Committee of Information was established; how many times it has met since it was set up; and the dates when the meetings have been held?

I presume the Honourable Member has in mind the Regional Advisory Committee for the North Midland Region. This committee held its inaugural meeting on 4th June, 1940, when it decided to meet quarterly, having deputed a small sub-committee to meet as occasion demanded for the purpose of transacting current routine business. The second meeting of the full committee was held on September 20th, and the committee then decided to hold regular monthly meetings.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will show for each regional office, the names, ages, appointments held, previous positions and salaries, respectively, of all persons now employed at £250 per annum and upwards; and indicating which of these officers were entrants from the Central Register of the Minister of Labour prior to their selection?

I should be grateful if the Honourable Member would get in touch with the Secretary to the Ministry of Information in order that the records at the Ministry may be produced for his inspection. It would not appear worth while for information of this sort to be published at great length in the OFFICIAL REPORT in present circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the policy of the Government regarding the holding of competitive examinations for entrance to the Civil Service during the war?

Competitive examinations for entry to the Civil Service have been suspended since the outbreak of war, and under present conditions I can see no hope of their resumption.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, taking the Ministry of Supply, the Admiralty and the War Office, he will state the number of higher clerical officers, clerical officers, chief superintendents and superintendents of typists, shorthand-typists, typists, established and temporary, and clerks in each grade, men and women respectively, employed in headquarters establishments, respectively, at these Ministries; and the number of departmental clerks in each grade, shorthand-typists and typists established and temporary., respectively, clerical assistants and clerks in each grade, men and women, respectively, employed in any out-stations of these Ministries as at the most recent convenient date?

Considerable inquiry would be necessary to obtain the desired information, and I do not feel justified in undertaking this in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will arrange for at least one person with scientific qualifications to be appointed to the Inter-Departmental Commitee on Salvage, with the object of providing useful advice on the conversion and utilisation of waste matter in the light of recent scientific and technical developments?

The Inter-Departmental Committee on Salvage at their meeting on 5th September appointed as technical adviser Mr. J. C. Dawes, O.B.E., M.I.Mech.E., who for many years has been Public Cleansing and Salvage Inspector in the Ministry of Health. Mr. Dawes, who was chief technical adviser to the National Salvage Council in the last war, is specially qualified to provide useful advice on the conversion and utilisation of waste matter. In addition, the services of the Director of Scientific Research of the Ministry of Supply are available to this Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport why the pier authorised by him to be built at Putney last autumn has not been built; and whether, having regard to recent events, he will arrange for landing-places to be provided at this and other necessary points forthwith?

As my hon. Friend knows, the proposal for a pier at Putney was considered in connection with the casualty service and rejected on merits. I fear that the extent to which the existing river passenger service is used by the public does not warrant its extension. Lack of patronage and difficulties of operation may even make it necessary to discontinue it altogether.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that at the present time passengers wishing to spend holidays at Bournemouth and other South Coast resorts are in many cases allowed to make the journey from Waterloo only to be turned back on reaching their destination; and whether he will arrange for a clear instruction to be exhibited to all passengers at the London terminal station with regard to such prohibitions as now exist?

Notices are already exhibited at all railway stations drawing attention to the restrictions on pleasure travel in various areas and giving a list of the stations serving those areas.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make further inquiries to establish whether the railway staffs are using freely enough the latitude that has been given them to allow sailors, soldiers and airmen in overcrowded trains to use unoccupied first-class accommodation where available?

The Railway Executive Committee have assured me that railway staffs have been carefully instructed in this sense. Members of the Forces are allowed to use available first class seats when third class accommodation is fully occupied.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he has yet been able to make arrangements with the Railway Executive Committee to ensure that sailors, soldiers and airmen travelling long distances by ordinary trains shall be able to obtain food and drink in all restaurant cars and buffet cars at prices within their means?

The increase in the number of kitchen cars and staff which the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion would involve is impracticable under present conditions. The needs of members of the Armed Forces are being met by canteens and refreshment rooms, and those travelling long distances are, therefore, able to obtain food and drink at stations where stops are made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the desirability of taking down the derelict railway bridge at Rochester, which should provide a quantity of useful war material?

It is true that one of the railway bridges at Rochester is not at present in use, but it is capable of use for either rail or pedestrian traffic if required, and I do not consider that it would be wise, in existing circumstances, to demolish it.

asked the Minister of Transport, what facilities are available for motor-driving tests in the East Riding of Yorkshire; and the conditions under which a person with a provisional licence may drive a motor-car?

Driving tests have been generally suspended, and provisional licence holders may drive without conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, on the occasions when passengers on omnibuses are asked to alight and take shelter during an air-raid, they are compelled when they again board the vehicle to pay their fare again; and whether he will arrange with the London Passenger Transport Board that passengers who possess tickets should be permitted to travel on any vehicle going in their direction?

The Board's instructions on this point are that, in the circumstances stated in my hon. Friend's Question, the passenger may without further payment continue to his destination by any other omnibus on the same route or on any other route that will serve. The attention of the staff has once more been drawn to these instructions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether it is proposed to grant an increased cost of living bonus to Royal Marine police employed at Rosyth and other dockyards, and thus place them on an equality with the regular police?

Although no cost of living bonus is paid to the Royal Marine Police, constables of this force have this year been granted increases of pay totalling 5s. 3d. a week, and sergeants and inspectors an increase of 3s. 6d. a week.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can make any statement on the position with regard to the Burma Road, in view of the new agreement between the Axis Powers and Japan?

I would ask the honourable Member to await the statement which is to be made by the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that presents sent by parcel post and greeting cards by letter mail from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are returned to the senders by the censors with the intimation that the sending of such to Northern Ireland is not allowable; and whether he will put a stop to this practice?

I would refer the hon. Member's attention to the answer I gave him on 7th August.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will see that in future in official broadcasts the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is given his correct Ministerial designation?

When the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs broadcast on 10th and 24th July the introductory announcements of his talks gave his correct Ministerial designation in accordance with B.B.C. practice. Short preliminary references to call attention to such talks are, however, included in previous news bulletins and in such references abbreviated forms are often used. I may add that I am informed by the B.B.C. that no representations whatever have been made by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the official policy that the number of pigs in this country must, owing to the shortage of feeding-stuffs, be drastically reduced, whether such contemplated reduction is two-thirds; and whether this reduction has taken into consideration the amount of food obtained from the collection of swill, and the use of such by-products as beechmast.

It is estimated that the quantity of feeding-stuffs available for pigs during the winter of 1940/41 may not exceed one-third of the quantity normally used for that purpose before the war. This calculation excludes swill, farm and garden waste and other bulky foods. To the extent that these are used to supplement the supplies of concentrates the numbers of pigs kept should be more than one-third of pre-war.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he is aware of the large acreage of land in Essex capable of utilisation for food production, but covered with bracken, thistles or weeds; and whether he will put a representative of his Ministry in touch with the local agricultural committee and make immediate investigation so that all such available land shall be utilised?

The Essex War Agricultural Executive Committee, in consultation with the Ministry's District Land Commissioner, is giving unremitting attention to the question of bringing into cultivation areas of uncultivated land in the county which are capable of producing crops within a reasonable time. If the honourable member will indicate the particular locality which he has in mind, I shall be glad to inquire specially into the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, the approximate price of basic slag in any specified locality before the Government subsidy was announced and the corresponding price at this date; whether the subsidy is paid to the farmer or to the merchant; and whether he has imposed on merchants any requirement that they should clearly quote the price less the subsidy?

The prices of basic slag supplied under the Land Fertility Scheme have to be approved by Ministers. Typical ex works prices before the Land Fertility Scheme was announced were 20S.; 37s.; and 495. 6d. a ton for the lowest, medium and highest grades respectively. These were reduced by agreement between the parties concerned, the corresponding prices at the outbreak of war being 19s.; 35s.; and 46s. 6d. Small increases to allow for war-time rises in the cost of fuel, bags, etc., have since been approved, and the present corresponding prices are 21s. 9d.; 37s. 9d. and 49s. 3d. Exchequer contribution is pa id to the farmer, or, if the farmer so directs in writing, to the supplier. The approved procedure requires merchants to invoice the slag at the net delivered price for cash actually charged to the farmer. Payment of the Exchequer contribution is made as a separate transaction after the details entered on the prescribed application form submitted by the farmer have been carefully checked by the Land Fertility Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the importance of maintaining a good crop of sugar-beet this year, he will see to it that contract terms are announced well in advance, so that farmers may have a sufficient opportunity of planning their cropping?

Sugar beet prices for 1941 were announced at the middle of September, and I am sending copies of the relevant announcements to my hon. Friend. Contract forms will be distributed to growers on 9th October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether farmers will be required to provide continuous employment during the coming winter for agricultural workers who are prevented from obtaining other employment by the Restriction of Engagements Order?

The Government expects farmers to continue to employ all the labour required to secure the greatest possible production of food on each farm. County War Agricultural Executive Committees have power to serve compulsory directions on farmers as to the cultivation, management and use of agricultural land. I reminded them recently that I expected them to use those powers wherever necessary. I have no doubt that practically the whole of the existing agricultural labour force can be found useful employment in the land throughout the winter, either at their normal duties or important maintenance and improvement works. But if any men fall out of employment and cannot be quickly reabsorbed the arrangements made with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service provide that the employment Exchanges will endeavour to find alternative employment for them in other industries.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, ill view of the increased cost of living, he will consider increasing the pensions and any allowances paid in respect of persons disabled in the war of 1914–1918?

No, Sir. The cost of living to-day is still considerably lower than that upon which the rates of compensation provided by the Royal Warrant of 1919 and corresponding instruments were based.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the delay in payment for contracts entered into by his Department; and whether he will give instructions that accounts are to be promptly settled?

I am aware that there have on occasions been delays in payment of accounts; instructions have however now been issued to the effect that contractors, who claim it, are to be paid a substantial part of the price on dispatch of the goods. This amounts to as much as 95 per cent. when the final price has been fixed. The balance is payable when the goods have been checked against invoice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many supplementary pensions were granted in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Greenock, respectively; how many

(1)				(2)
Local Authority Area.				Number of persons in receipt of public assistance (outdoor and in institutions, but excluding persons in receipt of medical relief only, vagrants, lunatics and mental defectives) for the week ended
				3rd August.			10th August.
				Persons.	Dependants.	Total.	Persons.	Dependants.	Total.
Glasgow	…	…	…	44,599	28,546	73,145	29,118	25,129	54,247
Edinburgh	…	…	…	8,356	3,968	12,324	5,525	3,873	9,398
Dundee	…	…	…	4,342	2,197	6,539	2,154	1,854	4,008
Aberdeen (Burgh)		…	…	2,671	2,125	4,796	1,773	1,903	3,676
Greenock	…	…	…	1,886	1,226	3,112	1,104	1,101	2,205

(1)				(3)
Local Authority Area				* Estimate of annual relief to local rates consequent on the operation of Part II of the Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act. 1940.
				Amount.	Rate per £
				£
Glasgow	…	…	…	377,475	8·1d.
Edinburgh	…	…	…	49,325	1·9d.
Dundee	…	…	…	26,523	4·1d.
Aberdeen (Burgh)		…	…	11,656	1·7d.
Greenock	…	…	…	11,368	4·7d.
* In making these estimates, account has been taken of the sums payable to the Secretary of State under Section 16 of the Act in respect of the relief afforded to the authorities by Part II of the Act.

persons were in receipt of public assistance for the week before the grant of supplementary pensions, and how many for the week after such grant, respectively, in each case; and the equivalent consequent prospective diminution in the rates expressed in total amount, and as a rate per£ respectively?

The following figures give the numbers of supplementary pensions granted in the Assistance Board's administrative areas up to and including 16th August, 1940:—

Glasgow 1 District (Excluding Dumbarton)	24,848
Edinburgh 1 and Leith Areas	4,801
Dundee 1 Area	2,681
Aberdeen Area	5,100
Greenock Area	1,136

The following table gives the information asked in the second and third parts of the Question:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make regarding the 391 persons registered as unemployed in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry in the Greenock area as at 15th July, 1940?

The number of persons in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry registered at Greenock as unemployed continues to fall. The figure of 391 at 15th July, which represented a reduction of 100 as compared with a month earlier, fell to 342 at 12th August. This figure, which covers unemployed persons in all occupations attached to the industry, included a large proportion of labourers and persons engaged in ancillary occupations as well as of elderly persons. The reduction in the numbers unemployed is due in some measure to the activities of the Local Panel composed of representatives of employers and workpeople which has been engaged in reviewing the men in the main shipbuilding occupations on the register with a view to getting them reabsorbed into employment.

asked the Postmaster-General, to what extent the sorting and despatch of mails cease during the period of air-raid warnings; and whether he proposes to alter these arrangements?

The staff in many sorting offices are in exposed positions and originally the general practice was for the indoor staff to take refuge when a public warning was given. On the other hand the work of conveying mails to and from the railway stations and of loading them on to the trains was as a rule continued. I am glad to say that arrangements are now operating under which the ordinary work of the Post Office Departments is carried on, as far as possible, until danger appears imminent.

asked the Postmaster-General the instructions given to the staffs of all post offices in the country with regard to taking shelter in air-raids; whether such taking shelter is compulsory; and, if so, whether, in view of the orders given to industrial organisations to carry on until the guns begin over- head, he will take new steps to avoid chaos such as the delay in telegrams for 24 hours which is arising in the handling of Post Office business?

Originally the practice was for the Post Office staff, with certain exceptions, to take refuge when a public warning was given. This practice has been discontinued and arrangements are now operating under which the ordinary work of the Post Office Departments is carried on, as far as possible, until danger appears imminent.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in any reconstruction work which may be carried out by his Department, he will consider adopting in all important centralised cases the principle of underground instead of overhead offices?

Yes, Sir, this possibility will be considered.

asked the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the continuous complaints being made as to the delay in the delivery of letters from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, he will take steps at once to see that these letters are delivered within a reasonable time?

Apart from the fact that letters to Northern Ireland have to pass through the censorship, the recent air raids, particularly in the London area, have unavoidably caused delays in the sorting and conveyance of letters. Work in sorting offices is, as far as possible, now carried on during air raids until danger appears imminent, and other adjustments have been made to meet the present situation.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take steps so to amend the Emergency Powers Act as to prevent a motor-car used for business purposes being seized by the hirer on account of default in payment of due instalments where such default was caused by war circumstances?

The circumstances to which the hon. Member refers are covered by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts if the contract is made before the commencement of the war.

asked the President of the Board of Education, which local education authorities have appointed persons to be specially responsible for facilitating out-of-school activities for boys and girls between 14 and 18 years of age; and whether he is encouraging authorities to make such appointments?

I am unable to give a complete list of the local education authorities who have appointed organisers to further the development of the Service of Youth in their areas, but a number of authorities are known to have already done so, e.g. Cornwall, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Notts., Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, East Sussex, Barnsley, Barrow, Birmingham, Chester, Coventry, Exeter, Oxford, Rochdale, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland. In some areas this work is, I understand, being undertaken by the secretary of the local Youth Committee, whilst in others it is being undertaken by the authority's organiser of Physical Training. Every encouragement is given to authorities by my Department to proceed with the appointment of organisers for their Youth work.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether Auxiliary Fire Service men between the ages of 25 and 30 years are to be called up for military service in the near future or whether they are to be retained in their present jobs where their experience and training are at present of special value to the nation?

Under an arrangement made in June last the men to whom my hon. Friend refers will not, in so far as their services are considered essential for the maintenance of local civil defence schemes, be called up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act during the present calendar year. The matter will be reviewed towards the end of the year in the light of the situation at that time.