asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any steps are being taken to supply members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force with overcoats for the winter months?

Yes, Sir. Substantial progress in this direction has already been made, and it is anticipated that all airwomen will be equipped with greatcoats by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is held to be any reason why we should not bomb Rome, as the Italians are now bombing London?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 7th November by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed).

Since that date the Italians have been bombing London. Is it not about time that we bombed Rome?

The answer to which I referred said that His Majesty's Government had taken note of the Italian statement that Italian men and aircraft had participated in the bombing of London, and that we must accordingly reserve full liberty of action in regard to Rome. Since that time, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the Italian Government must have become aware that endeavours to approach the British coasts are likely to cause very heavy casualties to their air force.

Might we beg the Government not to be squeamish on a matter of this sort? Attack should be the order of the day.

It would be thoroughly wrong to give away to the enemy our strategic plans for bombing enemy objectives, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, on reflection, will agree that it would not be in the interests of those who are to carry out the bombing that we should give such plans away.

We are not asking for any strategic plans; we are asking for results.

It is scarcely fair on the Royal Air Force for the hon. Member to infer that he cannot see results every day in the communiqués we are giving.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not understand that not a single hon. Member would desire to make any reflection on the gallantry of the Royal Air Force?

I apologise if I took the hon. Member up wrongly.

Could I have an answer to my Question?

rose—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he has considered the resolution recently passed by the London Trades Council in regard to wages conditions in factories carrying out Government contracts, in which it is stated that many firms are misinterpreting Government regulations on wages and conditions, creating, as a result, confusion and misunderstanding on important sections of war industry, and leading to a worsening of customary conditions; and whether he will see to it that when, after protracted negotiations, the Fair Wages Clause has been implemented, consideration will be given to the payment of back unpaid wages to the operative staffs?

I am not aware of any tendency on the part of contractors to misinterpret Government regulations on wages and conditions. Whether settlement of any dispute under the Fair Wages Clause should have retrospective effect must depend on the circumstances of the particular case.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman desire to inform me that, when several firms implement the regulations only after protracted negotiations and when during the period of the negotiations thousands of ordinary workmen possibly have been deprived of their legitimate wages and working conditions, his Department does not press for retrospective payment?

No, Sir. I am not intending to convey that impression at all. I know that my hon. Friend has one particular case in mind. We are taking up that case, and I think it very probable that we shall get complete agreement to make it restrospective.

Will the Minister keep in mind that if the Ministry of Aircraft Production issued instructions to firms in the locality concerned, instead of to firms outside that locality, those differences in conditions would not arise?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production what progress is being made in the settling of claims for compensation of firms in the West Country whose factories have been requisitioned by the Ministry of Aircraft Production; and whether it is possible to make a payment on account where a full settlement will take a long time?

The claims received include matters for which compensation is not payable under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, but where the need to eliminate such items causes delay in final settlement, arrangements have been made for payment on account.

Would my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that many of the companies that have been requisitioned have shown great public spirit in assisting other companies which have taken the factories over, and will he, therefore, pay great attention to those claims?

I fully endorse what my hon. Friend has said, and I certainly agree with what he suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (1) whether he has been able to make a decision to agree to the request of the shop stewards at the aircraft factory in the North-West of England for an inquiry into questions which they have raised;

(2) whether any decision has been taken to hold an inquiry into the allegations of the workmen at a certain aircraft factory about which private representations have been made to him?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend is having inquiries made into the matters referred to in these Questions.

Is the nature of the inquiry to be of the kind suggested in the communications which have passed between us, or is it merely to be a Governmental inquiry, in which the men cannot be expected to have confidence?

I do not know why the men should not have confidence in a Governmental inquiry, when the Government represents all parties—[Interruption]—with the exception of—

Some of us.

I should have thought that a Governmental inquiry might have been the right one. Do not let me say anything to misrepresent the position to my hon. Friend. We have had a statement of the case from the shop stewards, and we have just received comments on that from the other side. We are considering those two statements together in the first instance.

In such circumstances, would the hon. and gallant Gentleman ask that the shop stewards should make their requests through the trade unions, which is their best way to get representation? If there is to be an inquiry at all, should it not be done through their organisations?

I quite agree with what my hon. Friend has said. Ultimately we may deal with the matter in that way. My Noble Friend, in the peculiar circumstances of the case, did see the shop stewards, but in the normal way the practice of the Department must be, and should be, to deal with these matters through the trade union representatives.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman discuss this matter with me afterwards? There are important issues involved, and it is conceivable that it may be necessary to raise the matter at some other time.

Is not this a matter for the Minister of Labour?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production, why his Department has appealed to the owners of high-powered motorcars to lend them to the Ministry; why, in view of the Government's decision to take over all property, he could not have taken possession of these vehicles; how many of these motor cars are in the country; and how many have been loaned to the Government?

The cars for which my Noble Friend appealed are required primarily to transport ferry pool pilots to and from the widely scattered aircraft storage units. He was satisfied that he could obtain all the cars needed from patriotic owners who had the good fortune to possess them. The number of cars offered in response to the appeal is approximately 200, but I have no information as to the total number of such cars in the country.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why, if it was found necessary at the beginning of the war to requisition the small vans of little tradesmen and thereby ruin their businesses, the requisitioning of these cars was not done on the same basis?

When the Government requisitioned the vans of tradesmen, they paid compensation for those vans. The advantage that we get by having these cars given to us by the patriotic people who have done so is that we pay nothing for them.

May I suggest to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that that is practically what they paid to the tradesmen?

asked the Minister of Transport the result of his conversations with the War Office as to making available Army transport for civilian workers during rush hours?

In so far as Army lorries can be made available, they will generally be used for goods transport, for which they are more suitable than for conveying passengers. My right hon. Friend is assisting passenger transport by releasing a number of public service vehicles previously held at the disposal of the Army.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that the majority of the Welsh vernacular Press is published in North Wales, and that the Censorship branch office, situated at present at Cardiff, is an inconvenience both to the office and certainly to the North Wales Press; and whether he will establish a branch office at either Wrexham, Denbigh or Colwyn Bay?

I am aware that the majority of the Welsh vernacular Press is published in North Wales. But the majority of the papers in Wales, including the only daily papers, is edited and published in South Wales, for which Cardiff forms the most convenient centre. There is no Censorship branch office in Wales, but only an advisory Censor for the Welsh Region, whose headquarters are at the Regional offices of the Ministry of Information in Cardiff. His duties include the duty of advising all editors in the Welsh region on Censorship matters and of visiting them in their own offices when occasion offers. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

Will my right hon. Friend give further consideration to this matter?

Yes, Sir; I shall be prepared to do so.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will take steps to see that the news bulletins of the British Broadcasting Corporation contain a summary of speeches and questions on Parliamentary proceedings as was, until recently, the normal practice?

Parliamentary proceedings are reported by the B.B.C. as fully as the length of news bulletins allows, but at present the news from the Fighting Services is extensive, and this causes other items to be compressed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, of a full-dress Debate in this House last week, in which leaders of all parties took part, only one speech was reported; and does he think that this is a fair report of democratic proceedings in a democratic country?

No, Sir; I drew the attention of the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation to the reporting of that Debate, and he regretted that more space had not been given to the other speeches that had been delivered by hon. Members.

Is there any restriction in regard to the time that news is released from the Gallery to the Press and to the radio?

There is a certain restriction on the time at which it is released, as it is not desirable that the times at which we meet should be known to the public.

Will my right hon. Friend get the B.B.C. to give us a little more Parliamentary news and a little less of the stale war news they give us several times a day?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the B.B.C., when reporting speeches and questions, are now omitting the names of the Members who make and ask them, and will he be good enough to suggest that they might be good enough to insert the names of any such Members, other than mine?

Will the Minister look into the fact that the Press find great difficulty in getting their reports into the next morning's newspapers, owing to the restrictions?

It is now much easier than in the past.

If the reporting of Parliamentary speeches by the B.B.C. is extended, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is not extended merely to include the speeches of a few selected Front Benchers, but that it shall include the speeches of Members of the House in general?

asked the Minister of Information how many local information committees he has caused to be set up in Metropolitan boroughs, and how many have met during the past two months?

In the Metropolitan Boroughs 28 local information committees have been set up, one in each borough. During the last two months 16 of these committees have met. Much of the work of these committees is undertaken by sub-committees. Including the number of meetings of such committees, the total number of meetnigs held in the last two months is 55.

As some of us are very much disturbed about the question of tabooing—blackmailing if you like—certain speakers from coming into certain Divisions, can the Minister tell us where this arises; and was it actually in the 1922 Club that he promised that this should take place?

That does not arise out of this Question, but relates to another Question later on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Information whether the usual peacetime direction of the British Broadcasting Corporation is now controlling necessary war time activities or whether a special directorate has been set up for this purpose with adequate powers?

No special directorate for the control of war time activities has been set up, but the constitution of the B.B.C. had undergone some radical changes since the outbreak of war.

Does my right hon. Friend personally take full responsibility for foreign propaganda by the British Broadcasting Corporation, and is he convinced that he has sufficient powers and facilities to carry that out?

I am responsible for the political statements, news-bulletins and talks sent out by the British Broadcasting Corporation at the present time, and I am inquiring into steps that might be taken with regard to improving this service.

My right hon. Friend has enumerated a few things for which he is responsible, but is he responsible also for the things which are not taking place, but which should take place?

Will my right hon. Friend continue the old practice of including distinguished Members of all parties in this House in the programme of talks of the B.B.C.?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information why the number of public meetings held under the auspices of his Department is being reduced; whether any speakers have been dismissed; and how far this is due to objections having been raised to meetings addressed by speakers inclined to take more radical and democratic views than are consistent with Government policy?

The main reason for the reduction in the number of meetings promoted or sponsored by the Ministry is that the season for outdoor meetings, which accounted for about half the number, is over. There is also the undesirability of assembling large numbers of people in one place under night raiding conditions. Transport difficulties and the increasing scarcity of suitable halls are additional factors. The answer to the second part of the Question is that the number of full-time paid speakers on the Ministry staff has been reduced from 49 to 29. As regards the third part of the Question, no speaker has been dismissed on account of political views, but all speakers are under instructions to refrain from taking part in party politics while in the employment of the Ministry.

Is the Minister aware that statements have appeared under the pen of Mr. Hannen Swaffer stating that he himself and another lady, a member of the Labour party, were submitted to a Tory M.P. for his approval as to whether they should speak in his constituency or not, and that because this Tory M.P. objected, these people, who wanted to place the national point of view before the public, were refused a hearing?

The point of view which I have adopted with regard to this question is that, while it is no part of the duty of the Ministry of Information to prevent or to arrange meetings, we are always willing to assist Members or a constituency in arranging meetings wherever they wish to hold them, but I also take the view that, as a Member of Parliament, I should consult my colleagues regarding meetings arranged by the Ministry in their constituency. If they object to certain speakers, the Ministry should take no part in arranging these meetings.

If that is the position, are we to understand that, if the Minister wishes to send speakers to my constituency, I can object? I have no objection to anyone coming—even the right hon. Gentleman himself—but if that happens, it confounds the whole purpose of the Ministry in attempting to arrange meetings.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is the general view that public money ought not to be spent on sending propagandists into any constituency unless there is general agreement to do so and unless the Member of Parliament is consulted?

Is it not a fact that the London Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Information have said that this political veto has prevented them from arranging any winter programme of meetings because speakers are not being accepted in their locality?

If they have made such a statement, it is quite inaccurate. Very few cases have arisen of Members objecting to certain people being sent to their constituencies, and I do not think that such objections are likely to be frequent. In regard to the point raised by the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell), I have no power to prevent anyone going to his constituency, but I would not send a speaker to his constituency without having the courtesy to consult him first.

Could my right hon. Friend make it absolutely clear who is responsible for the selection of speakers and what is the position with regard to a Member of Parliament in relation to these speakers?

The general practice is that a regional information committee draws up a list of speakers whom they think it would be desirable to have in the constituency, and arrangements are made for the list to be communicated to the Member of Parliament. If there happens to he a speaker whom the Member would not wish to have in his constituency—somebody may be a candidate and might take advantage of the position—he objects, and then the Ministry approaches one of the other speakers on the list and arranges a meeting.

Should not the list be submitted to each Member?

asked the Minister of Information what steps have been taken by his Department to maintain Scottish interest and support?

A regional information officer for Scotland was appointed over a year ago, together with subsidiary staff. The regional information officer is advised by a regional advisory committee. There is also a district committee, representative of prominent citizens, political, commercial, and local government interests, in each of the five defence regions. In addition, local sub-committees are being formed, and local correspondents appointed, for areas where there is need for them. These committees represent as nearly as may be all the phases of local life and are active in maintaining Scottish interest and support by means of public meetings as necessary, lectures, film displays, distribution of literature, exhibitions of photographs, etc., as well as assisting in the work of other Government Departments when requested to do so. The regional information officer keeps in close touch with the Scottish Press and renders assistance where possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole question of the Ministry of Information's organisation, because there are people suffering from a complete lack of information with regard to the Scottish effort in this war, particularly with regard to such episodes concerning the 51st and 52nd Divisions and the men of Lewis? Is he aware that there is great resentment at receiving no news at all with regard to the heroic efforts of these men?

I will certainly look into the matter; I had no idea that there was any general complaint in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider the propaganda value of demonstrating the nature and value of democratic freedom by circulating in our Dominions, Colonies and foreign countries reports of Debates in this House on social and constitutional issues or by encouraging the publication and wide circulation of extracts from the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Full reports of Parliamentary proceedings are already made available by various means to all countries in which they are likely to be appreciated. If, however, the hon. Member has any suggestions to make with regard to any particular country, I will be glad to consider them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not sufficient merely to make them available but that a certain value resides in the circulation in as many countries as possible of illustrations of the free discussion that takes place in this House of Parliament? Would he not consider the possibility of circulating both sides of discussions that may take place here in order to demonstrate our superiority in that respect?

I will do everything. I can to increase such publication.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to see that these Debates are circulated?

I will see what steps can be taken, but I do not think that merely circulating the OFFICIAL REPORT would be the right way of dealing with the matter.

asked the Minister of Information whether any other Department is consulted with regard to the censorship of talks broadcast in the overseas programmes of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that nothing shall be said which has not the approval of the Departmental officials?

The B.B.C. regularly consults Government Departments, with regard to such matters and, where issues affecting the national interest are involved, it accepts the guidance of the appropriate Department upon them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last August an official prevented an independent speaker from saying that the Greek cruiser "Hellenes" had been sunk by an Italian submarine and that last week an independent speaker was prevented from saying that if there had been an oil embargo in 1931 it would have checked the Japanese invasion of China; and does he not think that such interference with independent speakers is out of date and calculated to reduce the persuasive influence of speeches which are broadcast to many of those who are our sympathisers?

I think that distinguished Members of Parliament, although independent at the time they are broadcasting on international affairs, must expect in war-time to have their scripts censored by the appropriate authority. I am not prepared to go into the various detailed points of the two cases which the hon. Member has raised, but I have no doubt that the appropriate authority would have a case for having deleted those passages on those two occasions.

While fully recognising, of course, that there must be consultations, may I put it that there ought to be considerable elasticity? In view of the importance of the principle involved, may I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early date?

The Question I wish to ask is: "To ask the Minister of Information, whether his attention has been called to a statement made in certain newspapers," and not "to the fact"?

The hon. and gallant Member must know that this is quite contrary to the Rules. He must accept and take responsibility for what he says being the fact, and not refer to newspapers.

On a point of Order. The form in which this Question is now put makes me responsible for what is a libel on the hospitals of this country, and I feel that if that is the Rule, it should be altered. I feel that I cannot put the Question in the form in which it has been altered without my consent. I knew nothing about the alteration.

The best thing to do is not to put the Question.

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, may I raise this point at the end of Questions?

The hon. and gallant Member can do so, but I have nothing further to say beyond what I have already said. It is quite contrary to the Rule.

Well, Sir, I decline to put the Question in that form.

Mr. Speaker, will you, consider the effect of this Rule in obliging many Members to take the responsibility for a thing being true, when they merely want to ascertain whether the thing is true? If that is the Rule, may we respectfully ask whether it should not be reconsidered?

After a very long experience of Questions, we have found it to be so much better that, in putting Questions, Members should make themselves responsible for the statements they make in the Question, and not put the responsibility on to a newspaper.

Mr. Speaker, with your sanction and with a sense of justice to the House, I should like to rise to make a point of personal explanation in regard to a Question on the Order Paper to-day. It is necessary for me to do this because, by the alteration of the form of the Question that I put down, I am made responsible for a very crude slander which has been raised against a hospital in the Midlands, with reference to a recent occurrence in which a German aeroplane was brought down, and two wounded German airmen were taken prisoners and taken into a certain hospital. The form in which I put the Question was:

"Whether the Minister of Information has had his attention drawn to a statement which appeared in the papers?"

I had no knowledge whatsoever that the form of the Question had been altered to a form in which I myself called attention to a fact, when I could not possibly put that Question in that form. Unquestionably, a lot of harm may have been done to me personally by an accusation which may well be brought that I have merely succeeded in spreading this slander. It does seem to me that, if it is the Rule—and I understand it is the Rule—that we cannot call attention to a statement in the papers, a great privilege of criticism is removed from the rights of the Members of this House.

The whole of the facts contained in this paper were utterly false. I took the precaution to send the papers in question and a full statement from the governors of the particular hospital, of which I am one, to the Minister of Information so that he would be aware of what had happened. In spite of this, one of these papers persisted, and published the further statement that in this hospital the nurses had petted a fair-haired, blue-eyed prisoner of war and that the ladies of Coventry were sending gifts of cigarettes and flowers to this man. This is entirely a journalistic invention, and it seems to me to be a cruel thing that a Member of the House should be forced to put on his own shoulders a statement that this is a fact in order to call attention to a grave injustice to our hospital system. I wanted to make this explanation for fear that people outside the House might think that I believed this to be a fact, owing to this alteration. I would suggest that, when an alteration of such serious import is made to a Question, the Member should be informed, so that he could withdraw the Question and prevent its obtaining the publicity which this Question has obtained in the Press. Further, I should like to point out that the Rule against calling attention to articles in newspapers is apparently not always enforced, because only to-day in a Supplementary Question the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) asked the Minister whether his attention had not been called to an article which appears in the "Times" this morning in regard to the supply of oil to Japan, and that was allowed to be put, and an answer was given. I thank you, Sir, and the House for the courtesy with which they have listened to me.

I am sorry the hon. and gallant Gentleman was not aware that the Question that he handed in had been altered so as to make it conform with the Rules. Notice to him ought properly to have been given, but I would call his attention to the fact that the Question was on the Paper for a week, so that, if he had seen the Order Paper, he would have seen that the Question had been altered to the form in which it appears on the Paper. As regards the other matter to which he drew attention, about something in a newspaper being referred to in a Supplementary Question, I very often call Members to order for referring to a newspaper in a Supplementary Question, but there are occasions on which a Minister in his answer may have referred to some statement of this kind, and it would be allowable in a Supplementary.

I did not receive the Order Papers, owing to delay in the post, until two days ago, and I was not aware that the Question had been altered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has yet considered the complaint regarding the food supplied to men stationed at Whale Island depot, about which the hon. Member for Seaham wrote on 3rd September, and which he acknowledged on 4th September; why so long a period has elapsed between lodging the complaint and ascertaining the facts; and whether he will now deal with the matter?

I regret that there has been so long a delay in dealing with this matter, which required special inquiries. I think my hon. Friend did a service in calling attention to what has proved to be a fault in the organisation at the naval establishment which he mentions. I am glad to state, however, that this has now been put right, and I am sending my hon. Friend full details.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of his inquiry and the defects revealed, he will take steps to see that in other establishments defects of that kind will be dealt with?

Yes, Sir, I certainly will. One of the great difficulties in this kind of service in war time is the necessarily frequent change of leading personnel in dealing with organisation, and we are trying to counteract that by new methods to see that these things do not happen.

asked the Prime Minister the contributions made up to date and offers received by the British Government from the American Red Cross for the relief of sufferers from enemy bombing in Great Britain and Palestine and other theatres of war?

The American Red Cross makes no direct contribution to the British Government, and the British Government make no direct appeal to the American Red Cross. Any direct gift, whether in cash or kind, would constitute a breach of neutrality. I am, however, aware that the American Red Cross has made most generous contributions to British voluntary organisations for the relief of sufferers from bombing.

Would my right hon. Friend see that the gratitude of the people of this country is conveyed to the American Red Cross and at the same time explain why an offer to help air-raid victims in Palestine, made by the American Red Cross, was refused, and on what grounds?

I will certainly make inquiries. That is the first I have heard of it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the East End of London is very grateful to the American Red Cross for the help they have given since 8th September?

I am quite certain of that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the three days of prayer for peace through justice and charity appointed by Cardinal Hinsley for members of the Roman Catholic Church, he will consider a proposal for a national day of prayer for the same purpose arranged in collaboration between the Church of England and the Free Churches?

While I sympathise with my hon. Friend's suggestion, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister cannot see his way to recommend that this proposal should be adopted at the present time. I would remind my hon. Friend that a day of National Prayer was held as recently as 8th September last.

Is it not undesirable that one Church should give the lead in this form of prayer, and whatever may be one's view of the efficacy or otherwise of this practice, will my right hon. Friend please ask the Prime Minister to consider the possibility of the next Day of Prayer being for the purpose laid down by this particular Church?

I do not think there is anything I need add to the Prime Minister's statement. I think it must be a decision by the Government, and because a particular Church decides to take action, that does not necessarily mean that the Government must do the same.

Is it not a fact that what we all desire is peace with victory?

asked the Minister without Portfolio how often the Economic Policy Committee and the Production Council, respectively, have met since their creation; and whether he is satisfied that the machinery for economic coordination is working satisfactorily?

The Economic Policy Committee and Production Council have met on an average between two and three times a month since they were set up. Much of the work within the sphere of these bodies is done by informal conferences and sub-committees and I should deprecate the idea that the number of full meetings held is an adequate criterion of a committee's effectiveness. As regards the last part of the Question, the answer is "Yes" but every opportunity will be taken to improve the machinery as experience suggests.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of disquiet about the lack of planning in our economic war effort, and is he taking any steps to hasten the effective planning of the war effort?

Consideration of one or other aspect of that problem is taking place every day of the week.

Are the expert economists associated with the Department fully consulted, and frequently by my right hon. Friend?

Certainly, Sir. I spend a great deal of every day with them.

Does the Production Council deal with the question of the buildings in which the production takes place?

No, not as such, though the Minister responsible for building is a member of the council.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind that production in certain areas is being considerably delayed because of the bad building policy of various Departments?

That matter is now under very active investigation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is his intention to put into force any or all of the recommendations of the Committee appointed to examine costs of milk distribution, and presided over by Lord Perry?

The recommendations made by the Committee in the report to which my hon. Friend refers are being carefully examined by my Noble Friend. I am not at present in a position to make any announcement of the policy of His Majesty's Government on the subject.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind the extreme importance at an early date of reducing the very heavy costs of distribution, which have been proved by the recent report of the Committee?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that no time will be lost. The report has been in our hands for only a comparatively few days, and consultations are taking place at this moment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in order to keep potato prices steady during the winter, he will consider purchasing for store, from time to time, local surpluses that come on the market?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 7th November to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of unrationed foods and household materials, such as soap, in areas where the population has recently been substantially increased by reason of evacuation from bombed areas; and what steps he is taking to deal with these shortages?

Temporary shortages of unrationed foods have occurred at certain places through the unexpected influx of population, but this has been adjusted in most cases within a very few days. So far as soap is concerned, my Noble Friend is not aware of any serious shortage. The Ministry of Food exercise no control over the distribution of soap, but I am informed that the principal firms manufacturing soap have, for some time, been allocating increased supplies to the reception areas. Other soap manufacturers are being approached through the Soap Makers' Federation with a view to their taking similar action. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of areas in which shortages have been reported, I will arrange for investigations to be made.

Does the Department constantly bear in mind the problem of those districts in which there has been a large influx of new population, and which are suffering from shortage of food and other materials?

Certainly, but unfortunately it sometimes happens that an influx occurs without any warning. In those circumstances it takes a day or two to put the matter right, but normally arrangements are made.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are many areas in the Home Counties where there is a definite shortage of foodstuffs, particularly milk?

I am very surprised to hear that. If the hon. Gentleman has cases in mind, I should be very grateful if he would bring them to my notice.

Is there any way by which in a locality one can make a quick approach to somebody for the purpose of getting action taken when there is a shortage, as in certain parts of Glasgow recently, when there was a shortage of cooking salt?

In such cases an approach could be made to the local food officer, who could then communicate, if there was any difficulty, with the Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider changing the food-rationing arrangements in this country, both as regards the Armed Services and civilians, so that one standard ration allowance shall be available to all, with an additional ration to those whose living and working conditions make this desirable?

My Noble Friend has the food-rationing arrangements for civilians continually under review, and remains of the opinion that no fundamental alteration in the present arrangements is necessary under existing conditions. The quantities of rationed foods issued to members of the Forces is a matter primarily for consideration by the Service Departments.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend consider whether there is any justification for men who are doing similar work under similar conditions in Government offices in London getting entirely different rations?

I do not know what my hon. Friend means by his reference to men in Government offices in London. They do not get different treatment. If he refers to the Services, that is another matter. I would inform him that the ration which members of the various Services receive is the result of medical advice given to each of the Services. It is primarily a matter for them. I would also remind my hon. Friend that it is a very small proportion of the total number in the Services.

I was referring particularly to the Services, but that is only one glaring example of a quite unreasonable inequality which at present exists in the rationing arrangements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the successful experiment in communal feeding now being carried out at Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and whether, in view of the beneficial effect of such feeding upon health and output, he is taking steps to secure its adoption in other key industrial areas?

Yes, Sir. I have been informed regarding the community kitchens in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. My Noble Friend has already directed a letter to the Lord Mayors, Mayors and Chairmen of Urban and Rural District Councils throughout England and Wales and to the corresponding civic heads in Scotland, requesting them to do all in their power to set up as soon as possible community kitchens throughout the country.

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman has probably seen this scheme in operation, does he not agree that it is about as ideal a scheme as can be devised?

I agree that it is a very good scheme indeed. I understand it was started about 20 years ago during the depression. I very much hope it will be copied.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the sum of money paid since the war started on food subsidies; what will be the amount this financial year; what are the articles subidised and the amount paid for each?

For the first seven months of war coming within the financial year ended 31st March, 1940, the deficit on the Ministry's trading accounts receiving subsidies amounted to approximately £19,500,000, of which a little more than one-half was accounted for by the subsidy on bread and flour, one-quarter by the subsidy on meat and the balance by the subsidies on bacon and liquid milk. The cost of these subsidies for the current financial year can be roughly estimated at £80,000,000 per annum. Bread, flour and meat account for the greater part of this sum.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman and his Noble Friend give consideration to the question of extending the subsidy to other articles of essential need to the poorer classes?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that there are adequate stocks of printing paper in the provinces at present; and whether he can arrange for the distribution of stocks under, if necessary, Government control, in the many small towns throughout the country, on account of the delay at present in transport?

Adequate stocks of printing paper to meet the present demand are held in the provinces by papermakers and paper merchants. I am not satisfied that further sub-division of those stocks would be advantageous. If my hon. Friend has any particular difficulty in mind, I shall be happy to look into it if he will furnish me with particulars.