asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in placing in suitable occupations the 2,070 limbless ex-Service men who were registered as unemployed on 26th August?

I regret that later figures than those for 26th August are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the survey and classification of disabled ex-Service men on the Employment Exchange registers has been completed; and what action is contemplated in regard to men whose prospects of employment are considered poor?

The survey is not yet complete. I propose to consider what special action is possible when the full results of the review are known.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the registered un- employed have been without work for one, three, six, twelve months and over, respectively?

There are no recent statistics giving the information desired. An analysis is being made in respect of 25th November, but the results are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the letter, sent him on 7th November, 1940, by the secretary of the Greenock Trades Council regarding a statement made to an applicant appearing before a Board of Referees on Thursday, 19th September, 1940; and what action he proposes to take regarding the matter?

My inquiries are not yet complete but I hope to communicate with the hon. and learned Member shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour why the age of reservation for scientific research workers other than those mentioned in certain special categories, has been raised to 30 years, having regard to the fact that the present experience of the Central Register is that the demand for scientific research workers is greater than the available supply; and whether he will look into this matter with a view to remedial action?

The scientific research workers in question are mainly research workers in botany and zoology. The decision to raise the age of reservation from 25 to 30 was taken in consultation with the Botany and Zoology Sub-Committees of the Central Register, the Agricultural Research Council and the University Vice-Chancellors' Committee. I may mention that the age of reservation of university professors and lecturers in general has been raised to 30. I should add that arrangements exist under which any individual scientific research worker below the age of reservation, whom it is necessary to retain in his occupation, may have his calling up deferred.

asked the Home Secretary the number of underground air-raid shelters that have been constructed in the Shettleston parliamentary area; the number of persons they will accommodate; where they are situated; and whether there are any further shelters of an underground nature being planned or in course of construction?

I cannot, in the public interest, give all the details for which my hon. Friend asks. I understand that, over and above factory shelters and the like, shelter in one form or another has been provided in the constituency for about 81,000 persons.

asked the Minister of Health whether consideration has yet been given by his Department to a report on health conditions in air-raid shelters in, a London district submitted by the-Medical Practitioners' Union; and whether he proposes to adopt all, or some, of the suggestions made in it for comfort, efficiency and improvement of health?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, so far as the suggestions made are matters for my Department they were already under examination, and action was either in progress or receiving the necessary consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Professor Enrico Volterra, a distinguished civil engineer with strong pro-British and anti-Fascist sympathies, interned since June last, was recommended for release by the Royal Society in August; that he has been offered again the Chair of Engineering and the directorship of the Institute for the Testing of Materials in the University of Rosario, Argentine, which he previously refused in order to come to England; that he is anxious still to remain in England in order to assist in our war effort, but that rather than remain indefinitely in internment he would prefer to accept the appointment in Rosario; and could he take steps to have this application for release considered?

This case has been referred to the Advisory Committee appointed under Part C of the White Paper. I hope to receive their report at an early date and will then communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the decision reached in the case of M. E. Belli, about which the hon. Member for Abertillery wrote him on 28th August?

I have recently received a report from the Advisory Committee and I will inform my hon. Friend as soon as I have reached a decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to give those persons whose continued detention under Section 18B is recommended by the advisory committee an opportunity to stand their trial in a court of justice in accordance with British law?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is based on a misconception. The persons concerned are not detained because they have committed specific offences against the law, but because upon one or other of the grounds specified in the Regulation it has been thought necessary in the interests of security to exercise control over them. Where there is evidence to suggest that a person has committed a criminal offence, proceedings are, of course, instituted against him.

asked the Home Secretary how many ex-Service men who fought in the 1914–18 war have been detained under Section 18B; and how many have been before the advisory committee and are still detained?

I regret that the statistics of these cases are not kept in a form which would enable me to give my hon. Friend the detailed figures for which he asks.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, owing to exposed lights in roofs of buildings, great danger exists; and whether adequate steps are being taken to discover and punish offenders?

All practicable steps are taken by the police to discover exposed lights in roofs of buildings and to deal with offenders. Proceedings have been successfully taken in a number of cases.

asked the Attorney-General, in how many cases persons convicted under Defence Regulation 2A of doing acts likely to assist the enemy or to prejudice the public safety, the defence of the Realm or the efficient prosecution of the war, have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment of 12 months or less?

No sentence of 12 months or less has been imposed in any prosecution conducted by or referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I have not information covering all police prosecutions throughout the country, but the Director of Public Prosecutions would normally be consulted on cases under this Regulation.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Edmonton County Court to the effect that a tenant who has had his house damaged by air raids and is only able to use two rooms must pay the full rent; and will he take steps to see that tenants suffering damage by air raids will be liable only to an agreed percentage of rent calculated on the accommodation available, and that in such circumstances the rating authority will demand only an equivalent proportion of rates?

My attention has been drawn to the decision to which the Question refers. From the newspaper report of that case the tenant did not disclaim his lease under the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939. As to the second part of the Question, I assume that the hon. Member has in mind those cases in which the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, is not applicable either because the premises, though damaged, are not unfit for the purpose contemplated by the lease, or, alternatively, because the tenant does not wish to disclaim his lease. The question whether relief should be given, both as respects rent and rates, in this class of case is at present under consideration by the Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether he contemplates the introduction of legislation to regularise the liability for rates on war-damaged property in cases where there can be no beneficial occupation and in which it may be impossible to remove the furniture?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular which I recently issued to rating authorities in regard to rates on war-damaged property which will meet the point which, I think, he has in mind. I do not contemplate the introduction of legislation in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that members of the staffs of hospitals, exposed to danger during air raids, are still unable to obtain steel helmets; and if any action is being taken to deal with the matter?

Issues of steel helmets are being made on the requisition of scheme-making authorities and, in London, on that of the governing bodies of the voluntary hospitals, to all hospital staffs required to work in the open during air raids. This distribution is approaching completion, and, if the hon. Member has in mind any case in which delay has occurred I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Health what are the general principles governing the co-operation and financial adjustments between evacuating and receiving authorities in the case of maternity patients, recipients of public assistance and mental deficients?

The general principles governing the financial adjustments between evacuating and receiving authorities are on the basis that no additional cost should fall on the receiving authority in respect of persons or children received in the area under the Government Evacuation Scheme. Additional expenditure incurred by the receiving authority is borne by the Exchequer but expenditure which—apart from evacuation.—would have been borne by the evacuating authority remains the liability of that authority.

asked the Minister of Health from what sources do billeting officers obtain their information of available accommodation; and what are the safeguards against overcrowding?

The original survey made in 1939 showed the amount of accommodation available in each house and it is the task of billeting officers to keep in touch with the changes of the situation in the areas allotted to them. The area allotted to each billeting officer is of such a size as to enable him to have close personal knowledge of the distribution of population.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a demand in Hornchurch and Romford for these districts to be made evacuation areas; that many requests have been made to him to do this; that newspapers circulate in the district containing official advertisements asking mothers to let their children go; and if he will make an early decision on this matter?

The official advertisements in question are addressed to mothers in the evacuation areas specified in the advertisement. The position of the districts to which the hon. Member refers, and of certain others, is under immediate consideration and I hope to make a decision at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the premises at the Majestic Cinema, Oxford, are suitable only as a clearing station for evacuees, and not as a permanent home for which purpose they are being used at the moment; and by what date he proposes to see that their use is confined to that for which they are suitable.

Yes, Sir. Steps have been taken with a view to the removal of the people from the building referred to by my hon. Friend into billets in neighbouring districts, so that the building will be restored to its use as a temporary rest centre at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the local authorities power to assist financially, and to find billets in reception areas for, aged necessitous persons who are unable to frequent air-raid shelters in London, and also to assist aged blind persons whose infirmity precludes them from frequenting air-raid shelters?

As regards aged persons I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for Finsbury (Mr. Woods) and West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on the 6th November. It will be appreciated that the accommodation of blind persons presents special difficulties; but where those who live in the London evacuation areas and in certain coastal towns can make arrangements to be received in a reception or neutral area, travel vouchers will be issued to them and lodging allowances will be paid to the householders who receive them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the possibility of making an additional allowance for Christmas to foster-parents in the reception areas so that they could provide special Christmas fare for evacuated children?

I am afraid that it would not be practicable to increase the billeting allowance in the manner suggested. But I have already communicated with local authorities, urging that this year, as last year, special efforts should be made to entertain the evacuated children at Christmas. No doubt much will again be done from voluntary funds; and reasonable expenditure from public funds will be sanctioned where necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. Palfrey, of 43, Havelock Close, W.12, is spending the nights with five children under 14 years of age and a daughter of 15 years at Shepherd's Bush Station in a disused latrine measuring about six feet square; that she is anxious to be evacuated with her five children but is wholly unable to tend them without the help of the daughter of 15 years; that her efforts to arrange such evacuation have failed owing to his directions that no children over school age are to have the advantage of evacuation; that 242 similar cases have been refused on his directions in Hammersmith, Fulham and Kensington, with the result that hundreds of children whom their parents desire to evacuate are being kept in London; and whether he will at once give directions that in all cases where the assistance of young children over school age is really necessary to the tending of their younger brothers and sisters, their evacuation shall be permitted?

There are very serious difficulties about the evacuation of children over school age. I am, however, inquiring into the particular case referred to, which had already been brought to my attention, and will communicate further with the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a large number of blankets are lying unused in the control of billeting officers in areas which are now considered unsuitable for evacuation; and will he call in these blankets for use where they are urgently required?

Local authorities were asked in Circular No. 2125 issued on 30th August last, a copy of which I will send to my hon. Friend, to have blankets surplus from evacuation collected and cleaned, and, if the blankets were not-required by them for other services, to co-operate in arrangements for their transfer to other areas. I am inquiring into certain cases in which my hon. Friend has informed me that the instructions are not being observed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory arrangements for medical attention for evacuated mothers and children in reception areas; and whether he will indicate what proposals he has in mind to rectify this position?

If the hon. Member would send me a note indicating what are the arrangements which he regards as unsatisfactory, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Minister of Health whether town clerks authorised to requisition property from empty houses vacated temporarily by their occupants, or to requisition furniture from repositories, can be instructed to notify the owners of such property of their intention so that hardships to bereaved or injured persons can be avoided?

As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 19th November, the power to requisition furniture in unoccupied houses or depositories will be exercised only in exceptional circumstances, usually when great speed is required, and accordingly I could not require town clerks in all cases to notify owners before taking possession. I have no doubt that they do all they reasonably can to avoid hardship.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now give a decision regarding the item disallowed by his Department for the payment of a charwoman at an air-raid precautions centre by the Middlesbrough emergency committee?

Yes, Sir. I have decided to allow the item referred to in this and other appropriate cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the London area local authorities are finding it impossible to repair rapidly damage done by bombing owing to the shortage of labour; and whether he will take steps to increase the amount of labour available for repair work in this area?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on 27th November to a Question on the subject by my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the mobile first-aid units which are attached to St. Marylebone, but whose services were stipulated to be available for any district in the London area having need of them, have, during the past two and a half months, only been made use of very few times; and whether, with a view to relieving overworked first-aid personnel in badly bombed London areas, he will arrange that, in future, the above mobile first-aid units are more widely employed?

I understand that although it has not yet been necessary to use mobile first-aid posts in St. Marylebone on many occasions, the doctors and nurses attached to them have been sent to incidents, with authority to call for the remaining personnel and equipment if required. As regards the second part of the Question, the arrangements already provide for sending the mobile first-aid posts to the assistance of other boroughs, but up to the present the pressure on first-aid personnel has not been such as to make this necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether, both in the national interest and in justice to the bombed householders, he will at once institute an organisation to include appropriate transport to salvage perishable household effects without delay from the bombed houses, and deliver such effects to the owners in any locality in the country to which they have been evacuated; and is he aware of the strain put upon local authorities, social services and charitable organisations in reception areas which is accentuated by the evacuee families arriving without bedding, kitchen utensils and the like, which, with proper organisation could be promptly salvaged and used instead of suffering further deterioration in the bombed and vacated homes?

The primary responsibility for removing household effects from damaged houses rests with the owner. Where there is difficulty in tracing the owner or he is unable to remove his property, local authorities have been asked by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security to undertake local removals themselves. The whole question is being urgently considered but in the meantime the Assistance Board are prepared in certain circumstances to contribute towards the cost of removing salvaged furniture and effects which are essential to the owner for the establishment of a new home. In the case of persons who have been evacuated under the Government scheme, local authorities have already been authorised to defray the reasonable cost of the carriage of essential articles such as domestic equipment, bedding and warm clothing, which would otherwise have to be supplied out of public funds.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a large number of tenants of houses which have been wrecked by enemy action, and which have been partly salvaged, who have not removed the effects left but allow them to continue to lie by the side of the streets; and whether, in the interest of tidiness and order, the need experienced by many people for objects for which their owners appear to have no further use, and the temptation to looters, he will see that local authorities get in touch with these tenants and induce them to clear up their effects?

The primary responsibility for removing household effects recovered from damaged houses rests with the owner, and I have no evidence that serious inconvenience is being caused by the failure or inability of owners to fulfil this responsibility. Where there is difficulty in tracing the owner, or he is unable to remove his property, local authorities have been asked by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security to undertake the work themselves.

asked the Home Secretary whether any ban has been imposed on foreigners whose loyalty to this country cannot be questioned, from being employed in the various air-raid precautions services; and whether, in view of the shortage of men, he will facilitate the employment of aliens in the abovementioned capacity?

Except for certain key positions aliens are already eligible for service in the various A.R.P. services provided they are not subject to restrictions on their movement under the Aliens Orders and the authority concerned is satisfied as to their individual reliability. The responsibility for deciding whether any particular individual is suitable to act as a member of one of the public Civil Defence services rests with the local authority concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is taking steps to increase the supply of mechanical excavators and other mechanical devices for clearing up air raid débris?

Experience shows that much of the work to be done is not suitable for mechanical equipment but local authorities generally are aware of the need for taking steps to mobilise avail- able resources in the event of air raid damage.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that it is becoming common for bombs to be dropping and guns to be firing in the London area before the siren sounds; and whether he proposes to investigate the present arrangements with a view to improvement?

The Government's policy is to restrict air raid warnings to those areas in which an attack is in the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief, Fighter Command, likely to develop. This restriction of warnings, while greatly reducing the dislocation of the national war effort, does occasionally result in the dropping of bombs on an area that has not been warned. The public has been asked to accept this danger in the knowledge that the policy adopted by the Government is in the best interests of the nation as a whole and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a leaflet which has been widely distributed with regard to working after the siren in which a full explanation is given of the working of the warning system.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the rates of compensation under the personal injuries scheme are less than those which prevail under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether he will consider taking steps to bring the former rates up to the level of the latter?

No, Sir. Taking the scheme as a whole the rates of compensation are more favourable than those payable under the Workmen's Compensation Acts. I am, however, giving careful consideration to one or two suggestions for amendment of the Scheme which have recently been made to me.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the fact that a housewife injured in an air raid receives neither an injury allowance nor a pension; and whether he will consider taking steps with a view to placing her in these respects on the same footing as a gainfully employed person?

I have received representations on this subject and am giving them earnest consideration.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent financial assistance has been given to local authorities who are unable to raise sufficient revenue by way of rates following the evacuation from their districts of a large proportion of the population?

The amount advanced to local authorities under the terms of the statement made by the Prime Minister to the House on 5th September is £165,000. Applications from certain authorities are under investigation.

asked the Minister of Health what encouragement or assistance is being extended by his Department to local authorities desiring to undertake war-time housing construction in order to relieve overcrowding aggravated by evacuation and billeting congestion?

In view of the urgent and heavy demands on building labour and materials for other purposes which must have priority, including first-aid repairs and the provision of new houses for workers in the factories, I fear that for some time to come it will not be possible to meet the problem to which my hon. Friend refers by recourse to new building.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, included in the thousands of houses damaged by aerial attack, there are many which can continue to be habitable if active steps are taken to protect them from the effects of snow and rain, and that while waterproof sheeting is a temporary help it cannot remain adequate for long; and will he avoid delay taking place due to arguments as to responsibility for payment and the provision of exact estimates of cost, since every house saved by prompt repair must be in the interest of national economy?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative and I agree entirely with the view expressed by my hon. Friend at the end of Question. As, however, first-aid repairs to dwellings can be carried out by local authorities without the consent of either the owner or myself, delays should not arise owing to doubts as to responsibility. Delays which have occurred in certain areas have, in the main, been due to the great extent of the problem to be faced. The chief difficulty is shortage of skilled labour and action being taken by the Government has already resulted and will, I hope, result still further in the augmentation of labour available for repairs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will ensure that there is adequate skilled supervision of temporary repair work to bombed dwelling-houses, as in many cases the work done does not give adequate protection from the weather?

Since the beginning of the war my regional staff have impressed upon local authorities the need for supervision of repair work. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any case in which he thinks it is lacking I will at once take the matter up with the authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Health the number of private houses which have been acquired for hospitals and convalescent homes in reception areas; the number of these which are at present full; the number partially full; and the number still empty?

Under the Emergency Hospital Scheme, arrangements are being made by the war organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem to open approximately 200 private houses as auxiliary hospitals. So far only 70 of these are ready to receive patients, approximately 50 per cent. of the beds being occupied. A considerable reserve of empty beds must be kept for casualties and sick during the winter months. In addition, 150 houses are being adapted and equipped as annexes to existing hospitals. I have no separate figures showing the present occupancy of these annexes, but they are brought into use as part of the parent hospital as soon as they are open. The majority of the 350 houses will be in reception areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to simplify the procedure by which persons bombed out of their homes or businesses have to present their claims to different Departments; and whether, in connection with the local centres which are being established, arrangements will be made to enable all these claims to be dealt with under one roof, instead of applicants being compelled to trudge from office to office?

The schemes for the assistance of people who are made homeless or suffer loss owing to enemy action are necessarily administered by more than one authority, and in many cases it is therefore inevitable that separate applications should be made. The principal purpose of the administrative centres which are being established in London, and to some extent elsewhere, is to enable all applications, so far as is practicable, to be dealt with under one roof.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware of the publication by the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation of information likely to be of use to the enemy in the form of a recent broadcast regarding the visit of a certain statesman to Fife, giving details of a meeting of Polish officers, particulars of their encampment in Fife, and the numbers located there; whether he is aware of the apprehension with which such unnecessary disclosures are viewed in Scotland; and whether steps can be taken to avoid a repetition?

After due consideration by the competent authorities it was decided that such slight military value as the information contained was not sufficient to warrant suppressing publication of the news of the Prime Minister's visit to the Polish troops.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make a statement regarding the Scottish aspect of the Government's agricultural policy for increasing food production?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the House at the end of Questions to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the protest of public authorities in Fife against the misuse of air-raid shelters in the county, especially on Sundays, by visitors from Edinburgh, Dundee, and other Scottish districts; whether he is aware that the shelters are barely sufficient to protect the local inhabitants in an emergency; and whether any steps can be taken to prevent their being overcrowded by outside visitors?

I have recently received a copy of the representations referred to and I am in communication with the Minister of Home Security on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the report of a public meeting held in Newburgh, of which a copy has been sent to him, in connection with the means test as applied to supplementary pensions; whether he has taken note of the complaint that the thrifty are penalised; and will he take steps to alter the regulations in this connection?

I have seen the report referred to. As the hon. Member will be aware the Government intend shortly to introduce legislation dealing with the subject of the household means test and I cannot anticipate the contents of the Bill.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether ships from overseas bound for ports in Eire are allowed to form part of convoys protected by the British Navy; and if the Government of Eire are doing anything to help the British Navy in this work?

Yes, Sir. Any ship which applies for inclusion in a British Convoy is accepted, provided the ship is trading with, or for, the British Empire or Allied Countries, and provided also that no Allied ship is thereby excluded. As regards the second part of the Question the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, pending a decision as to the necessity for an officer, when first commissioned, to provide himself with service-dress in addition to battle-dress, he will direct that instructions issued by formations and units, requiring officers to wear service-dress on certain occasions, shall be suspended or modified?

Instructions have already been issued that battle dress may be worn on all occasions for which uniform is prescribed. I am unaware of any instructions in a contrary sense, but I will make inquiries on the point.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of people engaged under him as liaison officers?

The term "liaison officer" covers a very wide field. If my hon. Friend will let me know what type of liaison officer he has in mind, I will make the necessary inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Western Command have for over three months persisted in ignoring the special request of the adjutantgeneral's branch that one of the twin sons of Mr. E. F. Fisher should be transferred to the regiment in which the other twin son is at present serving?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken by the Children's Overseas Reception Board to credit hosts or hostesses in Canada with the sums contributed by parents of children evacuated from this country?

The contributions payable by parents are taken towards the cost of the scheme as a whole. The offer made by Canada and gratefully accepted was on the basis that hospitality would be extended to the children sent from this country under the scheme. No arrangements for payments of the nature suggested in the Question have therefore been asked for or made.

asked the Minister of Health when immunisation against diphtheria was first introduced in the county of Holland, Lincolnshire; what has been the yearly number of children immunised; and what proportion was this of the total child population of the district?

Immunisation against diphtheria by local authorities was first introduced into the county of Holland, Lincolnshire, in 1933. The total number of children immunised during the years 1933 to 1939 inclusive was 12,628, giving an average yearly figure of 1,804; but I should add that 8,962 out of the total of 12,628 were immunised in 1939. It is estimated that about 60 per cent. of the present child population of the county of and below school age are immunised.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the feeling of the Yorkshire Casual Poor Assistance Committee with regard to the number of able-bodied men entering casual wards in that county; and whether any action is contemplated to deal with the problem?

Yes, Sir. I am arranging with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service for early action to be taken by both Departments which will, I hope, provide a remedy. My officers are in touch with the Committee to which the hon. Member refers with regard to the special difficulties which exist in their area.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing legislation to deal with the unsatisfactory position of casual poor, or to appoint a committee to investigate the whole position and the practicability, by providing other forms of assistance or work, to enable casual wards to be closed?

No, Sir. I should not feel justified during wartime in reviewing the general arrangements for relief of the casual poor, having regard especially to the reduction which has taken place in their number since the outbreak of war. The problem is, however, receiving constant attention and a considerable reduction has been made in the number of open casual wards.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that property-owners may still give tenants notice to quit for sub-letting furnished rooms on the ground that this is contrary to the tenancy agreement; that Dunsville Estates, Limited, near Doncaster, have served notice on the wife of a soldier because she let rooms to an officer and his wife; and whether, in these circumstances, action will be taken by regulation or otherwise to prevent the continuance of such conduct?

I should certainly deprecate any conduct which would increase the difficulty of meeting the needs of those who require accommodation in areas where pressure on accommodation is severe. I have, however, no reason to think that tenants are not adequately protected under the existing law, since the great majority of houses are now covered by the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restriction Acts, which provide that the landlord of a controlled house can obtain vacant possession only by order of a court. While the breach of an obligation of a tenancy may be a ground for granting possession, the Court is empowered to grant possession only where it considers it reasonable so to do.

asked the Minister of Health whether an old age pensioner paying rent for a room in the house of a relative, and providing his own food, is entitled to a supplementary pension without taking into account the earnings of the relative residing in the same house?

In any such case all the circumstances would have to be taken into account by the officer, or on appeal by the Appeal Tribunal, and it is not possible to make a general statement covering all cases which might come into this category.

asked the Minister of Health whether a pension granted for the death of a son in the last war is taken into account under the household means test when an old age pensioner applies for a supplementary pension?

:While there is no statutory requirement that part of a pension paid to an old age pensioner in respect of a son killed in the last war shall be disregarded in the assessment of a supplementary pension, the Assistance Board normally disregard the first 7 s . 6 d . of such a pension under their discretionary powers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, for the purpose of supplementary pensions, under Regulation IV 4, the Assistance Board has issued instructions to area offices, indicating that no winter additions are to be made in cases in which the applicant has over 2s. per week statutory disregard and, as this is contrary to the policy announced in the House, that the allowance would be given to cases where not less than one-half of the total income of the household is represented by the main and supplementary pensions; and will he take steps to bring the practice of the Assistance Board into line with this policy?

:My hon. Friend's reply of 16th October, 1940, announcing the Board's policy in relation to winter additions in supplementary pension cases stated that in certain cases the addition would be made where not less than one half of the total income was represented by the main and supplementary pensions; but his statement was limited in terms to cases in which the pensioner was a member of a household containing nondependent members. In such cases the rule about the 2s. margin has no application since it applies only to households without non-dependent members. Moreover an allowance is not necessarily withheld even though the circumstances envisaged in these guiding rules are present. I cannot therefore agree that the Board's instructions are inconsistent with the policy announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are still serious delays at ports due to customs examinations; and whether, in order to speed up deliveries and avoid unnecessary work, he will, for the duration of the war, take steps to abolish all import duties in cases where, owing to goods being on Government account, there is no ultimate financial gain to the Treasury?

I have not had any evidence of serious delays occasioned solely by customs examinations, though if my hon. Friend can give me particulars, I will look into them. I accept and have acted for some time on the principle that direct purchases out of Exchequer funds should not involve the payment of import duties where the total import is directly imported for Government use; but such cases are not very numerous. In cases where a proportion of private trade exists, my first duty is to safeguard the revenue. In this latter category, I must include goods which are indirectly imported for Government account, since imports of this kind may also be used in work for purely private customers and it would clearly be impossible to differentiate between one import and another by reference to the ultimate purchaser. I must also satisfy myself that if import duty were removed, a corresponding reduction would be obtained in the price at which Government Departments buy from abroad.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount collected in import duties for 1940 to latest available date, and what proportion of such amount is eventually charged by importers and manufacturers to the Government; and whether he has considered the advisability of abolishing import duties on all materials and articles imported on a Government licence or priority?

The total amount collected in import duties from 1st January to 31st October, 1940, is provisionally calculated as £289,893,000. I am unable to estimate how far import duties enter into the cost to the Exchequer of goods which are the subject of Government con- tracts. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have to-day given to his Question No. 97.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to Purchase Tax, black-out materials have become more expensive; and whether, in the interests of national safety, he will take steps to remit the tax on bona fide black-out sales?

The considerations to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) on 12th November, on the subject of textile fabrics used as window substitutes, apply also in the case of black-out materials, and I regret that I am unable to provide for the remission of tax on materials bought for this purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the fact that responsible trade organisations pointed out, while the Purchase Tax was under consideration, the difficulties which would arise in connection with our export trade to the United States of America, he proposes to consult these organisations at the earliest opportunity with the object of rectifying errors which have occurred in connection with the imposition of this tax before the next Budget; and, in this connection, what organisations he intends to consult?

This aspect of the Purchase Tax is fully appreciated, but there are other aspects and I am not in a position to state what action, if any, will be taken in the next Budget.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Purchase Tax is being charged in connection with the resoling of motor-car tyres; whether he is aware that advertisements are appearing advising motorists to have their tyres resoled rather than renewed in order to save non-essential imports and stating that tax is not payable in respect of resoling?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Adamson) on 12th November.

:asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that orders have been received for woollen goods contingent upon the amount of the Purchase Tax not being included in the price of the goods; and what steps are being taken to meet this situation?

Purchase tax is not payable in respect of exports by registered firms, Perhaps the hon. Member would explain in more detail the nature of the difficulty that he has in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will instruct collectors not to demand payment of taxes assessed on profits arising out of a contract between a taxpayer and a Government Department, until the taxpayer has received from the Department the amount subject to the assessment?

It is not possible to lay down any hard and fast ruling in the matter, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that proper regard is had to any representations put forward by the taxpayer, and that if a taxpayer to whom money is due under a Government contract is for the time being unable to pay his tax, the collector will be prepared to allow him all reasonable latitude in meeting his liability.

asked the Home Secretary what kind of compensation has been paid to the relatives of Mr. Pacitto, who lost his life on the " Arandora Star " in particularly tragic circumstances; and who is the recipient of the said compensation?

The question of the amount to be paid in this case and to which of the relatives payment shall be made is not yet settled. The matter is at present the subject of communications ith the relatives.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the later opening of many factories due to the later hours of black-out in the morning, he will consider revision of the times for the issue of workmen's tickets on railways and omnibuses during the winter months?

My right hon. Friend will consider this suggestion, which raises wide issues affecting numerous transport undertakings, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many road vehicles work 24 hours a day and, so serious is the lack of maintenance and repair personnel and of spare parts, that there will shortly be a serious dearth of vehicles; and when and how he is preparing to deal with this situation?

My right hon. Friend is fully alive to the need for maintaining the road transport fleet at a high level of efficiency and is taking all possible steps to that end consistent with other calls on personnel and material.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the names of the persons who stood guarantors when Admiral Wolkoff, whose daughter has recently been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, applied, and was granted, naturalisation a few years ago?

My right hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Admiral Wolkoff is not a naturalised British subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a house in Dagenham was damaged by a bomb in October; that the County of London Electric Supply Company disconnected the power until first-aid repairs had been completed; that tests then showed short and dead earths; that the company then refused to examine wiring further or make the necessary repairs without receiving a deposit of £3; and whether he will take action to see that the necessary repairs to lighting are effected after bombing without such charges?

I understand that in the case to which my hon Friend refers, the consumer's electrical installation was damaged. The responsibility for the repair of such damage rests with the consumer or the owner of the installation, and the company is under no obligation to carry out such repairs without charge. As required by the regulations of the Electricity Commissioners, the company drew the attention of the consumer to the defects which would require attention and quoted the terms, namely, £3 payable in advance, on which they were prepared to carry out the repairs. There was no obligation on the consumer to accept this quotation and I understand that in fact he made other arrangements for the repair of his installation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many skilled men in engineering and allied trades not then employed on war work, registered under the Industrial Registration Order in August last; and whether, consistent with the national interests, he can give some indication as to how many many of these have since been transferred to work work?

It would not be in the public interest to publish figures, but I can say that a considerable number of men registered under the Order and that transfers to war work are being arranged in all appropriate cases.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the conditions which must be fulfilled to enable an unemployed miner to obtain permission to take up employment in some other industry?

If work on coal mining is not immediately available, the officers of the Department have been instructed that they may offer to unemployed coal miners any other work of urgent national importance, or failing that any other work for which they are suitable.

asked the Minister of Labour how many teachers employed in

State-aided schools have been registered as conscientious objectors to military service?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the disquiet amongst medical practitioners at the procedure adopted by the Central Medical War Committee, who are now trying to cause doctors busily engaged in civilian practice to be called up for the Armed Services while many doctors who volunteered for service, and who are anxious to serve, are overlooked; and whether, in the best interests of the health services of the country, he will take steps to remedy this?

I am informed that, in selecting doctors to be recommended for commissions in His Majesty's Forces, the Central Medical War Committee has always drawn on its voluntary list, which is made up of doctors who have asked for their names to be put forward for commissions, before calling up under the compulsory procedure those engaged in civilian practice. It is not necessary, therefore, for me to take action as suggested in the second part of the Question, but I am fully alive to the necessity of safeguarding the health needs of the whole community and, to this end, the importance of maintaining an equitable balance between the many demands on the medical personnel available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in an order soon to be issued, it is proposed to restrict certain surgical, goods, and as among these are appliances without which many people will find it impossible to continue their work and as, owing to the stress of war both in the factory and due to air-raid casualties, an increased supply must be required, will he avoid any restriction of these essential commodities?

If my hon. Friend will let me know more precisely what surgical goods he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade the home trade quotas allotted to pottery manufacturers and wholesalers for November and December, respectively; and whether, in view of the importance of these articles to the poorer consumer, he can say how great are the stocks in hand?

:Under an Order, which came into operation on the 6th June, 1940, the permitted home trade. in pottery for the period from that date until 30h November, 1940, was 663⅔per cent. by value of the home trade for the period 1st June, 1939, to 30th November, 1939. Subsequently, my right hon. Friend decided that the quota for this period should be increased to 85 per cent. by the addition of 18⅓per cent. to the original quota, and this change was announced in the Press on 30th October. At the same time, it was announced that the quota for the six months beginning on the 1st December, 1940, would be 5o per cent., this percentage being applied to the home trade of the period 1st December, 1939, to 31st May, 1940. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend has arranged for a census to be taken of the stocks of pottery in the hands of persons registered under the Limitation Orders.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the consumption of milk in schools in June, 1939, and September, 1940?

The consumption of milk under the Milk in Scfiools Scheme amounted to 2,689,000 gallons in June, 1939, and to 2,163,000 gallons in June, 1940the latest month for which figures are available. The number of school days in June this year was two less than in the previous year.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many schools are open in the London County Council area, in West Ham and East Ham, respectively; the average number of children now attending daily; the number of children of school age, not attending school, still resident in these areas; and whether he will enforce attendance of these children at school; preferably in evacuation areas?

In London 365 schools are open and the average number of children in attendance is about 23,000. The number of children not attending school is about 6o,000. In West Ham 36 schools are now open and about 2,000 children are in attendance. The estimated number of children not attending school is roughly 3,000. In East Ham no schools are open at present. The number of children of school age still resident in the area is about 4,000 and arrangements are being made to reopen sufficient schools very shortly. As regards the last part of the Question I now have the matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the exploitation by some householders of the shortage of accommodation in the neighbourhood of permanent camps where personnel of the Fighting services are seeking lodgings for their families; and whether he will take steps to secure that wives of serving personnel shall have a preferential right to available accommodation near their husbands' stations, and that billeting officers shall be authorised and required to make this right effective?

If my hon. Friend can give me specific instances of extortionate charges of the kind he mentions, I shall certainly have them investigated. With regard to the second part of the Question, the use to which the available accommodation can best be put in the national interest varies from district to district, and though I sympathise with the object which my hon. Friend has in mind, I do not consider that the course he suggests is either practicable or desirable.