asked the First Lord of of the Admiralty whether the announcements on 4th January concerning His Majesty's Corvettes were issued by or with the approval of the Board of Admiralty, and represent the official view of the merits of these ships, in view of the fact that there is considerable criticism in naval circles of the policy of building large numbers of corvettes for anti-submarine and convoy work, on the grounds that these ships are too slow?

These Press articles were not issued by the Admiralty though they were published with Admiralty approval. His Majesty's corvettes have carried out, and are continuing to carry out, the most valuable anti-submarine and convoy service. The Admiralty is satisfied that they have shown their ability to meet the urgent requirements for which they were designed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in how many instances during the past twelve months have papers and documents concerning his Department been left in taximeter cabs, public service vehicles, private cars and service vehicles, respectively, and how many were recovered in each category; and what disciplinary action was taken against the persons responsible for such carelessness?

Only two cases have been reported during the past twelve months of Admiralty documents being left in taximeter cabs or public service vehicles. The documents, which were not important, were recovered in both cases, and the officers concerned severely reprimanded. No secret documents were lost in such circumstances during this period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of present altered conditions, and in the light of experience gained, and differences in stocks, he will consider the strengthening of the Prices of Goods Act and the extension of its scope and machinery?

The Board of Trade have for some time had under review the matters to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, and I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that earthenware nursing requisites have been included by his Department in the Limitation of Supplies Orders and that, as a result, sick persons, other than those in hospitals, are expected to need 50 per cent. less urinals and bedpans; and what steps he is taking to remedy the position?

Earthenware nursing requisites are included within the Limitation of Supplies Orders, but there is nothing in the Orders to prevent supplies to the full extent of those made in the standard period if deliveries of other pottery are correspondingly reduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that at the outbreak of war the veterinary profession was placed in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, he will take steps to ensure that this profession shall play a more important part in the interests of the nation by applying its science and art in greater measure to the preservation of health in livestock, with the particular object of ensuring the maximum production in this country of milk and meat?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to him on 4th February on the subject of the wider adoption of methods of effecting a reduction of the losses caused by sterility and diseases of dairy stock

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether figures are available of the amount of agricultural land acquired by the Air Ministry and the War Office since 1918, up to the present time?

The figure asked for by the hon. Member is approximately 345,000 acres. It would not be in the public interest to differentiate between War Office and Air Ministry acquisitions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that there is at least one senior officer who served in the British Expeditionary Force in France who has not yet been reposted for duty although in receipt of pay and appropriate allowances, he will, in the public interest, have this officer, and any others in the same category, posted without further delay?

I am having this question investigated, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the figures of expenditure on public social services in 1938 and 1939?

Yes, Sir. I append a statement giving the latest figures available for 1938 and 1939. These should be compared with those published in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 2nd July, 1940, in respect of 1937 and 1938. As I explained in answer to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Major NevenSpence) when I gave these figures on 2nd July, I felt that the need for economy in labour and paper made it necessary to suspend during the war the printing and publication of the full return on social service expenditure.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that sub-contractors who are almost entirely engaged on war work would prefer to have direct contracts because they feel they are not directly engaged in the war effort, and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider the introduction of some form of stamp to be used on notepaper by firms whose present production is more than 75 per cent. war material, and of a form of certificate to be displayed in their factories with the object of keeping the war effort constantly before employers and employed?

While I have every sympathy for the object which my hon. Friend has in mind, I regret that after consideration the administrative difficulties of operating such a scheme are insuperable at present.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience and hardship caused to certain workmen travelling daily to a certain factory of which he has been informed; and whether, in view of the facts disclosed, he will take up the matter with the transport authorities, in order to safeguard the health of the men referred to and help production?

Arrangements have been made for a bus service to operate from to-day to meet the convenience of the workpeople concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the anti-British campaign, which was being carried on in Tsinan and other parts of Northern China at the instigation of subordinate Japanese officials, has ceased?

The latest reports received indicate a diminution of anti-British activities in North China in recent months, though there has been a certain amount of Press agitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much in arrear is the payment of interest to British bondholders secured on Chinese Customs revenue; what is the present position in relation to the Chinese Government; and whether Sir Frederick Maze, the Chinese Inspector-General of Customs, is in a position to make allocations of Customs revenue without interference by the Japanese authorities in the occupied areas?

Apart from the amounts allocated for the upkeep of the Customs establishment, the Customs revenue collected in the occupied areas is paid into Japanese-controlled banks and none of it is remitted to the Inspector-General for other purposes. In consequence, the Chinese Government decided as from 15th January, 1939, to suspend the service of the loans secured on the Customs, and the British bondholders have not received payment of interest since that date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with the progress made with the clearance of coal from sidings in West Wales by the railway companies; is he aware that in the Neath Valley colliery sidings are blocked up with loaded wagons labelled out, but no clearance; and will he expedite matters?

During recent months more coal was conveyed from South Wales to inland destinations than in the corresponding period of either of the two preceding years, but in spite of this there was a large tonnage of coal traffic which could not be cleared currently from the collieries owing to the demands made upon the railway by other important traffics. As a result of special efforts which have been made to rail more coal from the area there is now no excessive standage of loaded wagons. Arrangements have recently been made which should provide for a further increase in the tonnage of coal conveyed to inland destinations outside Wales. These arrangements came into force on 27th January, and since then the quantity of coal cleared from the collieries shows a considerable increase over previous weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that lorry drivers complain that some local authorities do not renew the white lines and similar signs on the road surface and the kerb often enough; and as these are necessary after the black-out, especially in rural districts, will he call the attention of all local authorities to these complaints?

The renewal of white lines has been handicapped of late because of weather conditions, but my officers are constantly impressing upon local authorities the importance of maintaining these and other aids to movement, and liberal grants for the purpose are available from public funds.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the present prices of spare parts for motor cars; and if he can give any information as to whether a corner exists in these articles?

No, Sir. I have not had any representations made to me about the prices of motor car spares nor have I any reason for thinking that there is any cornering of supplies. If my hon. Friend has any information on these matters to which he thinks my attention should be drawn I would be glad to consider it, and if I am satisfied that excessive prices are being charged or that cornering exists, I shall not hesitate to use my powers of requisitioning.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether his attention has been called to the increase of the price of leeks, and to the representations of the North Midland Regional Price Investigation Committee made thereon; and whether he will now introduce price-control without any time-lag?

My Noble Friend is aware of the high prices which leeks now command, and has given most careful consideration to representations that the prices should be controlled. In view of the plentiful supply of other vegetables obtainable at more reasonable prices and the considerable difficulties involved in controlling prices and securing equitable distribution of leeks, he does not propose to take such action as my hon. and learned Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, in order to avoid unnecessary transport, he will arrange to supply North Wales counties with some of the meat produced in that area instead of sending it to other centres, in order to relieve the scarcity problem to consumers in those counties?

It is necessary to provide a fair allocation of home-killed and imported meat to all areas in view of the different retail prices at which the two categories are sold; but this consideration is balanced against that of avoiding unnecessary transport. At the present time, there is little movement of stock or meat out of the North Wales counties but at other seasons the production of those counties would more than fill the ration. Export out of the area at such times is, therefore, necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he is satisfied that at present retailers are fairly and evenly distributing their stocks of feeding stuffs for dogs and other domestic animals; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation establishing a system for the registration and rationing of such animals?

I was not aware that retailers of foods for domestic animals were not distributing their limited supplies fairly to their usual customers, but I should be glad to consider any specific complaints that my hon. Friend might care to send me. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative. A rationing scheme for dogs and other domestic animals would be impracticable owing to the great variety of breeds and the difficulty of defining them to the wide variation in the nature and quantity of the food requirements of each breed, and the extent to which these requirements are usually met by purchased foods and by scraps respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he can make any statement as to the numbers of breeding sheep slaughtered in this country in the last six months; and whether such large scale slaughter is prejudicial to the interests of the country?

The Government do not consider it desirable in war conditions to publish statistics of the nature asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend. The number of breeding sheep slaughtered in the last six months was larger than usual, but in all the present circumstances the increased slaughter was not prejudicial to the interests of the country. The numbers of breeding sheep had increased considerably in the last few years before the war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, having regard to the damage done by rabbits to the productive capacity of the land, he will decontrol the price of rabbits in order to promote the maximum slaughter?

Rabbits are normally the food of the poorer classes and my Noble Friend is not prepared to allow their prices to reach an excessive level. The present controlled prices were fixed in agreement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, who was satisfied that they would provide an adequate return to the person trapping or shooting the rabbits, and would therefore not hamper the campaign for their destruction in the interests of food production from arable and grass land. Decontrol of prices might encourage persons to leave a stock of rabbits on their land for breeding purposes and thus defeat the object which my hon. Friend has in view.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, on what basis of cost of production the present controlled prices of eggs was fixed by him; and for which period and year the figures calculated were taken?

Owing to the great variation in conditions of production, it is impossible to obtain a representative figure of the actual cost of production of eggs for the country as a whole, though information has been obtained concerning the increase in measurable costs. In fixing the maximum prices of home-produced eggs, account is taken of these increased costs (with an allowance for immeasurable items) as well as the normal seasonal variation in prices, though the usual seasonal curve is being flattened to some extent so as to reduce the fluctuation; consideration is also given to any special circumstances at the time, such as abnormally severe weather conditions. The calculations are based on the average prices ruling during the corresponding period of the three years before the war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, as the hatching season has now commenced, poultry keepers may be given some idea of the future price of eggs on which to base their plans; and whether, as there is considerable feeling in this matter, some practical poultry keepers dependent for their living on the industry will be consulted?

As explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb), the maximum prices of home-produced eggs, which are fixed from time to time, will in the future as in the past be based on the estimated increased costs of production due to the war and on the normal seasonal variation in prices, though the usual seasonal curve will be flattened to some extent so as to reduce the fluctuation; the available data for this purpose are at my disposal, and further consultation with individual poultry keepers is not necessary. I cannot undertake to announce in advance the dates on which further changes of prices will be made, as such foreknowledge would cause dislocation in the trade, and the actual date of any particular price change may be determined by special circumstances at the time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, by what proportion has the average number of eggs produced this winter decreased; whether the quality of the egg has deteriorated; to what extent the recent decrease in the price of the egg has affected production on account of rising costs to the poultry-keeper; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Agriculture as to some form of subsidy for this industry?

I have no precise information about the yield of eggs per hen this winter, but it is probable that there has been some decrease owing to war conditions; a special inquiry would be necessary in order to obtain the information. There is no reason to think that there has been any deterioration in the quality of the eggs produced. The recent decrease in the price of eggs is less than normally takes place at this time of the year. The maximum prices fixed from time to time are sufficient to cover the estimated general increased costs of production, having regard to the usual seasonal variation in prices; the question of a subsidy does not therefore arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether, in view of the present shortage of slab chocolate for sale to the public in contrast with a plentiful supply of boxes of assorted chocolates, which, in proportion to their food value, are far more expensive, he will compare the ratio of profit to the manufacturers on these two commodities; and whether, as a condition of supply of raw materials, he will require manufacturers to produce a greater proportion of slab chocolate?

Proposals have already been formulated designed to increase still further the proportion of chocolate production represented by slab and block chocolate and other comparable lines, with a corresponding reduction in more expensive lines. These will operate from 1st March. It should be understood, however, that chocolate manufacturers, in accordance with the policy of the Ministry, have for some considerable time been producing a materially greater proportion of such lines than the pre-war proportion. The latest figures available show the production of all chocolates selling at more than 2s. 6d. per lb. (in spite of increased prices due to increased costs) to be less than 5 per cent. of the total production. The ratio of profit on the more expensive lines does tend to be higher, but this, in turn, has enabled products in greatest demand to be sold more cheaply than would otherwise be the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the latest information as to the position of British women in Paris; what sum of money is allowed to them per month, and is this sufficient to supply them with modest board and lodging; whether any letters or telegrams pass between these women and their relations in England; and whether any steps are being taken to exchange German women in this country for British women resident in Paris?

According to my latest information, there are still some 2,000 British subjects living at liberty in Paris, but the number of women included in this figure is not yet known. British subjects in Paris are able to obtain advances from the United States Embassy at Paris up to a maximum of £10 a month per person; married women living with their husbands do not, however, necessarily receive the maximum amount unless in the opinion of the United States authorities a lesser sum is considered insufficient for their maintenance. The sums now being advanced by the United Staes authorities are considered adequate to enable recipients to obtain modest board and lodging.There are no direct facilities for telegraphic communication between private persons in the United Kingdom and their relatives in occupied France. As regards postal communication, a scheme has recently been put into operation by the British Red Cross Society with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross, whereby twenty-word messages may be sent by persons in the United Kingdom to their relatives in occupied France, but the inauguration of this scheme is of too recent date for a definite statement to be made as to the success of this channel of communication. No steps have yet been taken to exchange German women in this country for British women in enemy hands. My hon. Friend will realise that the transport of large numbers of persons from one enemy country to another presents great difficulties in present circumstances. The matter is, however, being kept very much in mind.