asked the President of the Board of Trade the special steps which are being taken to stimulate the marketing and sale of British goods in the United States of America, and will he consider the advisability of approaching the Government of the United States of America with a view to obtaining modifications in any existing trade agreement, or concessions in a new one, which would increase the demand for British goods in America, particularly in woollens and worsteds, cottons and linens, leather goods, pottery and glass?

All possible encouragement is being given to the marketing and sale of British goods in the United States of America, both by export groups and through Government facilities such as those provided by the Department of Overseas Trade and Export Credits Guarantee Department. The necessary materials and labour are made available for such exports to the utmost possible extent. The suggestion in the second part of my hon. Friend's Question is not being lost sight of.

Is there a permanent British marketing and selling agency at work in the United States?

No, Sir. We are examining plans for the establishment of such an organisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the manufacture of certain patented articles has ceased, or has been considerably reduced, on account of war conditions; and is he prepared to consider increasing the life of such patents for the same duration as the period of interruption as in the last war?

Section 18 (6) of the Patents and Designs Acts, 1907 to 1939, provides for the extension of patents where the patentee as such can show that he has suffered loss or damage through the war. This is the provision which was made for the extension of patents on account of their interruption by the last war and I do not, as at presnt advised, proposed to introduce further legislation on the point.

Is not the Minister aware that a large number of patents will expire during the war and that congestion is likely to take place? Cannot he see his way clear to issue a general order in order to overcome these difficulties?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will call the attention of insurance companies to the likelihood of a reduction in the number of claims arising out of both fire and burglary policies as a result of the new system of general fire-watching and prevention; and whether he will consult with them as to the possibility of some reduction in premiums?

No, Sir. In war-time the risk of fires and burglaries is increased in many ways, apart from enemy action. It is too soon to say how far the additional security provided by the fire-watching system will offset this extra risk.

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence to support his statement; and if the premium cannot be reduced, can he approach the insurance companies, with a view to getting them to make some contribution towards the cost of maintaining watchers?

The figures for 1939–40 support my statement.

Would it be possible to publish those figures?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have come to any decision with regard to the disposal of Italian prisoners taken by the British Army in the Libyan campaign?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Wedgwood) on Tuesday last, of which I am sending him a copy. I can now add that the Government of the Union of South Africa have agreed to take 20,000 of these prisoners of war, and it is hoped to complete the arrangements for this very shortly.

Is the suggestion that a large number of these prisoners should be put to work on the land here, to be carried out?

Yes, Sir; that is being pursued.

asked the Secretary of State for War, what number of inspectors are employed by the International Red Cross to visit and report on conditions obtaining at the different German prisoners of war camps; what is the total number of such camps; and how frequently are such inspections made?

I am informed that the International Red Cross have four inspectors who visit the prisoner of war camps in Germany, and that such visits are made about once every three months. The number of camps for British prisoners of war is 16. The inspections on behalf of the International Red Cross are independent of those made by the authorities of the United States of America (the protecting Power). We have asked the latter to make monthly inspections.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that, as there are 16 camps of very considerable extent, four inspectors is a very inadequate number? Would he make representations, through the protecting Power, that this number of international inspectors might be increased?

I will certainly see what can be done.

What is the nationality of these inspectors?

I shall have to have notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that British prisoners of war who were captured in the early summer wearing light summer clothing have now received warm battledress and overcoats; and, if not, what is the present position?

Enough greatcoats and suits of battledress have been despatched for distribution to all camps in Germany in which British prisoners of war are detained to provide one of each for every officer and man. It is definitely known that supplies of this clothing have left Geneva, but I regret that I have not yet been able to ascertain what numbers have been received in the camps.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the great anxiety of relatives about prisoners of war being in the clothes in which they were taken prisoner in the summer? We know about the despatch; what we are anxious to know is whether the parcels have arrived. Can anything be done, through the protecting Power or otherwise, to ascertain whether the majority of the men have obtained overcoats and new battledress in this terribly cold weather?

What I said is that the parcels have not only been despatched, but that they have left Geneva—they have arrived at Geneva and have left Geneva. I am unable to say whether they have actually reached the camps. I am trying to get further information. As soon as I have it, I will let my hon. Friend know.

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend considered the possibility of these suits of battledress being intercepted by the Germans and used to clothe a possible invading force?

That would seem to be an argument for not sending them at all. We have to balance one consideration against the other. As I have said, a good deal of the despatching has been done.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider sending a different kind of clothing, so that it could not be put to the purpose to which the hon. and gallant Member referred?

I will consider that.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the fact that out of every 20 parcels despatched by the Red Cross from this country, only one has crossed the German frontier?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any further measures have now been taken to facilitate the transit of food and clothing to our prisoners of war in Germany?

I should like to assure the House that the War Office and the Red Cross Society are ready and anxious at all times to consider—and with the utmost sympathy—suggestions designed to promote the welfare of our prisoners of war, whether these come from Members of this House or the public at large. From my own personal observation I am satisfied that the British Red Cross Society is doing everything possible to further the end which we all have in view. The society has had a very difficult task to perform and has from time to time come in for criticism, in my view often unmerited. The House is well aware of the very real problems, quite outside our control, in connection with the distribution of parcels, which the society has been and is trying to solve. To help them in this task Field-Marshal Sir Phillip Chetwode tells me that he has secured the services of Mr. Stanley Adams as managing-director of the parcels department of the British Red Cross. Mr. Adams, who is chairman of Messrs. Thomas Cook & Son, Limited, has secured the co-operation of other business firms. He is, of course, a most experienced administrator and has an unrivalled knowledge of European transport problems. He is giving his services without remuneration.

If the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied with the work of the Red Cross, is he satisfied with the work that the Government have done?

All the time we are trying to improve the very difficult circumstances.

Is there not delay in the transit of parcels to Lisbon? That is not a matter for the Red Cross but for the Government.

While appreciating to the full the good will shown by the staff of the Red Cross, high and low, is not the burden of the public's complaint that they have been staffed by amateurs who have no knowledge of affairs, and is not this feeling confirmed by the very late appointment of a business man? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take some steps to ensure that the staff of the Red Cross from top to bottom is re-organised to include people who have knowledge of business affairs rather than amateurs?

I think that Sir Philip Chetwode, by making this appointment, has shown that he was conscious of the value of professional as opposed to amateur help and that it would be a great advantage to the society to have help of the kind which Mr. Stanley Adams, with his great experience, can provide.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the arrangements for the canteens at the Great Western and London, Midland and Scottish Railway stations at Wolverhampton, which were promised months ago, will be put into operation; whether he is aware that women helpers have been waiting for a considerable period to staff the canteens, and that there is a great demand for these canteens from men in the services passing through the stations; and what is causing the delay?

The delay in establishing these canteens is due to the prior claims on hutting arising from the necessity of providing troops under canvas with other accommodation. A hut, has, however, been erected at the Great Western Railway station, and the canteen is now open and in operation. Another ut has been made available for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway station, and the canteen will be finished and open by the end of this week.

Is the right hon. and gallant Friend aware that nothing whatever has been done yet at the London, Midland and Scottish station to erect a hut? Is he not misinformed?

I hope very much that I have not been misinformed. My information is that this hut has been made available, and that the canteen will be finished and opened by the end of this week.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend be good enough to look into the matter again? I assure him that there is no sign whatever of any canteen at the station.

I certainly will look into it again.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any recent Army Council order has been issued forbidding officers of His Majesty's Forces to mix with the ranks when off duty; and does any such order apply to members of the auxiliary women's services and the Women's Land Army?

The answer to the first part of the Question is No, Sir. The second part, therefore, does not arise.

Is the Minister satisfied that none of the subordinate authorities in the regions have issued such orders?

Yes, Sir; I am quite satisfied of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the colonel at a zone headquarters, Home Guard, of which he has been informed, has drawn the attention of commanders of all group and mobile battalions under him to the letter from Lieut.-Colonel Bingham, published in the "Times," with the suggestion that the problem raised by the letter should be carefully borne in mind in recommending men for commissions; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have called for a report on this matter. When it has been received and considered, I will write to my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as we understand from the Press, these commissions are in process of being given now? I am sure the House will want an assurance that the circular sent out by this gentleman, a copy of which I have with me, will not influence the granting of commissions in that area until the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has looked into the matter?

Certainly, Sir. That is why I called for a report straight away.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the Home Guard are authorised to fire on all attempts to land troops by parachute?

Yes, Sir.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his answer, will he refer to the answer he gave to Question No. 16, and say how the Home Guard is to distinguish between our own air troops who may be baling out and invading forces, since the latter may be similarly attired?

I think that the Home Guard have a fair degree of common sense.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of two men killed by a Home Guard; and whether any provision has been made for their dependants?

I am aware of one such case. The matter is being looked into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Czech soldiers in this country are paid by the Czech or by the British authorities, or both?

The expenditure on the pay and maintenance of the Czech Forces is met in the first instance from funds provided by the British Government, and charged to a credit opened by the Treasury in favour of the Czechoslovak Provisional Government. The actual issue of pay to individual Czech soldiers is made by the Czech authorities, except that men in hospital are, for convenience, paid by the British authorities.

Is it not unfair that English soldiers should receive considerably less pay than Czech soldiers in this country?

I have no evidence that that is so. I am informed that the rates of pay have been fixed by agreement between the Czech authorities and the War Office, and that they approximate to British basic rates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether foreign soldiers stationed in this country are employed in assisting British soldiers to clear up air-raid damage?

Yes, Sir. Three alien companies of the Pioneer Corps are so employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the plight of Mrs. Knox, Peebles, a widow, whose two sons are in the Royal Scots; and whether the with- drawal of her dependant's allowance as a result of a visit by a means test inspector was on his instructions or with his approval?

Yes, Sir. Mrs. Knox was in receipt of a dependant's allowance at the rate of 20s. 6d. a week from 2nd September, 1939, to 14th July, 1940. On the latter date, when the case came up for review, it was found that a married daughter with a separate income was living with her. My hon. Friend will, of course, be aware that, under the regulations, if a dependant in Mrs. Knox's circumstances was to qualify for allowance, the average income per head of the household, after making certain allowances for rent, etc., must have been less than 15s. a week as the regulations then stood. The per capita income of Mrs. Knox's household, on 15th July, 1940, was, I understand, over 27s. The allowance was, therefore, terminated with effect from 15th July. On 28th December, 1940, there was a change in Mrs. Knox's circumstances as her daughter left the house, and the case would have been reviewed if the change had been brought to notice. It is made clear in the allowance book that the dependant should at once inform the paymaster of any change. The change was not in fact brought to notice until my hon. Friend did so in his telegram of 18th January. On 22nd January a provisional allowance was issued at the rate of 18s. a week with effect from 30th December, that is the Monday following the change, pending investigation of the new circumstances. The principle of an income limit which has governed the treatment of this case was that approved by this House after very full debate. It is implicit in that principle that the Department should take whatever steps are necessary from time to time to review cases with a view to ensuring whether the income limits have so changed as to alter the entitlement to an allowance. No instructions from me were necessary, nor was it necessary for me formally to sanction a course of action which had already received the approval of the House of Commons.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the married daughter referred to is the wife of a soldier and is entirely dependent upon a soldier's allowance? Is it not therefore the fact that that allowance was expected not only to maintain the wife of the soldier, but the widowed mother of two other soldiers; is it the further fact that, when the hon. Member for Streatham visited this unfortunate woman, he found her in a state of destitution, undernourished and underfed, with only one shilling in the house; and, finally, does my right hon. and gallant Friend believe that he is carrying out the wishes of this House and the public outside in treating anyone like this?

At the moment the case was brought to the notice of the War Office action was at once taken, and a provisional allowance was issued. The matter is to be further investigated to see whether the compensation or the allowance which is being paid is the right one, and if it is not, an adjustment will be made.

May I remind my right hon. and gallant Friend that this case was brought to the notice of his junior Ministers three and a half months ago and has been continuously before them ever since, and that it takes a Parliamentary Question to have anything done at all?

Is it not the fact that this woman's daughter has practically been driven out of the house by the prevailing system, and is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this kind of case does not stand alone and that it is time that this system of counting in allotments was stopped?

I have acted under the law as passed by this House, and, as I said in my answer, this matter was very fully debated when the Bill passed through the House.

Is it intended to propose the amendment of these Regulations to bring them into line with the proposals now before the House under the Determination of Needs Bill?

There is an Inter-Departmental Committee sitting to see how the Regulations at present in operation can be dovetailed into the new Bill now before the House.

If it is found that they are less favourable than those contemplated by the new Bill, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider altering them to make them more favourable?

I do not think that I can give a pledge of that sort; I must await the result of my investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many military lorries and vehicles in this country have been damaged through road accidents in the last 12 months; and whether, in view of the extra cost this damage entails to the taxpayer, he will impress upon the drivers of these vehicles to take the greatest care?

I regret that figures are not available for the last 12 months, but during the last two months of 1940 accidents in which military vehicles have been damaged occurred at the rate of 300 a day. This is a most unsatisfactory record, and stringent instructions have been recently issued enjoining observance of traffic regulations, road signs and speed restrictions imposed by law, and also laying down maximum speed limits for the various classes of Army vehicles in areas where no speed limit is imposed by law. A driver who breaks the traffic regulations except when, in case of emergency, he is given special written authority by an officer not below the rank of lieutenant-colonel, to drive a heavy vehicle at a speed in excess of that ordinarily prescribed, is liable to prosecution by the police, or to military punishment. Severe disciplinary action is to be taken where the authorised speed limits are exceeded, and in all cases of dangerous driving.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for the satisfactory steps he has taken, will he bear in mind that it is really speed which is more to blame than the quality of the driving?

There are probably many contributory factors.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend satisfied that these Army vehicles are being properly kept up and serviced, that the state of the engines and vehicles generally does not leave a great deal to be desired at the present time, and that it costs the taxpayers a great deal of money?

I have no evidence of that, and I do not know; I have driven a car a great deal myself, and I do not think that that question can necessarily be a contributory factor to the number of accidents.

While appreciating the necessity for stiffening up the driving care displayed by soldiers in charge of military vehicles, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recognise that, during the period to which he referred when so many accidents occurred, the road conditions were exceedingly difficult, and that I myself have seen half-a-dozen lorries involved in accidents, when no amount of care could have avoided an accident?

I quite agree with that, but I do not think that it explains the whole list.

The Minister referred to prosecution by the police, and I would ask him whether the police are entitled to prosecute?

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that there is a contributory factor in the fact that many motor drivers are employed for other purposes in the Army, while men who have never been motor drivers have been newly trained and are without a road sense to drive these vehicles?

I am certain that as drivers become more experienced, the accidents should become less.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applicants for small-holdings in the county of Ayr at present unsatisfied; why he granted the owners authority to destroy the subjects of the statutory small-holding of Hillend, on the Lanfine estate, Galston, as a separate holding and divide it between large neighbouring farmers; and whether, before granting such authority, he consulted the land court or offered the holding to any of the applicants on his list?

There are 762 outstanding applications for holdings in Ayrshire, but it is doubtful whether as many as half of these remain effective. The holding in question extended to only 13 acres in grass at 800 feet above sea-level, the grazing of which had been sublet during the whole of the last tenant's occupancy to an adjoining small farm of 136 acres. In these circumstances it was agreed with the landlord that the needs of food production and also of economic farming of the holding would best be served by combining its land with the neighbouring farm and adding the cottages to another farm for the much needed accommodation of a married ploughman. The consent of the land court was not required to this course, and in view of the situation and quality of the holding it was not considered desirable to risk the delay entailed by offering the subjects to applicants on the list.

Does not the Minister consider that it was a wrong action on the part of the Department to ignore the strong opinion of the land court that this was a suitable estate to remain as a smallholding; and is it not wrong also to destroy small-holdings, in view of the large demand for them?

I cannot discuss the general conclusion of the last part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, and, of course, I shall do all I can to extend small-holdings, but the facts in this case do not bear out this general conclusion, because the tenant of the farm with which it was proposed to amalgamate the land had had the grazing as sub-tenant during the whole of the late tenants' occupancy of the holding and had broken up more land because that grazing was available. This arrangement has been approved by the agricultural executive committee. It is my object to get the maximum production in war-time.

Is not the Minister aware that the landlord previously tried to have this small-holding destroyed as a separate holding and that the land court took a definite line against him?

I will look into that matter, but the House will see that cultivation on the top of an exposed hill at 800 feet above sea-level is hazardous; and, as a matter of fact, in 1914 the then tenant did not cultivate the holding but got employment elsewhere.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can indicate the nature of the reply sent to the Executive Board of the Midland (Amalgamated) District with regard to their note sent to him concerning the loss of coal output consequent upon the shortage of railway wagons?

In co-operation with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Transport, I am giving constant attention to the problem of ensuring adequate supplies of empty wagons, not only in the Midland district but also in other coalfields. The action already taken includes the clearance of a large number of wagons standing under load at the docks in South Wales and arrangements for the freer movement of other loaded wagons from that area. Strenuous efforts have been and will continue to be made to speed up the clearance of wagons at depots throughout the country and relief has been given to the railways by restoring certain local coal traffic where practicable to the roads. I am advised that the wagons which were held up on the Great Western and Southern systems during the autumn as a result of the special working difficulties then experienced have now been cleared and are again in service.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any reply has been sent to the coalowners and how many of these 24,000 wagons which are surplus to requirements on the Great Western and Southern railways have been transferred to the Midland district, where they are losing at least 250,000 tons of coal a week and some pits are working less than four clays a week?

I quite see the difficulties, but the coal output in the Midland district is nearly up to the level of last summer. There is a shortage of wagons in more than one district, and I am meeting a deputation from the Midland area today to consider whether something can be done to augment the number of wagons used in that area. The problem is associated with the rate at which wagons can be turned round and the movement of traffic.

But my hon. Friend must remember that although the output is nearly up to the level of last summer, it is far below what could be produced if there were more wagons in that area?

I am sure that is quite right. More coal could be produced if there were more rapid movement of traffic on railways, but there are special conditions, to which I have referred in my answer.

Will my hon. Friend make more use of the inland waterways of this country?

We are doing so, but the inland waterways have to have proper boats and people trained to use them. That is being done, and more coal is being moved on canals now than some months ago.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the broadcast by the Australian War Minister from Singapore, on 12th January, stating that Australia had no quarrel with Japan, implies no change in Imperial policy involving recognition and support for China in her struggle against Japanese aggression?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether shelter-marshals are instructed, or empowered, to require that persons claiming to occupy regular places in public shelters must bring their gas masks with them?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir, but it is, of course, highly desirable that persons using shelters should in their own interests carry a respirator, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is considering what further steps can best be taken to impress this upon them.

Is the Ministry of Home Security taking all possible steps to make sure that in concentrating upon the risk of fire people do not forget the risk of gas?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement concerning the measures adopted by His Majesty's Government to make trench air-raid shelters waterproof?

The problem of damp in trench shelters has received very careful consideration. Some of the difficulties are due to the hasty construction of trenches in unsuitable sites at a time of grave crisis. Where they are hopelessly damp local authorities have power to close them. A circular, giving expert advice on the best way of treating leakage through the roofs of trenches, was sent to local authorities on the 11th December last: briefly, the advice was to remove the earth covering and treat the roof with a waterproof layer of asphaltic or bitumastic material.

Can the hon. Lady say whether these measures are meeting with a fair amount of success?

Where they are being carried out in accordance with expert advice they are meeting with some success. Where local authorities scamp them they are not.

Is it not a fact that in many areas the difficulty arises from the fact that before the collapse of France the areas were considered to be safe, and dormitory trenches not necessary, but that these areas are now vulnerable areas, where dormitory trenches are necessary, and that the whole situation has shifted?

The matter is continually under review.

Does my hon. Friend propose to deal with the local authorities which are lax?

Yes, we are dealing with them continually, but it has to be done through the regional authority.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the worst cases are those in which local authorities have closely followed the Home Office plans, which have been a complete failure, and will she see that in any future proposals made the local authorities—who know their area better than the Home Office inspectors—are allowed to carry out the proposals they want instead of being compelled, as they have been by the Home Office, to put up shelters that are absolutely useless?

I cannot accept such a sweeping statement.

You could if you were on the other side of the House.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement concerning the plans adopted, or approved, by His Majesty's Government for the provision of strong air-raid shelters by means of tunnelling in areas where the subsoil consists of chalk?

I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a circular which was sent to local authorities for their guidance in this matter. I may say that some chalk formations are likely to afford good opportunities for tunnelling and the chalk outcrops in the south-east of London are the subject of special examination by consultants working for the Regional Commissioners.

Do I understand that the hon. Lady and her right hon. Friend have personally examined the possibility of making such shelters on a very large scale within a reasonable distance of the centre of London?

That is hardly a job for myself or my right hon. Friend. We are having experts to do that; they are working under the Regional Commissioners for the London area and are in process of examination of the problem.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that experts working on this matter have made many mistakes in the past and that if this question receives the personal attention of herself or her right hon. Friend, the time will be well spent?

asked the Home Secretary in how many cases he has not accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee appointed to hear appeals from persons detained under Regulation 18B?

This information is contained in the reports submitted to Parliament in pursuance of paragraph (6) of the Regulation, and I would refer my hon. Friend to those reports.

As the Minister has already assured me that in other cases he has ac- cepted the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, will my hon. Friend explain why there is such interminable delay between the receipt of recommendation and the day on which the Home Secretary makes the decision?

No such assurance as the hon. Member has suggested has, in fact, been given. There is a number of cases in which my right hon. Friend has refused to accept the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Particulars of these cases are contained in the Parliamentary Paper referred to in my answer.

Does my hon. Friend recollect the answer which he gave to a similar Question by me about six weeks ago, when he stated that invariably the recommendations have been accepted?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that people who have had their clothes destroyed in air raids often have to wait many hours at Unemployment Assistance Board offices before they can get a grant; that the grants when made are, in many cases, quite inadequate to buy necessary clothing, and applicants are sometimes not given Form W.D.3 informing them that the first payments may be followed by a subsequent one; and will he investigate these complaints with a view to remedying them?

The Assistance Board do their best to save applicants from waiting, but in the nature of things it is not always possible to foresee and make provision for the attendance of large numbers at particular points. I cannot accept the suggestion that the grants made are inadequate, though on this matter and the further point raised in the Question I will look into any particular cases which the hon. Member cares to bring to my notice.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that applicants sometimes have to spend one day there and are then told to come back the next day, and that in some offices the grants given are quite ridiculously small? If I send the right hon. and gallant Gentleman quite a large number of cases, will he look into them?

Yes, Sir. I rather think I have already looked into some cases which the hon. Member sent to me.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I have a similar batch concerning the same office, and will he pay particular attention to them?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that friendly alien internees sent to Canada suffer in certain respects compared with prisoners of war interned in Canada; and whether he will consider consulting the Canadian Government on any improvements submitted to him by returned internees which have the approval of the Home Secretary?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no information to support the suggestion in the first part of the Question, but he will be glad to consider any information or suggestions teat may be submitted to him regarding the internees sent from this country to Canada.

asked the Minister without Portfolio the nature of the organisation he is setting up to consider the question of Allied peace aims; and when a statement on the subject may be expected?

I regret that. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very widespread interest in this subject of peace aims and that the matter cannot be left in its present unsatisfactory position? Can he hold out any hope of a statement being made in the near future?

The Prime Minister, the last time this Question was raised, said that when a good opportunity arose it would be taken.

Has not the Minister an organisation of his own dealing with the matter in his new office?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a more widespread interest in winning the war first?

This is the best way Winning it.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the evidence given by Mr. Kennedy, late Ambassador of the United States to this country, to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the American Senate, in which he said that he had no idea what this country's peace aims were? He was Ambassador here for a long time, and in view of that statement, is it not desirable that any ambiguity there may be on the subject should be cleared up at the earliest possible moment?

I cannot be responsible for statements made by ex-Ambassadors. Some of these statements certainly have not the approval of numbers of Members of this House.

Does not my right hon. Friend recollect the statements made in this House and elsewhere by the Lord Privy Seal that a statement on peace aims would be made shortly?

Do the Government really know what the war is about?

Is it the policy of the Government to make such a statement?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will impose a luxury tax upon first-class railway travel in the next Budget?

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

Will the Chancellor bear this in mind when he draws up the Budget?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since the outbreak of war, he has received the full co-operation and support of the principal banks both in London and the provinces; whether he is satisfied by the effort made by the banks to strengthen and maintain wartime credit; and whether the response of the banks to requests and suggestions from the Treasury and public Departments has been satisfactory?

The answer to all parts of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum lent by the five leading banks to the Government since the beginning of the war, including the increase in balance-sheet totals, sums released by the decline in call money, bills and advances, investments in Government securities and loans on Treasury deposit receipts?

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

Does the Chancellor agree that his Answer indicates the extent to which the banks of this country are co-operating with the Government in raising funds for the war?

Yes, Sir. That is what my answer does.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the re-assessment of all shop properties in evacuation areas to cover the war period and one year after, upon the existing basis of valuation?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to reassessment for purposes of Income Tax Schedule A. Present conditions are quite unsuitable for a general revaluation, and a revaluation confined to particular classes of properties in particular areas could not be justified. I may, however, remind my hon. Friend that in the case of business property owned by a trader the net Schedule A Assessment on the property is deducted in arriving at the profits for assessment to Income Tax Schedule D and any reduction in a Schedule A assessment is therefore reflected in a corresponding increase in the Schedule D assessment so that a revaluation would not necessarily be to the advantage of traders.

Is not the existing valuation in many cases out of all proportion to present circumstances?

I have said that it would be quite unsuitable to have a general revaluation at this moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is possible for him to state the proportion of the new 2½ per cent. National War Bonds and 3 per cent. Savings Bonds taken up by overseas investors neither domiciled nor ordinarily resident in this country; and what special steps will be taken to attract people in overseas countries to invest money in these securities?

I regret that it is not practicable to identify subscriptions according to the domicile or residence of the subscriber. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has drawn the attention of all Colonies and Dependencies to various ways in which by making a local issue of securities the proceeds of which would be relent to the United Kingdom Government they can assist the war effort. I am glad to say that one such issue has already been made and plans for issues in other Colonies are well advanced. In various other countries special facilities for the purchase of Savings Certificates by local residents have been made. I should add that arrangements have recently been made whereby persons resident outside the sterling area may purchase British Government and other sterling securities, and may at the time of purchase receive the licence necessary under the Defence (Finance) Regulations for their resale at any time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that a high percentage of war industrial plant is working at full capacity and that much of it will have to be replaced if the pressure of work is to continue, he will state the special concessions which exist to enable companies to set aside suitable sums to a plant-renewals account; and, further, are any new financial concessions under consideration to enable industry to set aside still larger sums which may be required for this purpose?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the investigation in Case T.1193/6/38, Inland Revenue, is still proceeding; whether the persons whose names were supplied as being willing to give oral evidence, and to produce documentary evidence of fraud against the persons concerned in the inquiry have yet been called on to give such evidence; and, if not, when it is proposed to call for this evidence;

The issue in this case is whether the income of a certain charitable trust has been wholly expended for charitable purposes. The trustee has appointed a chartered accountant of experience to investigate the trust accounts and this investigation is very near completion. It appears from the accountant's report that certain payments, while in the main of a generally benevolent character, are not in the strict legal sense charitable. It has been accepted in principle that the sums erroneously paid away will be replaced in the hands of the trustee by the donor of the trust income and these sums will be applied by the trustee in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed. The amount to be replaced has not been finally ascertained, but it is expected that agreement on the figure which will receive the approval of the Inland Revenue will be reached shortly. When the adjustment has been made, there will remain no ground for objection on the part of the Inland Revenue, which is, of course, bound to repay to a charitable trustee Income Tax on income wholly expended for charitable purposes. In these circumstances I am satisfied that so far as Revenue interests are affected, they are being fully safeguarded. I see no ground for any further inquiry or for the course suggested in the last part of the hon. Members' third Question.

In view of the fact that statements have been made that this is a persistent fraud over a number of years, and that the sums involved are very considerable, does not the Chancellor consider it strange that the evidence offered has not been accepted, either orally or in writing, and does the right hon. Gentleman propose to ask for the evidence, if it is not asked for by the person who is charged with the inquiry, and who, by the way, is appointed by the bank, which is the trustee and which holds very large accounts for the person against whom the charges are made? Is the Chancellor willing himself to see the evidence that has been offered to the Inland Revenue authorities?

As the hon. Member is aware, this is really a question of the administration of a trust deed for charitable purposes, and, of course, the Inland Revenue are concerned only to the extent mentioned in my answer. I have yet to receive the final report, but I will gladly look into the matter further myself—I have already examined it, in view of the hon. Member's Question—and I should be very glad to consult with him on any point to which he thinks my attention ought specially to be drawn; but except for the interests of the Inland Revenue, it is a matter of interpretation and judgment as to whether a certain trust deed has been duly complied with or not.

Is not the Chancellor aware that loaning money to friends cannot be considered under any circumstances a charity, when those friends repay every penny of the money that was loaned, and then 13s. 9d. is received back from the Treasury because it was loaned out of a charitable trust? Is not that obviously a fraud?

I would hesitate to pronounce on that statement, but in any event a matter of that kind, if there was any ground for investigation, would have to be investigated by the courts. I am concerned in this matter only from the point of view of the Inland Revenue, and the hon. Member can rest assured that I will see that the public interests are fully safeguarded.

Will the right hen. Gentleman see me about this matter?

If there has been a misuse of charitable funds, is it the Chancellor's function or the function of any Minister of the Crown to direct the attention of the Public Prosecutor to the papers concerned?

Certainly, if any case of that kind arose and I thought a fraud had been committed, it would be my duty and the duty of anybody else to bring it to the attention of the appropriate authorities.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present annual yield in Great Britain of the Armorial Bearings Duty; and what is the highest recorded yield in any year?

The yield of the Armorial Bearings Duty in England and Wales for the year ended 31st March, 1940, was £126,403. The highest recorded yield in any year for which figures are available is £32,840 in 1936–1937. As regards Scotland, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this tax dates back unchanged, from 1869, when a single clause in an Act imposed duty on such varied objects as male servants, carriages, horses, mules, armorial bearings and horse dealers; and, as all the rest at various times have been freed from tax, including the horse dealers, will he ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether the Armorial Bearings Duty, after 70 years, does not, at least, need some renovating?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that owner-occupiers of leasehold houses are served with a peremptory notice by the Metropolitan Water Board when the external water fittings are damaged by bomb explosions; that this is done without regard to the exceptional circumstances in which the damage occurred and the difficulty of procuring the requisite labour to get the repairs done within seven days; whether, in cases of this kind, the expenses of repairs will be recoverable as war damage; and whether he will consider allowing the Metropolitan Water Board, and other water-providing authorities, to use their own staffs for the repair of such external damage, and thus make one comprehensive claim for repayment instead of a multiplicity of small claims by individuals who, in some cases, may not have the money to pay the cost of repairs?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the first part of his Question is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, but I understand the Board are showing the utmost leniency in the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. A payment for making good war damage of this character could under the War Damage Bill be made to the person by whom the cost of executing the necessary works was incurred and I shall be glad to consider providing in the Treasury regulations that comprehensive claims may be made by water authorities carrying out such repairs, in all cases where this is practicable.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this will be very expensive to small tradesmen, if they are left to do this work, instead of one large undertaking doing it?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that before any Order in Council is made altering the Constitution of Jamaica opportunity will be given for discussion in this House?

As was stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 29th January, the question whether the constitution of Jamaica is to be amended is among those questions which are being discussed with the Governor of the Colony who is now in this country; and I should prefer not to make any further statement pending the outcome of those discussions.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the great anxiety felt by residents in the Island on this subject, and will he give an assurance that neither the sale nor the leasing of the whole Island to a foreign Power is contemplated?

That is another question, but I can asure my hon. Friend in regard to the question of constitution that, if changes are agreed upon then, I think, the Government will consider the question of the matter being considered by this House.

Would the hon. Member give an assurance that there will be no leasing or sale of our possessions in the future without first consulting this House?

No, Sir.

Would the Under-Secretary convey to the Prime Minister the desirability of a statement at an early date on the whole subject of leasing and the constitution of these bases?

That can be done. The House will remember that a conference is sitting at the present, and I have no doubt that at its conclusion a statement will be made.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that this House is desirous of knowing exactly what is being done, and what will be done in the future, before a final decision is taken?

Is my hon. Friend aware that the great bulk of Members of this House are very happy with the arrangement with America in regard to this matter?

Are we to understand that the Cabinet feel at liberty to dispose of British possessions without consulting this House?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is considering the extension of the personal rationing scheme to meals taken in hotels and restaurants; and whether he will ensure that no hospital, children's home or similar institution shall lack suitable foodstuffs if these are available to hotels and expensive restaurants?

My Noble Friend is not satisfied that the extension of the personal rationing scheme, through the collection of coupons for meals taken in catering establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, works' canteens, community kitchens, etc., is as yet necessary for controlling the consumption of rationed food away from home. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Frome (Mrs. Tate) and my hon. and learned Friend the Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons) on 11th December, the terms upon which rationed food may be obtained by and consumed in catering establishments are already under close examination, but in view of the extent to which all classes of the community find it essential to take some meals away from home the question is one of considerable complexity. I have no information to suggest that hospitals, children's homes and similar institutions are short of suitable foodstuffs, and if my hon. Friend has a special case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it if he will supply me with details.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that in many cases housewives are finding considerable difficulty through shopkeepers refusing to serve them with certain non-rationed commodities when the shopkeepers perceive, some weeks in advance, through information in ration books that the housewives intend wholly or partly to change their retailer for rationed foodstuffs; and whether he will make arrangements that in future ration books shall not intimate intended change of retailer or at least for not more than six days before the change becomes operative?

I am not aware that housewives have been experiencing the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers. Changes of registration with retailers must be effected by means of documents attached to ration books, and in order that the necessary supplies may be made available in the case of retailers whose registrations show an appreciable increase, information of the changes must be known well in advance of the date when they will become operative. I am afraid, therefore, that my hon. Friend's suggestion cannot be adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the subject of the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the future of Abyssinia?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government would welcome the reappearance of an independent Ethiopian State and recognise the claim of the Emperor Haile Selassie to the throne. The Emperor has intimated to His Majesty's Government that he will need outside assistance and guidance. His Majesty's Government agree with this view and consider that any such assistance and guidance in economic and political matters should be the subject of international arrangement at the conclusion of peace. They reaffirm that they have themselves no territorial ambitions in Abyssinia. In the meanwhile the conduct of military operations by Imperial forces in parts of Abyssinia will require temporary measures of military guidance and control. These will be carried out in consultation with the Emperor, and will be brought to an end as soon as the situation permits.