asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to secure, during winter months, the closing of shops and offices in danger areas early enough to enable employés to reach home and shelter in time before dark?

Careful consideration is being given to the matter in consultation with the interests concerned and I hope to be in a position to make a statement shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet come to a decision in the case of Dr. Flehinger, late master of the Bradford Grammar School, refugee from Dachau Camp, now Class C, interned in the Isle of Man after being permitted to take the above scholastic post by the Board of Education; and can he say why Regulations 8 and 19, Cmd. 6223, have not yet secured this man's release?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the release of Dr. Flehinger has now been authorised.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider setting up family camps for friendly alien internees?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on the 10th and 17th October to similar Questions by the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss).

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether justices have been advised in reference to the transfer of victuallers' licences in cases where the licencee has been interned as an enemy alien;(2) Whether any instructions have been given to licensing justices and the police regarding the renewal of victuallers' licences held by enemy aliens?

No, Sir. I do not consider that any intervention on my part is called for in these matters. I think questions of renewal and transfer of licences can safely be left for the justices to decide in the light of local circumstances, and on the facts of each particular case.

asked the Home Secretary what action has been taken by his Department fully to inform local authorities in the English provinces, Wales and Scotland, of new aspects of civil defence, gained as a result of London's experience?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 20th August to a Question by the hon. Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher).

asked the Home Secretary whether the demolition squads of local authorities and the military could still further be augmented by drafting unemployed miners into those districts that have suffered severe damage?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is anxious that local labour should first be absorbed in dealing with buildings and sites damaged by air raids. The consideration of drafting unemployed miners will be contingent upon future events.

asked the Home Secretary whether builders of private air-raid shelters can now be given sufficient supplies of cement to enable them to carry out definite orders?

I am afraid that the limited supplies of cement which are at present available for air-raid shelter work do not enable the full requirements of builders of private air-raid shelters to be met. The importance of this question is fully appreciated and all possible steps will be taken to provide as much cement as possible for the purposes my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in all cases where private owners of air-raid shelters throw open their premises to the public they have no means of enforcing order since the police state they are not entitled to assist; and whether he will take immediate steps, in the public interest, to ensure that such owners may call in police assistance for such a purpose?

The question has not previously been brought to my notice, but I should be glad if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the difficulties which he has in mind, so that I may consider what steps are necessary in the public interest.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the desirability of evacuating as many as possible of the non-essential population of London, he will relax the present restrictions on the emigration of women between the ages of 16 and 60 to other parts of the British Empire?

Because it may be desirable for many women in present circumstances to leave London, it does not follow that they can make no contribution to the war effort and should be encouraged to leave the country. The present restrictions do not prevent women from accompanying their children overseas.

asked the Minister of Health what public funds are available in reception areas for the purpose of providing shoes and clothing for evacuee schoolchildren; and what are the functions of local authorities in this very urgent matter?

I have recently issued to local authorities a circular which deals very fully with the provision of clothing and boots for evacuated children. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make provision for speedy transit, unimpeded by ordinary traffic regulations, of lorries carrying dangerous loads?

I understand that it is the practice of the police, on being informed that a dangerous load is to be conveyed by road, to give all possible facilities for its unimpeded transit.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement indicating the persons recently convicted of looting, and the sentences imposed; and whether he is satisfied that the fullest possible advantage is taken of the provisions of the Criminal Law to suppress looting?

I regret that the particulars asked for in the first part of the Question are not available. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) on 10th October.

asked the Minister of Pensions why liability under the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, was denied in the case of James Hogan, of 5, Imperial Buildings, Pengam, Glamorgan, a certified air-raid warden, who died whilst on duty as a warden during an air raid and whose death was certified to be due to heart failure and shock; and whether he is aware of the apprehension caused in the minds of wardens in the district by his decision to deny liability?

There is no evidence to show that Mr. Hogan sustained any physical injury arising from enemy action or from the performance of his duties as an air raid warden, and in the circumstances I regret that it is not possible to award his widow a pension.

asked the Minister of Health on what grounds he has refused to allow the charges for a cleaner in air-raid precautions posts in Middlesbrough, in view of the fact that the local emergency committee considers such a cleaner essential?

I am re-examining this question in the light of the representations which I have received and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some Metropolitan borough councils are unable to exercise their powers under the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, to carry out repairs to houses damaged by air raids; that many landlords are unable or unwilling to carry out such repairs; and whether he will take steps to ensure that necessary repairs are rapidly carried out?

I am aware that in certain Metropolitan boroughs there have been delays in the execution of repairs owing to the great extent of the problem to be faced. The urgency of these repairs is fully recognised, and my inspectors have been keeping in close touch with the authorities concerned in order to give them all assistance within their power. The chief difficulty is shortage of skilled labour, and the Government are actively considering the best methods of augmenting the labour available for repairs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties which persons who are air-raid casualties are experiencing owing to the scheme for their treatment being conditional upon their obtaining Form E.M.S. 114 from a hospital; and whether he will review the scheme so as to ensure treatment from their own doctor, if available, without having to report to a hospital and obtaining the special certificate?

I have no reason to believe that there has been any general difficulty in carrying out the scheme to which the hon. Member refers, but I am considering a modification of it in order to meet certain exceptional cases where a visit to a hospital is not practicable.

asked the Minister of Health what were the precise representations made by the Advisory Emergency Hospital Medical Service Committee with regard to changes in the terms of service of the Emergency Medical Service; what is the effect of the changes made; and will they cost more or less than under the original scheme?

I am sending the hon. Member a full transcription of the representations referred to, together with a copy of the circular issued by my Department on 18th October, 1940, which sets out the changes made. The financial effect of the changes will in the main depend on the amount of work falling on the Emergency Hospital Organisation as a result of the further course of the war.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Central Medical War Committee has sought to exercise disciplinary authority over general practitioners; whether the committee has any such authority and, if so, what; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of the attitude adopted by the committee?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the occasion to which he refers, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many areas doctors are unaware of the members of the local medical war committee purporting to represent them and that the secretary of one local medical war committee has refused to give the names and addresses of his committee; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the activities of these committees as meetings are not being held?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I see no reason to intervene as suggested in the second part, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the case in which the secretary is alleged to have refused to disclose the personnel of the committee, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what steps were taken to check the recommendations of the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association for appointments on the Central Medical War Committee; and were any such recommendations not adopted or were they accepted en bloc as submitted?

The constitution of the Central Medical War Committee recommended by the Central Emergency Committee was reviewed as a whole, and as it was found to be widely representative of the profession it was adopted without alteration.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken under Regulation 58A of the Emergency Powers (Defence) General Regulations as regards medical practitioners; who are the senior officers of the Ministry of Health and of the Department of Health for Scotland he has appointed for such purpose; what is their particular experience; what are their other official duties and activities; and will he consider obtaining the co-operation of the Medical Practitioners' Union?

I have been asked to reply. No occasion has so far arisen for the exercise in regard to medical practitioners of the powers referred to by the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service has appointed to be National Service officers for this purpose the Assistant Secretaries of my Department and the Department of Health for Scotland who are responsible for the administration of matters relating to the supply of medical personnel. As regards the last part of the Question, the Government are advised on these matters by the Central Medical War Committee, which, in the opinion of the Government, adequately represents the interests of the medical profession as a whole. I therefore see no reason to invite the views of the Medical Practitioners' Union in particular.

asked the Minister of Health whether local authorities in dealing with properties damaged by enemy action are empowered to carry out all necessary repairs without regard to the limitations implied in the term first aid; and, where local authorities may be unwilling to carry out such powers, if he will give attention to the need of meeting the requirements of small property owners in carrying out their own repairs and enable them to pay contractors for the work performed?

Local authorities are empowered to do the repairs that are necessary to make houses fit for housing purposes. Their powers extend therefore to permanent repairs as well as to those of a temporary nature, but, whereas first-aid repairs will be carried out as speedily as possible, the question whether it is necessary or wise to proceed with more permanent repairs depends on a number of considerations, particularly the possibility of further damage in the immediate future, and the availability of labour and materials. The question of payment for repairs carried out by owners themselves is one of the matters which will fall to be considered under the proposed compensation scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the present difficulties of farmers who have maintained large numbers of livestock but not dairy herds; and whether, in the near future, he anticipates it will be possible to release more feeding-stuffs and pay better prices for such stock?

I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said on this subject during the Debate on the 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, notwithstanding numerous notices and representations over a considerable period from the West Riding War Agricultural Committee, the London and North-Eastern Railway Company still refuse or neglect to have some acres of land at Knowsthorpe Lane, Leeds, cultivated; when the matter was first brought to the notice of his Department; and what steps he is proposing to take to compel cultivation without further delay?

I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for bringing this case to my personal notice. In view of delay I have instructed the County War Agricultural Executive Committee to arrange themselves for the immediate cultivation of the land.

asked the Minister of Health why, in the case of an application for a supplementary pension by Mrs. Mary Powell, 23, MacDonnell Road, Bargoed, she is treated as being an occupant of her son-in-law's household and consequently scaled at 9s. and not 15s., despite the fact that she is, and has been, the tenant for many years and that when the son-in-law was an applicant for unemployment assistance a ruling was given that he lived in a separate household and was paid the lower amount of assistance?

Inquiries are being made and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the average amount of the 1,136 supplementary pensions awarded in the Greenock area up to 16th August, 1940; how many additional supplementary pensions have been awarded in this area since that date; and what is the average of such additional pensions;(2) what was the average amount of the supplementary pension granted in the Greenock area and in the other areas in Scotland, respectively?

The latest available information shows that since 16th August, 121 supplementary pensions have been granted in the Greenock area. I regret that the figures for which my hon. and learned Friend asks showing average weekly amounts are not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is no trade union or labour representative on the Yeovil Old Age Pensions Committee; and whether he will press for the appointment of a representative of the Yeovil Trades Council?

I have no information in regard to the first part of the Question. As regards the latter part, the appointments are made by the borough council, and I have no authority to intervene.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of old age pensioners; the number of applications received for supplementary pensions; how many were granted and how many rejected; and the number still under consideration?

The total number of old age pensioners, including widow pensioners over 60 years of age, in England and Wales and Scotland is approximately 3,350,000. At the beginning of the Supplementary Pensions Scheme about 1,400,000 applications (in some cases covering husbands and wives) were received, on which some 1,200,000 pensioners are receiving assistance. Fresh or repeat applications are being received at the rate of about 14,000 per week, on which on the average about 9,500 supplementary pensions are granted; the remainder being rejected or withdrawn. At any one time the number of cases under consideration is about 15,000, some of which have been received in anticipation of the grant of the old age or widow's pension.

asked the Minister of Labour whether medical boards give attention to the mental health of the men registered for military service, in view of the fact of which he has been informed, that a mental defective has been graded A1 by a medical board?

The investigation of a man's mental condition is an important part of the examination by medical boards and is a matter on which they have recently received further directions on the recommendation of the Medical Advisory Committee under Lord Horder's chairmanship. I am inquiring into the case of which my hon. Friend was good enough to send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons who have been unemployed for a month or more, are physically fit for work, provided work could be found for them?

Panels of the local employment committees, reinforced in certain areas by representatives of trades councils, have been engaged for some time in interviewing men who have been unemployed for one month or more. Complete figures showing the results of this review are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of meetings held by the panels appointed to interview applicants registered on the supplementary registers in the 20 largest towns, giving individual particulars; how many applicants have been interviewed, and how many placed?

Up to 14th September, the number of applicants placed through the supplementary register was 1,973 including 1,425 men and 548 women. The other statistics asked for are not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether the grant to local authorities of 75 per cent. of their war expenditure on venereal disease includes expenditure on education and propaganda?

No, Sir. The grant which I announced in the House is payable towards the capital and maintenance costs of new treatment facilities necessitated by war-time conditions. I have got questions of education under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will cause the present prohibition on the importation of Canadian and American fertilisers into Jamaica to be removed, in view of the fact that such fertilisers are essential to the production of sugar and that it is not possible to obtain supplies in this country?

The question of supplies of fertilisers for the sugar industry has been carefully considered in consultation with the Governors of the Colonies concerned, and, having regard to the actual supply position in the Colonies and the paramount necessity for conserving dollar resources, it has not been found possible to authorise the immediate expenditure of dollars on such fertilisers. The position will, however, be reviewed at a later date when present supplies are nearing exhaustion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government are contemplating any step to help the 2,000 British subjects still on the Riviera, many of whom are destitute; and whether it is possible to make any arrangements for their repatriation?

United States Consuls in unoccupied France have been requested, through the United States authorities, to advance up to £10 a month to British subjects who are in need of financial assistance. They have also been asked to advance money for travelling expenses to enable those able to do so to reach the Spanish frontier. Once they have reached Spanish territory, British consular officers are able to render further assistance. These arrangements must by now be widely known amongst British subjects on the Riviera. The journey back from France must necessarily, in the circumstances prevailing, be an arduous one; but except in the case of men of military age there is, so far as I am aware, nothing to prevent British subjects who are in good health from returning to this country via Lisbon.

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, what provision has been made in the shape of insurance against church buildings being damaged by air attack?

Provision for damage to church buildings is not within the scope of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners' functions. Church buildings enjoy the benefit of the Government scheme of compensation for war damage, and the commissioners know of no additional provision by way of insurance.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will grant permission to Mrs. Cowper Johnson, of 136, High Street, Brentwod, Essex, to carry on her business on the lines she has indicated in a letter written by herself to the Engineer-in-Chief, Radio Branch, General Post Office, Harrogate, on 1st September, 1940, bearing in mind that she is willing herself to pay for any necessary alterations which may be in the interests of security?

Private practitioners are not included among the classes of persons shown in the Control of High Frequency Apparatus Order, 1940, as eligible for permits to possess high frequency apparatus. I am, therefore, unable to grant a permit to Mrs. Cowper Johnson.

asked the Minister of Transport whether for one or two hours before the black-out he will arrange for destination points to be established throughout London where they are needed, so that private motorists going in those directions would know where they could pick up passengers?

I welcome the assistance in our present transport difficulties which is being given by motorists who offer lifts and I am at present considering how best such assistance can be organised so as to give the maximum relief to the transport services operating in the London area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether arrangements will be made for taximeter cabs to have certain points in the City and West End, where they could pick up passengers for main line stations and spread the fare over the number of passengers carried?

As I understand it, my hon. Friend's proposal is that certain points should be fixed at which prospective passengers for the various main line railway terminals could congregate and wait to be picked up by taxicabs which already carry passengers bound for the same terminals. In order to make any such scheme of real assistance to the travelling public it would be necessary to have a very large number of these picking up points scattered over a considerable part of the central area, and I am not sure that a scheme on these lines would be practicable. I would, however, be ready to consider sympathetically any more detailed proposal on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend, even if it meant some alteration of the existing law. I would point out that there is nothing to prevent any person who hires a taxicab from inviting other people to ride with him and share the fare, nor is there anything against people in bus queues arranging between themselves to hire a taxicab in order to reach their destinations quickly.

asked the Minister of Health when the new proposals for the reorganisation of all health and medical services will operate; and whether, in such scheme, he will ensure that air raids and evacuation will not disrupt existing hospital and other facilities; and whether he will, in any planning scheme, call in consultation the Medical Practitioners' Union?

I do not contemplate making any such far-reaching proposals at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position with regard to contributors under National Health Insurance Acts who are prisoners of war; and will he say whether such members of approved societies are fully protected as to benefits during the period they remain prisoners of war?

If an insured person is taken prisoner of war whilst serving in the Forces, his rights to health insurance benefits are not affected in any way by the period of his imprisonment. If a person not serving in the Forces is taken prisoner whilst insurably employed, he will normally under the existing law remain insured for a period on average of 21 months from the date of cessation of his employment. Accordingly, it has not so far been necessary to make any special provision for safeguarding the rights of persons within this category.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large and increasing numbers of children previously living in large centres of population where much of the milk had been rendered safe by pasteurisation who are being transferred to rural areas where pasteurisation is non-existent or at a minimum, he will officially circularise those responsible for the health of these children that all milk they consume must first be sterilised by boiling?

An announcement with regard to the desirability of boiling all milk that has not been pasteurised or sterilised was recently issued by my right hon. and Noble Friend the Minister of Food. I will consider with him whether any further publicity can usefully be given to this aspect of the matter.