asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the calling up of men who are retired, and others of no fixed occupation, who are physically fit, between the ages of 36 and 55 for service on the land until their services are required for miitary service?

As I stated in the Debate on Tuesday last, I intend to take steps, by voluntary means, or by Registration if necessary, to obtain the additional labour required for essential national work on the land or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of men and women employed at the North Road railway shops, Darlington, who are employed on service contracts?

It would be contrary to the national interest to publish the information desired, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Central Register is still in operation; if so, how many clerical staff are required to operate it; and how many professional and technical persons have been placed in important positions through it?

The Central Register is still in active operation. The total number of clerical staff employed at present is 145. Up to 31st December, 1940, the Central Register had been notified of 10,580 appointments filled. This figure includes all classes of persons enrolled on the Register.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to his recent circular letter to authorities within the Emergency Hospital Scheme, whether the transferred war workers engaged on munitions or other work of national importance and who are living in lodgings and billets are all insured persons and eligible for medical benefit; and why are such transferred war workers required to contribute towards the expenses of treatment of sickness or injury as emphasised in his circular?

The workers referred to by the hon. Member are usually insured persons and are entitled to medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. This benefit does not include nursing or hospital facilities. The object of the arrangements described in the circular is to make it easier for such workers to obtain admission to hospital while placing them in other respects in the same position as the normal residents of the area.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of citizens of each allied country and of German, Austrian and Italian nationality, respectively, now available for suitable work in this country, and the number who have been placed in work?

The only available information relates to the issue of permits, of which I append a table. During the period from 1st May, 1940, to 30th November, 1940, the following permits have been issued to the nationals concerned:

Poles	1,559
Czechs	2,562
Belgians	2,496
Dutch	446
Norwegians	886
Palestinians	54
Greeks	39
Germans and Austrians	12,087
Italians	168
	20,297

More than one permit was in certain cases issued during the period in respect of the same individual. On the other hand, there are a considerable number of cases in which a permit was not required.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of placing limbless men in a category of their own, in view of the fact that it would be of great assistance to the men concerned, many of whom are ex-service men, would assist the placing officers in the exchanges, and help the special sub-section which deals with the problem of finding employment for disabled men?

I have already considered this proposal and am not satisfied that it would be in the interests of the men to adopt it. Disabled ex-service men are already classified in three groups according to their capacity for employment in addition to the ordinary classification according to the kind of employment sought. I am informed that there are some limbless men in each of these three categories. I may mention that for some months past I have been subsidising the training of crippled men for munitions work at the Training Institution for Cripples at Leatherhead and Exeter.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a four-page leaflet published and widely circulated in the North by the Lancashire and Cheshire People's Convention Committee advertising a meeting at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on 12th January, and containing a "Call to the People of Lancashire and Cheshire," and whether any action under the Defence Regulations has been taken, or is contemplated, against the signatories?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has made further inquiries as to "The People's Convention" and those who are supporting it, and the pamphlets distributed broadcast in Lancashire announcing a meeting in Manchester; can he inform the House as to the political complexion of those organising it; and whether, in the national interest at this time, he proposes to allow this convention to be held?

This is the meeting about which Questions were put to me on 19th December by my hon. Friends the Members for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) and for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) and I would refer my hon. Friends to my answer to those Questions. I decided not to prohibit this meeting under Defence Regulation 39E and, as my hon. Friends are probably aware, it was held in London on 12th January. I have received a report of the proceedings from which it would appear that the constitution of the conference was of a somewhat ramshackle and unrepresentative character.According to an announcement made at the meeting the composition of the Convention was as follows:—

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that black-out regulations are governed entirely by time-table, and that no householder will be prosecuted for not effectually blacking-out prior to the official black-out time?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has reached a decision as to whether German and Austrian refugees whose loyalty is not doubted may now again be allowed to be in possession of an ordinary wireless set enabling them to listen to the British radio stations?

Yes, Sir. By an Order made on 13th January all Germans and Austrians who are regarded as sufficiently reliable to be exempted from the special restrictions in Article 6A of the Aliens Order are relieved of the prohibition against possession of wireless receiving sets.

asked the Home Secretary whether German and Austrian Jews now serving in the Pioneer Corps may be granted naturalisation?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend on 12th December.

asked the Home Secretary what decision has been reached with regard to the wives of internees in Australia; and whether arrangements are being made so as to re-unite husbands and wives, as was promised to the internees before they were sent overseas?

I would refer to the last part of the answer given on 21st January to the Question by the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss) on the subject of the internees sent to Australia.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is still a large number of old and chronically sick cases in the London hospitals; that many casualties in recent raids on London have been caused thereby; and will he now take steps to have them removed to reception areas?

The number of old and chronically sick cases in the London hospitals has been very much reduced, and is now less than half the normal. Many of those who remain have expressed unwillingness to go. Top floors and other particularly exposed parts of the hospitals are not in use, and casualties have been few. I regret that it is not practicable at the present time for all the remaining chronic sick to he moved out in view of the heavy calls made on the outer beds by acute sick, air-raid casualties and Service cases.

asked the Minister of Health what administrative steps have been taken to improve conditions in the shelters of the East End of London?

My hon. Friend will recall the recent arrangements under which there was some readjustment of responsibilities between the Ministry of Home Security and my Department, and administrative responsibility for shelter matters was delegated to the regional commissioners. My hon. Friend the Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Key) has been appointed as a commissioner with special responsibility for shelter problems in London, a choice of individual which could not be bettered. Very active steps are being taken by the regional organisation to secure that conditions in every shelter are brought up to a satisfactory standard as speedily as possible, and frequent inspections of individual shelters are being made for this purpose by medical, engineering and other experts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can arrange for a number of shelters used for sleeping to be set aside in bombed areas for the use of those suffering from tuberculosis who are not ill enough to be excluded from shelters under the present regulations?

In addition to taking power to exclude a tuberculous person from a public shelter if his presence in the shelter is likely to be dangerous to other shelterers, I have made certain suggestions to local authorities for dealing with this problem. The responsibility for safeguarding the public health in any particular area rests in the first instance on the medical officer of health for the area, and I have no doubt that he will take steps to secure the provision of alternative shelter accommodation for any tuberculous persons for whom he thinks such provision is necessary in the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the proportion of brick surface-shelters in the Glasgow area which are still without lights; the proportion that are still without doors; the proportion that are still without seats; and the proportion which still have no sanitary accommodation?

The percentage of the brick surface public shelters in Glasgow without lights is 91, without doors is 2, and without seats is 74. With regard to sanitary accommodation closets for 92 per cent. of the shelters on a scale of one per shelter are available and are at present being installed. Early delivery of further closets to bring the number up to two per shelter is expected. The deficiency in the lighting and seating arrangements has been due to difficulties experienced by the Corporation in obtaining supplies of materials.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consult with the military authorities with a view to securing the co-operation of the Royal Army Medical Corps in the work of treating casualties in bombing raids?

Co-operation of the kind suggested by the hon. Member has already been agreed in principle and has in considerable measure been put into force, particularly in the case of specialist officers. In some cases R.A.M.C. orderlies have assisted in the initial treatment of civilian casualties. The Secretary of State for War and I are continually reviewing the position with a view to increasing the degree of co-operation between military and civilian medical officers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to include Romford and Hornchurch in the list of evacuation areas?

No material alteration has taken place since the very full statement made in reply to my hon. Friend's Question of 17th December last and I fear that I cannot add to that statement.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he has taken to ascertain the present approximate population of the Solihull division in estimating the appropriate establishment of air-raid wardens; and when the authorised establishment will be revised?

My information is derived from the Regional Office which has reliable avenues of information obtained from official sources. I am not satisfied that any need exists for any increase in the establishment of wardens at Solihull.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some reports presented to county councils and county boroughs covering the loss of life and damage to property by enemy action does not include any reference to damage done to privately-owned industrial plant, commercial buildings, offices and shops; whether that information is collected, by whom, and to whom it is presented; and whether all reports of this nature are supplied to each member of His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Full information about air raid damage is collected through official channels, and there would be objection on grounds of security to disclosure of the manner in which information is collected and conveyed to all the responsible authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what, on the average, is the yearly quantity of imported and of home-produced feeding-stuffs, respectively, consumed by a racehorse; how much of this could be diverted for the feeding of poultry; and how many poultry could it maintain yearly?

I understand that racehorses which are in training during only part of the year need on the average about 30 cwt. of corn annually, the greater part of which is home-grown. None of this quantity could be diverted for other purposes, if the horse is to be kept in training. The same quantity of corn would be sufficient to maintain about 35 adult laying birds for a year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that profiteering is taking place in seed potatoes, shallots, seeds, patent manures, lime, etc.; and whether he will control prices at a reasonable level so that encouragement is given to allotment holders?

No, Sir, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with the evidence on which he bases his statement, I will gladly have it investigated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that peas, runner beans, marrows, lettuce and carrots were all ploughed into the land last summer, owing to excess of production and low prices, he will take steps to avoid such action in 1941?

The Government's policy for commercial vegetable production in 1941 has been communicated to County War Agricultural Executive Committees and has also been published. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant Press notice. Advice to "amateur" growers, based on this policy, is contained in the Ministry's leaflets and is being disseminated through the various organisations concerned with advice to private gardeners and allotment holders. It should be remembered, however, that except where a guaranteed market is provided growers must be guided by their anticipation of public demand. I can only advise them as to the crops which appear likely to be of most importance from the national standpoint. Further, if sufficient production of perishable vegetables of the kind indicated by my hon. Friend is to be assured, the possibility of a surplus—such as not infrequently occurs in normal times—cannot be ruled out. I would add that the position last summer was by no means so serious as my hon. Friend's Question suggests. Green peas and runner beans were not wasted, but allowed to mature crops of seed, which would otherwise have been in short supply owing to the cessation of imports. The demand for carrots has increased, and the whole crop will be needed before the season is ended.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has consulted the Domestic Poultry-Keepers Council as to the desirability of giving advice on the kinds of vegetables most suitable for feeding to poultry if not required for human consumption; and what reply has been made?

Yes, Sir, and a leaflet dealing with this matter is in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage for digging for victory arranged by each local authority in Kent?

I am sending my hon. Friend the latest information in the Ministry's possession.

asked the Minister of Health whether consideration will be given to a reduction in the fee charged for a copy of a birth certificate in the case of poor people whose homes have been bombed and certificates lost?

These fees are fixed by Statute. Birth certificates are, however, obtainable at the special rate of 6d. if required for a wide range of statutory purposes; and date of birth is gratuitously verified upon applications for Old Age and Widows' Pensions. It has not appeared necessary, therefore, to consider any special provision respecting the loss by enemy action of this particular form of private property.

asked the Minister of Health what evidence is there of any general epidemic of influenza; what is its extent as compared with that of last year and that of the last war; what are the prospects of its prevalence in the next few months; and whether, and what, steps are being taken to deal with the more serious possibilities?

There is no evidence at present of any general epidemic of influenza. In the 126 major cities and towns of England and Wales during the four weeks ending i3th January, 1939–40, there were respectively 27, 45, 94 and 158 deaths from influenza. The comparable figures for 1940–41 were 30, 40, 53 and 74. I shall be glad to provide the hon. Member with the numbers of influenza deaths during the last war as soon as possible. It is impossible to estimate with any precision what the incidence of the disease may be in the coming months, but past experience suggests that, unless a sudden marked increase in the number of deaths from influenza occurs in the near future, a serious epidemic will not supervene. All practicable steps have, however, been taken to deal with the more serious possibilities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the urgent need to increase the benefits paid through the National Health Insurance, in particular, sick, maternity and disablement benefits; and when action is to be taken and the approximate increase in benefits that will be made?

The hon. Member will recall that I explained in the course of the Debate in this House on 17th October last why consideration of this problem had necessarily been suspended for the time being. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I now have this question again under urgent and sympathetic examination.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is in accordance with the Service regulations regarding separation allowances, that the wife of a serving man, separated from him by his desertion, may draw an allowance for herself, but is not granted any maintenance allowance in respect of their dependent legitimate children; and what other recourse such a wife has to maintain her family?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on Tuesday last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the work of the Army Post Office; and, if not, what steps he is taking to improve it?

The Army Post Office is doing excellent work under very difficult conditions. Two of the main difficulties are frequent changes in the location of units and slowness of transport. Full use is made of all means available to improve deliveries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider making the necessary arrangements for the men engaged in learning to drive motor lorries to devote their practice journeys to the collection of dumps of iron and other war material collected in accordance with the request of the Government and now lying unutilised in all parts of the country for want of transport to collect it?

I regret that my hon. Friend's suggestion is not considered to be practicable. Training in driving must be carried out on a fixed routine and over routes selected for the purpose, in order to obtain the maximum result in the time allotted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all troops in South Wales, including anti-aircraft units, are now able to sleep under permanent roofs?

There are 990 air defence troops under canvas in South Wales. All other troops in that area are under permanent cover. A considerable number of those under canvas are in double tents. Every effort is being made to place troops under permanent cover.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to enable the Elgin Marbles to be restored to Greece at the end of hostilities as some recognition of the Greeks' magnificent stand for civilisation?

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to introduce legislation for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the two new regional port directors will have power to enforce their decisions; and whether he will make any statement on the subject?

In reply to the first part of the Qeustion, the functions of the two regional port directors will be to co-ordinate the activities at the ports within their regions in order to secure—

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take such steps as are needful to recommend an alteration in the conditions under which M.S.A.C. grants are made to dependants of His Majesty's Forces and to substitute a personal means test in place of a household means test as at present operated?

This matter is already under consideration in conjunction with the Service Departments.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the practice of the Ministry to inform recipients of M.S.A.C. grants at all times when such grants are brought to an end?

War Service Grants may take the form of lump sums, or they may be expressly notified as current only for specified periods; and in either of these cases no further notification is needed or given when the authorised payment has been made. Otherwise, it is the practice to notify recipients if it is found necessary to vary a grant or to terminate it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, why Princess Hohenlohe has a British passport?

I can find no record of the issue of a British passport to Princess Hohenlohe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what action the British Government has taken in view of the dissolution by the Spanish authorities of the International Administration of Tangier; and whether this autocratic action is being acquiesced in by His Majesty's Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement on this subject made by my right hon. Friend on 22nd January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that our enemies are actively endeavouring to undermine Anglo-Portuguese friendship by spreading rumours to the effect that the continuance of the present régime in Portugal is incompatible with British victory in the war; and what steps he is taking to counter these rumours?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of these manoeuvres which, incidentally, would seem to denote a marked loss of confidence by our enemies. I have no doubt that the Portuguese Government and people are well aware that this country does not, and will not, seek to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations or to impose on them its own forms and institutions. On the contrary, it is, I am sure, as fully realised in Portugal as elsewhere that our victory will, among other benefits, safeguard the right of nations to shape their own lives in full freedom in their own way.

asked the President of the Board of Education, what progress has been made with the Government's physical training scheme and whether he is receiving co-operation from the local authorities in this matter?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the arrangements set out in Circular 1529. As regards the supply of organisers and leaders, under the arrangements made through the Directorate of Physical Recreation about 100, or well over a third of the total number of men asked for, have already been released by the military authorities, and the process is continuing; whilst between 400 and 450 men who would otherwise have been called-up have been placed on deferred service and so enabled to continue their work with young people. In addition, notwithstanding the very adverse conditions of the last five months, the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training have, as a result of the increased staff which the Board have enabled them to employ, not only maintained, but substantially expanded, the number of their training courses for leaders in association with local authorities and voluntary bodies, and other courses have been conducted by local authorities and voluntary bodies independently. The response of the young people themselves has been encouraging, as is indicated by the formation of new groups and the development of Youth Service Corps, which are already in operation or are being planned in the areas of about 30 local education authorities. In the expansion of the work both the local authorities and voluntary bodies are giving me their active co-operation.

asked the President of the Board of Education the numbers of education authorities which have fixed the school starting-hour at 9, 9.30, and 10 o'clock, or any other hour, respectively, during mid-winter?

I am aware that in some cases the opening hours for schools have been fixed at a later time than the normal 9 a.m. but I have not collected statistics because it is a matter which, owing to variation in local needs and circumstances, must be left to the discretion of individual local education authorities. In Circular 1535, however, the Board have given them general advice on the considerations to be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the estimated number of children of school age now resident in the London County Council area, East Ham and West Ham; the percentage this is of the normal school child population; the numbers now attending school; and the percentage this is of those still resident?

In London the estimated number of children of school age now resident is about 80,000, representing 22.2 per cent. of the normal school population. The number of children attending school is about 65,000 or 81.2 per cent. of the numbers still resident. In East Ham the estimated number of children of school age now resident is 4,000, representing 25 per cent. of the normal school population. The number of children attending school is roughly 3,300, or 82.5 per cent. of those now resident in the area. In West Ham the estimated number of children of school age now resident is 5,000, representing 15.6 per cent. of the normal school population. The number of children attending school is about 4,000, or 80 per cent. of those resident in the area.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements his Department has made for the mails to and from prisoners of war in Germany; and whether he is aware that while Mrs. Ian Campbell, by re-addressing letters in Lisbon, can get letters through by air-mail from Britain in about 14 days, ordinary letters take from two to three months and in many cases never arrive at all?

Mails to and from prisoners of war in Germany are sent via Switzerland or via occupied France through Lisbon. The normal communication with Lisbon is by surface routes but an air mail service from this country is available, the surcharge being 5d. for the first oz. (postcards 2½d.). I understand that Mrs. Ian Campbell has been able to make use of the air service between Lisbon and Germany for the small number of letters with which she deals, but unfortunately these services are not available for the transmission of the letters contained in the ordinary mails to and from prisoners of war. My hon. and gallant Friend will be glad to learn that my right hon. Friend hopes at an early date to arrange for the transmission of all prisoners of war letters from Lisbon to this country by air.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the present regulations as to the despatch of tobacco and cigarettes to prisoners of war in Germany?

Tobacco and cigarettes are despatched to the prisoners by the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John. They cannot be enclosed in the quarterly "personal" parcels from the next-of-kin. Relatives may, however, arrange for tobacco and cigarettes to be sent free of duty through firms who hold a special permit from the Censorship Department.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the serious and unnecessary delay in the delivery of letters from home to prisoners of war in Germany, largely because of the prolonged German censorship of such letters; and what steps have been taken, through the protecting Power or otherwise, to speed up the delivery of such letters and relieve the great anxiety felt by many prisoners owing to the absence of any news from their families at home?

I am aware that there have been numerous complaints of delay to letters from this country addressed to British prisoners of war in Germany. The complaints may arise from several causes, such as the length and congestion of the route followed, or the transfer of the addresses from one camp to another. It is clear that in certain camps there is no provision for censoring letters in English and that they have to be sent elsewhere for censorship: the matter is being pursued through the channel of the protecting Power. It is important that letters to our prisoners should be very clearly written, as there is evidence that some have been held up on account of illegibility. It will be appreciated that information as regards the incidence of delay is more readily available in respect of incoming letters from our prisoners. Letters from some of the German camps have borne evidence of excessive delay in Germany and representations have already been made through the protecting Power.

asked the Postmaster-General whether letters and parcels are sent from Germany to German prisoners of war in Great Britain; by what route are any such letters or parcels sent; what length of time is taken between the despatch of such letters, etc., from Germany and their arrival in Great Britain; and whether letters and parcels to British prisoners of war in Germany can be sent by the same route?

Letters and parcels are sent from Germany to German prisoners of war in Great Britain, both by way of occupied France and by way of Switzerland. Evidence of total time of transmission is in many cases lacking but, so far as information is available in respect of mails recently received, the time taken is about seven weeks in all in the case of letters, while parcels have taken from 4½ to 12 weeks, from Switzerland only. In the reverse direction letters to prisoners of war in Germany are sent to Bale by Portugal, Spain and unoccupied France. Standard Red Cross parcels are sent to Geneva by the same route; personal parcels from relatives have been consigned to the Post Office at Madrid whence I understand they are transmitted by occupied France to Cologne. During the last fortnight it has been possible to charter several ships to take parcels from Lisbon to Marseilles, and on 17th January all parcels which had reached Lisbon by 16th January had been cleared.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that post offices were at Christmas still without any leaflets giving particulars as to the regulations for the despatch of letters, parcels, &c., to prisoners of war in Germany; what is the cause of the great delay which has occurred in the distribution of these circulars; and whether the matter will be dealt with immediately?

As my hon. Friend is aware the leaflet to which he refers has recently been reprinted. A preliminary supply of the revised leaflet was received from the printers on 19th December, but owing to pressure at the printers and transport difficulties it was unfortunately impossible to complete the distribution until 28th December.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that up-patients at Botleys Park Hospital are not allowed to receive visitors in the hospital, but are compelled to go to the gate to see them; that there is no accommodation at the gate where the patients can converse with their visitors and, being in the heart of the country, there is no café or other convenience within two or three miles; and whether he will give instructions that better arrangements shall be made for the up-patients to receive visitors?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that all patients are allowed to receive visitors in the hospital on visiting days, which are two in every week, and proper arrangements are made for their reception.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that one ounce of wholemeal bread contains 25 to 30 units of Vitamin B; and whether lie will state how many units of white synthetic vitamin B it is proposed to introduce into the white flour necessary for one ounce of white bread?

I have been asked to reply. My Noble Friend is advised that wholemeal bread made from a 100 per cent. extraction flour contains about 28 units of vitamin B1 per oz., but that bread made from such a flour is not fully digested. Bread made from flour of 85 per cent. extraction, which it has been decided to adopt as the minimum for a wholemeal flour, will contain about 20 units of vitamin B1 per oz. It is proposed to add vitamin B1 to white flour in sufficient quantity to raise the vitamin B1 content of white bread also to 20 units per oz.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, as prices for the commoner varieties of fish have now increased by 300 per cent. to 400 per cent. above prewar figures, and that, in consequence, this article of food is beyond the reach of many working-class families, it is intended to fix maximum prices for it?

The question is under discussion with the trade interests concerned, with a view to ascertaining whether a voluntary scheme of control can be operated satisfactorily.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether the Trade Advisory Committee is still functioning; how many times it has met; whether any consumers are represented thereon; and, if not, whether such representation can be added forthwith if this committee is to continue?

My Noble Friend is unable to identify the particular committee to which my hon. and learned Friend refers. If he would be good enough to furnish me with further particulars, I will communicate with him in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that Dr. L. Harris, Director of the Liverpool Institute, has issued a report in connection with the use of calcium in bread; and what are the Government's present intentions about ordering calcium to be used in bread?

Yes, Sir, the report has been examined. It is the Government's announced policy to add calcium to bread but the method to be adopted and the amount to be added are at present receiving very careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that at the various bacon factories oftener than not, pigs are not killed until four or five days after loading and that this involves a loss to producer and consumer alike; that in regard to a bacon pig population of 25,000 per week this means a financial loss to the producer of the value of 55 tons of bacon and a loss to the consumer of a like amount of bacon; and what steps he is taking to remedy this serious state of affairs?

No, Sir. The majority of pigs sent to bacon factories are slaughtered within two clays after loading. Under present conditions there are inevitably a few cases in which pigs are delayed in transit, but the proportion of cases in which there is a period of four or five days between loading and slaughter is very small. My Noble Friend is satisfied that every effort is being made to ensure that all pigs are killed as promptly as possible, and that, in general, there is no avoidable delay in killing pigs after they arrive at the bacon factory. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's estimate of the losses arising from this cause.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, why only London firms have been asked to tender for the erection of an emergency hospital to be built on the Earl's House estate, Durham; and whether he is aware that there are builders in the locality who have done similar jobs successfully?

All the builders invited to tender for this contract are North of England firms.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether lie will give an assurance that the revenue authorities will, in making assessments to Schedule A, Income Tax, not adopt the course of action of some local authorities who have required householders, applying for remission of rates on the ground that the premises have been vacated and emptied of all furniture and tenants' fittings, to certify that they have no intention of occupying the premises in the future?

Relief from Income Tax, Schedule A, is given in respect of any period for which a house has been left empty and wholly unfurnished and for which no rent is payable without regard to the future intentions of the late occupier.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the evidence that, consequent upon enemy raids on London and certain provincial cities, much damage was caused by fire through the neglect of the precautions prescribed in official regulations and the menace of such neglect to the community, he will consider excluding from the benefits of the Government War Risks Insurance Scheme all property-owners who do not faithfully observe the instructions to establish watch and ward and maintain an efficient organisation to deal promptly with incendiary bombs?

As my hon. Friend is probably aware there are on the Paper certain Amendments to the War Damage Bill concerning this matter, which will no doubt be the subject of consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the letters from the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association and the West Fife old age pensioners, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, demanding the complete abolition of the means test on old age pensioners, a flat rate pension of £1 per week, with added allowances where the increased cost of living or other causes make this desirable; and what action he proposes to take?

I have considered the letters to which the hon. Member refers, but I see no reason to alter the general lines of the scheme of supplementary pensions embodied in the legislation of last Session. As the hon. Member is aware, a Bill has to-day been presented to give effect to certain changes recently announced by the Prime Minister, designed to remove causes of complaint against the means test governing the grant of Unemployment Assistance and Supplementary Pensions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Bank of England is refusing applications for sufficient foreign exchange to enable British subjects to continue their annual subscriptions to American learned technical and scientific societies; and whether arrangements can be made to enable such small payments to continue to he made, having regard to the value of the connections involved?

It is not the present practice of the Bank of England to refuse applications for reasonable amounts of dollars in respect of subscriptions to recognised American learned, technical and scientific societies. If my hon. Friend has any specific case in mind, I should be glad if he would let me have particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of recruits to the Indian Army who have volunteered from each Province since the beginning of the war?

I am in consultation with the Government of India regarding the desirability of publishing such figures in war time.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give a list of the contributions towards the cost of the war or for the relief of distress in Britain that have been made by Indian Princes since September, 1939?

The most generous gifts made by Indian Rulers towards both the objects referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend have taken many forms and have been made through various channels, non-official as well as official. I cannot guarantee that any list will be entirely comprehensive, but I am having a list compiled and will place it in the Library as soon as possible

asked the Minister of Information the period of time Mr. Frank Pick was engaged at the Department; and the numbers of persons employed at the dates of his appointment and resignation, respectively, excluding clerical and messenger staffs?

Mr. Frank Pick was Director-General from 12th August to 13th December, 1940. The number of persons employed, excluding clerical, messenger, and analogous grades was 644 on 12th August and 662 on 13th December.

asked the Secretary for Mines what results have been achieved by the party of five men appointed by his Department to prospect for coal; the rate of remuneration paid to these men; whether he is satisfied that they all had the necesary technical qualifications for the task given them; and how many of them were of military age?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend has in mind Section 2 (2) of the Coal Act, 1938, it was never contemplated that the Coal Commission would exercise their powers to prospect for coal until after the vesting date (fixed by Section 3 (2) of the Act as 1st July, 1942). No staff has, therefore, been engaged for this purpose and no expense incurred.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to make a statement in reply to the letter addressed to him, on 29th November, 1940, by the town clerk of Manchester, in re standard conditions of sale of coal?

My Department is in correspondence with the Manchester Corporation on this matter which raises general issues of some importance. Conditions of sale are normally settled as between buyer and seller, and I am hoping to arrange for the appropriate organisations of colliery owners and public utility undertakings to discuss the question direct at an early date.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now aware of the shortage of coal that again exists throughout the country; what steps he has taken to prevent the repetition of the difficulties of last winter; what action he has taken to ensure better supply and distribution; and what immediate plan is proposed to remedy the present position?

I am aware of the shortage of coal in certain areas. My Department endeavoured to get consumers to lay up stocks and, largely owing to the considerable quantities which have been set aside by domestic consumers, the situation in general is better than it was last winter. In order that distribution should reach as many households as possible a rationing system has been enforced in many districts. Arrangements have been made for increasing deliveries into the areas where shortages have been reported, with favourable results. The whole position is carefully watched and more coal is now available than there was a month ago.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Board's superintendent at Cardiff Docks has informed Mr. Harry O'Connell, a negro seaman, who has been a resident of Cardiff for more than 30 years, that he may no longer serve on board any ship, whether British or foreign, and what is the reason for this order?

Yes, Sir. This man was refused leave to proceed from the United Kingdom to a destination outside it by the immigration officer acting in pursuance of the powers conferred on him by Article 2 of the Passenger Traffic Order, 1939. I have made inquiries about this case and am satisfied that it would not be in the national interest to allow this man to work on British or foreign ships.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps he is taking to further the export of paper, particularly of the substitute esparto paper made in Scotland, of which large quantities are available?

Although I am not at liberty to state the value of our exports of paper, I am glad to be able to say that export values have considerably increased since the outbreak of war. If there are any special difficulties in regard to the export of substitute esparto paper other than those resulting from a price that is not competitive the export group will no doubt get into touch with my Department.