asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Army officers who are liable to maintain the uniform of their rank, but who have returned to civil life or who are still in civil life, are entitled to deduct uniform allowance from their Income Tax returns?

I am not clear as to the precise circumstances of the cases my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but if he will send me full particulars I shall be happy to cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why barristers who have joined the Forces of the Crown are being asked to pay tax on imaginary incomes on the basis that they are still practising at the bar in addition to the tax on their actual pay; and why a delay of 12 months has taken place in deciding whether or not to discontinue this practice?

Whether or not a barrister who has joined the Forces is entitled to claim for Income Tax purposes that his practice at the Bar has been discontinued depends on the facts of his case. I am sorry that I do not understand the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, but I shall be glad to inquire into any cases which he may have in mind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Purchase Tax, though not applied to saddlery and harness, is applied to the relining of horse collars, with the result that owners of horses may be unable, on grounds of expense, to have their horses' collars relined as often as necessary; and whether, seeing that 95 per cent. of the cases of horse suffering arise from faulty collars, he will extend the exemption to collar checks, cloths and wool and flock used for the relining of horses' collars?

I understand that the use of these materials is not confined to the relining of horse collars and I am afraid it would not be practicable to exempt such goods from the tax by reference to their intended use.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the exemption of cod-liver oil products from the operation of the Purchase Tax, he will extend the exemption to halibut-liver oil, olive oil, and liquid paraffin, which are similar remedial food preparations in frequent use by public institutions?

As I informed the hon. Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Wootton-Davies), halibut-liver oil is not chargeable with Purchase Tax. Olive oil is liable to tax if put up for medicinal, veterinary or toilet use and liquid paraffin is also liable to tax. The only exception from the statutory heading is in respect of "Essential drugs of an exceptionally costly character" and it is not considered that either of the substances mentioned comes within this category.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings how many requisitioned hotels and halls his Department has still not used; and whether, in view of the shortage of accommodation in the country districts, he will liberate all buildings where retention is not essential?

Thirty-two hotels and halls have not been used, but all but two of these have been placed at the disposal of the Service Departments. Arrangements are being made to lend the remaining two to the Service Departments also. My Noble Friend is fully alive to the need for using all empty buildings, having regard to the prevailing shortage of accommodation.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will state the names of the scientific advisers attached to his Department?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education the names of the scientific advisers attached to his Department?

The Board are responsible for the Science Museum in the conduct of which they have the assistance of an Advisory Council including a number of eminent scientists and engineers. So far as the educational system is concerned, the Board's staff of inspectors includes a number well qualified in different branches of science, while on the side of the school medical service the Board have a staff of qualified medical officers.

asked the Minister of Supply, how much in compensation for disturbance he is paying to those tenants he has dispossessed of their farms in a certain locality; and whether he is making any provision for their employés who are thrown out of their jobs?

Requisition notices were served on the tenants on 1st November and it is proposed to purchase their interests. Claims for compensation have not yet been received and no negotiations as to compensation have, therefore, taken place. With regard to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service does, of course, make provision through the Employment Exchange service for finding alternative employment for displaced workers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a working party in Dublin decided to adopt one of His Majesty's ships and provide comforts; that they sent a sack of comforts by the London Midland and Scottish Railway and that it was returned by the English customs; that the gifts were then despatched addressed to the Secretary to the Admiralty; that they were again returned to Ireland, and the donors were told that they would be accepted if repacked in seven-pound parcels; and whether he will take steps to ensure that those citizens of Southern Ireland who are loyal to this country should not be treated in this manner in future?

It is not clear that this matter is necessarily within the responsibility of the Admiralty but I am taking it up with all the authorities who might be concerned. It would assist me in these inquiries if my hon. Friend would let me have any details such as the relevant dates and any correspondence in her possession.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, before making compulsory the covering of all factory glass by expanding metal, he will consult experts of the textile industry with a view to discovering whether equally satisfactory results at cheaper cost, imposing less burdens on the country's supplies of metal, can be obtained in many cases by the use of textile coverings?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the terms of the order under which all uncovered glass in factories will have to be covered with expanding metal and permit the use of gauze or other textile coverings which have proved satisfactory under official tests for preventing flying splinters?

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the proposed order to make compulsory the covering of all exposed factory glass by expanding metal; and whether, in view of the consequent demands on our metal supply and the fact that alternative textile materials, which cost less and which can be produced with less strain upon import shipping space, can be used for this purpose, he will take action in the matter before it is too late?

The Order made on this subject does not specify the method of protection to be adopted, and a circular for the guidance of employers which has been issued after consultation with the Ministry of Home Security, recommends various alternative measures, including the use of textile coverings in some circumstances, though wire netting or expanded metal is thought to be necessary in certain cases. The circular is being placed on sale and I am sending copies of the Order and circular to my hon. Friends.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish at suitable intervals the names, sex and age of civilian casualties and have them recorded on a roll of honour for the killed?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 13th November.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have asked for military help to be given to them for the purpose of clearing up debris and the repair of damage caused by enemy action?

I am communicating with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has so far been made in London to carry out the Horder Committee's recommendation that, wherever possible, men's closets should be placed just outside air-raid shelters and not inside; and whether it is his intention that chemical closets shall be substituted entirely for open pails when closets are inside shelters?

Some progress has been made in carrying out this recommendation, where it is practicable to do so, but I am not in a position to give precise details. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is the intention that chemical closets, or in some cases water closets, should be substituted for open pails.

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to Home Security Circular, No. 249/1940, informing local authorities that the Exchequer would reimburse in full the reasonable cost of all materials used in the construction and equipment of air-raid shelters of all kinds, in the case of contracts placed after 1st October, 1940, whether he proposes to revise the terms of financial assistance applicable to contracts placed before that date?

I regret that I can hold out no prospect that this concession can be made to operate retrospectively.

asked the Home Secretary what progress has been made for the provision of more air-raid shelters in the basements of large buildings where light, water and sanitation facilities are available to a reasonable degree; and whether progress in this direction is now sufficiently advanced to enable him to forbid the construction of further shelters unless such conveniences are provided?

In the course of the past two months a considerable amount of additional basement shelter has been made available by night, chiefly in the form of staff shelters which are not utilised by their occupants except during the day. I am, however, watching the position carefully.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in August last it was essential to build an air-raid shelter for a hospital containing 200 beds; that weeks passed before the necessary consent of his Department was obtained; that estimates were then obtained, but no tender could be accepted as the consent of his Department is still awaited; and whether he will arrange for the matter to be investigated and the necessary approval given without further delay?

I am not aware of any case of delay in my Department when once the necessary particulars have been received from the hospital authorities. If, however, the hon. Member will let me know the name of the hospital which he has in mind, I will investigate the matter at once.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many special constables do not ask for, or receive, boot allowances; whether, as there are ample stocks of hides and leather in this country, he will extend the provision of boots to special constables on the same basis at present in operation to the full-time members of the police force?

This is primarily a matter for the local police authorities, who have full discretion either to supply-boots or to pay a boot allowance to special constables who are regularly employed.

asked the Home Secretary, arising from the recent air attack upon Coventry, what are the nature and extent, respectively, of the emergency powers exercisable by the City Council of Coventry and the powers of the Regional Commissioner; and what is the character of their co-operation?

The Coventry Town Council have the various statutory powers that have been conferred upon municipal corporations; in addition, certain powers have been devolved upon their officers by Ministers under the Defence Regulations. The Regional Commissioner has powers under the Defence Regulations, including power to issue directions in certain circumstances to the council. Their relations, however, rest primarily on collabboration for a common purpose rather than on a formal relationship in law.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the general principles governing the cooperation and financial adjustments between evacuating and receiving authorities in the case of school children?

Recommendations as to the principles which should govern these financial adjustments were made in the report of the Davidson Committee dated 31st January, 1940. These recommendations have been generally accepted by local education authorities. In view, however, of the new circumstances arising out of the increased violence of attack on this country and the consequent evacuation of various classes of persons from areas which were not necessarily previously classified as evacuation areas, I have re-constituted the committee and requested it to consider the new problems which have now arisen.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgent necessity of securing further drastic evacuation from dangerous areas, and the fact that such evacuation is now hindered through the failure of organisation in the reception areas, he will set up an executive authority to supervise, under one heading, the billeting of civilian evacuees, of munitions workers and of soldiers, so as to arrange a comprehensive scheme of camps for persons whose presence is not urgently required in areas affected by enemy air action?

The problem of finding accommodation in the reception areas is one of acute difficulty, but I cannot accept the suggestion that evacuation from dangerous areas .is being hindered by any failure of organisation. The billeting of civilian evacuees and munitions workers is already co-ordinated centrally by my Department with the assistance of a standing inter-departmental committee on which all the interests concerned are represented—and it is co-ordinated locally by the billeting authorities. The War Office, the Home Office and my Department have respectively impressed upon the local military authorities, the police and the local government authorities that there must be the closest co-ordination on the spot. We are watching the situation carefully, and if further experience suggests the need for any changes in the organisation, they will be made at once.

asked the Minister of Health whether it was on expert medical advice that his Department recommended to all air-raid precautions authorities that tannic acid was the most efficacious treatment for burns, and urged that the necessary stocks should be acquired for such treatment; whether it is on the advice of the same experts that the authorities are now being advised that this treatment is unsatisfactory; and when, and on what grounds his expert advisers changed their minds?

The answers to the first and second parts of the Question are in the affirmative. Experience in the past few months—which in the case of burns has been much wider than it could ever be in peace-time or in the last war—has shown that tannic acid treatment is not satisfactory for certain types of burns. With the co-operation of the Medical Research Council the situation is being watched closely by experts of world wide reputation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain landlords are now drafting agreements insisting that tenants shall make themselves responsible for the replacement of broken glass damaged by any action other that that of the landlords; and whether he will investigate the effect on housing of claims of this nature?

No, Sir. Any such provision in relation to glass broken as the result of enemy action would be ineffective because:—

(i) The effect of Section 1 (1) of the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, is that any obligation to repair in any lease or tenancy agreement does not extend to the imposition of any liability to make good any war damage; and

(ii) Under Section 21 of the same Act it is laid down that the provisions of the Act shall have effect in relation to any war damage notwithstanding any contract to the contrary made before that damage occurred.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the importance and number of the various responsibilities resting on the leaders of first-aid posts; whether he is aware of the feelings of unfairness generally expressed that such leaders, unlike the leaders of first-aid depôts and other Civil Defence services, receive no financial recognition; and whether he is prepared to establish similar scales of wages for first-aid posts as obtain in first-aid depôts and other services?

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are giving careful consideration to this matter in consultation with the Minister of Home Security and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has been consulted with regard to the current construction of blast-proof houses in Great Britain; whether an effort will be made to avoid the creation of whole streets of unattractive houses; and can he give any details regarding the construction by local authorities of blast-proof houses in the provinces, especially as regards cost, numbers and design?

The majority of the new houses being built by local authorities for munition workers are not blast-proof to the same extent as air-raid shelters, but they contain a specially strengthened compartment and their concrete roofs and floors give protection against incendiary bombs and splinters. It is not yet possible to give particulars of cost but I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Wartime Building Bulletin No. 7 dealing with the construction of houses which has been issued by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has now considered a letter, dated 9th July, and acknowledged on 12th July, from the Inverness County Food Control Committee, asking that the retail price of oatmeal be controlled at a much lower price in view of its being a staple food in the Highlands; and what has been done to meet their urgent representations?

My Noble Friend will be making an Order controlling the manufacturing wholesale and retail prices of oatmeal in about a week's time, but having regard to the price of homegrown oats from which oatmeal is milled, I am unable to hold out any hope that the maximum retail price in the Order will be a much lower price than is current at the present time.

asked the Minister of Supply why the 2,500 bunches of bananas which were taken out to sea for destruction on 1st October were not used for making fertiliser; and what arrangements exist at the present time at the docks to ensure that all condemned and waste material of this kind is put to some appropriate useful purpose?

The reason for the quantity of bananas mentioned being taken out to sea for disposal was stated in the reply given by my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 6th November. On a previous occasion attempts were made to dispose of condemned bananas as fertiliser, but without success. Experiments have also been made over a number of years for treating waste bananas and banana stalks for use in the manufacture of fertilisers, paper and cardboard, but difficulties have been experienced owing to the high moisture content. Investigation is, however, still proceeding under arrangements made by the Salvage Department of the Ministry of Supply. I am informed that arrangements are in operation under which the Port Sanitary Authority, in consultation where necessary with the Government Department concerned, dispose of any condemned waste material for the most appropriate use.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken to deal with the problem of the immense wheat surplus in Canada; whether he will suggest to the Canadian Government consulting with the Governments of Australia, the United States of America and the Argentine with the view of evolving a plan for dealing with the wheat surpluses in those countries; and whether consideration will be given to a plan of ear-marking stores of food for feeding the population of parts of Europe the moment the Nazi-Fascist control over these areas ceases?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not possible for me to speak for the Canadian Government in regard to Canada's wheat surplus. It is known that this difficult problem is receiving close examination in Canada, and I have no doubt that the Canadian Government will give consideration to possibilities of international consultation when their own investigations are complete. I may say that advantage was taken of the recent visit to this country of Mr. Gardiner, the Canadian Minister of Agriculture, to discuss with him the United Kingdom's probable requirements of Canadian wheat during the period of the war, and there was a useful exchange of ideas on the position generally. The aspect referred to in the last part of the Question will be a matter to be studied by the new inter-departmental organisation which has been set up under the direction of my right hon. Friends the Minister without Portfolio and the Minister of Economic Warfare.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted upon artists and circus performers eligible for military service, some of whom have not been granted postponements of service and are still waiting to be called up and are therefore out of work because managers are in an awkward position in regard to the engagement of these men for tour or season, particularly for the forthcoming pantomimes; and whether he will grant postponement of service for the coming season or make arrangements for the call-up so that the men will not suffer unemployment?

A committee representative of the entertainment industry advises me upon all applications for the deferment of the calling up of employés in theatrical and entertainment occupations. I should be glad if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any of the men he has in mind who wish their calling up to be accelerated owing to unemployment.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is satisfied with the support he is receiving from the larger cinema circuits with regard to the showing of propaganda films; and which of these circuits do, in fact, show these films consistently?

Yes, Sir, I am fully satisfied with the support which I am receiving from both large and small circuits. As regards the second part of the Question, all circuits show these films consistently.

asked the Minister of Information whether Gaelic-speaking servicemen are able, under the service lights-out arrangements in the Army and at sea, to listen-in to the Wednesday night Gaelic entertainment broadcasts and the Saturday evening news in Gaelic; and whether he will consult with the Service Departments with a view to allowing them on these nights, wherever conditions allow, to share the enjoyment of these broadcasts for the Gaelic-speaking population?

I have ascertained that wherever there are receiving sets, and conditions allow, servicemen can listen to the B.B.C. programmes in Gaelic if they wish.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of a shortage of domestic coal supplies in Hull and the East Riding; and will he take steps to ensure adequate stand-by stocks shall be kept?

All the evidence in my possession goes to show that consumers in this area have shown a most satisfactory response to my invitation to lay in stocks of coal during the summer months, and on a review of all the circumstances of the area and particularly its direct connections with the supplying coalfields, I do not think that this is one in which it is necessary for the Government to create emergency stocks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps, in consultation with the railway companies, to have an extension of the time limit for those using the special facilities, travel arrangements, for the parents of evacuated children, especially in view of railway delays and loss of time owing to air-raids?

My right hon. Friend is in consultation with the railway companies and hopes soon to be able to make an announcement in regard to this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent reports he has received from His Majesty's representatives in Bulgaria; and whether he will make a statement on the situation there?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend welcomes this opportunity of stating that, provided that Bulgaria does not join or assist, either actively or passively, the enemies of Great Britain, or attack her Allies, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to do their best to ensure that in any eventual peace settlement to which Great Britain is a party, the integrity and independence of Bulgaria shall be fully respected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a clear declaration of the intention of His Majesty's Government to promote and support the independence of Ethiopia?

His Majesty's Government are anxious to see Ethiopia liberated from Italian aggression. They have no territorial ambitions in that country, which they would wish to be free and independent. They are, therefore, affording every assistance possible to those Ethiopians who have taken up arms against the common enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now reconsider the desirability of setting up an advisory committee of Army experts and representatives from technical and professional bodies with a view to ensuring that adequate machinery exists in the Army to ensure that the best use is made of all recruits with technical, scientific and professional qualifications?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 15th August last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War what procedure is being adopted for men who have applied for release from the Army for service in the Auxiliary Fire Service; whether he is aware that great delay is taking place; and whether, in view of the acute shortage of personnel in the Auxiliary Fire Service, especially in London, he will expedite matters?

The procedure adopted is that names of ex-firemen desirous of release from the Army for service in the Auxiliary Fire Service are obtained from units by the War Office who send them on to the Ministry of Home Security. The Ministry of Home Security, after consultation with local authorities, inform the War Office of the men on the lists whom they wish released, and release orders are then immediately issued. Release orders for 2,307 men have so far been issued at the request of the Ministry of Home Security, and there has been no delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give a list of necessary articles of kit for infantry officers, commissioned in the present emergency, indicating the price at which each article should be obtainable; and whether he will state the amount of the outfit allowance granted to such officers?

I append a list of the articles of uniform normally required, together with prices exclusive of Purchase Tax. The grant given to meet the cost of these articles is £30.

Following is the list: —

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain firms who make an allowance to soldiers' dependants are now deducting the recent increase of 6d. a day in soldiers' pay from such allowances; and whether he will take steps to stop this practice?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 8th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will have inquiries made into the conditions appertaining to the infantry pioneer training centre, of which he has been informed?

An anonymous complaint has been received regarding the feeding of an infantry regiment stationed at the place to which my hon. Friend refers. I am informed that there is no infantry unit at this place, and, in the absence of further particulars, I am unable to pursue the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that units of the Home Guard formed by transport and electricity undertakings in Newcastle and district are without equipment and have been advised by the Territorial and Air Force Association to disband and be transferred to the general duty battalion; and what action does he propose to take to prevent the disbanding and loss of these men?

I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the extension of children's allowances to officers serving in the Army, over the age of 30; and the date on which he proposes to grant this much needed reform?

Officers over the age of 30 receive allowances for the accommodation of their families at the rates laid down for the Regular Army in peace. These rates, which vary according to the officer's rank, are for the whole family's accommodation. It is not considered necessary to change them.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Director-General, Army medical services, is referring applicants for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps to the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association, seeing that this committee ceased in or about September, 1939, when the Central Medical War Committee was formed with Government nominees upon it and wholly independent of the British Medical Association?

Applicants for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps who address the Director-General, Army Medical Services, are invariably referred to the Secretary of the Central Medical War Committee, whose address is:—B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, W.C.1.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that waste of food, particularly bread, still continues in military camps; whether he has made any recent investigations on the subject; and whether he can state their nature and results?

I am aware that there are occasional instances of failure to observe proper economy in the use of food. The number of catering advisers has been increased, and a specialist branch and eight by-product advisers have been instituted. These measures have effected an improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to consider and recommend, that the title of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps be changed to the Royal Pioneer Corps, in view of the splendid work this corps has done both overseas and at home?

In view of the services which this corps has rendered, His Majesty has approved a change of title to "Pioneer Corps." As regards the grant of the distinction "Royal," I think it would be better to follow the normal practice and postpone consideration of such a matter until the end of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of his Department to continue to afford all reasonable facilities to a privately-run enterprise operating in Lisbon at present engaged in forwarding parcels to prisoners of war in Germany?

This matter is at present under examination and I should be grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend if he would put down a Question next week when I shall be in a position to give him a considered reply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state a specimen day's menu of food in a German prisoners' camp in Great Britain?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnstaple (Sir R. Acland) on 20th August, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether if, seeing that officers who are prisoners of war receive their full pay from the German authorities, he will state what arrangements have been or will be made to enable prisoners of non-commissioned rank to receive cash payments?

Officers receive the pay of the corresponding German ranks—not their full British pay. This is in accordance with the International Convention governing the treatment of prisoners of war. The Convention provides for other ranks working pay, when they are provided with work, but not pay. His Majesty's Government do not propose to ask the German Government to depart from the terms of the Convention. So far as remittances are concerned, as I have already stated to-day to my hon. Friends the Members for Wycombe and Maidstone, the question is under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the conditions of the members of the 51st Highland Division, taken prisoner in France?

I have no evidence that members of the 51st (Highland) Division are being treated in any way differently from other members of His Majesty's Forces who are prisoners of war in Germany.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider taking steps to develop the use of the canal system of the country including the construction of new barges?

I am always considering how the fullest possible use can be made of canal transport and my Department is in constant touch with representatives of the Canal Undertakings and Canal Carriers with this object in view.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure a redistribution of quotas of goods under the Limitation of Supplies Act to meet movements of population?

The President of the Board of Trade has this matter specially under review. The new Limitation of Supplies Order contains provisions which will facilitate the redistribution of quotas that the hon. Member has in mind. In addition, special investigators are being appointed, whose duty it will be to keep the Board of Trade in close touch with conditions in all parts of the country. I may add that for some time past, supplies of essential classes of controlled goods to local authorities and the Women's Voluntary Services have been free from restriction, and that this arrangement has enabled large quantities of these goods to be provided for those in acute need owing to enemy action.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now give any definite information concerning the new sewerage scheme for Valley Drive, Gravesend?

I hope to be able to inform my hon. Friend of the decision on this scheme by the end of this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will quote the text or the effective meaning of the King's Regulations under which Air Force personnel are debarred from approaching their Members of Parliament with regard to grievances; and whether, in view of the large number of men who have recently been taken into the Air Force who are not clear as to their rights in this respect, he will consider the desirability of circulating an explanatory statement on the subject for the benefit of all concerned?

Sections 42 and 43 of the Air Force Act and paragraph 1081 of the King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions provide for the manner in which an officer or airman may proceed to obtain redress for any grievance under which he conceives himself to be suffering. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend copies of the texts. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Departments and individuals are entitled to claim priority telephone calls from London to the provinces?

Priority telephone facilities are afforded to 1,170 firms and individuals engaged on business of national importance, and to 380 Government offices.

asked the Postmaster-General the steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to avoid, during the Christmas, 1940, pressure period, the difficulties which caused serious delays in delivery around Christmas, 1939, of business and official correspondence; and whether, in view of the probability of enemy activity in the air being an additional factor during the coming period, he will give an assurance that other causes of delay will be reduced to a minimum?.

I have not received any general complaint regarding delays in the delivery of business and official correspondence during the Christmas period 1939. Some dislocation at Christmas is unavoidable but it is impracticable to segregate and afford special treatment in the post to such correspondence. The arrangements for dealing with Christmas mails must necessarily follow generally those adopted in previous years, but special attention is being paid to the much more difficult transport and other conditions which have to be faced this Christmas. I can assure my hon. Friend that all practicable steps are being taken to deal expeditiously with the mails during the period of Christmas pressure. Much will depend, however, on the response by the public to my right hon. Friend's appeal to post much earlier this Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information regarding the strength of the German military forces in Rumania?

Yes, Sir, but I am not prepared to disclose details.