asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that twice recently, when industrial disputes have broken out at Scottish factories, the Home Guard have been paraded with full equipment, and stood by to prevent any assembly of the men in the various departments, and that on one occasion the Home Guard attempted the detention of the convenor of shop stewards; and whether he will give an undertaking that this force shall not be used for intimidation or intervention in industrial disputes?

I am making inquiries into the two cases of which the hon. Member has now given me particulars, and I will let him know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. N. J. Cornwell, a member of the Grantham Home Guard, has been dismissed, without any explanation being afforded, by the commander, who refused any information on the subject; and whether he will make inquiries as to the reason for the dismissal with a view to Mr. Cornwell's reinstatement if the dismissal was unwarranted?

My inquiries into this case have not yet been completed. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in possession of the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain local medical war committees have informed general medical practitioners that they are required to provide the essential first-aid treatment of battle casualties and injuries sustained by members of the Home Guard while on duty without fee; when and by whom was the suggestion initiated; does the proposal involve the free supply of drugs, dressings and appliances, the doctor proceeding at his own expense to the casualty, with his instruments and equipment, or will the casualty be brought to the doctor; the free treatment of casualties who are other doctors' patients; and free treatment for casualties resulting from an attempted invasion by the enemy?

A letter was received from the Central Medical War Committee last July offering the services of the medical profession throughout the country, free of charge, for attendance on members of the Home Guard who sustain casualties while on duty, the arrangements being made through the Central Committee and its local committees. This offer was gratefully accepted by the War Office, and the Central Committee was invited to place its local organisations in touch with each of the Territorial Army County Associations. The offer is understood to include the free supply of such drugs and dressings as the doctor may have available for the first-aid treatment of the patient, and the circumstances in which the doctor would be called upon to render assistance would be similar to those in which emergency medical treatment is obtained from a doctor in the case of ordinary accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, at the present time, the essential qualifications for promotion to field-officer rank are that the applicant should either be a regular soldier or a product of the staff college?

Except for substantive promotion in the Regular Army, all promotion, including promotion to field rank, is to acting rank within approved war establishments, and officers are selected for such acting rank on merit without regard to any other consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that rifle clubs are unable to obtain the necessary ammunition to train new members who wish to be taught to shoot and, having regard to the national importance of this matter, will he make arrangements for ammunition to be available for any clubs vouched for by the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs?

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether rifle clubs can be allowed to share, by purchase, in future supplies of 22 long rifle cartridges, as such clubs have been generous and helpful in putting their rifle ranges and stocks of 22 ammunition at the disposal of the Home Guard for training purposes and their ammunition is now exhausted.

All 22 ammunition is, at present, required for His Majesty's Forces including the Home Guard, but an allotment has been made to replace ammunition provided by rifle clubs for training the Home Guard, and further supplies will he released for these clubs as soon as sufficient stocks are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he will give an assurance that any reserve officer who has been called up, but who has subsequently again been relegated to the reserve, otherwise than at his own request, will be released from further liability to military service in order that he may more easily obtain civil employment?

I regret that I cannot agree that an officer who may be relegated to the reserve should be released from all further liability. It may be that he will be required for another appointment which is not at the moment available. But it is hoped to arrange eventually that an officer will not be relegated to the reserve unless it is practically certain that no suitable military employment can he found for him. Where this is the case, an officer is so informed, and he thus has reasonable security in taking up civil employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the up-to-date number of the men discharged permanently unfit for further service in the Army since the commencement of the present war?

It would not be in the national interest to disclose the information for which my hon. Friend asks, since it might be of some value to the enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army pensions originally granted before 1900 to the rank and file of the British Army are still being paid; and what is the average amount per day so paid?

I regret that the information asked for is not readily available and could not be obtained without very considerable research.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, selecting them at random, he will ask a dozen housewives to give details of their arrangements for feeding soldiers billeted on them, so that all others may read and benefit?

As I informed my hon. Friend in answer to his Question on this subject on 22nd October, the scale of meals on which the payment made is based is shown in the Second Schedule to the Army Act. The quantities obtainable of some of the items are now restricted to the amounts allowed on the soldier's ration card, and other items in the scale may not always be readily available. In these cases, it is expected that suitable alternatives should be provided to make up the standard of meals aimed at, and I have no reason to believe that any difficulty arises. I do not think that the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of times within the last two months when military bands have been allowed to play in the streets or open spaces of London?

I regret that I have no figures for the last two months, but my hon. and gallant Friend may be interested to know that in June, July and August the number of engagements carried out by the bands of the Brigade of Guards was 364.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far the outfit allowance made to officers, recently commissioned, is calculated to cover the cost of essential articles at current market prices?

The outfit allowance granted to officers commissioned in the present emergency is calculated to cover the cost, at current prices, of those articles of uniform and kit which it is necessary for them to provide. These prices do not, however, include provision for the recently imposed purchase tax.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to expediting the payment of claims due to farmers for disturbance of their land by the War Office and other military authorities, he will have published in the OFFICIAL REPORT a comprehensive list of War Office land agents from whom claim forms for compensation can be obtained, since many farmers are unaware who are the official landagents to the War Office?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an official German news agency reports that 37,000 British prisoners of war are held by the Nazis; and if it is the practice of the Nazi authorities to notify the individual identity of such prisoners through the usual channels before announcing a selected list of such names over the radio in English at frequent intervals with a view to ensuring an audience for their propaganda?

The names of approximately 44,000 British prisoners of war have been received from the International Red Cross and the Protecting Power. The German Prisoner of War Information Bureau in accordance with Article 77 of the Convention furnishes the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross with lists of prisoners of war without undue delay. The names which are broadcast in English at frequent intervals appear to be taken at random, and often give us the first information about prisoners of war. The official lists sent through the Protecting Power take some time in transit, but the International Red Cross at Geneva send on the names and particulars by telegraph as soon as they receive them from Berlin.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the approach of winter, arrangements have been made through the Red Cross, or otherwise, to get suitable undergarments and warm clothing conveyed to prisoners of war in Germany, especially as some were taken prisoners without their kits, and friends have found great difficulty in getting such garments forwarded to them?

Large quantities of undergarments, battle dress and greatcoats supplied from War Office stocks have been sent by the British Red Cross Society to the International Red Cross at Geneva for despatch to all camps in Germany where British prisoners of war are detained. By Article 12 of the Geneva Convention, captor states contract to supply clothing, underwear and footwear to prisoners of war and assure their regular replacement and repair. The United States authorities have been asked to press the German Government to carry out their obligations in this respect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Radio Swiss forwards, without charge, the lists of British prisoners of war received from Germany; and why no facility or reduction in ordinary rates has been obtained from the British side?

The wireless telegraph service with Switzerland is operated at the Swiss end by Radio-Suisse and in this country by Cable and Wireless Ltd. I am informed that Radio-Suisse does not forward lists of prisoners of war free of charge, but transmits them as European letter telegrams which are chargeable at half the rate applicable to ordinary telegrams, and the British company and the Swiss company each receives the appropriate proportion of the reduced rate.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the diffusion of responsibility between the Foreign Office, the Service Departments. and the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John in matters relating to the welfare of British prisoners of war in enemy hands, he will appoint one body to be invested, if necessary by Parliament, with statutory authority to promote their interests so far as may be practicable?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have given to-day to a Question addressed to me by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the concession to send telegrams at inland rates to members of His Majesty's forces applies to Malta, Egypt, Palestine, Cyprus, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Aden and East Africa and not to India; and will he extend it to India, as soldiers serving in India are also concerned about the well-being of their families in England?

The concession telegram service at inland rates to the countries mentioned has been introduced as a temporary measure until such time as a better postal service can be maintained. This service involves considerable technical difficulties, and I regret that it is not practicable to extend it to countries where the postal services, although abnormal, are much more favourable than to the Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the complaint of Burntisland fishermen against the decision of the local port security committee to prohibit the use of the port for fishing purposes; and whether any action can be taken to restore the livelihood of the fishermen by putting Burntisland in the same position as every other port in the Forth?

No complaint in this matter has reached me. Burntisland is not a fishing port and has no full-time fishermen, but I understand that industrial workers from various centres have engaged occasionally in part-time fishing from pleasure boats. In the interests of defence it has been necessary to impose restrictions on entry to the harbour area, but I am assured that the local security committee will consider sympathetically applications for special permits by any men who prosecute part-time fishing regularly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, when a supplementary old age pensions grant was applied for on behalf of Miss Elizabeth Clark, of 14, Espidair Street, Paisley, a lady aged 85, the means test was applied to the income of her niece, Mrs. Brown, with whom she lodges; and whether, as a result, Miss Clark was refused any supplementation of her pension?

I am informed that when dealing with Miss Clark's application the Assistance Board's officer came to the conclusion on the facts before him that she was a member of the same household as her niece, and in view of the substantial resources of the household he decided that under the Act and Regulations he could not grant an allowance in supplementation of Miss Clark's old age pension. Miss Clark appealed against the officer's decision, but it was confirmed by the appeal tribunal whose decision is final on the facts before them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a resolution from the Old Age Pensioners Association, in Methil, Fife, calling for an inquiry into the way in which supplementary pensions are at present administered, and the abolition of the means test in connection therewith; and whether, in view of considerable public disapproval of the whole administration of supplementary pensions, he will cause such an inquiry to be instituted?

The resolution to which the hon. Member refers and other resolutions of a similar nature are receiving my close consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to call a conference of all local authorities in and around the Glasgow and Clyde areas, with a view to coordinating plans for pooling resources and preparing large-scale schemes for possible rehousing and welfare work; and whether he will set up a co-ordinating welfare board in this area?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend's Question refers to the rehousing and welfare of persons rendered homeless by enemy action. The local authorities in Glasgow and the Clyde Area have made arrangements for such persons, which are considered to be adequate, but if conditions arose requiring mutual assistance between authorities I feel sure that it would be given spontaneously. If, however, the authorities concerned consider that a conference would serve any useful purpose, I should be happy to meet their wishes. I am not aware at present of the need for a co-ordinating welfare board in the Clyde Area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is aware of the disquiet which exists amongst medical practitioners in Glasgow by reason of a circular headed Duties of Doctors in Air Raids never having been considered by the Glasgow Local Medical War Committee; what he proposes to do to insure that circulars purporting to be issued by such committee and particularly those allegedly issued after consultation with his department, have been submitted to and approved by the full committee.

I am not aware that disquiet exists among medical practitioners in Glasgow on account of the circular referred to. I am informed that the issue of the circular was authorised as a matter of urgency by a sub-committee, who reported the action that had been taken to the local medical war committee. The question of the powers of its sub-committees is a matter for the local committee.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he expects to be able to increase the petrol allowance for private motor-cars in 1941, with a view to encouraging motor-car owners to continue to keep their motor-cars in commission, so that they shall be readily available for war purposes should the need for them arise.

No, Sir. I am not prepared now to make a statement about the position in 1941. I should like to take this opportunity of emphasising again the need for exercising all possible economy in the use of petrol.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the hardships suffered by the civilian population owing to the inadequacy of road transport services, he will consult the War Office with a view to releasing all men from military service who desire to return to their former employment in omnibus and motor-coach services.

I have no evidence that a general release as suggested by my hon. Friend would be in the national interest, but I am prepared to consult the War Office in particular cases where it is considered that the release of men from military service is required to maintain essential road passenger services.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to relieve transport difficulties for the workers, he will consider mobilising charabancs from all parts of the country and making them available for individual station-masters to use for travellers when railway transport breaks down?

In London the provision of omnibus services when rail services are interrupted is arranged by the London Passenger Transport Board in co-operation with the Railways. In the provinces similar arrangements are made by the Regional Transport Commissioners in conjunction with operators of public service vehicles. It would hardly be practicable and would certainly be wasteful to provide a pool of vehicles on which station-masters could draw.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the infreqency of omnibuses on the No. 7 route, causing travellers from points in North Kensington to wait for long periods to catch an omnibus; and whether he will cause a review of this omnibus service to be made with a view to its improvement?

There are on this route 18 omnibuses an hour during peak periods and 12 at normal periods. The London Passenger Transport Board are looking into the adequacy of this service and will take early steps to increase the frequency as necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that our railways constitute the country's largest single asset, in which considerably over £1,000,000,000 is invested by tens of thousands of stockholders and, also, the long-standing complaint of stockholders against the absence of the frequent publication of traffic receipts, to consider whether there is any form of information which he could give monthly to the stockholders and which he would not regard as being against the national interest?

I am afraid that under war conditions there is no information of the nature contemplated by my hon. Friend that I could agree to publish monthly.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is aware of the difficulties still being experienced by workers travelling by the Underground railway, due to the public being allowed into the stations for shelter purposes during the day; and will he ensure that the regulations as to the hour of admittance are strictly enforced?

I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as inquiries which I am making have been completed.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is aware that service men arriving at Swansea with the evening train, and now very late owing to the slow running, cannot get conveyance to their homes in West Wales; and whether he is prepared to provide sleeping accommodation or, alternatively, transport for them?

So far as I am aware, the demand is insufficient to justify the provision of special railway or bus facilities, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of what he has in mind, I will make further inquiries. It is outside the province of my Department to provide sleeping accommodation. I may add that arrangements exist generally for petrol coupons to be issued by the Welfare Department of the War Office to civilian drivers who are willing to convey members of the Services on leave to their homes when other transport facilities are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money that has been loaned to Rumania in the past four years; whether any conditions were attached to the loan or loans; and, if so, what those conditions were?

The sum of £1,835,000 (net) has been advanced and goods to the value of £876,000 have been supplied to Rumania by His Majesty's Government in the past four years under the Rumanian Guarantee Agreement of 12th July, 1939 (Cmd. 6063). The conditions attached are those set out in that Agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the armaments that have been sold by this country during the past four years to Rumania; and what conditions were attached?

Following is a statement of the value of arms, ammunition and military and naval stores consigned to Rumania in each of the years 1936–1939. The usual conditions were included in the export licences issued in this connexion.

asked the Minister of Shipping, with regard to the decree issued by the Rumanian Government to take over the control of all British-owned and British-chartered vessels in Rumanian territorial waters, whether he can state the number of vessels affected and the approximate tonnage under the British flag; whether he will make a statement on the position; and what action the Government proposes to take?

Approximately 60 craft, mainly river tugs and barges, of which 20 are British owned and some 40 British chartered are affected by this decree. The approximate tonnage under the British flag is 17,500 tons. A large proportion of the craft in which this country is interested got away from the Danube before the end of June. In addition, a large number of French vessels which have been purchased by my Department were also removed. Repeated protests were made to the Rumanian Government against the detention of these vessels on the Danube and three ocean-going Rumanian vessels have been seized and held and a fourth Rumanian vessel is now on her way to this country under armed guard. The tonnage of the Rumanian vessels thus held by us is approximately 20,000 tons.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make regarding the publication of the Horder Committee Report?

Yes, Sir. Lord Horder's Committee was appointed by the then Minister of Home Security and the Minister of Health, on the 14th September, 1940, and presented an interim report within a few days. Since then the committee has continued to sit and my right hon. Friends have now received a further report bringing the account of their investigations and findings up to date. The recommendations of their interim report were accepted, and action is being taken upon them. This also applies to some of the recommendations in the further report; the others are now under consideration. Now that both reports are completed, my right hon. Friend proposes, with the agreement of the Minister of Health, to publish the recommendations of the committee.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that internees, on release, are not allowed to communicate with their friends living at a distance, either by telephone, telegraph, or letter; that this is causing considerable hardship; and will he cancel this prohibition?

If the hon. Member is referring to the facilities available to an internee to communicate with his friends, before he has been actually set free, I have not hitherto heard of any hardship in this connection. It is not practicable to allow an internee to telephone from a camp, but he can write, and commandants have discretion to allow telegrams in cases of urgency. I may add that, where an internee's friends or relatives have been in communication with the Home Office in the matter, they are notified that his release has been authorised.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has recommended to, or instructed. local authorities to see that all women about to be confined shall be transferred to relatively safe areas for their confinement; and, where this is not immediately possible, whether he is satisfied that the air-raid shelters provided have received every means of additional strengthening and protection possible?

Arrangements have already been made under the Government evacuation scheme for all expectant mothers in evacuation areas who wish to be evacuated for their confinement to be provided for in reception areas. As regards the second part of the Question I think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in suggesting that special shelters are provided for the reception of expectant mothers. Those in charge of shelters have, however, clear instructions as to the steps to be taken in the event of premature births occurring.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider extending the instruction at the Air Raid Precautions School to all civilian doctors who are able, despite prevailing conditions and the necessity for them to be generally available for all emergencies, to undertake such a course, or, alternatively, to make appropriate arrangements for, and grant facilities to, a number of general practitioners for a course of instruction?

I am not aware of any demand on the part of doctors at the present time that courses of instruction should be arranged for their benefit at the Air Raid Precautions Schools. If the hon. Member has any information which suggests that there is such a demand on any general scale, I should be glad if he would bring it to my notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many doctors who have applied, and paid, for steel helmets and civilian duty respirators under the scheme arranged with the Central Medical War Committee are complaining that they have not received delivery or any intimation when delivery will be made; and whether he will investigate this delay and take appropriate steps to cause deliveries of the helmets and respirators to be effected immediately.

Orders received by my Department from Secretaries of Local Medical War Committees are met promptly after receipt and I am not aware of any cause for exceptional delay in delivery.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of issuing from time to time complete lists of air-raid casualties suffered in this country, on the same lines as the lists of casualties issued for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The names and addresses of air raid casualties are made available locally, but there are difficulties in the way of the publication of a national list which outweigh any advantages that might accrue.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the refusal of the Staffordshire County Council to contribute towards expenditure on domestic air-raid shelters by the borough of Tamworth, save on conditions more exacting and far-reaching than those laid down for a Government grant in Home Security Circular No. 163/1940; whether he is aware that compliance with these conditions would involve delay and expense while additional information is obtained by house-to-house canvass; and whether he will cause the Staffordshire County Council to bring their conditions for contribution into conformity with those laid down for a Government grant.

I was aware of the difficulty to which my hon Friend refers. I am sending him a copy of a circular which I have sent to local authorities informing them that the Exchequer would reimburse in full reasonable expenditure upon approved shelters.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will supply information with respect to the borough of Swansea as to the procedure adopted for recognising acts of bravery during air raids; what power the local air raid precautions committee have to veto any application; and the body that makes the final award and the persons composing it?

A.R.P. Controllers and Chief Officers of Police and Fire Services have been asked to report any case of gallantry coming to their notice and Regional Commissioners may make recommendations for consideration by the Departments concerned any by the committee presided over by Lord Chatfield. There is no question of an application being made by anyone, but all heads of services are encouraged to report acts of gallantry which come to their notice so that they may be considered for submission to His Majesty who makes the final award.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will call for a report from the Glamorgan County Council as to the facilities provided in Rhondda for decontamination both of personal clothes and vehicles with a view to deciding upon the adequacy or otherwise of the measures adopted?

I have now received a report of the facilities provided in Rhondda for the decontamination of personal clothing and vehicles. The arrange-merits were approved after discussion between Glamorgan County Council and the Department's Regional Office in Cardiff, and I am satisfied that they are adequate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the campaign to increase savings at the present time is prejudiced by the fact that many members of the public retain sums in the bank in view of their uncertainty about their future commitments in respect of Income Tax and repair of damage to their property through air-raids; and whether he will take action in the near future to remove these uncertainties as far as possible?

I recognise the importance of the considerations to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards taxation, taxpayers can assist the financing of the war effort by making advance payments to the Inland Revenue in respect of future tax liabilities. If the amount so advanced exceeds such liabilities, the balance can, of course, be subsequently withdrawn. As regards damage to property by air raids, uncertainties will as far as possible be removed by the contributory scheme of compensation for war damage, which, as already announced, the Government intend to introduce shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to a widespread custom among thrifty housewives of purchasing materials for clothing their children, and not the ready-made clothes, he will consider some means of enabling them to be relieved of the Purchase Tax?

I would remind my hon. Friend that this proposal was fully debated during the Committee stage of the Finance (No. 2) Bill and rejected. As was then stated on behalf of the Government, there is no satisfactory line of distinction between materials that are used for making children's clothes and others. Any concession would therefore have to cover a very wide field, and involve a loss of revenue which I could not contemplate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make provision whereby the Purchase Tax on necessary articles bought to replace losses due to enemy action will be remitted or reimbursed?

No, Sir. As I have previously indicated in debate, I do not consider this suggestion practicable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many applicants for compensation for clothes destroyed by air-raids receive from the Unemployment Assistance Board sums far less than the value of their clothes; and, in view of the widespread resulting dissatisfaction, will he cause an inquiry to be made into the matter?

I have been asked to reply. The scheme administered by the Assistance Board of grants in respect of essential clothing is, so far as I am aware, being adequately administered by the Board. It is their practice to meet applications in the first place by payments on account, which is essential if prompt assistance is to be given. Further payments are made immediately the claim has been valued. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, I will readily investigate any particular case he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has made inquiries into the effects on workmen who are not allowed to leave their employment; and whether he is satisfied this form of compulsion will not bring about a deterioration both in skill and output?

I am keeping this matter constantly under consideration, but the object at which I must aim in the operation of these restrictions is the output of essential munitions and aircraft. I believe that workmen in general recognise the necessity for these regulations in war time and I have had no evidence that they result in deterioration of either skill or output. If there are individual cases of hardship and my hon. Friend will let me have particulars I will look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, having regard to the urgent appeal early in July, 1940, by the Minister of Aircraft Production to housewives to surrender their aluminium cooking utensils for scrap, the reason for delaying, until 26th October, 1940, prohibition of the supply by manufacturers and wholesalers of domestic hollow-ware made wholly or partly of aluminium?

This prohibition has been made in the light of a review of the position undertaken after my Noble Friend's appeal was closed.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of mineworkers transferred from county Durham and also of those recruited for special training in other industries, with the respective occupations of both classes of men?

During the period from 2nd September, 1940, to 28th October, 1940, 2,970 Durham miners were transferred to districts outside county Durham. In addition 1,737 Durham miners were transferred to other work within the county. During approximately the same period 1,074 Durham miners were accepted for Government Training Centres. As to the third part of the Question the following is the information required so far as it is at present available:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is urgent need to erect a new Employment Exchange for women and children at Dagenham; and what is the present position with regard to the purchase of part of the Weston Road Library site for this, purpose?

I am not aware that there is any congestion at the temporary premises at Church Elm Lane or that in present circumstances there is urgent need for alternative accommodation. Negotiations are taking place for the purchase of part of the Weston Road Library site, but owing to the general restriction on new buildings, it will not be possible to commence building operations at present.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the standard of physical fitness of men entering His Majesty's forces during the present conflict is as good or better than between 1914–18; and whether any improved standard is due to the extension of the social services?

Figures for the whole period 1914–18 are not available; but a comparison of the results of the medical examination of men under the Military Training and National Service (Armed Farces) Acts with those of the examination of 2,500,000 men for entry into the Armed Forces during 1917–18 suggests that there has been a very definite advance it the standard of physical fitness in the intervening period. I have no doubt that the extension of the social services has been an important factor in this improvement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many complete exemptions by the tribunals have been granted in each of the last six months; and whether he is satisfied that the fact that fewer and fewer such exemptions are being given is not an indication that the tribunals have changed their policy and are thinking in terms of alternative service rather than of carrying out the provisions of the Act?

The numbers of men unconditionally registered by local tribunals during the last six months were as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate, by industries, percentages and numbers, respectively, the course of employment in the city of Leicester for the month of September, 1940?

I am sending my hon. Friend a table of figures.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is in accord with the instructions of his Department that the public assistance committees should reduce amounts of public assistance by any allotment that may be voluntarily made by a son in the Armed Forces?

The general effect of the Poor Law Acts is to require public assistance authorities in assessing the needs of an applicant for relief, to take into account every source of income. The exceptions to this general rule do not include income from the source to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some public assistance committees, under the guidance of their medical officers, are still ordering potatoes for the hospitals to be machine-pared; and whether he will inform them that in the interests of economy and good dietary potatoes should be boiled in their skins?

The dietary of a public assistance institution is a matter for the decision of the authority after they have obtained the advice of the medical officer. My right hon. Friend is aware of the advantages of the method of cooking referred to by my hon. Friend and he is instructing his inspectors to give suitable advice on this matter to public assistance authorities as occasion arises in conjunction with certain other advice as to the best use of food in wartime.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether rations in excess of the ordinary civilian allowances are made to officers and other ranks of the services living in towns and performing administrative and clerical duties?

Yes, Sir. Members of H.M. Forces holding leave or duty ration cards receive excess rations in respect of sugar, bacon and meat, as indicated in the answer which I gave on the 23rd October to my hon. Friend the Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the resolutions of the Greenock central branch of the National Co-operative Men's Guild protesting against the rise in the price of milk, and demanding an inquiry into producers' costs, protesting against the block system of milk delivery as leading to the creation of a disguised monopoly, and consequent saleable capital assets, copies of which resolutions have been transmitted to him by the honourable Member for Greenock; and whether he will make a statement?

The attention of my noble Friend has been drawn to the resolution to which my hon. and learned Friend refers. As regards the price of milk, there has since the outbreak of war, been only one rise in retail price over the price in the corresponding month of 1938–39, while at the same time the National Milk Scheme provides for milk being supplied to mothers and to children under 5 either free of cost or at 2d. per pint, which is approximately half the prewar price. The rise in the price of ordinary milk of ½per pint has been necessitated by the increase in costs which has resulted from the war. The production costs of milk have been regularly examined for a number of years and my noble Friend is satisfied that the increased prices recently guaranteed to producers are reasonable in view of the increased expenditure now required for milk production. As regards the block system of delivery, my noble Friend has no comment to make on the various unauthorised statements that have appeared in the Press except to say that he has no intention of instituting any changes in present methods of milk distribution until he has considered fully the report, just published, of the Committee which he appointed under the chairmanship of Lord Perry to advise him on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the up-to-date number of men discharged permanently unfit for further service in the Air Force since the commencement of the present war?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the particulars asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider decentralising the control of air raid warnings so as to make them more closely conform to what is actually happening in each district and thereby automatically minimising waste of time and the spreading of unnecessary alarm?

The possibility of decentralising the control of air raid warnings has recently been examined and certain experiments are being undertaken with a view to deciding whether and if so to what extent the present arrangements can be modified.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement on the numbers of flying-boats and aeroplanes which are available for watching our liners within a few hundred miles of the Irish and British coasts; and whether he can, in this connection, indicate the exact precautions in the case of the "Empress of Britain"?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to reveal the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks. As regards the circumstances of the loss I understand from my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty that these are the subject of a formal Board of Inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that several firms are demanding rentals of £3 and £2 15s. per week, respectively, for the storage of small amounts of furniture of a member of His Majesty's Forces; that the protection to the furniture is only a tarpaulin sheet; that such a state of affairs is causing distress in His Majesty's Forces; and will he introduce legislation immeately to curb such activities;(2) whether he is aware of the exorbitant charges being made for the storage of furniture, the property of people who are evacuating from London, and in particular of the distress caused to members of His Majesty's Forces who are unable to pay such large rentals, with the result that families of members of His Majesty's Forces have either to stay in London, or evacuate to another place and leave their furniture behind, which entails additional cost; and will he put a stop to this practice?

My right hon. Friend is aware that allegations of exorbitant charges for the storage of furniture have been made in some quarters. The general question of the disposal of furniture of persons who find it necessary to leave their homes owing to enemy action is now under consideration, and the question of controlling the charges to which the hon. Member refers is not being overlooked.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of local authorities who joined with the Government in giving their guarantees to building societies as a condition for making advances on mortgage under the Housing Act, 1933; what was the total number of houses involved; and the amount advanced by building societies?

The figures for the period ended 31st March, 1939, the latest date up to which complete information is available, are, respectively, 69, 21,482 and £6,862,612.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the shortage of bricks, he is making arrangements to use undamaged bricks which are in the ruins of bombed houses?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have already been made in London for the removal, sorting and storage for re-use of salvaged materials (including bricks) and local authorities in the provinces have been authorised to take similar action. Material so recovered is already being used by local authorities for the erection of air-raid shelters and arrangements are under consideration for the utmost possible utilisation of all salvaged materials.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that many people have been asked for rent when they have been ordered out of their homes on account of time bombs or have left because their homes are uninhabitable; and what action he is taking to deal with this problem?

For cases in which houses have been rendered uninhabitable by reason of war damage I would refer my hon. Friend to the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, the provisions of which enable a tenant whose house has been rendered unfit by war damage to serve on his landlord a notice disclaiming the lease. These provisions do not apply to the case where a time bomb has compelled the tenant to evacuate his premises temporarily. On the other hand, the hon. Member will be aware that tenants under short weekly or monthly tenancies can always put an end to their tenancies by giving the usual notice to terminate. The question whether further legislation is needed will be considered by the Government.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that many building societies are asking mortgagees to continue payments when their houses have become uninhabitable and/or when the mortgagees have evacuated to safer areas; and what action he is taking to deal with this question?

I assume that the Question relates to Mortgagors. Although my information is that there is a general disposition on the part of the majority of building societies to give sympathetic treatment to mortgagors in the class of case to which the question relates, the question of further legislation on the subject is under consideration by the Government.

asked the Minister of Health, will he consider the desirability of introducing a measure to protect weekly tenants from landlords who demand rent after the tenement has been rendered uninhabitable by enemy action, and making it retrospective?

The Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, enables a tenant whose house has been rendered unfit by war damage, to serve a notice disclaiming his lease. A weekly tenant can always avoid liability for future rent by giving a week's notice. The Government will be ready to consider representations if it is felt that the present position is unsatisfactory.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the present special importance of the subject, he will state what action has been taken as a result of the recommendations of the Law Revision Committee, contained in Command Paper 6009, with regard to revision of the law relating to frustration of contracts?

The recommendations of the Law Revision Committee, to which the Question relates, have not as yet been given effect to by legislation. The hon. Member will appreciate that these recommendations deal with the legal consequences which follow when a contract has been frustrated, not with the conditions which involve frustration. The Government are at present considering whether the Court should have power to modify or terminate certain contracts where special hardship, attributable to war conditions, would ensue from completion in accordance with their strict terms. Such war conditions would not, in most cases, amount to frustration. The real question, therefore, is whether relief ought now to be given on a wider basis than that of the Committee's recommendations. Any legislation for the purpose of giving such relief might include pro- visions on the lines of those recommendations which, as already pointed out, are directed solely to altering the Rules which at present govern the position after a contract has been frustrated.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of a widespread impression that the provisions of the Treachery Act, 1940, are not being fully implemented; that persons are being prosecuted under the Defence Regulations in cases where convictions could be obtained under the Treachery Act; and whether he will publish as much information concerning the operation of the Act as is consistent with the national interest?

I was not aware of the impression to which my hon. Friend refers and I have stated in answers to previous Questions that I do not believe there is any foundation for such a view. I would refer in particular to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Rusholme (Mr. Radford) on 3rd July. Each case has to be considered in the light of the evidence and circumstances, and, as my hon. Friend no doubt appreciates, an offence under Section 1 of the Treachery Act is confined within strict and narow limits.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the up-to-date number of the men discharged permanently unfit for further service in the Navy since the commencement of the present war?

I regret that I am not able to publish these figures, which would give valuable information to the enemy.

asked the Minister of Information whether any steps have been, or are being, taken to improve and increase this country's facilities for broadcasting news and propaganda to the Continent of Europe by additional and more powerful transmitting stations on long or medium wave-lengths?

The B.B.C. services have been and are being strengthened continuously, but it would not be in the public interest to give more precise information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement about the progress of the pig club movement and say what steps are being taken to encourage still further this important aid to food production?

The development of the pig club movement has been entrusted to the Small Pig Keepers' Council, which is representative of leading agricultural and rural organisations and is aided by an Exchequer grant. The Council launched an intensive publicity campaign at the end of May last and has registered 235 pig clubs to date. These clubs comprise some 6,500 members in all, and they are at present rearing 5,000 pigs. Their yearly throughput may be assumed to be about 10,000 pigs. There are already clubs in 35 counties of England and Wales, the largest numbers being in Surrey, Hertfordshire, and Lincolnshire. New clubs are steadily being formed. The clubs are of two types: the association of individual pig keepers which has been the traditional farm of the village club; and the co-operative club, consisting of a number of persons owning the pigs jointly and keeping them all together in one place. Many co-operative clubs have been formed in and around towns and cities in connection with industrial and commercial firms, the staffs of municipal authorities, Civil Defence posts, schools, allotment societies, sports clubs, etc.; and the Council is at present engaged in a vigorous drive to form further clubs attached to works and factories where available supplies of edible waste are not already being utilised by the farming community. The Council has prepared a series of advisory leaflets for pig clubs and intending pig keepers. Arrangements have been made to provide registered clubs with a fair share of the supplies of meal available for pigs with which to supplement the edible waste on which the animals are mainly fed; and clubs have also been afforded special facilities for the slaughter and disposal of their pigs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the fact that the experiences of 1940 have shown that we have too much of one kind of vegetable and not enough of another, such as onions, he will suggest to people who have gardens and allotments, that they should concentrate on vegetables which hitherto we have had largely to import and can no longer do so?

The vegetable cropping policy for gardens and allotments, now being formulated for circulation to organisations, etc., concerned in advising the growers, is based on such considerations as my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make any further statement as to the present position of the Japanese negotiations for the supply of oil from the Dutch East Indies?

According to my Noble Friend's information negotiations have progressed, but I am not as yet in a position to make any definite statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the new German-Jugo-Slav Trade Agreement prevents the supply of food to the British Army in the Near East?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education the reason for his inability to furnish information as to the number of conscientious objectors employed as teachers in State-aided schools; and whether he will make representations to Local education authorities and governing bodies of schools with a view to their limiting the number appointed?

The Board have never sought, nor do I propose to seek, information as to the private convictions of teachers in matters of conscience: nor am I prepared in this matter to call in question the discretion which rests with local education authorities and governing bodies of schools in making appointments to their teaching staffs.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children of school age are still in London; how many are receiving full-time and how many part-time education?

It is estimated that at present there are approximately 112,000 children of school age in the London County Council area. The average number in attendance at school is about 20,000, practically all of whom are receiving full-time education.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the appropriate Civil Service grades corresponding with each of the military ranks performing administrative, executive, clerical and typing duties in the headquarters and outstations, respectively, of the War Office; and what are the respective rates of pay and pay and allowances for each of the grades and ranks so employed?

It is not possible to make a comparison of the military ranks performing administrative, executive, clerical and typing duties with the various grades of civil servants so employed in the War Office and out-station establishments, respectively, as the considerations governing their employment differ. The rates of pay of the civil staff of the War Office will be found under Vote 12 of Army Estimates, 1939, and of staff, regimental and departmental officers serving at home, in Appendix III of Army Estimates, 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for War why key positions in the War Office Movement Control organisation are still being filled by people with absolutely no technical qualifications?

It is necessary that the organisation should include trained staff officers with an intimate knowledge of military requirements in addition to those selected for technical qualifications. All the officers employed in it are experts in some branch of the subject with which it deals.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is under-employment in esparto paper mills; and whether he will consider the advisability of modifying the restrictions imposed by Control of Paper Order No. 20, to which the lack of orders for this class of paper is attributed?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service that there is some unemployment in esparto paper mills. The supplies of home produced paper-making materials enable some of the restrictions on the use of paper made from those materials to be relaxed for a time, and an Order for that purpose will be issued shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give an assurance that none of the Gibraltarians who recently arrived in this country will be compulsorily evacuated against their wish?

The arrangements for evacuation which are now in hand are being made on a voluntary basis.