asked the Secretary for Mines the cost to the Mines Department of advertisements in the Press to save fuel; and whether he is aware that the number of miners unemployed is increasing?

I am informed that the cost of these advertisements is being borne by the Ministry of Information. My hon. Friend will appreciate, I am sure, that this appeal for economy in the use of coal is being addressed only to those areas in which transport difficulties are causing a shortage in supply. Nothing would please me better than that we should be able to use the productive capacity now lying idle to give consumers all the coal they would like to have.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the average weekly consumption of house coal in Bristol during the winter under normal conditions; how many tons of house coal his Department have in store in Bristol; and what steps he is taking to augment this reserve?

The normal average weekly consumption of house coal in Bristol is estimated at 10,000 tons, and I have reason to believe that consumers in Bristol commenced the winter with an average of approximately eight weeks' stock of coal in their cellars. As regards the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 3rd December to the hon. Member for South Bristol (Mr. Walkden).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the non-return of railway wagons from the South, some collieries have had to stand off their workers, and production is being seriously impaired; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation?

I am aware that at times shortages of wagons occur in the Midlands. Steps are being taken which should lead to an improvement in the movement of wagons back to this area, and I would appeal to all traders, including coal merchants, to use the utmost expedition in unloading wagons at the receiving end and thus help it towards the maintenance of a steady and adequate supply of empty wagons. Many thousands of wagons could be added to circulation if traders would make a real effort to help by unloading wagons promptly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Crompton, a British-born daughter of a German-Jew who is now a naturalised British subject, was dismissed from voluntary first-aid work by the Paddington Borough Council, although there was no complaint of any kind against her; and whether he will take steps to reinstate her in this work for which she had been trained at the national expense?

There has not been sufficient time to make complete inquiries into this case but as my hon. Friend is aware the appointment and dismissal of members of the Civil Defence Services is a matter for local authorities. In selecting persons for or retaining them in these services regard must be had to suitability, and for certain services it is an advantage to choose persons who are in no sense strangers, and acceptable to their colleagues. If a local authority, after considering all the circumstances, forms the opinion that on such grounds a particular volunteer is no longer suitable, my right hon. Friend cannot depart from the rule of not interfering with the exercise of the local authority's responsibility.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will appoint county supervisors of billeting in order to coordinate the work of billeting civilian evacuees and civil servants with that of the Forces, in view of the fact that many persons and units in both categories are placed in unsuitable and overcrowded quarters in districts in which large houses are either unoccupied or contain only the owners and their domestic staffs?

Arrangements are already in operation both centrally and in the regional organisation—in which there are already officers charged with this task—to co-ordinate the activities of the several Departments concerned with billeting and my right hon. Friend does not consider it necessary to expand the existing machinery by the appointment of special officers for each county. My right hon. Friend has under immediate consideration the steps that can be taken to ensure full use of all unoccupied or only partly occupied houses where they would be suitable for billeting or other purposes connected with the evacuation scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any system of registration to prevent fraudulent applications for the housing, meals, clothing, and other benefits, provided for persons rendered homeless by air raids?

This matter has been carefully considered and appropriate measures are being introduced.

asked the Home Secretary whether, considering the great need for additional trained medical personnel both for the services and civilian life, he will sanction, for the period of the war, the entry to the Medical Register of doctors of Allied countries fighting with us, who are of proved medical attainments and bona fides, in view of the fact that there are in this country at present many physicians and surgeons of European renown who are debarred from rendering the services they desire to the Allied cause, and that many of them depend on charity for their living?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friends concerned are giving this question sympathetic consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of block chocolate in Northern Ireland, where it has always had a large sale; and whether, in view of the loss to retail confectioners and disappointment to consumers, he will have arrangements made whereby a sufficient supply of this commodity is made available for customers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 28th November and to my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) on 3rd Decem- ber. The position with regard to block chocolate is similar in Northern Ireland to that in Great Britain. The Ministry and the industry are endeavouring to increase the supply within the limits of the total ingredients available and to arrange for its equitable distribution.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the firms in the milling combine doing with the valuable portions of the wheat taken out of the berry in their milling process, which contain the vitamins and mineral salts essential to human and animal health; whom are these products being sold to; at what price, and for what purposes; and whether he will give an assurance that none of them are being repurchased in any form by the Government for the feeding and nutriment of the nation?

The operations of all flour millers in the United Kingdom are controlled by Statutory Orders which determine the conditions under which wheat flour may be milled and sold. In producing national straight-run flour, as permitted by general licence issued under the Mills (Flour and Provender) No. 1 Order, 1939, millers generally separate from the flour fine and coarse wheat feed (also known as sharps, middlings and bran), which are disposed of almost entirely as animal or poultry food. About 95 per cent. of all the flour manufactured in the United Kingdom consists of white flour thus manufactured. The elements of the wheat berry which contain vitamin Bi are normally included in wheat feed, but some millers extract a part of the germ separately and use it themselves or dispose of it to other millers for use in the manufacture of high extraction germ flours. The prices at which flour and germ and wheat feed may be sold are fixed by Order. So far as my Noble Friend is aware, no germ, wheat feed or other by-products of flour milling are purchased by His Majesty's Government for feeding the people. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of each of the orders and the general licence to which I have referred.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what contracts have been placed for erecting the factory for the manufacture of synthetic Bi, for equipping the same, and for staffing the establishment; will other synthetic vitamins be manufactured here; if so, for what purpose; and, in particular, is it proposed to supply farmers and stock-breeders with synthetic vitamins in place of the natural food of cattle and other stock?

The only factory which is at present capable of producing the synthetic Vitamin B1 on a scale sufficiently large for its introduction into white flour has been erected as a result of private enterprise by a firm of chemical manufacturers. I am not in a position to give details of the contracts which have been placed by the owners of the factory, nor of the staffing of the factory, for neither of which the Ministry of Food is responsible. My Noble Friend understands that the same manufacturers are engaged in the manufacture of the antiscorbutic vitamin, but he is not aware of any proposals to supply farmers and stock breeders with synthetic vitamins for use as feed for their livestock.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied with the present standard of flying instruction now being given in the Royal Air Force?

I am glad to say that the high standard of instruction which has resulted in the skill and success shown by our pilots in operations since the outbreak of war is being maintained. Nevertheless we are constantly striving to raise this standard. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my great appreciation of the work of the flying instructors and of their devotion to duty. The important and arduous work which they carry out with such tenacity and skill, is a most valuable contribution to our war effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the protection of aircraft factories from air attack has been assigned from his Department to the Ministry of Aircraft Production; and whether he is satisfied that the existing dual responsibility for this important task is not injurious?

No responsibility for the protection of aircraft factories from air attack has been delegated to my Noble Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what percentage of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force are now equipped with overcoats, and when the issue will be completed?

About 85 per cent. of airwomen have so far been issued with greatcoats; and it is hoped that all of them will be so equipped by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the Air Ministry now disclose the number of the squadron to which pilots who render distinguished service belong, he will permit the publication of the number of balloon barrage squadrons responsible for the destruction of enemy aircraft; and may the publication of this information be retrospective from the commencement of hostilities?

No, Sir. The position remains as stated in the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 21st August.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the reasons why, in the matter of occasional concentrated night air-raids on this country an immediate and detailed public disclosure was made with respect to Coventry, but subsequently, in other localities the names of towns have been omitted; and will he reconsider the matter, as by endeavouring to sustain a mystery he encourages rumours and apprehensions and denies the inhabitants of the raided localities the satisfaction that they are in the front line?

The general policy is to publish the names of places bombed if, in any particular case, this can be done without conveying information of value to the enemy. In accordance with this policy the name of Coventry was released while the names of other localities were not. I am fully aware of the desirability of giving early information to the public as to the results of air raids on this country and of counteracting the grossly exaggerated claims made in enemy communiques. These are often deliberately framed in order to tempt us by contradictory comment to inform the enemy as to the success or failure of his operations. I cannot therefore give my hon. Friend any complete undertaking that immediate and detailed public disclosure will be made in any case where it is considered that this would convey information of value to the enemy which he will be anxious to obtain.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether contractors acting for and on behalf of the Air Ministry are allowed to ignore regulations as to the payment of trade union overtime rates and rest periods?

No, Sir. There is an obligation resting on all employers to observe recognised terms and conditions in conformity with the requirements of the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940. In addition, it is a condition of all contracts placed by my Department that the contracting firm shall observe the requirements of the Resolution relating to wages and hours of labour passed by the House of Commons on 10th March, 1909.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the demand for ocular demonstration of naval happenings, he will arrange that photographs of naval and Fleet Air Arm victories are published at the earliest possible moment after the successful events?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. Endeavour is invariably made to publish photographs of naval successes at the earliest possible moment, subject to availability of transport.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the stoppage of the banana trade to this country, what steps are being taken to enable growers in the West Indies generally and in Jamaica, in particular, to dispose of their crops; and what action in addition is contemplated to enable the community to meet any prejudicial effect on its financial position?

Before the recent decision of His Majesty's Government to suspend imports of bananas for a period of two months, arrangements had already been made for all Jamaica bananas to be disposed of through a pool operated by the marketing companies, and His Majesty's Government have given a guarantee through the Government of Jamaica that the proceeds of this marketing pool will, if necessary, be made up to a minimum price to the grower of 3s. a count bunch up to a total output of 12,000,000 stems in the year. This guarantee will, of course, be implemented and will enable the grower to carry on while normal shipments to this country are suspended. The Governor was immediately consulted as to possible indirect effects of the suspension of shipments, and his advice as to any further measures of assistance that may be necessary is awaited.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the necessity of conserving shipping space, he will make investigations into the possibility of extending the recovery of fats from sewage and trade waste; and whether, in view of the poor quality of fats now recovered from sewage, he will consider the erection of plants to split and distil the same in cases where there is a worthwhile amount to recover?

Yes, Sir. I am making inquiries into this question and shall be glad to communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement on the result of the appeal of his predecessor for the offer of spare second-hand machine tools for purchase for war production?

The first appeal for machine tools resulted in a large number of various types being handed over, and the machines so made available have been invaluable in enabling urgent needs to be met, quick replacements to be effected and training facilities to be built up. The result of this appeal was so encouraging that machine tool owners have been asked to make another examination of their establishments with a view to releasing further tools, wherever this is possible, having regard to their minimum needs either for production or maintenance plant.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has now been able to utilise the skill and plant of the organ-building industry in war production?

The productive resources of this industry have been ascertained by the Industrial Capacity Committee of the Production Council and considered both by the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Aircraft Production. It has been found that the capacity could be used .only for certain woodwork stores. My hon. Friend will be aware that there is far more woodworking capacity in the country than can be utilised on Government work. Nevertheless, consideration is being given to the possibility of allocating a portion of the woodwork orders so that part of the industry might be kept in existence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres of land used as golf courses; and whether it is intended to order that they shall be ploughed for the growing of food?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the latter part, my right hon. Friend does not consider that the indiscriminate ploughing of golf courses would be justified on grounds of food production, but he is prepared to consider recommendations from county war agricultural executive committees that suitable areas should be ploughed. Where ploughing is not advisable, steps are being taken to ensure that the land shall be grazed with stock to its fullest capacity.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will advise local government councils not to insist on the payment of rent where allotments have been ruined by enemy action?

As at present advised, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, I do not think any specific advice to local authorities is necessary on this point. If, however, my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any case in which he thinks the local authority are acting unreasonably in this matter, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the possibility of saving nitrogen for farm purposes by the better handling of manure dumps?

The importance of the proper care of farmyard manure is brought constantly to the attention of farmers through the agricultural advisory services and through the Ministry's publications and Press notices. It is dealt with more particularly in the Ministry's advisory leaflet No. 60, "Farmyard Manure,", a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received information of the protests, proceedings, and official inquiries in respect of the Nigerian Press Regulations of August, 1940?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend has received no such information, and the Governor of Nigeria, who has been consulted, reports that he has no knowledge of any protests, proceedings or official inquiries. On the contrary, he states that the necessity for these regulations has been publicly acknowledged in the Press.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for recruitment for the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps to be subject to the same Schedule of Reserved Occupations as in the case of the Regular Army?

The Schedule of Reserved Occupations does not apply so as to restrict normal engagements in the Regular Armed Forces. Apart from this exception, the schedule already applies to the Pioneer Corps in the same way as to any other branch of the Armed Forces.

asked the Minister of Information why the British Broadcasting Corporation 6 p.m. report on 27th November of the Debate in the House of Commons that day consisted as to 90 per cent. of a report of the Minister's speech and failed to represent adequately the criticisms of the hon. Members for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) and for Montgomeryshire (Mr. C. Davies); and whether he will give an assurance that in future the British Broadcasting Corporation's reports of Parliamentary Debates shall be of a more balanced character?

For inclusion in the 6 p.m. news bulletin, reports of Parliamentary proceedings have to be prepared under considerable pressure, at present aggravated by difficulties of communication. In addition, there was much news to handle on 27th November, and every item had to be condensed. I do not therefore consider it surprising if the B.B.C. report of the Debate does not satisfy every critic. Nevertheless, my hon. Friend exaggerates the prominence given to the Minister's statement, and the chief points made by the hon. Members for Seaham Harbour and Montgomery were all mentioned in the report. I can assure the House that every effort is now made to present a balanced picture of its Debates.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that officials of his Department are committing a criminal offence by distributing a printed paper entitled "London's Awake," which does not bear upon it the name and address of the printer; and whether, since the attention of his Department has been repeatedly called to a number of similar offences committed by it and it has on several occasions expressed its regret and promised not to offend again, he will take steps to make his officials obey the law?

No, Sir. In regard to imprint the leaflet "London's Awake" follows the standard practice for official publications not on sale, and I am advised that it conforms to the law.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state in detail the financial arrangements at present operative between the Government and the local authorities in respect of all services undertaken by them in connection with the war?

A comprehensive statement on the financial relations between the Government and local authorities on all war services would be very long and would take some time to prepare. Perhaps it will be sufficient for my hon. Friend's purpose if I confine myself to the following general statement on the two major items, evacuation and airraid precautions. Of the former, the Government pays broadly the whole cost. Of the latter, the Government pays the whole cost of full-time Civil Defence personnel within authorised establishments, materials for Anderson and other forms of domestic shelters, of new shelters contracted for after 19th October, 1940, and of the substantial free issue of appliances, etc. (e.g. for fire fighting) which have been made. Where services under the Air-Raid Precautions Act are not paid for by the Government in full, the grant basis under the Act applies, grants rising to 85 per cent. of the cost. If there is any particular service on which my hon. Friend wants to know the position, perhaps she will indicate it to me.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the large number of Government forms deemed to be necessary by the various Departments of State; will he inquire, in view of the consumption of paper involved, whether they are really essential and, if it is not possible to reduce the number, whether some reduction in size of the forms can be made?

Every effort is made to secure economy in the use of paper on the lines my hon. Friend suggests and substantial results have in fact been achieved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of extending to the estates of members of the Auxiliary Fire Service, and other similar services, who are killed in the execution of their duties as a result of enemy action, the same exemption from death duties as applies in the case of members of the fighting services?

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my proposals in my next Budget statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Polish forces are being rapidly armed by His Majesty's Government, in view of the fact that the Polish Government claims to be in a state of war with the Soviet Government, and that in their recent proposals to the Soviet Government His Majesty's Government promised not to render assistance to any Power or Powers engaged in war against the Soviet Union?

The hon. Member's Question is best answered by saying that the Polish Forces are being armed against the enemies which His Majesty's Government and the Polish Government have in common, not against Powers with which His Majesty's Government are at peace.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consult the United States Government as to issuing a point declaration in opposition to the so-called new order which Japan is trying to introduce not only in China but in the whole Pacific?

The hon. Member can rest assured that His Majesty's Government maintain close contact with the United States Government in all matters of common interest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with the object of identifying our aims and objects in the Far East with those officially stated by the Government of the United States of America, he will restate the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the puppet Government in Nanking which has just been recognised by Japan?

His Majesty's Government have repeatedly made known their attitude, which is that they continue to recognise the National Government in Chungking as the Government of China.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Government to publish a White Paper setting out the negotiations with the Italian Government and the British Government which preceded the war with Italy?

No, Sir, not as at present advised.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, before setting up the new Directorate and issuing Circular 1526, on which a Debate took place in this House, any meeting of the National Youth Committee was held?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Directorate of Physical Recreation, which I announced in the House on 22nd August last, to Circular 1529, which was issued on the 8th November, and to the Debate which took place in this House on 16th October. I discussed personally with the National Youth Committee Executive beforehand both the announcement that I proposed to make and the draft of the circular that I proposed to issue, and I am happy to say that they endorsed my proposals in both instances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether arrangements can be made for the special telegraph rate to be made available by Cable and Wireless, Limited, for friends and relations of persons serving in any Dominion formation, either forming part of an expeditionary force or engaged in training in any Dominion or Colony; and whether this facility can be in operation before Christmas?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the special rate of 2s. 6d. for six words and 5d. for each additional word with free address. This rate is available by the services of Cable and Wireless, Limited, for telegrams from all parts of the Empire to members of His Majesty's Armies and Air Forces, including Dominion and Colonial formations, serving in any other part of the Empire or in British mandated territories or in Egypt. The service is available similarly for telegrams handed in by members of any of His Majesty's Forces in uniform in any country within the Empire.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will accord the same postal facilities enjoyed by the women's voluntary services to other approved organisations doing work of national importance?

The existing regulations as regards this matter are devised to prevent loss to the revenue by misuse of the covers. In the case of the Women's Voluntary Services satisfactory machinery for this purpose exists. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the organisations to which he refers, I will gladly consider whether machinery exists in their case or could be set up which would be regarded as satisfactory by the Treasury.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that in the case of houses evacuated through enemy action the Post Office telephone authorities insist on persons paying the full rent in accordance with the agreement, and do not accept surrender with one month's or a quarter's notice; and, as this conduct is at variance with the general practice of landlords and others in not pressing for rent payment, why the Government has set this example; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy the position and revise the letters sent to subscribers whose lines are now useless to them?

My hon. and gallant Friend seems to have been misinformed. In every case where premises served by telephone are damaged and rendered unusable through enemy action, the Post Office makes no further claim for telephone rental and regards the telephone agreement as terminated without requiring any notice at all. This is done whether or not the telephone installation itself is damaged, and regardless of the length of notice required to terminate the telephone agreement. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind, I will be glad to inquire into it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether British air-mail to South America is still carried by the Italian air-mail from Rome, via Lisbon, or what alternative service has been provided?

British air-mails to South America have never been conveyed by the service in question. Since the capitulation of France, when the direct French air service to South America ceased, air mail services have been provided by way of the North Atlantic air services to New York and thence by onward Pan-American air services to the various South American countries.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give official guidance to the public as to the advisability of despatching Christmas cards this year?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War when the further list of awards and mentions in dispatches in connection with British Expeditionary Force operations in the field for the period March to June, 1940, which was anticipated in a War Office statement of the 26th July last, will be published?

It is expected that the further list of awards and mentions will be published during this month.