asked the Minister of Information whether he will launch propaganda to rouse those parts of the country which have not been attacked from the air by the enemy, and point out that a state of total war requires 100 per cent. energy on the part of the whole of the community?

I believe that the whole country is already well aware of the effort that the war demands, and that there is no lack of enthusiasm in those districts which have hitherto escaped bombardment.

asked the Minister of Information when he will issue to the country a full statement of the activities of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in the English Channel during the period 4th to 17th September, 1940, inclusive?

The activities of the Royal Navy in the Channel during this period were similar to those they have pursued and continue to pursue relentlessly. There were no special incidents which would justify the publication of a separate report. The activities of the R.A.F. against the Channel ports, the shipping concentrated in them and the convoys travelling between them were particularly intensive during this period. These attacks were fully reported in the communiques and bulletins issued by the Air Ministry at the time.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is arranging, or will arrange, for a film to be specially prepared showing how, in this country, America is helping us in Red Cross and relief work generally?

Yes, Sir, such a film is being made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the damage sus- tained by His Majesty's Ship "Liverpool" arose from an aerial attack which developed following the radio instructions indicating fleet action positions to the Italian authorities that certain of their naval ratings were in need of assistance; and why were such Italian naval ratings not taken as prisoners of war?

No, Sir. The attack on His Majesty's Ship "Liverpool" was made two days after the broadcast of survivors' positions. After the bombing of His Majesty's Ships whilst rescuing survivors from the Italian Cruiser "Bartolomeo Colleoni," sunk in action by His Majesty's Australian Ship "Sydney," the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, did not feel disposed to subject his ships again to such a risk. He chose the alternative of disclosing the whereabouts of survivors.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement on the loss of the "Empress of Britain" off the coast of Ireland; and whether an inquiry into all the circumstances of her loss will be made?

An immediate inquiry was ordered into the loss of the "Empress of Britain." My hon. Friend will realise that any statement I made would be of the utmost value to the enemy, who has shown no inclination to give us any Information about his own heavy merchant and warship losses.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship created for fathers whose families have been evacuated at the request of the military authorities from certain coastal areas; and whether he will arrange for reduced fare facilities so that they may visit their families, many of whom are now living in remote parts of the country?

At the present time facilities are available to enable parents to visit, at specially reduced fares, school children who were taken from the coastal areas in school parties and billeted by the Government The possibility of extending these facilities so that they may be available for persons who have made private arrangements for evacuating their families will be examined as circumstances permit, but it will be realised that there are many demands on the railways which must receive prior consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will declare London an evacuation area in order that the Defence (Evacuated Areas) Regulations may apply, particularly with regard to the suspension of payment of rent, rates and mortgages on empty houses, thereby relieving those who have voluntarily evacuated and, at the same time, stimulating further evacuation?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not consider that my hon. Friend's suggestion would be appropriate for London. The orderly transfer of mothers, children and other special categories of the population is being stimulated in other ways.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has considered the invitation from the Argentine Government that English children will be received into that country and shown every consideration and hospitality; and whether he contemplates, on the resumption of the evacuation of children overseas, making the necessary arrangements for the acceptance of this invitation for children whose parents and guardians may desire to send them to the Argentine?

His Majesty's Government learned on 31st July from His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires that the Argentine Government had issued a decree laying down the administrative procedure to be followed for the admission of children from this and other countries into Argentina. On 2nd August a message was broadcast on the British official wireless stating that the Argentine Government's action was regarded here as a very generous token of Argentina's practical sympathy. It is not the case that His Majesty's Government have received an invitation from the Argentine Government. The problems of educating British children in non-English speaking countries place difficulties in the way of any general Government scheme, and the Argentine regulations only contemplate children being sent out to join relatives or friends. It is felt that in such circumstances private arrangements are preferable.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of Territorial battalions at the beginning of the present war were commanded by Territorial officers; and what the proportion now is?

At the beginning of the war, all Territorial Army battalions except one were commanded by officers holding Territorial Army commissions, the proportion thus being very nearly 100 per cent. A number of these battalions have since been converted into units of other arms. Of the remaining battalions, 37 per cent. are commanded by officers holding Territorial Army commissions. Of the converted units, 75 per cent are so commanded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the allocation of raw material to manufacturers engaged in export trade is on a scale sufficient to give full effect to the policy laid down by the Government?

Owing to the wide variety of raw materials, to the many claims upon them, and to other factors affecting manufacturers' ability to export, it is not possible to generalise on this question. My hon. Friend can, however, be assured that as much raw material is allocated to the export trade as circumstances from time to time permit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions were attached to the loan of £2,000,000 recently granted to Spain; and whether those conditions can be stated to this House?

The loan in question was granted as part of the general settlement of outstanding financial matters between this country and Spain which was contained in the Agreement regarding trade and payments of the 18th March last. (See Cmd. Papers 6188 and 6189.) Under that Agreement the money is available through the Anglo-Spanish Clearing as required by the Spanish Government, for purchases in the United Kingdom or other countries of the Sterling area. No other conditions were attached to the grant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money lent to His Majesty's Government, free of interest, by the citizens of the county borough of Bradford; the total amount to date invested from the city of Bradford; and what this represents per head of the population?

The amount lent to the Government during the Bradford War Weapons Week in Saving Certificates, Defence and National War Bonds and Savings Bank Deposits was £2,507,744. In addition loans made free of interest amounted to £553,187 and gifts to £824. The total of £3,061,755 represents, on the basis of the most recent estimates of population, an amount per head of approximately £11 6s. od. I would take this opportunity of expressing my warm appreciation of this splendid result.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the war agricultural executive committees in the different counties possess adequate details of the derelict land in their particular areas; and whether, in those circumstances, he will ask them to send in to him figures giving, at the latest available date, the amount of such land, for publication, to guide the public as to the extent to which land in this country is still uncultivated?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the Question put by the hon. Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) on 17th October.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that household coal is now costing over £3 a ton in the inland districts of Northern Ireland; and whether, in view of the difficulties for the poorer people in paying so high a price, arrangements can be made for the supply of coal at a cheaper rate?

Yes, Sir, but Northern Ireland is not less favourably situated in this respect than many areas of England. The hon. Member will appreciate that increased transport costs, particularly for sea-borne coal, must necessarily be reflected in higher retail prices.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether the Government has agreed to allow Spain to resume the importing of oils; whether any restrictions have been placed on the quantity imported, or/and conditions as to its use?

As was stated by my right hon. Friend on 30th July, His Majesty's Government desire to enable Spain to receive adequate supplies of oil for her own internal consumption, but not for re-export, and to maintain her oil stocks at a reasonable and steady level. Negotiations have recently taken place with the Spanish Government, and agreement has been reached on a programme of imports for the last four months of this year. This programme is based on the present rate of consumption, which is limited by restrictions imposed by the Spanish Government themselves for financial reasons. Navicerts are accordingly being issued for these amounts only, subject to the strictest guarantees against re-export.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of the anxiety of men serving in the Middle East to receive news from their families, he will consider, so long as postal communications remain so slow, both the desirability and the possibility of allowing all cables to such men in the Middle East to go at inland rates instead of under the present system of limited cables at cheap rates under special terms?

Telegrams may be sent without restriction as to number to members of His Majesty's Army and the Royal Air Force serving in the British Empire and in places under British mandate at a special rate of 2s. 6d. for five words with entirely free address. The charge is thus substantially lower than the cheapest normal rate. The Departments concerned are, however, fully alive to the special need for providing an exceptionally cheap service to members of His Majesty's Forces serving in places with which postal communications are seriously delayed and, in these cases, the nominated next of kin may send a maximum of two telegrams a month on urgent private matters at the inland rate of charge. It is regretted that for technical reasons it is at present impracticable to extend the scope for these facilities, but the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry have made arrangements for members of His Majesty's Forces serving abroad to be specially notified by telegraph, at the public expense, in the event of a near relative becoming a casualty as a result of air raids in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of the present difficulties now confronting the Post Office and the shortage of paper, he will make an appeal to the general public to refrain from sending Christmas cards?

I hope that the public will do their best to lighten the burden which will fall upon the Post Office during the period of Christmas pressure, and I much appreciate my hon. Friend's desire to help the Post Office in what is bound to be a most formidable task. I hesitate, however, to ask the public to refrain entirely from sending Christmas cards, more especially as so many children and young people are away from home in reception areas, or on service.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in connection with privilege priority telephone calls, he will take steps to ensure that only calls of national importance shall receive priority; and what steps are being taken to prevent junior departmental officials describing their calls as of national importance?

The use of the priority privilege in the telephone service has been under constant scrutiny since the outbreak of war and various steps have been taken to detect and check abuse of the facility. Following a recent comprehensive review of the matter, further steps are now being taken to tighten up the procedure in regard to all priority calls, both from Government Departments and from other sources.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware of the inefficient condition of the telephone; that it is quite impossible to obtain prompt service at any time; and will he therefore give this matter his immediate consideration?

I am aware of the serious difficulty experienced from time to time by the public in making telephone calls to and from certain centres. I am fully alive to the importance of maintaining a prompt telephone service under war conditions and I am giving unremitting attention to the matter. I should be glad to explain to my hon. Friend in more detail later the difficulties which we have to meet and the steps we are taking to resolve them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give the name of the person who has attempted gross profiteering by cornering available supplies of onions; and if, in the public interest, it is proposed to take action against an exploiter of the nation's food necessity?

; I have made careful inquiry into this matter and have been unable to obtain evidence to support the suggestion that there has been any attempt on the part of any person or persons to corner the available supplies of onions. The great excess of demand over supply, owing to the absence of foreign imports, has led to high prices generally, but, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, an Order is now in being, imposing a maximum price of 4½,d. per lb. for retail sales to the public.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that some local food con- trollers are refusing to allow cottagers to kill, or have killed, their own pigs for consumption by their own households, insisting that they shall be put upon the general market; and whether he will see that the Government's undertakings in this matter be observed.

A general instruction as to the granting of permits for the slaughter by householders for their own consumption of pigs fattened by thorn, was given on 15th January, 1940. Very few cases have been brought to the notice of my noble Friend in which a food control committee has failed to act in accordance with this instruction and in those cases the necessary action has been taken to prevent a recurrence. To ensure that the existing instructions are properly understood my noble Friend has decided to issue a further circular on this matter to all committees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether his attention has been called to the representations of the North Midland Food Investigation Committee to the effect that excessive prices are being charged for tinned tomatoes and that without fixture of price a committee is powerless adequately to deal with the numerous complaints received; whether, and from what date, price control is to be imposed; what action is being taken on these representations; and what is the reason for the delay;(2) what steps can be taken by food investigation committees who report, after examination, that excessive prices are being charged for articles of food not yet controlled in price, so as to operate as a deterrent to further profiteering; and whether he will inform such committees who consider themselves powerless how they can act in the matter?

My Noble Friend has received representations from the North Midland Food Price Investigation Committee recommending action to control the price of canned tomatoes. No similar recommendation has been received from other local food price investigation committees, but immediate steps are being taken to obtain information from other parts of the country with a view to the control of prices should that course prove necessary. No representations have reached my Noble Friend from any of the local food price investigation committees to the effect that they consider themselves powerless to take steps tending to stop profiteering, and under the prescribed procedure they are at liberty to make recommendations regarding any uncontrolled foodstuffs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why churches and chapels are unable to obtain reasonable quantities of rationed foods for teas in connection with bazaars and sales of work, whereas these are easily obtained for dances and other social functions; and will he discontinue the present discrimination against religious bodies?

My Noble Friend regrets that in present circumstances he would not feel justified in sanctioning the additional call upon available supplies of rationed foods which would occur if permission were given for sales outside the ration at bazaars or sales of work arranged by churches and similar organisations, and he suggests that use should be made of unrationed foods for that purpose. There is no ground for the suggestion that rationed foods are easily obtained at dances or other functions except to the extent to which they are provided by caterers from the resources available to them in their normal business.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the selling price of oats in certain districts is fixed at £18 12s. 6d. per ton and that the local trading society is, none the less, buying the same oats from farmers in the district at from £10 to £11 per ton; whether the farmers are only allowed to sell to a licensed dealer; and why, under the circumstances, such an unreasonable margin of profit is permitted.

If the first price referred to in the Question is for oats for feeding purposes sold in substantial quantity in the same condition as when bought from the grower, the price appears to be high, and if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have the particulars I will have inquiry made to ascertain whether the provisions of the Maximum Prices Order are being observed. The answer to the second part of the Question is that in order to maintain control over the trade in home-grown oats, it has been necessary to prescribe by Order that a grower shall, except by licence, sell his oats only to an approved buyer; my Department is prepared in cases to grant individual licences for consumers of oats to buy direct from growers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he can state the reasons for the refusal of a packing station licence to the firm of M. and T. J. Watney, of Bexley, Kent, on the ground that, although they have the most modern electrical equipment and have admittedly always turned out a first-class article, they do not exceed their normal output of 200,000 eggs per year; whether he is aware that this policy of compelling firms of their efficiency to sell their eggs at lower than the price charged by bigger firms is unfair to the small trader, and, if persisted in, will drive them out of business; and whether he will re-examine the refusal in this particular case.

The object of establishing licensed packing stations for eggs was to induce the flow from the producing areas to the large towns of a fair proportion of the supply of home produced eggs which, owing to the fixing of uniform maximum prices, would otherwise have been sold in or near the producing areas. It is one of the conditions of the licence granted to a packing station under the scheme that the station shall, if required by the Minister, sell eggs to such purchasers as may be directed by him. In order that the object of the Packing Stations Scheme may be achieved it is necessary to take into account the output of a station before a licence is granted. The output of the firm in question is well below the minimum figure considered to be desirable for a licensed packer under the scheme. This firm can sell eggs under categories D.I. and D.II, but they are not entitled to the higher maximum prices for eggs passing through packing stations which is intended to cover the cost of collection of the eggs, of passing them through the packing station and of delivery to wholesalers or retailers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the quantity of milk now being used for manufacturing purposes which might be diverted to domestic consumption to meet any shortage that may arise during any period in which production is at a low level?

The quantity of milk at present being allocated to manufacturing purposes (i.e., the production of butter, cheese, condensed milk and milk powder) is equivalent to less than 6 per cent. of the total production. In the event of an emergency arising this small quantity might be temporarily reduced.

asked the Minister of Supply to give a ruling whether glass firms are able to use in any form the broken glass from damaged houses or whether this is really waste?

Manufacturers of plate and window glass are using glass from damaged properties to the extent to which the capacity of the appropriate type of plant can deal with it.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that considerable delay is being experienced by Messrs. Kitson and Company, of Leeds, in securing payment for goods delivered on Ministry of Supply contracts; and whether he will take steps to see that payment is immediately made?

I have been unable to trace any undue delay in making payments to Messrs. Kitson and Company, of Leeds. The company are being requested to furnish particulars of their claims so that immediate payment may be made of any sums due to them.