asked the Attorney-General whether, in considering relief to be given in respect of rent and rates of premises damaged or destroyed by enemy action, he will include the question of payment of ground rent by leaseholders whose premises have been destroyed?

What are called ground rents vary very much in their relation to the annual value of the site and with the buildings in it. There are provisions in the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act dealing with ground leases, but if my hon. Friend would send me information as to the class of case he has in mind I will see that it is considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will institute inquiries with a view to increasing the billeting allowance for expectant mothers?

Expectant mothers are normally billeted for lodging only and make their own arrangements for board. The obligation placed on the householder in these cases is not therefore related to the cost of living. In exceptional cases local authorities may be authorised to billet expectant mothers for board and lodging at the rate of 21S. a week and I do not think that there are any grounds for regarding this amount as insufficient for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the question of compulsory evacuation of schoolchildren from London?

This question is under examination and I hope to be in a position to make a statement with regard to it at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, in view of the traffic delays caused by air raids and otherwise which lengthen the time occupied in travelling, he will arrange that the vouchers issued to the parents and husbands of evacuees for one day only shall be extended to two days, and for long distances the present two-day voucher shall be available for three days, and thus prevent the time which visitors can spend with evacuees being made unduly short;

(2) whether he will take steps for the removal of the restriction to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of travel vouchers on the Great Western Railway issued to visitors to evacuees, thus removing the injustice of imposing upon hus- bands and fathers the penalty of losing work and wages if they travel on those days, or of paying the ordinary fare if they travel at the week-end;

(3) whether he will take steps to ensure that, when a new reception area is opened, the names of the places therein to which travel vouchers for visiting evacuees are issued, shall be more promptly included in the list of registrars, in order to avoid the period between evacuation and the initial visit being unduly prolonged?

Arrangements are being made by which the cheap facilities for visits to evacuees will be available to any place to which evacuees have gone from a declared evacuation area. Certain safeguards will have to be introduced to ensure that the facilities are strictly confined to those entitled to them, and in certain instances the visitor may have to give longer notice than he does at present of his intended journey. Formalities will, however, be kept to a minimum. The periods of validity of the cheap tickets will be extended to three days where necessary to ensure that the time spent in the reception area is not unduly short. These new arrangements will be introduced as soon as the necessary machinery has been set up. In the meantime, the restriction on travel on the Great Western Railway Company's system is being removed, and the tickets at the cheap rate will now be available for travel on any day of the week. The voucher issuing offices are being informed. Whilst I am glad to be able to announce the extension of these facilities, I must make it quite clear that they may have to be withdrawn if circumstances require at any time. The special cheap facilities will be available at Christmas, but visitors should remember that on Christmas Day, the ordinary Sunday services only will be available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons, including their dependants, who have been rendered homeless due to air raids, whose income is less than £250 per annum, between £250 and £1,000, and over £1,000 per annum, respectively?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of bombed-out people in London and other affected areas have actually been received at rest and feeding centres; and whether he is satisfied with the functioning of these centres in all bombed areas?

No precise information is available as to the proportion of people made homeless by air raids who are received at rest centres, but it has been found that a substantial proportion are able to make their own arrangements and have no need to go to the centres. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am satisfied that, in general, the rest centres in and around bombed areas are adequately fulfilling their function of providing food and temporary accommodation for the homeless.

asked the Minister of Health whether any executive power is entrusted to the medical officers of health to local authorities to remove from public shelters or from billets persons who, though not suffering from notifiable diseases, yet from their condition are capable of transmitting various forms of infection injurious to other people; and whether he will consider means whereby local medical officers of health can obtain the services of persons with sanitary and medical experience to assist the medical officers to remove all individuals to places where remedial treatment can be given them?

As regards shelters, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security and I have this question under active consideration at the present time. As regards billets, a local authority on the advice of their medical officer could in a case of this kind terminate billeting arrangements, and offer the alternative of admission to an appropriate hospital. I am looking into the suggestion in the latter part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to prices quoted by the Kent Electric Power Company for installation of electric lighting in public shelters; whether he is aware it is felt that the company are trying to charge prices which are not warranted; and whether, in these circumstances, he will cause detailed inquiries to be made?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary how many bunks have now been installed in public shelters in the London area?

Up to 27th November, bunks for 109,200 persons had been installed in the London area. Bunks for 208,500 persons had been delivered to local authorities by that date, and erection is proceeding rapidly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the representations of the wardens of the air-raid precautions services in Fife regarding their lack of equipment, the unsatisfactory condition of their posts, and their inadequate allowances of tea and sugar; and whether he proposed to take steps to remove the cause of the grievances complained of, including the personal expenditure incurred by the wardens in the equipment of their posts?

I am unable to trace the receipt of any such representations. I am, however, informed that the full issue of equipment has been received by the county and issued; as regards the other matters mentioned in the Question I should be happy to make inquiries if furnished with more specific details.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether his attention has been called to the complaints of L.C. 3 Post, Cowdenbeath, that there is a serious lack of equipment for wardens; that the wardens have had to spend their own money in making the post suitable for continuous occupation; and whether he will take steps to remedy this situation at the earliest moment;

(2) whether he is aware of the discontent among the wardens at a post, of which he has been informed, concerning lack of equipment, the bad condition of the post, inadequate rationing allowances, etc.; whether he is also aware that the controller of air-raid precautions in the county declares himself powerless to take the measures which he considers necessary; and whether he will cause the situa- tion to be investigated, with a view to requisite action being taken?

I am aware that the post in question is somewhat small. Its main fault is dampness, which the occupants have tried to remedy without success. Further action is now being taken to see whether a satisfactory remedy can be found. No previous representations have reached the Ministry of Home Security on this matter or the other matters referred to in the Question, but I may say that the full authorised issue of equipment has been issued to the county and distributed by them. I am not aware of any statement by the controller such as is attributed to him in the second Question.

asked the Home Secretary the present situation and state of health of Paolo Treves; why this man was unconditionally released from internment during September, and has now been arrested and again imprisoned; and whether he will generally explain the circumstances, and thereby allay local and family anxieties?

An Italian of this name was temporarily released from internment on medical grounds but has now been re-interned on security grounds. I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible in regard to the present situation and state of health of the internee.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the organised trade union effect to increase the wages of air-raid precautions workers and reduce their working hours: and whether, as the present pay and conditions were fixed by his Department after careful consideration of all the circumstances, he will state what action he proposes to take?

A suggestion has been made to my right hon. Friend by that body of representatives of trade unions who confer with the Ministry of Home Security on questions affecting the basic conditions of service of Civil Defence personnel, that the rate of pay should be increased. This suggestion is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary why members of the Italian black-shirt militia in London, whose names appear in the official list, have not been interned, as is the case with Pietro Pini?

Two persons of the name of Pietro Pini have been detained, and action is taken in any case where there is reliable information indicating membership of an Italian Fascist organisation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange that Members of Parliament shall be informed, as a matter of routine, of the results of enemy action in their constituencies instead of having, as at present, to make a special request for this information each time a raid occurs?

It would in my view place an unreasonable burden on A.R.P. Controllers to ask them to furnish routine reports, as suggested. I should not feel justified in going beyond the arrangements which I outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for West Birmingham (Mr. Higgs) on 7th November, 1940.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the policy local authorities should adopt in relation to the payment of rent by tenants who have been placed in houses requisitioned by such authorities; and have instructions been issued by the Ministry to local authorities on this matter?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular in which instructions were given to local authorities on this subject. The policy is that the local authority charges the tenants what it is considered that they can afford and that any loss to the local authority is made good by the State.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the claim of Mrs. Vowls to a supplementary old age pension, the reference number of which case is 15/8/0. 4440; whether he is aware that this woman's supplementary pension has been reduced by 4s. 6d., although there is no evidence of any alteration in circumstances; and whether he will have further inquiry made into this case?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons regimental paymasters are requesting private employers to notify any allowances made to members of their staff while on military service?

The information referred to is required in connection with applications for dependants' allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Army Council instructions issued between the outbreak of war and the 3rd November this year?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the printed "Army Council Instructions," the answer is 1,635.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large number of soldiers who visit London and the chief provincial cities without any clear idea of the hospitality and similar centres which exist for their entertainment, he will make arrangements for this information to be supplied to them in compact form before they leave their regiments?

Lists of hostels in London are prominently displayed at main London and provincial railway stations; they are also distributed to railway transport officers at provincial stations and to inquiry bureaux at main London stations. Addresses of hostels in provincial towns are notified to the railway transport officer of the town, and, where there is no railway transport officer, to the stationmaster. I think that this is a better arrangement than that suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that a smaller allowance is paid in a certain area for the billeting of soldiers than is paid for the billeting of airmen; and whether he will consider removing this inequality by raising the allowance;

(2) whether, as the cost of living has risen by 12 points since 1st May, he will cause suitable inquiries to be made with a view to increasing the billeting allowances for soldiers; and, in particular, whether he will consider a sliding scale varying with the cost of living?

The rates of payment for services required from billetors under the Army and Air Force Acts are the same. Additional payments are made when additional services are necessary, and the Army rates are substantially equivalent to those paid by the Royal Air Force. The rates are kept under review, and it is not considered that any increase is called for at present. A sliding scale is not thought to be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that much confusion and doubt is caused in the Home Guard by unauthorised statements appearing in the Press as to alleged projected changes; whether he will consult with the appropriate censorship department on the matter; and how soon will the necessary instructions as to the grant of commissions be issued?

I am aware that some misapprehension has been caused among members of the Home Guard by unauthorised and inaccurate statements as to the nature of the duties which they may be called on to perform. I am therefore glad to take this opportunity of saying once more that there is no intention of using the Home Guard for any other purpose than was announced when it was formed. Instructions regarding the grant of commissions are in preparation, and I hope they will shortly be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that a number of motor accidents have been caused by military vehicles having neither rear nor front lights at night; and whether he will give instructions that military vehicles should carry lights wherever the military circumstances permit;

(2) whether he is aware that there have been many cases of excessive lights displayed by military vehicles at night during periods of alert in the Reigate Division; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the regulations on this subject are enforced?

I have no information regarding the first part of either Question. Except in cases of military necessity, Army vehicles must display suitably dimmed front and rear lights when on public roads during the normal lighting-up times, and military commanders are frequently reminded of their responsibility in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will supply the House with particulars of the usual daily dietary of German prisoners of war in this country, and British prisoners of war in Germany?

I append a statement, obtained through the Protecting Power, of the monthly scale of rations issued to British prisoners of war in Germany. As regards German prisoners of war in this country, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnstaple (Sir R. Acland) on 20th August, of which I am sending him a copy.

Following is the statement: —

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that £10 per month, approximately 75 per cent. of their monthly pay, is being deducted from the pay of subalterns who are prisoners of war in Germany as from the date of their capture; whether this amount is being handed over to the German authorities as messing allowance; and at what rate of exchange?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox), and my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on Tuesday last. The £10 which is being deducted is a provisional figure, and is less than two-thirds of subaltern's monthly pay. No part of it is paid to the German Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that although soldiers are sufficiently proficient to be sent abroad on active service, commanding officers are not prepared to certify them as proficient in the event of their being taken prisoner before the expiration of six months' service, so as to enable dependants to have the benefit of proficiency allowance; that the time spent as a prisoner of war does not count towards that period; and whether, in such cases he will authorise commanding officers to give the necessary certificate or, alternatively, authorise regimental paymasters to credit the increment?

There is no requirement that a soldier must attain the standard necessary for the grant of war-time proficiency pay before being posted abroad on active service. Certification by a commanding officer that an individual is in fact up to the standard required for the award of this emolument is not automatic on the completion of six months of war service, but is entirely at the discretion of the commanding officer, the requisite period being a minimum, and not a maximum. A soldier who has not attained the standard required for war-time proficiency pay before being taken prisoner cannot be considered as in a position to attain to the necessary standard whilst in captivity. He can, however, be considered for the emolument at any time after his release as and when he satisfies the necessary conditions attaching to its grant. Proficiency pay, unlike a time increment of pay, is not dependent on service only. There can, therefore, be no question of making an automatic award of war-time proficiency pay in order to pass on to a soldier's wife the benefit which might follow in the form of an increased allotment from the soldier's pay in supplementation of family allowance. Increments which are dependent purely on length of service will be issued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that parcels of food for prisoners of war at Oflag VII C/ H have been sent by air from Lisbon, and that these parcels have been delivered at their destination; that not more than £50 a week is allowed to be remitted by relatives of prisoners of war for this purpose; and whether he will sanction for an increase of this amount until such time as official Red Cross parcels are being regularly received?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to Mrs. Campbell's organisation. It is for the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society, which it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to use as the central body responsible for the despatch to prisoners of war of standard parcels of food and clothing, to decide whether, within the resources at their disposal, they shall ask private bodies such as Mrs. Campbell's organisation, to continue to function as agents of their own organisation. Meanwhile, permission has been given to Mrs. Campbell to have the whole of the bank balance—about £600—at her disposal in the United Kingdom remitted for this purpose, on the understanding that no further remittances will be made after 30th November. Having regard to the improvement in the arrangements for the supply of official parcels through the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society as recently described by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War I do not consider that any further remittances of private funds are necessary to facilitate the despatch of these private parcels.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of clocks on public buildings and in public places which no longer function; and whether, to avoid the public being misled, he will issue regulations to ensure that all such clocks be set at 12 0'clock?

This is a matter which I think must be left to the authorities and individuals responsible who will, I hope, note the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend and take such measures as may be necessary to prevent public inconvenience.

asked the Home Secretary why the promise given on 7th June, 1939, has not been implemented that 18 Czecho-Slovak dentists now in this country following a course of six months' training should, after examination, be licensed to practise in this country; will he expedite the matter now, as the thousands of Czecho-Slovak subjects now in Britain need more than 18 dentists; is he aware that M. Jan Masaryk and M. Nemee have repeatedly tried to get the permission without which these men will be unable to avail themselves of the course of study now starting, and will be held up for a further six months; that all these 18 persons are English-speaking, and hold diplomas in medicine, surgery and midwifery from Prague University, as well as being licensed dentists; and that their resources are now exhausted?

I regret that I cannot trace any communication or statement of 7th June, 1939, and I do not know what is the basis of my hon. Friend's suggestion that a promise was made. The view hitherto taken, after consultation with representatives of the dental profession, has been that it would not be in the interests of the profession in this country to allow refugee dentists to establish themselves in practice here, except in a few selected cases. The question has recently been raised whether some modification of that policy may be desirable in present circumstances, and there is to be consultation with representatives of the profession on the subject.

asked the Minister of Information what instructions have been issued to the British Broadcasting Corporation concerning the dismissal of members of their staff on security grounds; and whether they have been general or confined to specified individuals?

No instructions of the kind mentioned by the hon. Member have been issued to the B.B.C.

asked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking to prevent the spreading of untrue reports, both in the Press and otherwise, of panic evacuation from Southampton following on the recent air raids, in view of the effect of such reports on the morale of the people?

Accounts of homeless persons leaving Southampton and of the measures taken to assist them have appeared in the Press; but their movements were not ascribed to panic nor did any indications of panic evacuation appear in these accounts.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider improving the British propaganda service in Switzerland?

Having regard to the difficulties of communicating with Switzerland every possible measure is being taken to see that British propaganda is sent to that country by all the means available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will prohibit the sale of special bread so that the best and most nutritious ingredients may be used for the standard loaf?

It is my Noble Friend's object to ensure that white bread and wholemeal bread of the best quality shall be available to the public everywhere, and at all times, at a price which will shortly be announced. Provided this object can be secured, my Noble Friend does not think that there will be any necessity to prohibit the baking and sale of bread enriched with special ingredients, such as is popular in many parts of the North of England.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why, having regard to their bulky and perishable nature, the continued import of bananas is permitted at a time when it has been considered necessary to ration tea and sugar in order to save shipping space and exchange resources?

In view of the fact that bananas are a cheap, popular, and wholesome food, their continued importation has been permitted so long as shipping space could be provided without detriment to the loading of tea, sugar, and other essential foodstuffs. No question of conserving exchange resources rises in connection with banana import. My Noble Friend regrets that it has become necessary to suspend these imports for a time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will look into the possibility of reducing our imports of foreign tallows and substituting for them oil seeds which would give less oil per cubic space but would provide some food for cattle?

No foreign tallows are at present being imported into this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the trade representations made during the present summer to him urging that unless some resumption of licences to import into this country from Canada full-cream-spray malted milk and evaporated milk were permitted there would be acute shortage during this winter of these products; what was the result of such consideration; and whether he can take any steps before it is too late to remedy this shortage?

The Ministry of Food has purchased the full Canadian production of evaporated milk available for export up to the end of March, 1941. With regard to malted milk, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 26th. November.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will fix now maximum prices for turkeys and geese for the Christmas season?

No. Sir. My Noble Friend does not consider it desirable to fix maximum prices for semi-luxury articles such as turkeys and geese. In order, however, to give a guide to the consumer he has issued a notice stating the maximum retail prices for turkeys which he would regard as reasonable at the peak of the Christmas trade, and which should not be exceeded. They are as follows:

1. Best Norfolk birds:

2. Eire turkeys:

3. Birds from Scotland, Northern Ireland and English counties other than Norfolk:

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made by the joint committees of employers and trade unions as to the employability of persons who have been unemployed for a substantial period; and what policy is being pursued in respect of those found to be unfit for employment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 28th November, to the Question put by the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks). The Exchanges will continue to make every effort to place in employment men registered for work, whatever their classification by the panel. I would add, as I stated in the Debate on Wednesday, 27th November, that I am asking the panels to indicate which of the applicants are fit only for light work, as I hope that such men can be fitted into jobs held by other men whose services can he utilised elsewhere. I will consider in due course, after the final analysis has been made, what steps should be taken as regards any found completely unsuitable for employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what concrete plans he has for putting the unemployed to work apart from the call-up for military service?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement I made in the course of the Debate of 27th November last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a large number of able-bodied men have come into North Devon from the Metropolitan and other districts and are now unemployed, thus causing disquiet among the men, especially the proprietors of the one-man business, who have been drafted for military service; and whether he will take immediate steps to place these able-bodied men in work of national importance?

I am aware that in certain areas in North Devon there are a number of men registered as unemployed who have come from other districts. Every effort is being made through the Employment Exchanges to put them in touch with suitable employment. I should point out that any men subject to military service who are no longer following an occupation covered by the Schedule of Reserved Occupations become liable to be called up.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he is now responsible for the co-ordination of war production; if, as Minister presiding over the Production Council, he has executive powers; and if he is responsible for the control of priorities?

The Production Council is responsible for giving directions as to the organisation of war production and as to priority, in accordance with the policy laid down by the War Cabinet. My responsibilities as Chairman do not involve the exercise of executive powers.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of dockers employed and unemployed, respectively; and the average hours worked and wages paid weekly?

Inquiries are being made, and as soon as they are completed, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that people connected with hunting are now admitting that hunting is unpatriotic during the war, and that its practice should therefore be kept as quiet as possible; and whether he will now consider its prohibition in the national interest?

I am satisfied that the prohibition of hunting is not necessary in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the lack of men for carrying out the necessary reclamation and drainage works in the country districts; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome this difficulty?

I am in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service on the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of phosphates in easily soluble form he will inquire whether it is possible to alter the precipitants generally used in sewage works so as to recover the phosphates in a usable form; and whether he will examine the possible extension of manure supplies from sewage works?

I am advised that precipitants are not at all extensively used in sewage works and that no satisfactory process is known for the recovery of phosphates from sewage. There is, moreover, no precise information available as to the amounts of phosphates contained in the material. I am collaborating, however, with the Agricultural Research Council, in pressing forward an investigation into the treatment of sewage sludge and other kinds of town refuse with a. view to their use as fertilising materials in the most suitable form.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has con- sidered the complaint forwarded to him by a Manchester man, of the sale at an increased price of cigarettes in packets, which contain a decreased amount of tobacco; whether he will consider making it compulsory to sell all cigarettes by weight; and what steps he intends to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. The increase in duty last July was legitimately passed on to the public partly by increasing prices and partly by reducing the size of certain brands of cigarettes, and I shall be glad to consider any evidence that this method of dealing with the increase has been abused to the disadvantage of the public. As regards the second part of the Question, compulsory sale of cigarettes by weight would entail large scale replacements of machinery, which would be impossible in present circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider the Limitation of Supplies (Miscellaneous) Order, 1940, which, as from 1st December, imposes a restriction on the sale of surgical goods to the extent of 50 per cent. of the amount sold between 1939 and May 1940, in view of the seriousness of the matter, as it will affect the sale of surgical hosiery and surgical belts, which will not only impose hardship on surgical appliance traders, but will also weigh heavily on people who require these articles and may as a result retard the national war effort?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) on 3rd December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the reduction of the quota under the Limitation of Supplies Order in respect of toilet goods to 25 per cent. will operate severely upon the smaller retailers who cannot carry large stocks and depend upon these goods for a living, he will investigate the position with a view to taking remedial action?

I regret that the reason which compelled the Board of Trade to impose the increased restrictions on supplies of toilet goods also makes it necessary for my right hon. Friend to adhere to the provisions of the new Order in its administration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will assist manufacturers who have lost their stocks owing to enemy action by issuing instructions that, on production of a certificate of the firm's accountant, or reasonable proof of the loss sustained, at least half the amount insured under the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939, shall be paid forthwith so that the firm will be able to avoid dismissal of its staff and can make arrangements for recommencing its business without delay and unnecessary anxieties?

The Board of Trade are anxious to do whatever is possible to minimise the inconvenience to persons who have suffered losses which are recoverable under the Commodities War Risks Scheme, and arrangements of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend are, in fact, already in operation, as I indicated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for the City of London (Sir G. Broadbridge) on 24th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since some large multiple concerns are openly advertising the fact that they are not charging Purchase Tax on any goods, this in any way prejudices the reduction of purchasing by the public which was the declared object of the tax; and whether it is permissible and desirable to pay the Purchase Tax out of taxable profits?

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Frome (Mrs Tate) on 13th August, the Purchase Tax is designed to create additional revenue. The volume of goods available for purchase by the public is subject to various forms of restriction such as the Limitation of Supplies Orders and the raw materials controls. Subject to the provisions of the Prices of Goods Act it is a matter for individual traders to decide to what extent the imposition of the tax justifies an increase in their prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is to be any recompense for stock damaged before sale on which Purchase Tax has been collected?

My right hon. Friend is aware of certain cases of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend but he regrets that it would be impracticable to make any special provision for this type of case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a retail trader who sells goods free of tax, upon which he has paid Purchase Tax, is entitled to charge the Purchase Tax as a legitimate business expense against the taxable income of his business for Income Tax and Excess Profits Tax purposes since it is a gift and not part of the cost of the goods?

The Purchase Tax is part of the cost of goods to a retail trader, and this cost falls to be deducted like all other costs in computing his profits, irrespective of the price at which the goods may be sold.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take into consideration the unfair burden that will fall on persons who have to renew furniture and goods when their household goods have been destroyed by air raids; and will he take into account, or give instructions to valuers to take into account, the effect of the Purchase Tax on prices when assessing the value of damage to such goods when immediate financial assistance is needed?

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the details of the Government's new proposals for dealing with war damage to movable property. I can, however, assure him that his, and similar suggestions, have been taken into consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the Government control now exercised on the railways, and with a view to saving unnecessary work, time, and paper, he will reconsider the present system of issuing warrants to Members for travel to their constituencies and issue passes in lieu thereof?

Under the financial arrangements between the Government and the railways during the war, all travel on Government account must be paid for. In these circumstances I regret that I am not able to modify the present system of issuing vouchers for Members travelling between London and their constituencies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the claim of a person to be a working proprietor under the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1939, will be prejudiced by such a person devoting as much time and energy as possible in the present emergency to such voluntary organisations as the Home Guard, air-raid precautions, etc.?

The definition of "working proprietor" for Excess Profits Tax purposes requires that the person concerned shall work full time in the actual management or conduct of the trade or business. Where this condition is substantially satisfied, the position would not be prejudiced if spare time were devoted to organisations such as those mentioned.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that there is a food shortage in North-East Spain through purchases by Nazi troops; and whether he is satisfied that the supplies to be allowed in under the recent pact with the Spanish Government will not indirectly assist our enemies by making good these supplies purchased by the Nazis?

Yes, Sir, I am aware that there are shortages of food in various parts of Spain. Although these are mainly due to a bad harvest and to difficulties of distribution, they are undoubtedly accentuated locally by purchases by German troops and visitors. For the present I am prepared to leave it to the Spanish authorities and people to check such spoliation by those who profess to be their friends. As has already been announced we are prepared to allow imports into neutral countries which will be adequate for domestic consumption but will leave no surplus for re-export abroad. If therefore any appropriation of foodstuffs by Germans is permitted, this can only be at the expense of the Spanish consumer.

asked the Prime Minister whether—he will consider arranging for a visit to the United States of America by a member of the War Cabinet for the purpose of discussing with the American Government the question of war supplies and the methods by which they shall be acquired and delivered to this country?

The Government are fully conscious of the importance of American supplies and will of course continue to maintain close contact with the American administration through the Ambassador and the British Purchasing Commission. The suggestion that it may on occasion be necessary to supplement these methods of contact is kept under constant review.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will consider inviting the United States of America and the Dominion of Canada to set up a joint board for the organisation of war production similar in composition and complementary to the defence boards of those two countries?

No, Sir. Close relations exist between His Majesty's Government in Canada and the United States Government as regards war production, and it is not for this Government to make any specific suggestion for an organisation such as the hon. Member appears to have in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the probability of the dislocation of postal services around Christmas, 1940, being even worse than that around Christmas, 1939, he will arrange for correspondence carried at ordinary rates to have priority in delivery over matter carried at printed-paper rates, in order that the delivery of more important correspondence may not be blocked by Christmas cards; and whether he will give an assurance that express letters will receive normal attention?

I already have power to delay the despatch or delivery of all other postal packets when it is necessary to do so in order to secure the due despatch of letters. All post offices are aware of this power and it will be exercised if necessary. Express letters will receive normal preference.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his broadcast announcement that 18th December would be the latest date for posting in time for Christmas, was intended to imply that the post will be useless as a channel of communication for urgent official and business purposes during the week preceding Christmas; and whether he consulted other Government Departments and representatives of industry before deciding to afford normal printed-paper facilities for the despatch of Christmas cards?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, military conditions permitting, the Government will add to the joy of the Christmas season by allowing church bells to be rung on Christmas Day?

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's suggestion, but the regulations at present in force cannot be relaxed. It has not been possible to devise an alternative warning on Christmas Day which would, in the view of the military authorities, ensure the maintenance of security.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that citizens of Eire are the only persons in all the British Dominions who are eligible for appointments to the Civil Service in Great Britain; and whether, in view of the present neutrality of Eire in the war which Britain is waging, he will consider confining such appointments in future to the citizens of the United Kingdom?

The general rule governing admission to employment (permanent and temporary) in the Civil Service of the United Kingdom is that a candidate must be a natural-born British subject, the child of a parent who is, or was at the time of death, also a British subject. There is no other general limitation on grounds of nationality, and the hon. Member appears to be misinformed about the position of persons born in the British Dominions. It is not proposed to alter the rule in the sense suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the serious shortage of coal in the Reigate, Dorking and Honey districts of Surrey; and whether he will see that action is taken to increase local supplies?

I am aware of shortages in these districts. Any considerable improvement in the situation depends on transport facilities, and my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Transport is giving close attention to the matter. In the meantime arrangements have been made to supplement the efforts of the trade by the despatch of special trainloads. One such trainload left the colliery on 26th November and another is being planned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that all the literature supplied by Government Departments, as well as the National Savings Committee, to the Welsh Press, except a few advertisements, are printed in English; that there is in Wales a considerable monoglot Welsh population; and whether this matter will be remedied?

The issue of notices to the Press, including the Welsh Press, is the concern of the responsible Government Departments. But I am informed that matter in Welsh is provided, through the machinery of the respective Regional Offices or local committees, on topics both of general and of special interest to the Welsh people. I have no evidence that these arrangements are not adequate to meet the demand.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that no single air-raid precautions publication has been printed in Welsh, although there is a considerable monoglot Welsh population in Wales; whether the regional commissioners have drawn his attention to the matter; and will he see that these people are given better consideration?

I am aware that no air-raid precautions publications have been translated into Welsh. I understand from the joint regional commissioners that no request for such translation has been received by them; any request would receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the existing employment of a person registered as a conscientious objector is entered on the register?

The registers contain a record of the man's employment when first registered, and, in the case of those placed conditionally on the register of conscientious objectors, a record of subsequent employment so far as reported to this Department.