asked the Minister of Economic Warfare, whether he will give an assurance that every effort is being made to prevent the export of German and Italian goods.

Yes, Sir. I attach great importance to the prevention of enemy exports, since the acquisition of foreign exchange through such exports enables the enemy to undertake many most undesirable activities. I have reason to know that the enemy is particularly anxious to acquire further foreign exchange at the present time. My hon. Friend may therefore rest assured that His Majesty's Government make every effort to check such exports.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that all Departments of the Government are whole-heartedly cooperating with him in achieving that object?

It would be quite out of Order for me to answer that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether they are still short of oil—the oil he has prophesied them to be short of in the last six months?

Oil is not exported from enemy countries.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what official information he has of large quantities of cotton and other goods exported from the United States of America reaching Russia and later Germany; and will he give full details of such imports to Russia and say whether the shipping concerned is subject to navicerts?

I have little evidence that United States exports to the Soviet Union reach Germany directly, but ample evidence that the Soviet are exporting Russian goods to Germany and replacing these goods by imports from the U.S.A. United States exports of cotton to the Soviet Union, which are normally negligible, amounted during the last quarter of 1940 to 30,000 tons, considerably more than recent annual imports into the Soviet Union from all sources. Large quantities of cotton are now being exported from the Soviet Union to Germany.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any representations have been made either to the United States or to Russia on this matter?

We have made it quite clear to both countries concerned what are our feelings in regard to this matter. I hope that, as a result of conversations now taking place with Washington, it may be possible to take some steps to reduce this practice.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow holds out any hopes of being able to do anything about it?

I think he is doing his best.

Is this what business men call commercial morality?

Is it not true that it is almost impossible to do anything with the Soviet Union?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the Stoke branch of the British Legion, in which they ask for reconsideration of the policy in regard to missing men and their pay; if so, has the matter been considered; and what action is proposed?

I have received a copy of the resolution, which is based on the misapprehension that the allowances to the dependants of missing men cease after six months. A reply has been sent explaining that allowances and allotments of pay continue to be paid, for 17 weeks, to the family and dependants of a missing man, if they are in a pensionable relationship to him. If the soldier is still missing after 17 weeks, a relative who would receive a pension if the soldier were dead is given an allowance at the pension rate until the Ministry of Pensions are in a position to give a pension.

Will the allowance continue in the case of a soldier who has found his way to the unoccupied part of France if his wife is able to provide information that he is still alive?

I think it would be best in any specific case to put a Question on the Order Paper.

But if a soldier is neither presumed to be dead nor is known to be a prisoner of war, is it not desirable that some allowance should be made to the dependants?

That, again, is another question which I should like to see on the Paper.

Will the Minister say whether, if a man is found to be alive, the Army repay all the money due to him during the period when payments were stopped?

Yes, Sir, that would certainly be adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for War at what date the report of the special inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment of conscientious objectors attached to the non-combatant corps was presented; and whether he has now considered the report and is in a position to make a statement on the subject?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now publish a complete report of the committee of inquiry into the allegations of brutality used against conscientious objectors at Liverpool; and state what action has been taken, or is proposed to be taken, against those responsible, and the nature of the precautions against any repetition of such conduct by the military?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to publish the report of the inquiry into the alleged ill-treatment of conscientious objectors by the military?

The report was received on 28th November last. After careful consideration, I have decided that one officer and six non-commissioned officers, against whom allegations have been made, should be tried by court-martial, and instructions have been issued accordingly. It will be appreciated, therefore, that I could not properly make any further statement at this stage.

Is the Minister aware that there are still allegations of brutal treatment, of which I will send him particulars? Will he not give a guarantee to inquire further into those allegations, with a view to putting an end to what is happening, and will he also send a copy of his reply to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle)?

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the amount of funeral expenses allowed for the interment of a soldier killed, or dying, while on service in this country; whether the amount is a definite sum equal in all cases, or whether, in addition, an amount is allowed for cost of transport should the parents decide to bury the body in their own grave at home; and whether the amount due to the deceased soldier is used for the payment of such expenses direct to the undertaker without the consent of those who have to pay the balance of funeral arrangements?

If a soldier is buried by the military authorities at the station at which he dies, the whole cost is borne by Army funds, and, if relatives wish to attend the funeral and cannot afford the cost of the journey, two return railway warrants are given. If the relatives wish the body sent home, the cost of conveyance, if the relatives cannot afford it, is met from Army funds, and a sum of £7 10s. less any expenses incurred by the military authorities, for example, for the provision of a coffin, is allowed from Army funds towards the cost of the funeral. Any funeral expenses in excess of this grant constitute a charge against the soldier's estate, and, if they have not been paid, are settled, in so far as the estate will allow, by the War Office in accordance with the provisions of the Regimental Debts Act, 1893.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that parents resent the Army taking all a soldier's estate when they have to pay that large portion of the funeral expenses? They expect in cases of that kind that the usual £7 10s. should be paid by the War Office and that the soldier's estate should be sent to the parents to supplement their payment.

I think that the answer which I have given really makes that point perfectly clear. They do receive the £7 10s., less any preliminary expenses which may be incurred. The expenses of travelling or conveyance before the funeral takes place are defrayed by the Army.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman has not appreciated what I seek to ascertain. A certain amount of the soldier's estate is taken by the War Office to pay part of the funeral expenses in cases where the parents themselves are looking after the funeral and pay a large amount of the funeral expenses. In these cases the parents expect that the War Office should pay the £7 10s. and send to them the amount of the soldier's estate.

The Army provides £7 10s. for the funeral expenses, and if parents wish for the funeral to take place at the place where the soldier died, the full expenses are paid. It is only where the expense involved is more than £7 10s. that anything is taken from the soldier's estate.

When the parents pay a large amount of the expenses and when they undertake the funeral, surely the soldier's estate should be paid to the parents instead of being taken to appear as an additional expenditure by the Army?

That, of course, involves a question of an increased grant being given by the Army if the expenses amount to over £7 10s. That would be the only possible method.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will see that all men engaged on demolition, clearance, etc., are provided with at least two suits of uniform and other clothing; that they receive a complete change of underclothing at least once a week; that arrangements be made for them to use the municipal baths which are the nearest to their duty or depots; and will he treat this matter as one of urgency?

Soldiers employed on demolition and clearance work are each provided with two suits of battle dress, one suit of overalls, one suit of waterproof clothing and two sets of underclothing. A third set of underclothing is being authorised for men who work in flooded craters or under conditions of the same kind. Arrangements are made for the men to use the nearest municipal baths. One bath a week is compulsory, but the average is not less than two baths a man a week, and some units have daily baths.

While I appreciate that reply, may I point out that these men are doing great work under difficult conditions, and will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that they get consideration in all these matters?

Yes, Sir.

Are these men supplied with adequate tools? I saw some of them this morning loading broken bricks by hand.

I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any figures to show how many of the men who have won honours in the present war for displaying conspicuous bravery and leadership of men fighting against heavy odds were drawn from the middle, lower-middle, and working classes?

No, Sir.

May I take it that honours are decided upon on merit alone, irrespective of class or colour?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost to officers of an appropriate tropical outfit?

The cost will vary according to the station, but, apart from Purchase Tax, it should not be more than £15.

In cases where men have already expended their allowance and are likely to be sent abroad, would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider making a grant for the additional expenditure on kit?

That involves another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his promise to consider the increase in the cost of officers' uniforms owing to the Purchase Tax, he will also consider an increase in officers' pay and allowances to meet the general increase and cost of living?

The position of the officer is kept under review, but, regard being had to the effect of the war on the financial position of other members of the community, it is not considered that there are grounds at present for an increase in pay and allowances.

Is there not machinery of this kind in almost every other section of the community, and would my right hon. and gallant Friend go further than keeping the matter under review, and take some action?

Hon. Members must realise that these are times when civilians and soldiers live in very much the same conditions.

Is the Minister aware that a sergeant in the Royal Air Force gets is. more per day than a subaltern in the Army?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that men whose homes are in London are frequently given week-end leave, provided that they do not travel by train; what is the reason for this restriction; and whether it is applied to officers as well as men;

Only a limited proportion of any unit can be allowed to be absent on leave at a time, part on seven days' leave and part on 48 hours' leave. In the latter case, leave is not given to proceed to a place more than 90 miles away. This applies both to officers and to other ranks. Transport difficulties as well as military considerations preclude any relaxation of these limitations.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that that is all right so long as the men do not travel by train? Is it right that these restrictions should be applied to soldiers while civilians can travel without any such restriction?

As my hon. Friend knows, there are great transport difficulties at the present time. I do not think it would be right to let more than a certain portion of a unit be absent at the same time. These are dangerous days, and I do not think it possible to make any relaxation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men are being billeted to sleep two or more in one bed; and whether he will take immediate steps to prevent this?

No such cases have been brought to my notice. Under the Second Schedule to the Army Act, the requirement is a separate bed for each officer and soldier.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman know that it is a common practice for men to be billeted sleeping two in a bed?

I can only repeat that no such case has been brought to my notice. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of cases, I will at once look into them. As I said, it is contrary to the Second Schedule of the Act.

Do not married people sleep two in a bed?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the seconding of medical officers from the Army, with arrangements for their instant recall in case of need, to relieve the excessive demands made on medical practitioners by the calling up of younger men and by the greatly increased demand for medical attention to the civil population during the winter months?

Applications for the temporary release from the Army of medical officers to meet the needs of the civil population have been, and will continue to be, sympathetically considered, but it must be remembered that the Army can ill spare their services.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that something like 8,000 medical officers have been taken from civil services to the Forces, although civil needs are greater now than they were in normal times, because of bombing casualties? Is he aware also that a very large number of Army medical officers have very little to do, while the civil services offer a very great deal of work that they can do?

Is the Minister keeping in touch with the Ministry of Health on this problem?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of cases invalided from the British Expeditionary Force to this country were suffering from gastro-duodenal disease; and whether strict instructions will be given to recruiting boards to reject men with a history of organic dyspepsia and save the loss and inefficiency caused thereby to the Army?

The percentage of patients suffering from gastro-duodenal disease among hospital cases invalided from the British Expeditionary Force was 11.76. As regards the second part of the Question, strict instructions on the point have already been given to recruiting medical boards.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that these instructions are not very effective, and that these men are a very great cause of trouble, lapse of morality and inefficiency in the Army? Is it not a great waste of Army effort, and should not an effort be made to bring the facts home to recruiting boards?

I will press the matter in that direction.

Will the Minister see that, in cases where men are weeded out, pensions will be given?

That is a matter for the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for keeping secret the report on the investigation into the cost of the Cove militia camps, having regard to the fact that the actual cost of the camps was between two and three times the estimate, and that, on 11th July, the figures were promised shortly?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given on 17th December to his Question and Supplementary Questions on this subject.

Arising out of that reply, which was completely unsatisfactory, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman acquaint himself with the fact that contractors, other people who have complained, and the people who were engaged independently on the construction of these camps, are not satisfied with the investigation that has been made; and that the committee are not empowered to examine evidence on oath or hear witnesses on the evidence brought before them?

I understand that the Select Committee has asked the War Office to provide certain figures, in a form which will be most useful to them in carrying out their investigation. Those figures are now being compiled, and they will be given to the Select Committee.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that his predecessor promised that the matter should not be hushed up, and will he confirm that promise?

I understand that one of my predecessors—not my last predecessor—said that he was prepared to answer questions on the subject. I also am fully prepared to answer questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a statement on the granting of dependants' allowances to members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

It has been decided to introduce, from a current date, a de- pendants' allowance scheme for general service members of the Auxiliary Teritorial Service. The scheme will follow generally the lines of that applicable to soldiers, but there will be some modifications to provide for the cases of those members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service whose rate of pay is below the minimum rate of a soldier. I am circulating details in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Similar arrangements will apply to the Women's Royal Naval Service and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the position of licence holders concerning hours when premises shall open in Glasgow, in view of the recent Court of Session decision in which the action of Glasgow magistrates was overturned; and whether he will review future decisions of magistrates to prevent such cases arising in future?

I am advised that the permitted hours in Glasgow are now those laid down in the proviso to Sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Licensing Act, 1921. The magistrates will have an opportunity of reconsidering these hours at their meeting in April next. I have no authority to review the decisions of magistrates sitting at a licensing court.

Is it not the case that if the Secretary of State for Scotland had reviewed this decision and had pointed out to the magistrates that they had exceeded their authority, the trouble would never have arisen, and is it not proper to review decisions of licensing courts?

The hon. Member is asking me to do what I have no power to do.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to secure the all-night opening of one or two restaurants, in view of the difficulties of travel when troops and members of the public are arriving during the early hours of the morning and have no proper means for securing a meal and refreshment?

The hours of opening of places for public refreshment in Scotland are controlled by the local authorities. I have received no representations in favour of the all-night opening of any restaurants, and I have no power to take the action suggested. The hours of opening of railway refreshment rooms and the provision of canteens for members of the Services are matters for the Minister of Tranport and for the Service Departments respectively.

Is the Minister aware that trains come to Glasgow from London during the night from 12 to 4 in the morning and that troops and other passengers are often stranded, having nowhere to go? Could he not make strong representations to the local authority to see that provision is made for these men?

I am informed that, for the Services, there are in Glasgow from 12 to 14 hostels in the centre of the town, open all night and providing meals and beds for 980 men, and that more are being provided to bring that number up to 1,280. There are six coffee stalls in the central division, open between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. There are no station buffets open at night. At the Central Station, one was opened experimentally for three weeks from midnight to 4 a.m., but in that time only seven cups of tea were supplied, and the experiment was dropped.

Is it not the Minister's advice to the general public that they should congregate round coffee stalls in the black-out, as hundreds of people are congregating, and that no accommodation should be provided?

I pointed out that at the Central Station an experiment was made to see what the demand was, and the facts are as I gave them.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in the consideration of postwar problems, the Government are consulting with the Dominion Governments in order to secure their co-operation in operating a large-scale scheme of immigration?

The hon. Member can be assured that the Government have this matter closely in mind and that, like other questions of post-war reconstruction, it will come under review in consultation with Dominion Governments as opportunity offers.

Will they not get a move on and make some opportunity?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations made to him by the Lincoln Incorporated Chamber of Commerce as to the alleged unfair manner in which the quotas under the Limitation of Supplies Order work as between distressed and reception areas; and whether he has any statement to make?

Yes, Sir; a reply has been sent to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Reception areas, of course, need more supplies than other areas, and the Limitation of Supplies Orders allow wholesalers to divert their supplies from one area to another within the limits of their quota. I have seen representatives of the textile wholesalers, who have given an undertaking that in allocating supplies they will take account of the new distribution of the population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to prevent any repetition of the fact that many firms had neglected their legal obligations under the Fire Watchers Order; what supervision there was of night fire watchers; whether it is intended to provide fire watchers with steel helmets and other necessary equipment as soon as possible; and whether he will make a statement on this matter?

New Defence Regulations and Orders have been made to extend and strengthen defence against fire bombs. The Fire Watchers Order placed the responsibility for the immediate supervision of fire watchers on the occupier and the responsibility for seeing that the Order was observed on the local authority. Arrangements have already been made for greatly increased supplies of helmets and other equipment to be available very soon. My right hon. Friend would prefer to wait until there has been time to see how the new arrangements work before making any detailed statement.

There are several urgent matters arising out of this Fire Watchers Order, and therefore I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary what resolutions he has received from local authorities against Circular 262/1940, to pay for the construction or equipment of shelters provided after the date of the circular, and expressing a desire that the Government will pay the total costs of all shelters whether erected before or after the date of the circular; and whether the Government are prepared to agree to their representations?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider making the 100 per cent. Government reimbursement for shelters built by local authorities after the issue of Home Office Circular No. 262/1940, on 12th October, 1940, applicable to shelters built before that time, in order not to penalise those local authorities who at an early stage in the war took active steps to protect their citizens?

My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations, but he is unable to modify the decision that the concession announced in the circular cannot be made to operate retrospectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether the anneal report for 1940 of the State management of Carlisle-Gretna and Cromarty has been, or will soon be, published?

I am sorry that the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1940, has been unavoidably delayed. It has now gone to press and I hope that it will be published very shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the total number of proceedings, convictions, and charges proved of drunkenness in England and Wales for the year 1939?

Owing to the necessity of giving priority to urgent work directly connected with the war, the compilation of statistics has been delayed, and it may be some little time before these figures are available. I will furnish them to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

Do I take it that owing to the war they do not intend to publish these figures this year?

No, Sir. They will be circulated to anybody who asks for them.

Could my hon. Friend tell us roughly whether drunkenness convictions have increased or decreased?

I cannot say in answer to this Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the publication of Sir Robert Vansittart's "Black Record," he will state the conditions under which serving civil servants are free to publish their political views; and, in particular, whether they must be submitted in advance of publication?

Civil servants are required by the terms of a Treasury circular, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend, to obtain the previous consent of the head of their Department to publication of a book or other work the subject matter of which is connected with their official duties or those of other public servants, and to submit to him in advance the version which is to be published.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether Sir Robert Vansittart submitted this to anybody, if so, to whom he submitted it, and whether he thinks it a good plan?

Sir Robert Vansittart, I am informed, consulted the late Secretary of State about his broadcasts, and the latter gave him his permission. The present publication is a reprint of the broadcasts which have already appeared in the Press. Lord Halifax was aware of this development. I might add that the varying reproductions in the Press gave a partial impression which the publication corrects, though the publication naturally reaches only a small part of the public who have already heard the broadcasts. In regard to the last part of the Supplementary Question, I think that it was quite proper that publication should be made after the regular formalities had been complied with, although, of course, it does not express any opinion except that of the very able public servant who was responsible for it.

Is it a new policy of the Government that civil servants should make political broadcasts?

Before they are published in the "Times"?

Is it not a fact that the gentleman has proved himself more British than some other people?

Is it not a fact that on the subject of Germany the views of Sir Robert Vansittart have been proved generally right, while the views of the Noble Lady have been almost invariably wrong?

That is a matter of opinion.

It is entirely wrong.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that no further leases or sale of land in the British Commonwealth will be granted or made to any foreign country before consulting this House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 3rd December last.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether his study of reconstruction after the war will include the constructive proposals of the Labour party for national ownership of mines, transport, land and banks?

Yes, Sir. Constructive proposals from any responsible source will be welcomed and carefully considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is going to be mighty difficult to ignore the constructive proposals of the Labour party after the war?

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that the millions of working-class workers who are regimented in the military and industrial machine in this fight for democracy are looking forward to the complete socialisation of industry?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the recent report on the Supply Services presented to Parliament by the Select Committee on National Expenditure; and, in view of the recommendations therein made, what action he proposes to take?

This report is being considered by the Departments concerned, and on a number of points action has already been taken. I cannot yet say what further action will be taken, but my hon. Friend will be mindful of the recent statement in this connection by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

In view of their inability to punish people who are guilty of waste and extravagance, under the terms of reference, and the limited powers of these Committees, will the Chancellor recommend to the Cabinet that a more rapid procedure be set up under a court of law, where witnesses can be heard on oath and the complainants represented by counsel?

That is an entirely different matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been drawn to the complaints of the inadequacy of the compensation, and the delays in making payment, under the War Damage (Compensation) Act where property has been requisitioned in the national interest: and what steps he is proposing to take to remedy these complaints?

I am assured by all Departments that they are making every effort to deal expeditiously with claims. It is common practice to make a payment on account when a settlement is delayed, and in particular when delay causes hardship. I do not think there is any ground for altering the basis of compensation. If my hon. Friend has any cases in mind I have no doubt that if he will bring them to the notice of the Department concerned, they will be promptly investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to preventing profiteering by land speculators in bombed sites, he will consider introducing legislation to compel all profits made on land sales above the 1939 value to be handed over in full to the Treasury, thus imposing a 100 per cent. war profit tax.

Under the present law, a profit arising from sales of land may be a revenue profit or a capital gain according to the circumstances of the particular case, the broad distinction being between the carrying-on of a trade or business and the realisation of capital assets. In the former case the profit would be taken into account in computing profits for the purposes of the excess profits tax, and as at present advised I am not prepared to introduce extended legislation on the lines suggested.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that profiteering of this kind is being prevented at the present time, and, if not, will he undertake to introduce legislation in the next Finance Bill with a view to stopping it?

I do not accept, in the first place, the major premise laid down by my hon. Friend that such profiteering is taking place. He is asking me to investigate certain circumstances, and I shall have to look into them in the light of such information as hon. Members may be able to give me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to whether there is in fact any selling of these plots?

That is what I have already intimated I would like to have information about.

Is it the Chancellor's intention to circumscribe the definition of "capital gain" in his next Budget?

Will my right hon. Friend make inquiries as to whether there is speculation going on in bombed area sites in the East End of London?

As I have already said, I should be glad to receive any details with which my hon. Friends could supply me.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of overprintnig the stamps of Italian territory now in British occupation, as was done in the last war in the case of German Colonies; and whether he will bear in mind the propaganda value of provisional occupation issues?

I have been asked to reply, as it is likely that the matter would fall to be dealt with in the first place by a military administration. The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now give any information of the amount of damage done by 20 horses and a pack of hounds running over fields of turnips and beans at Faversham on 26th and 27th December?

Yes, Sir. The occupier has stated that the damage was less than £1 and, as a matter of fact, amounted to a few shillings only.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, why there is a shortage of oatmeal?

There is no general shortage of oatmeal. Certain well known brands of packeted rolled oats may no longer be imported, but there are ample supplies of loose oatmeal and rolled oats. Not all grocers, however, have been accustomed to stock oats in these forms, and some members of the public may have had temporary diffi- culty in making purchases from their usual suppliers until the retailers had taken steps to remedy the position.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, what is the opinion of his scientific advisers with regard to the comparative food value of meat extracts, pressed meat, canned meat, chilled and frozen meat; and to what extent it would be possible at the present time to save shipping space by processing the greater part of the meat before it is shipped to this country from South America and other distant places?

The Scientific Adviser to the Ministry does not attach importance to meat extracts, but he has advised certain measures in regard to the other forms of meat mentioned in the Question, which will result in economies in shipping space.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will introduce legislation similar in effect to the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1939, to help leaseholders whose property has been rendered unusable by enemy action hut who at present continue fully liable to their ground landlords for rent where such is payable?

The hon. Member will be aware of the special provisions in the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, dealing with the case in which the property which has suffered war damage is held on a ground lease. The Government are at present considering whether, in the light of experience, these provisions provide a satisfactory solution of the difficulties which confront ground landlords and their tenants in these cases or require modification.

But surely it does not need any thought to realise that it is grossly unfair on a tenant if he has to go on paying ground rent after having sustained a loss running into hundreds of pounds?

That may be, but it might also be unfair to the landlord.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will inform the House approximately when and where the first night air-bombing raid took place during the present war, respectively, on Great Britain, France and Germany?

The first British raid on German territory was the attack on the seaplane base on the Island of Sylt on the night of 18th–19th March, 1940. The first German attack on British soil was carried out on the night of 16th March, 1940, when bombs were dropped on the Orkneys, causing civilian casualties. One of the first acts in the German oflensive in the West was at attack on the town and harbour of Calais in the early morning of 10th May, causing numerous civilian casualties. This was followed by German attacks on aerodromes and communications in France on succeeding nights. The Royal Air Force began attacks on military lines of communication in Western Germany on 11th May, 1940, and on the following nights and days.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, for the guidance of small traders, he will issue a popular explanation of the newly-issued Caustic Potash and Carbonate of Potash Order, 1941 (No. 55)?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the notice which was circulated to the trade Press at the time when the Order was made. I think he will find that this affords sufficient guidance to traders in these materials.

asked the Minister of Health, under what authority public authorities inquire of applicants for temporary or permanent positions in their service, and who are women or above or below the age for military service, what their personal views may be on religion, politics, or war, in view of the fact that such irrelevant personal questions are, in fact, being asked?

It is withing the competence of a local authority to decide what inquiries should be made before making appointments to its staff, and my right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene.

Does the hon. Lady agree that it is entirely undesirable for public bodies to ask elderly people what their personal views may be, seeing that they have no relevance?

I stated that my right hon. Friend has no power over the employing authority to determine what questions shall be asked when these appointments are made. They must be left to do so as they think best.

Will the hon. Lady see that some recommendation is made to these local authorities on the subject?

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that the present allowances under the Insurance Acts for a widow with children are inadequate to meet requirements owing to the rise in the cost of living, and are, in any case below those now allowed elsewhere by the Government for women with children; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The present combined health insurance and pensions contribution contains no margin which would enable any of the statutory benefits provided under those schemes to be improved. These contributions were increased as recently as July last in order to lower the age at which a woman becomes entitled to an old age pension, and, if any further increase in contributions were found possible, my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that the first claim on any such additional money should be for the purpose which the hon. Member has in mind.

Surely the hon. Lady realises that a widow with children—in one case in my constituency, with six children—cannot bring them up on 30s. a week? Does she imagine that that is possible, and is it not time that something was done?

There are a good many cases, as the hon. Member will agree, which have to be taken into consideration, as I have indicated in the answer.

asked the Minister of Health which steps are taken to prevent the Armorial Bearings Duty, in so far as it is payable by everyone who uses a signet ring or a piece of household silver bearing a crest, from being an unfair tax, in the sense that good citizens who know about it will pay it, but a much greater number who do not like paying, or do not know that they have to pay, can permanently evade it with impunity?

The responsibility for the collection of this duty lies with the local authorities concerned. The money it yields is used for the relief of rates, and this fact would appear to be an inducement to them to do whatever is practicable to get the tax properly paid.

Surely the question is how much is payable, and if in fact this tax is not at present being paid by anything like 100 per cent. of those liable, does that not prove that it is operating unfairly?

I do not know that that is necessarily so, but my right hon. Friend has no information with regard to the extent of evasions which would be very difficult to prevent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration has been given, in association with America, to a scheme for storing Colonial surpluses for release after the war?

I have been asked to reply. Measures to deal with Colonial and other surplus comodities are being actively considered, in connection with the general problem of surpluses, by a Committee of Ministers, over which I preside, assisted by an Official Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross.

Can my right hon. Friend say when we are likely to have a report on this subject?

There is no question of a report; it is a question of taking action, and action has already been taken to purchase Colonial surpluses.

I take it that the action will not be similar to that which was taken with regard to the cocoa crop, which was destroyed?

All questions of surpluses are being solved in consultation with the Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has reason to believe that conditions in Oflag VII C/H are worse than in any other camps; and, if so, whether he will make representation to the German Government through the protecting Powers?

No, Sir. My information is that the heating, lighting and sanitary conditions at this camp are reasonably satisfactory, and that improvements have recently been made as regards bedding, washing, clothing and welfare.

How recent is that information?

I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give, separately, the number of food and clothing parcels despatched by the British Red Cross in each of the months July to December, and the total number of those parcels known to have passed the German frontier in the same period?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the new official organisation he is setting up to co-ordinate road transport, he will indicate the extent to which this organisation is to be staffed by civil servants, and indicate the experience which civil servants have had in running an organisation of this nature?

The organisation for the new road-transport scheme will form an integral part of my Department, and the details have not yet been fully worked out. My right hon. Friend will, however, as has already been announced, obtain the assistance of qualified men experienced in the industry, who will be invited to join the staff of the Ministry for that purpose.

Will the representatives of the workmen's organisations connected with road transport be consulted?

I will take note of that question.