asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will forbid the adulteration of white flour with calcium salt and a synthetic vitamin until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of discussing the matter, especially as a large number of doctors are entirely opposed to the proposal?

The decision to introduce a calcium salt and synthetic vitamin B1 into flour was reached by the Government after receiving a recommendation from the Scientific Food Committee, of which Sir William Bragg, President of the Royal Society, is chairman. My Noble Friend cannot admit the implication in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, and he is unable to give the undertaking asked for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the confusion in the public mind resulting from the lack of any definite standard of flour warranting the description "wholemeal," he will take measures to prevent the sale of inferior products wrongly using that designation, and will prescribe a formula to which flour so described shall conform?

Questions concerning the standardisation of high extraction flour are being considered by my Noble Friend's Department in connection with the policy of the Government announcement in the House on the 18th July with regard to the quality of flour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether, in view of recent experimental research at the Lister Institute demonstrating the nutritive superiority of wholemeal flour tested against white flour reinforced with synthetic vitamin B1, he will reconsider the Government's decision as to the provision of a war loaf?

My Noble Friend is aware that a high extraction flour has some points of superiority from the nutritional point of view over white flour reinforced with synthetic vitamin B1. The reasons for the Government's decision to reinforce white flour while securing that wholemeal flour is also available to the public were explained to this House on 18th July last, and the Government sees no reason to reconsider the decision then announced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the scientific findings as to the energy-producing properties of sugar, and the demands for confectionery among munition workers of both sexes, he will increase and maintain the supply of confectionery to canteens, and, in particular, to retailers in munition areas?

Arrangements are in operation for ensuring that priority is given to the reasonable requirements of canteens serving workers engaged on essential production. Distribution of confectionery to retail outlets is regulated by the industry, but consideration is given to movements of population and to the needs of different districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give an undertaking that the powers mentioned in Section 9 of the Milk Marketing Order No. 1716 will only be exercised on the express instruction of his Department, and not retrospectively or confirmatorily; and that, if it is found that as a result of the consultation with the Central Milk Distributive Committee being cut out, the interests of any one branch of the trade are being adversely affected, he will, on representation being made to him by that body, consult with them thereon with a view either to cancelling such directions as may have been given or amending them, providing such amendment or cancellation is not generally against the national interest?

The powers mentioned in Section 9 of the Milk Marketing Board (Modification of Functions) Order will be exercised by the Board in accordance with the directions which my Noble Friend has already issued to the Board, and subject to his supervision. Furthermore, the Board has been informed that it is not intended that the exercise of powers under Article 7 of the Order shall in any way prejudice the consultative arrangements existing between the Board and the purchasers of milk, except in regard to prescriptions or determinations which the Board is required to make in pursuance of a direction of my Noble Friend. He will, of course, always be ready to consider representations made to him from any responsible quarter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Cheddar cheese of good quality, for which up to 130s. per cwt. was paid, and which has been held for 12 months to mature, which was being sold at 1s. 8d. per lb., has now to be sold at 1s. 1d. per lb.; and whether merchants holding stocks in bombed and largely evacuated areas can be given additional time to clear such stocks, and to do so at prices which give a reasonable profit?

One month's notice of the intention to reduce the maximum price of home-produced cheese to the level of imported cheese was given to enable traders to dispose of any stocks which had been acquired at a higher cost. The demand for cheese during the month in question was such that no difficulty should have been experienced by traders in disposing of their stocks at a reasonable profit, if necessary, to traders in other parts of the country, and my Noble Friend is not prepared to give any extension of time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production why men are put on short time, and others discharged, in the aircraft industry; whether this is due to change in type or method of production; and whether he will consider a more planned method for dealing with the workpeople who have and are making a great effort instead of the method of discharge with its effect on the morale of all associated with the men affected?

I am not aware of any general tendency to discharge, or to put on short time, workers in the aircraft industry, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will let me know the particulars I will certainly look into it.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the percentage increase of clearance of coal from collieries east of Cardiff for the last 12 months; and what has been the percentage decrease of clearance of coal from the collieries to the west of Cardiff, giving each month separately; and what action he proposes to take?

I am endeavouring to obtain the information for which my hon. Friend asks and I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a number of collieries in the Neath valleys are at present idle and thousands of men thrown out of employment; that they have orders for an indefinite period in London, the South Coast, and various other places inland, but are unable to get transport facilities and that the Great Western Railway Company have failed to deal with the traffic; and if he will take immediate steps to relieve the congestion so that the miners can be employed and the customers in various parts of the country shall be supplied?

The position on the Great Western Railway referred to by my hon. Friend is engaging my close attention. Steps are now being taken which will, I hope, secure an early improvement.

asked the Secretary for Mines why railway companies North of London have been placing an embargo for coal travelling on the southern railways South of the Thames which is being vigorously enforced in spite of the amount of fuel available in the North and of the great shortage in the South; and is the South to look forward to the same shortage as they experienced last year which caused a great deal of hardship to people and industries generally?

I am informed that "stops" on goods traffic are imposed by mutual arrangement between the railway companies concerned as circumstances require. Under conditions prevailing in the southern area during the past two months, strict control has been necessary in order to prevent congestion on the lines and in the goods yards. Every possible step is being taken by my Department in consultation with the Ministry of Transport to relieve this congestion and to facilitate the free movement of coal traffic. But in present circumstances local shortages are inevitable, pending the restoration of supplies. I am glad to think that the effects of these interruptions will be mitigated by the heavy stocks which were built up during the summer months.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will exonerate from liability motorists who give lifts, in the event of injury or death to their passengers, without their being under an obligation to fix a notice to that effect on their motor car?

I have no power to do this.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst Ayrshire fishermen whose boats have been requisitioned at the delay in payment, and to the inadequacy of amount of payment; and whether he will take steps to have the matter reasonably adjusted?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12th November to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson).

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware that a fisherman of Brighton has lost his two largest vessels and all hands, eight fishermen, within the last three months owing to enemy action; and whether it is proposed to make compensation to owners and men for loss of property and loss of life while doing national work as food producers?

Adequate facilities exist for the insurance at moderate rates of fishing vessels against war risks, with Government reinsurance, and if this owner was insured his loss would be covered. Compensation in respect of loss of effects is payable under the Compensation to Seamen (War Damage to Effects) Scheme, 1939. As regards loss of life, provision has been made for compensation for disablement or death of members of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, due to enemy action, by the War Pensions and Detention Allowances (Mercantile Marine, etc.) Scheme 1939, which is administered by the Minister of Pensions. In the absence of particulars of the vessels to which my hon. Friend refers it is not possible to state what awards have been made in these cases, but if he will supply these particulars, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give an assurance that the remaining 30 or 40 anti-Nazis in Hayton Camp will not be deported to Canada?

No internees have been transferred to Canada since the beginning of July and there is no likehood of any further transfer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 1,100 wives have been waiting in London since 10th July to go to Australia to join their interned husbands; whether there is now any prospect of their leaving this year; and whether, if they go, they will be interned with their husbands, or will both be permitted to live outside the camp, or will they not be permitted to live together?

The number of wives who have been hoping to go to Australia to join their husbands in internment is 212, of whom about 60 are in the women's camp in the Isle of Man. The question whether arrangements can be made by the Australian authorities for their accommodation presents certain difficulties, but my right hon. Friend is in communication with the Australian Government and hopes to make a definite announcement at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary what recommendations he has made to local authorities with regard to heating in public shelters; and what rate of grant he makes towards the expenditure involved?

The heating of shelters is a very difficult problem. Tragedies have already occurred through the use of stoves giving off carbon monoxide fumes. In the larger shelters when fully occupied the difficulty is to keep the temperature down to a tolerable level. In the smaller shelters experiments in various types of safe heating are being conducted as rapidly as possible in the London region and elsewhere. No general recommendations can be issued at present.

asked the Home Secretary what percentage of the population it is intended to cover by constructing deep shelters in Manchester; what is the estimated cost; and what date it is expected they will be completed bearing in mind the shortage of labour and materials?

No proposals have, so far as I am aware, been put forward by the City Council for the construction of deep shelters.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give consideration to requiring air-raid wardens to obtain from all persons in their sector information as to where they sleep or shelter, so that the warden on duty may more effectively direct the leader of a rescue party where to search in the event of damage to occupied premises by enemy action?

In many areas householders already inform wardens of the position of their sleeping quarters or shelter. This practice is to be encouraged, but is must be realised that for such reasons as last moment changes in arrangements, too much reliance cannot be placed on it for directing the operations of rescue parties in case of need.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the growing evil of looting of the furniture and effects of families whose homes have been destroyed by enemy action, including in one case the removal of a piano; and whether he will arrange for a more effective watch by the police, air-raid wardens or otherwise over such property?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) and South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas) on 10th October and 7th November. The matter is one to which the Commissioner of Police is giving close attention with a view to providing the fullest possible measure of protection for exposed property.

asked the Home Secretary whether the promised examination of the subject has been completed; and whether he can now make a statement on rates of pay for members of the Civil Defence services who hold positions of special responsibility?

My right hon. Friend's examination of this problem is not yet complete, though it is being actively pursued.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the light of experience, he is prepared to reconsider the areas in the County of Warwickshire scheduled as reception areas for evacuees?

I do not think that experience suggests that any general change is called for in the classification of receiving areas in Warwickshire, but if my hon. Friend will give me confidentially the names of any particular areas he has in mind I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health upon what grounds he proposes to reverse the decision of his predecessor that Sutton Coldfield should be a neutral area in the Government's evacuation scheme?

The increasing pressure on accommodation in the reception areas is rendering it necessary to make use of certain areas originally classified as neutral which experience has shown to offer a relatively high degree of safety as compared with the areas from which women and children are being evacuated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement, showing, from an insurance point of view, how householders are affected whose property is damaged by our own anti-aircraft fire or other defensive activities?

Damage caused by anti-aircraft fire and in general by other similar defensive activities is covered by the existing scheme of compensation for war damage to property and will be covered by the new scheme shortly to be introduced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether industrial premises taken over for war purposes by order of the Government, will be handed back to the owner, if he so desires, at the conclusion of the war?

Possession of industrial premises requisitioned under Defence Regulations will normally be relinquished as soon as possible after the termination of the war or earlier if they are no longer required. In some cases, however, it may be found desirable to retain premises temporarily and in others to acquire premises, as for instance those on which substantial work has been done at the public expense.

asked the Home Secretary whether persons volunteering for duty as air-raid wardens are subjected to a medical examination before acceptance, observing that the widow of the late Herbert Pinder, air-raid warden, of Skeffling, Yorkshire, has been refused a pension on the grounds that her husband's death at his post was due to heart failure caused by the explosion of enemy bombs?

It has not been considered practicable to require volunteers for the wardens' service to submit to medical examination, nor has experience shown that any general rule of this nature is necessary. I have no information with egard to the particular case mentioned which would appear to be a matter for the consideration of my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Home Secretary whether, with a view to recognising and stimulating the morale of Londoners, he will consider giving permission to civilians wounded in the battle to wear wound stripes and having the names of those killed kept for record and honour, as were the names of soldiers killed in the last war?

As regards the first part of the Question, I do not think it would be appropriate for civilians to wear wound stripes. In regard to the second part, my right hon. Friend has under consideration the question of the most suitable means of honouring the names of civilians killed by enemy action.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Anderson shelters now stored in this country; for what purpose they are being withheld from the public; and why they are not distributed or made available for purchase by the public?

There are now nowhere any stocks of complete shelters. A certain number of assorted components exist which will be useful in connection with the programme of shelter distribution shortly to be resumed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has taken any steps to improve postal and telegraphic communication with British Forces in Egypt; why the special cable rate available to British troops, sailors and airmen in British Dominions and Colonies is not also made available to men serving in the Forces in Egypt; and whether he has consulted the Foreign Office with a view to the necessary representations being made to the Egyptian Government?

I am in close and constant touch with the Ministry of Shipping and the Service Departments to ensure that every possible outlet is used for the despatch of mails to the British Forces in Egypt. The telegraph service with Egypt is operated by Cable and Wireless, Limited, who are making every effort to provide the most efficient possible service. I am glad to say that the special telegraph rate to which my hon. Friend refers is now available for telegrams from this country to members of His Majesty's Forces in Egypt.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is some doubt as to whether the despatch of Christmas cards is desirable in present circumstances; and will he indicate, for the information of the public, whether any restrictions are likely to be imposed and whether the despatch of such cards as usual has the full approval of His Majesty's Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 6th November last to a somewhat similar Question by the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the increase in farmers' returns represented by prices for 1941 fixed to cover increased production costs and also the reduction in farmers' returns caused by the lower price of fat cattle and pigs?

Any estimates of farmers' returns in 1941 must necessarily depend on a great many factors including the weather, and I am unable to give the precise information asked for by my hon. and galllant Friend. I would, however, refer him to the general statement made by my right hon. Friend in the House on 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there has been delay in supplying farmers with certificates to obtain supplies of cement for necessary farm purposes; and whether he will arrange with the Cement Controller for a simplified and more expeditious procedure?

I am aware that in the early stages of the cement control scheme there was some delay in the issue of certificates to farmers, and I regret that the Ministry's allocation was sufficient to meet only a proportion of the applications received. As from 7th October, however, responsibility for the release of cement and other controlled materials for all private enterprise building work was assumed by the Ministry of Works and Buildings. Applications for supplies are now made to the Regional Licensing Officers of that Department who consult the appropriate County War Agricultural Executive Committees as necessary. I have every reason to hope that this new arrangement will work satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any estimate of the present number of horses on agricultural holdings in Great Britain, what has been the decline in this number during the past 10 years; whether he has become aware of any decline in the breeding of agricultural horses since the withdrawal of financial assistance for this purpose; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to stimulate the production of horses in order to ensure an ample number for transport in the future, having regard to the possibility of the breakdown of mechanised transport in some parts of the country?

In the 10 years before the war the number of horses on agricultural holdings in Great Britain fell by 12 per cent. I regret that I am unable to disclose statistics for the present year. The results of breeding in the 1940 season will not be apparent until returns are obtained next year, and it will be appreciated that breeding in 1941 and subsequent seasons is not likely to have any effect upon supplies of horses available during the war.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that during a recent air-raid a farmer in one of the Home counties incurred the loss of both his farm horses as a result of bomb explosions; and what action can be taken to enable such a man to obtain compensation immediately and thus replace his horses, which are urgently necessary to him for ploughing and general farm work;(2) whether, in view of the urgent necessity of taking every possible step to safeguard and increase the production of food in this country; he will arrange for immediate compensation to be granted to farmers who, owing to air-raids, suffer the loss of horses and other animals essential to their occupation?

In regard to the present position, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given to him on 16th October. As he is no doubt aware, however, a general scheme for the insurance of property, including agricultural property, against the risks of war damage is under active preparation in pursuance of the recent announcement by the Prime Minister. A farmer who in the meantime finds his ploughing and general farm work interrupted by loss of farm horses can obtain assistance under the Agricultural Requisites Assistance Scheme by application to the County War Agricultural Executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that in certain Royal Air Force stations all personnel on leave were recalled to take part in the national day of prayer which was recently organised; and whether commanding officers were acting in accordance with a general Air Force order in recalling such personnel?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what price per acre did the Air Ministry pay for certain recently acquired land of which he has been informed; was any compensation paid to the owners of these farms in addition to the price; if so, what sums were paid, and why; what sums were paid to the occupiers as compensation, and why; whether the crop of cabbages or other green crop left in one of the fields acquired is now the property of the Air Ministry; why has the crop been allowed to go to waste; and, if not the property of the Ministry, are arrangements being made to remove and use it?

The land in question was not purchased but requisitioned and compensation will be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. No payments have yet been made but with one exception claims have been submitted and are under negotiation. Arrangements were made at the outset for the tenant to dispose of the crop of cabbages or other green crop and it is understood that the crop has been sold and is being removed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the Government authorities are charging Messrs. C. G. Southcott, Limited, Purchase Tax at the rate of 16⅔ per cent. for clothing and 33⅓, per cent. for caps; whether he is aware that the cadets receive a grant of 3s. 6d. per head per cadet per annum, out of which they must produce uniforms, socks, shoes, shirts, caps and overcoats; and, inasmuch as some of these cadet corps are training recruits for the Royal Air Force, in respect of which the Government does not pay a penny, will he look into the matter in order that this injustice can be remedied?

The annual capitation grant of 3s. 6d. per cadet is not made specifically for the purchase of uniform but represents a general contribution made in aid of the Air Defence Cadet Corps. The supply of uniforms for Air Cadets is arranged by the Air League of the British Empire, and I am advised that the charge in respect of Purchase Tax by the contractor referred to is proper for the articles concerned. The question whether the Corps can be given increased assistance in connection with proposals to make further use of its resources in the preliminary training of R.A.F. recruits is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Information the reason for the reduction by 50 per cent. of the time given to Italian propaganda by the British Broadcasting Corporation?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 23rd October to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett). It is hoped eventually to make good these reductions which are temporarily inevitable.

asked the Minister of Information how much time a week is devoted by the British Broadcasting Corporation to foreign propaganda apart from news bulletins?

Excluding the news bulletins, and excluding also all the programmes for North America and the Empire, the time devoted to broadcasts for foreign countries is 55 hours per week.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that the Home Forces programme is inaudible over wide areas in Scotland; and whether he will make representations to the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to this programme being broadcast on a wave-length that can be received in Scotland as much disappointment is felt by troops stationed there that they are deprived of the popular programmes intended for the Home Forces?

As one step towards improving the reception of the Forces' programme, the B.B.C. introduced a short wave transmission of this programme on 41.49 metres on 25th July. The Ministry of Information, the Air Ministry and the B.B.C. have the problem to which the hon. Member refers in mind in their constant reviews of the best use and development of our wave-lengths and stations.

asked the Minister of Information to what extent Highland music has been included in the Forces' programmes since the end of September; to what extent provision has been made for broadcasts weekly to Highland service-men in their own Gaelic language; to what extent Gaelic language entertainment has been arranged for and broadcast in the Home programme; and will he state the amounts of time under these heads in figures?

Highland music has occupied 40 minutes time since 1st October. There are no broadcasts in Gaelic in the Forces' programme but there have been since 1st October 3½ hours of Gaelic weekly in the Home Service programme.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange for a five-minute postscript on questions related to the war by Gaelic-speaking personalities as an extension of popular mid-week Highland entertainment period, in view of the fact that only a few minutes weekly is allowed for Gaelic language news?

I will ask the B.B.C. to consider such provision as the hon. Member suggests, but at the same time I must remind him of the extensive commitments already to be met in the Home Service programme.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will now consider arranging for a second Gaelic language news bulletin weekly and also extending the present time-allowance for Gaelic news on Saturdays?

Two news bulletins in Gaelic are already broadcast each week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It will not be possible to extend the time of the Saturday bulletin at present.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will issue daily, to Members desirous of receiving it, a digest or synopsis of what is broadcast each day by the British Broadcasting Corporation?

I shall be pleased to send any Member who desires to receive it the daily synopsis of the B.B.C.'s broadcasts in their overseas services. There is no corresponding daily synopsis for the home service but I would propose to send a weekly list of talks and a monthly list of feature programmes.

asked the Minister of Information whether the provision last week of an additional medium wave-length for broadcasting on the Home service is intended to be the solution of the problem of insufficient wave-lengths for British broadcasting in general; and, if not, when he anticipates it will be possible to provide services on additional wave-lengths for the distribution of programmes both at home and abroad?

The provision to which the hon. Member refers marks only a stage in the development of broadcasting within the limitations imposed by the need to avoid giving navigational aid to enemy aircraft. The Ministry of Information, the Air Ministry and the B.B.C. are reviewing constantly the fullest use and development of our wave-lengths and stations; but it would not be in the national interest to make public disclosure of the plans.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the percentage of disability pension that has been paid to victims of the present war in respect of the following specific injuries: loss of sight, loss of one eye, total deafness, total loss of speech, severe facial disfigurement, amputations of leg at calf, region of knee or upper thigh, amputation of arms, left and right, through the fore-arm, region of elbow or six inches of shoulder?

Comparatively few awards of pension have yet been made by the Ministry and those actually in issue at the present time are of varying rates suited to the immediate condition of each case and so for the most part do not represent the ultimate pension that may be found proper.

asked the Minister of Supply why he has appealed to owners of machine tools to give them to the Government; and whether he has no power to confiscate them?

The Defence (General) Regulations give power to requisition machine tools. This authority has already been exercised and will continue to be exercised whenever the need arises. The appeal to which my hon. Friend refers has the advantage that machine tools that are surplus to the owners' requirements may be surrendered without the delay of investigation which requisitioning necessitates.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will indicate the result of salvage work for each Metropolitan borough and for the large cities outside London, respectively, for the months of September and October, 1940, showing respective populations?

The following table shows for each of the Metropolitan boroughs and the larger cities outside London the population and value of the sales of salvaged material for the month of September, 1940. These figures do not include material collected and sold by voluntary organisations or merchants. Full returns for the month of October have not yet been received, but when the figures are available I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Metropolitan Boroughs.	Population.	Value.
		£
Battersea	141,000	82
Bermondsey	97,000	204
Bethnal Green	85,050	193
Camberwell	229,300	174
Chelsea	34,000	87
Deptford	80,000	54
Finsbury	56,960	182
Fulham	108,000	297
Greenwich	80,000	259
Hackney	178,000	331
Hammersmith	100,000	180
Hampstead	70,000	348
Holborn	34,350	263
Islington and Stoke Newington	200,000	767
Kensington	130,000	434
Lambeth	272,800	399
Lewisham	229,000	332
London, City of	10,808	124
Paddington	110,000	506
Poplar	80,000	403
St. Marylebone	97,627	461
St. Pancras	138,000	335
Shoreditch	84,000	82
Southwark	171,659	367
Stepney	140,000	99
Wandsworth	353,110	375
Westminster, City of	129,579	961
Woolwich	150,000	118
Total	3,590,243	£8,417

The corresponding totals for previous months were:

	£
July	17,350
August	18,177

Large Cities Outside	Population	Value.
London		£
Glasgow	1,131,600	12,819
Birmingham	1,048,000	8,163
Liverpool	855,000	4,562
Manchester	733,000	6,691
Sheffield	520,000	5,384
Leeds	494,000	3,530
Edinburgh	475,500	5,607
Bristol	413,000	3,381
Total	5,669,600	£50,137

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for the men while employed in dismantling delayed action bombs to receive a special rate of pay?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 8th October last, of which I am sending him a copy. The question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position with regard to the restoration of kit of officers and men who have been taken prisoner; and whether it is possible in such cases for kit to be restored at the Government's expense and be dispatched from this country to the prisoners in enemy territory?

With regard to the provision of necessary clothing whilst officers and men are prisoners in Germany, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox). Any question of compensation or refitment will be dealt with under the appropriate regulations on the return of the officers and men concerned to this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is the intention of his Department to arrange for the provision of useful work by the large number of experienced architects who are still without employment; and whether it will be possible to utilise a large number of such individuals on the preparation of plans for the rebuilding and replanning of Great Britain at the conclusion of hostilities?

Arrangements are made from time to time, as occasion arises, for the employment of additional architects on certain works, but any general extension of architectural activities must be governed at present by a number of factors arising out of the war. When the appropriate methods and machinery for dealing with the reconstruction of town and country after the war, which affect so many issues other than actual building, and with the consideration of which my Noble Friend has been entrusted, have been laid down, he will gladly consider how far the services of architects who are still without employment can be utilised on the preparation of plans for rebuilding and re-planning.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give a table showing the number of ships lost during the first 12 months of the war; the number of crews and passengers lost and saved; the total tonnage involved; and also a table for the same period showing the enemy losses as far as are known?

The number of merchant ships of all tonnages (including Fishing vessels) lost by enemy action during the first 12 months of the war was:

			Gross tons.
British	406	of	1,611,842
Allied	103	of	474,816
Neutral	253	of	769,212
Total	762	of	2,855,870

The number of crews and passengers lost and saved was approximately:

Lost.	Saved.	Taken prisoner or interned.
3,327	15,635	1,100

Enemy losses for first 12 months of the war as far as known: 261 ships of about 1,269,000 tons. The number of crews and passengers lost and saved in these ships is not known.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether, with a view to stimulating the production of vegetables, he will consider increasing the petrol allowance for representatives of seed merchants?

Those travelling employés of seed merchants who are recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture as primarily engaged in the inspection and supervision of growing seed crops and those engaged in giving expert advice to growers on such matters as the choice of seeds most suitable to their particular soils receive rations on special scales agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture. During July, August and September, certain exceptional allowances were granted to cover intensive operations during that period.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he is aware that only influential farmers can obtain credit for the tractor paraffin they need; that the poorer farmers are not allowed such credit facilities; and whether he will take immediate steps to remove such preferential treatment, especially since it prejudices those who most need consideration?

There is no question of preferential treatment being given to farmers by reason of their influential position. The Petroleum Board allow credit to farmers where the volume of their purchases and their financial stability warrant such facilities. In the case of small transactions the Board require cash with order to avoid detailed accounting work and delays to road tank vehicles.