asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have been kept fully informed of the negotiations leading up to the recent Turko-Bulgarian Agreement; and whether he will make a statement upon the bearing of the agreement on British interests?

:The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that in the preamble to the agreement it is stated that the agreement is without prejudice to the two countries' contractual engagements with other parties. The hon. Member will also no doubt have seen the clear statement on this subject which the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs has since made to the Press.

May I take it that the British Government are fully satisfied with the way in which our Turkish Ally is carrying out its obligations?

:Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the position in Bulgaria; whether he can give any information concerning the sudden closing of the British Institute at Sofia; and whether it was closed by order of the Bulgarian authorities?

As regards the first part of the Question, all information suggests that German preparations for an occupation of Bulgaria are now far advanced. As regards the latter part of the Question, His Majesty's Minister was given discretion to arrange for the departure of the staff of the British Institute when he considered that circumstances made it desirable to do so. I assume that he has now exercised this discretion, but he has been asked by telegraph to report.

Will the Government inform the Bulgarian Government that unless they are prepared to defend their independence by force, they will be regarded as a hostile country and their communications will be bombed?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the action of the Rumanian Government in sending many Polish refugees in Rumania to be interned in German concentration camps at the request of Germany; whether any representations were made to the Rumanian Government in the matter prior to the severence of diplomatic relations; and what explanation was given?

On 31st January the competent Rumanian authorities informed the Chilean Legation, who are in charge of Polish interests in Rumania, that all interned Polish soldiers would be sent to Germany immediately. A protest was lodged by the Chilean Chargé d' Affaires at this violation of international law, and His Majesty's Minister at Bucharest vigorously supported this protest. The only explanation given by the Rumanian Government was that they regarded this question as a purely internal matter which they were not prepared to discuss. Sir Reginald Hoare immediately expressed the strongest disapproval of this attitude. Subsequently on instructions from His Majesty's Government he formally notified the Rumanian Government that, if so base an act as the return of soldiers were committed, His Majesty's Government would not forget that General Antonescu and the members of his Government bore personal responsibility for it. When His Majesty's Legation left Bucharest on 15th February, it was understood that the Rumanian Government had at least temporarily delayed their proposed action, but there is some reason to suppose that it may now have taken place. The Rumanian Government also announced on 8th February that civilian Poles in Rumania would have to leave the country and state whether they wished to go to Germany.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the statement he has just made, that a vigorous protest was made, will be received with warm satisfaction in this country?

(for Mr. McGovern)asked the Prime Minister the number of aeroplanes sent to the Rumanian Government since August, 1938; the amount of other war material; and total amount of money given or lent and the amount of credit?

:Under an agreement made with the Rumanian Government on 12th July, 1939, guarantees have been given in connection with orders placed with United Kingdom manufacturers for the export to Rumania of various goods, including war material. It would not be in the public interest to give particulars of the nature or value of the goods supplied.

What is the point now in keeping this quiet? Why should there be any secrecy?

Well, why not?

That is not the point. The point is that on several occasions to-day we have had that type of negative answer from Ministers, and there is absolutely no reason for any secrecy here. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether His Majesty's Government feel that they have had full value for the money they have expended on Rumania?

That is another question, but I think my hon. Friend will see that there is a very obvious reason why we cannot state what arms have been sent to Rumania.

asked the Minister of Information whether film photographers are now included as a matter of course on such expeditions as the shelling of Genoa, the capture of Benghazi, and the more important air raids over enemy territory?

The inclusion of film photographers on the more important military operations must in the nature of the case depend upon the accommodation available. On land, accredited Newsreel cameramen and cameramen of the Army Film Unit cover all important operations. At sea, it has so far been possible to cover almost all major operations by accrediting newsreel cameramen to the chief shore commands and stationing a few film photographers on particular ships. Unfortunately, in the case of the bombardment of Genoa the cameraman was unavoidably prevented from being present. In the air, the problem of accommodation is especially difficult, but efforts are made to secure as full a film record of the air war as circumstances permit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Germans send film photographers and even descriptive writers on a great number of air expeditions, which helps Dr. Goebbels very much in his task of preparing a case against this country? Could he bring some pressure to bear, or would he consult with the Secretary of State for Air as to whether something more could not be done along those lines?

I am continually discussing the matter with the Service Departments, and they are willing to co-operate so far as possible, but, of course, military considerations must come first.

asked the Minister of Information what steps are being taken by his Film Department to produce films of the same technical excellence as "Britain Can Take It," but designed less to arouse sympathy than to carry conviction of the growing power of the British Commonwealth?

The Films Division of the Ministry of Information is actively engaged upon the production of films conceived with exactly the object that the hon. Member has in mind. "Heart of Britain," a recent Ministry five-minute film, is of this type, designed to give an impression of the moral, industrial and military strength of this country, and of our determination and ability to strike the enemy hard. Fourteen other films carrying a similar message are in course of production.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this film has been a great success in America? If films are produced with a greater element of propaganda, is it not likely that they will not be so successful?

Are there in contemplation any films of longer than five minutes — of similar length to "Britain can take it"?

The films vary in length. There are life-story films and shorter, graphic, realistic films of events which are taking place, such as the Libyan campaign.

Could the right hon. Gentleman not get better publicity for a film like "Convoy," which gives a splendid picture of the British Navy at work?

That film had good publicity, and was a great success.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of taking places in some of the great towns and admitting people free, as the Dominions do at their places in London?

That hardly arises out of this Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the receiver appointed at the request of the Italian Government to administer Abyssinian property in Jerusalem is still functioning; and will he now set that receivership aside in view of the relations existing between the British Government and Italy, and grant the same diplomatic rights and privileges as enjoyed by the Czecho-slovakian Consul to the Abyssinian Consul in Palestine?

The High Commissioner for Palestine reported in November last that the Palestine Government will not oppose any application which may be made by the Ethiopian authorities to the Palestine Courts to terminate this receivership. With regard to the second part of the Question, an inquiry is being addressed to the High Commissioner.

Can my hon. Friend say when we are likely to have information on the latter point?

No, Sir; not at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what answer he has returned to the request from the Jewish Agency in Palestine for permission to admit to Palestine some of the Jews driven out by the Iron Guard pogroms in Rumania?

My Noble Friend is in communication with the High Commissioner for Palestine on this subject.

But will my hon. Friend also consider that a great many refugees of Rumanian nationality who are not Jews have been allowed into Palestine? Should permission not be given to those who are our friends, rather than to those who are either our enemies or are allied to our enemies?

That matter is being considered

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding the banana situation in the West Indies?

The position of banana producers in Jamaica has been safeguarded by the guarantee of a minimum return on a stated output given by His Majesty's Government last year, of which details were given in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 4th December. The efforts of the Government of Jamaica to increase sales to the United States have already met with considerable success, thanks to the co-operation of the marketing companies concerned, and it may be hoped that these sales will further increase during the summer, when the demand is greater in Northern America. Bananas for which an export market cannot be found are being disposed of locally by sales at low prices, and to some extent by free distribution, and inquiries as to possibility of disposal in the form of banana flour or dried bananas are still proceeding.

Does that mean that no bananas are being destroyed?

No bananas have been destroyed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a revision of the constitution of the Legislative Council of Jamaica is at present under consideration; whether he will give an assurance that in making any such revision public opinion in Jamaica will be consulted; and to provide that effect shall be given to the two recommendations of the West Indian Royal Commission that the Legislative Council should be made truly representative of the people of Jamaica, and that the election of such representatives should be based on adult suffrage?

The answer to the first and second parts of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the Question, these are matters which are still under consideration.

Is my hon. Friend fully aware of the tremendous feeling that has developed in Jamaica over the lack of consultation of the Jamaican people in regard to the revision of the constitution, and is there to be any consultation over the extension of the franchise?

I can add nothing at the moment to the reply I have given. The proposed new constitution has not been discussed, but certain matters have been discussed by the Legislative Council, and those matters have been considered in the negotiations which are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many trains, owing to their excessive length, have to draw up twice at stations; and will he consider devising some scheme by which passengers for any particular station could be notified to get to a certain part of the train, and thus save the time of one draw-up?

:In order to accommodate the passengers who present themselves, many trains have to be made up to abnormal lengths, and though the railway companies' staff endeavors to arrange that passengers are loaded into that part of the train which stops first at platforms where the whole train cannot be accommodated, it has been found impossible to ensure this in all cases, especially when all seats are occupied.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that there have been many accidents in the blackout, through people getting out of that part of a train which is not drawn up at a platform? Will he endeavour to expedite steps to deal with this matter?

I drew the attention of the railway directors to Questions asked by my hon. Friend last week, but they pointed out that it is difficult to get people to move from seats once they have taken them.

Is that not impossible, owing to the congestion?

Has it not been the practice at many stations to mark certain coaches for certain places? Could that system not be extended?

Measures of that sort are being carried out.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that some railways are much better than others in this matter? Could not the bad ones be raised to the level of the good?

asked the Minister of Transport how many people have been killed and how many injured, presumably by motor vehicles which failed to stop; and in how many cases the vehicles were traced in the year ended 31st December, 1940, or nearest convenient date?

I regret the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the great decrease in the number of injured work men reported by the railway companies to the Ministry in 1940 as compared with K)39 and 1938, he will inform the House of the difference in the nature of accidents which call for report at the present time as compared with the two previous years?

Before 1st September, 1939, the railway companies were required to report all injuries to their servants involving an absence from duty of more than three days, but during the war period, so far as injuries are concerned, reporting has been limited to cases of serious personal injury.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the increased revenue for 1940 of the main line railways and the London Passenger Transport undertaking exceeds the increased working costs of these under takings by nearly £7,000,000, he will give an assurance that no further increases in railway charges will be sanctioned in respect of the increased working costs in 1940?

The figure mentioned by my hon. Friend does not take account of a number of items, including losses on collection and delivery services and other ancillary businesses, which reduce the £7,000,000 to about £2,500,000. The increase in net receipts on railway working was due in the main to increased traffic and was wholly earned in the first six months of 1940, in comparison with the first six months of 1939, when traffic was low. My hon. Friend is, I know, fully aware of the principles underlying the financial arrangements at present existing between the Government and the controlled undertakings, and he must, therefore, realise that I cannot give him the assurance for which he asks.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that there will be very considerable dissatisfaction in the public mind if fares are increased while the railway companies are making increased profits?

I am fully aware of that, I can assure my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many trains are not properly heated and that service men and other passengers have complained of this during journeys taking over an hour; and whether he will look into the matter?

l If my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of any complaints, I shall be happy to have inquiries made.

(for Sir J. Graham Kerr) asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have happened through persons stepping off the edge of platforms at Euston Station during black-out periods; how many of such accidents have involved injuries serious enough to require hospital treatment; and, in view of the representations made on this subject, what steps have been taken to minimise the risk of such accidents at this station?

The company are required to report only fatal accidents and those involving serious injury. Since 1st September, 1939, four accidents in the latter category have been reported which resulted from persons stepping off platforms at Euston Station during the black-out period. I deeply regret that in one of these my hon. Friend suffered a grave injury. I am informed that platform edges are now whitened for a width of eight inches with a hard surface paint, and that instructions have been given for this to be washed daily before the black-out period commences.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that last Thursday nearly 200 passengers from London to Durham, and intermediate stations, were sent from Darlington to Bishop Auckland and there left stranded; and will he inquire why the officials at Darlington and Bishop Auckland stations were so indifferent to the getting of passengers to their destinations and consider expediting the service to Durham which last Thursday took 14 hours from King's Cross?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange that highway authorities outside the London Civil Defence Region will adopt the ruling of the London Region to bear the cost of reinstatement of bomb-craters and of openings by public utility undertakings for the inspection of subsurface works near such craters?

It will be arranged that public utility undertakers outside the London Civil Defence Region whose pipes or mains laid under highways are damaged by enemy action shall be relieved of the cost of reinstating the highway after repairing their property.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Before this Question is answered, may I ask for your Ruling or advice? I addressed the Question in the first instance to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Transport, and it was accepted by the gentleman at the Table, which, I think, was an indication that it was all right. I then received a courteous intimation from the Minister of Transport that my Question had been passed on to the Secretary for Petroleum, but surely, although the Secretary for Petroleum would issue the petrol, it must be by the sanction and authority of the Minister of Transport, and therefore it is the Minister of Transport who should be answering the Question that I addressed to him?

If the Question of the hon. and gallant Member was transferred, obviously the right hon. and gallant Gentleman was not the proper authority to answer it.

I beg to ask Question No. 40.

The additional issues of petrol involved in the "Help Your Neighbour" Scheme have not been large, but it would not be in the public interest to state the amount or to disclose the machinery In force for detecting abuses. I may say, however, that fines ranging from £10 to £50 have already been inflicted by the courts, and many other cases are under investigation.

As obviously the machinery is not very satisfactory, is my hon. Friend aware that, in many cases, the particular additions of petrol are being used by a particularly pernicious type of motorist for a particularly selective kind of hospitality?

My right hon. Friend and myself in co-operation, when we started this scheme, realised that there might be some abuse of it, but we felt at the time —I think, rightly —that it was well to take that risk in view of the definite contribution that the scheme made in the circumstances.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that that contribution is being made by the right people for the right people?

Broadly speaking, I should say, Yes; but, on the other hand, the question of the continuation of the scheme is to be reviewed shortly by my right hon. Friend and myself.

Does not the greatest safeguard against abuse lay in the fact that if a man does not use his petrol for the purposes indicated, his neighbours would give him away?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now decided to withdraw the virtual monopoly given the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes for the sale of sports equipment to members of the Forces so that private traders shall have restored to them the right to compete for this business on equal terms?

:As my hon. Friend is aware, this matter has recently been under review, and my right hon. Friend expects to make a statement very shortly.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say when that statement will be made?

…I cannot say when it will be made, but the egg is almost boiled.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are highly skilled men, including many engineers, bricklayers, the Armed Forces, who are passing their time picking up paper, cooking, scrubbing floors and other fatigues; that there is growing concern over this among the engineers who are working with and training dilutees; that some hon. Members have visited Government Departments and had correspondence with Ministers with little effect; and will he consider the best steps to deal with this problem and issue instructions so that the men's services and skill shall be utilised in the national interests?

The question raised by the hon. Member is under constant review, and many thousands of tradesmen have already been transferred to arms where their skill can be employed. Thousands more have been released to civil life at the request of the Ministry of Labour. I would remind the hon. Member that the modern mechanised Army must have large numbers of tradesmen, who cannot all be employed at their trades when the Army is not in the field, but whose services are vital when fighting takes place and equipment needs quick adjustment or repair.

While I accept the last part of the Reply, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the growing uneasiness among engineers and other skilled men, and the fact that I am constantly receiving complaints from young men who have been doing this work, he will see that attention is given to this matter again?

The matter is under the constant attention of the Ministers concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that agricultural workers are not essential to grow food in the Army?

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the unfavourable criticisms in the Fourth Report of the Committee of National Expenditure, upon Departmental efficiency, he will alter the method of selection of entrants into the Civil Service so that Government Departments may obtain more competent staffs with the training and resource required for handling problems, in the solution of which the Committee reports that there has been Departmental failure to profit by the lessons of earlier crises?

I do not read the Committee's report as implying any general condemnation of the efficiency of the Governmental machine; such a judgment would be ungenerous and untrue, and my right hon. Friend could not for a moment subscribe to it. Since the outbreak of war permanent recruitment to the Civil Service has been suspended, and additional staff is obtained as necessary by the engagement of experienced people from the business and professional world.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether disciplinary action, similar to a court-martial in the Navy, is taken to follow the unfavourable criticisms that have been reported, on several occasions, by the Committee on National Expenditure; and, if such is not the practice, will he institute this system for increasing the efficiency of the Civil Service by also retiring the inefficients?

Suitable disciplinary action is taken in appropriate cases; the second part of my hon. Friend's Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Supply the total cost of the campaign to secure binoculars for the Forces, including printing, posters, advertising and salaries, and the total number of binoculars which have been received?

I am not in a position to give the total cost of the campaign to secure binoculars, but the cost of advertising, including printing and posters, will be less than the sum of £10,000 allowed. Much of the work of the campaign was carried out by the staff of the Ministry in conjunction with their ordinary duties, and accordingly it is not possible to give any reliable estimate of the salary cost attributable to the binocular campaign. Over 55,000 binoculars have been received.

Will my hon. Friend take note of the fact that some of us who have sent binoculars have not even had any acknowledgment of their receipt as yet?

I will look into that matter; there has been a very rapid response to the appeal.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the orders recently accepted by manufacturers of machine tools in Australia for delivery to the Japanese Government, he will take steps to acquire the total output of such tools from the Dominion?

Inquiries have been made into the matter to which the hon. Member refers. I understand that the production and export of machine tools in Australia are under strict control, and that no orders for Japan have been accepted by any Australian manufacturer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this statement was made by the '' Times '' correspondent in Australia?

My hon. Friend must realise that the matter is one for the Australian Government, and I cannot give information for them.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give the names of those local authorities with populations of over 10,000 which so far have not organised a system for the regular collection of household waste; and what action he proposes to take to persuade them to do so?

Following the issue of directions under the Defence Regulations, all local authorities with a population of over 10,000, except 10 who have only recently received the direction, have reported that systems have been organised for the regular collection of household salvage. The last part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that Tottenham made a splendid success of this waste collection, and cannot he urge still more strongly that it is absolutely vital in the national interest that every ounce of waste should be collected and made available for feeding-stuffs for cattle?

We are constantly urging local authorities to increase their efforts, which, however, do vary.

But would my hon. Friend bring pressure to bear on them? It is no good urging; we want to bring real pressure to bear on them

Does my hon. Friend's Department check to see whether the various local authorities do this work effectively and not merely nominally?

There is a monthly return of salvage collected which shows the amount collected per head of the population.

Does the Department take the matter up with local authorities if it is not satisfied that the work is being well done?

That is the purpose of the monthly returns.

Will my hon. Friend do something more to galvanize the local authorities into life?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider the advisability of controlling the price of fish and altering the present basis of allocation of cooking media to fish friers, in view of the great difficulties being experienced at the present time in this trade?

:My Noble Friend has the question of controlling the prices of fish under active consideration. As regards the allocation of cooking media to fish friers, he sees no. reason for making any alteration in the present basis which ensures equitable treatment between individual fish friers and between fish friers and other users.

In view of the fact that there is great dissatisfaction among fish friers on this subject, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see a deputation representing the National Federation of Fish Friers?

I am always prepared to see anybody, but I cannot see the reason for their dissatisfaction. They get exactly the same as others, because there is perfectly equitable distribution.

None the less, there is great dissatisfaction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that cods' fillets used by fish friers have now reached the price of 30s. a stone, as against 6s. a stone pre-war; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent the deprivation of the working class of their rightful share of the country's fish supplies?

Yes, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the second part of my reply on 29th January to a Question by the hon. Member for Shettles-ton (Mr. McGovern).

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that restrictions have been applied in the case of many foods before they have increased in price five times, and does he not consider that some restriction is long overdue in this case?

My hon. Friend is probably aware that the industry is at the present time trying to devise a scheme. I will say frankly that this is by far the most difficult problem the Ministry has to deal with. The industry is now engaged in devising a scheme, and everything that we can do to bring it about will be done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Germans interned in the Isle of Man get meat five and cheese two days a week; and whether he will allocate meat and cheese so that British citizens may have priority over enemy citizens?

The scale of rationing for internees is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and of prisoners of war for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. In the case of prisoners of war scales have been laid down by the Geneva Convention to which it is necessary to adhere. I am in touch with both my right hon. Friends on the subject.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend realise that there is strong feeling in the country about the absurd favouritism which is extended towards interned aliens?

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the great majority of the internees in the Isle of Man are not enemies but regard themselves as Allies in a cause which is theirs as much as ours?

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that a number of people have received letters from internees in the Isle of Man in which they thanked the Government for the wonderful time they are having?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that people in this country who have friends in India or Ceylon can receive a packet of tea up to 14 lbs. in weight; and what action he intends taking in the matter?

I am aware of the possibility that people who have friends in India or Ceylon prepared to send unsolicited gifts could receive packets of tea up to the weight mentioned. Until a few weeks ago the number of such gifts coming forward was negligible, but there has recently been evidence that an increase may be expected. An alteration in the regulations limiting the amount of tea which can be received will be published in the course of the next few days.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that people in this country who have friends in Ceylon and India can get 28 lbs. of tea — 14 lbs. from each place? Is not that a very serious matter?

The original idea was that unsolicited gifts —those not paid for —should be allowed to come in, but I regret to say there is some evidence that this is being commercialised. The whole matter is being very carefully watched.

Is there any possibility of stopping this kind of business?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give consideration to the position of the mineworkers in respect of rationing of food and place them in the same position as the places where, through canteen arrangement, one good hot meal is provided each day; and, as this cannot be done for the miners, will he see to it that they get it through their rations?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on I2th February to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).

As I have not seen that reply, perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman would tell us what it is.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would see me afterwards, as the reply was rather long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will issue the schedule of egg prices for six months ahead as the prices for cattle and sheep are being published, so that poultry keepers may know where they stand and adjust their business accordingly.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 4th instant to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver).

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in the opinion of those who know the way in which this egg business is being managed by the Ministry of Food, it is bringing us near to a far greater shortage, if not a stoppage, of egg supplies?

I cannot altogether agree with my hon. Friend. He knows the difficulty as well as I do, which is largely a question of feeding-stuffs. Poultry keepers were warned about last June that there would be a shortage, and they should have acted accordingly. In the circumstances, therefore, I cannot agree that it is the fault of the Ministry. With regard to the question of fixing prices for six months ahead, my hon. Friend must appreciate that this would lead to absolute chaos.

Are we not deliberately killing the chicken that lays the golden eggs?

Is it not the fact that the price of eggs to-day is substantially the same as about this time last year, whereas the cost of feeding-stuffs has gone up so enormously that there is no comparison between the two?

The prices fixed for eggs were fixed after taking into con- sideration the percentage increase in such things as feeding-stuffs.

But the rise in the price of feeding-stuffs is out of all proportion to the rise in the price of eggs

You cannot make a comparison between the prices of these two commodities. A number of other factors besides the price of feeding-stuffs must be taken into account in determining the costs of egg production.

Is it not a fact that poultry keepers have not had a square deal?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, seeing that the scattered character of rural areas makes it impossible to provide ample meals at canteens as in urban areas, he will allocate an adequate supply of cheese to farm workers to enable them to do their essential tasks?

Cheese is distributed by the Ministry so that the different areas of the country receive supplies so far as practicable in proportion to their needs. My Noble Friend is, however, reviewing the operation of the present system with a view to improving the distribution of cheese.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in camps in my constituency cheese is absolutely thrown away day after day? Why cannot it be used by his Department?

We do, of course, strongly deprecate the waste of food at the present time, and if my hon. Friend has any cases to bring to my attention I will gladly look into them.

Cases have been brought before the Ministry, and nothing has been done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the communal feeding centres that are being set up are intended only as a war emergency measure or if it is the present intention of His Majesty's Government that they shall be a permanent feature of our national life after the war?

Community kitchens are being set up as a measure of food economy during the war period, and in order to assist the war effort by providing well cooked food for those engaged on work of national importance. No decision has been made respecting the continuation of community kitchens after the end of the war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the saving in food in volume and value resulting from communal feeding as opposed to individual household feeding; and whether the figures given are an estimate from pre-war experience or have they been gained since the introduction of communal feeding by local authorities?

I regret that I have no particulars on which a reply could be based to my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many protests he has received against his recent announcement that it was possible for the meat ration of is. 2d. per head per week to be implemented; and how many of those protests came from persons engaged in the wholesale and retail meat trade?

I received about 80 letters on this subject, of which approximately one-quarter were from members of the wholesale and retail trade. In each case I instituted local inquiries. Such reports as I have so far received substantiate the statement referred to by my hon. Friend. In certain instances, however, it would appear that butchers failed to avail themselves of the special reserves of canned meat provided by the Ministry to assist those traders finding themselves short on their ration towards the end of the week.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department in touch with the local food officers? Do they convey proper information on the actual facts to the Department in London?

Certainly, we constantly receive reports from them.

Why is it, then, that we get different answers from the hon. and gallant Gentleman for different localities?

I do not accept that statement. When I answered a previous Question on the matter, I explained that owing to certain local circumstances there might be deficiencies in certain areas, and that where that occurred there was a reserve of tinned meat which could be drawn upon to make up the ration.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in some districts they deny that they have had any opportunity of getting canned meat to make up the ration?

I regret it if that has been the case, but it is not our fault. Ample publicity has been given to the matter, and now that it has again been brought to our attention, we are again drawing the attention of those concerned to the availability of this reserve supply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the shortage of various rationed food, he is satisfied that, where possible, the maximum effort is made to promote inshore fishing?

Inshore fishing operations have been hampered to some extent by restrictions imposed in the interests of national security and by the calling up of many of the fishermen for service with the Armed Forces. The question of the removal of these restrictions is constantly under review by the Departments concerned, and I am satisfied that they are doing everything possible to minimise the effect of these handicaps and to promote the inshore fisheries so far as war conditions permit.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend consider that this very important source of food supplies has received adequate attention in the past?

The past is another matter altogether. At the present time, considering the restrictions that have had to be imposed owing to the war, it is amazing that the catch is as high as it is.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, owing to the scarcity of confectionery in Northern Ireland, which is proving most injurious to the interests of traders engaged Therein, he will arrange for a more liberal supply to be made available of the different sorts, and specially of sweets at a moderate price?

Supplies of ingredients to confectionery manufacturers in Northern Ireland are rationed at the same rates as in Great Britain. Manufacturers generally in Great Britain are endeavouring to distribute their reduced production equitably amongst their prewar customers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but a certain number of small confectionery manufacturers in Great Britain are finding dicffiulty under war conditions in shipping their reduced supplies to Northern Ireland, and this matter is receiving the attention of the Ministry.

In view of the serious shortage, would my hon. and gallant Friend sec that wholesale and retail confectioners in Northern Ireland get their proportionate share of the available material?

Most certainly.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that manufacturers in their allocation to retailers are taking into account the redistribution of children throughout the country through evacuation?

We have for some little time past been able to give manufacturers the actual figures of the redistribution of population, and now that the' have that information I expect and believe that they will allocate supplies accordingly.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that neither in evacuation areas nor reception areas is it possible to find chocolates or sweets?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the abundance of potatoes in Northern Ireland and their high starch content, which ranges in two varieties from 18.4 to 20.4 per cent., he will arrange for a factory or factories to be established there for the production of starch from these potatoes, both as an article of food and for commercial purposes?

My Noble Friend is advised that stocks of farina —or potato starch —in this country are at present adequate for essential industrial requirements, and arrangements have already been made to ensure the best use of the Northern Ireland potato crop. The possibility of using potatoes for the manufacture of farina is, however, being kept under constant review in the light of changes in the supply position.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in war-time the farina industry is of enormous value to Northern Ireland, where there is a surplus of potatoes which, by agreement, have to be paid for by the Ministry of Food even if they are not utilised?

If my hon. Friend makes inquiries, I think he will find that the potato surplus in Northern Ireland is not so large as was anticipated when he asked a Question on this subject the last time.

I do not need to make the inquiries. In Northern Ireland there are fields full of potatoes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the provision of a canteen in the vicinity of the Victoria and Albert Docks, Silver-town, in order to supply hot meals to the workers in the docks and factories in that area?