asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to cut down food waste at camps, and to improve the cooking and preparation of the food?

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the waste of good human food which is placed in swill tubs for pigs at a military camp in the Midlands; whether, in view of the Minister of Food's appeal for economy in foodstuffs, he will have a strict inquiry made into the matter and also issue urgent instructions to messing officers to make their inspection more intense in order to prevent this waste in the future?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) on 10th December last, of which I am sending them copies. I am well aware of the complaints that have been made, and we are constantly endeavouring to eliminate waste. Inspectors and catering advisers have been appointed in Commands, and additional inspectors are being trained so that regular inspection of unit cookhouses may be made. Specialist messing officers have been posted to all large training units, and regimental officers have, since the beginning of the war, been receiving instruction at special centres throughout the country. I think that by these measures considerable improvement has been, and is being, effected.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) in how many of the 21 instances were the papers, appertaining to his Department, which were left in taximeter cabs and other public vehicles, recovered; and what was the nature of the disciplinary measures meted out to the persons responsible for such negligence;(2) in how many instances during the past 12 months were documents and papers relative to his Department lost from private and from service cars; how many recovered; and what disciplinary action was taken against the persons responsible for such carelessness?

The documents were recovered in 19 of the 21 cases. None of the losses were from service cars, but there was one loss (unrecovered) from a private car. In this case, which presented several unsatisfactory features, the loser was dismissed from his employment. In four other cases, which were dealt with directly from the War Office, the losers were suitably admonished. The remaining cases, where the losers were identified and the documents were of any importance, were referred to local military authorities for appropriate action.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware of the fact that the maximum disability pension for the rank of private under the Peace-time Warrant still remains at 32s. 6d.; and whether, having regard to the increased cost of living, he will consider raising the rate to 34s. 2d. which is the present rate paid by the Ministry of Pensions in connection with disabilities due to the present war?

The basic rate of 32s. 6d. for peace disability pensions is being raised to 34s. 2d. Existing pensions will be reassessed without application by the pensioners concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that because the civil employers of Lance-corporal J. M'Gregor, No. 2888300, of the Gordon Highlanders, made him a grant of 8s. a week, his mother, a Greenock constituent, was deprived of her dependant's allowance of 17s. per week by his department; and what steps he proposes to take to eliminate this anomaly?

I am re-examining this case and will communicate with my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how frequently, on an average, is a seven-days leave granted to a Scots soldier stationed in the south of England; whether, in the case of such a soldier, the 48-hours additional leave granted from time to time to other soldiers who can make use of it is allowed to accumulate so as to allow of the Scots soldier making an additional though less frequent visit to his family; and whether a free pass is issued for such additional visit?

If the flow of leave is not interrupted, a soldier should receive seven days' leave once in about fourteen weeks. Leave cannot be accumulated. A soldier may be given two free travelling warrants a year for leave purposes. On other occasions, he can travel at half fare.

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

All appointments to lance ranks during war time are made initially on an unpaid basis. After holding the appointment for a continuous period of 21 days, the soldier is granted the pay of the appointment retrospectively, provided a vacancy exists on the establishment of paid lance appointments allowed for his unit. Local military commanders are, however, empowered to sanction the temporary appointment, in cases of necessity, of a small number of unpaid lance appointments in excess of the paid establishment. Men filling such additional appointments should be con- sidered for paid appointments as vacancies for the latter arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what he proposes to do with the Italian prisoners; what is the estimated cost of maintaining them per annum; will he consider setting them free on the island of Rhodes; and does he propose to make any distinction between the regular Italian army and the Blackshirt divisions?

A considerable number of Italian prisoners of war is being sent to India. The disposal of the remainder is not yet settled, but it is in contemplation to bring a number to this country for agricultural work, and possibly for other work where there is a shortage of British labour. I cannot yet give any figure for the cost of maintenance. A suggestion to set these prisoners free on the island of Rhodes has already been considered and rejected as impracticable. The accommodation of Regular and Black-shirt prisoners in separate camps is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Italians taken prisoner by British Forces in North Africa to the last convenient date?

It was reported on 20th January that about 80,000 prisoners, including 66,000 Europeans, had been taken. These figures include 3,284 officers. It is estimated that over 25,000 have since been taken at Tobruk.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a firm, compelled by war work, but probably only temporary, to increase its staff, may use what would otherwise have to be returned as excess profits to provide a canteen that will be much too large for use by the normal staff after the war?

Where capital expenditure has been incurred by reason of the war in the provision of canteens it will rank for relief from Excess Profits Tax under the provisions of Rule 3 of Part I of the Seventh Schedule, Finance (No. 2) Act, 1939, and, as I indicated in reply to a Question asked on the 19th December last by my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed), I intend to include in the next Budget, as a wartime measure, proposals for the allowance of similar relief for the purposes of Income Tax and National Defence Contribution. I would add that all revenue expenses incurred by a trader in the maintenance of canteens for the use of his employés are admissible as a deduction in computing his trading profits for taxation purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider granting to a widower with children, compelled to employ a housekeeper, the same concession in Income Tax as though his wife had lived?

I would point out that Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1920, authorises an allowance to be given in respect of the housekeeper in the conditions referred to in the Question. I cannot see my way to propose any higher allowance in such a case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average payment in respect of claims for the replacement of essential furniture put forward by those who have lost their homes; and whether, in the case of dissatisfaction with the amounts awarded, such claimants have any further right of appeal?

The payments which the Assistance Board have made in respect of essential furniture cover a great variety of cases. The applicants to the Board who have suffered the total loss of their homes form only a small proportion of the total, and I regret that separate information is not available about the payments made to them. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the time taken in the transit of letters sent by relatives to soldiers serving overseas, he will consider permitting them to send one free cable each month similarly to the present arrangement for parents to their evacuated children in the Dominions?

The question of allowing free telegrams to and from members of His Majesty's Forces in the Middle East has been examined in consultation with all the interested Departments, and the unanimous conclusion has been reached that an entirely free service could not be justified. There are already telegraph services for messages to or from the Forces abroad at special rates which are substantially lower than the cheapest normal rate. The number of children evacuated overseas is extremely small in comparison with the numbers of the Forces serving abroad, and the problems of providing free telegraph service in the the two cases are not comparable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent British ships are now able to proceed up the Yangtze without interference from the Japanese authorities in occupation of the area?

There has been no change in recent months and the Yangtze remains closed to third Power shipping above Kiangyin.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which of the sheriffdoms of Lanarkshire, the Lothians, Angus, Aberdeen and Renfrewshire ophthalmologists and dermatologists, respectively, have been appointed as medical referees in cases under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether he has any statement to make regarding sheriffdoms in which no such appointments have been made?

Ophthalmologists have been appointed as medical referees under the Act for the sheriffdoms of Lanark, Lothians and Peebles, and Renfrew. Medical referees to deal specially with cases of scheduled diseases (including dermatitis) have been appointed for the sheriffdoms of Lanark and Renfrew. My right hon. Friend appreciates that it may be desir- able to strengthen the panels of medical referees in these and other areas by more extensive appointments of specialists, and he will be very glad to consider representations in regard to any particular area; but experience shows that it is extremely difficult to secure the services of suitable specialists as referees under present conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the burgh council of Edinburgh is taking to preserve the picturesque old building whose pend supplies a passage between St. Patrick Square and Buccleuch Street?

I am informed that in 1938 the corporation considered the question of preservation of this old building and decided to demolish it in view of the condition of its fabrics. I am advised that the building has not sufficient architectural or historic interest to justify preservation.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can take steps to ensure the more speedy and efficient working of the Glasgow telephone exchange with regard to trunk calls from Southern Scotland, and thereby save to subscribers in the latter area the delay and inconvenience that they at present suffer?

The difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers are largely due to the heavy pressure of traffic on the main telephone routes available out of Glasgow. The provision of additional circuits is in hand and I anticipate that a number will be brought into service shortly. If my hon. Friend has in mind the delay on calls to any particular place I will gladly have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the committee on coal distribution has reached any conclusions on the subject; and what steps are to be taken to implement them?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the committee pre- sided over by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council. The function of this Committee is, not to make recommendations, but to coordinate executive action by the Ministers responsible for maintaining coal supplies; and the decisions reached by the committee from week to week are carried into effect forthwith by the Ministers concerned. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the steps already taken by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Shipping, which have materially eased the situation.

asked the Secretary for Mines on whose authority the coal controllers are seeking to impose new standard conditions of sale for industrial coal contracts, contrary to the wishes of consumers and colliery owners?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23rd January to the hon. and gallant Member for the Withington Division of Manchester (Flight-Lieutenant Fleming), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the value of buckets in fire-fighting, he will consider increasing the quota allowed for these articles under the Limitation of Supplies Order?

No, Sir. I am informed by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Home Security, that bags, not buckets, should be used for storing sand and for dealing with incendiary bombs, and, further, that industrial concerns and local authorities should make the fullest use, as water containers, of 4-gallon petrol tins, which are available in large quantities from the Army. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of an announcement made on this subject on Monday, 27th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether steps have been taken, in view of the increase, through evacuation, of the population in various parts of South Wales, to increase the amount available of articles of clothing?

I realise that reception areas 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 President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the hardship created for reputable milk distributors by the constant thefts of milk bottles by certain of their competitors; and whether he is prepared to make an Order, under the Emergency Powers Act, imposing drastic penalties for such offences, including imprisonment in the case of constant offenders, having regard to the fact that the present method of dealing with this evil under the Merchandise Marks Acts has utterly failed to check it?

The Merchandise Marks Acts do not deal with offences of this nature, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 21st January.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the advisability of removing the age limit of 30 below which officers in the Royal Air Force are not entitled to full living out marriage allowance?

The regulation providing that officers under 30 years of age shall receive marriage allowance, though at a lower rate than those over 30, applies to the Army and the Royal Navy as well as to the Royal Air Force. This arrangement was introduced at the beginning of the war after most careful consideration of the problem in all its bearings, and I know of no cogent reason for its modification.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many agricultural tenancies have so far been terminated in each county, respectively, under the Defence Regulation which provides for this action to be taken if holdings are not being properly and efficiently cultivated?

The total number of agricultural tenancies in England and Wales which have been terminated by notice under Regulation 62 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, is 968. Circumstances vary greatly in different counties and in many instances negotiations between county war agricultural executive committees and owners and occupiers have led to desirable changes of tenancy without resort to the exercise of powers under Regulation 62. The number of such cases is not known. The figures do not, therefore, give a complete or accurate picture and comparisons between counties would be misleading.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a number of rights-of way are being ploughed up and are going out of use as a result of the campaign to plough up additional land; and what steps are being taken to preserve the existence of these rights-of-way and to ensure that any restriction of the public enjoyment of them will only be temporary?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 5th December last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with mobile gangs to carry through the drainage schemes, he will take steps to increase the agricultural minimum rate of pay, which is at present Is. an hour, so as to bring it more closely into line with mobile gangs who are employed on camp construction or demolition work in London, in view of the fact that many men who would be available are attracted away because of the higher rates of pay?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his attention has been called to the unsatisfactory working conditions in Sunlight House, Manchester, where a number of members of the Inland Revenue staff are employed; whether he is aware that the inadequate heating has led to sick leave, discomfort, loss of working time and inefficiency; whether efforts have been made to ensure that the owner of the building provides proper accommodation, and with what result; and whether there are any further steps he can take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. My Department have been trying for a long time, without success, to induce the owner of Sunlight House to render in a satisfactory manner services which he undertook to maintain when leasing the building. Further steps are under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the conditions in Camp R, in Canada, where 70 refugees, mostly Jews, are dominated by several hundred Nazi sailors; also Camp B, where orthodox Jews are forced to work on the Sabbath; and will he make representations to the Canadian Government so as to improve the conditions of these interned refugees?

I am informed that the 70 refugees, referred to in the first part of the Question, were separated from Nazi internees some time ago. I am making inquiry as to the statement of the right hon. and gallant Member in relation to Camp B.

asked the Home Secretary whether the London Salvage Corps is still in existence; and whether some arrangement can be made for the salving of at least easily accessible objects of value under the debris of demolished houses since, at the present time, owing to the fear of being accused of looting, demolition workers will not touch them.

The London Salvage Corps is in existence and co-operates with the London Fire Brigade in emergency fire fighting operations. I am considering a scheme under which the personnel of the corps would form the nucleus of an expanded salvage organisation, working in conjunction with the London Fire Brigade. Under existing arrangements objects of value are recovered by those engaged in the work of clearance of debris, and they are handed over to a responsible officer of the local authority. I have no evidence to suggest that these arrangements are not satisfactory.

asked the Home Secretary when a decision will be taken with regard to the case of Miss Frances Ea les, who was detained under Regulation 18B on 1st July 1940 and appeared before the advisory committee on 25th November 1940?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the case of Miss Florence Eccles. I regret that I am not at present prepared to authorise the release of Miss Eccles.

asked the Home Secretary whether a badge can be granted to all civil defence workers for each year of completed service from the date of their enrolment?

I am not aware of any general demand for a long-service badge among Civil Defence workers, and I should be averse from introducing any artificial distinctions where all are contributing to the common effort to the best of their ability.

asked the Home Secretary why taximeter-cabs are not allowed to cross Waterloo Bridge from South to North when they have passengers?

The northern approach to Waterloo Bridge, between the Strand and the temporary bridge, is so much reduced in width on account of road works that a system of one-way traffic has had to be introduced. In view, however, of the inconvenience and hardship likely to be caused to passengers travelling from Waterloo Station, it has been decided to allow omnibuses to use the bridge and its approaches in both directions. These vehicles are limited in number and have a high carrying capacity; if other vehicles were admitted, serious congestion at the Wellington Street-Strand crossing would result. It is regretted therefore that the concession cannot be extended to cabs (or to any other class of traffic) at present. As soon as a greater width of carriageway is available at the northern approach, the ordinary two-way operation will be restored.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether local exporters are invited to use any cargo space available for fruit and foodstuffs in troopships and supply vessels returning from the Middle East and other military bases?

Subject to military needs, full advantage is taken of any cargo space available in such ships for bringing priority cargoes to the United Kingdom from ports en route.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any preference in manufacture is given to cocoa over chocolate, or whether there are enough ingredients for both?

Cocoa powder and chocolate are to some extent joint products. Since the outbreak of war there have been sufficient supplies available of raw cocoa and the production of cocoa powder has been increased to meet an additional demand. On the other hand, chocolate production has been restricted owing to the reduced allocation of sugar for manufacturing purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction is caused by the occupation by representatives of three firms which dominate the milling industry, of key positions in the Cereals Control Board of the Ministry, one such representative-being chairman of the Cereals Imports Committee, another representative chairman of the Home-Grown Cereals Committee, and a third vice-chairman of the Flour Mills Control Committee; and whether he will reconsider this situation?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend has no reason for thinking that dissatisfaction exists such as my hon. Friend suggests. In reply to the last part of the Question, the Cereals Control Board and the three committees named were dissolved seven months ago when the functions of the Board were taken over by the Cereals Division of the Ministry of Food. In that reorganisation, the chairman of the Cereals Import Committee was appointed Director of Cereals Imports, and the vice-chairman of the Flour Mills Control Committee was appointed Director of Flour Milling.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why his Department discourages the raising of heavier-weight pigs, especially in view of the shortage of pig products; and whether he will encourage the use of more food so that the light-weight pigs which are being slaughtered now can be made heavier?

The Ministry of Food pays the highest prices for pigs of carcase weight betwen 110 and 180 lbs. Pigs of this class yield the most suitable bacon for distribution against the 4 oz. ration. It is not possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion that the use of more concentrates for pig feeding should be encouraged, although we hope that pig keepers will make an increasing use of swill and other waste materials. I would remind my hon. Friend that under the Government's scheme for the rationing of animal feeding stuffs, which comes into operation on the 1st February, the rations for pigs will be limited to approximately one-third of the pre-war quantities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether steps have been taken, in view of the increase, through evacuation, of the population in various parts of South Wales, to increase the amount of rationed food commodities?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson) on 3rd December and to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Mr. Etherton) on 16th October. I would add that the information promised to manufacturers in the reply of 3rd December has now been furnished.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, what quantity of liquid milk during the month of December, 1940, it is anticipated will go to consumers other than the liquid milk consumers; and what price will be paid for it?

While it is not in the national interest to publish detailed figures of milk production and utilisation I can assure by hon. Friend that very little milk during December was supplied to other than liquid milk consumers. Any milk manufactured into condensed milk or milk powder was sold at the manufacturing price of 1s. 7d. per gallon and any quantities utilised in the manufacture of butter and cheese at 10d. per gallon. In a few cases manufacturers of certain prepared foodstuffs and beverages obtained trifling quantities for which they paid the full liquid price of 2s. 0½d. per gallon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether it is the intention of the Government to allow to producers of mutton the same right of appeal to deadweight which the Government graders themselves claim?

I assume that in referring to Government graders my hon. Friend intends to refer to the livestock inspectors of the Ministry of Food who have certain limited powers to decide that sheep and other animals should be sent to the slaughterhouse for grading on the basis of their actual carcase weights. The certifying authorities who carry out the grading have no such powers. The grading of fat stock at each collecting center is carried out by a certifying authority composed of three persons, one of whom is a farmer. The Ministry take all possible steps to ensure that the grading is carried out fairly and uniformly at all collecting centres and a staff of specially qualified Inspectors is employed for that purpose. Consideration has been given to the question of allowing producers the right to appeal against the decision of the graders in cases where they are dissatisfied, but the complexity of the arrangements for the operation of any such scheme on a national basis would render it unworkable. There is no indication of any general desire for a right of appeal which, if granted, would have to be equally available to the Ministry as to the farmers. The answer to my hon. Friend's question is therefore in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to facilitate the repatriation of medical officers serving in His Majesty's Forces, and now captives in Germany?

The German Government have been informed that His Majesty's Government are ready to repatriate the German medical personnel who are entitled to repatriation under the Geneva Convention of 1929, if the German Government will also conform to the terms of the Convention as regards British medical personnel in their hands. The matter is being actively pursued, but a satisfactory settlement has not yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the employés in some factories doing Government work resent private firms entering to establish canteens on a profit basis; and whether he will consult with employers in order that such canteens may be managed, without profit, by an equal representation from the employers and workpeople?

There are great advantages in canteens being run by the management in association with representatives of the workpeople, and I am glad to say that there are many run very successfully on these lines. I cannot, however, rule out the use of experienced catering firms, particularly at a time when catering presents special difficulties, to assist in achieving what I regard as of the greatest importance at the present time, namely, the widest extension of well-run canteens able to supply good meals at reasonable prices.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that private garages and motor repair shops are being given important work by the Ministry of Supply reconditioning vehicles for war service; that at the same time they are continually losing their working staffs to the fighting services and find it increasingly difficult to carry on; and whether he will look into the whole question of reservation of labour for these trades?

I am aware that the repair of Army and motor vehicles is undertaken at a number of garages for the Ministry of Supply. In addition the Services undertake the repair of a large proportion of their own vehicles and require suitable personnel for this purpose. The age of reservation for the occupations of motor fitter, motor mechanic, and garage hand (mechanic), which is reviewed from time to time, is fixed with a view to a proper distribution of the men in these occupations between the Services and civilian in dustry.