asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that collieries in Nottinghamshire are finding great difficulty in getting away their coil; and what steps he proposes to take to eliminate the congestion of coal in this coalfield?

I am aware of the position which has arisen in. this coalfield by reason of transport difficulties, and I am constantly in touch with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Transport in the matter.

Will the Minister give a little more detail of what he is doing in Nottinghamshire to relieve the congestion, which is a serious matter?

The congestion in Nottinghamshire is not entirely divorced from the congestion elsewhere. The aim of the committee which I represent is to expedite the movement of coal traffic from the point of production to the point of consumption. This cannot but be beneficial to the movement of traffic in other parts, and means a speeding-up of transport.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in cases where there is congestion of coal-laden wagons in railway goods' yards due to individual retailers failing to clear the coal with sufficient rapidity, the local coal controllers will be instructed to take possession of all coal arrivals and arrange for them to be fairly distributed amongst the waiting retailers?

It is intended under the House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme that any cases of congestion at merchants' depots should be dealt with by co-operation between the various retailers at the depots and the Diversion Committee which meets at my Department can render any further assistance that may be required. I would prefer that the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers should be dealt with in this way, but if it proves necessary, in particular cases, for other measures to be adopted, I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

Is the Minister aware that in some cases retailers are not emptying their wagons very quickly and, consequently, that a lot of wagons are laden with coal and other retailers are kept waiting?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of it, but it must be understood that the retailer in his depot is as much impeded in his work by the black-out and by other conditions as is everybody else. I do not expect in those circumstances a very high standard to be attained, but we are doing all we can to expedite the movement.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what major exports, useful for the purpose of war, are being exported by the Dominions to Japan at the present time?

I am not at present in a position to make any detailed statement on this matter. The policy of His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, in relation to the export to foreign countries of commodities useful for war purposes, is generally similar to our own. In this connection I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member on 19th November by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Limitation of Supplies Order is related to the diversion of lahour from non-essential industries to war industries; and whether he can say how many workers rendered unemployed by the enforced reduction in civilian production have been absorbed in essential industries?

Yes, Sir, there is close collaboration between my Department and the Ministry of Labour to secure the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member. Special machinery has been set up to arrange for the transfer of plant and labour to war industries, and to direct Government orders into areas where such transfer presents the most difficulty. I may say that a survey of the industries affected by the Order is made at frequent intervals. From the last survey I am satisfied that, in the period ending 1st October at least two-thirds of the labour released had already been absorbed in essential work.

If, as the right hon. Gentleman says. there is close collaboration between himself and the Minister of Labour, why does it happen, when he throws people out of work as a result of this order, that the Minister of Labour declares that it is not his business to put them in? That is precisely what the Minister of Labour said; it was not his duty to find work for people thrown out under this order.

It is the duty of the production Minister to fix the labour released into production, and it is the duty of the Board of Trade to see that the labour released is essential.

Before the right hon. Gentleman proceeds with this device, quite a proper one, with which I agree in principle, will he see that other Departments are ready to absorb the free labour?

Yes, Sir. There is very elaborate machinery set up to secure that result. One of the methods is to direct Government orders into areas where the labour can be absorbed immediately.

What is the sense of throwing one-third of these people out of work" and of depriving the nation of their production?

There must be some time-lag in the complete absorption of labour, and two-thirds within a four-month period is not an unsatisfactory result.

In the last war we did not find it necessary to do it at all.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that black is the only material made for black-out purposes, which is outside the quota; and whether, in view of the public demand for other shades, he will consider amending the Order so as to put blues, greens and browns on the same footing as black so long as they pass the Shirley Institute test for obscuration of light, and are stamped as having passed that test?

The present concession ensures supplies of material required for blackout purposes. An extension of the kind suggested would put at the public's disposal material suitable for many other purposes, which should be met from the home trade quota.

While appreciating the possibility of what can happen, may I remind the right hon. Gentleman that the average housewife in this country does not want her rooms draped in black? Is he aware that this order, as worded, puts restrictions upon certain Yorkshire manufacturers which they think are not quite fair; and will he look into the matter.

I will look into the matter, but I am afraid that the concession which the hon. Gentleman wants would lead to a large waste of material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider amending the Limitation of Supplies Order so as to permit of articles being sold for replacements as a result of air raids, without regard to the 50 per cent, quota in operation in the 'home market?

Where goods are destroyed by air raids, licences are immediately issued to allow retailers to replace their stocks outside the quota limitation. Retail shops are not, of course, required to restrict sales to consumers. Officers of the Board of Tirade have visited certain towns and dealt with these matters on the spot.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, he will seek to make arrangements by which the Danish merchant fleets in neutral ports, 34 of such ships being at present in United States of America ports, could be used to assist this country in its war effort?

Many Danish vessels are already in our service, and means whereby those which remain immobilised in neutral ports could be brought into employment have been, and are, the subject of consultation between my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and myself.

Are the Danish Council in London being consulted about this matter?

I could not say that without notice. I think we have explored every possibility from the time when these ships were first held up.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether the new Spanish and Portuguese agreements limit the accumulation of stocks of vital commodities to at most three months' demand, at a rate appropriate to the present low level of industrial activity in these countries and not to the higher pre-civil war rate?

There are no new agreements with Spain or Portugal affecting the rate of importation or the accumulation of stocks. In the case of Spain, agreements regarding petroleum and cotton have been in force for some months; these agreements regulate imparts at a rate appropriate to the present level of consumption. No other commodities imported into Spain, and no commodities imported into Portugal, are at present covered by agreements, but their importation is carefully regulated by means of the navicert system. This system is so applied as to limit imports to the actual requirements of the two countries for domestic consumption and to prevent the accumulation of excessive stocks.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether his recent forecast of the economic difficulties facing Germany in respect of oil supplies and raw material was based on an examination of the actual position, or on information supplied by neutral sources; and whether this forecast represents the considered opinion of the Government?

My recent observations, to which my hon. Friend refers, were based on a careful study of all the available evidence on a subject which falls within the sphere of my departmental responsibility.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he has possibly been a little over-optimistic and that it is rather dangerous to excite undue hopes?

I endeavour to tell the truth, whether it uplifts or depresses.

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will bear in mind that he has, on previous occasions, made optimistic statements which have not been justified by the events?

I have never been proved wrong yet.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the fact that Rumania is to supply 3,000,000 tons of oil to Germany; and can he put a stop to it?

It partly depends upon the Navy continuing to hold the Eastern Mediterranean. In that event, they will not be able to get the oil round.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for different rates of pay as between civilian male doctors and civilian women doctors, both engaged on examining recruits for the Service under his control; and whether he with take steps to rectify this anomaly?

There should be no differentiation between men and women doctors. If the hon. Lady will bring any case to my notice, I will investigate it.

I thank my right hon. Friend. Cases are repeatedly being put up, but I understand that the Treasury, as usual, will not accept responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will sanction an increased allowance from 15s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. per week to the childless wife of a man posted as missing, if she is an expectant mother and is, for that reason, certified to be unfit for work, as has been granted in the case of pension to the widow of a man who has been killed while in the Service?

Yes, Sir, this is in fact now the practice. For the first 17 weeks after a man is reported missing, his wife continues to receive family allowance and the qualifying allotment of pay, a total of 25s. to the childless wife. After 17 weeks, she receives an allowance equal to the pension payable if the soldier were dead, and this is the higher rate of 22s. 6d. in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Lady, where the facts are established and are made known to the War Office.

Will my right hon. Friend convey this information to the people concerned, and will he also see that due publicity is given to this new provision, so that these women may know that they are entitled to the higner pension?

I hope the hon. Lady's Question will help in that direction.

Does this also apply in the case of dependants whose sons are missing?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now decided to allow the cost of transport to the 520 members of His Majesty's Forces desirous of taking classes in "technology and advanced commercial subjects provided free by Newcastle-upon-Tyne Education Committee, so that the post-war civilian prospects of these units may not be impaired?

The arrangements to be made are not yet finally settled. If my hon. Friend will repeat his Question next week, I hope to be able to inform him then what has been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now decided to been made into the circumstances of the death of Signalman Peter Gunstone at Towyn Isolation Hospital on 26th October, and whether such inquiries have revealed neglect or lack of proper medical attention?

I have received a full report on this case, and it reveals no neglect or lack of proper medical attention. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing sympathy with the soldier's father and mother.

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence from the matron or doctors at this hospital, and is he aware that the parents of this man feel very strongly that his death was caused primarily by gross medical neglect at the camp where he was stationed?

I have received a letter and also a report. I should be glad to show the report to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken in military units to utilise excess rations and to prevent their waste?

Commanding officers are instructed that, where rations drawn prove to be surplus to requirements, the excess is to be balanced by a subsequent underdrawal in order to avoid waste. As my hon. Friend will realise, the elimination of waste is mainly a problem of cookery. In order to improve the standard of cooking and catering full-time messing officers are at the moment being appointed for every static unit where the establishment exceeds 1,000. These officers are expert caterers specially selected from the trade and have many years practical kitchen and catering experience. In order to train messing officers, increased facilities have been provided at existing schools of cookery, and a number of messing officers training centres are about to be opened. Since the outbreak of war, 16,626 soldier cooks and 854 Auxiliary Territorial Service cooks have been trained. There are under training at the present time 4,884 soldier cooks and 236 Auxiliary Territorial Service cooks. The weekly output of trained cooks from instructional establishments averages about 700.

Is my right hon. Friend quite satisfied that where troops are sick or on short leave there is, throughout units, a regular routine whereby the excess rations are in fact not wasted?

I hope I am never quite satisfied, but I think the position is improving.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that no reduction can be made in the rations for women in the Army and auxiliary units?

I am satisfied that the revised scale recently introduced for the Auxiliary Territorial Service is not susceptible of any reduction.

Is it not a fact that these women receive considerably larger rations than women in industry, and, particularly n consideration of the fact that many of the women in the Army are doing only sedentary work, does not my right hon. Friend feel that a review of this subject is due?

As my hon. Friend will realise, we have, only lately reviewed it and changed the rations to a considerable extent. That is why I do not want to change them again.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider whether the provisions of King's Regulations which prohibit serving soldiers from taking complaints on Service matters to Members of Parliament are still essential to the welfare and discipline of the Army in the present war?

I am most anxious that soldiers' grievances should be fairly and expeditiously considered, since it is of great importance to tile discipline and contentment of the Army. Long delay is, however, generally inevitable if soldiers fail to observe the procedure laid down in King's Regulations, paragraph 530, for obtaining redress of their grievances. Members of Parliament who receive complaints from soldiers can only write to my Department, which registers and acknowledges the letter, and forwards the complaint for investigation. The letter then goes down through the chain of command to the unit concerned, and returns after investigation through the same channels. All this delay and extra work is saved, with real advantage to the soldier himself, by his making his complaint to his commanding officer. It will also be realised that a commanding officer is placed in an unsatisfactory position if the first intimation of a complaint from one of his men comes from higher authority. The procedure for the redress of complaints is, therefore, stated in King's Regulations, paragraph 530, and in Sections 42 and 43 of the Army Act, which is annually approved by Parliament.

I am anxious that King's Regulations, paragraph 530, and the appropriate Sections of the Army Act should be generally known and respected, because it is of vital importance in war that soldiers should have confidence in their commanders, and also that there should be no sense of unfairness between one soldier and another. Soldiers learn to trust their commanders if complaints are promptly and sympathetically considered; but it must be clear to them that all complaints are treated impartially, and that no soldier can obtain preferential treatment over another because he has political or social influence. The attention of all commanders is, therefore, drawn to the fundamental importance of their responsibilities under Section 43. On the political side, Members of Parliament can do much for the welfare of the Army by encouraging action in accordance with Section 43 of the Army Act, which they themselves have approved, when complaints are addressed to them. I would add that I should be grateful for information regarding any case in which the Section has not been scrupulously observed by the officers responsible for hearing complaints, and will have it investigated.

Is it clear that if a soldier is still dissatisfied after having pursued the matter through the usual and proper channels, it is still open to him to approach his Member of Parliament without being in any way victimised?

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to bear in mind that the task of a commanding officer would be utterly impossible if every time he was called upon to make an unpopular decision that decision became a matter for correspondence between the soldier, his Member of Parliament, and my right hon. Friend, and that would have a detrimental effect upon discipline?

Can I now have an answer to my Question?

I have given a very carefully considered reply on this vexed subject, and I would be glad if my hon. Friend would study the reply I have given.

Would there be any difficulty in setting up a complaints committee in each battalion, so that the men could consider their grievances before making complaints? There would then be only one complaint to send to the commanding officer on any particular matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether members of the Home Guard can be given free travel by train, tramcar or omnibus on production of passes indicating that they are travelling for a specific duty?

Members of the Home Guard travelling on duty for distances over two miles are given free travel by train, tramcar or omnibus. Normally, warrants for the journey are issued, but, in the case of those omnibus companies which do not accept warrants, payment is made by the man himself, and he is reimbursed from public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any information about the defences of Corfu and of the nature of the Italian attacks?

It would not be in the interest of our Allies to disclose information on the defences of Corfu. The Italian attack has been aerial and naval.

asked the Secretary of State for War why T/77718 Driver William Belshaw, Royal Army Service Corps, was discharged from the Army minus a leg, the four fingers of his right hand and two fingers of the left hand, whilst still an in-patient of Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, and in no fit state to return to civil life; and on what date were the necessary papers in connection with boarding and discharge sent by his Department to the Ministry of Pensions?

My inquiries into this case are not yet completed. I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I have the necessary information.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that it is the principle behind this Question which needs investigation? I wrote to him some six weeks ago on this matter and received a very unsatisfactory reply.

I realise that, and that is why I wanted to complete my inquiries before giving an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that British prisoners of war in Oflag VII C are sleeping some of them 27 in a room 16 to 17 feet square; that they have only stools to sit on and their lavatories are without doors; and if he will warn the German Government that unless conditions are improved their prisoners in England will be treated in a similar manner;

(2) whether he is aware that letters received from Oflag VII, dated 13th and 22nd October, state that some prisoners had received no food parcels; that no clothing had been received, and that our men were still in the clothes they wore when captured; that they are allowed only one shower bath per week, and have no facilities for washing or drying clothes; that the food provided consists of coffee for breakfast, soup and potatoes for dinner and supper, and a loaf of bread per man every five days; and will he convey to the German Government, through the Protecting Power, the scale of food and clothing supplied by His Majesty's Government to German prisoners of war in Britain, and ask for appropriate reciprocity?

There has been considerable overcrowding at Oflag VII C/H, and lavatory accommodation was primitive. Representations on these matters were made to the German Government, with the result that a number of officers from this camp have recently been transferred to a new camp, Oflag VII C/Z. A visit to these camps by a representative of the Protecting Power is to take place this week, and I hope to have his report at an early date.

As regards food and clothing, my hon. and gallant Friend has been informed in answer to a previous Question on this subject that, between 13th and 19th October, 1,838 parcels of food, clothes and books were received in this camp. The statement that prisoners received no food parcels is understandable, because all such parcels are addressed to the senior officer, and are probably distributed by him in the form of additional rations. The chairman of the British Red Cross Society has, in fact, received a letter from the senior officer, dated 23rd September, gratefully acknowledging the receipt of food parcels and saying that at that date 1,700 had arrived. Thus we have positive information that more than 3,500 parcels had been received in Oflag VII C/H by 19th October. I have no doubt that this figure is a minimum rather than a maximum, and that many further parcels have teen received. Representations to the German Government regarding their obligations in the matter of food and clothing have been made on several occasions.

Did my right hon. Friend say 3,500 only, or did I make a mistake in the figure?

That was at one camp.

But that is absurd; it is a very small figure.

Are there not about 16,000 prisoners in this camp?

These amounts cover two short periods in respect of which we have information, and not the whole period.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that in all the letters which come to hand we are told that when a parcel does arrive it has to be shared by about 10 people, and that each man gets a mere fraction of the parcel?

All parcels are distributed by the senior officer of the camp.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that letters dated as late as 22nd October state that many of the men are now living in the clothes in which they were captured? Many of them were captured fighting in their shirt sleeves, in June. Have any clothes been sent, and is it possible to send a list of the clothing we give to our prisoners in this country and ask the Germans to do the same?

There is a Question on the Paper about clothes and I propose to give full information to the House about the position.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that circumstances in this camp are even worse than is indicated in the Question? I have received a letter from an officer; is my right hon. Friend aware that prisoners have to take coupons for their pay, that they only get four marks to the pound, and that there is very little to buy with the money?

If my hon. Friend has a letter, I should be grateful if he would let me see it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, since hundreds of tons of clothing and food parcels lie at Lisbon, and at various points between, Lisbon and the German frontier, and as prisoners in Germany are lucky if they receive one parcel of clothing out of three sent by their relatives at a cost of anything up to £8 each, he will consider the possibility of organising a service of lorries from Lisbon to the German frontier?

Endeavours were made by the International Red Cross Committee to establish a service of lorries from Lisbon to the German frontier, but I regret to say that this proved to be impracticable.

Is some alternative method under consideration?

Yes, Sir. We have been considering that for some time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Mrs. Campbell's Committee in Lisbon has already arranged for a lorry to go through?

Yes, I know about Mrs. Campbell's Committee and gratefully appreciate it, but that is a very different matter from the very large supplies that have to go through.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at Oflag VII Camp and probably at other camps, the Germans insist on the prisoners opening and emptying all tins sent in food parcels, and as there are practically no containers in the camp the contents of such tins, condensed milk, jam, etc., have to be emptied out on a plate or even on the table and consequently have to be consumed at once; and whether representations on the matter will be made forthwith, the prisoners undertaking to hand over the tins to the German authorities in due course when empty?

I have no information to the effect suggested in the Question, and inquiries are being made through the protecting Power.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that only this morning, since I put down the Question, I have had a letter from the wife of a prisoner of war at Oflag VII camp asking that any food such as Horlicks should be sent in tablet form, since the German authorities keep the containers, and he and other prisoners naturally do not like mixtures? I think it is a horrible and disgusting practice that the tins and other containers should be taken away.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will furnish as full particulars as possible, of the British women prisoners of war held by Germany?

Three British women were captured on 22nd June while serving with a British women's mobile canteen unit with the French Army. They were sent to Stalag V.C., where they were visited on 28th September by the United States Consul at Stuttgart. They were found to be well housed and treated, and the Consul arranged to provide them, with money. They had recently received parcels of foodstuffs. All available information has been sent to the next-of-kin.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that large numbers of Post Offices throughout the country have no leaflets giving information regarding the sending of parcels, letters, etc., to prisoners of war; and will he see that supplies of these leaflets are despatched to all Post Offices as soon as possible?

The leaflet to which my hon. Friend refers was issued to every Post Office for the purpose of answering inquiries, and copies, of which 200,000 were printed, were obtainable at the larger Post Offices. It was subsequently decided to extend the supply for distribution to all Post Offices except the smaller town sub-offices. Some alterations and additions to the instructions have had to be made, and it has therefore been necessary to reprint the leaflet.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in a large provincial town, the name of which I have given him privately, there were no leaflets at all and that the authorities appeared to know nothing about it? Considering that Members' constituents are suffering great anxiety because they do not know how to communicate with, or send parcels to, prisoners of war, is it not regrettable that such leaflets as these get out of print?

My hon. Friend was good enough to give me notice of the particular town concerned. I made inquiries and found that all the leaflets except two were distributed and that these two leaflets were kept in the office for reference purposes.

Will the Post Office officials be told where these leaflets are, so that people inquiring will not be disappointed?

Yes, Sir.

( for Mr. Dobbie)asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any further information as to the treatment of prisoners of war in Germany; whether there is any distinction between the treatment of officers and men; whether there is any contact between such prisoners and the War Office other than the Red Cross Society; and whether he will consider the possibility of arranging, through the Red Cross Society or such other organisation as could be devised, for a delegation of Members of Parliament from this country to visit the prison camps in Germany?

My hon. Friend will be aware from answers I have given in the House that there has been cause for complaint in regard to both food and clothing, and a number of steps have been taken to meet this situation. Officers are housed in separate camps and treated with due regard to their rank and status. Our intermediaries are the Protecting Powers, that is to say, the United States of America, and the International Red Cross Committee, as provided in the Geneva Convention. I fear that my hon. Friend's suggestion in the last part of the Question is impracticable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any assurance that all the parcels sent by various people in this country do land in Germany and go to prisoners of war?

The hon. Member will appreciate that I cannot give a general assurance of that kind. All I can say is that, from the evidence we have, the parcels that reach Germany appear to be delivered to the camps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consult with the Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Army with a view to removing the recently captured Italian prisoners of war to a British Dominion?

No, Sir. I see no reason for approaching the Greek Government with this suggestion.

In view of the obvious desirability of removing these Italian prisoners from the scene of the Balkan conflict, would he reconsider that matter and possibly consult with the Commander-in-Chief?

No, Sir. I do not think so. If the Greek Government have any views on the matter, they will tell us.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is intended that chip potato friers should increase the price and reduce the portion sold?

No, Sir, that is not the intention. My Noble Friend has been assured by the National Federation of Fish Friers, representing a very large proportion of the fish friers of the country, that their members have been urged to pass on the whole benefit of the subsidy to consumers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the supply of milk from Ulster for this country?

The Scottish Milk Marketing Board have, made arrangements to purchase from Northern Ireland liquid milk to meet the present shortage in Scotland. The average quantity obtained is 6,500 gallons per day.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he intends using compulsory powers to obtain all the binoculars that he wants; and whether he has any estimate of the number of binoculars in private hands?

A new appeal to the public for binoculars has recently been launched, and is making good progress. Ministry of Supply depots, at which the glasses are accepted for purchase or as gifts, have been set up in various parts of the country. Returns for the first week show that already more than 10,000 pairs of glasses have been handed in, and of this number roughly 50 per cent, have been presented as gifts. When the appeal was made it was estimated that 125,000 pairs of glasses suitable for use by the Services remained in the hands of the public. The question of using compulsory powers will be considered should the voluntary method fail to produce an adequate number of glasses.

Is the Minister taking steps to purchase, or take over, the stocks held by retailers? If not, is it not unfair to ask the public to surrender their binoculars when the Government take no action to acquire the stocks of retailers?

That is done in the case of suitable stocks; but some stocks, of course, are not suitable for our purposes.

Have the Government taken any action with regard to stocks held by retailers?

Where stocks are suitable, they will be purchased.

Where stocks are suitable for purchase, what action will be taken?

I should like notice of the question as regards the procedure.

Never mind the procedure: what is the effect of the action taken?

Is my hon. Friend aware that certain organisations are acting as intermediaries in this matter, and are making profits out of it? Is he willing to take steps to prevent that?

Is it not the case that even where suitable binoculars are in the hands of the retailers, my hon. Friend has no knowledge of any action that has ever been taken to acquire them for the public service?

I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many circulars his Department has issued to local authorities since 3rd September, 1939?

Six hundred and thirty-seven circulars have been issued to local authorities by the Home Office and Ministry of Home Security since 3rd September, 1939, and up to and including 4th December, 1940.

Does that include the circulars issued by the Regional Commissioners?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health how many circulars his Department has issued to local authorities since 3rd September, 1939?

Three hundred and ninety-two circulars have been issued by my Department since 3m September, 1939.

Are all those circulars permissive, or are some obligatory?

The 392 circulars were sent out to local authorities and other bodies dealing with the various work over which the Ministry has control, both for peace-time and for war-time schemes.

Will the hon. Lady represent to the Minister of Health that government by circular is not getting the speediest results in dealing with the conditions in the bombed areas?

I think my right hon. Friend is well aware of that, and it is for that reason that my right hon. Friend, myself and many officials have gone round different districts throughout the whole country since the beginning of the war, and regional officers from the various regional headquarters are continually going from district to district to deal with the difficulties that arise.

In view of the fact that the answer indicates that nearly one circular per day has been sent to local authorities, would it not be better if there were fewer circulars sent and more action taken?

If the hon. Member will study the different departments of local authorities' work which have to be dealt with through the Ministry of Health, both by peacetime and war-time regulations, I think he will see that the number of circulars is not so excessive as may have appeared to him at first sight. If he will consider sewage, water, building, first-aid repairs, evacuation, and many other schemes, I think he will begin to realise the number of different efforts that have to be made to keep both war-time and peace-time work up to date.

Will my hon. Friend inform us how many of the circulars are obligatory?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Home Secretary the result of his inquiries into the use of Hessian canvas as a substitute for glass?

Our inquiries are not yet complete; I will communicate with the hon. Member later.

Does the hon. Lady recognise that in this particular hospital 90Q of the patients and staff escaped injury, although the boardroom was smashed to smithereens?

We are aware of that, and are very interested.

asked the Home Secretary whether, and on what date, prison governors were informed that the rule forbidding non-enemy aliens detained in prison to write to Members of Parliament or British persons of High standing had been withdrawn; whether the governors had been instructed to make the withdrawal of the prohibition known to the detainees; whether the withdrawal of the prohibition now applies to all non-convicted alien- in prison, including those detained under various sections of the Aliens Order, under Defence Regulations, or under the Royal Prerogative?

There has never been a rule prohibiting persons detained in prison from writing to Members of Parliament, as such. Un the other hand, the rules relating to the sending of letters from prison were designed solely for the purpose of enabling persons detained to keep in touch with their friends, relatives and legal advisers, and correspondence addressed to other persons was accordingly disallowed. Every person detained has of course a right, of which he is informed, of addressing a petition to the Home Secretary. The rules relating to correspondence have recently been relaxed by my right hon. Friend, and it is now open to all persons detained in prison by administrative order to communicate with Members of Parliament, irrespective of the question whether or not they are personally acquainted with them. As regards persons detained under Defence Regulation 18B, the relaxation came into force on 23rd October. On 20th November it was decided to apply the same relaxation .to aliens detained under the Aliens Order, but I regret that, owing to the difficulties caused by the transfer of the Department to other premises in the country, the decision was not communicated to prison governors until 4th December. It is open to any persons detained to obtain guidance from the prison authorities, but I do not think it would be desirable, or, indeed, welcome, to hon. Members, that persons detained should be invited or encouraged to correspond with them. As regards the hon. Member's suggestion that there should be a further relaxation, allowing correspondence with persons of high standing, I know of no suitable criterion which could be applied.

If there is no suitable criterion for "persons of high standing," why is the instruction so worded?

That instruction, so far as these people are concerned, has now been withdrawn

asked the Home Secretary whether the regulation diet provided for convicted prisoners, remand prisoners and non-enemy aliens detained in prisons, is the same as that provided for aliens of enemy origin or stateless in internment camps; and whether he will cause the former dietary scale or, if different, both scales to be provided in the Official Report, or indicate the title of the publication where the information can be found and cause it to be placed in the Library for the information of Members?

I will place in the Library the information for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to remove non-enemy aliens detained in prison to an internment camp or camps; and, if so, to what camps, and how soon will these detainees be so removed?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements are being made to transfer male aliens of non-enemy nationality to Lingfield Camp, and it is expected that their removal will be completed before Christmas.

In view of the unsatisfactory conditions at Holloway, cannot women detainees also be transferred to camps?

I honestly do not think that camp conditions are very suitable for women during the winter, but I will certainly consider the suggestion.

Is the hon. Member satisfied that the security and living conditions of Lingfield Camp make it suitable for internment during the winter?

We are making certain improvements at the present time, and that is why we cannot make this transfer straight away.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that there is no intention that the control of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command shall pass from the Air Ministry to any other Department?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that no changes in the control of the Royal Air force Coastal Command will take place before this House has had an opportunity of discussing this matter?

I see no reason to give any specific assurances which would tend to impair the responsibility of His Majesty's Government to Parliament for the proper conduct of the war. It is my duty as Minister of Defence to review such questions from time to time in the light of current experience. I have come to the conclusion that while there is no need at the present time to change the position of the Coastal Command as part of the Royal Air Force, it is necessary that the Coastal Command should play a more important part than it has hitherto done in trade protection, and that for this purpose substantial increases, some of which have been already effected, will be necessary. Moreover, as the function of the Coastal Command squadrons is that of co-operation with the Royal Navy, the operational policy of the Command must be determined by the Admiralty, of course in consultation with the Air Officer Commanding in Chief. Excellent relations have been established since the war between the two Services, and the closest contact exists between the Naval and Air authorities. I am satisfied that the integrity of operational direction will be fully achieved.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of the magnitude of the task falling upon the Royal Air Force and the epic success which it is bringing to that task, it is very undesirable that there should be continual suggestions for the dismemberment of that Force; and is he also aware that the decision which he has just announced will give great satisfaction?

In view of the excellent relations now existing between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he will take all necessary steps to make an immediate end to the newspaper intrigues in this connection, and particularly those of the newspapers controlled by Lord Beaverbrook?

There has been a great deal of controversy upon this matter, and whenever it comes into consideration and review, it seems to me that a certain amount of discussion appears on both sides and not only on one side. I cannot exercise any control over the Press other than that which is well known to the House in the existing war conditions.

If the right hon. Gentleman, as he says, can exercise no control over the Press, can he exercise any control over his colleagues in the Cabinet?

Yes, Sir, I think I can.

Will my right hon. Friend continue to pursue a policy of unity of command and unity of purpose in regard to this extremely difficult question of the Western approaches?

Yes, Sir, that is extremely important, and the last thing we want is an inter-Services controversy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolution of the Methil branch of the National Union of Railway men, calling for a clear and specific publication by His Majesty's Government of its war aims, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared, in view of the growing public demand for such a declaration, now to accede to the request?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal made in the course of the Debate on Thursday last, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Imperial policy group with which the Secretary of State for India is associated is proposing a new order in Europe which will be dominated by the sterling and the dollar, and that statements of this kind are causing a lot of comment and confusion as far as the war aims of the Government are concerned?

There are such a lot of new orders in Europe that I really have to confine myself more directly to immediate business.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a general staff of propaganda under a Minister responsible to the Cabinet, commanding all the instruments of publicity, and with full powers to act swiftly in accordance with a carefully thought-out plan?

This and other suggestions will be borne in mind in the course of any changes that may be made.

In view of the great importance of this matter, will the Prime Minister be good enough to arrange facilities for a discussion on the subject, if sufficient evidence is produced through the usual channels?

I think the inevitable answer to that Supplementary Question would be, "Yes."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that no undertaking, specific or implied, has been or wall at any time be given to the United States of America that this country will return to the gold standard after the war without first consulting this House?

There has never been any question of giving any undertaking of the kind suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Purchase Tax is bring imposed in the case of equipment required for mobile canteens; and whether he will make arrangements for these to be duty free?

Yes, Sir, but, as I have previously explained, I cannot accept the principle of establishing a privileged class of buyers, and I am advised that it would be impracticable to distinguish this equipment from similar goods used for other purposes.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an increase in the cost of a large mobile canteen of £59 and of a small one of £44 and is it really fair, seeing that food is provided free from these canteens, that the Purchase Tax should be imposed in. such circumstances?

I regret, as I stated in my answer, that it is really impossible to distinguish this equipment from similar things used for other purposes.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make arrangements with the Canteen Board or the W.V.S. to dispense with this supplementary payment?

No, Sir, I am afraid that the same objection still remains.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, if the W.V.S. provide these canteens there can be no doubt they will Be used for only one specific purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that wherever shop premises have been damaged by enemy action during the past six weeks retail traders, doing their best to reopen quickly, have to replace their lost stock with goods on which Purchase Tax is payable so that they are put out of competition on price with other retailers who are able to continue to dispose of their normal stocks acquired before the tax took effect; and will he give special consideration to this hardship in accordance with the Government policy of spreading the material loss suffered by a few over the whole population equitably?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on. 5th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider exempting pottery and other household goods from the Purchase Tax when such articles are required for replacements as the result of air-raids?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Woods) on 5th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider an additional sum being paid for billeting in respect of civil servants who have been evacuated to rural areas, in view of the increased cost of living which has taken place since the original date of their evacuation?

I regret that I am not prepared to consider a revision of the existing rates.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in my Division of Evesham there are many cases of hardship where people of modest means have to take in civil servants and as a result are out of pocket? Perhaps he will come down to Evesham with me and talk the matter over.

; I shall be very glad to have a conversation with my hon. Friend afterwards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will call a conference with the banks in connection with the sum of £50,000,000 outstanding from agricultural borrowers to the clearing banks to consider converting this into agricultural deposit receipts on a similar basis to Treasury deposit receipts and then funding them on a four-year basis with interest at 1 per cent, for the purpose of assisting in securing the maximum output from the farmers?

The conditions under which the banks lend to agricultural borrowers are so different from those under which they lend to the State on Treasury deposit receipts that I am afraid I could not adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Government have urged that more and more food should be grown throughout the country, that the clearing banks should make some contribution, and that contribution involves sacrifice? Why is it that food supplies should be allowed to be handicapped through no initiative being taken to compel the banks to assist agriculture?

I cannot accept the view expressed by my hon. Friend.

Nevertheless, it is true.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether deductions from wages made for the purpose of the payments of instalments of Income Tax may be deducted by employers in respect of means not earned in his employment; and whether local inspectors of taxes are empowered to authorise such deductions to be made?

An employer can only be required to deduct Income Tax which relates to remuneration assessed under Schedule E, but such remuneration may include sums paid to the employé by a previous employer; local inspectors of taxes are not empowered to authorize deductions in respect of other income.

Do I understand from that answer that the local inspector of taxes can authorise deductions in respect of other means, earned or unearned, simultaneously with the man's earnings inside the factory?

No. Sir, I do not think so, but if my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I will endeavour to answer it. My hon. Friend will remember that one of the reasons that was given in the course of the Debate in reference to this matter was to meet the objections that other income might come to the knowledge of employers which an employé might not desire to be known.

If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the Question, he will see that that is precisely the way in which it is drawn and that it is specially directed to that point, because in a particular case a local inspector of taxes has authorised the deductions earned in other capacities than that of the employé's employment.