asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that victims of air raids have often to stand for long periods in queues outside unemployment assistance boards and public assistance committee offices and Employment Exchanges and, further, are frequently sent from one office to another, sometimes repeatedly, before their claims are adjudicated upon or even investigated; and whether, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, he will take steps to bring these practices to an end?

My Department and the Assistance Board are in constant consultation with the Ministry of Health on this matter. It is sometimes impossible to prevent the attendance of considerable numbers simultaneously at particular points but every practical step is being taken to avoid delays. The Board's officers are instructed to deal with urgent applications at the office at which they are first made. If there are cases where applicants are sent from one office to another hon. Members will assist me by sending me particulars immediately.

asked the Home Secretary whether the leaflet entitled "Working after the Siren" has been circulated to all Government Departments; and whether it is being acted upon?

The leaflet entitled "Working after the Siren" was addressed primarily to firms engaged on vital production, but similar instructions were issued separately by the Treasury to all Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour when he anticipates that labour will be available on the shift system to enable those industries engaged upon the requirements for war and export to work 24 hours per day and seven days per week?

I do not propose to encourage seven-day working, because it reduces output and causes an increase in absenteeism in the long run.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the workers in many firms are seeking shelter on the sounding of the alert although the country has been led to believe that places of employment engaged on the requirements for war and export are continuing work up to the notice of imminent danger; and will he announce that those who seek shelter before the imminent danger notice will not be in receipt of pay?

I would like to assure my hon. Friend that the facts are not as suggested in his Question. The workers are standing up magnificently to the bombing attacks and I am happy to say that the enemy is not succeeding in his efforts as my hon. Friend suggests. With regard to pay, the arrangements have been fixed by industry itself and I see no grounds for interference.

asked the Minister of Labour how many scientists are registered under the Ministry of Labour and how many are being utilised, respectively, in the following classes: chemists, physicists, engineers, mathematicians, biologists, biochemists, physiologists, pathologists and psychologists; how many scientists actively engaged upon research have been registered and utilised; and how many members of the Royal Society are wholly or in any way activel engaged in war work?

There are 28,423 scientists of the categories mentioned on the Central Register practically all of whom are occupied. The function of the Central Register is to transfer to new work the best qualified candidates who can be spared from their present work and it would be entirely misleading to suppose that because a scientist has not been moved by the Central Register after his registration, his services are not being utilised to the best advantage. Statistics are not kept in the precise form aked for, and I would invite my hon. Friend to call at the office of the Central Register where he will be given all available information on the questions he raises.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the large supplies required to meet the pressing needs of His Majesty's Forces, he will take into consideration the claims of Northern Ireland for war factories and, in addition, place there larger orders than heretofore in order to provide more employment which is much needed at the moment?

As I assured my hon. Friend on 5th September, my right hon. Friend is anxious to make the maximum possible use of the man power and resources of Northern Ireland and has had the whole question re-examined. As a result, in addition to the appointment to Northern Ireland of a representative of the Director of Gun and Carriage Production, senior members of other production departments of the Ministry of Supply have been despatched to Northern Ireland to discuss on the spot the possibilities of increased orders being placed there. I am hopeful that these visits will have definite results in the near future.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has yet received the report from the representative of his Ministry who visited Northern Ireland in order to test the quality of the iron ore to be found there; and whether he will state the nature of the report?

My right hon. Friend has just received a full report on the iron ore deposits of Northern Ireland. The report is being examined as quickly as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the new responsibilities placed upon the Milk Marketing Board by the provisions of Statutory Rule and Order No. 1716, he can arrange to alter the composition at the earliest opportunity, so as to ensure that its membership shall provide an equal balance between distributing and consuming interests, and to remove the anxiety of consumers and distributors that such wide powers should have been placed in the hands of a Board which, in its present form, is a producers' monopoly?

My Noble Friend sees no occasion to alter the composition of the Milk Marketing Board in consequence of the powers which have recently been conferred upon that organisation to enable them to implement his policy. These powers are being exercised under his general supervision and subject to his direction, and there is no ground for anxiety on the part of consumers or distributors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will have inquiries made regarding the failure of the Milk Marketing Board to pay Mr. E. J. Harris, of Manor Farm, Aston Magna, Moreton - in - Marsh, Gloucestershire, the money due to him in connection with supplying milk under the national scheme for free and cheap milk; and, in this connection, whether he will take immediate steps to curtail the amount of clerical work which is involved and expedite the simplification of all matters dealing with the claim forms?

I am informed that Mr. Harris submitted in September his claims for payment in respect of milk supplied by him under the National Milk Scheme in July and August, 1940, and that a cheque was despatched to him on the 11th October. His claim for the month of September will be paid within the next week. The procedure in connection with the submission of claims for payment under the National Milk Scheme is being reviewed in consultation with representatives of the interests concerned, with a view to its simplification.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the serious short-age in supplies of milk in the Consett, County Durham, area; and whether immediate steps will be taken to rectify the same?

So far as I am aware there is no shortage of milk in the Consett area at the present time; only one case, of very small dimensions, has been reported recently and this has already been dealt with, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I shall be very happy to look into them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give an undertaking to the producers of potatoes throughout the country to remove surplus stocks of potatoes from the market at the minimum prices, and at any time?

My Noble Friend, after consultation with the Agricultural Departments, has already given an undertaking on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. The producers have been informed of his intention to purchase surplus supplies of Ware potatoes from time to time throughout the season, and to take over any residue of marketable quality still unsold at the end of the season.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to effect a reconstruction of the Home Guard which will make it readily available and effective for both mobile and static duties?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which I made on 6th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether His Majesty's Government will make a grant of public money for the promotion of the welfare of the troops stationed in this country and abroad?

Considerable sums from public funds have already been allotted for expenditure on welfare work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the arrangements being made for educational work for the benefit of soldiers, include provision for handicraft work during the winter months, especially for men in billets?

Yes, Sir. The pamphlet "Education in the War-Time Army," of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, shows the lines upon which we are working. This alludes specifically to the needs of those whose minds work through their hands, and special funds have been allotted for the purchase of equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether General Lord Gort has completed his despatch on the campaign in France; and whether any or all of it will be available for publication in the near future?

It has been decided that despatches will not be published until alter the war for the reason that in the unusual circumstances of this war it would be impossible to publish them without giving useful information to the enemy. The despatches on the campaign in the Low Countries and in France were written with a view to giving His Majesty's Government the fullest possible narrative of events. A narrative covering the period may be published at a later date. I desire, however, to emphasise that the mass of information contained in the despatches and reports is being collated and carefully examined, so that the lessons to be derived from it may be applied by the Service Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the revision of married officers' allowances with a view to eliminating for the period of the war the present discrimination against married officers under 30 years of age in comparison with married officers over 30 years of age; and whether he will, pending such revision, issue a public statement explaining the circumstances giving rise to the present anomalous situation?

This is a complicated question. My hon. Friend has already been provided, in a particular case, with a very full statement of the reasons for the differentiation between the allowances payable in respect of their families to Army officers over 30 and Army officers under 30, to which I cannot usefully add. I am not prepared at present to consider revision of these allowances in the manner suggested. An extract from the statement to which I have referred is as follows:

"The ordinary peace-time scale of remuneration for Army officers did not recognise officers as married until they were 30 years of age and then it provided allowances for them based on general conditions of Army life. In effect, the provision of an allowance to married officers over 30 at certain rates is part of the general financial terms offered to those who make the Army a career. It was considered that the peace-time code could hardly be applied in war, when a large number of civilians who have married under 30 years of age serve with the Army. It would be difficult in their case to limit the grant of an allowance to those over 30, and it was decided that any concession given to officers in wartime in this respect should be extended during the war to regular peace-time officers under 30, even though, under the conditions of their service, they had no grounds for expecting this. On the other hand, it did not follow that the rates provided in the ordinary peacetime scale for officers who have made the Army their profession could of necessity be granted to war-time officers. It might have been more rational to have devised a new scale for all war-time officers narrowing the gap between the allowances of those under 30 and those over 30 and less favourable for those over 30 than peace-time rates. There were obvious difficulties in this, and it was decided to give all officers over 30 the benefit of the peacetime code."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement as to the output of rifles; and whether the latest recruits to be called up are supplied with modern weapons?

I do not think it would be desirable to make any public statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Territorial officers who were commanding brigades and battalions, respectively, on the outbreak of war, and at the latest available date?

At the outbreak of war there were 28 Territorial Army officers commanding brigades; there are now 24. As regards battalions, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 6th October to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Leeds (Mr. Craik Henderson).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the men of a company of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps are encamped under canvas without bed-boards, in all weathers, in spite of the fact that there is ample accommodation in a nearby castle where officers and sergeants are already billeted; and will he take steps to provide for their early transfer to such available accommodation?

I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have the necessary information.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Union jack may be used as a pall at funerals of Civil Defence Volunteers as in the case of military funerals?

Yes, Sir. In the view of His Majesty's Government this use of the flag would be appropriate and would be a fitting tribute to those whose death is due to enemy action, whether or not they are Civil Defence Volunteers.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government that basements of houses at present unrated should, as a result of occupation as air-raid shelters, become liable to the payment of rates?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Section 1 (2) of the Rating and Valuation (Air-Raid Works) Act, 1938, which provides that no person shall be liable to pay rates in respect of a hereditament which is intended to be occupied and used solely for the purpose of air-raid protection and which is not occupied or used for any other purpose. The question whether the Section is applicable in any particular case would be a matter for the rating authority, subject to an appeal to the courts.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that brick and concrete communal shelters in London, which have been built without damp courses, are now being fitted with bunks, with the result that lower berths will be extremely damp; and whether he will give an assurance that new shelters, designed for sleeping purposes, will have damp courses and that such steps will he taken as may be possible to remedy the defect in existing shelters?

It is doubtful how far the provision of a damp course will effectively check damp in new structures, but it is, in fact, intended to incorporate such a feature in the new design which is, for other reasons, about to be introduced in supersession of existing designs.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to heat communal shelters now being built with sleeping accommodation in London, in view of the officially acknowledged danger of amateur heating arrangements?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the street surface shelters. I am advised that for a number of reasons it would be neither desirable nor practicable at present to embark upon the installation of artificial heating in these shelters.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to resume the manufacture of Anderson shelters; and whether supplies of these shelters will be made available to the unspecified areas?

Yes, Sir; but manufacture will be on a scale which will make it necessary for some considerable time to confine supplies to those areas where the need is considered greatest.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing legislation to exempt premises from rateability, notwithstanding that furniture remains, in respect of any period throughout which they continue to be evacuated by their occupiers, under order of the competent authority, owing to the proximity of time-bombs or to other war risks?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the action of local authorities in demanding rates in full unless the property has been bombed beyond repair, whereas in many cases tenants have vacated damaged but still habitable premises or in anticipation of the effects of a time-bomb have voluntarily left their homes and in all such cases are refusing to pay rent or are only paying partial rent; and whether, in view of the hardship on property owners forced to pay the rates without receiving rent, he will appoint a small committee to investigate the whole matter with a view to reaching a fair policy?

The periods for which premises have to be vacated owing to time-bombs, or for other reasons of war, and the circumstances in which the vacation takes place are so varied, that I do not as at present advised consider that any general exemption of the premises from rates during the period in question would prove a satisfactory solution of the problem, but I am having the whole matter further examined. I may add that under the existing law it is open to a rating authority to make a suitable reduction in the rate payable by a ratepayer whose premises are rendered temporarily unusable in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend, if they consider that, on account of poverty, payment of the full rate would involve hardship.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, under the present regulations, private motor cars allowed on roads after dark, even with restricted lighting, give valuable guides to German bombers towards industrial towns and help them to find their targets; and will he consider the advisability of making an immediate order prohibiting the use of private motor cars of any kind after 30 minutes after sunset, except those on important Government business for which special licences should be issued by the police?

The regulations governing the lighting of vehicles are so designed as to prevent the lights from being unduly visible from the air, while at the same time affording sufficient light to enable traffic to proceed with safety at a reasonable speed. As I recently announced in the House, I have taken steps to reduce the risk of visibility from the air still further by requiring a more drastic dimming of side-lights. But it would be impossible to eliminate the risk altogether without bringing traffic to a standstill at night. As regards the second part of the Question my hon. Friend will be aware that a large number of private cars are used for professional and business purposes, or for the transport of persons engaged on important work. In these circumstances it appears to me to be impracticable to impose any such prohibition as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the release, under such conditions as he may wish to impose, from detention in Brixton Prison, of the surgeon to whom his attention was drawn by the hon. Member for London University, on 17th October, in view of the representations made by some eminent members of the medical profession who have intimate knowledge of his activities, and in view of the inconvenience suffered by three important London voluntary hospitals, of the honorary staff of which this surgeon is an active member?

This case is to be reviewed by the Advisory Committee who will take account, amongst other things, of any representations made on behalf of the appellant.

asked the Home Secretary who are the members of the Advisory Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Francis Lindley, appointed to investigate the cases of aliens detained in prison; how many times this committee has so far sat, and how many cases it has dealt with; and whether, in view of the fact that there are nearly 700 of these detainees, most of whom have been in prison for two to four months without obtaining any replies to their communications or any opportunity of defending themselves personally or through witnesses, he will conider enlarging or otherwise supplementing the committee so as to expedite investigation?

An interdepartmental committee under the chairmanship of Sir Francis Lindley consisting of representatives of the Foreign Office and the Home Office together with Mr. C. R. Havers, K.C., was appointed in September to consider the cases of aliens detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order regarding whom representations had been made by foreign governments. This committee has met seven times and has dealt with 58 cases, that is, with all the cases in which such representations have been made. As announced in reply to the hon. Member's Question on the 9th October this committee is to be reconstituted and its scope enlarged so that it will be available to consider all cases of such aliens referred to it by me. It is hoped that it will be possible to announce the composition and terms of reference of the reconstituted committee at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the large number of cases of looting from damaged houses recently before the courts; and whether, in view of the fact that the offence is a serious one for which the death penalty can be invoked, he will issue a circular to those responsible for the administration of justice recommending them to give deterrent sentences where the offence has been systematic or continued, or suggesting a minimum sentence for all such cases?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) on 10th October. As indicated in that reply, a circular, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, has been issued to courts of summary jurisdiction.

asked the Home Secretary whether the proposals to revise the scheme by which the country is divided into specified and unspecified areas for the purpose of civil defence services, have now been considered?

I am not quite sure what my hon. Friend has in mind. So far as the personnel requirements of the civil defence services are concerned, establishments are kept under constant review in accordance with the circumstances and requirements of each area. So far as domestic shelter is concerned, the distinction between areas has for some time largely disappeared.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now prepared to consider the release of interned alien refugees where it can be established that such refugees are definitely anti-Nazi, and when their friends in this country can guarantee to provide for them or be responsible for their employment?

My hon. Friend's proposal is based on the assumption that means are available for establishing the attitude of each alien, whereas the crucial problem is that of finding a reliable method of ascertaining what each alien's attitude would be in testing circumstances. As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 17th October, one good test is readiness to volunteer for the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. The Asquith Committee have been giving the most careful study to this problem, and I hope to be in a position to make a further statement at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary how many interned aliens have been recommended for release by the advisory committee appointed to consider applications coming under Category 19 of the White Paper, referring to internees who have been conspicuous for their anti-Nazi and anti-Fascist activities; and how many have been actually released out of those so recommended?

Up to and including the 1st November recommendations for the release of 23 internees had been received from the Tribunal appointed to consider applications made by Germans and Austrians under Category 19 of the White Paper. Up to the 2nd November the release of 17 of these persons had been authorised. I will obtain and send to my hon. Friend similar information about Italians who have applied for release under Category 19.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the Pioneer Corps are now actually engaged in clearing-up work in the London area; if he is aware that the Borough of Shoreditch has had fewer than 100 men of the Pioneer Corps assisting in dealing with the débris in that borough, and that it is in need of a great many more; and if he will arrange for more men to be made available for work in the borough?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss) to-day. It has been possible so far to allocate only 100 Pioneers to undertake clearance work in Shoreditch; but clearance in this area is also being undertaken by the Civilian Labour organisation which is being built up. It is hoped to give more assistance to Shoreditch in the near future.

asked the Home Secretary which Department is responsible for organising the labour supply for clearing up London débris; and who is responsible for the execution of the task?

The Department responsible for organising the necessary civilian labour supply for the clearance of débris is the Ministry of Labour and National Service. The executive responsibility for the execution of the work in London has been entrusted to Sir Warren Fisher, whom my predecessor appointed on the 27th September last as a Special Commissioner for this purpose within the organisation of the London Region. The London County Council have been good enough to put at the disposal of the Special Commissioner a controlling staff familiar with the kindred work of the rescue and de- molition parties, for which they are responsible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the event of war damage to farm buildings, cattle sheds, etc., he will secure priority claims for repair material or see that instructions are given to the responsible local authorities to do so in order that the production of milk and other important foodstuffs may not be impeded?

Special arrangements have already been made for local authorities to release without delay the materials required for first aid repairs to buildings generally, including farm buildings. Materials for permanent repairs are released by the regional licensing officers of the Ministry of Works and Buildings. These officers have been instructed to consult the County War Agricultural Executive Committees in regard to farm buildings so that I think my hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that the interests of food production will be fully safeguarded.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to make compulsory regulations by painting, or other suitable means, for the prevention of glare and reflection from skylights and glass generally?

I am advised that reflection from glass does not constitute a danger which need be dealt with.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the importance of speedy executive action, he will now appoint a Health Commissioner for the London region with full powers?

I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on this suggestion and we are satisfied that the problem which my hon. Friend has in mind can best be handled by the existing organisation both central and local, and that the appointment of a Health Commissioner is not necessary.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Birmingham civic authorities refuse to give Members of Parliament, or their representatives, brief particulars as to premises damaged by aerial bombardment in their various constituencies or supply them with lists of casualties although such casualty lists are exhibited in public places; and will he give instructions that this information is to be supplied?

The question of what arrangements can be made for giving to hon. Members information of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind has been engaging attention for some time; as will be appreciated, information about air raid casualties and damage is, of necessity, highly confidential. I am glad to be able to say however that arrangements have now been made for A.R.P. Controllers to be instructed that when so requested they should give Members of Parliament, or persons authorised on their behalf and duly accredited, general information, exclusively for the Member's personal use, as to casualties and damage in the Member's constituency. I may add that I have considered carefully whether it would be possible for information to be given as a routine matter, but there are difficulties in the way and I suggest that this point is met if the request is made either by the Member or his authorised representative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of publishing a civilian roll of honour, especially in view of the fact that the numbers of those who have died by enemy action are habitually published?

This suggestion was considered by my predecessor but rejected as impracticable. I have examined it again but I cannot agree that publication of details of all civilian deaths due to enemy action would be advisable, even if it were practicable.

asked the Home Secretary whether, particularly in order to avoid misunderstanding in those buildings where soda acid extinguishers are already fixed, he will make it clear that though it is believed the stirrup hand-pump is generally more effective the use of such soda acid extinguishers is entirely approved especially where two or more are available?

For the benefit of those who have installed chemical fire extinguishers permission has recently been given to the Fire Extinguisher Trades Association to issue a memorandum about the use of soda acid and water and carbon dioxide extinguishers on incendiary bombs and resulting fires. Arrangements are also being made for the manufacturers to attach to soda acid and water and carbon dioxide extinguishers authorised labels stating in what circumstances the extinguishers may safely be used on incendiary bombs.

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements can be made to relieve tired air-raid precautions workers in the most vulnerable areas by detachments from the Army?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement on the subject made on 5th November by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decision he has come to regarding the transfer of the domicile of the Great Boulder Proprietary Gold Mines, Limited?

I have informed the liquidators of the Great Boulder Proprietary Gold Mines, Limited, that I am not prepared to give consent under Regulation 6A of the Defence (Finance) Regulations to the transfer of this business to an Australian company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as regards Treasury deposit receipts, it is proposed to increase this form of Government borrowing from the banks in the same ratio as the bank moneys on deposit increase; and, since these Treasury deposit receipts are presumably unrelated at the present time to the amount of money the banks have on deposit, will the Government take steps to reduce the rate of interest paid to the banks in connection with these cost-less credits?

In reply to the first part of the Question the amount of the borrowings from the banks by means of Treasury deposit receipts will be regulated in the future, as in the past, by the Government's weekly needs. As regards the rate of interest, I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the senior Member for the City of London on 4th July, that the rate would be fixed from time to time in the light of prevailing conditions and I see no reason to alter the existing rate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as regards the Treasury deposit receipts he will state the total amount in the aggregate that the Government have borrowed since the inception of the scheme to the 31st October, 1940; and the average rate of interest that has been paid on these Treasury deposit receipts during this period?

The total amount borrowed up to 31st October, 1940, by means of Treasury deposit receipts from the banks was £,224,000,000 of which £6,000,000 was repaid by that date. The rate of interest paid on these borrowings was 1⅛ per cent. throughout.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that for the current quarter some dividends on gilt-edged securities are being paid less an Income Tax deduction of 10s. 6d. in the £ which inflicts real hardship on small investors who are not liable to such a heavy rate of taxation; and what instructions have been given to facilitate an early reclaim and repayment of the tax over-deducted?

The deductions in question are made in accordance with the provisions of the Fifth Schedule to the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1940, which prescribes the procedure by which insufficient deductions of tax from payments made earlier in the present year are made good so far as possible by an increased deduction from the next subsequent payment. With regard to the latter part of the Question, it is not necessary for a person whose income entitles him to relief from Income Tax by way of repayment to wait until the end of the year before making any claim. A claim for a repayment on account may be made as soon as it can be shown that some repayment for the year will be due, and it is part of the standing instructions to officers of the Inland Revenue Department that such claims shall be dealt with promptly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will authorise exemption from the Purchase Tax in the case of household and other goods to be supplied in replacement of those which have been destroyed by enemy action?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the similar Question by the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Woods) on 5th instant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the greater liability to accident under present conditions, officers and men of the Navy who are directed to find their own accommodation, or Who are provided with service accommondation outside their ships or establishments, can be regarded as on duty when necessarily engaged on journeys between such accommodation and their places of duty?

It is not possible to lay down a hard and fast rule in regard to injuries sustained by officers and ratings outside their ships or establishments, but compensation would be payable under the Naval War Pensions Order-in-Council in respect of an injury sustained in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend if the accident were attributable to the conditions or special risks of naval service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the estates in this country of Prince Giustiniani Bandini, known in this country as the Earl of Newburgh, who is an enemy alien, have been taken over by the custodian of enemy property?

No, Sir. The Trading with the Enemy (Custodian) Order requires any person who holds or manages any property for or on behalf of an enemy to notify the Custodian of Enemy Property. No such notification has been received in respect of any property of Prince Bandini in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the industry was consulted on the proposed home-production order that will have a serious effect on the pottery industry; why is it intended to make an order while there are so many unemployed; and will he hold up the order pending discussions with the Members of Parliament for the area?

After a careful review of the situation in the industry the President of the Board of Trade decided that an additional home trade quota should be allowed to the pottery industry for the current rationing period, which ends on the 30th November. As regards the next period, commencing 1st December, the need to transfer labour to munitions work in the Potteries during that period is likely to be so considerable that it was felt necessary at the same time to warn those concerned by an announcement in the Press that the home trade quota would have to be reduced to 50 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he intends to extend further support to the Air Cadet Corps in this country; and, if so, has he any statement to make?

The various forms of support afforded to the Air Defence Cadet Corps were recently reviewed and particulars of the revised arrangements were published last July in an Air Ministry Order. The question whether the Corps should be given increased assistance is now being considered in connection with proposals to make further use of its resources for assisting in the preliminary training of entrants.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the management of certain hotels, as, for instance, the Anglo-Swiss Hotel, Bournemouth, have issued advertisements announcing that they do not cater for members of the Semitic race; and whether he will take steps to prevent this discrimination among British subjects?

If any hotel proprietor in this country is guilty of copying Nazi methods in this way, there will, I am sure, be general public reprobation of such action. I am advised that an innkeeper is not entitled to discriminate between one person and another if he has accommodation available, and that a traveller who is refused accommodation at an inn, except when no accommodation is available, has a right of action for damages against the innkeeper.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by workers in getting to and from their work, he will consult the War Office with a view to making Army transport available during rush hours?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (West) (Mr. Sorensen) on 16th October. If, however, any specific cases of serious difficulty are brought to my notice I shall be happy to investigate them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has completed his promised inquiries regarding the ability of Dundee jute mills to produce the necessary material for sheeting purposes; and will he now exempt potatoes and other necessary foodstuffs from the Sheeting Order, issued on the 26th August, 1940, which enables the railway companies to neglect the adequate sheeting of nationally necessary foodstuffs?

Yes, Sir. I am advised that jute canvas is not suitable for wagon sheets. The prohibition of double sheeting is necessary until there are sufficient sheets for all traffic which requires them and I am not prepared to make exceptions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for the good neighbours scheme, recently started in London, whereby motorists are encouraged to give lifts to pedestrians, to be extended to Birmingham and other large centres of population?

This scheme seems to be working successfully in London, but I should prefer to wait until we have had further experience of it before considering its extension elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed 6 per cent. increase in rail fares will apply to members of His Majesty's Forces travelling other than on a leave warrant; and, in view of the fact that members of His Majesty's Forces on short leave have to pay their own fares, will he secure some concession for them?

Members of His Majesty's Forces, when travelling on leave at their own expense, pay half ordinary single fare for a single journey, and ordinary single fare for a return journey. When ordinary fares are increased by 6 per cent. in accordance with the recommendations of the Charges (Railway Control) Consultative Committee, the fares payable by members of His Majesty's Forces will be correspondingly increased.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the representations of the Leicester Head Teachers' Association as to the insufficient supply of milk to schools in Leicester due to the unwillingness of firms to supply the milk in bottles; and whether he will take steps to secure an adequate supply of bottled milk in this area?

I have been informed that representations on the subject were made some time ago by the Head Teachers' Association in Leicester, but I understand that the difficulties are now being met thanks to the co-operation of the teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a sub-committee, appointed by the West Suffolk Education Committee, to investigate the views of teachers and to suspend, at their discretion, any who may be conscientious objectors; and on what authority that subcommittee can enforce teachers to appear before it?

Yes, Sir, I have seen reports in the Press on the action taken by the West Suffolk Education Committee. The Government's view on the general question thus raised was conveyed by my Department to all local education authorities in a circular issued on the 26th July last, covering a memorandum prepared by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member; but the appointment of teachers or termination of their appointment remains the responsibility of the local authorities or governing bodies of the schools, as the case may be.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the Italian claim that their men and machines have joined in the indiscriminate attack on London, it is intended still to treat Rome as an open city, free from aerial bombardment?

His Majesty's Government have taken note of the Italian statement that Italian men and aircraft have participated in the bombing of London and they must accordingly reserve full liberty of action in regard to Rome.

asked the Minister of Supply for what reason the railings around private squares in London are immune from the demand for scrap metal; and if he is aware that there is a considerable supply available from this source?

Railings round a number of London squares have already been surrendered for scrap purposes, but in some cases there are legal formalities to be complied with which tend to slow down the acquisition of this material. My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that it is necessary to use compulsory powers at this stage, but he will not hesitate to do so if necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that numbers of telephone subscribers have been without the use of their instruments for some weeks, a deduction will be made from their quarterly accounts for the period during which such use was not available?

Yes, Sir. Except when the amount involved is trifling, subscribers will be given the rebate in their accounts; there is no need for them to apply for this.

asked the Secretary for Mines what emergency stocks of coal have been accumulated in Suffolk and Essex and why this was not done prior to the rise in the price of household coal?

As I have stated previously the general response to my appeals made to all classes of coal consumers has been satisfactory and the stocks now held by consumers, including public utility undertakings, are above normal in almost all districts. All of these, together with Government stocks, constitute the stocks built up against emergencies and were accumulated prior to the recent increase in the price of coal. Apart from those in the London area the Government stocks in Essex and Suffolk are relatively small, but it has not been the policy of the Mines Department to accumulate Government stocks while consumers' and merchants' requirements for stocking remained unsatisfied.