asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow concerning the nature and the results of the Russian-German conversations at Berlin; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

Yes, Sir, but my Noble Friend is not prepared to make an official statement on this subject.

Do I take it that that means we cannot have a report now?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have received any reply to the representations they have made to the Spanish Government that Tangier should remain neutral and unfortified?

Yes, Sir. An interchange of views has taken place between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs. His Majesty's Government are watching the situation very carefully with the purpose of safeguarding their rights and interests under the international treaties in force. They will take up with the Spanish Government all questions which may threaten these rights. His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid has recently received further instructions in this sense.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remind General Franco of the pledge given last June, that the neutrality of Tangier will be respected, and has he any information whether the zone has been fortified?

In answer to the first part of the Question, importance of the neutrality of Tangier have been brought recently to the attention of the Spanish Government. Regarding the latter part of the Question, Spanish troops, which the hon. Member will remember have occupied the zone, have, according to our information, been reinforced since that time.

Are the undamaged Italian submarines still in the port of Tangier?

Yes, Sir.

Do the Government propose to take some action to deal with that situation, and, if necessary, to turn them out?

Yes, Sir, His Majesty's Government have already taken action. The usual practice of international law has been followed, and we are watching to see that it is in fact followed.

Do the Government intend to restrict themselves to protests, or will they maintain their rights if necessary by force?

Is it not a fact that according to international law undamaged warships can stay only 24 hours in a port?

Yes, Sir, but these warships are damaged. The practice of international law is being followed. We understand that they are being made seaworthy as quickly as possible at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have received any reply to the proposals they have made to the Government of Soviet Russia?

Not yet, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position in the Farôe Islands, and whether the ties with Denmark have been severed, and the islands established as an independent Government under British protection?

The Farôe Islands are occupied by His Majesty's Forces. All communications with Denmark have been terminated, but the islands still remain part of Denmark and continue to be administered by the Danish Governor in conjunction with the Lagting, the local Parliament.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement that the Farôe Islands have been set up as an independent State under British protection?

I may have seen the statement, but I have given the hon. Member his answer.

Is not our honour closely bound up with the maintenance of Danish control of these islands?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has been informed of the terms of the contract between Japan and Dutch East Indies oil interests; the quantities involved; and the duration and to what extent Japan is still able to purchase the bulk of her requirements from the United States of America, in view of the fact that the embargo only applied to high octane spirit?

According to my Noble Friend's information, an agreement has been signed between the oil companies operating in the Netherland East Indies (including Netherland, United States and British interests) and Japanese oil importers, under which Japan will be able to obtain over the next six to twelve months about 900,000 tons of oil, in addition to the quantities which the companies import to meet their quota of the trade in Japan. The greater part of these contracts are, I understand, for a period of six months. Except as regards the grades covered by the embargo, there is, so far as my Noble Friend is aware, no legal obstacle in the way of Japan's obtaining from the United States those quantities of oil for which she is able to place contracts.

Is it not the case that Japan can now obtain all the spirit she requires from America, providing she refines it here?

That is so, subject to the terms of the embargo in regard to the highest grades.

What proportion of this oil will be supplied by British companies or companies under British control?

I understand that the interests of British companies amount to roughly one-third of the total.

Does that include the company which is under the control of His Majesty's Government?

That includes the company domiciled in the East Indies which is connected with the Royal Dutch Company.

Does not that make embargo completely ineffective?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the arrangements made some time ago, the Secretary of State has yet taken up his residence at the Foreign Office; and, if not, how soon is he proposing to leave his present address?

Owing to changed circumstances since the Prime Minister asked the Foreign Secretary to live in the Foreign Office, it is not practicable for my Noble Friend to take up his residence at present in the flat at the top of the building. The rooms set aside for the Foreign Secretary are accordingly still being used as offices. The bathrooms have been made available for use by those on night duty.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, is he aware that there is a very strong opinion held in well-informed circles that the Foreign Secretary should leave his present address without delay? Will he represent that to his Noble Friend?

No, certainly not. I will leave my Noble Friend to live where he likes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he will indicate the persons to whom diplomatic immunity from censorship is restricted; and what steps are taken to pee the privilege is not abused;

(2) whether any of the representatives in this country of the Governments of Germany, Italy, Japan, France., Rumania and Hungary continue to enjoy diplomatic immunity in regard to communications, and, if so, which; and whether he is satisfied that a continuance of this practice is desirable in present conditions?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the facility given for diplomats in this country to send messages to their respective Governments in code or cipher without censorship, he is satisfied that no leakage of information of value to the enemy occurs; and whether similar facilities are granted to foreign diplomats in countries with which Great Britain is at war?

As a long and comprehensive statement is involved, I will, with permission, circulate the answer in the Official Report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say precisely whether Rumania, Hungary and Japan enjoy complete diplomatic immunity and can send messages without any form of censorship?

They enjoy that diplomatic immunity, but the circumstances in which they send messages have been described in answer to a Question on 19th November and also in answer to the questions to-day. If the hon. Member refers to the statement, he will see the circumstances set out.

Following is the statement:

As regards telegraphic communication in code or cypher, I would refer to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 19th November. As regards immunity from postal censorship, this courtesy is extended to the diplomatic representatives in the United Kingdom of those countries with which His Majesty is hot at war and with which diplomatic relations are maintained. Since the diplomatic missions of Germany and Italy left the country on the outbreak with war with these two States, the question as regards these representatives does not arise. All communications emanating from a foreign diplomatic mission require to be accompanied by a certificate from the Head of the Mission to the effect that the postal packet only contains official correspondence on the business of the mission or private correspondence of the Head of the Mission.

His Majesty's Government are satisfied that a continuance of this practice of diplomatic immunity from censorship is desirable so long as the countries concerned extend reciprocal treatment to His Majesty's Representatives, and subject always to the proviso that His Majesty's Government reserve to themselves the right to withdraw such privileges in the event of any concrete evidence becoming available that they are being abused. My Noble Friend has no information regarding facilities granted to foreign diplomats in countries with which Great Britain is at war.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, how many British subjects are know to be stranded in unoccupied France; and is financial aid granted only to those who can prove ability to repay grants on their return to England, and can prove present destitution?

There are believed to be about 4,000 British subjects in unoccupied France. Relief up to £10 a month is advanced by the United States Consuls to all British subjects who apply for it, provided they can show that they are without means. While such persons are asked to give an undertaking to repay on return to this country, they are not required to prove ability to do so, and would, in fact, not be pressed to do so if it were not within their means.

Did they know that they would be pressed to do so?

They know now.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in connection with Regular airmen, who enlisted prior to the outbreak of hostilities, he will take steps to amend the regulations to enable their dependants to obtain some benefit under the Dependants' Allowance Scheme in such cases where the War Service Grants Advisory Committee are unable to make an award of a special allowance?

Regular airmen are already eligible for dependants' allowances equally with airmen who have enlisted during the war.

Does it not seem rather hard in certain cases that there should be discrimination against Regular airmen who joined up before the outbreak of hostilities? Will my hon. and gallant Friend give particular attention to a case I lodged with him about a week ago, in which there was a very great case of hardship? Will he deal with it without any further delay?

Regular airmen serving before the war are not normally eligible for the issue of grants by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, because it cannot usually be held that their ability to meet financial obligations has been affected by the war. With regard to the particular instance mentioned by my hon. Friend, I can assure him that I am going into that case myself.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, how many Italian aircraft have so far been brought down over Greece and Albania by the Royal Air Force?

Since 19th November, when eight Italian aircraft were shot down by Royal Air Force fighters without loss to themselves, few Italian aircraft have been encountered on the Greek front. Reports so far available show that the Royal Air Force have to date shot down a total of 20 Italian aircraft on the Greek front.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say whether Count Ciano and Signor Bruno Mussolini have been back to bomb Salonica since the Hurricanes arrived?

asked the Secretary of State for Air in what manner did the courage and efficiency of a sergeant-pilot, who has been responsible for the destruction of 19 enemy aircraft and has recently been awarded a bar to his Distinguished Flying Medal, differ from that of the flight-lieutenant responsible for the de-destruction of eight enemy aircraft; and why was the latter given a higher decoration?

The answer to the first part of the Question is that the Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Flying Medal and bars thereto are awarded for services of equal risk and bravery performed under similar conditions; it follows, in reply to the second part, that the two decorations are of equal merit.

Then why give two decorations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the many answers which have been given to him and to the Debate which took place on the Motion for the Adjournment on this particular subject on 16th October.

Did not that Debate simply indicate that the Government are upholding a very snobbish distinction?

No, Sir. I trust that to the few Members who were present my reply conveyed quite a different meaning.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has taken steps to investigate the leakage of information responsible for the interception and capture of Air Marshal Boyd by Italian planes?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement on the circumstances of the capture by the Italians of Air Marshal Boyd and other officers on 20th November?

Air Marshal Boyd left England by air on 19th November to take up his duties as Deputy to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East. The aircraft in which he travelled was fully armed, and had more than adequate petrol for the journey. It is understood from enemy broadcasts that the aircaft forced-landed in Sicily, and that it was destroyed before it fell into enemy hands. There is no reason to believe that the enemy had any prior information in regard to this journey.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether in view of the importance of the Middle-East Command, it is proposed to appoint a deputy to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief immediately to succeed Air Marshal Boyd recently captured while en route there; if so, can he name the officer?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be able to announce an appointment.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention been called to the report from Italy that fighters met the plane in the air and forced it to land, and is he satisfied that there was no leakage which gave the Italians foreknowledge of Air Marshal Boyd's journey?

To the best of my knowledge there was no leakage at all. I do not place full credence in the reports that I read from Italy.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend satisfied that all precautions were taken to protect the plane?

I am fully satisfied on that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the Purchase Tax and increased cost of uniforms, it is proposed to increase the outfit allowance granted to officers on being commissioned?

The question of increasing officers' outfit allowance is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air at what stage in the construction of new erection for his Department it is customary to camouflage the structure; with whom lies the responsibility for the decision in such a matter; and who is responsible for carrying out the necessary work?

The camouflage of new works is carried out at the earliest practicable stage in accordance with Air Staff policy by the Air Ministry Directorate of Works.

In view of the importance of the matter, does the hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that camouflage should be put into operation on new works at the earliest possible date, and will he take active steps to see that it is put into operation in a particular case that has caused anxiety in a certain area?

I stated in my reply that camouflage is put into operation at the earliest possible time practicable in the construction of works. I have not personal knowledge of the case that my hon. and learned Friend quotes but, if he will give me particulars afterwards, I will certainly look into it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he will consider the need for closer liaison between the manufacturers and the squadrons which are using their aircraft; that a technical representative from the firm be present with the squadron when new types are being first used; and that a few leading men like inspectors should have experience with the squadrons when new types are being used so that the experience gained can be used in future production?

The closest liaison already exists between manufacturers of aircraft and the Royal Air Force during the manufacture of machines and in particular when new types are introduced personnel from the producing factory or factories are sent to the squadrons which are using those machines for the first time.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to see that this policy is applied universally?

I think it is applied universally. There is an Air Force overseer, a flying officer, at each of the main producing works who watches the progress of the machine throughout its manufacture and can give advice to the producing factories. When the machines are going through their tests, or new machines are going to squadrons, we see that representatives of the firm, and mechanics of the firm, go to squadrons which are having the machines for the first time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that it is the current practice in Naval dockyards to punish acts of insubordination by the loss of two days' wages already worked for, he will take steps to amend Appendix 14 of the Home Dockyards Regulations, which lays down this punishment, with a view to bringing disciplinary control in the dockyards more in line with civilian practice and accepted trade union principles?

The Admiralty Industrial Council are discussing this question, and I am, therefore, not in a position to make a statement at present.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this practice was carried on for a long time and was everywhere condemned by the trade union movement? Will he see that the practice of sweating shops is not continued in any of the Admiralty dockyards?

I should say it is principally a matter for the trade unions, which are in touch with the men concerned. It is being dealt with by the Whitley Councils. The practice is not far removed from the discipline carried out by the trade unions themselves.

Will my right hon. Friend cause inquiries to be made whether this is not a violation of the Truck Acts?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when the Industrial Council are likely to come to a decision on the matter?

As early as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very long delay and that this is a matter of some importance?

Certainly, but my hon. Friend will know how to trust the trade union representatives in dealing with the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is desirable to assist trade union representatives by ventilating these matters in public?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to institute refresher courses for naval officers who have been called up from the retired list for war service?

The majority of retired naval officers are given appointments for which special instruction should not be required. Officers appointed for certain special duties do, however, take training courses where this is necessary, and before the war large numbers of retired officers were given voluntary short courses of instruction.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many destroyers were built and launched during each financial year from 1924 to 1931, inclusive?

As the answer consists of a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the total number during the period

Twenty-seven.

The information is as follows :

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to make widely known to all members of His Majesty's Forces that concession travelling vouchers can be obtained for wives visiting their husbands in camps and other establishments, as large numbers of men and their wives are at present unaware of this concession, and consequently pay full fare when it would have been unnecessary for them to do so?

I did not know that there was any doubt about the existence of the concession, but, in view of the hon. Member's Question, I will issue a notice to the Press.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the replacing of some of the major signposts on our roads with a view to putting a stop to the serious loss of hours of time by those engaged in the nation's business who have to constantly stop to inquire their way; and will he consider making the necessary approaches to instruct the Home Guard in every parish, or some other authority, to be responsible for taking down all signposts in the event of imminent danger of invasion?

While on purely traffic grounds the restoration of road direction signs would be desirable, the over-riding consideration at the present time must be that of military security. I am keeping this matter under constant review with the military authorities.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the very considerable amount of time that is being lost, not only by the civil population but also by Army transports which find themselves on the wrong road and have to return? Will he give serious consideration to the matter? Would it not be possible to make arrangements for the Home Guard, or some local authority, to take down signposts in case of emergency?

I do not want to be convinced about the matter. I am certain it is less convenient to the invader, who would have a map, than to the Englishman who gets lost. I have tried to put this with all the force I can, but so far my eloquence has been unavailing.

Is not the present policy of the Department being defeated by the putting-up of notices giving a direction to traffic to the South-West, South-East and so on?

I was not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that pilot officers in the Royal Air Force are unable to execute motor-car insurance policies owing to the refusal of insurance companies to accept the risk; and whether, in view of the great hardship to officers in the Royal Air Force which this involves at a time when transport facilities are considerably curtailed, and in view of the great services of Royal Air Force officers to the country, he will take such steps as will enable them to take out motor-car and motor-bicycle insurance policies in the same way as officers in the other fighting services?

I am not aware that insurance companies have refused to accept proposals by pilot officers in the R.A.F. for third-party motor insurance, although I know that insurances sometimes require special premiums to be paid or special conditions accepted. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any specific cases in mind, and will let me have the particulars, I will gladly look into them.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the tariff offices deliberately refuse to offer any insurance to any pilot in the Air Force, whether officer or man? I will certainly bring a case to his notice. Will he see that the practice is altered so that men in the Air Force shall be treated like any other of His Majesty's subjects?

My hon. and gallant Friend is not quite correct. Insurers do not refuse R.A.F. pilots, although they may require special premiums and conditions. After all, the insurance business is a competitive one, and there may be cases where they ask for a higher premium, but a really skilled flying man is like an old racing driver— far and away the best driver on the road, and the most careful. There is very little justification for this increased premium. I will look into the matter and try to persuade the insurance companies to take more of these young men.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the excuse given by the insurance companies is the heavy claims that they have had to meet in the past? Is not that part of their business?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the companies get together behind the scenes? These airmen are fighting for their country, and they are entitled to a square deal. Why should they not have it?

asked the Minister of Transport the number of omnibuses running and the number of service miles run in the area covered by the London Pas- senger Transport Board for the month of October, 1939, and October, 1940?

The average daily number of omnibuses operated by the London Passenger Transport Board in October, 1940, was 4,749 and in October, 1939, 3,856. The number of service miles run during the four weeks ended 26th October, 1940, was 14,100,000 as against 14,700,000 in the four weeks ended 28th October, 1939. The decrease in miles run is accounted for by the fact that the augmented peak-hour services are more than offset by the decrease in traffic after dark.

How many of the buses now running in London have come from Scotland?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the statement sent to him on 8th November, 1940, by the Association of Jute Spinners and Manufacturers referring to the use of jute wagon covers for sheeting; and has he any statement to make?

Yes, Sir, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply which has been sent to them. On further inquiry I find that a special method of proofing jute canvas has now been developed and that limited quantities of this canvas are being used for wagon sheeting as a temporary expedient. Other more suitable substitutes for flax sheeting, such as cotton duck, are, however, becoming increasingly available.

Is the Minister aware that this innovation will save foodstuffs that are very necessary to the country; and will the statement that he has received prevent any inexperienced Minister from making statements which experts in any association can refute very easily?

I do not accept those remarks at all, because this jute sheeting is only an expedient to carry us over a difficult time. Although the new proofing is making it possible to use it, no one pretends that it is as good as the sheeting which was made before.

Is not the Minister aware that many of our war-time efforts depend on expedients and that anything that can save foodstuffs is necessary and should have been accepted at the very beginning without any delay?

I have already said I have accepted it as an expedient; my point is that the particular sheets advocated by my hon. Friend are not superior to the others.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to give details of the arrangements being made to supply meal packets at reasonable prices to men and women of the Services travelling on long-distance trains?

Apart from the Admiralty, who consider that the present arrangements for feeding men on railway journeys are generally satisfactory, the Service Departments have not yet indicated to me their views on this subject. I am in consultation with these Departments, and will communicate to my hon. Friend the result of my inquiries as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Is the Minister aware that some weeks ago he gave me a promise that the railway companies were considering this matter—not the Service Departments—and is he aware that hundreds of men are travelling on the long-distance trains from 10 to 15 hours at a time and are not able to get to the canteen at wayside stations, so that it is urgently necessary that some cheap meal packet should be provided for them?

I am very unhappy and dissatisfied with the feeding arrangements on the railways. The British public, patient as they are, will not tolerate the bad train service existing at present on an empty stomach. They will put up with a lot so long as you can give them food. If the railway companies or I cannot arrange very early a betterment of present conditions, I am going to call in Lord Woolton to review the situation.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider reproducing, in pamphlet form, a photograph of the damage done to the Italian navy at Taranto, complete with caption of appropriate extracts from Mussolini's recent speech, and take steps to see that such pamphlets are dropped on Italian objectives at the same time as bombs?

I can assure the hon. Member that all possible uses of these striking photographs are being considered.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange for the names of all those who have been awarded decorations for bravery in the war to be given in the British Broadcasting Corporation's news bulletins?

While I should like all awards for bravery to be made widely known, I do not think that broadcasting is a suitable way of giving lists of names to the public. Moreover, lists of awards are often so long that they would overload the news bulletins.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will issue to the public, through the Press, a list of war objectives in Germany that have been bombed; and, further, whether he will give this information in the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts in German?

A list such as the hon. Member has in mind was recently issued to the Press by the Ministry of Information, accompanied by a map showing the location of the various objectives. The list and map was complete as to 27th September, and it is intended to produce further editions from time to time bringing the facts up to date. As regards the second part of the Question, the B.B.C. broadcasts in German have regularly brought this information to the knowledge of the German people.

Is this information being fully supplied to the United States of America?

Yes, Sir, as fully as possible.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will discontinue the publication "London's Awake" as a needless expenditure of public money; and whether he will state the average number of copies printed weekly in recent weeks?

With regard to the last part of the Question, the number of copies issued weekly has recently had to be increased from 5,000 to 15,000 in order to meet demands. In these circumstances the expenditure, which is very small, would not appear to be needless, and the answer to the first part of the Question is therefore in the negative.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he reads this publication and whether the reminiscences of his regional officer about a cholera epidemic in Turkey in 1913 were either relevant or helpful to civil morale in London just now? If he will not discontinue this publication, will he at least see that it is not issued weekly but only when there is genuine information to disseminate?

I do not regularly but I do occasionally, read the publication in question. It does disseminate information which is needed weekly. It gives all the information from the various Departments of State concerned with the welfare of London and with shelters. There is fresh information to be given out every week on that subject. Undoubtedly, owing to the demand for it, it is serving a useful purpose, and if it occasionally contains other articles, and not uninteresting articles, from a very distinguished information officer, Sir Wyndham Deedes, who is doing very useful work in London which compares with his previous work in Constantinople, I do not think there is anything very amusing or ludicrous about it.

Can the Minister please say whether the title "London's Awake," printed against a background of the night sky and searchlights, is intended as a statement of fact or as an encouragement to the enemy?

It is a statement of fact and, I hope, a discouragement to the enemy.

asked the Minister of Information whether he can give an up-to-date list of the papers published in this country the export of which is not permitted?

I am circulating the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Who decides which newspapers and technical journals are to be permitted to be exported?

It is decided in consultation with other Government Departments concerned.

But who does decide?

The order is given by the Ministry of Information, but naturally we consult the Ministry of Home Security and the Foreign Office.

Following is the list of papers at present being published in this country, the export of which is prohibited:

"Daily Worker."

"The Week."

"Russia To-day."

"Russia To-day Newsletter."

"Challenge."

"Inside the Empire."

"The New Propellor."

"Labour Monthly."

"Kypriaka Nea."

asked the Minister of Information whether the contract with a firm of advertising agents for operation in Latin America has been discontinued; whether those responsible for arranging the contract are still in the Ministry; and why the official responsible for its discontinuance is no longer there?

A contract with a firm of advertising agents for operation in Latin America was entered into for an experimental period of six months and it has now terminated. I cannot accept the suggestion that any individual officer or officers were responsible either for initiating or terminating the experiment. Both were considered decisions of the Ministry for which I am responsible.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that no injustice has been done? Is he also satisfied that the news service to Latin America is being efficiently run?

That is a different question, but I am perfectly satisfied with the present news service to Latin America, and it is, I hope, satisfactory.

asked the Prime Minister to what Minister Questions should be addressed on the subject of the creation of opportunities for further employment, in view of the fact that the Minister of Labour has stated that the matter does not rest with him?

Questions regarding the increase of production for war purposes should be addressed to the Ministers for the production Departments. Steps have been taken by the Production Council to co-ordinate the activities of the production Departments with those of the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade, and Questions in regard to this co-ordination should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio in his capacity as Chairman of the Council.

May I ask whether that reply indicates a change of policy, having regard to the frequency with which in old days the Labour party used to move a Vote of Censure on the Minister of Labour because he did not provide employment?

Is not the real block at the Treasury, and could not some change be made there?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will now consider reviewing the policy whereby the pig population of this country is to be reduced, bearing in mind the increasing requirements of the country for lard and fats which are obtainable from pigs and also the fact that pigs multiply more speedily than bullocks and by these means a great quantity of lard and fats will be available for the general public.

No, Sir. There are other considerations equally as cogent as those mentioned by my hon. Friend. The policy in question was based on the fact that having regard to the requirements of farm livestock generally, the prospective supply of concentrated feeding-stuffs was not adequate to maintain the pig population at its former level. That position has not changed.

In view of the fact that the cost of production is higher than the selling price, will my hon. and gallant Friend confer with the Minister of Food?

I shall be pleased to do so at any time .

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the Government's announcement that, at an early date, they are taking steps to introduce vitamin Bi into the flour for the manufacture of bread, he will consider, alternatively, taking steps to ensure that vitamin B I, which is normally present in the flour, should not be extracted prior to the manufacture of bread, having regard to the fact that any deficiency of vitamin B 1, which might be occasioned owing to delay through the winter months, might be detrimental to the public health?

For the reasons fully given in the announcement made on behalf of the Government in this House on 18th July last, my Noble Friend is not prepared to take the course suggested by my hon. Friend. The type of flour and of bread which appears to be favoured by my hon. Friend may be readily obtained throughout the country at the same price as ordinary white flour and white bread respectively.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a time for speech and a time for silence, and that on this occasion I should very much like to hear a Supplementary Question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham (Sir M. Robertson)?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why there is the present shortage of onions; what he intends to do in order to free the supplies of this vegetable; and whether he intends to punish the holders of these stocks who are preventing the public of the right of purchase at controlled prices?

The main reason for the present shortage of onions is that given in my reply to my hon. Friend the member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) on 6th November. Any attempts to evade the provisions of the Maximum Prices Order which are brought to the attention of my Noble Friend's Department will be dealt with appropriately.

Has the hon. and gallant Member's attention been called to the statement, made publicly by the Food Minister and reported in the newspapers, that he knew where these stocks had been hidden by wholesale traders and he was keeping a close eye upon them? Is it not his duty to the country to see that these stocks are forthcoming, and that the offenders are severely punished for keeping them off the market in the hope of obtaining higher prices?

In regard to the last part of that Supplementary Question, when prices are controlled it is not much use keeping produce for a better market. As a matter of fact, as I pointed out to the hon. Member for South Croydon some time ago, there are very few onions in this country. There are no large stocks of onions in the country; we must remember that only a very small proportion of the total quantity of onions consumed in this country are produced here.

But the hon. and gallant Member is not answering the question as to the statement of the Food Minister that he knew where the stocks are being held. I ask whether it is not his duty to see that these stocks are seized by order of the Government and made available for the population?

I have not seen that particular statement, but I maintain that where there are very small stocks indeed, and they are held by many, many hundreds of growers, it is an extremely difficult task to find out every one who is holding them. It is not necessarily against the national interest to hold stocks —not to hold-up stocks.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that he will have to find these things out if we are to win the war and that the sooner he starts the better?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the tremendous increase in the prices of fruit, vegetables, fish and many of the essential articles of food, and of the impossibility of widows, old age pensioners and persons with large families and small incomes purchasing such foodstuffs, whether he is proposing to take steps to reduce the prices prevailing and stop the present exploitation of food; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation with a view to imposing severe punishment on persons and combines responsible?

My Noble Friend is aware that prices of fish and of certain fruit and vegetables have increased as a result of scarcity and increased costs due to war conditions. It has been possible in a number of these cases to control retail prices by Maximum Price Orders, so as to keep them at a level accessible to all classes of the public, and the question of extending this control to other commodities of this kind is being considered. With regard to the latter part of the Question, my Noble Friend cannot agree that there is any widespread exploitation or that drastic legislation on the lines suggested is necessary.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that as far back as April the Ministry were urged to take over stocks of onions that were then 6s. 3d. per bag, and peas 1d. a lb.—now 8d. and 10d. a lb.—and that many communications have been sent by people interested in food production and no action and no reply has ever followed? Is he aware of the discontent prevailing among old age pensioners and people with low incomes who cannot afford to purchase these things, and that there is a feeling in the country that there is general exploitation and that those concerned should be dealt with very severely?

The Minister cannot answer a long speech like that now.

I was asking if the Minister was aware of the prices that are prevailing to-day, and aware that the Ministry were asked to take action as far back as April. I say that this Ministry is completely asleep. There are a few who need to be shot.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider making an allowance of tea and sugar for use at duly proved charitable functions?

My Noble Friend already has the suggestion of my hon. Friend under close consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an addition to the tea ration is still under consideration; and whether, in view of the strain on shipping and the perils to which the officers and men of the mercantile marine are exposed, he will consider maintaining the adequate standard ration for the general community and applying any surplus to extra allowances to workers whose needs are greater?

No general change in the existing arrangements for tea rationing can be contemplated at present in view of the desirability of conserving our stocks. As regards the second part of the Question, my Noble Friend is unable to accept the proposal to introduce supplementary rations for certain sections of the community, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the arrangement whereby tea may be obtained on a collective basis for consumption by industrial business and office workers during their working hours in those cases where canteen facilities are not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that butchers and other shopkeepers are charging the same price for imported rabbits as for English; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to frozen rabbits imported from Australia and New Zealand. The price at which such rabbits are sold to the retailer is governed by an understanding between the Ministry and the importers. These prices enable frozen rabbits to be sold to the public at a figure less than for English rabbits. My information is that generally they are so sold. If my hon. Friend is aware of any specific cases of the full maximum prices being charged for frozen rabbits, and will let me have details, I will have investigations made.

Unfortunately I have thrown the newspaper cutting away, so I cannot give the information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the acute shortage of kippered and other herrings, and whether, in view of the value and utility of this article of foodstuff for general consumption, he will take steps to ensure its reasonable availability by a system of bulk purchases and controlled distribution?

I am aware that there has been a shortage of kippered and other herrings in certain parts of the country, and an investigation is being made with a view to ascertaining what steps can usefully be taken to ensure a better distribution of available supplies.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend represent to the Food Controller that in view of the series of mistakes which have occurred in the past, he should now take steps to acquire the supply himself and then control its distribution to see that it is equitably handed out throughout the country?

That question is being investigated.

While investigation is taking place the supply gets worse, and in view of the unfortunate series of mistakes in the Ministry in the past, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman look into the matter now?

I cannot accept the view that the situation is due to a series of mistakes by the Ministry. There is another important factor, and that is that the seas in which herrings are caught are not as free as they were, and that a good many of those who normally catch them are now doing other important work.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the supply of herrings is short because the boats of the Clyde fishermen have been requisitioned by the Government?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that each of the 11 Controllers of Raw Materials not paid by his Department do not receive remuneration from the trades with which they are connected?

I am not in a position to say from what sources the unpaid Controllers of Raw Materials derive their incomes. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend of the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 12th November, in which it was stated that, on appointment, a controller must cease from active participation in the management of those businesses which are concerned with the commodity under his control.

Does the phrase "cease from active participation" mean that the Controllers receive no direct emoluments from the businesses with which they are connected?

That is a matter entirely for the businesses and not for me.

Will the Minister take steps to see that they have severed their connection with the industry? They cannot be said to have severed their connection if they are still being paid.

On public grounds does the Minister not recognise that it is not a question of their participation in the businesses which they are concerned with, but of the drawing of some remuneration from those businesses; and would it not be far better that these Controllers should be openly paid by the Government than that they should receive—I do not say surreptitiously, but at any rate without the public knowing—remuneration from the trades which they are controlling?

These Controllers, like a large number of other persons in other capacities, are performing services which are quite invaluable to the country today. They are required to cease all active participation in their businesses, but no attempt is made to inquire whether the business which gives them leave of absence does so by cutting off their remuneration or not, and it would be impossible, on any standards of public remuneration, to acquire the services of these people.

Would it not be more satisfactory if the Ministry of Supply would consider paying these people direct and requiring them to cease to receive all emoluments from their businesses?

In view of the obviously unsatisfactory nature of the present arrangement, will the Minister take steps to make other arrangements? Is it not intolerable that Controllers should receive remuneration from the trades which they are controlling?

I will consult with those who are most intimately concerned with this matter on the general questions involved.

If it be a fact that these people are susceptible to corrupt influences—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]— would the position not be just as difficult were the State to pay these men? If they were corrupt in spirit, would they not still be serving their own interests?

There is no doubt that the people who are giving their services are men of great probity, beyond all possibility of that kind of influence, but, at the same time, I will have the point discussed again.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the short notice given to troops proceeding on leave and the difficulty of prompt communication, either by letter or telegram, to their families, he will make arrangements for public call boxes to be placed at convenient points adjacent to units and military schools?

It is already the normal practice to provide public call boxes wherever there are likely to be sufficient calls to justify them. The very heavy demands on the Post Office engineering staff, however, necessarily restrict the extent to which this type of service can be developed under existing conditions. If, however, my hon. Friend has some particular case in mind, I shall be glad to have it examined.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will consider putting into preparation a scheme for the post-war planning of London and other urban areas damaged by enemy action, and appointing immediately an advisory committee to confer with the authorities concerned, to submit recommendations as to the lines upon which post-war planning should be carried out, and any amendment of the law which might be necessary to secure a simplified and more direct procedure for the re-planning, where necessary, of damaged areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the last paragraph of the statement which my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal made on 24th October, in regard to the functions of the Ministry of Works and Buildings, when he stated that it was clear that the reconstruction of town and country after the war raised great problems and gave a great opportunity; the Minister of Works and Buildings had, therefore, been charged by the Government with the responsibility of consulting the Departments and organisations concerned with a view to reporting to the Cabinet the appropriate methods and machinery for dealing with the issues involved, and he feels that any steps of the kind suggested had better await the report which he hopes to complete in the near future.

Are we not in danger of giving the world a very exaggerated idea of the war damage sustained?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a considerable proportion of people bombed out of their homes do not know that they are entitled to a billeting allowance and are in consequence living in discomfort and running into debt; whether he will take immediate steps to ensure a greatly superior dissemination of information to that now existing; and whether he will at once announce a decision that back payments will be given?

I have no evidence that those who are entitled to billeting allowances are, in general, unaware of the fact. People made homeless by enemy action should, if they are in need, apply for assistance to the nearest area office of the Assistance Board. With regard to the dissemination of information, I would refer the hon. Member to the full reply which was given on 19th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Sir A. Maitland). I cannot accept the suggestion in the last part of the Question.

Is the Minister not aware that there is a great deal of ignorance on the part of those who have been bombed out of their homes, and could not some further step be taken to disseminate information?

I think the methods of dissemination are proving satisfactory, on the whole. The one point should be borne in mind that if these people are in need, they should apply to the Assistance Board area officer, where they can be given all the information about the various services, if they have not already applied to the air-raid warden.