asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Shettleston division of Glasgow has a large open space, called Tollcross Public Park, in the centre of the area; that large underground shelters could have been constructed, which would have been capable of protecting a large number of people of the area; and what were the reasons for a refusal to construct such shelters?

No proposal of this kind has been put forward by the city authorities, who are, I understand, advised that the site is unsuitable for tunnelling.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the need for guidance and information to be available at once after an air raid, for a better organisation of the rest centres with a paid person in authority, for adequate equipment, hot and cold water, for a more sympathetic treatment of the people affected, for the removal of all personal property to new houses or buildings at once; and what steps have, or are being taken, to deal with these problems and to speed up the machinery?

Instructions were issued in September, 1940, that at every rest centre there should be an officer responsible for giving guidance and information to the homeless. Local authorities have been asked also to set up information centres at which those who have suffered loss from air raids may obtain advice. The instructions issued last September indicated also that adequate staff, where necessary paid and with definite rotas of duty, must at once be allocated to every rest centre, that adequate equipment must be provided and that, in general, the standard of comfort at the centres must be brought up to a proper level. An intensive survey of the arrangements for the homeless has been carried out over the last two months, and assistance given, by my Department's Inspectors.My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Home Security has requested local authorities to assist as may be required with the removal of personal property from damaged buildings and with its protection where necessary; and I understand that this whole question is under constant review.

asked the Minister of Health whether all classes of persons who evacuate themselves unofficially from vulnerable to reception or neutral areas have the right to ask assistance in finding accommodation from billeting officers; and, if not, what limitations exist?

The initial responsibility for finding accommodation for persons who have evacuated themselves and cannot find their own lodgings rests with the Public Assistance authorities. Provision for more permanent accommodation when required for persons who have left evacuation areas is made by the billeting authorities, either by means of billeting on householders, or by the use of empty houses, or by way of hostels. These authorities are not called upon to provide accommodation for men.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that evacuated mothers with children, either in billets or hostels provided by the local authority, are not, at any rate in one district in the South-West of England, provided with free medical treatment however urgent the treatment might be and however poor the patient may be; by what authority the local authority refuses payment for such cases; and will he have this condition of things remedied?

I am not aware of the difficulty mentioned by the hon. Member, but I shall be glad to make inquiries if he will send me particulars.

asked the Home Secretary why some 100 internees who were brought back from Canada are still, after more than two weeks, being kept in Huyton although they were assured that their final release was a matter of a day or two?

I presume my right hon. Friend refers to a party of some 130 internees who were selected by my representative in Canada as persons likely to be eligible for consideration for release under one or other of the categories of the White Paper. Their cases are being examined as expeditiously as possible and any necessary enquiries are in progress. In fact these enquiries were started before the arrival of the party and a number of them have already been released. Any impression that their final release was a matter of a day or two after their arrival must be due to a misconception, as no decision as to their release had been reached. They were brought back not because a decision to release them had already been taken but because they appeared to be eligible for consideration for release.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a public protest by many doctors in Bristol that there is a large number of doctors in that city and district who are not utilised in connection with the air-raid precautions and Emergency Medical Services; and whether he will take appropriate action to ensure that all available doctors are enrolled in such manner as to give of their best in times of emergency, particularly having regard to the fact that the doctors in question in Bristol voluntarily worked during the attacks but found themselves without adequate support of the official air-raid precautions services?

The matter has recently been brought to my attention, and I will make inquiries and communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to equip Members of the Houses of Parliament with steel helmets and box respirators?

Every Member will have received a civilian respirator, and this is quite adequate for normal use. I cannot undertake to equip all Members with steel helmets of the Service type, but many Members will already have received a steel helmet by virtue of service in His Majesty's Forces or enrolment in a Civil Defence service or the Home Guard.

asked the Home Secretary how many gas helmets for babies have so far been issued by his Department; what arrangements have been made to instruct parents in the use of these helmets; and whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are adequate?

My Department has issued about 1,250,000 anti-gas helmets for babies. Each helmet is accompanied by a printed leaflet of instructions and the use of the helmet is normally demonstrated by the warden when he issues it. I have no information to suggest that the arrangements are inadequate.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the material extension of necessary repairs by local authorities to cover shop premises damaged by enemy action?

Local authorities for areas which have suffered war damage are already so fully occupied with their many existing duties, including the "first-aid" repair of houses, that I feel unable to extend their labours as proposed. I would point out that arrangements already exist to provide for the expeditious release of materials for necessary first-aid repairs to shops, and the Essential Buildings and Plant (Repair of War Damage) Act, 1939, provides for loans to be advanced in suitable cases towards their repair by the appropriate Government Department. As my hon. Friend will be aware, such premises are covered as regards compensation by the War Damage Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the urgent necessity of repairing homes damaged by enemy action, he will refrain from conscripting building trade operatives required for such repairs; and, where such men have already been called up, will he take steps to release them?

Action on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend has been and will be taken as required. Large numbers have, in fact, already been released for these purposes.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken with regard to compulsory National Service or movement of labour for national purposes; and whether he can now indicate any immediate proposals in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 21st January.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will institute a complete revision of reserved occupations prior to calling up any men engaged in agriculture?

The Schedule of Reserved Occupations is already under close examination with a view to revision, and I will make an announcement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour why the administrative staff of the British Council are reserved at 25 years of age when there are available many older men such as publicity agents and journalists, who could perform the work equally well?

I will consider the matter and write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any requests from any of the War Agricultural Committees, in the various counties, for the supply of labour, through the labour exchanges, for direct employment under the committees in question; and what is the aggregate number of wage-earners thus supplied?

I will make inquiries to see how much of this information can be obtained, and will communicate with my Noble Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied with the general functioning of the Area Supply Boards; and has he considered improving the effectiveness of these Boards by regular periodical meetings between the Boards and Members of Parliament for the areas served by the Boards, so that the gearing up of local production to maximum capacity may be attained?

The Area Boards are under the direction of the Industrial Capacity Committee, of which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply is Chairman. The Industrial Capacity Committee is a committee responsible to the Production Executive. My hon. Friend has recently completed a visit to nearly all the Area Boards and has just forwarded to me as Chairman of the Production Executive a report containing various suggestions for improving their effectiveness. I will be glad to consider the assistance which Members of Parliament might give in this connection.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that racing-track proprietors are advertising for kennel maids for their racing greyhounds; and whether, in view of the need for women for public services, he will consider forbidding such advertisements to appear in the Press?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of Germans classed as victims of Nazi oppression now in employment in this country?

I regret that the records of my Department do not enable me to furnish this information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a large number of skilled workers are still in internment camps, amounting to, approximately, 15,000 men; and will he consider using their services in their respective trades?

I am aware that a number of skilled workers are still in internment and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary concerning the utilisation of the services of those to whose release there is no objection on grounds of security. A census recently taken in the internment camps resulted in the receipt of particulars for approximately 2,200 men and less than 50 women claiming to possess skill in industry or agriculture. I have no information which confirms the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that the number totals 15,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there are any women factory inspectors in Wales; and, if not, if he will consider the appointment of such resident women inspectors to the staff serving the area?

The duties of factory inspectors are, generally speaking, the same whether they are men or women but in distributing the staff regard is had to the prevalence of heavy or other special industries in the locality. None of the inspectors now resident in Wales is a woman, but women inspectors are readily available from the Divisional Offices. I am considering whether any change in their arrangements is desirable in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the medical boards under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act receive any return as to the men who have been graded A1 by them and who are subsequently found unfit to stand the strain of service; and how many such cases have occurred?

Medical boards receive particulars of men whom they have placed in Grade I but who are subsequently found to be unfit for service. I will communicate with my hon. Friend as to the number of such cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a system of definite priority has now been established so as to avoid overlapping in orders placed by the Admiralty and the Ministries of Aircraft Production and Supply?

The policy of the Production Executive is to secure that the production requirements of all Supply Departments shall be met so far as possible without overlapping or conflict by means of the proper allocation of materials, labour and productive capacity. Where priority difficulties arise a decision can always be given on the authority of the Production Executive.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with the introduction of the rationing scheme for animal feeding stuffs on 1st February, which scheme acts as a ready safeguard against concentrated daily feeding stuffs being allocated and used for pig feeding, he would now consider an upward adjustment in pig prices on an economic basis for pigs, in view of the fact that with the present prices pig farmers throughout the country are having to produce at less than the cost of production?

Representations on the lines of my hon. Friend's Question have been made to the agricultural Departments and the Ministry of Food by the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales and of Scotland, and are now being examined.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the undertaking given by the National Association of British and Irish Millers during negotiations which resulted in the Wheat Act, 1932, to the then Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries that they would not export wheat offals to any foreign country, has been implemented?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of recent appointments in connection with poultry keeping; the ages and previous occupations of those appointed; whether they were appointed from the central register of the Ministry of Labour or how otherwise; and what respective salaries are paid?

As the reply is necessarily very detailed, I am sending the information to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farms free from foot-and-mouth disease have been visited by Ministry officials who have previously visited infected farms; and whether he will prohibit this practice in view of the danger of their spreading the disease?

Every possible step is taken to ensure that the Ministry's officials do not, until they have thoroughly disinfected their hands, clothing and boots, visit premises which are free from foot-and-mouth disease after they have been on farms where the disease exists. It may, of course, occasionally happen that owing to the impossibility of recognising the disease in its very early stages inspectors may visit premises where infection exists and not be aware of the fact.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will establish, in connection with training schools for munition workers, sections which will be capable of providing preliminary training for agricultural tractor work, to include ploughing, disc harrowing, and the care of agricultural machinery?

Arrangements have been made under which County War Agricultural Executive Committees are empowered to provide training in the use and care of agricultural tractors and machinery so that they may maintain in their respective areas an adequate supply of skilled labour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will encourage the use and cultivation of suitable sections of the many miles of grass verges on our highways, whether by private persons or local authorities, and so add considerably to the required acreage of vegetable production?

A circular was issued to highway authorities last year suggesting various ways in which roadside land might be used for food production in the present emergency. I will consider the advisability of communicating with the authorities again.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining basic slag in Devonshire; and whether, as supplies have mainly come from the North, he will, in view of the shorter haulage, arrange for supplies from South Wales.

I am aware of the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. Special arrangements have now been made, however, which I hope will overcome them. I have communicated particulars to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, what steps the Government are taking to find a more ready market for this season's potato crop since applicants to the County War Agricultural Committee are referred by them to the supervisors who in turn are unable to find a market, and many thousands of tons of potatoes are thus becoming unfit for human consumption owing to lengthy storage?

Potatoes have re-recently been bought by the Ministry of Food for stockfeed and for factory processing. Supplies are also being drawn now from the Eastern Counties to form local reserves close to the larger centres of population. My noble Friend is advised that it is not correct to say that large quantities of potatoes are becoming unfit for human consumption.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, in view of the wastage involved through pigs being kept at the slaughter-centre a long time before killing, the Government will revert to the method employed in the last war by which payment could be at per live cwt. before the pigs left the market?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion, for the reasons given in my reply yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall). I am satisfied that there is no undue delay in slaughter, and that any wastage due to this cause has been reduced to a minimum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he still proposes to add to the flour for the reinforced loaf, described in the debate on 18th July, a certain undefined proportion of a calcium salt; whether he is aware that a recent research based on experimental and chemical data and conducted at the Liverpool Institute of Research throws doubt upon the assumption that there is any general deficiency of calcium in the people's diet, and indicates that there is danger in increasing the calcium content in the manner proposed?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part of the Question, my Noble Friend is advised that the results of the research work referred to are under consideration on behalf of the Medical Research Council, but that it already appears that there are reasons for mistrusting the conclusions drawn from the Liverpool experiments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, in view of the fact that Norfolk turkey has for years past been merely the designation for all best quality home-produced birds and, since all feeding-stuffs for turkeys are controlled at a flat price for the whole of England, while wages are practically the same everywhere, he will amend his order as to permitted prices, so as to give producers in all countries equal rights in this respect with those in Norfolk?

At a recent conference with national organisations representing all sections of the trade, it was agreed that there was at present no need for a revision of the prescribed maximum prices for turkeys. I will, however, bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind whenever it becames necessary to revise the Order.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will at once consult other Ministries and the Railway Executive Committee for the purpose of considering how best the railway holiday caravan coaches and other suitable unused stock could be used in the present situation, and give consideration to the need for week-end periods by rota to be spent by men and women engaged on urgent war work away from industrial centres with their families; how this railway stock could be used for special evacuation, and in other ways; and will he treat this matter as one of urgency?

I am informed by the Railway Executive Committee that all railway camping coaches are either in use or earmarked for essential war purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the present chaotic condition of the motor transport repair industry, which may shortly bring about a serious breakdown in motor transport, he will at once appoint a director of motor transport maintenance with instructions to co-ordinate the use of available resources of man-power and machine tools, and with power to arrange priorities?

While I do not accept my hon. and gallant Friend's premises, I am very conscious of the importance of ensuring, as far as is practicable, all necessary repair facilities for motor transport. It will, however, be appreciated that motor transport repairs cannot be viewed in isolation and that an appointment such as is suggested would not affect the primary question of allocating to the best advantage the claims upon available plant, labour and materials of competing services. The decision of priority between these claims must rest with the Government.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has in hand any scheme to overcome the difficulties caused by the shortage of empty wagons for coal transport?

Any shortage of wagons is mainly due to a slowing down in circulation. There are a number of reasons for this, and no one remedy; but the most effective improvement is to be secured by a speedier turn round of wagons so as to obtain the fullest possible use of available resources. To secure this is my constant endeavour.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has been informed of the hardship incurred by air-raid precautions workers, who in many cases have to reside away from their point of duty owing to their own houses being affected by enemy action, and travel by workmen's tickets, and, although they may have been on duty 18 or 24 hours, are informed by the railway authorities that return halves of such workmen's tickets are not available; and whether he will take steps to get this altered?

I do not think that it would be fair to the railway companies to place on them the cost of extending workmen's fares to cover men who do not return to their homes daily. The main-line railway companies have, however, agreed to a concession whereby, on production of an approved certificate, full time Civil Defence workers will be able to obtain return tickets at the rate of a single fare and one-third, not-withstanding that it may be less than the minimum which normally governs the issue of such tickets. It is expected that the necessary arrangements will be completed very shortly, and an announcement will be made then.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents to railway employés in this country for 1938, 1939 and 1940, giving, if possible, the percentages of accidents to the number employed?

The number of casualties to railway servants which the companies are required to report to me are set out below:

Year.	Number employed.	Killed.	Injured.
1938	608,719 (Mar.)	239	16,534
1939	589,880 (Mar.)	257	11,526
1940	585,072	284	1,947

On 1st September, 1939, the companies were relieved of the obligation to report cases of minor injury, so that the figures of injured for the three years are not comparable. These figures do not include casualties due directly to enemy action.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will consider laying down provision whereby the release from the Armed Forces after the war shall take place by progressive steps and be so planned that no man is discharged from any of the three Fighting Services unless he has work to proceed to or until work has been found for him?

His Majesty's Government are well aware of the importance of securing that, so far as possible, work is immediately available for persons discharged from the fighting services; and I am already considering, in collaboration with my colleagues the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Secretary of State for War, the Secretary of State for Air and the Minister of Labour and National Service, the machinery which will be necessary for securing that release from the Armed Forces can be effected according to an orderly system of priorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Central Council for Health Education is assisting the Ministry in making known the claimed benefits of diphtheria immunisation; and whether, as a speaker from that body recently stated, in a broadcast talk, that immunised children are certain not to die of diphtheria, he will take steps to give equal publicity to the fact that there have been fatal cases of diphtheria in inoculated children at Manchester, South Shields, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol, and also towns in Scotland?

The Central Council for Health Education, which represents many professional and health-promoting bodies, has for some time been helping local authorities to encourage the immunisation of children against diphtheria. As regards the second part of the Question, I did not hear the talk to which the hon. Member refers, but it is an accepted fact amongst the authorities that a child who has been adequately immunised against diphtheria by a full course of inoculations of toxoid is much less likely to contract diphtheria, and still less likely to die from the disease, than an un-inoculated child.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient provision of convalescent homes for merchant seamen and trawler-men; whether he is aware that many of them, especially from the trawlers, have to go straight back to their ships from hospital; how many of such homes exist; and whether the number can be increased or other convalescent accommodation provided?

Yes, Sir. Apart from the convalescent accommodation specially provided for this, class merchant seamen and trawlermen who are casualties are treated in the Emergency Hospitals and Convalescent Homes. Approximately 100 of the latter have been opened under the Emergency Scheme and others will be available later. The question of admitting merchant seamen and trawlermen who fall sick or require treatment for other reasons into these convalescent homes is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that inquiries are made to Members of Parliament about the promise given that disablement benefits under the National Health Insurance Scheme would be considered by him; and can he say when he will be able to make a statement upon this?

As I explained in the reply which I gave on the 23rd January, to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have this question under urgent and sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now arrange that any panel patient whose chosen practitioner has joined the forces may forthwith transfer to the list of any remaining practitioner willing to accept him, without regard to any unofficial scheme for the protection of practices which may be operating in the district?

In view of the very general participation of insurance practitioners in the schemes to which the hon. Member refers and the importance of safeguarding the interests of practitioners who have undertaken war service, I see no sufficient reason for action on the lines indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the names of the local authorities with whom the Government is now in consultation regarding their financial difficulties?

As a result of the announced intentions of the Government that if, as a result of the war, the machinery of local government in any area is in danger of breaking down, the Government will come to the assistance of the local authority for that area, I have been approached by authorities in the London area, in certain coastal districts, and in certain other towns which have been subjected to severe air attack.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether all the compensation and pension allowances for dependants of officers and men of the British mercantile marine, who lost their lives through enemy action during the 12 months from the outbreak of the war, have been paid to date; if not, how many cases are still under consideration; and what action has been taken pending the settlement of these claims to advance the necessary funds?

Out of a total claims received numbering over 1,800, there are only 27 remaining unsettled, and all but one of these were only lodged after the end of the period in question. Several of the claims are in respect of natives of other countries. Every effort is made to secure speedy settlement, but difficulty is necessarily experienced in obtaining full information. Where this is delayed it has been arranged that assistance may be obtained from the Assistance Board under the Government scheme for the prevention and relief of distress due to the war.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any special provision has been made or is contemplated in cases where, owing to enemy action, the parents have been killed and the children are minors; whether in such cases there is anything for them except application for public assistance and, if so, whether it means residence in a public institution?

The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme provides pensions for orphan children of gainfully occupied persons and Civil Defence volunteers who are killed as a result of war injury or war-service injury respectively.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he will authorise local authorities to issue a sanitary certificate in respect of a house damaged by enemy action as having been rendered not-reasonably fit for habitation, and, by so doing, exempt the tenant from the payment of 40 per cent. or 15 per cent. placed on rent of controlled houses by the Rent Restrictions Acts of 1915 and 1939;(2) whether he will consider the advisability of instructing local authorities to set up rent apportionment tribunals in order to assess the just rent tenants should pay when, owing to enemy action, only part of their premises are habitable, seeing that to compel tenants to pay full rental for a house, when the conditions obtaining when the tenancy was entered upon have been so seriously altered, is unjust?

The whole question of rents on houses damaged by enemy action is under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made in the scheme for the voluntary surrender of non-essential iron railings for scrap?

This scheme has been extended beyond the test areas referred to in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 20th November last, and will be further extended in the near future. Some thousands of tons of railings have been collected since the end of November.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, owing to the urgency of an early decision bearing on iron-ore deposits in Northern Ireland, he will have the second set of samples taken in December examined and reported on at the earliest possible moment, so that work may be proceeded with at once for the provision of what is of so much value to the nation in its war effort?

It was necessary to obtain a further report, and this was received a few days ago. It is receiving immediate attention, and I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no avoidable delay in arriving at a decision.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment in Northern Ireland through not receiving war work, he will meet the urgency of the situation by expediting the erection of war factories there, and assigning to Northern Ireland its fair share of war work in the future?

As recently announced by the Ulster Minister of Commerce, important war orders have now been placed to secure to Northern Ireland a fair share of war work.With regard to the location of specific war factories, I should prefer to make no public statement.

asked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made in the obtaining of binoculars for the Services; whether it is now proposed to take steps for compulsory acquisition; and what cost has been incurred in advertisement?

Twenty-two thousand pairs of binoculars were obtained from previous appeals and 45,000 as a result of the recent campaign. They are still being handed in and a total of 55,000 serviceable pairs is hoped for. Compulsory powers have been used in certain instances to requisition binoculars from some trade sources, but as at present advised my right hon. Friend does not propose to take steps for compulsory general acquisition in view of the result of the campaign and of the supplies now coming forward from manufacturers in this country. It is not possible to give the precise cost of advertisement and publicity, but a sum of £10,000 was allowed for this purpose. I may add that approximately 40 per cent. of the binoculars handed over and accented were gifts. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the public spirit of donors and lenders.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the extreme difficulty faced by various local authorities in tracing vanished ratepayers with the result that those ratepayers who have remained to shoulder their responsibilities are carrying unfair burdens; and whether there exists, or can be adopted, any method of tracing other than through the post?

I appreciate the difficulties by which rating authorities are faced, particularly in present circumstances, but I feel sure that they can be relied upon to devise such methods as may be practicable other than postal facilities for tracing the ratepayers. If my hon. Friend himself has any suggestions to make I will gladly consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that when a married soldier is placed under detention his wife is also penalised by the stoppage of his compulsory allotment of pay; that, since the rate of allowance to wives is ascertained by taking into account this compulsory allotment, great hardship is being inflicted on innocent people; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have the regulations altered so as to remove this injustice?

A soldier who is undergoing detention ceases to be entitled to his pay from which the allotment is made. The amount of the allotment continues, however, to be paid to the wife for any period of detention not exceeding 28 days, and is charged against the soldier's account for recovery from any existing credit balance or from future issues of pay. The payment of family allowance continues during the whole period of detention, provided that the man is not discharged from the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Army is persisting in the use of an obsolete method of dressing wounds in the first instance and that there is unnecessary waste by discarding and throwing away the outer wrapping of cloth; and will he cause the matter to be investigated with a view to the institution of more satisfac- tory dressings and to the avoidance of waste?

There is no foundation for the suggestion that the Army is persisting in the use of an obsolete method of dressing wounds in the first instance. The only types of dressings used in the Army with an outer wrapping of cloth are the First Field and Shell Dressings. It is obvious that for these types of dressings some means of protection from the weather and ordinary wear and tear must be provided. They are quite up to date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that medical officers in a number of regiments are threatening soldiers with penalties if they refuse to be vaccinated or inoculated and that, in some regiments, objectors are being made to sign forms stating that they object, and that if they become ill of any disease against which inoculation is aimed they will lose the allowance to their dependants and any pension that might be due to them; and whether, in view of the strong feeling aroused by this illegal action, he will circularise all commands and point out that every soldier has a right to refuse vaccination and inoculation and cannot be penalised for his refusal?

I have no information to the effect suggested in the Question. Existing instructions on the subject are quite clear, and I do not think further instructions are necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the natural anxiety caused by air-raids, families of members of the Forces serving abroad may be granted at least the same free postal facilities that are granted to families of evacuated children?

If my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the free facilities provided by Messrs. Cable and Wireless, Limited, for parents to communicate periodically by telegraph with their children, I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Yardley (Mr. Salt) on the 28th of January, of which I am sending him a copy. There is no free postage for children evacuated abroad.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the policy of his department with regard to the hours of closing Post Offices in the evenings; whether he is aware there exists considerable difference of methods in adjoining districts; and whether, as the days grow longer, he will consider extending the hours?

The policy of the Post Office is to fix the time of closing of Post Office counters in close relationship to the general closing time for shops. I am aware that there are differences in the closing times of Post Offices in the hon. Member's constituency, but these arise because the general closing hours for shops differ from town to town. I am considering the question of extending the hours of closing for Post Offices as the days grow longer.

asked the Secretary for Mines to what extent the present shortage of coal is attributable to reduced production at the collieries caused by miners leaving their employment for other work and to enlist in the Armed Forces?

Over the country as a whole I am satisfied that production of coal is sufficient to meet current needs, though there are districts where there is shortage. In some cases, as in Lancashire, among the contributory causes of shortage are those mentioned by the hon. Member. A review of the man-power position is now in progress.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the present shortage of coal, he is taking any steps to facilitate night-work in pits and washery plants which at present are handicapped by the black-out?

I do not think that the difficulties presented by the black-out are responsible in any large degree for the local shortages of coal to which I assume the hon. Member refers. There is no reason to suppose that additional nightshift working is necessary, or economical, if the available labour is only sufficient for manning the pits effectively during the normal winding shifts. The extent to which surface operations are affected by the black-out will diminish as the days lengthen and I do not think it is necessary to adopt any special measures in these circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the grave hardship to thousands of working-class parents who are now called upon to pay fees for their children in secondary schools for the first time on account of increased household income due to wage increases to meet the increased cost of living; and whether he is prepared to allow education authorities to revise the scales of this means test for the purpose of securing the continuation of secondary-school education for the workers' children?

A number of local education authorities have already approached the Board with a view to revising their income scales for fee and maintenance allowances in secondary schools to meet increases in the cost of living. The Board have found no difficulty in approving reasonable proposals to this end, and they are prepared to consider similar proposals from other authorities. The hon. Member will of course realise that no hardship is involved in requiring payment in respect of fees in cases where increases in wages have been more than commensurate with the increased cost of living.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether, in view of the difficulties of transport owing to the inspectorate areas of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals having become larger in consequence of men having joined the Forces, he will consider increasing petrol allowances of the remaining inspectors concerned to enable them to deal with the requirements of the work?

I have a warm sympathy for the work of the society to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but in view of the urgent need to economise petrol consumption I am afraid I do not see my way to adopting his suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his Department has yet prescribed any policy to local authorities, whose areas have suffered heavily from enemy bombing, as to rebuilding or permanent repairing; and what is the policy on the subject being adopted by such local authorities?

The view of His Majesty's Government is that no permanent rebuilding or repairing should be undertaken at present unless it is in any particular case clearly in the national interest to devote labour and materials to such a purpose. In considering applications for licences to build, the Ministry of Works and Buildings is acting in accordance with that policy, the necessity for which is, I am sure, appreciated by local authorities. The question of the eventual redevelopment of bombed areas is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary in what way the small house-holder owning a small collection of poultry which was destroyed by enemy action should claim for compensation?

Pending the coming into operation of the War Damage Bill, such claims should, in common with all other claims in respect of war damage, be made on form V.O.W.I, which can be obtained from the local authority in the district where the loss occurred.

asked the Financial Secretary whether he is aware that, although large supplies of paper are manufactured for His Majesty's Stationery Office in Scotland, nevertheless the share of the Scottish printing industry in Government contracts is less than four per cent. of the total; and will he take appropriate steps to ensure more equitable treatment by arranging that future tenders for Government work should be on the basis of ex works, and thus help to check the very serious decline which is taking place in the Scottish printing industry?

The share of the Scottish printing industry in Government contracts has been the subject of considerable attention. As stated in a reply to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 2nd April, 1940, tenderers for a large general distribution of printed material are asked to state the amount allowed for carriage, so that, in considering the quotations, the Department may allow for local deliveries where the distribution arrangements permit. It would not, however, be proper to incur additional expenditure and, in effect, to pass over the lowest tender by disregarding the cost of carriage entirely, as would be liable to result if tenders were invited on an ex-works basis, and I cannot see my way to adopt that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many light and how many heavier tractor outfits it is intended to send to the Western Isles to assist with spring land work and the subsidised extension of cultivation; and what charges are being made for their use by crofters?

Two Government tractor outfits are already in the Western Isles, of a type which is considered suitable to undertake the cultivations there. While this equipment may be augmented, if necessary, the demand made so far for the services of the two tractors has been disappointing and would not justify the dispatch of additional outfits at present. Charges are fixed by the local agricultural executive committees subject to minimum rates prescribed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland on the basis of contractors' charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to organise all absent property owners who have property in Glasgow, and see that the responsibility for defence against fire-bombs on their properties rests primarily with the owners, and order the local authorities to make billeting provision for these men and women and the adult members of their families?

No, Sir. The Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order imposes the duty of making proper arrangements for dealing with fire bombs upon the occupiers of the premises to which the Order may be applied. In the case of unoccupied business premises, and other premises outside the scope of the Order, the duty of making the necessary arrangements is placed upon local authorities generally, who are entitled to expect that owners of property as such will be no less ready to undertake fire prevention service than other citizens. If it is necessary to put into operation the provisions of the Civil Defence Services (Compulsory Enrolment) Order, owners of property will not be exempt from the obligation to perform such service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the Scottish Land Court's survey, in conjunction with the local agricultural committee, of the Ross and Cromarty deer forests, giving figures for deer forest acreage and land judged suitable for cultivation or grazing, and of the surveyor's estimate of the stock-carrying capacity for cattle and sheep, respectively?

In the area of the agricultural executive committee for Ross and Cromarty (Mainland), the Scottish Land Court surveyed 31 deer forests, comprising a total acreage of 624,000 acres. The acreage suitable for cultivation or grazing was not separately assessed. The permanent carrying capacity of the forests, in excess of existing stocks, was estimated at 8,100 sheep and 80 cattle. In addition, it was estimated that the forests could summer 14,800 sheep and 320 cattle, over and above the numbers summered last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement regarding the proposal to resume the work of the Economic Committee of the Scottish National Development Council on Conditions in the Highlands and Islands; and especially to what extent His Majesty's Government are to assist in this work?

As already announced, the Scottish Development Council, with my right hon. Friend's warm approval, recently decided to resume their investigations, which were suspended on account of war conditions, in May last, into the possibility of initiating industries in the Highland area which have a value in the prosecution of the war and would assist the post-war economic development of the Highlands. It has been arranged that the various Departments concerned will give all possible help in these inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the suggestion of the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture for Scotland in their letter to him, of 31st December, that, in view of the increasing difficulty in obtaining agricultural implement parts, a number of factories and foundries should be expressly reserved for agricultural needs; and what steps he intends to take, jointly with other Ministries and interests concerned, to this end?

Yes, Sir. I can assure the hon. Member that the importance of maximum production of agricultural machinery is fully appreciated. Arrangements are already in operation whereby the productive capacity of firms engaged wholly or partly in the manufacture of agricultural machinery can, where necessary, be expressly reserved for such manufacture.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many prosecutions for illegal trawling were made in the Western Isles in the last six months;(2) whether he is aware that illegal trawling is going on continuously among the in-shore fisheries; and what special steps he intends to take to safeguard this source of livelihood of the island's fishermen, at present on active Service, while the fishing grounds are being ruined?

Owing to naval requirements, it has not been possible to maintain the normal fishery protection service, but the naval authorities are assisting in the patrol wherever possible. My right hon. Friend is advised that the in-shore fisheries are not being seriously affected by illegal trawling, but the matter is kept under observation. Following upon reports received, proceedings have, during the past six months, been taken in three cases, in each of which a conviction was obtained.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now come to a decision regarding the provision of identification discs for the civil population?

Yes, Sir. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that in present circumstances the diversion of labour and materials for this purpose from more essential requirements would not be justified. I hope that, both in their own interests and to facilitate the task of the casualty services, the public will themselves take steps to provide themselves wherever possible, with some ready means of identification which cannot easily be lost or destroyed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken with regard to the attempted assassination of the chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council; whether the assassin was connected with the Japanese Ratepayers' Association; and whether he will inform the Japanese Government that, in view of this violent out-break, the Japanese claim for larger representation on the Shanghai Municipal Council will not receive the support of His Majesty's Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report on the shootings at Shanghai in connection with the International Settlement Council; and whether he has made any representations on the subject, and, if so, with what result, to the Japanese Government?

At a special meeting of ratepayers in the International Settlement at Shanghai on 23rd January, Mr. W. J. Keswick, chairman of the council, was shot at and wounded by Mr. Hayashi, chairman of the Japanese Ratepayers' Association. The shooting was accompanied by scenes of disorder on the part of the Japanese ratepayers. His Majesty's Ambassador has made strong representations about the disorderly conduct of the Japanese ratepayers and has pressed for early and suitable punishment for Mr. Hayashi. The Japanese Government have informed Sir R. Craigie that Mr. Hayashi is being brought back to Japan for trial and that everything will be done to prevent a recurrence of the incident, which is greatly regretted. Meanwhile, I have nothing further to add in reply to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne). I am glad to say that Mr. Keswick's wounds are not serious and that he is expected to leave hospital soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Caerphilly Urban District Council condemning the attitude of the British Government in assenting to the supply of oil, petrol and munitions to Japan, an associate of the Axis Powers; and what answer he has returned thereto?

As regards petroleum products, the position remains as explained in the reply returned to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 27th November. As regards munitions, all exports of arms, ammunition and aircraft are subject to licence and no license have been issued for such exports to Japan during the past two years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to make any statement about the sending of remittances to enemy and enemy-occupied territories?

Yes, Sir. It has until recently been possible to send remittances to British subjects in enemy and enemy-occupied territories through two channels. Subject to obtaining the consent of the Trading with the Enemy Branch, banks in this country have been empowered to make remittances on proof of the need of such a British subject. Simultaneously advances have been made to British subjects to relieve dis- tress by United States Consuls in enemy and enemy-occupied territories. There has inevitably been a risk of duplication of payment, and in view of the necessity of conserving our resources of foreign exchange and of preventing such resources accruing to the benefit of the enemy, it has been found necessary to review the whole position and, while making no change of principle, to deal with such transactions on a uniform system.As from 1st January, 1941, therefore, permission to effect remittances through banks in this country has been withdrawn. Henceforward British subjects (including widows of British birth) detained in enemy or enemy-occupied territory who are willing to be repatriated when facilities exist and in the meantime need financial assistance may obtain advances on application made to the nearest United States Consul. The amount advanced is assessed by the Consul in relation to the circumstances of each particular case, but may not exceed the following monthly amounts per person:

Germany (including Czecho-Slovakia)	£15
Italy and Italian possessions	Lire 900
Unoccupied France	£12 10s.
Countries in enemy occupation	£10

The United States Consuls also have a discretion enabling them in exceptional circumstances to meet medical and other expenses. The limits referred to above are governed by the imperative need to avoid providing the enemy with foreign exchange, and it is not possible to obtain increases in the amounts solely on the ground that they do not maintain the customary standard of living of the recipients. Such advances are repayable in this country by or on behalf of the recipient, and can be made only to British subjects.Any interested party in the United Kingdom who has reason to think that a British subject to whom the above applies may not be aware of these facilities may apply to the Trading with the Enemy Branch (Treasury and Board of Trade), 20, Kingsway, W.C.2, with a view to the case being taken up through the nearest United States Consul. Any such application must state the full name and last known address of the British subject, his or her relationship to the applicant, and the name and address of the applicant.As regards British subjects who are civilian internees in enemy and enemy occupied territories, United States Consuls will have discretion to give monetary assistance to such extent as may be necessary to relieve hardship.The changes described above necessarily affect the position of prisoners of war, to whom it has hitherto been possible to send remittances only through banks in this country. Up to the present the two banks who are official agents for the Army and Air Force hold a licence permitting them to remit up to £2 per month to any officer prisoner of war. It was always intended that there should be no discrimination between officers and other ranks, but the administrative arrangements in connection with other ranks had not been completed at the time when the matter came under review. If the arrangement were extended to cover other ranks as well as officers, it would involve payment to the enemy of a maximum amount of £1,000,000 a year in United States dollars, which would at the same time impair our own war effort and assist the enemy. It has been decided therefore that in future, permission to send remittances through banks in this country shall be withdrawn in the case of prisoners of war no less than in the case of other British subjects in enemy and enemy occupied territories. I am sure that all those interested will appreciate that this decision has only been reached for very strong reasons which will be understood by them and by the prisoners of war themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the number of cases in which important documents concerned with his Department are left in public vehicles, he will consider issuing an order that all those carrying such documents, officers included, shall have them enclosed in an attache case which shall be attached by a chain to their persons as in the case of bank messengers?

I regret that I am unable to adopt the procedure suggested by my hon. Friend, which is open to the objection that it would draw attention to the fact that public documents of an important nature were being carried.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give an assurance that His Majesty's Government, in all matters affecting our relations with China and Japan, are working in close co-operation with the Government of the United States of America?

As has been made clear on more than one occasion in the past, His Majesty's Government maintain contact with the United States Government in all matters of common interest. This remains their policy.

asked the Minister of Information whether he can make any statement as to the use made by foreign propaganda purposes hostile to this country of the meeting of the so-called People's Convention in London this month?

While no reference was made to the Convention in German home programmes, it was mentioned in German broadcasts to England, in broadcasts from German-controlled stations in Denmark and Belgium, and in one broadcast from Rome. All these references laid more stress on the desire of the Convention to make peace than on its internal programme and indicated that, while the enemy are not altogether prepared to identify themselves with the objects of the Convention, they whole-heartedly approve of the way in which its members are at present acting.