asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that air-raid precautions wardens, some of them enrolled as far back as 1938, have very little equipment, and when these wardens are likely to have the necessary full equipment, in particular steel helmets and civilian duty respirators, provided?

No wardens on the authorised establishment of local authorities should be without the necessary authorised equipment, for full issues have been made, including steel helmets and civilian duty respirators, to all local authorities. Additional supplies are being made available as rapidly as possible to provide for a margin above the establishment authorised.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases of intentional and unnecessary machine-gunning of civilians by enemy air gunners which have hitherto been recorded in this country?

Up to 15th September there were 26 recorded cases of enemy aircraft machine-gunning civilians in this country, and several cases have occurred since.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will have a national test of gas-masks similar to that arranged at Brighton?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there have been a number of cases where goods have been stolen and premises ransacked of householders who have been bombed with their houses destroyed, resulting in the loss of all they possess, and when such cases have come before the court inadequate sentences and fines have been imposed in most cases; and will he take steps to make such an offence a most serious one and punishable by five years or more penal servitude?

To inflict on people whose homes or other premises have been damaged by enemy action additional injury by robbing them of goods which are left exposed as a result of such damage is a most despicable form of crime. Such goods are entitled to a special measure of public protection, and a stern view must be taken of such thefts. A Defence Regulation was made in July last authorising the imposition of the gravest penalties, including the death penalty, on persons convicted on indictment of such offences, and another Defence Regulation is about to be made increasing from three months to twelve months the sentences of imprisonment which can be imposed by courts of summary jurisdiction. Amongst the cases which come before the courts are some where special considerations arise, such as cases of pilfering by children, and my right hon. Friend has no information to support the suggestion that, generally speaking, the sentences imposed have been inadequate; but he is proposing to circulate to magistrates copies of this reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider advising all magistrates in future to impose sentence of imprisonment instead of a fine, in all cases of looting private houses damaged in air raids?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson).

asked the Home Secretary whether the need has arisen, in dealing with the effects of enemy air-raids, for forming a mobile labour corps to repair damage at short notice in any locality?

Yes, Sir, and in the London Civil Defence Region a special commissioner has been appointed charged with the duty of co-ordinating and facilitating the work of the authorities responsible for the restoration of roads and public utility services damaged by enemy action and with the duty of organising the clearance and salvage of debris. A special national organisation has not so far been found necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange to give wider publicity to the existing laws and procedure to be followed when house property sustains war damage?

As I stated on 17th September in reply to a Question on the subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery) I have issued to local authorities, for circulation, a leaflet describing the assistance available to those who have suffered from air-raid damage. The leaflet includes information about the repair of damage to property. This leaflet has also been given publicity in the Press.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of war conditions, he will consider an amendment of the provisions of the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, so as to enable a local authority to render damaged houses fit for occupation, irrespective of whether there exists in the district a shortage of housing accommodation?

As I stated in a recent circular to local authorities, I hope shortly to seek leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939. Among the amendments I have in mind is one which will make it unnecessary for a local authority to have regard to the housing position in its district before carrying out first-aid repairs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the arrange-merits made with, or authority given, to the county borough of West Ham to re-house within the borough people who are rendered homeless as a result of enemy air action; and whether the local authority, in consultation with the inspector from his Ministry, can have some determination as to the cost of renovation of present empty houses and the rental to be charged when such premises are not controlled by the Rent Restrictions Acts?

The county borough council of West Ham have the same powers of requisitioning property, billeting, etc., for the purpose of housing homeless people as have been given to other local authorities. I am sending the hon. Member copies of circulars which deal with the points he raises.

asked the Minister of Health whether, to conserve the energies of doctors, lie is prepared to repeat at an early date last year's successful appeal to the public to refrain from calling out doctors after black-out, except in cases of urgency?

I am in sympathy with the hon. Member's suggestion. I understand that the appeal of last year was made by the agency of the British Medical Association, who have it in mind to arrange for a similar appeal at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information relative to the burial of air-raid precautions workers at Poplar, who were killed in the execution of their duty; what arrangements were made for their relatives to attend; whether any representatives of local public bodies officially attended the ceremony; and who paid the funeral expenses?

I have made inquiries of the Poplar Borough Council, and I understand that the relatives of the deceased air-raid precaution workers were, in accordance with the usual practiceee, asked whether they wished themselves to arrange for burial. Where no such wish was expressed, the burial was undertaken by the borough council and the relatives were given due notice in writing by the council of the time and place of burial. I am informed that owing to the extreme strain imposed by recent happenings in the borough it has not been possible to arrange for the attendance in an official capacity, of representatives of the borough council but I am sure that it would be the wish of local authorities to make every effort to arrange where practicable for such representation as a mark of respect to those who have been killed. The funeral expenses incurred by the borough council will fall upon public funds.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consult with the Minister of Home Security as to the need for steel helmets and service respirators to be provided for all medical practitioners in actual practice since they must be actively engaged whenever there is an air raid?

I have already been in communication with the Minister of Home Security on this matter and the arrangements under which any medical practitioner may obtain a steel helmet and civilian duty respirator were announced in August. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that statement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the British Medical Association has asked local medical and panel committees to furnish information on civilian war injuries; and whether it is with his authority that this statutory committee, which has limited statutory functions, is obtaining such statistics?

I understand that the information asked for by the British Medical Association relates only to treatment given to insured persons suffering from air-raid injuries. No authority from me is needed to enable the association to obtain this information, and I do not consider that any action on my part is called for.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the Government's appeal to those engaged in the industries suplying essential war requirements to continue working after receiving the alert warning, such worker, and/or their dependants, will receive compensation and/or pensions on the same basis as those serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force?

I am to refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave in this House on 20th August to a Question by the hon. Member for West Bristol (Mr. Culverwell), of which I am sending him a copy. Compensation under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme is payable on the same scale as for a private soldier.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give information as to the number of aliens of A B and C classes interned; the numbers and countries to which they have been transported; the numbers released and those still interned, and the numbers regarded as dangerous; and whether a weekly or monthly return can be made as to the progress of release?

The number of German and Austrian civilians who have been interned in this country is approximately 22,200–1,700 in Category A, 5,000 in Category B, 13,200 in Category C and 2,300 who were not classified by tribunals. Of these 22,200 approximately 4,400 have been transferred to Canada and 2,200 to Australia. Some 4,600 have been released. About 11,000 therefore are still interned in this country. The question how many of these people should be regarded as dangerous is one of opinion and degree and cannot be answered statistically. As regards the last part of the Question I will consider what information can usefully be published from time to time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to arrange for his Department dealing with old age pensions for women and wives of present pensioners to work night shifts in order to expedite the settlement of the large number of outstanding claims, seeing that such delays are inflicting considerable hardship on many elderly people?

There is now no delay in deciding claims for pensions when the necessary evidence of title has been furnished by or on behalf of the claimant. Where the establishment of a claim depends on further evidence from the claimant the decision would not be expedited by the staff of the Department working night shifts.

asked the Prime Minister which Department or Departments are responsible for promoting, so far as may he possible, the interests and welfare of British prisoners of war in enemy hands?

The Government Departments concerned are the three Service Departments and the Foreign Office. In addition to these, the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John has a Prisoners of War Department at St. James's Palace which, with the cordial co-operation of the Government Departments, is concerned with the welfare of British prisoners of war in enemy hands, especially in the matter of despatching food and clothing parcels.

asked the Minister of Health Whether he is aware that, in seaside defence areas, boarding-house pro- prietors, whose business has been ruined by the exclusion of visitors by the military authorities, are being sued by the local authorities for their rates, which they are unable to pay; and if he can yet make any statement as to what help is to be given to these people, both to pay their rates and to live in the meanwhile?

I would refer my lion. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government has taken or will take steps to set a maximum to the expansion of credit by joint stock banks, in order to prevent the vicious spiral by which advances to the Government by the Bank of England become in turn the cash basis on which such joint stock banks may create still further advances for investment by themselves or their clients in Government loans?

The avoidance of an inflationary rise of prices is one of the main considerations which guide our monetary policy. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the amount of credit which can he given by banks at any particular time without incurring the risks to which he refers depends on a variety of circumstances. My right hon. Friend will, of course, bear in mind the considerations to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is not the policy of the Government that subscriptions to war loans should be financed by borrowing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the monopoly enjoyed by the Bank of England in money contracts with the Government it is now proposed to restrict its remuneration for such work to a cost-plus-management fee-basis as in the case of other large Government contractors?

No, Sir. Much of the special work arising out of the war and now performed by the Bank of England for the Government is carried out at cost. For more normal services the Bank receives remuneration according to scales fixed by Acts of Parliament or by Treasury minutes made thereunder and based broadly on cost and on the amount of work done. Further, I would remind my hon. Friend that in the event of the Bank's profit increasing as a result of the war, the Bank is subject to the 100 per cent. Excess Profits Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will request all local authorities concerned to appoint a particular officer, who would be in full-time attendance, to advise applicants immediately on all claims for compensation arising out of damage or loss sustained as the result of enemy action, and particularly those in pecuniary need?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring primarily to claims for advances to persons of limited incomes under the scheme administered by the Assistance Board. The local officer of the Board is always ready to help applicants in making their claims and I do not think that the appointment of a special officer is necessary.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the complaint of the Middlesbrough bankers that 2½ per cent. interest on National War Bonds is insufficient; and what action he proposes to take?

I have been asked to reply. The prospectus of 2½ per cent. National War Bonds was drawn up with the greatest care so as to offer to the investor a security which would give him an appropriate return for an investment of this type having regard to the Government's declared policy of borrowing the money required for the prosecution of the war as economically as possible. I do not propose to take any action.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of school children who were in the reception areas in March, 1940, and the number that are there now, dividing them into the local children and evacuated children?

I have been asked to reply. The number of school children evacuated under the Government scheme who were in the reception areas was approximately 347,000 in March, 1940. and is 426,000 at the present time. I understand from the President of the Board of Education that the total number of school children in reception areas in February, 1940, was 2,037,618 and that no later figures are available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Mr. J. J. Crossfield, a head teacher, was dismissed by the Dorsetshire education authority, in July last, with three months' salary in lieu of notice; that no explanation was given, nor any opportunity of a hearing; whether the Board have obtained any explanation from the authority of the cause of dismissal under Article 18 of the Code and as to what steps were taken to investigate any complaints concerning this teacher; and what steps the Board propose to take under the Grant Regulations in the interests of efficiency and with regard to the declared principle that an employé in the local government service against whom complaint has been made should not be dismissed without a proper investigation and the opportunity of a hearing?

According to my information the facts are substantially as stated in the Question. The termination of the teacher's employment was not on account of misconduct or grave professional default and Article 19 of the Code is not, therefore, applicable. The matter is one of contractual relationship between the authority and the teacher and is outside the purview of my Department.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the shortage of cement for the construction of air-raid shelters around London, at Torquay hundreds of tons of cement is still being used to construct a promenade and bandstand; and whether he will take steps to put this material to a better use?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that the position is as stated. Since it became necessary to control the use of cement I have only authorised the release of 40 tons for works of sea defence at Torquay, in order to enable some progress to be made in making safe work which had already been done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Committee of the Medical Research Council have yet made any recommendations to allow vegetarians to exchange their meat and bacon tickets for an extra allowance of margarine and/or butter?

The position of vegetarians has been carefully considered by the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council. In the light of the restriction in fat rations which came into force in, July last, the committee have advised that no extra fat rations are necessary, and in view of his authoritative opinion my Noble Friend is not prepared to authorise the exchange of coupons as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Sheffield Ambulance Service Committee ordered a motor ambulance, on the 13th January last, which was delivered on the 31st July, and why a licence for this new ambulance had been refused; and that in the event of a serious air raid the chairman of the committee has intimated that he would order the ambulance to be run without the licence having been obtained?

The statement that a licence was refused is incorrect; it was in fact issued on 25th September. Application for the licence to acquire the vehicle was not received until 6th August and no indication was given either by the committee or by the manufacturers that the vehicle had been delivered or was indeed available. Owing to the large excess of applications over the number of vehicles obtainable it was necessary to ascertain that a new vehicle was essential and as soon as this was done and it was made known that the vehicle had been delivered the licence was issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a member of the Home Guard who puts on his uniform during an air raid and turns out to help the civil population, without being ordered to do so, will be considered to he on duty should he receive injury?

A member of the Home Guard can be considered as on duty only when he is performing Home Guard duties in accordance with instructions issued to him by the competent authority. The same rule applies to a soldier on leave, since the latter, if not on military duty, would not be eligible for the benefits of the Ministry of Pensions Warrant. If, however, a Home Guard suffered a war injury in the circumstances stated, he would be eligible for consideration for an award under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, provided that he were a gainfully occupied person.