asked the Secretary of State for Air what organisation exists in his Ministry for the maintenance of essential Imperial air communications?

Essential Imperial air communications are maintained by the British Overseas Airways Corporation. The whole of the undertaking of the corporation has, by order, been placed at my disposal during the war and it now operates under directions issued by me or on my behalf. As my hon. Friend is aware, there is in the Air Ministry a Department of Civil Aviation which is responsible for the conduct of official business in this sphere of activity and is the channel through which my directions are normally issued.

Has my right hon. Friend been aware of the sundry activities by other Departments tending to reduce these essential Imperial air communications, and will he therefore see that in the Ministry there is great vigilance, so that parts of the Empire air routes which are essential for military communication purposes are not shut down?

Certainly, Sir; all parts of these air communications which are essential for military purposes are being maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what provision has been made for payment to station engineers who work periods in excess of the normal working week?

Station engineers employed under the Air Ministry Works Directorate who work periods in excess of their normal working week are now eligible for bonus payments under a scheme recently introduced, which takes effect retrospectively from 1st August, 1940.

Has this scheme actually been announced, and have claims now been invited from these engineers?

Yes, Sir, instructions have been issued, and I will certainly give my hon. Friend a copy of them if he wishes.

Would my right hon. Friend please look into the matter, because there seems to be great delay?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air where and when the first air bombardment took place on large towns or cities in Germany and Great Britain, and on Berlin and London, respectively, since the collapse of France; and whether he has any information as to the number of killed and seriously injured through air bombardment in Germany during the above period?

On the night of 18th–19th June, 1940, following the French request for an armistice made on the 17th of the same month, bombs were dropped on Cambridge, Bury St. Edmunds and Southend, killing 10 persons and injuring a number of others. On the same night the Royal Air Force attacked military targets in Hamburg, Bremen and elsewhere in North-West Germany. London was first bombed on 15th–16th August. There was a considerable number of casualties, many of which were fatal. Military targets in Berlin were attacked for the first time by the Royal Air Force on 25th Auugst. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we may take it that, as we have been assured that the material damage is 50 times greater in Germany than it is here, the number of people killed and injured is possibly in the same proportion?

I cannot possibly accept the hon. Gentleman's figures. I have never said that the damage in Germany is 50 times greater than it is here.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of his colleagues has made that statement?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether the instrument for testing the perdurability of fabric manufactured for parachutes is in production; on what date was it brought to the attention of the Ministry; and is it satisfactory?

I have already communicated with my hon. Friend on this matter, both by letter and orally, and I regret that I am not in a position to answer his Question until he furnishes the particulars for which I have asked.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he is satisfied with the liaison arrangements between his Department and the scientific, research and development departments of the Air Ministry; what steps have been or are to be taken to co-ordinate aeronautical science, research and development in industry; and have the representative aeronautical scientists been recently consulted by his Ministry?

The scientific research and development departments of the Air Ministry were taken over from that Ministry by this Ministry on its formation. In order to avoid unnecessary overlapping, this Ministry co-ordinates all aeronautical research and development in the industry. Representative aeronautical scientists are frequently and regularly consulted by us mainly through the Aeronautical Research Committee.

Can my hon. and gal-land Friend say whether these aeronautical scientists in his Ministry feel that they have the strong support of his Noble Friend and himself in the important work they are doing?

I think it is well understood that we must rely very largely on the assistance of these gentlemen for the development of our research work.

As the Question also refers to the meteorological service, will the Parliamentary Secretary give an undertaking to investigate this matter personally, and, if necessary, appoint a cornrnittee to inquire into the whole issue raised in that Question with a view to reporting?

I think that the meteorological part of the Question comes under the Air Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether, with a view to avoiding delays in production, the Ministry will take over forthwith all patent rights connected with, and now being used in connection with, aircraft production, reserving the question of compensation for future settlement?

Under Section 29 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, the Department already exercises the power to use patented inventions and to reserve the question of compensation for future settlement.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether all these British rights are available to the American manufacturers who are manufacturing aeroplanes for the R.A.F.?

We have an arrangement whereby, through the United States Administration, we share patents without any argument in advance as to what patent fees shall be paid, and that applies both to American patents that they let us use and to British patents which we allow to be used in the United States.

Has the attention of the Minister been called to the statement that certain firms keep secret very important inventions with regard to aircraft which might have a great effect on improving the production of other firms, and are all these inventions made available to all firms producing aircraft in this country at the present moment?

Yes, Sir, I think that that is quite true. I think there is none of these inventions of which the Department does not know, and, of course, the Department make them available to all people manufacturing aircraft.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production the total amount paid in management fees in respect to shadow factories for aircraft production up to the latest available date; or, alternatively, for the years 1939 and 1940?

On more than one occasion prior to the commencement of the war figures were given to the House showing the amount of management fee attributable to each airframe and engine produced from the shadow factories. If, therefore, I were to give the figures asked for by my hon. Friend, I should be giving information to the enemy which neither he nor I would wish to give. I shall, however, be delighted to show my hon. Friend any figures which he wishes to know.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the proposal of the city of Stoke-on-Trent Education Committee to perpetuate the memory of Reginald Joseph Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire aircraft; and will he consult the Air Ministry, the Ministry of Aircraft Production, the aircraft industry and other interested people, in order that the proposal can be carried out in a form commensurate with the service rendered by Mr. Mitchell's life's work?

I understand that a committee under the chairmanship of the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent has been formed to consider the establishment of a memorial to the late R. J. Mitchell, but I have no information regarding any decision the committee may have reached.

When the right hon. Gentleman has received the proposal, will he take into consideration the suggestions made in my Question?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a further statement in regard to the fixing of the gin import quota for the Gold Coast for 1941?

Yes, Sir. The quota for 1941 for civilian requirements in the Gold Coast is being fixed at 73,500 gallons, as compared with the quota of 150,000 gallons for 1940.

Can my hon. Friend give us the reasonable prospects of the position?

I am afraid I cannot at this stage.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there is any relation between this matter and the illicit distillation of spirits, and whether there is a drop in imports through illicit distillation?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Government's decision not to take any steps to put the Caledonian Power Scheme into operation implies that they will oppose the Grampians Electricity Supply Draft Provisional Order?

No, Sir. The two schemes are entirely different. I am not in a position to say what views may be expressed upon the proposals in the draft Order by the various Government Departments concerned.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that the Grampians' scheme, like the Caledonian scheme, would require a great deal of labour and material which might be better employed in waging war?

The Grampians scheme and the Caledonian scheme are two entirely different schemes, which must be looked upon as separate propositions.

That reply is completely irrelevant to my Supplementary Question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the serious inconvenience caused in some parts of the country by the breakdown of the grid system of supplying electricity during the recent snowfall whilst local supplies were still available to consumers not on the grid; and whether, as this is a recurring difficulty, he will enquire into the whole matter?

I am aware of only one case where as a result of the recent snowfall there has been a breakdown of the grid transmission lines of the Central Electricity Board involving a partial loss of supply. The factor of safety of the grid transmission lines is in excess of that laid down by the Electricity Commissioners' regulations, and I do not consider that any inquiry is called for. Moreover, there are numerous instances where the grid system has successfully met the needs of difficult situations; it has indeed proved itself in war to be a national asset of the greatest possible value.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in some parts of the high peaks of Derbyshire the grid system failed for four days and four nights?

I do not think that was on account of the snow.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider taking over the canal system of Great Britain for the duration of the war and placing it directly under the Ministry of Transport with a separate unified control independent of the railways?

I have under consideration an investigation into the carriage of traffic on the canals and inland waterways, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the whole of our canal system was taken over in the last war by the Government, and is it not a fact that if our canal system were efficient, it would relieve a great many of our present transport difficulties?

Of course, I am aware of the first part of the Supplementary Question, or the implication of it; as for the second, I am extremely conscious of the fact that our canal system wants tuning up, and I am gradually becoming very barge-minded.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that if our canal system is to be of any use for war purposes, his investigation and decisive action must be speeded up?

It has been going on during the last weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that road traffic conveying munitions and other essential goods was seriously impeded in several parts of the country during the recent snowfall; and will he urge all local authorities to keep the highways clear of snow in future?

Yes, Sir. Both my officers and highway authorities have made special efforts, within the limits of labour available, to keep roads clear for traffic after the recent snowfall; and in this they have been given valuable assistance by the Military in many instances. Hitherto, Road Fund grants have only been available towards the cost of cutting a track through accumulated snow, and not towards snow clearance. In order to encourage expeditious clearing of snow, I have informed highway authorities that for the current year and for next year the cost of snow clearance will be admitted for grant on all classified roads.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that during the recent snowfall it took about four times as long for lorries to go from Lancashire to South Wales?

I know there were very considerable delays.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that local authorities say they cannot get labour for this work, and will he take steps to get labour?

If there is no labour, of course I cannot get it. The military authorities, however, are quite prepared to help us.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to give the number of road accidents in which members of the Forces have been involved during the last three months or for such a period as he has been able to obtain information?

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 22nd January.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend say when it would be convenient for me to put down another Question on this subject?

The figures are coming in, but I am not ready to give them. Perhaps next week will be all right.

Is it not the case that where a civilian is injured through the negligent driving of a Service vehicle the best he can get out of the Government is an ex gratia payment if he is lucky?

I always understood that in a question of damage everything paid by the Government is ex gratia and that you could not get it in any other way.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has a statement to make as to the allegations and proposals of the Motor Agents Association, recently made to him relative to the maintenance and repair of commercial and other road vehicles used in civil transport?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that great difficulty is being experienced in obtaining spare parts for motor-cars resulting in damaged vehicles frequently lying out of use for many months; and whether he can take any steps to expedite the supply of spa re parts?

My right hon. Friend has arranged with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that civil requirements shall be co-ordinated with service requirements. The new arrangements are now being worked out in detail, and they will expedite the provision of civilian spares.

asked the Minister of Information, whether he will take the necessary steps to have translated into as many foreign languages as possible the six addresses broadcast by Sir Robert Vansittart; and whether he will ask the British Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast them in those languages?

No, Sir. To broadcast the addresses in question in the manner proposed by my hon. Friend would suggest to listeners abroad that they possessed an official character. This, as explained by the Prime Minister on 28th January, is not the case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to bury this extraordinarily crude production?

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that these ideas do not represent the ideas of the whole British public?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people think the Minister of Information should show a little wider vision, and will he bear in mind that the broadcast of these speeches abroad would have a wonderful effect on our war effort?

Would the right hon. Gentleman recall the message to the German people broadcast by Mr. Neville Chamberlain on 3rd September, 1939?

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that great distress was caused to many relatives of the crew of the "Empress of Australia" by the publication in the newspapers on 27th January of information, emanating from the Tropical Radio Station, Florida, which proved to be entirely without foundation; that publication of news of this kind leads to great inconvenience and loss of time in the shipping office concerned through having to answer many hundreds of telephone calls; and will he undertake to ensure in future that no information concerning the loss of a ship is published until the Admiralty has confirmed the loss and has had time to inform the relatives?

I am fully alive to the distress that may be caused to the relatives of crews by the publication in newspapers of foreign reports of loss or damage suffered by British merchant vessels; and not long ago a request was circulated to all editors by the Ministry of Information asking them not to publish such reports. This request has been widely, but not, I regret to say, universally observed. Conversations are proceeding with the object of making an arrangement that will be satisfactory to all concerned.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the jamming of the Forces programme making reception difficult even in London; and whether he is taking any steps to prevent a recurrence of this?

Yes, Sir. The jamming of the Forces programme on the wavelength of 373 metres is of Italian origin. It is aimed at the B.B.C.'s broadcasts in foreign languages, for which this wavelength is used at certain times during the evening. I am afraid there is no practical means at present of preventing a recurrence.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that not only the Forces programme but also the 261 and the 285 metre wavelengths used for our foreign news broadcasts are interrupted? Does he appreciate the significance of this, and is he taking any measures to prevent a recurrence or to counteract it?

I fully appreciate the significance of it. The main way of counteracting it is to reply by jamming hostile wavelengths, and that we do our best to do within such limits as our resources impose upon us.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the granting of a rebate on telephone charges where a line is temporarily out of use due to enemy action?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 7th November. The concession applies to every subscriber whose line is temporarily out of use owing to enemy action.

Does not my hon. and gallant Friend consider that where there is unavoidable but prolonged delay, subscribers should be entitled to some repayment?

Yes, Sir. All subscribers who suffer any delay of this sort get the full concession. There is no question about it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the proved usefulness in present circumstances of the priority telegram service at an extra charge of 6d., he will reconsider providing a priority telephone service for the public at an additional rate?

The question of providing a priority telephone service for the public at an additional charge has been carefully examined, but I am satisfied that such a service would not be in the best national interests under war conditions.

In view of the fact that after 7 o'clock at night there is often an indefinite delay in calls being put through, has my hon. and gallant Friend had full regard to the difficulties of those people who sometimes have exceptionally urgent calls to put through?

Yes, Sir, but many of the longest delays are themselves due to the number of priority calls already put through, and if you multiply these calls, the ordinary caller will have no service at all.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, how many houses and other buildings have been requisitioned or a lien taken on them in Cheltenham without being used; and what is the total annual sum that is being paid in rent by his Department for buildings in Cheltenham which they are not using?

Two requisitioned and two leased houses so far have not been used, but they have been placed at the disposal of other Departments. In addition, 22 rented houses and 16 houses occupied, but available on a retaining fee basis, are held for various purposes. The total annual rents amount to £7,570.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the very great shortage of housing and hotel accommodation in Cheltenham, and will he undertake that as soon as circumstances warrant as many will be released as possible?

Yes, Sir, as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what is the policy of his Department with regard to the erection of skyscrapers in London, for business purposes, to replace structures destroyed by enemy action?

My hon. and gallant Friend's Question refers to a particular aspect of redevelopment which cannot be considered by itself. The whole subject is under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an instruction has been issued that women temporary principals are not entitled to travel first class on the Board's business as are their men colleagues; that this is a departure from the previous custom of allowing this privilege to temporary principals; and whether, in view of this and of the hardship involved, he will give instructions for the removal of this discrimination on grounds of sex?

Travelling expenses to officers of the Board of Trade are governed by regulations which apply generally throughout the Civil Service. Under these regulations, which were agreed by the Civil Service National Whitley Council in 1935, eligibility for first class travel is determined not by any grade but by salary. A woman temporary principal is allowed first class travel if her salary is £600 or more. For a man the corresponding limit is £750.

Is the Minister aware that if differences between men and women on the ground of salary are justified, there is no similar justification for differences in comfort when travelling under war conditions, and will he reconsider this matter?

I must point out that this was agreed to by the Civil Service National Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the closing of the St. George's Colliery, Tyldesley, Lancashire; whether he has had information of this from the colliery company; and can he say what steps he proposes to take to prevent the closing down of collieries?

I am informed by the colliery company that in view of the local shortage of man-power they decided to close this pit and to concentrate production at other pits in the neighbourhood. I understand that the representatives of the men were consulted; that employment at neighbouring pits has been offered to all concerned, and that suitable arrangements are being made for the men's transport. A falling off in production should thus be prevented. Wherever the Mines Department can usefully intervene with the object of keeping collieries in production, suitable steps are taken; furthermore, my hon. Friend will remember that a scheme was recently approved under which a levy will be made to ensure that collieries which may be required to resume production at a later date shall, wherever possible, be maintained in a condition to do so.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is great concern in Lancashire about the closing of pits, and does he not agree that before any pit is closed in that county, or anywhere else, the Mines Department ought to be told of the matter and to decide whether it is right to close the pit or not? Will my hon. Friend take steps to see that no colliery is closed without his consent?

My hon. Friend knows that the intention here is to make better use of the man-power available in Lancashire, and the company claim that production will not decline but will increase as a result of this action.

Before any colliery is closed, will my hon. Friend take power to say whether or not it shall be closed?

I doubt whether I have power to say whether any colliery shall close or not, but I want to be consulted before a pit is closed down.

If we are to concentrate on the most efficient units of production in the coal industry, ought it to be left to private interests to determine it? Should it not be part of an organised plan prepared by the Department?

My hon. Friend knows quite well that if there is any difficulty experienced in working owing to lack of material or man-power, or for any other cause, it is the business of the colliery to inform my Department. In this case that was done, and the plea for the change was that there would be better production by concentrating production in the other pits.

In regard to man-power, will my hon. Friend consult with the Minister of Labour on this question, because it is a serious question in other collieries in Lancashire?

There is a very serious problem of man-power in Lancashire, and I welcome the co-operation of anybody and everybody to bring more labour into production in Lancashire. I should like very much to get men brought to that coalfield. It is a fact that the number of men engaged there has declined very seriously during the last two years.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the continual increases in the price of coal to public utility undertakings, which have necessitated as much as 25 per cent. increases in electricity charges in some instances; and will he take steps to prevent further increases taking place?

The price of coal is strictly controlled and it has not been increased to public utility undertakings to a greater extent than to other consumers. I know of no increases in coal prices since the war which would have justified a 25 per cent. increase in electricity charges, but, if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will look into them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these increases in prices by public utility undertakings are causing great hardship, and that they are due to the absence of both a wages and a prices policy by the Government? Will the hon. Gentleman impress this upon his colleagues?

There is a price policy in regard to coal. The increases have been published and made known to everybody. The total increase allowed in pit-head prices is 4s. 1d. a ton, and this increase has been made in successive stages to meet circumstances. There is no justification for saying that a 25 per cent. increase is necessary in the price of electricity.

Are not the increases in prices by public utility undertakings said by those who make them to be due to increases in the wages paid to miners? I do not complain about that, but I do complain about there being no definite policy.

There is a definite policy, and all the changes have been subject to agreement with the men concerned. The men are receiving increased allowances to meet the increased cost of living.

Does my hon. Friend recall that in the years when the price of coal to public utility undertakings was being reduced, they made no reduction in their charges?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to the widespread complaints by farmers of the difficulty in obtaining the services of skilled tractor drivers, he will give an assurance that such men will be excluded from any further calls for military service; what steps have been taken to provide facilities to train additional men for this purpose; how many additional tractors are likely to come into service in the current year; and how many new drivers may any such training facilities be expected to provide?

While I can give no assurance that any specific class of workers will be excluded from any further calls for military service, I can assure the hon. Member that the importance of skilled tractor drivers is fully recognised. County War Agricultural Executive Committees have been empowered to arrange for courses of instruction in tractor driving and to pay trainees the appropriate agricultural wage while under tuition. It is expected that committees with full knowledge of the needs of their respective areas will arrange for the training of an adequate supply of tractor workers. As regards the third part of the Question, steps are being taken to ensure, as far as possible, that an adequate supply of new tractors is maintained, but it would not be in the national interest to publish any estimate of what that supply is likely to be in the current year.

Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman give a definite assurance that skilled men will not be taken from the farms and put into the Army? Do we not require them on the land at present, in view of the food situation? Are they not of more use there?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

Why should Ministers pass the buck to other Departments? Are we to understand that the question of retaining men on the land is not a matter for the right hon. Gentleman? Will he not give a definite assurance on this matter or, if he cannot do so, will he himself approach the Minister of Labour?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour said in answer to a Question the other day, that we are at present in the closest consultation and are, in fact examining the machinery required to see that the services of specially skilled men are not taken.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a serious shortage of agricultural labourers in East Anglia, and will he make representations to the Minister of Labour not to call up any more for the Army?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the present losses caused by the various diseases of dairy cattle in this country, he will arrange for a regular routine examination of all dairy cows in order to facilitate the early detection of mastitis and to allow the earliest possible introduction of measures for its treatment and control?

As indicated in the reply given on 4th February to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver), consultations are taking place with a view to the adoption of the most suitable methods of controlling diseases of dairy stock, including mastitis.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there has been any case of waste of food in any camp reported to him within the last six months; and, if so, what action has been taken in each such case?

Numerous cases of waste or alleged waste have been brought to notice by inspectors and catering advisers and by the public and the Press. All such cases, except where the unit concerned is not identified, are investigated and dealt with by the local military authorities.

Does not my hon. Friend think it is lamentable that these reports of wastage in camps should be allowed to continue at a time when the civilian population is severely rationed and sailors are losing their lives? Should not something more be done?

I agree that this is a very serious problem. We are taking all steps, whether by disciplinary action or by instruction, to remedy it, but at the same time I would remind the House that it is not an easy problem. You cannot convert some hundreds of thousands of young Englishmen into prudent housewives overnight.

What percentage of these complaints has been found to be justified on investigation?

I cannot say without notice, but there is a certain amount of wastage, although it is less than it was and will continue to get less.

Will not my hon. Friend impress on commanding officers of battalions the importance of this matter, and look into the matter personally?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is still possible for friends to send parcels or money to individual officers or men who are prisoners of war; and, if so, how such proceeding is to be carried out?

A personal parcel to an individual prisoner of war in Germany may be sent through the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John once every three months. In addition, parcels of tobacco and cigarettes and of books and periodicals may be sent to individuals through firms who have permits for the purpose. I am sending my hon. Friend a leaflet giving full particulars. As regards money, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Hely-Hutchinson) on 30th January last.

Cannot this leaflet be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Yes, Sir.

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind that if a prisoner receives a parcel he does not go into a corner and consume it by himself; it causes great satisfaction to a whole group of men?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has studied the possibility of conveying all prisoners of war letters by air-mail to and from Geneva?

Several proposals for improving the letter service to prisoners of war are being examined, including the suggestion mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend.

How long does it take for a letter from this country to reach prisoner-of-war camps in Germany?

The time varies considerably from six to 10 or 12 weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, the reason for a shortage of meat, bacon and cheese below the normal ration during two or three weeks in Cannock, Staffordshire, and the adjacent surrounding areas; and whether he can take steps to remedy the matter?

A shortage of meat occurred in the districts referred to during the week ended 18th January owing to the very severe weather conditions then prevailing which seriously delayed transport of imported meat from the cold stores. During the following week deliveries to the butchers were up to requirements, but part of them arrived too late in the week for cutting up and sale to customers. The butchers, however, knowing that the meat was on its way, took orders for it which they were unable to deliver until the following Sunday or Monday. Steps are taken to ensure that every district receives its due allocation of meat and every effort is made to anticipate difficulties which arise through severe weather. As to bacon, my Noble Friend is not aware of any shortage on the ration in the Cannock area. But in a few isolated cases delivery to retail shops has been delayed owing to inclement weather conditions. Cheese is, at present, in short supply, but there is no evidence that the relative rate of distribution in the Cannock area has been less than in other parts of the country.

Is it not possible to arrange for retail distributing depots?

One has to rely to a large extent on the retail distributing arrangements which were in existence before the war started.

Has not experience been gained during the last two years in the light of transport and other difficulties?

It would be very expensive to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.

Does the hon. and gallant Member receive reports from local food officers as to shortages of meat and cheese? Is he aware that in several other parts of the country cheese is absolutely unobtainable and the ration of meat is below the full amount?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that the price of fish is now well above the means of many working-class households; and whether he can fix its prices at a more reasonable figure?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend is aware that the price of fish has increased. I would refer my hon. Friend to the second part of my reply on 29th January to a Question by the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he has considered the letter from the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association, protesting against the price of milk as it affects old age pensioners; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

A communication has been received from the Angus Area Council of the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association appealing for the extension of the benefits of the National Milk Scheme to old age pensioners. As my Noble Friend has already announced, he is unable to consider the extension of the scheme to classes of the population outside the categories for whom it was devised—expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years of age.

Is it not possible and desirable that this extension should be made to such people as the old age pensioners? Surely the old people deserve special consideration.

I must point out that this scheme was primarily introduced in order to safeguard the health of the rising generation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade as representing the Ministry of Food, what deficiencies existed in the existing salvage arrangements in Inverness which required the appointment of a salvage and disposal officer in addition to the existing officials; and what are the food qualifications, experience, salary and other conditions of appointment of the officer now appointed to undertake the work?

My Noble Friend recently decided that it was necessary in the national interest to secure the co-ordination of the many interests concerned with food salvage. For this purpose he has appointed in each Food Division an assistant to the Divisional food officer, charged with the responsibility for the supervision and stimulation of food salvage operations. The duties of these officers are administrative rather than technical; they rely for the practical execution of salvage work upon the services of experts. The officer at Inverness receives a salary of £450 a year.

asked the Parliamentary, Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food whether he will give the calculations on which maximum prices for rabbits are based?

The maximum prices for rabbits were fixed in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at levels sufficient to encourage trapping while at the same time keeping the price to the consumer as low as possible.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend say whether there is any prospect of this control being removed in order to promote the slaughter of rabbits in the interests of agriculture?

I should not have thought there was any possibility of the control being removed, because rabbits play an important part in the diet of the nation.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend consult with the Minister of Agriculture, who has just stated that rabbits do not fulfil an important part with regard to food supplies, while on the other hand they destroy a great deal of the efforts at producing food in this country?

Consultations with my right hon. Friend have taken place.

Has not the Minister of Agriculture said that rabbits are so destructive that their food value does not justify their existence?

That may be so, but the prices fixed are sufficient to make it worth while catching them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he will give the calculations on which maximum prices for eggs are based?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answers to-day to similar Questions on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver).

Has my hon. and gallant Friend taken into account all the circumstances of specialised poultry farms?

There are many forms of egg production in this country, specialised and others, and we have to take an average view in regard to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, the approximate number and total weight of food parcels received in this country from abroad in each of the last three months; and whether he will consider utilising the shipping space so taken up in importing bulk supplies of food for the population as a whole?

Whilst there is no information as to the number and weight of parcels of food gifts there is no evidence that more than a small quantity of mail space is being occupied with these gifts. If it becomes apparent that substantial shipping space is so occupied, the policy on this matter will be reconsidered.

Does not the Minister think it is a very unfair way of importing food?

There is no evidence that it is being done on anything but a very small scale, but if it becomes substantial, the whole thing will be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the representations from the Fellmongers Association, representing England and Wales, and from the Scottish Association of Skinners, representing Scotland, representing 80 firms in all, on the subject of a newly started firm in Northern Ireland, the United Chrome Tanners, whose direction is controlled by aliens and who have recently been allotted a large number of Irish skins by the Wool Control; is he aware that this allocation means a serious reduction of skins to certain English and Scottish firms, damages their business which was based on the number of skins allotted them at the commencement of control in January, 1940, and which was not in excess of their capacity; and, as this arbitrary change of allotments has aggrieved the two associations, will he receive a deputation from them to discuss the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 22nd January to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones). I shall, however, be ready to ask my Noble Friend the Joint-Parliamentary Secretary to receive a deputation from these two associations if they so desire.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent it is proposed to curtail the productive capacity of the tinplate industry; how many workers are likely to be affected thereby; and what steps he is taking to adapt the redundant plant to war production?

To meet increasing demands for steel of other forms, the production of tinplate will be progressively reduced to some 25 per cent. below the level at which the industry has recently been operating. Several thousand tinplate workers will be affected and every effort is being made, both by the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Labour, to secure their absorption in vital war work. From a preliminary report by the Committee of the Area Board for Wales which is considering this matter, it appears doubtful whether any but a small part of the plant itself would be suitable for war production.

Since the industry is being curtailed in its productive capacity as a result of Government decision, will the Government exercise some influence so as to spread this unfortunate burden over the area? Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that during the last war some of this plant was adapted for war production?

As regards the first part of the Question, I should he very glad indeed to discuss it with my hon. Friend. In regard to the second part, I cannot add to the information I have given, namely that the report does not indicate that there is much hope of the plant being of use for war work.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider proposals put forward by the people in the industry for the adaptation of the redundant plant to war production?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantity of feeding-stuffs is now being collected for pigs weekly by local authorities in the London County Council area, and elsewhere, respectively; and whether there has been an increase or decrease in recent months?

The total amount of kitchen waste now being collected weekly by the 320 local authorities making special collections in England, Wales and Scotland is 2,250 tons, of which approximately 200 tons are collected in the London County Council area. The weekly tonnage collected in the London County Council area has remained constant over recent months.

How many pigs does that maintain?

I cannot say.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the restriction on travellers to Eire of taking more than £25 in sterling notes from this country without a permit has been withdrawn; and to what extent the British Treasury exercises powers to prevent money taken in this way to Eire being subsequently sent abroad?

Since Eire is in the sterling area, funds may be remitted there freely through the ordinary banking channels, and it has been decided that no useful purpose is served by restricting this particular method of taking money. As regards remittances out of Eire, an exchange control essentially similar to our own has been imposed, and is exercised, by the Government of Eire.

Are we to understand that these privileges are to be extended to travellers to other parts of the Empire?

The Question on the Paper deals only with Eire. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put his Question down.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give any reason why these special facilities should be granted to those who have done nothing at all to help us in our common peril?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the resolution sent to him by Tyldesley Urban District Council asking the Government to meet the cost of the construction and equipment of all air-raid shelters put up by local authorities as they consider it is not treating fairly those who started early in getting ready by limiting the payment from 19th October, 1940; and will he say what answer he has given to this request?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on Thursday last to the Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for West Bristol (Mr. Culverwell).

Does the hon. Gentleman think it altogether fair to penalise local authorities who have to carry out orders, because the future policy will not be a good one if that is the case?

My right hon. Friend said he was concerned to get speedy action, but he could not hold out any promise that action would be retrospective.

Is it the policy of the Department to take speedy action by penalising speedy action?

asked the Home Secretary whether private notices are issued to the Press on each day following enemy air attacks indicating the districts in which these attacks have occurred; and why the same information is not given to Members of Parliament whose constituencies are affected?

The Press is informed in confidence at the end of each night when air raids have taken place, which are the districts in which bombing has occurred. This is done, to enable them to handle with discretion and in proper perspective the very considerable amount of information about bombing and bomb damage which reaches the Press from its own sources. As regards the second part of the Question, the arrangements which have already been made for the information of hon. Members are, I believe, working well, while the procedure suggested by my hon. Friend has many difficulties and would not be likely to be so satisfactory to hon. Members. Nevertheless my right hon. Friend will have it examined further.