asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the. present position at Tangier, particularly with reference to the presence of Italian submarines and the assault on the British Legation by Italians; and what satisfaction has been obtained in the latter case?

As regards the general position at Tangier, there have been no further developments since my statement on 4th December. According to our information, repair work on the Italian submarines has been delayed and they are not at present in a seaworthy condition. The Spanish Government have stated that they will be given a further period to complete the repairs allowed under Articles 13 and 14 of the Hague Convention. The incident referred to in the last part of, the Question concerned the British Post Office and not His Majesty's Consulate-General. My Noble Friend is informed that instructions have been issued by the local Spanish authorities to deal with this case expeditiously and that the British judge should be kept fully informed of the proceedings.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the British Government were given any opportunity of satisfying themselves that the submarines are not in a position to proceed to sea even though they cannot submerge?

I am satisfied that the sub-marines are not seaworthy, according to the information we have received.

Do the repairs which are authorised and justified include making the submarine ready to go underneath or only on the surface, for this is vitally important to us from the point of view of possible capture?

Under The Hague Convention the submarines have to be seaworthy. I am afraid I cannot go further than that.

To whom is entrusted the duty of saying definitely, one way or the other, that the submarines must leave?

I can assure the House that the whole of this question is at present under active discussion between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Spanish Government, and that when I have anything further to report I will put it before the House.

Will my hon. Friend make it plain to the Spanish Government that the whole question is viewed with the greatest anxiety by public opinion in this country?

Certainly. I would like to state that in most emphatic terms. I said so on the last occasion when I answered a Question in this House, and I say so again. The House may be assured that His Majesty's Ambassador has put the case in a very strong and definite light to the Spanish Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will call for information as to whether the Spanish authorities are erecting permanent fortifications at Tangier; and whether His Majesty's Government will insist that such work shall not be proceeded with?

My Noble Friend's information does not indicate that the Spanish authorities are erecting fortifications of a permanent nature at Tangier. His Majesty's Government are, however, watching the position closely, and the Spanish Government have been left in no doubt as to the importance which His Majesty's Government attach to this question.

Will the Government see to it that danger of a fortified naval base being created at the entrance to the Mediterranean will not be allowed to arise?

That is why I use the language in the latter part of my answer.

Will the Admiralty take action before the fortifications are erected?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British vessels are prevented from entering the harbour at Tangier?

No reports have been received of British ships being prevented from entering the harbour at Tangier. As regards the general position at Tangier, there have been no further developments since my statement on 4th December.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further measures of support, particularly political, financial and economic, it is proposed to give to the Chinese Government?

The hon. Member will no doubt accept the answer which I gave yesterday as the reply to this Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement in regard to the announcement of the Foreign Minister of Mexico that that country would wel- come the resumption of friendly relations with Great Britain?

I have been unable to trace any such announcement as that to which the hon. Member refers. But I have seen a Press report of 4th December, according to which the new Mexican Foreign Minister stated that the Mexican Government are studying the question of renewing diplomatic relations with Great Britain.

Meanwhile, is any action being taken, or is my right hon. Friend waiting for action by the Mexican Government?

If this Press report is correct; it will be interesting to see the results of the deliberations of the Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Get the job settled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, having considered the comments of M. Molotov and M. Vishinski on their three-point proposal, will make a further effort to bring about agreement?

The hon. Member may rest assured that His Majesty's Government have not let out of their sight the importance of reaching agreement with the Soviet Government.

Will my hon. Friend notice that, although my question is couched in diplomatic language, it is indeed a request that steps should be taken towards meeting the Russian position?

I do not know; I think our case must be considered as well. I trust that if both sides are given proper consideration, we shall reach a satisfactory agreement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing in certain sections of the Foreign Research and Press Service, of Chatham House, to which a Government subsidy has been granted; that the staff of the German section has resigned en bloc; whether he is satisfied that full co-operation with other Government Departments has been achieved and that no duplication of work is taking place; and what action is he taking in the matter?

When the head of the German section of the Foreign Research and Press Service recently left to take up another appointment, seven of the other members of the section, which consisted of nine persons in all in addition to the head, sent in their resignation. Three of these seven resignations have since been withdrawn, and the remaining places have been filled. The work of the section is proceeding normally. The Director and other members of the Foreign Research and Press Service who are in contact with more than twenty Government Departments are always on the watch to maintain co-operation and avoid duplication. I can assure the hon. Member that the work of the Foreign Research and Press Service is continuously being adjusted to meet the changing needs of the war.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some cases four different Government Departments are studying copies of the foreign Press and that four separate copies have to be imported into this country for that purpose, and is not this a ridiculous piece of duplication or quadruplication?

It is not quite as simple as that, but the importance of not duplicating the work of examining the foreign Press is ever present to the mind of my Noble Friend. Special inquiries have been made into this and other questions as a result, partly, of the Question which the hon. Member put on the Order Paper.

What is the point of taking in four separate copies? Surely the work should be centralised in one Department and not done four times over. May I send my right hon. Friend particulars of the case I have in mind, so that he can study it further?

Certainly, because the object of the special inquiries we have made and of the adjustments made from time to time is to avoid duplication. If my hon. Friend can assist us in that respect, we shall be much obliged.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this service gives valuable results?

Yes, Sir. All the inquiries we have made reveal that good work is being done by the Foreign Research and Press Service in helping the Government's war effort.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with regard to his letter of the 12th June, 1939, informing the hon. Member for Brighton that further representations were made to the Soviet Government on Mr. Joseph Martin's behalf in March, 1923, whether, seeing that those representations were made owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Soviet Government's reply to the representations of September, 1922, he will state the terms of the Soviet Government's reply to such further representations made in March, 1923, by His Majesty's agent in Moscow with a view to securing compensation in settlement of Mr. Martin's claim for wrongful imprisonment and personal injuries resulting in blindness and other disabilities?

As my hon. Friend was told in reply to a Question on 19th June last, Mr. Martin was officially informed on 27th March, 1923, that His Majesty's Government had failed to secure any satisfaction from the Soviet Government in his case and that it was not intended to take up the case again with the Soviet Government at that stage. No further representations were in fact made, and, if my hon. Friend will refer to the terms of my letter to him of 12th June, 1939, he will find that it contains no mention of any representations made in March, 1923.

March, 1923, was the date. I asked my right hon. Friend if he could give me particulars of the reply from the Soviet Government to His Majesty's representative in Moscow in the second part of March of that year. That is all I want—a straightforward, plain reply.

I have already informed my hon. Friend, in many plain replies, that we have failed to obtain satisfaction from the Soviet Government in this regrettable case, and we are not prepared to take up that case again, owing to the investigations we have made. The point is that we must obtain satisfaction if we can, and we do not think this a case in which we are likely to get it.

Will my right hon. Friend say in what way Mr. Martin's case differs from those of Mrs. Stan Harding and Mrs. Davidson, both of whom where given adequate compensation at the time?

It was decided by the then Secretary of State, at that date, not to submit this case on a level with the other cases, and I regret therefore that nothing further can be done.

Surely the sins of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at that time should not be visited upon this man?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to give the House any information on the form of Government to be set up in Albania as a result of the Italian withdrawal from a considerable part of the country?

No, Sir.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of introducing in Albania a form of Government acceptable to the Albanian people?

Have the Government had notice of a declaration by the Prime Minister of Greece that Greece is fighting to liberate Albania from the Fascist regime?

Yes, we have had notice of that.

asked the Postmaster. General whether he is aware that air mail letters to and from America are now taking a considerable time, sometimes up to four weeks, and that letters often arrive some time after the duplicates have been sent by ordinary mail; and will he either take steps to expedite this service, or advise the public not to use it?

I am aware that during the past month the time taken to transmit letters by air between this country and North America has increased considerably, and that some of the letters have taken longer in transmission than if they had been sent by ordinary surface mails. The delay is due to the irregular operation of the air services concerned and to other causes outside my control. If there is no improvement in the future, the question of stopping the service will certainly be considered.

Is there likely to be any early improvement in the services?

Yes, Sir. Most of the causes of the delay are not of a permanent character, and We hope that the difficulties will be surmounted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what is his policy with regard to the reconstruction or rebuilding of bombed buildings at the present time?

So far as houses are concerned, the main responsibility rests with local authorities. But in those cases where the Ministry of Works and Buildings is supplementing the efforts of local authorities in this direction, the policy is to do first-aid repairs in order to render the houses fit for occupation, and later, when opportunity offers, to carry out repairs and reinstatement of a more permanent nature. Where, however, a house was so damaged as to be incapable of reinstatement, extensive reconstruction or complete rebuilding would only be allowed if necessary for the housing of essential war workers. The same considerations apply to other types of building, both those for which the Ministry of Works and Buildings is directly responsible and also private concerns engaged on important war output.

Is the Department considering the possibility of clearing some of the muck away?

That does not arise out of this Question.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the hardship now being experienced by many people who have had their leasehold houses demolished by enemy action and are now being faced with a demand for the payment of ground rent; and does he propose to take any action in this matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Southwark (Mr. Naylor) of which I am sending him a copy.

Do I take it from that answer that the ground landlords are to be the only section of the community who are perfectly protected from loss by enemy action?

No, Sir; what I said in my answer was that the ground rent took many forms, that the matter was under consideration, and that if the hon. Member would send me the particular class of case which he had in mind, I would see that it was considered.

Will the Attorney-General be good enough to have that information printed in the Official Report so that we can all see what it means?

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government will take steps to protect owners of premises, destroyed by enemy action, from legal proceedings for the payment of interest due on mortgages?

asked the Attorney-General whether he has considered the question of mortgages on property destroyed by enemy action; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

I am not able to make any statement on this subject. Mortgages on property take many different forms and are raised for different purposes, sometimes unconnected with the property itself. The question is however under consideration.

While thanking the Attorney-General for that reply, will he also consider how very hard it is upon people, very often people of small means, who are perhaps threatened with legal proceedings or bankruptcy because their houses have been destroyed and they cannot pay the mortgage?

I will certainly consider that, but, on the other hand, people who are actually financially embarrassed as a result of war conditions have protection under the War Emergency Powers Act. In other cases, where they are able to pay. there is no reason why they should not continue to pay and honour the debt. The whole matter is a difficult one to deal with, but it is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present position with regard to the unemployed row-boat fishermen of Brighton, on whose behalf application was made in October for permission to fish; and who is responsible for the delay?

In the short time available, I have been unable to get detailed information. I have, however, just heard that satisfactory arrangements have now been made, and will come into force to-day. I will communicate with my hon Friend as soon as possible.

It has been a long time— two months.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what major exports useful for the purpose of war are being exported by the Colonies to Japan at the present time?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply made by the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to his Question yesterday. The position in the Colonies is substantially the same as in the Dominions.

Will the Minister note that while this answer in the meantime pacifies me, it does not satisfy me?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for tile Colonies whether any more of the missing from the "Patria" have been recovered; whether the ship can be raised and repaired; and whether the survivors are still in Athlit Camp at our expense or are being employed to produce something?

The High Commissioner reports that the number of dead, as ascertained so far, is 55, leaving 198 persons unaccounted for, the majority of whom probably escaped during the rescue operations following the explosion. As regards the second part of the Question, the High Commissioner states that the "Patria" could probably be raised and repaired. Preliminary salvage work is being undertaken in so far as the available equipment allows. As regards the third part of the Question, the survivors are being maintained at the expense of the Palestine Government at Athlit Camp, where it is not practicable to provide them with productive work.

How many of the 55 were women and children?

I cannot say without notice.

Was this a Rumanian, Jewish, or British owned ship?

I could not be quite certain. I think it was British. If my hon. and gallant Friend puts down a question, I will answer it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government to acquire the full output of the 1941–42 West Indies sugar crop?

His Majesty's Government are not yet in a position to make a statement in regard to this matter.

When is my hon. Friend likely to be able to make a definite statement, in order that arrangements may be made with the West Indian Colonies, so that there shall not be a shortage of sugar in this country?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it is not entirely a matter for the Colonial Office. Other Departments have to be consulted. Those consultations are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the imposition of a curfew on private motor vehicles, with a view to lessening the pedestrian death toll, conserving petrol, reducing unnecessary imports and allaying much public dissatisfaction?

No, Sir. I do not consider that the imposition of a curfew on private motor vehicles would be desirable.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman any idea of the profound amount of public irritation caused by the spectacle of corpulent business men driving empty cars to and from their offices?

You cannot drive an empty car.

Will the fight hon. and gallant Gentleman take notice that the answer does not even pacify me?

I quite understand that.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as an experiment, he is willing to arrange with the railway restaurants or canteens for the quick supply on platforms, such as Crewe, Carlisle, Stirling, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh, of 6d. meal packets for soldiers on long-distance trains?

I am advised by the Railway Executive Committee that the railway companies do not think they would be able to supply for 6d. a meal packet which would be satisfactory. I propose, however, to see, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, whether the voluntary organisations, with their lower overhead costs, could undertake the provision of these packets.

Will the Minister ascertain from the railway companies whether they will be able to do it if we increase the subsidy to them by a few millions?

Is it not a fact that the voluntary organisations are willing to give every assistance they can to the troops, while the railway companies are unwilling to give any assistance at all?

No, Sir; that is far from true.

Is the Minister aware that the voluntary organisations report that the railway companies will not allow them to come outside their very small canteens and use trucks on the platform to do this work?

All these suggestions are being considered from the point of view of each station. We have just come to a very amicable solution of the Carlisle difficulty, and other troubles will, no doubt, be solved in the same way.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any proposals to make for the removal of anomalies in the issue of cheap tickets to persons visiting their families who are evacuated?

As my hon. Friend knows, I said last Wednesday that I hoped to be able in a week's time to make a statement about the arrangements governing special cheap trips to evacuees. It was actually found possible to make this statement last Thursday, in reply to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Bethnal Green (Mr. Chater), and a copy of this has been sent to my hon. Friend.

While the reply is otherwise satisfactory, is there any reason why the availability of these cheap tickets should be limited to three days? Why should they not be available for a week?

We have already extended the period from one day to two days, and now from two days to three days. That is as far as we have been asked to go up to the present. If my hon. Friend has any further pro- posals, I will look into them; but I cannot go further at present.

Is the Minister aware of the difficulty which working-class families have in going away in mid-week? Their only opportunity is at week-ends. Could arrangements not be made accordingly?

I think that that will be possible under the new arrangement. Under the old arrangement they were limited to certain days of the week; that is not so now.

asked the Minister of Information the names, salaries, present and previous employment, respectively, of those persons now employed at the North Midlands regional office of the Ministry, excluding clerical and messenger staff, who are of military age?

All the officers in question are above the age of reservation at present applicable to their employment.

What are the reservation ages?

I cannot go through a list of the ages for all sections of the staff.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the regional office referred to "in the Question, there are a barrister and an ice-rink manager, both of whom are about 30 years of age and both of whom are absolutely untrained for the positions they hold; and that yet they are exempted from military service, besides drawing very substantial salaries?

asked the Minister of In. formation whether he is aware of the difficulty of organising and giving adequate publicity to meetings organised by regional officers of the Ministry owing to the requirement to obtain the permission and approval of the Member of Parliament of the district in which the meeting is to take place to the names of the proposed speakers; and whether he will take steps to alter this situation.

Consultation with the sitting Member should not cause any considerable delay in the arrangements for holding a public meeting, nor interfere with the provision of adequate publicity. I therefore see no reason for altering the present Regulations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his own regional information officers, and then, I think, he will find a very different story?

I frequently consult the regional information officers.

Is the Minister aware that in Scotland a Labour councillor and a Conservative speaker went to a particular constituency and were absolutely refused permission to speak in that constituency, after having been put on the list of Ministry of Information speakers; and is he taking any steps with regard to that case because of the disgust of his own officers?

I cannot deal with any particular case unless the hon. Member sends me the full details, and then I shall be very glad to do so.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the widely held opinion that these meetings are more trouble than they are worth?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of us do not mind anybody coming into our constituencies, even the Lord Chancellor?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the constituency referred to is mine, and that I did object to both Tory and Labour speakers coming to that constituency; and is he also aware that I have held a lecture every Sunday evening, with an audience of 1,600 people present?

asked the Minister of Information whether it was on his instructions that the British Broadcasting Corporation refused to permit certain musicians to broadcast on account of their political opinions?

No, Sir.

In view of the damage done to our cause by such action as the refusal of permission to broadcast to Sir Hugh Roberton, will the right hon. Gentleman approach the B.B.C. in the matter, and particularly as he has expressed the view that there should be no victimisation on account of political opinions?

I exercise as little control as possible over the entertainment programme of the B.B.C., and I really cannot be held responsible.

Is the Minister aware that one Scottish musician has been barred from the B.B.C., that he leads a world-famous choir and that his political opinions are not shared by the choir at all?

In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Information whether the number of wireless licences issued shows that large numbers of families are still without receiving sets and therefore unable to listen to important Government announcements about food, ration cards, etc.; and whether he is prepared to create facilities for public broadcasts at suitable hours in halls, churches and factories, where those without sets may be within reach of Government information?

No, Sir. I do not think that public broadcasts of the kind suggested are called for, and I have no evidence that they would improve the present publicity for official announcements.

Is the Minister aware that in a recent broadcast by the Minister of Food in regard to the return of ration cards, it was found that large numbers of people had never heard the instructions and had no idea what was required?

That may be so, but I think the people who really wish to hear broadcasts can always find somewhere to hear them. These people might not have heard these instructions given out because they did not turn on their sets at the time and were not interested in that kind of statement, and I do not think that these people would go to public halls in order to hear broadcasting when they could almost always hear it either in their own or a friend's house.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the question of increasing all benefits paid under the National Health Insurance Act j and can he make a statement as to when they are to be increased, and by what amounts?

The question referred to by the hon. Member is being fully explored. It would not, in any case, be possible to introduce before Christmas the legislation which would be necessary to give effect to any decision to increase National Health Insurance benefits.

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that this is a very difficult problem, and, in view of the energy now being displayed by munition workers in particular and by other groups of workpeople, and the effect upon their physique, will she have regard to the relatively low benefit that is being paid?

Yes, Sir; most certainly.

asked the Minister of Shipping what action he is taking in regard to fishing and other vessels engaged on Government work which have been lost owing to mines or other enemy action; and will compensation be awarded to the owners, whether they were adequately insured or not, in view of the fact that full insurance rates were impracticable under the bad' trade during the past year?

Arrangements for compensation in respect of most classes of requisitioned vessels lost by enemy action are incorporated in the charter parties under which the vessels are requisitioned. The arrangements to be made in respect of certain types of small craft, including fishing vessels, are still under negotiation and due consideration will be given to cases where vessels were inadequately insured prior to requisition, with a view to fixing reasonable values.

Cannot the negotiations with regard to the small type of fishing vessels be expedited as they have been hanging fire for a long time?

I will see what can be done.

Is my hon. Friend aware that with regard to fishing vessels no compensation is being paid at present, and will he have regard to the fact that these are people of small means and expedite the matter?

I will do my best. The final value is still under negotiation with regard to some of the vessels of the smaller type, but I will do what I can to get the matter settled.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on agreed or prospective changes in the control of the Coastal Command?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a Question on the same subject, a copy of which I am sending him.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the greater unity of control that is now being introduced will certainly result in a higher standard of efficiency and that the relations which have existed between the Navy and the Royal Air Force Officer in Command of the Coastal Command have been most cordial?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, with regard to men who, for periods of several months, are appointed as acting corporals without increased pay or official status, whether, as this causes considerable dissatisfaction among men so appointed, he will consider a review of the system so that increased responsibility is recognised by increased pay or status, or both?

Acting unpaid corporals either get pay of the rank retrospectively after 21 days or receive qualification or duty pay for increased responsibility in addition to their ordinary emoluments.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he is satisfied that the area boards are functioning efficiently; have they sufficient power; and can he make a statement on the work of the area boards?

As the statement is somewhat long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the Official Report.

My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Members of these boards are anxious to bring about the maximum results and that there is a tremendous amount of good will on these boards, and, in view of these facts, if this is an informative reply, will he consider the advisability of circulating it to the members of the boards?

I have no doubt that the reply will be published and will be made available, but if my hon. Friend doubts whether it will reach these people, I will see that this is done.

Following is the statement:

In a statement on 24th July, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, who is Chairman of the Industrial Capacity Committee, intimated that the Area Boards were to be reconstituted. They then consisted of the official area representatives of the Admiralty, the Board of Trade, and the Ministries of Labour, Supply and Aircraft Production. In the reconstitution, these official members remained, but three industrialists and three Trade Unionists were added to each Board, the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman being drawn from among these additional members. The process of finding suitable men, who were willing to serve as additional members of Area Boards, proceeded more rapidly for some areas than for others, but all the reconstituted Boards came into operation during August. No attempt has been made to lay down rigid rules for the Area Boards in their task of mobilising the industrial resources of their areas. It seemed better that each Board should decide upon its own methods of approach to the problems confronting it; and these problems are not the same in each area. Some Boards, in fact, have had fuller opportunity than others for measuring and developing their strength.

It must be borne in mind that the official members of the Boards remain responsible to their respective Departments and that the Boards do not exist to over-ride the policies of those Departments, but to assist their being implemented. For example, the business of finding capacity for certain classes of munitions, or of facilitating sub-contracting, or of investigating the suitability of a building for a particular purpose, is the business primarily of the Area Officer concerned; the Area Board is a clearinghouse where such business can be co-ordinated, and common services for it can be provided. As illustrations, I may refer to the interesting experiment of the local Clearing Centres set up by the London and South Eastern Area Board, and similar measures under consideration elsewhere; to the supply of information from Machine Tool Surveys to Area Boards; and to the work done by Area Boards on accommodation for the dispersal and removal of factories.

Industrial capacity may be said to consist of factory buildings, tools, workpeople and managers, but its use depends on raw material, transport facilities, fuel, services, housing and food supplies, among other things. Some of the most valuable work of the Area Boards has been the investigation of specific local problems concerning matters such as these; and where the problem has not been capable of local solution, their reports have been of considerable value to the central Departments concerned. This wider mobilisation of industrial capacity justifies the inter-departmental character of the Boards and the inclusion of members who are not officials. Liaison with those concerned with the conditions upon which the use of industrial capacity depends is a function of the Area Boards which should develop. The reconstituted Boards have had three months in which to find their feet. Their operation has, of Course, been under observation during this time, and it may be convenient to review it before long with a view to further improvements in the light of experience.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many food investigation committees have been established; whether they are invested with power to prosecute in any properly examined case; and what other powers they possess?

Seventeen local food price investigation committees have been appointed. They have no power to prosecute, but as I informed my hon. and learned Friend on 6th November, they have power to make recommendations regarding the price of uncontrolled foodstuffs.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend tell me what is the procedure? If they consider that there has been exploitation, can they do no more than recommend that something should be done and leave it to London to take any action of the kind in the future or not?

It is obvious that anything of this sort must be controlled centrally. You cannot have 17 different areas in different parts of Britain taking action upon the same commodity, and therefore, as with the Board of Trade and price regulation, that also comes through a central authority in order to get uniformity.

Is it not the fact that as far as the Board of Trade is concerned, there is price control of many articles, which makes the position more difficult, whereas in food control there is a minimum number of price controls?

The hon. and learned Member asks about prosecutions, and the procedure in both cases is exactly the same.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the quantities of rationed food supplied free of coupon in restaurants, institutes and the like; and whether he will consider the practicability, in the national interests, of ordering surrender of some food coupons for all rationed food supplied in this manner?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of our serious shipping losses and the consequent restriction of imported food supplies, he will institute stricter rationing in hotels and restaurants?

Residents in institutions are not in a position to obtain rationed foodstuffs in excess of the prescribed quantities; and my Noble Friend already has under consideration the terms upon which rationed food may be obtained by and consumed in catering establishments such as hotels and restaurants.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend dealing with cases of those who are not residents in institutions and who can afford to go and have meals in institutions in addition to their own rations? Do they not thereby reap the benefit of getting more food than they should?

It depends what my hon. and learned Friend means by institutions. I take it he does not mean hotels. I would point out that the practice of eating out has been extended very considerably, by all classes of the community, since the last war. Munitions institutions, catering shops and workers' canteens are in exactly the same category as hotels.

Would there be any objection to surrendering a coupon in relation to rationed food consumed anywhere?

I have pointed out that that is being considered at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before deciding to prohibit the further importation of bananas, consideration was given to the effect of such decision upon very many people employed in the banana trade, whose livelihood is now being taken away; and whether the decision can be reconsidered?

All relevant considerations, including those mentioned by my hon. Friend, were taken into account before the decision to suspend further importation of bananas was reached. My Noble Friend's policy with regard to the importation of all food supplies is subject to constant review in the light of changing circumstances.

Do I take it that efforts will be made to employ the men who are displaced?

Most certainly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in respect of an American process for retaining the wheat germ and oil in the milling of white flour, he has examined this plan in detail; and, if so, will he give the reason or reasons for it being turned down in favour of synthetic vitamin?

My Noble Friend has obtained authoritative reports regarding flour made by an American process such as is referred to in my hon. Friend's Question, but they do not bear out the claims made for the flour in the matter of germ content and keeping qualities. My Noble Friend's attention has recently been drawn to somewhat similar claims made on behalf of a Canadian process for producing white flour described as of high vitamin potency and he has arranged to have these claims fully tested.

Are we to understand that the Roche process which has now been decided upon is to be thrown over if one of the other processes is proved to be better? This is a very important matter.

That is a rather different Question from the Question on the Paper, which asks me whether my attention has been called to an American process. My attention has been called to this process, which is extremely expensive. Very heavy royalties indeed are involved, which are most undesirable. The Canadian process is now being investigated by my Noble Friend.

Does not that reply show that the Roche process has not been definitely decided upon? This is very important, because there is a widespread feeling of uncertainty about this Roche process, and the public generally are very alarmed lest it should be selected without any real investigation being made.

I can assure my hon. Friend that the best process in the national interest will be the one adopted.

Would not the best process be to take out vitamin B1 altogether?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that dried milk has risen in price since 18th November from Is. 6d. per packet, equalling seven pints of cow's milk, to 2s. 6d. per packet; and what steps are being taken to restore this food to a reasonable figure?

In order to meet the increased costs of producing milk it has been necessary to raise the price of milk for manufacturing purposes to Is. 7d. per gallon. The cost of milk required for manufacturing a packet of dried milk prepared from seven pints of raw milk would therefore be 1s. 5d. The price of 1s. 6d. per packet mentioned by my hon. Friend must, therefore, have been in respect of dried milk manufactured from raw milk before the manufacturing price was raised to its present level.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the very great hardship being inflicted upon consumers of this dried milk, especially upon poor persons, who obtain it sometimes at cost price through the local authorities, and the local authorities themselves? Cannot steps be taken to bring the price down to a reasonable figure, as 2s. 6d. is not a reasonable price?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that national dried milk is cow's without either added vitamin D or iron salts; that it is now established that for infants up to one year dried milk with added vitamin D is superior to national dried milk alone and that for children above that age vitamin D and iron salts should be added, and that these two grades of milk powder are being supplied by manufacturers to local authorities; and whether, in view of the increased cost and the difficulty of procuring cod liver oil, source of vitamin D, steps will be taken to supply national dried milk with the additions mentioned?

National dried milk is ordinary milk in powdered form and contains no added ingredients. It is supplied as a substitute for liquid milk for consumption by infants under one year in cases where a doctor certifies that such substitution is desirable. The purpose of the National Milk Scheme is to provide milk, either liquid or dried, and not composite foods of the type to which my hon. Friend refers; these are already provided by local authorities for children who need special feeding.

But surely if local authorities are able to obtain through certain manufacturers these special qualities requisite for children of one year of age and over, national milk ought to be produced on similar lines? Otherwise, it excludes a large number of persons.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take steps to establish more munition factories in the county of Durham, as there is a great supply of labour immediately available?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the considerations to which he draws attention have been, and will continue to be, borne in mind. As he is no doubt aware, certain new factories have already been established in the County of Durham and will, when in full operation, give employment to very substantial numbers.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the thousands of men who are now unemployed and the great supply of women available? Would he meet a deputation of Members from this county to discuss this question, as hitherto the Ministry have been rather impressed by what is called the vulnerability of this area, which now is one of the most invulnerable?

Of course, there are other considerations to which the hon. Gentleman refers in the Question, but I should be very happy to meet a deputation.

Does the Minister know there is a county called Yorkshire in the British Isles?

asked the Minister of Supply why certain employés of his Ministry have been permitted to transfer a considerable amount of money to Canada; and why a firm named Commonwealth Plywood have been set up with transferred funds?

I am making inquiry as to the transaction to which I understand my hon. Friend to refer; and I will communicate with him when I have received the necessary information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the increasing difficulty in obtaining stocks of tobacco and confectionery is creating a very serious situation and threatening to close thousands of shops; and will he consider an increase in the rationed supplies available to the small shopkeepers?

Tobacco manufacturers are receiving supplies of raw tobacco sufficient to enable them to meet the demand as estimated following the last increase in duty. In distributing their output among their customers, manufacturers are having regard to past trade and to movements of population. Any shortages in shops are, I think, mainly local and temporary. With regard to confectionery, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) on 3rd December. The instructions referred to, designed to secure a due balance between genuine priority needs on the one hand and ordinary civilian needs served by the retailer on the other, have since been issued.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that small shopkeepers really have serious grievances, and in view of the fact that they are suffering more than any other branch of industry, will he do what he can to alleviate the distress among this class of people?

Most certainly. The trade committee dealing with this matter views it with the gravest concern. Its whole purpose is to see that distribution of existing stocks of tobacco is equitable. That is its function at the present time, and I can assure my hon. Friend that everything possible will be done to see that stocks are distributed equitably throughout the country.

Is the rationing of confectionery to areas or to shops? Many shops in my constituency have been bombed out, and those remaining are complaining that they are getting such small stocks that they are overwhelmed by those who come from bombed areas.

The actual distribution is in the hands of the existing wholesalers, who do their distribution to the best of their ability according to the requirements and needs of the district. I would remind my hon. Friend that while we are getting a strain upon areas through being reception areas, it should not be forgotten that there is a very great strain on evacuation areas owing to bombing and so forth.

But these people are not getting supplies. If allocation is made to shops and half-a-dozen shops are bombed out, the remaining shops should have their supplies.

I cannot imagine wholesalers sending supplies to shops that are bombed out.

Why not send them to the ones that are not bombed?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can define the duties of General Lord Gort in connection with the Home Guard?

The duties, of Lord Gort, who already holds the appointment of Inspector-General to the Forces for Training, have been extended to include the Home Guard, so that commanders of that force may benefit by his advice and great experience. All other matters affecting the Home Guard are now dealt with by the Director-General, Home Guard, at the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to record and give publicity to the part played by the 51st Highland Division in the hard fighting in France?

The operations of the 51st Highland Division are recorded in despatches and diaries in exactly the same way as those of other formations. I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 7th November last why the official despatches cannot be published.

Is the Minister aware that there have been very alarming reports published in the Press about the special infliction of bad treatment by the Germans on this Division, and that it might be some consolation to the relatives of these men if they had some description of the fighting that took place in France and as a result of which the men were captured?

I am afraid it would be impossible to publish the record of one particular Division. If statements are made, they must be regarding the British Expeditionary Force generally, and I have explained why that is very difficult at the present moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will send a representative to Lisbon by air to report on the number of parcels for prisoners of war which are held up at Lisbon, and the average period they remain there, with a view to accelerating present arrangements for the despatch of parcels to Germany?

A representative of the War Organisation of the British Bed Gross Society and Order of St. John is now in Lisbon, and has reported that on 30th November none of that organisation's parcels were in Lisbon, though some 30,000 were due to arrive during the first week of December. Parcels are not unduly delayed in Lisbon, the average time taken to despatch parcels from there being five days. The main delay is between the Portuguese-Spanish frontier and Geneva. My right hon. Friend has taken urgent measures with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva to overcome this difficulty. Parcels are now arriving in considerable numbers, and we have hope of further acceleration in the near future.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that it is primarily the responsibility of the War Office to see that these transport arrangements are made as perfect as possible, and do the War Office recognise that responsibility, so that they can inform us that the transport is at last being organised in some way?

My right hon. Friend has undertaken to deal with this question on behalf of all the Services, as I think the Prime Minister explained to the House; but he is not in a position to give orders, and has to act through the International Red Cross and the American Government. There are no other agencies. I can assure my hon. Friend that those two agencies are doing their utmost for us, and my right hon. Friend has spared no effort to help in any direction possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the present position in regard to the naturalisation of aliens?

The impossibility in present circumstances of devoting time and labour to the necessary investigations has made it necessary to suspend until further notice consideration of applications for naturalisation except applications from women who lost British nationality on marriage and whose marriage has terminated, applications from British-born women who are married to aliens of enemy nationality and exceptional cases where naturalisation is a matter of direct national interest.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very great dissatisfaction because quite a number of German names have been published as having been naturalised? Does the hon. Gentleman assure us that all of them are in the categories he has mentioned, and ought not the cases of those who have been in this country, many of them for SO years, to be considered?