asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences to export machinery, arms and munitions have been applied for in the last 12 months; and how many have been re fused?

:In the 12 months ended 31st January, 1941, approximately 4,500 licences were issued to export machinery, and approximately 200 applications were refused. Not all types of machinery are subject to export licence requirement. In the same period 365 licences were issued for the export of war material and four applications were refused. The bulk of the licences of war material were for exports by the Service Departments to Allied and other foreign countries.

What does the Minister mean by "Allied and other foreign countries"?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the description. There are some foreign countries which are not Allies, but to which export is desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large catering firms who carry considerable stocks of linen, china, glass, silver, etc., at central establishments to meet the demands for replacements by their branches and suffer damage by enemy action are not paid compensation for loss of these and other similar commodities, although the premium has been paid: and whether he will consider amending the definition of stock in order that such establishments can limit the premium to the articles on which compensation will be paid?

Speaking generally, the commodity insurance scheme covers only those goods owned by a seller or supplier of goods which are held for sale or supply in the course of that business. It docs not extend to goods which are of the nature of plant or equipment used in the business. These goods are at present un-insurable and no premiums are payable in respect of them but they will become insurable under the business scheme provided for in Part II of the War Damage Bill now before this House, when the Bill becomes law.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements for fire watchers have been made at the War Office and at other buildings under War Office control?

Sentries are always on watch on the War Office roof, and one of their duties is to watch for and report the presence of incendiary bombs on any building in the immediate vicinity. A trained volunteer fire fighting staff is available during office hours, whilst a member of the Ministry of Works and Buildings fire brigade, supported by a minimum of 15 male volunteer air-raid precautions personnel, is available from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily, including Sunday. Similar arrangements have been made in all other buildings occupied by War Office headquarters staff, except that in one case it has been necessary to make joint arrangements with a neighbour.

Do I understand, then, that in view of the considerable public anxiety as to the Horse Guards being adequately watched, there is a satisfactory fire-watching patrol of the Horse Guards and the other War Office buildings?

Yes, Sir, that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a magazine called "Bless 'Em All," recently published under the auspices of the non-combatant labour corps, attached to the Pioneer Corps, the contents of which and in particular an article on Armistice Day have given serious offence both to soldiers and civilians; and what action is being taken in the matter, having regard to the fact that the magazine is circulated from a military camp?

My attention has been drawn to this matter, and I have called for a report from the Command concerned.

Is it not desirable that matters of this kind should be dealt with promptly, as very serious feeling has been caused by statements in this paper disparaging Armistice Day, and great offence has been given to soldiers and the public, coming as it does from a military camp?

That is the reason why I have called for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for War the conditions under which members of the Armed Forces, whether officers, men or women, can become Parliamentary candidates; and whether in any cases permission has been refused?

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds Private McEwan, of the Army Pay Corps, was refused leave to enable him to become a Parliamentary candidate for Dumbartonshire; and whether he is prepared to make a statement on the subject?

:asked the Secretary of State for War why permission was refused to Mr. Robert McEwan, a private in the Army, to contest the current by-election in Dumbarton, in the interests of the Scottish Nationalist party, in view of the fact that permission has previously been granted in more than one instance since the outbreak of hostilities to serving officers to contest parliamentary vacancies; and whether any differentiation is made in such applications between commissioned officers and other ranks?

An Army officer or soldier or a woman in the military service of the Crown who wishes to become a parliamentary candidate is required first to obtain the permission of the Army Council through the normal channels. This is in order that prospective candidates may be prevented from unintentionally infringing the requirements of the Servants of the Crown (Parliamentary Candidature) Order, 1927. No differentiation is made between officers and other ranks, and no application submitted in this way has been refused. In the case of Private McEwan, the application was received by his commanding officer on the day of the nomination, and it was explained to the applicant that Army Council permission would be necessary and could not possibly be obtained in the time available.

Am I to take it that permission is granted automatically, at the same time?

Yes, Sir. Practically speaking, that is true; as I say, no application submitted in this way has been refused.

With regard to the ordinary peace-time custom, by which an officer has to be seconded from his regiment in order to stand for Parliament; is it necessary then to get permission from the Army Council?

Yes, Sir. I think it is in order that when a serving officer or soldier becomes a candidate, he is transferred to the Reserve, at least for the day on which he is publicly announced as a candidate.

Is the Minister aware that Private McEwan had made his application before nomination day, in the appropriate way for a private, to his immediately superior officer by word of mouth, and that there was no instruction to him that he must apply to the Army Council or anything else?

No, Sir, he does not apply to the Army Council. He applies through the normal channels. In this case the application was received by his commanding officer, which is the normal channel through which application is made on the day of the nomination.

Is the Minister aware that Private McEwan applied orally days before nomination day, and then two or three days later was told that he must put in the application in writing—that was on nomination day—and then he was told by a sergeant or somebody of that sort that it was refused?

That is not the information which I received. The application was received by his commanding officer on the day of the nomination. However, I will have further inquiries made.

It may be that it takes several days for an application to go from a private to his commanding officer, but it was certainly put forward by Private McEwan well before nomination day.

As I say, I will make further inquiries.

Can the Minister say whether the application which was received was oral or in writing?

From my information, I take it that the application on the day of the nomination was an application in writing.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a driver of the Royal Army Service Corps at a barracks, of which he has been in formed, has had his leave stopped because he objected to being vaccinated and inoculated; and will he take steps to put a stop to the form of intimidation?

I am making inquiries and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present maxi mum age limit for appointment as officers; what distinction is made in the case of those possessing previous military experience; and what course is adopted to offer appointments to those already serving rather than to those outside the Army and with no previous military experience?

In the case of men appointed to commissions from the ranks without being required to undergo further training in officer cadet training units, the upper age limits vary from 43 to 55 according to the branch of the Service No upper age limit has been prescribed for admission to officer cadet training units, but, other things being equal, preference is given to those under 30. In the case of those appointed to commissions from the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve, the upper age limit, unless the candidate has very special qualifications, is 55, and, except for technical corps where special qualifications are required, previous military service is required. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Sal-ford (Mr. Emery) on Wednesday last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with the resignation of many auxiliary nurses from the British Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Detachment; and why Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses are made to spend many hours washing and cleaning floors and performing other menial duties?

There has been a considerable number of resignations by members of Voluntary Aid Detachments, many of which are due to private reasons, such as difficulties resulting from the bombing of homes. Many are due to marriage. The duties of nursing members of Voluntary Aid Detachments are those of a probationer nurse in a civil hospital, which include washing, cleaning and general ward duties.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say approximately how many resignations have taken place?

I am afraid I should have to ask for notice of that question.

(for Mr. McGovern)asked the Secretary of State for War whether he intends to publish the report of the committee of inquiry recently held into the alleged brutal treatment of conscientious objectors at Dingle Vale Camp at Liverpool; and, if not, what are the reasons for refusal?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his Question on this subject on 28th January.

Was it that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman would consider the matter?

I did not say I was considering it. I said it would be a subject for court-martial.

I understood that the commanding officer was not to be subject to court-martial but that it was only a somewhat junior officer.

I am answering Question No. 14. There is another Question later about the commanding officer.

(for Mr. McGovern) asked the Secretary of State for War on whose authority a military representative went to the Edinburgh Appellate Tribunal for Conscientious Objectors and gave evidence in favour of certain conscientious objectors, giving the impression to the court that Private S. G. Tomlinson was not a genuine objector as no evidence was given in his favour; and is he satisfied that no improper action was taken in order to secure a further term of imprisonment for this man because of the leading role he had played at the committee of inquiry and his refusal to serve?

In all cases of serving soldiers appearing before the Appellate Tribunal under Section 13 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, J939, the established procedure is for an officer of the unit to which the soldier belongs to be present at the hearing to provide such information regarding the soldier as the chairman and members of the Tribunal may require. As regards the last part of the Question, if my hon. Friend is referring to the Court of Inquiry relating to Dingle Vale, I cannot find that Private Tomlinson took any part in that inquiry.

(for Dr. Little) asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in providing accommodation for the military, he will issue an order to the effect that, where other suitable buildings are available, the religious and social work of the churches should not be interfered with by the taking over of church halls, and in cases where such has been done and equally good accommodation can be obtained that it be taken and church halls handed back?

This is already the policy of the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the compensation arrangements for a member of the Home Guard if he should be injured whilst doing fire watching duty?

Fire watching in the normal sense is not a duty of the Home Guard, and members of the Home Guard have been exempted from compulsory enrolment for these duties. A member of the Home Guard undertaking voluntary fire prevention duty in his capacity as a citizen would be dealt with under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme administered by the Ministry of Pensions. If, however, it happened that he was injured while assisting in analogous duties under orders in his capacity as a member of the Home Guard, he would be dealt with under the arrangements for disablement allowances and pensions for members of the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in order to circumvent the decision that only those at present in the Home Guard would receive consideration for a commission, there is a rush to introduce newcomers before the Selection Board meets; that one person was enrolled recently and made immediately second in command of the 10th Battalion over the heads of all the commanders who have been working for the Home Guard since Dunkirk; and whether he proposes to take any steps to stop this practice?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I will lave it investigated.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I asked him a Question on this subject three weeks ago, that he then promised a full report, and that we have not yet had that full report? Is he aware that there is widespread discontent all over the country in the Home Guard, and that damage is now being done, and will he give an assurance that he will carry out the declared intentions of the House in regard to this matter?

Yes, Sir. I certainly think it would be entirely contrary to the intention of the House that a practice of this sort should be indulged in, but what I did ask the hon. Gentleman was that he should let me have full particulars of this particular instance, so that I could have it looked into.

I will certainly do that, but I wish the right hon. and gallant Gentleman would bear in mind that the matter to which I drew his attention three weeks ago has not yet been reported on to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for War what compensation for loss of earnings will be given to members of the Home Guard in the event of their being called up for whole-time service?

:I would ask my hon. Friend to await a statement which is shortly to be made by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, on this and other matters connected with the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for war, what steps he is taking to secure more and better cooks for the Army?

Every unit has its own cooks, the number depending on the number of men in the unit. These cooks are trained by experts at schools of cookery and cookery training centres, of which there are now 112 as against 4 at the beginning of the war, and more are to be added, as necessary. The output from these establishments is now between 3,500 and 4,000 cooks a month.

In developing this scheme, will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that it is not quantity of food that makes a soldier happy and contented and keeps him in good health, but palatable, wholesome and well-cooked meals?

I am aware of that, and that is why we have introduced these training centres, so as to get better cooking.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend also bear in mind the large number of cooks now on the labour market through the bombing and destruction and bankruptcy of hotels during the last 12 months, and will he consider drawing on this supply of good cooks?

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that the cooks understand a little better how to thaw chilled meat?

Is there any difference between "cucks" and "cooks"?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the discrepancy between the rations allowed to civil workers and those issued to the troops, and the urgent necessity to conserve our food supplies, he will state what further changes he proposes to make in the rations issued to the troops stationed in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that soldiers in uniform engaged solely on sedentary work should receive the same rations as civilians; and whether he can now make a statement with regard to this?

The matter is now under examination, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement at an early date.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he will bear in mind that it is very difficult to justify greater rations being allowed to soldiers on demolition work than to civilians employed on practically the same kind of work?

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that these regulations as to the feeding of troops are carried out, because in the last war certain commanding officers did not realise that that was part of their duties?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if rations were considerably reduced, a lot of waste could be eliminated?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the family allowances of soldiers' dependants now living in the Channel Islands are being paid into an account or will they be allowed to accumulate until such time as they can be paid to the persons concerned?

The normal family allowance is intended to assist in meeting the current costs of maintenance of soldiers' families and it is not issuable in respect of families in enemy-occupied territory. Arrangements have, however, been made by which a soldier may, if he so desires, have placed to his provisional credit a special separation grant in respect of his family under certain conditions, one of which is an appropriate allotment from his pay. These amounts will only be withdrawable at the discretion of the War Office. Permission to withdraw will usually be given when the family returns from enemy-occupied territory, or restrictions on remittances to the territory are withdrawn. I will circulate particulars in the Official Report.

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman in what way these allowances, which are paid to the credit of the soldier, differ from the allowances generally given to a soldier's dependants?

I am giving full details of the scheme in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the submission by an officer to the Northampton Borough Bench, on 19th February, to the effect that the court was not competent to deal with the case of a soldier charged with driving an Army lorry dangerously; and whether the action of the officer was in accordance with existing Army Regulations?

I have seen a newspaper report of the case. There is no doubt that civil courts are competent to deal with such a case, and a submission made to the contrary effect would be wrong.

Will that be conveyed in due course to the officers concerned?

Yes, Sir; I am taking the necessary steps.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will consider the free issue of uniforms to cadets;

:Certain proposals with regard to the Cadet Force are now under consideration by the Army Council, and I hope to be able to make an announcement in the near future.

Should I put a Question down next week?

Perhaps I might communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the comment made by a West London magistrate, during a recent trial, in sentencing a man for looting a bombed house, to the effect that it seems to be nobody's business to protect household effects left exposed by enemy action from the air; and whether more precautions can be taken to safeguard the property of private citizens whose houses have been destroyed?

:The primary responsibility for recovering and protecting goods and articles from a damaged building rests with the owner or his legal personal repre- sentative, but local authorities have been asked to give such assistance as may be required, particularly where persons are rendered homeless.

Is my hon. Friend aware that very often, when these buildings are in process of demolition, the occupiers having fled, the furniture is thrown about, without being protected in any way? Could not something be done to save the furniture?

Local authorities have been asked to do that. Any expenses incurred are reimbursed to them.

asked the Home Secretary how many married couples are now detained under Regulation 18B; whether he has considered the copy sent to him of a letter addressed to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes and signed by 12 detained husbands in a camp at Ascot complaining that their wives are detained under prison conditions, only a fortnightly visit of half-an-hour is permitted, and that rent-free premises for the detention and security of married couples have been responsibly offered to the Home Office; and will he give the reason for this continued separation of married couples detained under Regulation 18B while internment in company is granted to married alien couples?

There are 18 married couples detained under Defence Regulation 18B. I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for letting me see the letter addressed to him by some of these people; but I know of no foundation for the suggestion in that letter that premises have been offered to the Home Office which would be suitable on security and other grounds for the accommodation of these couples. Nor can I accept the suggestion that because it is hoped to provide married quarters for selected couples who have been interned because of their enemy nationality, similar provision ought to be made for persons who have been involved in such specific activities that their detention under Defence Regulation 18B has been thought necessary for purposes of public safety.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I, personally, have no knowledge of any of these individuals, and have never heard of or from any of them before, and that similar letters have reached other Members of Parliament? Bearing in mind the treatment of alien married couples, the treatment of these people seems rather fair, in view of the fact that only the Minister and a few other people have any real knowledge of what they have done.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the increasing difficulties of medical doctors practising in rural areas who are compelled, in answer to urgent calls, to motor to patients resident in remote country districts during the hours of darkness; and whether he will sanction the use of an additional screened headlight in such cases?

I have been asked to reply. The Answer is, No, Sir.

Does the Minister realise the great strain that is imposed upon these doctors in having to drive in certain conditions; and will the Minister go further into the question with a view to affording to them the same facilities as are afforded to motor omnibuses, namely, two screened headlights?

:Motor omnibuses have two screened headlamps, but these together do not emit more than the light of one, and the only result of this concession would be to enable motorists to reach a higher pace, and that, I am sure my hon. Friend will agree, is not desirable.

(for Sir Reginald Blair)asked the Home Secretary the cost to the Exchequer if the scheme-making authorities received the whole cost of public air-raid shelters erected or contracted for before 16th October last instead of the grant of 60 per cent.?

The rate of grant is not uniform but varies in different areas. It is estimated that the additional cost to the Exchequer would be —9,000,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the broadcast in English on the German radio about the matter, he will publish the daily rations of the Germans interned in the camps in the Isle of Man?

Yes, Sir. I am circulating a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will reaffirm the undertaking given by the Government in 1939, to those who would be affected by the Military Forces Act, that their jobs in civilian life will be kept open for them after the war; and that no step would be taken which will prejudice the chances of re-employment in their respective trades?

Statutory provision for reinstatement in civil employment after the war already exists in Section 14 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939. The practical possibilities of such reinstatement must, however, be affected by industrial changes which the war necessitates.

Could something more be done to protect the interests of small businesses? Big undertakings, such as the railways, insurance companies and banks, will be able to carry on, but many of the smaller interests are threatened with extinction.

Obviously, that is a matter which will have to be considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that what is left will be spread over as great a number of businesses as possible, and not concentrated in the hands of a few big businesses?

I would like to see that Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that before Private A. L. Flynn, T13044165, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, was examined and passed Grade 2, he had been for 12 months in a mental home, and was still under observation while in civilian employment; that after four and a-half months of Army life he has had to be sent back to the mental home; whether he will have inquiries made as to how this boy was passed Grade 2; and whether, in the circumstances, his widowed mother is entitled to any allowance in respect of her son?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries in conjunction with his right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Minister of Pensions and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Can the Minister say why no examination was made of the mental condition of the recruit, and whether there is a rule that doctors with special knowledge of mental diseases should sit on the medical board?

1 cannot accept exactly what the hon. Lady has said, but, at any rate, I think that that is another Question, which must be put upon the Paper.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Ministry of Labour have the responsibility in regard to these medical boards, in view of the fact that there is some doubt in the matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the customs authorities have in contemplation any change in the present method of payment of Purchase Tax by registered persons; have they consulted with all representative trade organisations to ascertain their views; and will he give an undertaking that in any rearrangement of procedure steps will be taken to ensure that registered persons are not called upon to finance the tax?

:This matter is under consideration. Various representative trade organisation are being consulted, in order to ascertain the system of paying the tax that would be most convenient. In regard to the last part of the Question, I would point out that the extent to which manufacturers and wholesalers can be said to finance the tax depends on the credit which they allow their customers. This is entirely a matter for arrangement between the parties concerned.

How long does the right hon. Gentleman expect the negotiations to go on?

I will see that they are expedited as much as possible.

Will it be possible to amend the procedure in the next Finance Bill, or will a separate Bill be necessary?

I think it will be possible to deal with it in the Finance Bill.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that NDK dentalvis, a medicament for teeth and gum troubles, has been classed by the Inland Revenue as a toilet preparation, and consequently subject to Purchase Tax; and whether he will have this decision reconsidered?

(Captain Crookshank): This preparation is advertised as "used as an ordinary dentifrice." Toothpastes are toilet preparations, and are in law chargeable (whether they are medicated are not) with tax at the rate of 33⅓ per cent, ad valorem.

(for Mr. Critchley)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can devise a method to secure for war financing the cash received by holders of the requisitioned Indian and other similar securities by giving them the option to take, as payment, those Government securities of which the permitted holding by one beneficial holder is now limited, provided the requisitioned securities have been in the possession of the beneficial owner for not less than one year?

Arrangements designed to facilitate subscriptions by holders of requisitioned securities to the various Government loans on offer are already in operation. I cannot, however, see my way to permit any extension of the limits of holdings of National Savings Certificates and 3 per cent. Defence Bonds which carry specially favourable terms designed to encourage saving by the smaller investors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether civil servants and officers on the active list of the Army, Navy and Air Force receive fees from the British Broadcasting Corporation for broadcasts delivered by them on subjects pertaining to their official duties; and, if so, whether he will arrange for such fees to be surrendered to the Exchequer, less any appropriate deduction for expenses incurred by the individual in making the broadcast?

The general practice is that no fees are payable to a civil servant or officer on the active list of the Navy, Army or Air Force for broadcasts which are necessary or desirable to enable the responsible Department to carry out its recognised duties to the community. In cases where the talk serves no such purpose, the general practice of Departments is to allow the officer concerned to make his own terms with the Corporation, whether or not the subject of the talk pertains to his official duties. All talks on matters pertaining to the officer's official duties require the prior approval of higher authority. These arrangements are not wholly appropriate in present conditions, and, in conjunction with the Departments chiefly concerned and the B.B.C., I have been considering what modifications are needed. When agreement has been reached regarding the revised arrangements, I will communicate further with my hon. Friend.

:Can the Financial Secretary say when it is likely that agreement will be reached on this matter, as it is causing some concern in Civil Service circles?

I have not heard anything about causing concern, but I do not think it will be very long now before agreement is reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that retailers of unrationed foodstuffs were allocated 75 per cent. of their pre-war supplies, and that their quota has not been increased in all the localities where the population has been substantially augmented by evacuation; and what steps he is taking to increase such supplies, which are now totally inadequate to the needs of the people in these evacuation areas?

:My hon. and gallant Friend does not specify the commodities or the areas he has in mind and I am therefore unable to comment on the figure in the first part of the Question, except to say that it does not represent any standard of allocation among unrationed foodstuffs generally. Manufacturers are now supplied with figures of movement of population to help them in adjusting their allocation of unrationed foodstuffs, and my Noble Friend has reason to hope that a more even distribution of these foodstuffs is now being effected.

If I bring specific cases to the notice of my hon. and gallant Friend, will he look into them?

Certainly, Sir.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House how often re-allocations are made and the last time that any re-allocation took place?

The figures from all over the country have only recently— I think in the last month or six weeks— been given for the first time to manufacturers, and as a result of these figures, manufacturers are now re-allocating, or they have done so, their allowances to the various shops.

Are we then to understand that since the "Blitz" took place and the great changes of population which have taken place all over the country no re-allocation has been made?

It would be entirely contrary to the facts to say that, but we are trying to make it as perfect as possible. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the figures do not remain constant and that people come and go, and that is one of the difficulties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that up to 13th instant the total supply of meat to the Consett, Lanchester and Weardale area, county Durham, equalled only 6|d. per head, when it was subsequently raised to 1s. c???d., including bone and offal; and, as the workers in these areas are largely in the heavy industries and considerable discontent prevails, are immediate steps being taken to raise the supply to 1s. 2d. per head?

The meat ration is on a weekly basis, and the first figures quoted by my hon. Friend refer only to a few days' supply. For the week ending 15th February the amount of carcase meat and offals issued to the butchers buying groups for Consett and Lanchester was 74.9 per cent of their buying permits, which are on a basis of 1s. 6d., and 72 per cent. in the case of Crook and Willington, Tow Law and Weardale. These percentages are equivalent to 1s. 1½d. and 1s. 1d. respectively. Total issues of this amount in relation to a 1s. 2d. ration should normally be sufficient to meet the legitimate requirements of registered customers.

Do I understand from that Answer that the Minister is disputing the figure that I have given to him, and that we are now to have the 1s. 2d.?

No, Sir, I am not disputing the figure; I am only disputing the basis on which the hon. Gentleman has made his calculation. I am referring to the week which commenced 15th February, and the figures which I have given for that week are the figures which in fact meet the requirements.

All that I can say on the subject, Mr. Speaker, is that the Minister is misinformed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can provide a table showing the present rations, respectively, received by officers of the fighting services working in non- Service departments, such as the Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Economic Warfare, but paid by their respective service departments, and other officers working in the same departments and doing the same work but paid by the non-service departments themselves; and whether he can take steps to put an end to the present differentiation?

The Reply to the first part of the Question contains a number of figures, but with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission I will circulate it in the Official Report. The possibility of modifying the present position is already under my noble Friend's active consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that customers generally decline to use any part of their meat coupons for the purchase of offals, he will discontinue the rationing of the latter?

:For the present it is essential that offals should form part of the supplies of meat available to meet the ration, and I regret that I am not prepared to accept the proposal of my hon. Friend.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at the present time the result of this is that offals are not being sold by the butchers at all, and that they are sent to hotels and restaurants and the ordinary purchaser cannot get them?

I am not sure that is so. As a matter of fact, such offals as there are play an important part in keeping the ration figure stable.

Will the Minister investigate this question and ensure that offals are obtainable?

That is another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the proposal to increase the popularity of communal feeding centres by giving them various attractive titles?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) on 13th February.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what was the Answer on that occasion?

The Answer was that a number of local authorities had already adopted this suggestion, and my Noble Friend would be very happy if they could all adopt it.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman understand how much more popular it would be if, instead of saying ''Meet me at the community feeding centre,"people said,"Meet me at the Woolton Head ' or the 'Gwilym Arms'"?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that the addition of calcium to bread will not be injurious to public health?

:I would refer my hon. Friend to the Reply on this subject which I gave on 19th February to my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little).