asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that there is no intention of changing the present colour of stockings issued to the Women's Auxiliary Air Force?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to state the allowance payable to dependants of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force when killed or wounded in the course of duty?

Details of the provision made for dependants of war disabled or deceased members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force would be too long to give in answer to a question. Current conditions and rates will be found in Articles 33 and 67 to 72 of the Air Force Order dated 22nd October, 1940, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will issue instructions that where an officer is required to relinquish an acting rank for any reason whatsoever and is succeeded by an officer serving under him, the officer so relieved will be posted to another unit and will not in any circumstances serve immediately under the officer who has replaced him?

While I appreciate the point of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, Service requirements are such that it would not be practicable to make an inflexible rule of the kind suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to state whether a decision has been reached in regard to increasing the uniform allowance granted to newly commissioned officers owing to the imposition of the Purchase Tax?

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Legislative Council of Jamaica has recently adopted a resolution in favour of a new constitution of the Legislative Council; and whether he can inform the House of the nature of the new constitution, and if the Government has confirmed the proposed change.

No information has been received as to the recent adoption by the Legislative Council of Jamaica of a resolution in favour of a new constitution of the Council. The question of whether the constitution of Jamaica is to be amended is among those to be discussed with the Governor during his stay in England.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, in the interests of a larger output of margarine, he will make arrangements whereby Marcom, Limited, will have a factory for its production established in Northern Ireland where abundant labour is available?

The suggestion of my hon. Friend will be borne in mind if and when consideration is given to the question of establishing a new margarine factory in order to increase production.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, in order to save shipping space, he will have erected at the earliest possible moment abattoirs in Belfast and Derry where fat cattle and sheep can be slaughtered and the dressed meat shipped to Great Britain?

I am advised that the erection of abattoirs in Northern Ireland to provide meat for Great Britain would not achieve the object of my hon. Friend since it would be necessary also to provide specially equipped ships to transport the meat and offals in a satisfactory condition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction in Glasgow and West of Scotland due to the high price of fish; whether he is aware of the existing practice in the Glasgow fish market where a few prominent traders keep an artificial shortage by combining to buy large supplies of fish to send to the North of Scotland for the purpose of smoking, charging large prices upon return of this smoked fish; and will he inquire into these practices and take action to fix prices and stop this method of exploitation?

My Noble Friend is aware that there is some dissatisfaction in the Glasgow Area due to the high price of fish. As a result of inquiries he has made, he is satisfied that fish sent to the North of Scotland for curing is generally bought at prices lower than those ruling in the market for fish for immediate consumption and that there is nothing in the nature of a combine operating to keep prices at an artificial level. The possibility of devising an efficient scheme for controlling the price of fish is receiving my Noble Friend's active consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that gross profiteering by cleaners is taking place when furniture from bombed houses is sent to be cleaned; and will he take effective steps to deal with this question?

I have so far had only one case brought to my attention in which overcharging for cleaning furniture is alleged, and I am making inquiries into it. There is at present no control of charges for services of this nature, and the institution of an effective control would present considerable difficulties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many masters, chief engineers, and other officers and men of

Following is the information asked for:

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware of the large quantity of tung oil now being exported from China to Russia; and what is its use, and the ultimate destination of such oil?

The Chinese Government have kept His Majesty's Government regularly informed of the shipments of tung oil made to the Soviet Union under the Sino-Soviet Barter Agreement, and I am satisfied that the quantities supplied are not excessive. The principal use of tung oil is for the paint and varnish industry, and His Majesty's Government have received categorical assurances, from both the Chinese and Soviet Governments, that this tung oil is for use within the Soviet Union, and will not be re-exported.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare to what extent imports into Portugal of the produce of their own colonies are being held up owing to the refusal of His Majesty's Government to issue navicerts until the Portuguese Government gives an assurance that nothing will be re-exported; and whether there is any reason to suppose that Portugal has, in the past, re-exported any considerable amount of her imports to our enemies?

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 30th July, when navicerts were made compulsory, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to grant navicerts on such a scale as to allow imports adequate for domestic consumption but not for re-export. This is being done in the case of Portugal. The Portuguese merchants are, however, anxious to ship larger quantities of colonial produce, for which Lisbon is the normal entrepot. The matter is being discussed with the Portuguese Government in the light of the fact that there have been considerable re-exports of such produce to the enemy by merchants in Portugal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his atten- tion has been called to a recent demand from the library of Trinity College, Dublin, to be supplied, free of charge, with an expensive book, recently published in England, by virtue of the provisions of the Copyright Act of 1911; and whether steps will be taken to remove this anomaly, having regard to recent changes in the relationship between Great Britain and the Irish Free State?

Section 15 of the Copyright Act, 1911, provides that publishers in the United Kingdom shall deliver to Trinity College, Dublin, on written demand, a copy of each book they publish. It is not proposed to remove this requirement, particularly since a reciprocal statutory obligation rests upon publishers in Eire to send a copy of each book published by them to the British Museum and, on demand, to four other libraries in the United Kingdom.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to provide air-raid protection for female persons detained for preventive reasons in Holloway Gaol equal to that provided for the Home Office staff?

As my right hon. Friend has previously explained, prison buildings of the cellular type provide an exceptional degree of protection, and I do not think there is any foundation for the suggestion that the inmates of Holloway Prison are exposed to greater dangers than the occupants of the various buildings in which the Home Office staff is working.

asked the Home Secretary why the decision in the case of No. 90175, D. S. Lawley, was delayed until middle December, seeing that he was detained on 3rd June and appeared before the advisory committee on 13th August?

As my right hon. Friend explained in the course of the debate on 10th December, there were some cases on which it would not have been right for him to give a decision until he had considered other comparable cases and come to conclusions on certain general questions of principle. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that as a result he has been able to deal with these cases more satisfactorily than would otherwise have been possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will undertake to secure that no large underground or other suitable place used for human shelter against air raids shall be transferred to other purposes?

I do not think I could give my hon. Friend such an assurance; but I think he knows that he can count on my right hon. Friend to see that good shelter is not turned to other purposes except for the most urgent national reasons.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Eric Schmidt, 70623, 32 Central Promenade, Douglas, Isle of Man, is still interned; that he has lived in this country since he was one year old; that his mother is British born and divorced her German husband in 1927; that an elder brother of Eric Schmidt is in the British Army; and can his early release from internment be expected?

The report of the tribunal which considered this case was received on Friday last. The release of Eric Schmidt has now been authorised.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information about a boy named Lothar, 16 years of age, who was suddenly taken from Sherborne in May, 1940, interned at Huyton, and then sent overseas without the knowledge of his guardians, who were first told he had been sent to Canada?

This boy was sent to Australia, and it is not within my right hon. Friend's power to authorise his release and to allow him to be at large in that country, since that is a matter for the Australian authorities. My right hon. Friend is prepared to make arrangements for his return to this country and is at present awaiting the consent of his guardians for this purpose.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he is taking to enable the owner of property to take his share with the tenants and workpeople in safeguarding his property from fire bombs?

Unless the owner is also the occupier of premises to which the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order, 1941, applies he has no obligation under the Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as doubt still exists as to the powers of local authorities in the case of buildings which are completely demolished, to take girders away for scrap-iron purposes in factories or to use them elsewhere in the construction of emergency buildings, he will make a statement on the whole subject?

Local authorities have already been authorised to enter upon the sites of demolished buildings and they may take away girders and other materials which are of value for emergency repairs of roads and buildings, or the building of shelters. The question of disposal of steel for other purposes is a matter for the iron and steel control of the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what open-air statues in London are being specially protected as works of art; and whether he is satisfied that the arrangements are adequate?

Of the open-air statues In London, those of Charles I by Le Sueur, Charles II by Grinling Gibbons and George II by Rysbrack have been protected, and James II by Grinling Gibbons has been removed to a place of safety. In addition, the statues of William III by Bacon, George III by Wyatt and The Burghers of Calais by Rodin are to be protected. Having regard to the urgent calls on A.R.P., labour and materials, it is necessary strictly to limit the statues to which protection can be applied.

asked the Home Secretary how long the "Dunera," carrying internees from England to Australia, took to complete the voyage; what number of passengers was she originally fitted out to carry; how many internees were carried on the voyage; what number of lavatories were provided for each 1,000 internees; how many internees had neither bunks nor mattresses for the entire voyage; how many deaths occurred during the voyage and did they include any suicides; what thefts occurred of watches, money and other valuables from the internees; who was responsible for inflicting the injuries received by a number of them; and if any inquiry has been, or will be, made about the treatment meted out to the internees?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Shipping has furnished me with information which is appended as regards the first six parts of the Question. As regards the last three parts of the Question, I would refer to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on Tuesday last.

asked the Home Secretary whether any consideration has been given to the suggestion that summer time be extended for an extra hour; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

This matter is being examined, but I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is prepared to take steps to standardise the bumpers of motorcars at the same distance from the ground to lessen the dangers of accidents and damage from collisions.

If bumpers are to serve their purpose they should all be at the same level. I could not at present issue regulations to compel alterations, nor are there enough private cars being manufactured to warrant new regulations at the moment. I shall hope to get the industry to agree to a standard height before motors start being manufactured again.

asked the Minister of Transport, what steps have been taken to ensure an adequate supply of vehicles and spares for the road-transport industry?

Arrangements have been made with the Defence and Supply Departments under which I hope that the supply both of vehicles and of spare parts for the road-transport industry will be much improved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give favourable consideration to the claims of church authorities for exemption from the Purchase Tax on church organs, furniture and accessories ordered before 21st October, 1940?

Goods are properly chargeable with Purchase Tax if delivered on or after the 21st October last, and I have no power to remit the tax on the ground that they were ordered before that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British film "London Can Take It" has been banned in Egypt?

My right hon. Friend has no information on this subject but has called for a report from His Majesty's Ambassador at Cairo.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British shipping is now allowed access up the Pearl River to Canton?

Yes, Sir. There is a weekly service by British ships to Canton up the Pearl River. Certain difficulties have arisen in connection with quarantine restrictions and pilotage fees; but these are at present under negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to report any improvement in the facilities allowed to British shipping for loading and unloading cargoes at the Chinese coastal ports in Japanese occupation, with particular reference to Tsingtao and Chefoo?

My right hon. Friend is calling for a report of the latest situation as it affects facilities for British shipping in North China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British ships are now able to pass unhindered through the inland waterways of China other than the Yangtze?

No very recent information is available and a report on the subject has been called for.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what restrictions are now placed by the Japanese authorities on imports into and exports from the parts of China in their occupation; and to what extent such restrictions affect British trade?

In North China the Japanese authorities have established an elaborate system of exchange and trade restrictions exercised through the customs by which all trade is made subject to the control of the Japanese-sponsored Federal Reserve Bank. In Central and South China there has also been a tightening of Japanese restrictions. In June last new regulations were enforced for the control of all trade with the hinterland ostensibly for military reasons. Permits to transport goods to and from the interior can only be obtained through Japanese nationals and there is a tendency to restrict permits to certain monopolistic marketing associations in various trades, such as soap, oil, tobacco, sugar and silk. British and other foreign merchants are being severely affected by all these measures in the occupied areas.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make any statement as to the transport of mails from India and any losses en route?

The question of the transport of mails from India to this country is primarily a matter for the Indian Postal Administration: but I have no reason to doubt that the Indian Post Office takes advantage of every suitable opportunity which presents itself for the despatch of mails to the United Kingdom. No information has so far reached me of the loss of any mails from India by enemy action.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the impossibility of getting into touch with the telegraph operator to whom one has already dictated a telegram over the telephone which it is essential to modify without delay, he will consider evolving some arrangement under which this would be possible in the interests of smooth working?

No useful purpose would be served by further reference to the operator who has taken a telegram, since it immediately passes out of his or her control. If the sender of a telegram wants to alter its text after he has dictated it, he should telephone "Telegrams enquiry," stating his exchange and number, the time of dictation of the telegram, the name and address of the addressee and particulars of the modifications desired in the text. If the telegram has not already been forwarded, the alteration asked for will then be made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that, due to the exigencies of the present time, telegrams are frequently delivered on a day other than that upon which they are handed in, he will for the benefit of the public using the telegraphic services, and to avoid confusion, issue an instruction that the day as well as the time of handing in be entered on Post Office telegraphic forms?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the Question by the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 18th December last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can indicate the total receipts into the national revenue in each of the past three years from taxation on investments in enterprises and loans in the British Colonial Empire, including mandatory territories but excluding Palestine?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as many small contractors in Northern Ireland have lost their livelihood owing to the war, he will make arrangements whereby these men shall receive a share of the War Office contracts placed in Ulster?

The contracts with which the War Office is concerned are mainly building contracts, and it is the policy of the Department to give full opportunity to small contractors to obtain work which they are capable of performing with efficiency and punctuality.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether we are now in a position to stop ships trading between Algeria and unoccupied France or between Spain and the same which have not got navicerts for their cargo?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Ormskirk (Commander King-Hall) on the 24th July, sea traffic between North Africa and Metropolitan France is liable to British Contraband Control. The same applies to ships trading between Spain and France.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether pensions have been paid yet for injuries sustained by civilians owing to enemy action apart from those authorised by the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provision) Act, 1939; and whether a Defence Regulation for this purpose has been issued?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the extensions to the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 18th December last. An amending scheme to give effect to these concessions is in active preparation and will be laid shortly. In the meantime, however, the concessions have been put into operation, with effect from the 24th December, 1940.