asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he will make provision for immunisation of members of the Home Guard against tetanus on the same lines followed with benefit in the Army.

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the new Army educational plan is, as was promised, on the lines of the Gorell scheme; and whether the education will thus be available for all ranks wherever serving.

The new Army education plan is being carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Haining Committee whose terms of reference-were, inter alia, to draw up a scheme for the further education of the Army in subjects other than military, having regard, in particular, to the greater variety of needs of the war-time, as opposed to the peacetime, Army, and to the different conditions under which they are serving. The substance of the committee's report is contained in a pamphlet "Education in the War-Time Army," of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. It is intended to provide educational facilities for troops, wherever serving, according to the local demands and possibilities, and arrangements to this end have already been made for contingents serving overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he is making arrangements for troops stationed in Iceland to have a reasonable supply of comforts during their stay in that remote station?

Yes, Sir. The troops have been supplied with a very large number of games, gramophones, wireless sets, articles of woollen clothing, books and magazines. A concert party has already been sent and it is hoped that others will follow. A mobile cinema has also been supplied. Arrangements have been made for a daily broadcast programme of one hour's duration especially for the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue a statement showing the number of traffic accidents in the different commands in which Army drivers were involved during the most recent period for which figures are available?

I regret that I am unable to give my hon. Friend the information for which he asks, as no records of these traffic accidents have been compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to allow the transfer to London, to aid in demolition and clearance work, members of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps who were recruited in London and whose services at home and overseas are not now an urgent necessity; and to arrange that, when the transfer takes place, members separately recruited from each of the London boroughs are allocated to their home boroughs, in order that they may carry out their duties with the minimum of inconvenience and the maximum of economy, until such time as they are required for more important work in the Army?

A number of companies has been temporarily withdrawn from work in other places and moved to the London district. It is necessary to maintain complete companies, and I regret that it is not practicable for men to be specially detailed for work near their own homes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will see that the 6d. increase made in the men's pay is extended to boys or young men who are serving in the Army.

The considerations governing the grant of war pay to soldiers are not considered to apply to enlisted boys, and it is not proposed to extend the emolument to them. They will become entitled to war pay when they reach the age of 17½ years (or thereafter) on their qualifying as tradesmen, or, in any case, at the age of 18 years.

asked the Minister of Information the names, salaries and previous occupations of members of the staff engaged in the religious division of the Ministry.

The names, salaries and previous occupations of the members of the Division are at present as follow:

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will consider the advisability of including in the work of the building research station for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research sociological and economic research, and of research on the planning of buildings with a view to a more general treatment of all the problems involved.

I do not think that there would be justification for attempt- ing to modify the present division of functions between the administrative and the scientific departments.

asked the Minister of Information what is the objection to publishing the names of civilians who are admitted to have shown exceptional courage during air raids such as, for instance, the three people who were killed in a shelter while successfully shielding with their bodies two children against enemy attack.

There is no objection in principle to the publication of names of civilians who perform deeds of heroism during air raids. In certain exceptional cases, however, the publication of such names in conjunction with other details might provide the enemy with useful information as to the precise points where bombs have fallen and cannot therefore be permitted to appear in print immediately. As soon as it is possible to release such names, this is done. In an incident, which I assume to be the one to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers but when four people not three were killed the names of all concerned were published.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider broadcasting the position of enemy aircraft 24 hours a day on a special wave-length in order that factory managers and workers can have more reliable information of their whereabouts.

I have been asked to reply. I am afraid that the hon. Member's proposal is quite impracticable. It is hoped, however, that the end he has in mind will be achieved by other methods now under investigation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is further expediting facilities for the release of internees who come within already prescribed categories; whether he contemplates increasing the number of categories and how many applications and releases have been made to date.

Every effort is made to authorise the release without delay of any internee as soon as my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the case falls within one of the categories. My right hon. Friend has approved certain extensions of the existing categories which have been recommended by the Asquith Committee and a revised White Paper is now with the printers. No statistics are kept of the number of applications made for release. According to the latest available statistics about 5,200 persons have been released since the issue of the White Paper.

asked the Minister of Health, whether, in the rebuilding which has been necessitated by the destruction by enemy aircraft, every endeavour will be made for the retention of the small house and fair-sized backyard wherever possible, as opposed to flats which do not lend themselves so much to home life.

I can assure my hon. Friend that when rebuilding becomes possible the question of the most appropriate forms of dwelling will receive careful consideration in the light of all the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the need for attendance of trained nurses at emergency rest centres and public air-raid shelters; and what action is contemplated.

I have arranged, with the co-operation of the London County Council and the metropolitan boroughs, for the attendance of a trained nurse or other person of appropriate experience at all emergency rest centres, and am now taking similar action regarding large air-raid shelters in London.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that artificer apprentices are not sharing in the increase of pay recently granted to men of the Royal Navy; and whether he proposes to grant these artificer apprentices an appropriate increase.

The war bonus of 6d. a day was settled for the three fighting services with a view to assisting the men to meet the extra cost of such items as beer, tobacco and postage. The extension of this bonus to boys was not considered necessary. Any alteration in that decision would need to be settled in relation to all three Services. Artificer apprentices all serve in training establishments so that there is no invidious distinction between them and active service ratings of a similar age.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now publish full details of the financial agreement between the Government and the railway companies, with a view to removing misconception?

The agreement is now in draft and under consideration by the parties. It will be necessary to take into account recent developments, including the statement made by the Prime Minister on 8th October regarding the Government's plan for dealing with war damage. I regret, therefore, that I am not yet in a position to say when the agreement will be published. I am not aware that there is any ground for misconception as to the arrangements published in outline in Command Paper 6168.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that the rest and food arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of serving soldiers at the chief stations on the Southern Railway are adequate; and whether, in this connection, he is aware of the complaints by men in the services of the high prices charged in the restaurant cars?

I have been asked to reply. The provision of rest and refreshment rooms at most stations used to any large extent by troops has been completed; at others, it is proceeding. When the work is all completed, I do not think there will be any ground for complaint. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke) on 8th October.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider the cancellation of the recent National Service driving licence, which was previously available on payment of 5s. for 12 months, as far as it affects those still using their cars for work of national importance?

There is no need to reconsider the cancellation of the National Service driving licence, because a new Defence Regulation prolongs provisional driving licences issued on and after 18th October to 12 months. The fee is 5s. and no conditions are attached to the licence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the position of livestock farmers who are dependent on the purchase of feeding-stuffs to maintain their cattle, sheep and pigs during the winter months; and whether he will give an assurance that such farmers will either be able to obtain an ample supply of such feeding-stuffs at reasonable prices or that they will be able to obtain more remunerative prices for their livestock?

The position of all classes of livestock farmers was fully considered before the Government's livestock and feeding stuffs policy was settled. The ploughing-up campaign was designed in part to lessen the dependence of livestock producers on purchased feeding-stuffs, and this dependence should be further reduced by more economical methods of feeding and the fuller use of waste materials and the produce of the farm generally. I have indicated that supplies of concentrates available for pig production may be no more than one-third of peace-time quantities, and farmers were warned last June to reduce their pig production accordingly. I hope that imports of feeding-stuffs together with the increased home production and the reserves accumulated during the summer, will be sufficient to enable farmers to maintain milk production and to fatten and carry through the winter normal numbers of beef cattle and sheep. The existing Schedule of prices for livestock and livestock products is designed to give farmers an adequate return at prevailing costs of production. With a view to assisting farmers to plan ahead, with greater security, and in the absence of any material and substantial change in the relevant conditions, prices of the principal feeding-stuffs are being stabilised at their existing levels until 30th September, 1941.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the recent heavy bombing of farmers on the Kent coast has resulted in a heavy loss of livestock and other farm animals; and whether he will consider what steps can be taken to replace this stock either by grant or loan to enable farmers to carry on?

I am aware that there has been some loss of livestock from enemy action in Kent. As regards the second part, the question of insurance of livestock and other farmers' property against the risk of war damage is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that by the holding up of flax and tow on the part of his Ministry the mills in Northern Ireland have seriously suffered and unemployment been increased; and whether he will release immediately more flax and tow in order that additional employment may be provided?

Since the German occupation of the Low Countries, the supplies of flax and tow available have been insufficient to keep the flax spinning industry fully employed. The arrangements to spread the supplies which were available were in the interests of the industry as a whole. Additional quantities of flax and tow will, however, be released to Northern Ireland during each of the months October, November and December.

asked the Minister of Supply, whether, in connection with the accumulation of dumps in villages and townships of scrap metal and waste, which has been going on for some time, lie will take steps to ensure that these dumps are moved to some regional centre at regular intervals, and not allowed to remain in the villages and townships for an indefinite period?

asked the Minister of Supply, whether he is aware of the growing public dissatisfaction over the non-collection of metal waste especially salvaged at his request; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the existing arrangements?

These dumps are in effect reserves for future use, and should be thought of as such. They are evidence of the excellent response that has been given by the public to the appeals made. At the same time I recognise that discouragement may well arise through these reserves not being moved to central depots at regular intervals, and I am now considering what steps can be taken at once with this end in view.

asked the Minister of Supply, whether he is aware that there is it. Scotland an abundant supply of raw material available for the making of substitute but thoroughly serviceable esparto paper; that there is considerable unemployment in the mills making this paper owing to the erroneous belief that there is a shortage of such paper resulting in a limiting of licences for the supply thereof; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the public are made aware of the plentiful supply of esparto paper in Scotland, and to increase the quantities licensed for use?

I understand that substitute materials for esparto, especially straw, are available in quantities greater than the existing plant can handle. Licences are readily granted for paper made from these substitutes and also for the export of any surplus production over home requirements. The attention of consumers has been drawn to this type of paper and I am considering what further steps can be taken to encourage its production.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether in view of the substantial Canadian exchange profit by shipments of Jamaican sugar to that Dominion, he will arrange for the exchange authority in Jamaica to take a more broadminded view in regard to the purchase from Canada of commodities indispensable to sugar production, at present unobtainable in this country.

The Canadian dollar resources under the control of His Majesty's Government, which include those earned by sales of Colonial produce, are strictly limited and must be used to the best advantage to promote our war effort. It is not compatible with this overriding consideration to give specially favourable consideration to a particular Colonial sugar industry, because its sugar goes to Canada and not, as does most Colonial sugar, to this country. The authorities in Jamaica, as in other Colonies, have instructions to make exchange available to pay for any supplies which it is essential to import from Canada.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he will now set free from Sarafend and Altilit camps the refugees from Central Europe who were able to get illegally into Palestine; and how many such there still are, particularly men able to fight.

The number of illegal immigrants detained at Altilit is 356, and they are not yet due for release. A number of them are between the ages of 18 and 45 but they are of undetermined nationality, and the military authorities consider their enlistment undesirable at the present time.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, what new factory industries have been started in Palestine since the war began; and to what extent they are being assisted or financed by Government loans.

Several new factories have been started in Palestine since the beginning of the war. Most of them are small and they include the following branches of industry: Foodstuffs 5; Textile and clothing 3 (including a spinning mill for cotton, cotton waste and wool); Metal and machinery 4 (including a steel works making malleable tool steel and tools); Leather 1; Medical supplies 3; Chemicals 2 and Miscellaneous 5. These factories have been started by private enterprise and are not financed by Government loans.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the sole obstacle to recruiting Jews in Palestine into combatant units in the British Army is an objection on their part to serving wherever required and not solely in Palestine; and, if not, what other difficulty has arisen?

I have been asked to reply. I have received no information as to any objections or difficulties in this matter.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he will consider the desirability of issuing from time to time complete lists of mercantile marine casualties suffered, on the same lines as the lists of casualties issued for the Army, Navy and Air Force?

I have decided to issue from time to time complete lists of the names of the members of the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets who lose their lives owing to enemy action. I hope that the first list, covering approximately the first six months of the war, will he issued this week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether adequate arrangements have been made to adjust and increase the allocation of food to areas where there has been an influx of evacuees; and whether he will make a statement?

Adjustments in the supplies of rationed commodities to meet changes in population are easily made through the local food office machinery. The adjustment of supplies of unrationed commodities is more difficult, but the food trades are aware generally of fluctuations in population, and supplies are adjusted by them to the needs of the situation as rapidly as possible. The Ministry's officers assist wherever possible to secure this end.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, what steps he proposes to take to introduce some form of independent tribunal which will ensure that justice is done to all the interests affected by the new Milk Marketing Order.

I would refer to the answer given on 15th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Frome (Mrs. Tate).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that a recent Report of the Wartime Social Survey, issued with the authority of the Ministry of Information, indicates that at least 66 per cent. of all classes of the population eat brown bread, and that this would be increased if the cost of brown bread were reduced to the level of white bread; and whether he will reconsider the arrangements for provision of a national loaf and adopt a war-bread more in accordance with expert opinion.

No, Sir. The sample inquiry to which my hon. Friend refers only covered selected districts in London and one provincial city. The percentage of those questioned who had purchased a brown loaf in the previous week varied in different districts between 38 per cent. and 65 per cent. In only 11 per cent. of the cases was price given as a reason for purchasing white bread instead of brown. The answer to the latter part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that it was the normal peace-time practice of many investment trust companies to carry substantial dollar loans as a hedge against exchange risks on their dollar investments; whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the foreign exchange control to permit certain of such companies to receive in dollars part of the purchase price of their dollar investments requisi- tioned by the Treasury, so as to enable them to repay their dollar loans; whether it is his policy to encourage the repay-merit by such companies of their dollar debt; and whether he will request the exchange control to reconsider its attitude.

I consider it desirable dui outstanding dollar liabilities against which securities are pledged should be liquidated, and permission for the sale of such securities, if not yet vested, for the purpose is normally forthcoming. I am not, however, prepared to pay dollars for securities acquired by the Treasury under a vesting order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Miinstry of Aircraft Production if he will suggest to the competent Soviet Russian authorities that it might be in their interest to accept an offer of a conducted tour of the various dumps of wrecked German aircraft scattered throughout this country with a view to such expert note being taken of the types of machines so dealt with and for any other reason they may consider worth while?

There are a large number of wrecked German aircraft on exhibition throughout the country. Should representatives of the Soviet or any other Government represented at the Court of St. James's wish to see them, I should be glad to arrange any assistance they might desire.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he will ask the British Minister in China to report on the estimated number of casualties to defenceless civilians in China caused through enemy air action?

My noble Friend is doing his best to secure the latest information on civilian air raid casualties in China.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has had any town planning schemes submitted to him since the start of the war; and whether he can give both the details and his decisions, especially in view of the fact that owing to the preoccupation of everybody concerned, such schemes should fitly be postponed until the war ends?

Nine planning schemes have been submitted to me since the outbreak of war. No local inquiry has been held or other formal action taken with a view to the approval of any of these schemes and none is proposed in existing circumstances.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is aware that many persons who have lost their homes as a result of enemy action have had to move into other homes covered by a supply of electricity from the County of London Electricity Supply Company, Limited, who, before they will supply current are demanding substantial deposits, not for the instalment of any apparatus, but in the form of payment in advance; and, in view of the hardship entailed, whether he will take action to prohibit this practice and call on the company to extend sympathy and understanding in these cases of hardship?

The smaller types of houses and flats are usually fitted with prepayment meters, and the question of deposit does not arise. In other cases where new tenants are unknown to the company and receive supplies on a basis of payment at the end of the quarter, the company has a right to demand a deposit which varies from £1 to £3 according to the size of the premises. The rule as to deposits was relaxed for some time, but a large amount of had debts accumulated and it has been found necessary to reinstate it. I am informed that the company is acting reasonably in the exercise of their rights and has not only extended sympathy and understanding in cases of hardship but waived debts due to the company. If my hon. Friend has in mind any specific cases of alleged hardship I shall be happy to investigate them.