asked the Secretary of State for War whether the sickness and disability allowances for the men of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps is the same as for other units of the Army?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in preparing for possible German invasion, he will bear in mind the possibility of the enemy landing by parachute clothed in British uniforms taken from prisoners of war?

The contingency referred to is continually borne in mind.

asked the Secretary for War how many soldiers, since the start of the war, have been killed or injured through motor accidents in this country in which soldiers themselves were driving vehicles?

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the producer appointed to take charge of the Army film unit has started work; and what scheme is being first handled?

The Director appointed to take charge of the Army Film Unit started work on 18th November last. Besides work on training and record films, his first picture for public showing entitled "Northern Outposts" is now completed. This depicts the life of the troops in Iceland, and it is to be followed by other films showing various aspects of Army life, now in active preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in the position to make a statement concerning the quantity of meat now issued to the Army in the United Kingdom as a daily ration?

The daily allowance of meat for men's messes is eight ounces a head. The daily allowance provided for on the leave or duty ration card is six ounces. The corresponding amounts for women are six ounces and four ounces respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is grave disquiet amongst medical practitioners at the fact that many officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps are engaged exclusively, or principally, on administrative and non-professional work; and whether he will cause the matter to be investigated and corrected and so reduce the demands upon civilian practitioners for service with the Armed Forces?

I am not aware of any grave disquiet, but it is the fact that, as happens also in civil departments, many officers of the Royal Army. Medical Corps are engaged exclusively on administrative work, which could not be efficiently performed by laymen. There are certain appointments which have in the past been held by medical men, but can, by an adjustment of duties, be held by non-medical men. These are now being reviewed. Some medical officers have already been replaced, and the remainder will be replaced where possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Scottish soldiers stationed in the South of England, when given 48 hours leave, are unable to take advantage of the privilege, as the long time spent in travelling North and South leaves an incommensurate time to see their families; and what change he proposes to make in order to ensure for these Scottish soldiers equitable treatment in respect of leave?

Soldiers are granted seven days leave at such intervals as the exigencies of the Service admit, and this enables them to visit their homes periodically even if these are at a distance from their military stations. The additional grant of 48 hours leave from time to time is not intended to be used for long distance travelling.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production, whether he is aware that cases are occurring where individuals are being authorised to inspect business premises with a view to requisitioning, without previously informing the manager or proprietor of their intended arrival or in any way inviting their co-operation; and is he satisfied that when such factories are under consideration for requisitioning sufficient effort is being made to avoid disclocation of local labour?

Requisitioning is in some cases a most urgent matter and it is not always possible to inform the manager or proprietor of a business of an intended inspection before the inspection takes place. Every effort is made to effect the requisitioning of premises with as little inconvenience and dislocation of local labour as is reasonably possible and with the co-operation of the management.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that numbers of men, physically unfit for service at sea, are being drafted to His Majesty's auxiliary vessels, where their inability to carry out the arduous work in these lightly-manned ships throws a heavy burden on their comrades; and whether he will, in future, consider drafting such men to shore establishments or big ships only?

No, Sir. It is not the practice to draft men physically unfit or sea to seagoing ships, big or small. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the age of the youngest officers now eligible for promotion to rear-admiral, by selection, under the new regulations?

The age of the officers to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is approximately 46 years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the urgent need of increased shipping, he will consider the advisability of giving notice to the German Government that, after a given date, when their ships are intercepted by British, no attempt will be made to save the lives of those aboard German ships if those lives are jeopardised by the scuttling of ships?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 24th January, 1940, to which I can add nothing further.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, before issuing his forthcoming Report on the reconstruction of works and buildings in London, he will take into consideration the schemes for new main arterial roads leading into and out of London, contained in the Bressey Report?

The recommendations in the Bressey Report will be considered, though the possibilities of development have been altered by subsequent events.

asked the Secretary of State for Burma whether, in view of the possibilites of the proposed Burma-Yunnan road for transport of Lancashire textiles into China after the war, he will suggest to the Burmese Government the desirability of preparing the section of this railway leading from the head of the present Burmese railway to the Chinese frontier?

The problems which the project of a Burma-Yunnan railway presents are receiving the urgent consideration of the Government. The engineering difficulties are very great and so is the question of the supply in present conditions of the material required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in connection with the Government proposals to introduce vitamin B 1 into the loaf in the spring of 1941, he can give some approximate estimate of the cost to the nation of doing this for a full 12 months?

It is not possible to estimate in advance how the total consumption of bread may be divided between bread made with fortified white flour and with long extraction flour. Consequently the total cost of fortifying white flour with vitamin B 1 cannot be stated. The cost is not, however, expected to exceed one-tenth of a penny per quartern white loaf.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on what licence from the German I.G. patents for the manufacture of vitamin B 1 the Government is relying for the right to manufacture this product; and why, in view of the war, any such licence is required to operate a German patent?

His Majesty's Government have not undertaken the manufacture of vitamin B 1, but will for the present obtain supplies from a firm of chemical manufacturers which has the right to use patents Nos. 471,416 and 475,595, covering inventions made by the German company, I.G. Farbenindustrie. Bayer Products, Limited, of Africa House, Kingsway, are the registered proprietors of both patents in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that certain British firms of the highest standing proposed, in July last, after the Government's announcement of its decision to vitaminise white bread, to undertake the manufacture of vitamin B 1; whether these proposals were considered by the Ministry; what action was taken on them; and whether, in view of the delay in producing vitamin B 1 arising partly from restriction under existing contracts of its manufacture to one firm, and of the risk of the destruction of a single factory by enemy action, he will encourage the dispersal of its manufacture by inviting the co-operation of other firms than Roche Products, Limited, if these firms can satisfy him of their ability to undertake it?

My Noble Friend is aware of two firms, in addition to Roche Products, Limited, who had begun some months before the date of the announcement to which my hon. Friend refers to make plans for the manufacture of vitamin B 1 on a considerable scale. Proposals by these firms have been considered with the result indicated in the reply given on 18th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. My Noble Friend will gladly consider similar proposals by other firms.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been drawn to the desirability of encouraging the reconditioning of country mills to start the milling of stone-ground flour, obstacles to which seem at present to be furnished by certain clauses of the orders issued under emergency powers legislation, 1939?

My Noble Friend knows of no Statutory obstacle to the reconditioning and operation of country mills which may operate under the General Licence (S.R. & O., 1940, No. 568) issued under the Control of Mills (Flour and Provender) No. 1 Order. Several small mills have recently recommenced work on the initiative of their owners, and the Ministry of Food has taken steps to bring back into production some large country mills which had been closed down in recent years. Many small mills, however, have been either partially or wholly dismantled, and where this has happened it is doubtful whether the labour and materials required to re-equip and operate them could be made available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state details of the reduction in costs of poultry food which led to the official scaling down of the price of home-produced eggs?

The price of home-produced eggs is not determined solely by the price of poultry food but is also influenced by the volume of egg production. At this season of the year the production of eggs is increasing and the reduction in price was made in recognition of this fact.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether, in view of recent experiences consequent upon delays in fixing maximum prices of foodstuffs, he will consider the scheduling of all essential foodstuffs as opposed to luxuries in consultation with all interests concerned, including the consumers, with a view to the adoption of a general policy of immediate price control and distribution of all essentials, and paying regard to present-day population and movement;(2) whether, in view of the difficulties of supply and price increases which were consequent upon the time-lags before making effective price-controls on tinned peas, onions, apples, lemons and turkeys, respectively, he will in future consider more immediate action when representations are made and decision is reached in respect of price control for any particular commodity?

As was stated in an announcement on 7th January, and of which I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy, it has been decided to extend considerably the field of price control over foodstuffs, and an interim Order came into operation on 13th January making it an offence for any manufacturer, dealer, wholesaler, or retailer to sell any of a considerable number of foodstuffs at higher prices than those which he charged on 2nd December. Maximum Price Orders covering these foodstuffs will be issued in due course, and the practicability of applying price control to certain foods not included in the present list is under examination. The arrangements for the allocation of supplies between different areas are under constant review, with due regard to the movements of population.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there is a shortage of cheese in the Forest of Dean; that there is a large mining population there for whom cheese is of the utmost importance; and whether he will take steps to secure that a mining area like this shall get a first call on whatever supplies are available, irrespective of whether an increased population has come to the area in recent months?

The distribution of cheese by the Ministry is based on local pre-war consumption. Cheese is in short supply at present, but on the existing basis distribution in the Forest of Dean is substantially in excess of the average for the rest of the country. My Noble Friend is endeavouring to secure the maximum imports of cheese and meanwhile he has asked the general public to reduce their consumption so that supplies of cheese will be left for those who need it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in the great war shops were encouraged to sell carrots singly to children and that this was done with great benefit to their health; and whether he will consider recommending this practice now in view of the fact that certain fruits and sweets may not be plentiful?

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for his suggestion, which is being communicated to the retail fruit and vegetable trade. My Noble Friend welcomes any suggestions that will lead to an increase in the consumption of carrots—especially in their raw state—because they are the richest source of vitamin A among the common vegetables available in winter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that hardship is caused to many wives and families of officers of the Royal Air Force through the irregular remittances of their allowances; and whether he will take steps to arrange for these allowances to be sent direct to the wives of officers as in the case of other ranks?

Pay and allowances are issued regularly to officers of the Royal Air Force and it is their responsibility to provide for their families. The evidence available does not suggest that it is necessary to change the procedure in the way proposed by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will define the status of the Observer Corps at an early date, in view of the numerous difficulties due to its somewhat anomalous position?

The Observer Corps is a Civil Defence organisation administered by the Air Ministry. If my hon. Friend will let me know of the difficulties to which he refers, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to a recent prosecution, at Andover, of a member of the Royal Air Force for stealing petrol, when it was disclosed that petrol used to wash the undercarriage of an aeroplane was afterwards thrown away although it could have been filtered and used for road transport; and will he arrange for all such petrol in future to be filtered and so put a stop to this form of waste?

I understand that the prosecution referred to by my hon. Friend took place in April last. The use of petrol for the washing of undercarriages is unauthorised and I have no reason to suppose that there has since been an extension of the practice. I am, however, having inquiries made and will arrange for the issue of any necessary instructions.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that German or Austrian refugees, who served in the Pioneer Corps and were discharged on medical grounds, are still subjected to the same restrictions applicable to aliens; that these people, who fought in the British Army, have still to apply for permission to work and have none of the amenities accorded to ex-service men; and will he remove automatically all restrictions that apply to foreigners in the case of former soldiers in His Majesty's Forces of German or Austrian origin who had to leave the Army for reasons for which they were not responsible?

It is regretted that it is not possible to grant exemption from the aliens restrictions to all foreigners discharged from His Majesty's Forces on medical grounds, but my right hon. Friend recognises that such persons deserve special consideration and accordingly directed the police in November last to submit particulars of persons so discharged in order that their cases might be individually considered. In addition, it is open to any alien discharged from His Majesty's Forces to apply for exemption. At present, such aliens are freely given permission by the Ministry of Labour to take employment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will enter into an arrangement with the Canadian Government whereby aliens deported to that Dominion from this country, who have the necessary qualifications to enter, may he allowed to proceed direct from Canada to the United States of America instead of being brought back to this country and then sent to the United States of America?

This is one of the purposes for which I have sent a representative to Canada and I hope that it will be possible to make arrangements to avoid bringing such persons back to this country en route for the United States of America.

asked the Home Secretary what progress has been reported from Canada since Mr. Paterson arrived in that country; how many cases have now been re-examined by him; how many internees had volunteered for the Pioneer Corps, and the number of those accepted; what is the position of those refugees who could not be taken into the Pioneer Corps for medical reasons; and whether Mr. Paterson has also arranged for the return to England of those persons whose release has been authorised?

One hundred and seven volunteers for the Pioneer Corps and 131 internees who appeared to be eligible for release under other categories of the White Paper have already returned to this country under arrangements which I authorised Mr. Paterson to make. In addition, 51 men whose release I had specifically authorised have been sent back to this country. Internees who are found unfit for the Pioneer Corps on medical grounds are eligible for consideration by the Tribunal set up for the purposes of the new Category 23 of the White Paper which I announced on 26th November.

asked the Home Secretary how many Italians have volunteered for the Pioneer Corps; how many have been accepted; and are the cases of those who were rejected being re-examined by the tribunals?

According to the latest statistics available, 259 interned Italians have volunteered for the Pioneer Corps. One hundred and fifty-six have been accepted and 50 have been rejected on medical grounds. Those rejected on medical grounds are eligible to apply for release under the new category No. 23, of the White Paper which I announced on 26th November, and any such application would be referred to the Tribunal set up for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Ellen Doring, a Welsh-speaking person, born in Wales of Welsh parents, is interned in the Rushen internment camp, Isle of Man, because she is married to an enemy alien, has made several applications for release but has not received a word-in reply; that her son, 18 years of age, has been transported to Australia and that her youngest child has been suffering from diphtheria; and will he look into the case and consider her request?

The suggestion that the only reason for the internment of Mrs. Doring is her marriage to a German is mistaken. Many British born women who acquired enemy nationality by marriage have not been interned. Mrs. Doring was interned because the Tribunal which investigated her case felt it necessary that she should be subjected to special restrictions and placed her in Category B. Her case has been reviewed by the Advisory Committee which is sitting in the Isle of Man for the review of B Category cases, and having received the committee's report and considered all the information available about Mrs. Doring I have decided that she should be classified as Category A and that accordingly I cannot authorise her release from internment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now made provision whereby husbands and wives who are both interned may be interned in company or see each other occasionally?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on 19th December, I regret that it is not possible to arrange that men and women detained under Regulation 18B shall be confined together in the same establishment. As regards visits, arrangements are being made to enable men who are detained in London to visit their wives in Holloway once a fortnight.

asked the Home Secretary what progress is being made with the general review of civil defence personnel; and what factors, in addition to population, are being taken into account in revising establishments?

A considerable amount of exploratory work has been done in connection with this matter but it is bound up with a number of major related questions such as the recently announced fire prevention scheme, and no final conclusions have yet been reached. In addition to the active numbers of the population, such factors as the character of an area, its industries and its resident population, and other factors, which it would not be in the public interest to specify, require to be taken into account.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a simple and cheap device for the protection of the shoulders of fire fighters and others exposed to the danger from falling debris; and whether he will have enquiries made and steps taken with a view to reintroducing such an ancient safeguard.

Shoulder plates are in use in some fire brigades, but the standard type, if substantial enough to give effective protection, tends to restrict the wearer's freedom of action. A new type is now being tested in actual working conditions, and if found satisfactory the possibility of its adoption for services requiring it will be considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department has considered whether traffic lights are seen by enemy aircraft; and whether he will consider their extinction at night.

I am advised that traffic lights masked in accordance with the regulations afford no assistance to pilots of enemy aircraft. I see no reason therefore to require these lights to be extinguished at night.

asked the Minister of Transport, why cheap travel facilities are denied to parents wishing to visit evacuated children at week-ends in places served by the Great Western Railway; whether this is in accordance with the practice of other railway companies; and whether he will consider bringing the system into conformity to allow of cheap travel facilities on all lines at week-ends, and not only on certain week-days.

As I announced on 5th December in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bethnal Green (Mr. Chater), the restrictions on the Great Western Railway Company's system have been removed. The facilities have been available since that date on all railway systems on any day of the week, and a large number of parents are taking advantage of them.

asked the Minister of Transport, under the authority of which Minister and under which Defence Regulation all signposts were removed and statutory milestones removed or defaced; and whether, in view of the loss of time and consequent waste of petrol involved by service and other vehicles not finding the direct route when engaged on work of national importance, the whole position will be reviewed and one-third of the signposts replaced on the understanding that the local police shall have them removed should the military situation merit such action?

The Removal of Direction Signs Orders were made by the Home Secretary under Defence Regulation 4(B). The position has recently been reviewed and, whilst the inconvenience caused by the absence of signposts is recognised, it is considered that the military situation does not at present justify their replacement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is any improvement in the expedition with which railway wagons are being handled?

The latest figures show some improvement in the handling of coal wagons, but unfortunately this cannot be said of other traffic. I am pressing the Departments concerned to assist in securing a better turn round of wagons with traffic under their control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his consultations with the Ministry of Labour have resulted in a greater labour move for the industry?

The Minister of Labour and I are combing every possible source of labour for land reclamation and drainage work and a number of additional workers is being obtained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of farms surveyed in their different classifications of A, B and C?

This information has been obtained confidentially for the assistance of County War Agricultural Executive Committees and is now being used by them in connection with the campaign for increased food production. It is not proposed to publish classified figures at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider increasing the statutory minimum hours to be worked in agriculture from April, 1941, to October, 1941, as a wartime measure to increase production; and whether he will adjust the minimum wages to met the longer hours?

Each Agricultural Wages Committee fixes the minimum wages for its area, the numbers of hours to be worked for those wages, and the overtime rates payable. There is no statutory limitation upon the number of hours that may be worked, and my information is that there is no general reluctance on the part of agricultural workers to work overtime. On the contrary, I have no doubt that they will be willing to put in whatever hours are necessary to secure the nation's needs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the confusion that has arisen from the application of the Purchase Tax to stationery made from paper, owing, for example, to the similarity in some cases between duplicating paper and wrapping paper and between envelopes and bags; whether he is aware that unnecessary printing is likely to be done on paper bags and cartons to avoid the incidence of the tax; and whether he will review the position in consultation with representatives of the industries concerned?

Duplicating paper and envelopes of a kind suitable for use as stationery fall within Class 21 of the Schedule of chargeable goods. Wrapping paper and paper bags of a kind not used as stationery are not subject to the tax. I understand that representatives of the trades concerned have recently discussed the liability of certain articles with the Commissioners of Customs and Excise and that printed evelopes which are specially made for use as containers of goods or coin are regarded as not chargeable with Purchase Tax.

asked the Minister of Supply how many times have documents and papers belonging to his Department been lost by being left in motor cars or other carelessness since August, 1939; and when was the last occasion?

So far as can be ascertained during the period in question there have been seven cases in which such documents have been left in cars or public vehicles. All have been subsequently recovered. The last occasion was on 24th December, 1940.

asked the Minister of Supply what representations he has received from the Fellmongers Association regarding the diversion of skins to Northern Ireland; and what were the reasons for the decision?

A small quantity of sheepskins produced in Northern Ireland has been allocated on an experimental basis to a firm started there shortly before the war. The Fellmongers Association protested on the ground that this reduced the quantity available for distribution among established fellmongers, but it was decided to make the allocation in view of the heavy unemployment in Northern Ireland, and the fact that the undertaking in question produce particular grades of leather for which there is an export demand.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange for Members of Parliament to receive the books and pamphlets issued by the Ministry and supplied to all local information committees in the London region up to the 17th of December last?

All publications of the Ministry of Information are available to hon. Members in the Library of the House. I do not feel it is necessary to supply Members individually or that the House generally would desire this. In the case of the few books which are purchased from private publishers for the use of local information committees I have no authority to supply Members gratuitously.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is in a position to state the fate of recent illegal immigrants into Palestine; what is being done with them; to which British Colony they are being deported; and how many refugees have been treated in a like manner since the steamship "Patria" accident;(2) whether further Jewish refugees have been sent on to Mauritius since the sinking of the "Patria," and, if so, at whose expense are they maintained and shipped?

In accordance with the policy stated in my reply to a Question by the right hon. Member on 4th December, those Jews who were recently intercepted in an attempt to enter Palestine illegally and who were not on board the steamship "Patria" when it sank in Haifa Harbour, have been deported to Mauritius for detention for the duration of the war. The number so deported was 1,634. The cost of their shipment to and maintenance in Mauritius will be a charge on United Kingdom funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why no Jews are being given permits to enter Palestine in view of the fact that the food products of Palestine can no longer be exported?

The decision that no immigration quota should be issued for the current six months' period was taken partly on the ground that under present conditions prospective legal immigrants can seldom reach Palestine within the period contemplated for their absorption in the economic life of the country; and partly in the light of the difficult economic conditions and widespread unemployment caused by the war.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Government training centres are in operation, and how many are unable to accept further trainees?

There are at present 32 Government training centres devoted to civilian training and this number is increasing. All these centres are continually taking in trainees as vacancies arise either through the placing of trained men in industry or through expanding resources, but recruits are at present wanted in greater numbers than those coming forward. A beginning has been made with the training of women in the Government training centres and this is an aspect of the work which I am developing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will issue, in the form of a White Paper, the speech of the President of the United States of America as a companion issue to the speech of the late Marquis of Lothian?

I find it very difficult to choose any one of the excellent speeches of the President of the United States to lay as a White Paper.