asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the valuable services by the Observer Corps and the desirability of its members having a more definite status, he will consider making that corps a command of the Royal Air Force?

I fully appreciate the valuable services rendered by the Observer Corps. But any proposal to form a new command of the Royal Air Force would raise wider issues of: organisation and administration.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend not think it is time that these men had uniforms?

The question of status and other relevant questions, including that of the uniform of the Observer Corps, are now under consideration by my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that there is a very great feeling of dissatisfaction among the members of this corps and that a reply is required at as early a date as possible?

I am fully aware of many complaints, some justified and some unjustified, as regards conditions in the Observer Corps, and it is for that very reason that my right hon. Friend now has these matters under his consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the English firm of Wimpey's receive so many contracts in Scotland involving large sums of money; and whether he will undertake in future to arrange that Scottish firms carry out all work in Scotland?

The claims of Scottish firms to carry out contracts in Scotland and elsewhere are always fully considered; and of seven large contracts recently placed for building and civil engineering works in Scotland, six have been allotted to Scottish firms. The firm referred to has been allotted contracts by virtue of their favourable quotations and of their ability to complete urgent work to schedule.

(for Mr. Perkins): asked he Secretary of State for Air why he refuses to allow commanding officers of Royal Air Force stations to grow food on waste parts of their aerodromes?

So far from being refused permission to grow food on waste land in the vicinity of R.A.F. stations, commanding officers have been encouraged several times since the outbreak of war as to the need for intensive cultivation of all available land. Considerable areas have been brought under cultivation, and good results have been achieved. Advice has been freely sought from, and given by, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. With a view to assisting stations in planning increased production in accordance with the best professional practice, a technical adviser on horticulture is about to be appointed.

Where sports grounds are commandeered, will compensation be paid to schools and other public organisations?

That is quite a different. question. If my hon. Friend puts it down. I will give an answer.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, owing to the inadequacy of the censoring staff in prisoner-of-war camps in Germany, letters for prisoners are held up for several weeks, and parcels too are delayed while the censors search them; and whether he will make representations, through the International Red Cross or the protecting Power, to secure quicker delivery of parcels and letters?

As regards letters for our prisoners of war in Germany, I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on this point to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 23rd January and to repeat that representations have already been made through the protecting Power in the sense suggested. There is evidence that the delays in Germany to letters from prisoners of war are being reduced. I have no evidence that parcels are inordinately delayed by censorship in Germany.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a letter from a prisoner of war dated 7th January states that in his particular camp there are 20,000 letters and parcels now held up by the censor, owing to the inadequacy of the staff of the censors' Department? He says that the censors look through books to search for secret codes, cut open cheeses to find lengths of rope, and open tins to find screw-drivers.

As regards letters, we are making representations to the protecting Power. I shall be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with the information he has with regard to parcels, when I will certainly look into it.

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?

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has kindly provided me with an analysis of road accidents in the Metropolitan police district during the months of December, 1940, and January, 1941. In December, 1940, out of 4,128 casualties from road accidents, 223 resulted from accidents in which Service vehicles were involved. In January, 1941, the casualties were 2,929, and 219 of these resulted from accidents in which Service vehicles were involved. A census of traffic taken over a period of 24 hours at the end of January, at 42 points in the area, indicated that the ratio of Service to civilian vehicles using the roads was about 1:25.

These figures apply only to the Metropolitan area. Has my right hon. and gallant Friend been able to form an opinion as to the significance of these figures?

I have not made up my mind about them. It is not really my province, and I may take the matter up with the Home Secretary. These figures want a lot of analysis before they will show whether there is any particular tendency. If they show such a tendency, I will take the matter up.

In view of the great public concern, will the Minister make further investigations, in order to see to what extent there is an undue number of accidents in the provinces as well as in the London area, arising from vehicles in use by the Forces?

Will the Minister give us the times of these accidents and also tell the House how many of them are due to drivers having taken even a slight amount of alcohol? [Interruption.] It is important. We have to face this matter.

The figures of accidents during daylight and during the night have already been published. On the alcohol question, I have not the figures at present.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that a Commission was set up? Over 1,000 people were being killed a month. Is it not really vital that this question should be taken into consideration? If alcohol is causing the trouble, surely we ought to do something about it.

The Question put to me relates to the difference between the Services and civilians. On that question, I do not think the alcohol aspect arises.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the approximate percentage of goods accepted for carriage by the British railways which is lost?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available. To obtain it would involve a great deal of labour and expense which would not be justified in present circumstances.

Is my right hon. and gallant Frined aware that this percentage is serious and appears to be increasing and that it is becoming serious among the war industries? Would he not therefore look further into the matter, particularly to see whether too many key men have been called up for military service from the railways, with the result that the railways are not doing a job of work proportional to the responsibility that falls upon them?

I do not think I can accept as a fact that there is a serious effect upon war industries.

Would not my right hon. and gallant Friend make inquiries from the industrial associations, when he may find that there are serious hold-ups in war industries, representing substantial losses?

I will make those inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the validity of workmen's tickets on the railways will be extended to cover a period of two days, for fire-watchers who have to spend the nights at their works or offices; (2) whether he can arrange that workmen's tickets on the railways should be available for fire-watchers proceeding to their duties in the evening?

I do no think that it would be fair to the railway companies to place on them the cost of extending workmen's fares in the manner suggested. The concession to full-time Civil Defence workers, which I announced on 30th January, in reply to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves), is, however, being extended to fire-watchers, who normally avail themselves of workmen's tickets, when travelling between their homes and workplaces.

Does that mean that people who are trying very hard to carry on with their ordinary, essential jobs and are, at the same time, doing one night a week at fire-watching, will get no benefit at all?

They certainly get benefit, but it will be impossible to extend it without very grave inquiry. We are all fire-fighting now, and this suggestion really means a reduction of fares throughout the country.

Surely there are certain areas where fire-watchers are very badly needed. The burden on them is already very great; should it not, as far as possible, be spread throughout the nation?

I have already said that I have considered this matter.

Would there actually be a burden on the railway companies? They would not be carrying more passengers and would not be losing revenue.

I think so. A larger number of people would travel at reduced rates.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider increasing the allowance of 14s. per week for air-raid injury payable to women, which compares very unfavourably with the £1 is. payable to men?

This, among other matters, arising on the scheme of civilian compensation, is under active consideration.

Will the Minister bear in mind that trains, bus fares and food in restaurants, as well as many other items, are as expensive for women as they are for men?

All these matters are taken into consideration.

We have to remember this principle when we are recruiting for women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the ill-effects caused to air-raid shelters through dampness caused by condensation; what instructions have been issued to local authorities to meet this trouble; and who will bear the cost of heating?

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the problem of condensation in air-raid shelters. This has been the subject of experiments by the Department's technical advisers, and a memorandum for the guidance of local authorities will be issued in the near future. The dimensions of the condensation problem are much reduced by heating and proper ventilation. The cost of providing and installing heating equipment in public shelters is borne by the Exchequer; maintenance costs are borne by the local authorities on a grant-aided basis.

I hope that the hon. Member will get down to the instructions. I paid a visit to my constituency, and asked the people whether they went into the shelters, and they said, "No, they are not fit to be used." I agreed with them on that point.

Is it not a cause for rejoicing that, in spite of the bad conditions in some of the shelters, the diseases which were prophesied have not come upon us?

Is my hon. Friend aware that shelters are now being built without proper amenities?

I am not aware of that.

May I draw his attention to some cases?

Will the Minister take steps to see that the shelters are put into proper condition before next winter?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many senior officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service have been removed, a result of Auxiliary Territorial Service senior officers' courses?

None, Sir. It is not the object of these courses to weed out unsuitable officers, but to give instruction to suitable ones.

Does not my hon. Friend think that it might be of some use to have these courses, if they were a real test of the ability of the officer?

There is already a procedure for getting rid of unsuitable officers, and that is by the production of an adverse report. I do not think there is need for any additional procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the number of persons, other than qualified medical and dental practitioners, aged over 45 years and 55 years, respectively, without previous military service, who have been commissioned as officers during the last six months?

I regret that I could not obtain the numbers asked for without considerable research, but it is thought that they are very small.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the young soldiers detailed for special duties as Army cooks have had time to learn their job in Army schools of cookery; and what is the normal period of such training?

After a few weeks' duty as learners in the unit cookhouse, soldiers

who have shown themselves suitable are sent to a course of instruction. This course lasts for six weeks, and has been found adequate to give men the necessary basic knowledge of cookery.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any further consideration has been given to the case of the young men in the Sierra Leone Heavy Battery who were sentenced by court-martial in 1939 to terms of imprisonment, ranging up to 15 years, in Freetown for mutiny; and whether any information can be given as to the result of this further review?

The normal review of these sentences is a matter for the Officer Commanding Troops, Sierra Leone, who is the reviewing authority under the Army Act. Six men have now completed their sentences and have consequently been released. Inquiries are being made by cable as to the result of the latest review of the cases of the men still under sentence.

When is it anticipated that the reply will be received?

I am afraid I cannot give an answer to that, but I should imagine it would be a matter of days.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the notification from the Peel Hall Collieries that they are on the point of closing their collieries; and whether he will have inquiries made to find out the circumstances, and see what can be done to prevent this taking place?

I have been inquiring fully into the circumstances of Peel Hall Collieries, Limited, and am now considering what steps, if any, I can usefully take to meet an admittedly difficult situation.

Will the Minister consult with the miners' side, and if I put down a Question later, will he be prepared to answer it?

There has been no dispute with the workmen. The difficulty here is largely a financial one, which has been in existence for a long time, and also the fact that this company has lost 200 of its workmen in the last two months and is unable to get sufficient workmen to work the colliery.

Is the Minister not aware that it is now seven months since this matter was taken to his Department, and that he received a deputation last June? What is the reason for the delay?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, in order to force the Manchester Corporation electricity department to accept the conditions of sale which are being imposed by the executive boards of the coal industry, coal supplies are being diverted from the Manchester Corporation, notwithstanding the fact that that corporation are already having to lift large quantities from stock; and whether he will take steps to remedy this grievance?

I cannot agree that the position, as regards coal supplies to the Manchester electricity department, is as stated by the hon. Member, but I will take such steps as may be necessary and practicable to maintain adequate supplies. As to the position generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23rd January to the hon. and learned Member for Withington (Flight Lieutenant Fleming). I understand that, as a result of the intervention of my Department, arrangements are now being made for this question to be dealt with by means of a joint discussion between the Conjoint Conference of Public Utility Undertakings and owners' representatives of the colliery districts concerned.

Would the Minister realise that the position has been considerably aggravated since that reply was given; that on 29th January, after the reply was given, there was a meeting of the members of the executive board, at which it was clearly stated that even if the central council were to agree to discuss the problem with the members of the Conjoint Coference, it would be months before a meeting could be arranged for this discussion?

In view of the many complaints coming from the Manchester Corporation, will the Minister consider sending a high official from his Ministry to consult with the corporation?

There have been consultations, and our officials are busy in Manchester. Manchester is not the only place concerned, and there is now a meeting of all the undertakings involved.

Could not Mersey-side be included in the conference?

I think Merseyside ought to be included in the conference.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the report of the Scientific Food Committee supporting the synthetically reinforced loaf was unanimous; and, if not, which members of that committee differed from the majority?

It is contrary to accepted practice to give information in answer to Questions of this kind, and I am not prepared to make an exception in this case

Will the Lord Privy Seal consider publishing the report, in view of the muddle which has been created, and the fact that the policy of the Government is now only a half-measure?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's statement. I think the muddle is in his own mind.

Would the right hon. Gentleman arrange for bread to be taken out of sausages?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what number of prosecutions for illegal slaughtering of animals have taken place in the last six months; and whether a close watch is being kept in this matter?

:During the six months ended 31st December, 1940, the latest period in respect of which figures are available, 106 such prosecutions have been instituted. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a lot of talk about slaughtering being done on the sly, and is he taking steps to strengthen machinery for inquiring into such rumours?

A very close watch is being kept on the situation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of the poultry industry and the prospect of scarcity of eggs next winter; and what steps are being taken in connection therewith?

I am aware of the difficulties of the poultry industry and of the present and prospective shortage of eggs due to the shortage of feeding-stuffs. I can, however, hold out no hope that it will be possible for some time to come to increase the supplies of feeding-stuffs for poultry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why the meat ration has been varied so frequently and drastically; and whether his Department's stock books reveal, from day to day, a true record of actual stocks on hand available for distribution to the civil population?

Supplies of both home-produced and imported meat inevitably fluctuate through the year. The size of the meat ration has been and will continue to be regulated from time to time in accordance with the supply position. There have been four changes in the meat ration since March, 1940, when meat rationing began. As regards the second part of the Question, the Ministry possesses full information regarding stocks of imported meat and the numbers of livestock in this country.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that officers of his Department are visiting cold stores and demanding delivery of several hundred tons of meat which were drawn out two or three months before for the Service Departments, and is it conceivable that the ration would have been juggled about as it has been within the space of two months if his records were correct?

:I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. There have been four changes, and it is far better to keep the meat ration flexible than to have it rigidly fixed, because if the situation improves the ration can be increased, which would be desirable. I can assure my hon. Friend that we have ample information at our disposal to tell us what the available stocks are.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will reconsider, with a view to a better gradation, the meat ration for a child, which is now 7d. a week from birth to the age of six, and is therefore excessive at the beginning of the period and barely adequate for many growing children at the end?

My Noble Friend does not consider it necessary to change the present arrangement whereby a child who will attain the age of six years before the end of a six months rationing period is issued with an adult's ration book at the beginning of the period. The ration allowed in respect of an infant is intended to be used for the benefit of the nursing mother.

Has my hon. and gallant Friend any medical support for the view that a child of six may eat twice as much meat as a child of five?

I cannot say that, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that most things that we do are done after very good advice from medical sources.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the fact that a housewife with a number of young children is able to get as much meat and milk for the children as for the adults is the only compensation which she gets for not having the time or money to have meals in restaurants, which causes her to be badly hit by the rationing arrangements?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the meeting of the wholesale fish merchants that was held in Leeds, with a view to supplying cheaper fish?

The meeting referred to appointed a committee representative of the principal sections of the white fishing industry to prepare a scheme for the control of the price of Iceland cod. It is anticipated that the recommendations of the committee will be available at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that the only way of retaining the wheat germ in flour is by grinding the wheat with mill-stones, he will take steps to encourage the immediate use and reconditioning of the maximum number of stone mills?

My Noble Friend cannot agree that the only way of retaining the wheat germ in flour is by grinding with mill stones. Most proprietary brown flours, produced by roller milling, contain as high a percentage of wheat germ as stone-ground flours. As regards the last part of his Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 22nd January last.

If I send the hon. and gallant Gentleman full technical information which shows entirely the contrary to what he says, will he have it fully examined?

I am always glad to accept any technical information from hon. Members.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that egg prices have been reduced three times in five weeks; that producers in this industry are discouraged; and what method is employed by his Department in order to obtain accurate information regarding conditions prevailing in the poultry industry?

The maximum prices of home-produced eggs were reduced on 30th December, 20th January, 3rd February and 17th February. A decline in prices is usual at this season, and it is considered that the prices fixed are remunerative for producers generally. In reply to the last part of the Question, the Ministry of Food keeps in constant touch with the Agricultural Departments about conditions in the poultry industry.

:Is my hon. and gallant Friend not aware that home producers, including many thousands of ex-Servicemen, cannot make a living at present prices? Is it the policy of the Ministry of Food to wipe them out altogether?

No, of course not: it is the policy of the Ministry of Food to produce as much food as possible at a price which is economic to the grower and is not excessive to the consumer. I would point out that the producers are very well represented on the committees which deal with these things.

Is it not a fact that hens, almost without exception, lay more eggs at this time of the year, and has not the price always come down at this time?

In ordinary times there is a steady decline in the price of eggs at this time of the year.

Is it not a fact that the price of eggs is about the same now as it was at this time last year?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the letter from the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, drawing attention to the scarcity of essential commodities; and what steps does he propose to take to see that the Co-operative Society gets its full share of those commodities?

The letter in question refers to the representations from the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society and other organisations in the West Fife coalfield on the necessity of increasing the allotment of beef and cheese available to miners. As regards meat, it is not possible to increase the present ration. As regards cheese, I would point out that supplies to the mining area of West Fife are above the average for the country as a whole but the possibility of improving distribution is being considered.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that there is very bitter complaint in many parts of the country about what is considered to be discrimination against Co-operative societies, and may I also ask whether the Government have given consideration to the proposals for good distribution which were published in the "Daily Worker" before its suppression?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this allegation is quite unfounded?

I am glad to have an opportunity of saying that there is not the slightest foundation whatever for these complaints. The Co-operative societies get their full share of available supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the increase in the price of milk from 4½d. per pint to 5½d. per pint?

Owing to the increased costs of production and distribution since the out break of war, the retail price of milk may, in accordance with the Milk (Retail prices) Order dated 23rd November, 1940, be increased by an amount not exceeding id. per pint as compared with the price charged for milk of a similar description on the corresponding date during 1939. The prices commonly charged for ordinary milk in February, 1939, were 3d. or 3½d. per pint according to locality. Special designated milks were sold at higher prices. The permitted increase of id. per pint applies to all kinds of milk.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the importance of increasing the supply of cheese for mining districts and for agricultural workers, he will take steps to nave a certain quantity of surplus milk; this spring made into cheese?

Each year a substantial proportion of the milk which is surplus to liquid requirements is manufactured into cheese. During 1941 my noble Friend is arranging for a considerably increased proportion of such surplus milk to be made into cheese.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take steps to remedy the situation created at Short Heath, Staffordshire, whereby the local butchers have been prohibited from selling any unrationed meat, with the result that the residents have to go two miles to Willenhall to try and satisfy their needs, thus placing them at considerable disadvantage in obtaining such food as may be available and creating unnecessary queues?

General butchers receive in excess of the amount needed to meet requirements of their registered customers a small proportion of meat which they can manufacture into beef sausages, pies, etc. No prohibition is placed on the sale of such articles. Butchers also receive small quantities of unrationed offals when available, which can be sold as such or manufactured. As regards pork sausages, I am aware that these may be difficult to obtain in some localities, and consideration is being given to the possibility of ensuring a more equitable distribution.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that if there had been only pork butchers in this district no difficulty would have arisen, but that it is because they are general butchers? Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see me about this after Questions?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken to develop a system of communal restaurants in London; and whether he will consider the acquisition of suitable empty premises in various parts of London for this purpose forthwith?

The London County Council already have a well-developed system of community restaurants in London which are known as the "Londoners' Meal Service ". This service has about 150 centres, and further centres are opened by the London County Council as required.

Would my hon. and gallant Friend consider taking over some of the communal restaurants which are outside the London County Council's control, seeing that they are now open to the public as general restaurants?

I will look into that matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can now announce whether measures are to be taken compulsorily to restrict the supply of foodstuffs at public restaurants, hotels, clubs, and the like; from what date such orders will be effective and whether they will be accompanied by price control?

The supply of rationed foods to public restaurants, hotels, clubs and all other catering establishments is already restricted. My Noble Friend proposes to make an Order at an early date with a view to regulating the consumption of food in catering establishments, but this Order will not contain any provision for the control of prices in catering establishments.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider making that Order as soon as possible, so that for once, at any rate, there is no time lag between public opinion and the Ministry?

I do not know what the hon. and learned Member means by that, but I can assure him that it is only a matter of days before the Order will be out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to small caterers by having to compete with canteens and communal feeding centres, who are able to obtain supplies at low prices; and whether he will take steps to protect the livelihood of these caterers?

Works canteens and community kitchens are being established with the main object of securing, as far as possible, that one adequate meal should be obtained by persons who, owing to war-time conditions, might otherwise be unable to obtain it. Speaking generally, the communal feeding centres are established only where suitable catering facilities are not otherwise available and they do not occupy a privileged position in regard to buying facilities.

I suppose that what it amounts to is that in wartime it is quite impossible to protect all interests?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the increase in the demand for sweets, he will consider allowing more sugar to the confectionery trade and less to breweries?

Instructions have already been issued maintaining the allocations of sugar to the confectionery trade and to the brewers at their present levels during March and April. My Noble Friend will give my hon. Friend's suggestion careful consideration when the allocations for May and June are determined.

Is the Minister aware that in reception areas, where there are large numbers of children, practically all the sweetshops are closed, owing to lack of supplies, while in evacuation areas, where the numbers of children are reduced, there are still large quantities of sweets? Will he arrange that reception areas may get more adequate supplies of sweets?

Certainly; but the hon. Member will be aware that the distribution is largely in the hands of the manufacturers themselves. They have full information as to the areas to which children have gone, and they are doing their best to make arrangements. But I will look into the matter.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend recognise that the more sweets children eat, the worse their teeth become?

Does my hon. and gallant Friend recognise that the children of Canada and America eat more sweets than the children of the United Kingdom, and that they have better teeth?

(for Mr. Jackson) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a large multiple store in Birmingham called Lewis's, who in the past have not been sellers of rabbits for food, are now one of the largest, if not the largest, sellers of this commodity in the town, and that by allowing one firm to obtain such a large share of this commodity he is causing a great hardship to many small traders who have in the past sold this commodity as part of their ordinary trade; and will he, wherever unfair distribution is taking place in other towns, consider rationing them to the shops?

Rabbits are controlled only in respect of the maximum wholesale and retail prices, and I see no reason to interfere with the trade in obtaining such supplies as are available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the opening of potato snack bars; how many have been opened; and who supplies them with potatoes?

My Noble Friend has decided to encourage the establishment of potato bars wherever suitable facilities may exist, as one means of stimulating the consumption of this nutritious home-grown food. So far, only one potato bar has actually been opened, but my Noble Friend is aware of proposals for opening others. The firms concerned will obtain their supplies of potatoes through the usual trade channels.

Is it possible to get a more attractive name for these potato snack bars?

If the hon. Member can think of one, I shall be glad to see it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will cause evidence to be published in regard to the percentage of the population who, under the present dietary regime, are exhibiting calcium deficiency; and will he also publish a statement by a recognised medical authority that the added calcium will in no circumstances injure health, or else withdraw the proposal?

Evidence that a considerable proportion of the population lives on diets which do not supply sufficient calcium for a desirable nutritional condition has been provided by dietary surveys. This evidence has been accepted by the leading nutritional experts at such representative conferences as the Technical Commission on Nutrition of the Health Organisation of the League of Nations, and has been published in the reports of the League of Nations. My Noble Friend will consider the last part of my hon. Friend's Question before a decision is taken as to the quantity of calcium salts to be added to flour.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend keep in mind that this is a question to be determined by clinical observation and not by laboratory experiments, and will he see that the medical authority consulted has the necessary clinical equipment?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Medical Research Council is at present examining all the aspects of the proposal to add calcium to bread, and not merely the quantity and methods; and why this problem had not been fully investigated before the Government announced its intention to add calcium to flour?