asked the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs whether any record exists in his Department showing whether the Government of Northern Ireland was consulted with regard to the abrogation by the Agreement of 1938 of the clause in the Agreement of 1921 reserving to His Majesty's Imperial forces the use of Lough Swilly, situated within a few miles of the City of Londonderry?

No, Sir. As has been made clear in public statements by the present Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and his predecessor, the Northern Ireland Government was a party to the Agreement of 1938 relating to the transfer of the ports.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise how very seriously Northern Ireland is concerned, and that Lough Swilly is within nine miles of the City of Londonderry, which is the second city of Northern Ireland?

I realise that.

In view of the well-known fact that the Government of Northern Ireland were opposed to the handing-over of the ports to Southern Ireland, might it not have been better to have had consultations with them officially and to have paid some attention to their views?

I was asked on a question of fact. Now the right hon. Gentleman asks for an opinion, and I am not called upon to give that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to review the whole conditions of man-power supply in the Lancashire region and the potential demand of the munition works; and whether for this purpose the Government will assist the cotton industry with expert guidance and advice from the start?

I have been asked to reply. The man-power requirements for the war industries are under constant review, and it is clear that, so far as the Lancashire region is concerned, the munitions factories there can only be satisfactorily manned if a substantial contribution is made by the other industries in the region. The Government propose to put to industries proposals which will ensure the orderly release of workers as and when they are required for war employment. The cotton industry's position in the Lancashire region is, of course, of special importance in this respect, and I understand that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will give the industry all possible guidance and advice in the matter.

Will my hon. Friend undertake not to cut down supplies destined for the export trade or to remove the workers on those supplies; and will he do all in his power to facilitate an increase in the export trade of cotton goods?

That is really mainly a matter for the Ministry of Supply.

Is it the intention to spread production over as great a number of mills as possible or to concentrate production in a limited number of the mills only?

That will emerge when my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade puts his proposals to the industry.

Will the Department take great care not to destroy the possibilities of the future of this great export trade?

As a Lancashire man, I will do anything I can in that direction.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he can make any statement concerning the arrest of Chinese seamen serving on s.s. "Ben Macgloe" and s.s. "Ben Macgloe"; what charges were made against them and what facilities were given them for preparing a defence; and will he, in order to prevent further trouble, consult with those shipping firms that are not yet paying a 5 a month war-risk bonus with a view to their doing this.

Certain seamen of the "Ben Macdhui" were charged under Defence Regulation 47A with being absent without leave. These men were represented by counsel. Certain seamen of the "Ben Macgloe"were charged by the shipowners under Section 225 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, with wilfully disobeying the lawful command of the master of the vessel. Other charges under this Section were made against some of the defendants. These men were not represented at the first hearing, but some who were remanded were represented by counsel at the second hearing. As regards the last part of the Question, I have for a considerable time been in close touch with the shipping companies employing Chinese seamen as to their conditions of employment. The remuneration of Chinese seamen has been greatly increased since the war began and for seamen trading beyond Far Eastern coastal limits I am satisfied that that part of the increase which can properly be ascribed to war conditions, although it is not called war risk bonus, is more than the figure quoted by the hon. Member.

Is it not a fact that these Chinese seamen are in difficulties mainly because they feel that they should receive a war risk bonus and that the principal company, which employs nearly half the total number of Chinese seamen, has since December paid such a bonus; and is it not time that other companies followed suit?

I cannot agree that they found themselves in financial difficulties, because there has been an increase in remuneration which is considerable. Chinese sailors recruited in Hong Kong or Shanghai for voyages which take them beyond coastal limits now receive from £7 14s. a month to £9 14s. a month, according to the ship's trade, as compared with £1 18s. 9.d. pre-war. The whole of this increase can be ascribed to war conditions, although it is not called war risk bonus. Chinese sailors recruited in Singapore receive £ 10 15s. a month as compared with £3 15s. pre-war. Of the £ 7 increase, all but 17s. 6d. can be ascribed to war conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British Red Cross Society is discriminating against prisoners of war in Oflag VII on the ground that some of them have been able to get occasional supplies from other sources; and whether recent reports from the camp show that the present condition of the prisoners shows signs of malnutrition?

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No, Sir." In the last fortnight of December, Oflag VII, which is an officers' camp with a population of 1,320, had more than 5,500 parcels. The allotment of parcels to camps is made by the International Red Cross at Geneva. A letter recently received from the camp says that parcels are now getting through much better.

I have since received a communication stating that the parcels are now arriving satisfactorily.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is his immediate intention to discuss with local education authorities the subject matter of the proposals made, in agreement with the leaders of the Free Churches, by the Archbishops of Canterbury, York and Wales on the future of Christian education in schools?

Religious instruction in schools is a subject to which I attach great importance and I can assure my hon. Friend that any responsible proposals, including those to which he refers, which would involve changes in the provisions of the law or of the Board's regulations relating to religious instruction will have my close attention and will be the subject of consultation with local education authorities and the other interests, lay and clerical, concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give time for the discussion of the Notice of Motion standing in the name of the right hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme concerning war aims?

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope of special opportunity being given for discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my right hon. Friend.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman urge that no statement of war turns should be laid down by His Majesty's Government without consultation with the United States Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause some inquiry to be made into the anomalies arising from the different payments made to the wives and children of men in the Forces and those undertaking training in munition production, the pension payments made to dependants of airmen and of soldiers, and the allowances to air-raid victims and their dependants, particulars of which have been sent to him; and whether he will consider the provision of allowances more uniform in character?

The rates of pensions and dependants' allowances payable to the disabled private soldier or airman and to the disabled civilian worker are identical. The other payments to which the hon. Member refers are made in diverse circumstances and for diverse purposes, and there are reasons for such differences as exist. Nevertheless my right hon. Friend will have the matter looked at again to see whether any more elaborate inquiry is necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the uncertainties created by the dual control of the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food, he will take steps to give one man the power to deal with the whole food position, together with the authority to make reservations of the necessary man-power for developing the maximum output of food from the farms?

No uncertainty arises as to the respective functions of the Minister of Agriculture, who is responsible for home food production up to the point at which the produce leaves the farm, and the Minister of Food, who is responsible for the control of all food supplies both home produced, after they leave the farm, as well as imported. Matters with regard to the reservation of man-power in all industries, including agriculture, are decided by the Government. In the cases of agricultural man-power, the views of the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Agriculture are, of course, taken into consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of what the Minister of Agriculture told us last week? Did he not say that spring is always important, and this year it is a matter of life and death? Why not give one man the power to see the whole thing through, instead of having this interminable muddle which goes on month after month?

There is no muddle. There are very many important things going on all the time, and you do not solve them by giving them all into the hands of one man.

In view of the great muddle that is going on, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the letter addressed to him by the President of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce emphasising the drift towards inflation owing to wages increases being followed by a rise in commodity prices; and whether he will make a statement on the policy of the Government in the provision of a check upon this tendency?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received the letter to which my hon. Friend refers, and has arranged that the Association of British Chambers of Commerce shall have an opportunity of stating their views more fully to the Ministers concerned. The Government are, I need hardly say, impressed with the dangers of inflation, and since the outbreak of war have taken action in a variety of ways of prevent any uncontrolled rise in basic prices. It would, of course, be quite wrong to regard every increase in prices, whatever its nature and scope, as potentially inflationary; but close attention is paid to all significant movements of prices with the view to applying appropriate checks in good time if any dangerous tendency develops.

:Is my right hon. Friend not aware that for months past there has been a race between the rise in prices of commodities and the increase in wages, and could we not have an early declaration of policy on the part of the Government?

The subject is far too complicated to be discussed by Question and Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the Fourth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, especially with regard to the cost plus type of contract, and what immediate action he proposes to take?

The Treasury are considering, in conjunction with the other Departments concerned, the numerous recommendations made in this useful report. The question of "cost plus" contracts cannot, I think my hon. Friend will appreciate, be dealt with in isolation.

Does not the Chancellor realise that if he takes the public more into his confidence and tells them what steps he is taking and the results of those steps to secure and ensure wise expenditure, he will strengthen public confidence and induce the public to subscribe, even more liberally than they are now doing?

That is a little outside the Question, but I do not know that I dissent at all from what my hon. Friend says.

Then why not do something?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in paying compensation under the War Damage Act to persons of small means, pianos and sewing machines are considered a luxury and therefore not liable to rank for compensation; whether he will state the method of valuation, and when compensation is to be paid?

No payments are being made under the War Damage Bill. The scheme which has been administered by the Assistance Board since June last is limited to the payment of compensation in respect of damage to essential articles. Pianos do not ordinarily come within this description. I am giving instructions that sewing machines shall be regarded as ranking for compensation. My hon. Friend will find a statement on the method of valuation in the reply given on 21st January to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss). Payments by the Assistance Board in respect of essential articles are made currently. The time of making payments in respect of non-essential articles will depend on the arrangements authorised by Parliament in the legislation now before the House.

When a piano is part of a person's livelihood, such as in the case of a music teacher, would not that rank for compensation?

Yes, Sir, but my hon. Friend will observe that I said that ordinarily they would not rank for compensation.

Is a list of these essential articles available?

I am afraid not.

Who will judge in these matters? Will it be an official of the Assistance Board?

Yes, Sir, but, of course, I give instructions from time to time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the rates of immediate and subsequent compensation payable by the Assistance Board to the various classes of persons whose property has suffered war damage, showing, separately, the limits allowable for furniture, tools, clothes, costs of removal, and retailers' stock-in-trade; and whether it is proposed to publish this information?

As the reply is somewhat long, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make a statement on the Treasury grant-in-aid to the universities and colleges during the coming financial year?

Yes, Sir. The House will recall that, in view of the vital part played by the universities in the life of the community, the importance of maintaining as far as possible the standards of university education, and the essential contribution which the universities were making in a variety of ways towards the national effort, it was decided to maintain the provision for the current year at the same level as that in 1939, namely £ 2,149,000. These considerations have lost none of their force, and, despite the increasing strain on the national finances, the Government, after considering a report from the University Grants Committee, have reached the conclusion that if the universities are to continue their present contribution to the national effort, the provision for 1941 must be maintained at the existing level. They earnestly hope that local authorities will take similar action.

:Since the universities are to receive considerable amounts of public money, will steps be taken to implement the Prime Minister's hopes that universities will be made available to all members of the public and not confined to any one section?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had under consideration the position of beneficiaries of legacies, alimony and other payments which are being made free of Income Tax; whether he is aware that many of these settlements were arranged when Income Tax stood at 4s. 6d. or 5s. in the and consequently such beneficiaries are placed in a privileged position in relation to the ordinary taxpayer; and whether he contemplates any change of financial policy so that such beneficiaries should contribute their fair share of the cost of the war?

While, in the class of case to which my hon. Friend refers, an increase in the standard rate of Income Tax may have results not contemplated by the testator or settler, the Revenue is not in general affected. Income Tax is paid to the Revenue on the gross amount which, after deduction of tax at the standard rate for the time being, produces the actual amount received by the beneficiary, and the gross amount constitutes the recipient's income from the particular source for purposes of Income Tax (including Surtax).

Will my right hon. Friend also consider the fact that recently many directors of public companies have increased their remuneration considerably?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Purchase Tax is being paid twice over on certain manufactured articles which are made from materials on which Purchase Tax has already been paid; and whether he will take action to deal with this anomaly?

:I am aware that such representations have been made. This question arises mainly in connection with the position of small unregistered wholesalers and manufacturers, and I would accordingly refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 3rd December and 19th December to my hon. Friends the Members for North-East Bethnal Green (Mr. Chater) and Dewsbury (Mr. Riley).

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a ruling was given as a result of which financial arrangments were made, that subsequently that ruling was altered, and consequently great hardship was caused, and is there no way by which this difficulty can be overcome?

Yes, Sir, I have been considering whether further steps can be taken.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any shortage of donors of blood: and whether a new national campaign is being started?

I am advised that there is no general shortage of blood donors, but that in certain areas more are needed. Local campaigns are being organised in those areas.

In view of the large number of people who are only too anxious to make this contribution to the war effort, will my hon. Friend take whatever steps are necessary in the local areas concerned to make it widely known?

Yes, Sir. Campaigns are being organised in the local areas, and the results are satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Kent local medical and panel committee, to the effect that medical benefit should be provided for dependants of men in the Armed Forces and that such benefit should be administered through the existing machinery of the insurance committees and not through public assistance committees; and whether he proposes to take the necessary action?

:Yes, Sir. The general question has been frequently considered by the responsible Ministers, and I cannot add anything to the full statement made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian and Peebles (Mr. Colville) when he was Secretary of State for Scotland on 23rd April, 1940. I am sending a copy of this statement to my hon. Friend.

:Is the hon. Lady aware that returns on the cost of living in country areas show that the cost of medical attendance is disproportionately large, and does she not think that action is therefore long overdue?

I think the hon. Lady is referring to a wider public. This question deals with the dependants of service men.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the officially encouraged policy of evacuation, expenditure on air-raid precautions and war damage to property the financial position of Metropolitan borough councils is acute; and can he yet indicate what assistance, by way of grant, he is prepared to offer, so as to prevent the unfairness of severe rate increases concentrated upon those people who have not left London?

My Department is in communication with the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee and the councils of certain Metropolitan boroughs on the subject. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Tam-worth (Sir J. Mellor) on 12th February.

Does that mean that the Metropolitan borough councils are to budget for a deficit, and cover that deficit by borrowing from the Exchequer?

No, I think it means, as the hon. Member will see from the other reply to which I referred, that a consultation is taking place as to the best method of dealing with the position.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the time for deciding on the next rate is very close, and will this consultation very shortly be brought to an end?

Yes, Sir, and consultation is now taking place with the Metropolitan borough councils.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, under the existing law rates will be payable by the Metropolitan borough councils to the London County Council and the Metropolitan police for the year commencing 1st April, 1941, in respect of premises already destroyed by enemy action, on which the borough councils cannot there fore collect any rates for that year; and as this is the season when rate estimates have to be made, will he initiate immediate action to remove this anomaly?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the position to which my hon. Friend refers. He does not contemplate the introduction of amending legislation, but he is prepared to entertain applications for financial assistance from local authorities in cases where the loss of rateable value and rate revenue due to enemy action is such as to make this assistance necessary.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position with regard to the formulation of a scheme for the restriction of sisal production; whether the co-operation of the Netherlands East Indies, Mexico, the Philippines and Portuguese East Africa is being sought; and whether, pending final agreement, a temporary scheme of restriction will be introduced?

Such a scheme is under consideration, and the co-operation of other interested Governments is being sought. Pending further progress with these plans, production in British territory is, as an interim measure, being maintained on a restricted basis.

(for Mr. Thorne) asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Albert Dock workers are having much trouble in getting home because, on dog-racing days, people coming away from the last race at 4.10 p.m. take up all the places on omnibuses, leaving none for the men leaving work at 4.30 p.m.; and what action he proposes to take about this matter?

I have made inquiries and find that the traffic from the stadium is cleared about half an hour before the dockers leave work and does not, therefore, interfere with the workers. Moreover, the trolleybus route terminates at the Albert Dock, and the dock workers board the vehicles before they reach the stadium.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have had a letter of complaint, saying that on this occasion the trolley buses were turned round in Prince Regent's Lane, and also a letter from the undertaking, which states very definitely that they are prepared at all times to consult with the Minister of Transport? It is not their desire to interfere with the convenience of the dock workers. Have those consultations yet taken place, and should they not have first consideration?

The trolley buses to which the hon. Member refers are 12 extra buses which are turned round to deal with the stadium crowd. That is before the dock workers leave work.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that it is in the spirit of the times to have 12 extra buses to deal with people who go to the dogs, and does he not think the Government ought to take a moral stand about this matter?

That is not a question for me to deal with, but for the Minister of Home Security.

Why should there be any kind of special facilities provided for the devotees of dog racing at a time of national emergency? Can my hon. Friend give a considered reply?

Is it not about time the House of Commons did something, as the Government will not take action?

The merits of dog racing is not a question into which I am really entitled to go. It is solely a matter for the Minister of Home Security.

Does not my right hon. Friend understand that if transport facilities were not provided, these dog-racing meetings could not proceed, at all events to the same extent? Is he not aware of the reports in the Press the other day that the bookmakers at a particular South Coast greyhound track took more money in the course of one day's racing than they have taken on several occasions at Newmarket?

(for Sir John Graham Kerr) asked the Secretary to the Treasury in view of the fact that matters of historical interest and importance are frequently recorded in the unpublished records of the proceedings of Royal Commissions, what facilities exist for enabling members of the public to consult the full stenographic records of such proceedings in so far as they relate to sittings held in public by commissions which, having completed their labours, are no longer available to consider the desirability of publishing any part of their proceedings?

:The arrangements for the preservation of unpublished reports of proceedings of Royal Commissions held in public vary in accordance with the nature of the matters which they have had to consider, the period which has elapsed since they reported, and the views of each Commission on the disposal of its papers. I should not expect to find that Royal Commissions refrained from publishing reports of public proceedings at which matters of historical interest and importance had come before them. If there is any particular Royal Commission of which my hon. Friend wishes to consult the unpublished records, I will inquire whether they can be made available to him.

( by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any steps are in contemplation to enable boys from all classes of the community to enter the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

:I have had this matter under consideration for some lime, and I am glad to tell my hon. Friend that, with the complete co-operation of my naval colleagues, I have had a scheme drawn up, by which the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth will, it is hoped, secure its share of the pick of the nation's youth on as wide a basis as possible. In addition to the present system of entry, which will continue unaltered, we are offering 10 scholarships to Dartmouth to candidates from grant-aided secondary schools, to be completed for at each entry— that is to say, thirty scholarships a year. The first entry to which this will apply will be that of September of this year. For this, candidates must be more than 13 years and 4 months, and not more than 13 years and 8 months, on 1st August of this year. Applications must be received by 10th May.

The intention is that the scholarships should take the form of assistance, depending on the parents' income, towards the expenses of training and maintenance. The poorest parents would be relieved of all expenses arising out of the boy's training, including cost of uniform, clothing and travelling expenses to and from his place of training; and including, if necessary, provision for the boy's maintenance during the holidays. The cadet will also be supplied with the clothing required by him as midshipman. After this, he should be able to support himself. The grant of ten scholarships on each occasion will necessarily depend upon a sufficient number of suitable candidates presenting themselves. A scholarship will not be given to a secondary school boy who does not show himself superior to the average in intellectual ability. In addition, further scholarships, to a number of not more than ten on each occasion, will be given to boys not coming from grant-aided secondary schools who show themselves to be equal or superior in ability to the boys who have been given scholarships from the grant-aided secondary schools. It is intended also to give one scholarship on each occasion to the son of a rating or ex-rating who has not got one of the open scholarships, and who takes the highest place beneath them in the examination, provided that he shows himself superior to the average in intellectual ability.

The examinations on which scholarships are to be given require very careful consideration, since the Admiralty must secure that the candidates are fully equipped for the curriculum of Dartmouth, while at the same time, it is desirable that the boys from the secondary schools should be able to take the examination without any special tuition. We are making some alteration in the syllabus of the examination, which we hope will achieve this in the majority of cases. If necessary, however, in making the awards, I will take into consideration the age at which the candidate started his secondary course. All awards will be subject to the boy being medically fit, and also being found suitable for naval service by an Interview Board, who will be guided: by examination of the boy's record at school, by the medical report as to the soundness of his constitution, by his bearing at the interview. In case of any boy being found medically unfit or being rejected after the interview, the next boy on the examination list will be considered in his place. Full details of the arrangements and of the syllabus of the examination will be issued as soon as possible.

While congratulating my right hon. Friend on the scheme, might I ask whether steps will be taken to ensure that there shall be privacy as regards the difference in social status, and that it will not be published far and wide that some are going in as special-entry candidates?

:I am quite sure that the naval authorities will do everything possible to make the scheme successful. All questions of that kind will receive the most sympathetic consideration. But I must point out that scholarships are not to be confined to boys coming from grant-aided secondary schools, but will include boys from preparatory schools, and will be based on income as well. That means that there will be no special class of scholarship holders, and it is unlikely that there will be any distinction.

What is the total number of candidates admitted at Dartmouth each year?