asked the Minister of Health whether, as a military necessity and for the proper education of the rising generation no longer possible in London, it is intended to evacuate compulsorily schoolchildren from the Metropolis, together with provision for those mothers desiring to accompany them?

I am aware that there is much to be said in favour of the compulsory evacuation of schoolchildren from London, but there are also considerations on the other side, and in view of the fact that we should certainly not be able to obtain the co-operation of a considerable proportion of the parents I do not consider that such a course is practicable. In the meantime, a corps of volunteers in all the metropolitan boroughs and in East Ham and in West Ham has been making a personal approach to the parents in order to persuade them of the importance of evacuation in the public interest, and in the interests of the safety, health and education of the children. I am very grateful to all those who are giving their help in this campaign. This personal approach is being reinforced through the medium of the Press, the British Broadcasting Corporation and by the exhibition of posters.

asked the Attorney-General, whether he will take steps to see that a moratorium is declared in areas where evacuation is officially recommended?

A moratorium is a remedy which should be extended as sparingly as possible. In the areas referred to in the Question some relief has already been given by way of an extension of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts under paragraph 6 of the Defence (Evacuated Areas) Regulations, 1940. The question of additional legislation is under consideration by the Government.

asked the Minister of Health, what authorities are entitled to requisition beds and mattresses from private stores; and whether he can give any indication of the approximate number requisitioned, either by all or by one or two typical authorities.

The requisitioning powers to which my hon. Friend refers were conferred on the clerks of metropolitan borough councils. Information as to the extent to which the powers have been used is not yet available. The hon. Baronet will appreciate that the normal means by which the local authorities secure beds and mattresses is through my Department which has, in fact, issued large supplies to local authorities in recent months.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will authorise grants of money for funeral purposes to dependants of those killed by enemy action, and who were completely destitute at the time, and so avoid a pauper's funeral?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas) on 1st August. Under the Defence Regulations, unless adequate arrangements have been otherwise made, the burial is carried out by the public health authority and the cost does not fall on the relatives or friends. The funeral is carried out with all dignity, and the local authorities may use the Union Jack in the case of such funerals.

asked the Minister of Health the names of all members of the Central Medical War Committee appointed by him or his predecessor in addition to, and not included in the list of, the names submitted by the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association; and, in order to make it fully representative, will he now appoint members of the Medical Practitioners' Union?

The names asked for in the first part of the Question are Dr. J. Alison Glover representing the Board of Education and Sir Hubert Bond representing the Board of Control. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many local medical war committees consider themselves as appointed by and responsible to the British Medical Association; and whether he will get the Central Medical War Committee to inform such local committees that they are independent committees and represent the local medical practitioners irrespective of the body to which they belong?

I am not aware of any general misapprehension such as is suggested in the first part of the Question, but if the hon. Member will supply me with the names of the Committees which he has in mind I will consider asking the Central Medical War Committee to take the necessary action.

asked the Minister of Health, when effect will he given to Regulation 58A of the Emergency Powers (Defence) General Regulations as regards medical practitioners; what are the precise duties of the assistant secretaries of his department and of the Department of Health for Scotland as regards the supply of medical personnel; what is the procedure adopted; and is he aware that there is disquiet amongst doctors in active civilian practice as to the attitude of the Central Medical War Committee?

With regard to the first and third parts of the Question, the object of the Regulation has hitherto been attained by the procedure under which the Central Medical War Committee advises a practitioner that it is proposed to recommend him for allocation to a particular post and gives him an opportunity of accepting it voluntarily, but a formal direction will be given under the Regulation in proper cases if and when the occasion arises. The assistant secretaries referred to in the second part of the Question are concerned with administrative questions as to the number of medical personnel required for the Emergency Medical Service, the method of obtaining them, their distribution and the terms on which they are engaged, as well as with the general co-ordination of demands for medical personnel in war time. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative, at least so far as the great majority of doctors are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is aware that some local medical war committees in Scotland, although there is no such right in their constitution, are appointing subcommittees and purporting to delegate full powers to such sub-committees to act without reference to the full committee; and whether he will arrange for the Scottish Central Medical War Committee to inform local committees that such procedure is irregular?

I am aware that some local medical war committees have appointed an executive committee with powers to deal with urgent matters arising between meetings of the full committee. Such an arrangement seems to be essential for the expeditious conduct of the business of the committee and I do not propose to interfere.

asked the Home Secretary whether his pronouncement on behalf of the Government assuming financial responsibility for the building of future shelters applies to school shelters erected by local education authorities; and will he, in the light of the new policy, revise the grants paid in respect of those already provided?

The pronouncement to which my hon. Friend refers does not apply to school shelters provided by local education authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether all public shelters used for sleeping are adequately provided with sanitary arrangements?

The provision has been made in a large proportion of cases and I can assure my hon. Friend that completion of the supply is proceeding with all possible speed in the remainder.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the delays and expenses in getting letters of administration for Scottish civilians killed by air raids in England which are suffered by people domiciled in Scotland; and whether he will take steps to speed up the procedure in cases where facts of death clue to enemy action are not in dispute?

I have received no complaints in the matter and I am not aware of any difficulty in getting letters of administration, that is, confirmation of executors, where the facts are not in dispute. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with particulars of the cases he has in mind I will see that they are looked into.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that considerable confusion exists amongst the chief officials of local authorities with regard, in the event of emergency, to the exercise of compulsory powers, and that, in spite of the Defence Regulations and other general powers, many of the officials may hesitate to act because of the apprehended danger of an action for damages if they exceed their powers; and will he give consideration to the existing need for a clear and simple authoritative statement setting out what powers may be exercised without any consents and which require the previous consent of the appropriate Department of State?

I will arrange for the matter referred to by my hon. Friend to be considered by the appropriate Departments with a view to the issue in such form as may be practicable of guidance to local authorities which may serve to remove such doubts as may exist.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is taking steps to correct the serious shortage in supplies of cement in the Consett, County Durham, area, whereby the shelter programme of the council, and other defence works, are being held up?

This authority has received its full share of the cement placed at my disposal for the purposes for which I am responsible, and it will continue to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware there is considerable delay before air-raid wardens, who are injured on duty, receive any grant in respect of their injury, and that they are in many cases without funds; and whether he will institute a system by which there is no hold-up of such payments?

As I announced recently, the period during which A.R.P. workers injured on duty continue to receive full pay is being materially extended and any occasional hardship which may have occurred in the past should no longer arise. The related question of payments under the Personal Injuries (Civilian) scheme is, of course, a matter for my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delay, amounting in some cases to five weeks, in disposing of time-bombs in residential areas causing hardship to persons affected, who are thus rendered homeless; and whether, by the employment of additional units of the Royal Engineers, or otherwise, he will take steps to expedite the disposal of time-bombs?

My hon. Friend has been invited to call at the War Office to discuss this question, and I understand that he has accepted the invitation.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government have decided to accept and carry out the Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure proposing the co-ordination of all activities covering the question of camouflage?

The report of the committee is under consideration with a view to the reorganisation of camouflage work, but I am not yet in a position to say what form the reorganisation will take.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the number of young children who use the tube shelters, and who take up their position to enter soon after 10 a.m., thus spending 20 out of the 24 hours of each day in taking cover; and whether he will arrange for a census of these children and inquire whether they have any education or home life?

I hope that as the system of admission by ticket spreads, this development, which I join with my hon. Friend in deploring, will disappear.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the policy to equip air-raid wardens with clothing suitable for bad weather conditions, especially to those wardens who are on the reserve strength?

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of instructions which have recently been issued on this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will assure the House that no persons detained in prison on grounds of security are now being punished as if they were ordinary prisoners?

The loss of liberty is, of course, a punishment in itself, but a distinction is made between the treatment of convicted and unconvicted prisoners, and the instructions with regard to persons detained on security grounds lay it down that as such persons are detained for custodial purposes only and not for any punitive purpose, the conditions of their confinement will be as little as possible oppressive, due regard being had to the necessity of ensuring safe custody and maintaining order and good behaviour.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recommendation by the Common Serjeant that instructions should be given to air-raid precautions workers and others as to what they should do with articles, whether valuable or otherwise, found in homes damaged in air raids; whether such instructions have been given; and, if so, what they are?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular letter on the subject addressed to local authorities in the London Region. Corresponding instructions to their personnel will no doubt have been issued by authorities elsewhere to accord with local organisation, where such guidance is necessary. The matter is, however, one for local guidance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that certain local authorities are, by advertisements in the public Press and by the issue of handbills, warning those entitled to cheap or free milk under the National Milk Scheme that they will get the best and safest milk by the purchase of pasteurised or tuberculin-tested milk; and, as it is equally desirable that all other consumers of this food should enjoy similar protection, what steps he is taking to secure this?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, my Noble Friend sees no objection to local authorities in forming any section of the public of their opinion on the qualities of milk of various types and he has himself issued a general statement to the effect that maximum protection against the present special dangers of infection which may exist can be obtained by the boiling of milk which has not been pasteurised or sterilised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of a shortage of milk supplies in certain Home County areas to which women and children have been evacuated; that this may adversely affect the health and domestic needs of all now living in those areas; and whether he will take measures to secure that milk supplies are made adequate according to the transfer of population from London to other areas?

I am aware that temporary shortages of milk supplies have occurred in certain areas to which women and children have been evacuated. Under the system of control additional supplies are directed to such areas as the need arises, and in the majority of cases the shortage is of only two or three days' duration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent increase in the number of grey squirrels; and what action does he propose to eradicate these pests?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. If the hon. Member will furnish my right hon. Friend with particulars of any district in which grey squirrels are increasing and causing serious damage, he will make inquiries and consider whether any action is necessary under the Defence Regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the growing dissatisfaction among farmers over their treatment in respect of payment for products, which is often postponed, while on the other hand the farmer is often compelled to hold his stock which he would otherwise market or, in the case of poorer cultivators, pay cash for such commodities as paraffin; and whether he investigate with a view to change, the better financial treatment of agriculturists?

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction such as is mentioned by my hon. Friend but if he will give me details of any particular cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, so far as Kent in concerned the Army command cannot spare soldiers to help to fill the craters on agricultural land; that six craters and more have occurred in a single field; and whether, in view of the cost of about £20 to fill each crater and the shortage of labour, he will arrange for a mechanised navvy to travel round the country and do what is necessary in the way of repairs?

The answers to all parts of this Question are in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Turkish importing firms are unwilling to pay for British goods till these goods are delivered; that British exporting firms want payment against shipping documents in London; and whether he will recommend a scheme whereby the sale of British goods to Turkey can be financed by export credits under a State guarantee?

I have seen a statement in the Press that payment difficulties of the kind mentioned by the hon. Member were being encountered although in fact United Kingdom exports to Turkey are increasing rapidly. The transfer facilities offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department are designed to meet difficulties of this nature, and I understand that the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation is also prepared to assist traders.

asked the Minister of Labour, upon what grounds partnership in a firm, or a directorship in a company of insurance brokers, of which at least one partner, or director, is a member of, or subscriber to Lloyds, or is a member of the Corporation of Insurance Brokers, has been constituted a reserved occupation at the age of 30 years; and upon what grounds other insurance brokers have been differently treated?

In consultation with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, I decided to grant the reservation referred to in the first part of the Question on the grounds of the national importance of the part played by insurance brokers. As regards the second part of the Question, the entry in its present terms makes provision for the largest number of clearly definable insurance brokers engaged in work of national importance. It is realised that some insurance brokers, who should be reserved, are not covered by the terms of the entry, and deferment of calling up will be granted in appropriate individual cases, if application is made to me in accordance with the normal practice.

asked the Minister of Shipping, whether he is aware that Clyde fishermen, who had their boats requisitioned in November, 1939, are still receiving only a small sum per month to account of the hire of these boats; that there is delay in paying even this sum; that, in consequence of the requisitioning these fishermen have in store gear amounting to £300 or more in each case lying in store unremunerative and deteriorating; that the delay in fixing a reasonable rate for the hire of these boats is causing great hardship; and when he proposes to fix rates for the hire of these boats and arrange for prompt payments?

It has not yet been possible to fix rates of hire for motor fishing boats as these have to be considered in conjunction with other classes of fishing vessels and a number of associations representing fishing vessel owners have had to be consulted with a view to agreeing rates. I hope, however, shortly to make a definite proposal to the Clyde Fishermen's Association regarding rates of hire. My Department will also be prepared to give special consideration to deterioration of gear. In the meantime monthly advances on account of hire have been paid and, while the amount of these may naturally be considered inadequate by some of the owners, this is clearly a matter on which opinions may differ. Every effort is made to pay these advances punctually and I am not aware of any arrears outstanding at present.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware that at the port of Liverpool the customs authorities insist on pre-entry of all goods, but that the Ministry of Shipping does not allow vessels to remain at their loading berths long enough to take on a full load; and will he take immediate steps to alter the state of things at the port.

The first part of the Question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I am informed that the practice at Liverpool is the same as at all other ports, that is, goods for which an export licence is not required may be shipped without pre-entry to all British Empire destinations other than Canada and the West Indies. As regards the second part of the Question, it is necessary that ships shall be ready to join their convoys at the proper time, even though occasionally this may involve a ship being instructed to sail before she is fully loaded.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he will give a table showing the increased tonnage made available for British purposes as the result of ships under foreign flags being placed at our disposal?

On 31st October last the total tonnage of foreign vessels of 500 gross tons and over added to United Kingdom merchant fleet by capture, by requisition and purchase was about 1¼ million gross tons. The corresponding total of Allied and neutral vessels time chartered to us was approximately 4,000,000 gross tons. It should not be inferred that all the tonnage now at our disposal represents an addition to our importing capacity, as much foreign tonnage traded to our ports prior to the outbreak of war.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant permits to workmen from Northern Ireland engaged on work of national importance in Britain to enable them to spend the Christmas holidays with their wives, children, and friends in Ulster?

The question of travel between this country and Ireland is under consideration but I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will advise compensation authorities not to impose a compensation levy during the war, owing to the fact that the licensed trade is not normal, and considerable hardship might be caused by the closing of licensed premises under present conditions?

I think this is a matter which can safely be left to the discretion of compensation authorities, who will no doubt have due regard for the particular conditions in their districts.

asked the Home Secretary whether a member of the Home Guard, who is authorised by his company commander to carry arms, his own property and loaned to his unit because no Government issue is available, is required to obtain a police licence to use such arms?

I am advised that if a member of the Home Guard transfers a firearm to the Home Guard authorities and it is re-issued to him, he is entitled to use it on Home Guard duty without obtaining a firearm certificate from the police.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain insurance companies are increasing premiums for the Home Guards; and whether, in that case, he will state what the facts are, and which companies are taking this action?

Negotiations are proceeding in regard to this matter, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will confer with the Departments concerned for the purpose of obtaining grants for welfare centres which, having regard to the approach of winter, are of urgent necessity to the troops; and whether he will organise a national publicity campaign in all sections of the Press, in co-operation with the Ministry of Information, to obtain public support, seeing that much of what is wanted is lying in the homes of many awaiting surrender?

Considerable sums from public funds have already been allotted for expenditure on welfare work, apart from or in conjunction with what is being done by voluntary effort. In many cities and towns, voluntary bodies have provided hostels and clubs for Service men. I am sending a letter to all Lord Mayors, mayors and chairmen of district councils asking for their co-operation with local welfare officers in providing hospitality, recreation and amenities for members of the Forces stationed in their areas, and arrangements are in hand for a general appeal to the public for gifts of money and in kind to provide for the comfort of the troops during the coming winter. If I find that further publicity is required, I shall not hesitate to seek it.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that elderly railwaymen are being retained with the armed forces whilst younger men are being released for duty with the railway companies; and whether, in conjunction with the responsible railway authorities, he will devise a scheme under which men will be released strictly in accordance with their seniority in the railway service.

Releases of railwaymen from the Army are carried out at the request of railway companies, submitted through the Ministry of Transport. Individuals are asked for by name, and are released if they can be spared from military duty. The men whose releases are sought are naturally those of grades which are most urgently needed.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he will see that, as far as possible, leave is granted fairly to all men serving; what is the minimum and maximum time served that is used for the basis when granting leave; and will he issue a circular to all units in order that there may be a clear understanding on the question of leave?

After three months' service, all ranks are eligible for the grant of seven days' leave at such intervals as the exigencies of the Service admit. Full instructions have been issued enjoining that leave is to be evenly spread and that all those eligible should be granted leave in turn, as far as is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many recruiting officers there are in Wales and Monmouthshire; and how many of these have a knowledge of the Welsh language?

There are nine officers employed on recruiting duties in Wales and Monmouthshire, of whom one has a colloquial knowledge of the Welsh language. Some of the subordinate staff at various recruiting centres have a knowledge of the language.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers stationed in a district of which he has been informed are being supplied with potatoes from Belfast, while all around on the farms are large quantities of excellent potatoes for sale by farmers; and whether, in view of the unnecessary expense incurred, he will have a receiving and distributing centre for potatoes established in this district which would be advantageous to the Government and the farmers alike?

I have asked the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to investigate the practicability of adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men given non-combatant service by tribunals and posted to the non-combatant corps who have applied for transfer to the Royal Army Medical Corps, have been informed that such transfers can only be made where the applicant undertakes to sign on also for combatant duties; and whether this stipulation is properly made and in keeping with the intentions of the Government?

I am not aware of any instruction to the effect suggested in the first part of the Question. It would not be necessary for a man to renounce a conscientious objection to combatant duty in order to be transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps. The number of transfers is, of course, dependent upon the vacancies there may be. I should add that the Royal Army Medical Corps has already a large number of conscientious objectors.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether full use is being made of the artisan and Auxiliary Military Pioneer companies to erect Nissen and similar huts for the troops; and whether he is aware that the present policy of insisting on such work being put out to contract is proving most unsatisfactory, dilatory and expensive?

Artisan works companies and Pioneer companies are being employed in erecting hutting, so far as they can be made available for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the policy to treat Voluntary Aid Detachment workers of the British Red Cross Association, who are serving in this country and live in Ireland, in the same way as members of His Majesty's Forces as regards leave to that country?

I understand that members of Voluntary Aid Detachments are treated as civilians for the purpose of travel to Ireland when on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the complaints in different parts of the country concerning the headlights on vehicles in charge of the Army authorities; and what action he is prepared to take to remove this cause of concern?

I am not aware of any complaints. Rigid instructions have been issued from time to time concerning the screening of lights on War Department vehicles, and a summary of these instructions is being prepared and will be issued shortly. The drivers of military vehicles, not on urgent operational duty, have been instructed that, when they observe that civilian drivers have switched off their headlights on police direction, they are to do the same, and the military authorities have instructions to co-operate with the civil police by taking such action as may be required in cases of breaches of regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British Expeditionary Force officers who have returned from France are still waiting to be re-posted while receiving full pay and appropriate allowances; and whether they can be re-posted without further delay and thus avoid wasting their time and public funds?

I am not aware of any such case.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any progress has been made in the scheme for civil servants doing some of their work at home; and also, for making arrangements for civil servants sleeping in the office and providing them with meals or food allowance?

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the circular to Departments on winter attendance arrangements. In many Departments arrangements on the lines of one or more of the suggestions contained in the Circular are already in operation, in others they are in process of being introduced. Sleeping facilities already exist, but these are being supplemented. The circular gives to Departments authority to pay a meal allowance in appropriate circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that certain motor tyre manufacturers are now applying the Purchase Tax to re-treaded tyres carried out for private owners through motor tyre agents; and whether he will take steps to stop this?

Where a tyre manufacturer supplies a retreaded tyre to a private owner Purchase Tax is properly chargeable on the transaction, and the position in this respect is not altered if, as is understood to be the common practice in the trade, the manufacturer accepts a worn tyre of equivalent type in part payment for the goods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that cod liver oil is included in the taxable articles under the Purchase Tax; and, in view of the low butter ration and its necessity in respiratory diseases, will he make it clear whether cod liver oil is classed as a drug or a food?

It has been decided that Purchase Tax will not be chargeable on sales of cod liver oil, cod liver oil and malt, and simple emulsions of cod liver oil.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the steep rise in the Income Tax has added a considerable burden to persons buying their homes under the tax-free mortgage interest system; and whether as the large insurance companies, to which a measure of tax relief on their investment revenue from life assurance was recently given, are the principal beneficiaries under this system, he will consider the possibility of giving some relief to house-purchasers borrowing in this way?

I am aware of the existence of mortgage agreements of the kind referred to, but I am afraid that I cannot see my way to propose any relief in respect of the interest. The relief given to insurance companies to which my hon. Friend refers relates only to income allocated to policy-holders.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause an estimate to be prepared of the total income of charitable institutions with a view to showing the amount of revenue lost to the Exchequer through the exemption of such institutions from taxation; and whether he will now take steps to amend the definition of the word "charity" for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts in order to secure that only those institutions, which substantially promote the welfare of the British people, shall enjoy exemption from Income Tax?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my predecessor on 16th April last. The preparation of estimates of the total income of charitable institutions would entail the expenditure of a great deal of time and labour which, I think, could not be justified at present. With reference to the second part of the Question, I cannot add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend by my predecessor on 25th April last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that £1,500,000, offered by three firms as advance payment of taxation free of interest, was not accepted by Birmingham War Weapons Week; and whether the Government wish to encourage advances of this kind?

I have seen a statement that £1,500,000 offered as advance payment of taxation to the Birmingham War Weapons Week was not accepted. These advance payments were in fact gratefully accepted by the Government. The amount was not included in the total which Birmingham raised during its War Weapons Week, for the reason that the target set for the week related to investments in Government Securities and the Savings Banks and it would have given a misleading picture of the success of the efforts if advance payments of taxation had counted in the result. As regards the second part of the Question, the Government warmly welcome advance deposits with the Board of Inland Revenue, Somerset House, against taxation liabilities. The response already made has been very gratifying, deposits amounting to nearly £32,000,000. I would like to thank all who have given valuable help in this way. I hope that other taxpayers who have substantial liabilities to Income Tax, Sur-tax and Excess Profits Tax will consider whether they can assist in this way in the financing of the War effort.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the arrangements for the replacement of destroyed household furniture, he will state the procedure to be followed by the tenant in acquiring new furniture and in paying for it; and whether such tenants must work in close co-operation with the local authority?

The existing arrangements provide for the payment of compensation by the Assistance Board to per- sons who have suffered war damage to essential household furniture, where the income of the household does not exceed £400 a year. Application can be made at any place where the Assistance Board is transacting business, i.e., at any of its permanent offices, or at any temporary office which it has opened to deal with war damage claims. The address of the nearest office of the Board can be ascertained from an A.R.P. post, or from a Rest and Shelter Centre, or from the town hall. If the applicant can call in person he should do so as soon as possible after the damage has been incurred, but if the applicant is infirm, or if the damage is in the country and there is no office of the Board in the neighbourhood, he can send the Board's officer a letter and special arrangements will be made to take an application from him.

asked the Secretary for Mines in what other area in the United Kingdom besides Northern Ireland household coal is costing more than £3 a ton?

In London, Devon and Cornwall, certain parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the prices of household coal have risen above £3 per ton, and there are probably other districts in a similar position in respect of which I have no particulars immediately at hand.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ask the American Red Cross to inquire into the conditions at Oflag VII C/H in Germany, as in a letter, dated 24th September, an officer, taken prisoner on the 24th May and now in this camp, stated that he had received no parcels, that he had neither coat, shoes nor underclothing, and it was very cold?

Both the Protecting Power, the United States of America, and the International Red Cross have been asked to inquire into conditions at Oflag VII Camp in Germany. A telegram from the American Embassy in Berlin dated 30th October states that between 13th and 19th October 1,838 parcels of food, clothes and books had been received by British prisoners of war in this camp. The War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John are despatching quantities of clothing to all camps in Germany in which British prisoners of war are retained. The difficulties which interrupted the flow of parcels of all kinds to British prisoners in Germany during the past summer were described by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington, South (Sir W. Davison), on Tuesday last, but recent reports show that parcels are now reaching the prison camps in increasing numbers. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that I shall keep this matter under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a specimen day's menu of food in a British prisoners' camp in Germany is: 7.30 a.m. black coffee, 11 a.m. cabbage soup and potatoes, 4.30 p.m. coffee, potatoes, 1¼ square inch of bread and one square inch of butter; and whether he will make representations through the American Embassy in Berlin that this is insufficient?

I am aware of the statement to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but the latest information shows that additions have been made to the daily issue. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that rations are below the scale of those issued to German depot troops, and the United States Embassy has been asked on several occasions to make strong representations to the German authorities.

asked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking to broadcast German methods of mass executions which are still occurring in Poland?

Full publicity is given in all languages to accounts of German mass executions in Poland. They may be omitted from broadcasts in Polish if it is considered that the details are such as rather to harrow the feelings of Polish listeners than to sustain their resistance.

asked the Minister of Information why it is necessary for letters to Northern Ireland which have been censored at service units to be censored a second time by his Department?

It is not the general practice of Postal and Telegraph Censorship to examine letters which have already been censored at Service units. Any re-censorship which may have occurred has been quite small in volume and has been done for special reasons of security.

asked the Postmaster-General why the railway Post Office travelling sorting vans have been withdrawn from traffic, as the existing slow delivery of postal packets will be still further retarded by this decision; and, as it is possible for railway men of all grades to carry out their duties, why should an exception be made of postal-van sorters who are equally anxious to play their part in spite of difficulties?

A satisfactory postal service by travelling post offices is dependent on an elaborate and closely linked net-work of cross-country railway services and presupposes regularity of running. Under present-day conditions it is not possible for railway connections to be regularly maintained and sorting work on trains has lost most of its usefulness. The arrangements which have been made as the alternative to travelling post offices are designed to give the best postal service practicable in present day circumstances. Although sorting in travelling post offices has been suspended until a more opportune time, Post Office staff continue to travel on the more important mail trains to ensure the expeditious handling of the mails. Sorting was not suspended in the interests of the safety of sorters, but because of the practical difficulties I have mentioned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that relatives of prisoners of war notified by Records Office that they should apply at post offices for forms to communicate with the prisoners have not been able to procure such forms from the post offices, and will he arrange for a supply of forms to be made available?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to a Post Office Leaflet No. P.2280E entitled "Communication with Prisoners of War interned abroad" which has recently been issued. I am anxious to ensure that a copy of this leaflet reaches all relatives who are likely to communicate with prisoners of war, as the delivery of their letters will depend on the use of correct addresses. A supply was sent to the British Red Cross Society to enable them to send a copy to the next of kin of each prisoner, and a supply was also sent to all Head Post Offices. At other Post Offices information can be given and a copy of the leaflet will be supplied to applicants after a few days' notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the communication from Mr. M. W. Chambers, M.P.S., of 8, Waterloo Road, Nottingham, on the subject of conditions in Lincoln Prison; and whether he proposes to make any changes in the administration and routine of that institution?

The only such communication which can be traced is a copy of a pamphlet published by Mr. M. W. Chambers, which was received by the Prison Commisioners on the 5th November. I will communicate further with my hon. Friend when the criticisms contained in the pamphlet have been examined.