asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the labour shortage in some districts, whether the services of pensioners can be obtained through Employment Exchanges for the lighter forms of work; and what arrangements exist for insurance?

I am endeavouring to get men who are registered at the Exchanges and who are by reason of age or other infirmity unfit for ordinary industrial employment placed in light work of which they are capable. I am not clear what insurance arrangements the hon. Member has in mind, and perhaps he will communicate with me.

Is it not a fact that these men would not be covered by National Health Insurance?

That would not make any difference as to putting them into employment.

Would it not make this difference, that many of the men might not be desirous of taking employment in those circumstances?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the inadequate use now being made of the Supplementary Register, he will give further publicity to the scope of this Register, and will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the addresses of the various branches of the Register and the number of applicants and vacancies registered, and of vacancies filled through the Register, distinguishing between male and female applicants and fillings?

The Supplementary Register is being used to an increasing extent by Government Departments and private employers, and I am not satisfied that there is any need for further publicity. The Supplementary Register is part of the Employment Exchange service, and vacancies of the kind dealt with by the Register may be notified to any local office of the Ministry. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the various offices at which the Supplementary Register is kept at present and the number of men and women registered in and placed by the Register as a whole. The number of vacancies notified to the Register cannot be ascertained without special inquiry.

Will the Minister consider whether through broadcasting more attention could not be drawn to the Supplementary Register, because many women and many employers of the type which the Supplementary Register is intended to serve do not know of its existence?

:I have to be careful that I do not lead people who think they ought to have these special jobs into believing that the jobs are there for them. When the registration of women is actively dealt with, I shall treat everybody equally, and I prefer to deal with it at that stage.

Would men and women who are not registered be entitled to write to the manager of the Employment Exchange to find out whether there is any employment for them?

Certainly. I wish they would.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the large numbers of young women who have left areas which have been subjected to enemy attack and who are now living in idleness in towns and villages in districts regarded as comparatively safe; whether steps can be taken to recruit these unemployed young women for munitions production; and whether he will use his powers to prevent the demoralisation of those women who should be employed in the service of their country?

These women and girls, if previously in employment, are in general registered at the Employment Exchanges and my information is that the numbers remaining unemployed are quickly reduced by means of the arrangements made in that connection. Those who have not hitherto been wage earners present a more difficult problem and my hon. Friend perhaps has them principally in mind; I have asked them to register the offer of their services and if necessary such action will be supplemented in due course by registration orders.

The women I have in mind are those referred to in the latter part of the Minister's reply. Will he take definite action in that direction?

Yes. I have already announced to the House recently the steps I propose to take, and the work preparatory to taking those steps is now going on.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has studied the report of the Sheffield Emergency Committee on the working of its Civil Defence Services during recent raids; and whether he will take steps to implement certain of its recommendations for the rest of the country, particularly in the direction of increasing the authorised strength of rescue parties, improving messenger services, decentralising stores of food and equipment, arranging mutual aid between neighbouring authorities for supplying cooked foods after raids and increasing the price allowed for the purchase of second-hand towing lorries in order to enable better quality vehicles to be obtained?

I have studied this report with interest, and appropriate steps have been or are being taken to give effect to such of its recommendations as experience of the heavy raids on Sheffield or other towns has shown to be desirable.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a limit placed upon the price that can be paid for lorries by local authorities?

I could not go into the matter in detail without notice. There are difficulties about lorries. There is a shortage. I assure the hon. Member that I am very conscious of the advisability of doing all that I can about this.

Will my right hon. Friend say in detail what the appropriate steps are? Is he aware that the scheme for utilising the whole of the teaching staff and the equipment at rest centres has proved very efficient in Sheffield? Is it being copied elsewhere?

There is a number of towns where that is being done, including London.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the pay of fire watchers?

I am not in a position to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 20th February.

Does my right hon. Friend intend to take further action in the matter?

I am not in a position to do so at the moment, but consultations are proceeding, and this aspect of the matter is being watched.

Can my right hon. Friend indicate some date when he will be able to give a decision on the subject?

I will let the hon. Member know.

Does my right hon. Friend know that advertisements recently appeared in the Press offering services at £1 per night?

I have seen those advertisements, and I have indicated to the House that these excessive payments are a form of profiteering and are objectionable. I am anxious to do all that I can about this matter. It is a matter in which more than one Ministry might be involved.

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary what progress is being made with fire-prevention measures in residential areas and at business premises, and whether any particular difficulties have been experienced?

Under Regulation 27B it is the responsibility of the local authorities, where the Regulation is applied, to arrange for the enrolment and organisation of fire bomb fighters in their areas elsewhere than on business premises. The Compulsory Enrolment Order gives them power to enrol men compulsorily for this purpose if enough volunteers do not come forward. It was hoped that in most areas voluntary recruitment would meet requirements, and sample figures which I have obtained show generally that there has been a splendid response. For example, in the London Civil Defence Region the numbers increased from about 200,000 at the end of December to just over 700,000 in the middle of February. In 43 towns selected at random from all over the country the numbers increased in the same period from about 190,000 to about 430,000. I am grateful to this great body of citizens who have answered my call to take part in this vital national service, and I am sure that the House will share my gratitude. In some areas compulsory enrolment is reported to be needed, and steps are being taken accordingly.

Business premises are governed by a separate Order—the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order. It is not yet practicable to give a clear picture here because of the diversity and number of premises concerned. The information so far received by the appropriate authorities shows that, as a whole, satisfactory progress has been made. A number of cases have, however, come to light in which there have been misunderstandings of the effect of the Order or the Order has been wrongly operated. I should, therefore, take this opportunity of explaining that the Business Premises Order does of itself impose an obligation to give service at the place of work. This is vital national service in the true sense, and is not service in the interest of any individual occupier or owner. The Order provides specifically that before a scheme is framed there must be consultation between the occupier and representatives of the workers. This means real and effective consultation. Further, the Order provides for equality of service for all, the management as well as the men.

It will be appreciated that with the intensification of incendiary attacks it was necessary to take further powers to strengthen the existing arrangements as a matter of great urgency, and there was not, there-lore, an opportunity for the full preliminary discussions which would otherwise have been desirable before the Business Premises Order was made. Arrangements have been made for my right hon. Friends the Lord President of the Council, the Minister of Labour and National Service, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and me, to confer with representatives of the Trades Union Congress and of the employers' organisations, and I am sure that this will help to secure the removal of such misapprehensions as exist on the points which I have mentioned, and will also assist on other important matters, such as facilities for refreshment and for sleeping provision for those members of the party who are not actually on watch. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will also undertake the appropriate consultations in Scotland.

With reference to many of the smaller businesses, in response to his urgent appeal for fire fighters, is the Minister aware that the scheme can be carried out only by employés doing extra paid service, and that in many cases these firms will not be able to afford to continue such a procedure?

I am aware that there are difficulties in the case of smaller firms.

We are seeking, by promoting co-operation between the small firms, to solve the problem, and if it cannot be solved that way, we shall try to provide supplementary aid from the local authorities.

With reference to the question of remuneration, will the Minister take steps to see that the remuneration for fire watching is not greatly in excess of the remuneration paid to the full-time members of the Auxiliary Fire Service?

:I have already indicated to the House that I am not out of sympathy with that point. I do not like profiteering, from whatever quarter it may come. It is a difficult matter to deal with, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that we shall continue to keep the matter in view.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the directors of companies are expected to do their full share?

I have already answered that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether any report has as yet been made regarding the best means of draining Anderson shelters by the experts dealing with the question?

I have just received, and am considering, a report on these investigations.

When my right hon. Friend has considered this report, will he take steps to see that it is drawn to the attention of local authorities and other people concerned?

Certainly. I am anxious to convey all possible advice to the local authorities. We have done so up to date, and if this report makes further suggestions, my hon. Friend may be sure that I will communicate with the local authorities at once.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order further to promote the Government's policy of dispersal, he will acquire powers to disallow the use of all public shelters that have a capacity of over 200 which do not fulfil the required standard of protection?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind places which, though not provided as shelters by the local authorities, are used by the public in air raids. As my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary explained in the Debate on 27th February, I am looking into the question of dealing with this matter by a Defence Regulation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, to give just one example, that in one air-raid shelter over 5,000 people were crowded together, and that this particular shelter is situated under an important military objective?

I am not aware of that particular case, but the hon. and gallant Member knows that it is a little difficult to avoid places which are not military objectives in the opinion of the Nazis. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that life is not as simple for me as it is evidently for him.

asked the Home Secretary what representations he has received from women's organisations with regard to an increase in the number of women police; to what extent such increases have recently taken place; whether he is aware of the importance of such appointments being made in areas where large numbers of troops are concentrated; and whether he will indicate strongly to the police authorities throughout the country for their guidance the views of the Government on the subject?

:Representations on this subject have been received from various organisations. A circular was sent to police authorities and chief officers of police in August last calling attention to the question of additional policewomen in areas where there are large military establishments or munitions factories and asking that consideration should be given to this matter in the light of conditions resulting from the war, and in consultation where necessary with the military authorities. In a number of forces appointments have been made as a result of this circular, and according to the latest available information, 410 appointments of women for whole-time police duties and 542 appointments as whole-time un- attested members of the Women's Auxiliary Police Corps have been approved in England and Wales; the authorised establishment of policewomen at the outbreak of the war was 246, although in some forces recruitment had not taken place up to establishment. It is the policy of the Home Office to encourage police authorities to make full use of the services of suitable women. The scope and the need for policewomen vary according to local conditions, but I have very much in mind the importance of taking all suitable opportunities for developing the use of their services

Is the Minister satisfied with the progress made in all cases, and, if not, will he consider the desirability of issuing a Defence Regulation empowering him to take action from the centre?

No, Sir, I do not think that in the circumstances I should be justified in overriding the normal machinery of local government in this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as inclusion in Category "A" is likely to entail not only internment for the duration of the war, but serious effects upon the future prospects of employment, naturalisation, or emigration of those affected, he will give instructions for a review of these cases and for the reservation of Category "A" to internees whose Nazi or Fascist sympathies are not merely suspected but established on indubitable evidence?

As I stated in reply to a Question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Wedgwood) on 27th February, a general review of the classification of internees in Category "A" will be undertaken in due course. This category is already reserved in practice for those who for specific reasons personal to themselves could not be released without prejudice to the interests of national security.

:Will my right hon. Friend explain, if that is the definition of Category "A," what is the difference between Category "A" and Category "B"? Should not Category "B" be used in cases of suspicion, and Category "A" in cases of real proof?

:I think the hon. Lady is under a misapprehension. Category "A" is used in the cases where we are not satisfied on security grounds that people should be at large. I think that, if I followed all the suggestions of the hon. Lady on this matter, there would not be enough security left.

Then what is the definition of Category "B"?

They are cases which are not quite so serious, although they are serious enough to be Category "B," but which are not sufficiently serious to be in Category "A."

asked the Home Secretary whether the mixed camp for internees in the Isle of Man has now been established; and how many married couples are living in it?

The camp has not yet been established, but I hope it will not be long now before all the necessary arrangements have been made.

asked the Minister of Health how many maternity and child-welfare authorities in the London Civil Defence Region have, in view of the fact that there is no general scheme for the evacuation of unaccompanied children under five, arranged to provide residential nurseries in reception areas on their own responsibility; and whether such a course has his approval?

My Department, working in cooperation with the Standing Joint Committee of Metropolitan Borough Councils as welfare authorities, the London County Council as evacuation and social welfare authority and Women's Voluntary Services, has a scheme for the evacuation of unaccompanied children under five where the family circumstances are such that it is impossible for the mother to accompany the child. Evacuation has been offered in4,850 such cases, and the great majority of them have filled vacancies arising in the 190 residential nurseries with 6,000 places in reception areas. Two welfare authorities in the London Civil Defence Region have enlisted my assistance in establishing new residential nurseries for children so selected from their areas. Three welfare authorities have sent parties to new nurseries established under private arrangements.

Will my right hon. Friend reply to the last part of the Question and state whether these arrangements have his approval?

I think that my whole answer is proof of that and shows that we are most sympathetic to the objects concerned. This is, of course, one of our most difficult and subtle problems.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he is doing to encourage this further?

The matter is being dealt with in co-operation with the responsible bodies in the localities.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of children under five years of age remaining in the London Civil Defence Region were revealed by the recent evacuation canvass to be due to the fact that the mother, though willing for the child to be evacuated, was unable to accompany the child to a reception area or to arrange for the child to be evacuated without her?

During the recent house-to-house canvass in the county of London and in East and West Ham, 2,103 mothers gave as their reason for not registering that they were unable to leave London and had nowhere to send their children under five.

(for Colonel Burton)asked the Minister of Health whether he has inquired into the allegations relative to the neglect of people bombed out of their homes, a copy of which has been sent to him; and what steps he proposes to take, or has taken, to bring relief to these people, both physically and materially?

Yes, Sir. I am in close and constant touch with the local authorities concerned with the relief of the homeless, and action is at once taken to remove any deficiencies which are found in the preparation and operation of their schemes.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the great hardship being experienced by the proprietors of small businesses and shops through the destruction of their premises by enemy action, he would extend the powers now exercised by local authorities to enable them to acquire or requisition suitable small business or shop accommodation?

The general question of the provision of sufficient shops in bombed areas is one for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. Local authorities for such areas are already so fully occupied at present that I should be reluctant to place on them the additional obligation suggested by my hon. Friend. I am sure, however, that local authorities will do all in their power to help traders whose premises have been destroyed, for instance by making available to them unoccupied premises under their control which are not required for other urgent purposes.

While I thank the Minister for his reply, is he aware that several local authorities, who desire to assist this class of sufferer, are unable to do it owing to restriction of their powers? Will he give the matter his particular attention?

If the hon. Member will let me have full particulars, I shall be glad to consider the matter.

Will not the Commissioners under the War Damage Bill be responsible for helping people whose businesses have been destroyed?

In this particular matter, as I have said, the Board of Trade have a responsibility.

asked the Minister of Health whether boys and girls who have been evacuated, and who have got a job of work, are compelled to pay their billeting costs?

Billeted children who obtain remunerative employment will be required to contribute towards the cost of their billeting. The contribution will be assessed at a figure which will obviate any hardship. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a recent circular which explains the arrangements in detail.

Are children allowed to stay in hostels when they have gone to work on the countryside?

I should like to have notice of that Question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some undertakers are making exorbitant charges for funeral expenses in cases of the private burials of persons killed by enemy action; and whether he will take action to prevent this?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases in which he is of opinion that the charges made by the undertakers were exorbitant, I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Health how many ambulance stations in the London area are fully staffed on the scale laid down at the beginning of the war; and how many resignations and enlistments have taken place in the last six months?

The establishment of the London auxiliary ambulance service is not laid down in terms of stations, the staff of which may vary according to a number of circumstances. The total staff of the service is somewhat below the authorised strength, but they have proved adequate to meet the calls made on them. In the six months September, 1940, to February, 1941, resignations numbered 1,268 whole-time and 357 part-time staff, while enlistments numbered 608 and 275 respectively. I am glad to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the courage and devotion which have been shown by the ambulance staffs, in maintaining this service.

:Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that the best way of paying a tribute to these people is to see that their financial payment is slightly better? Does he know that there is a good deal of discontent and that women ambulance drivers, who are running a very great risk, are paid only £2 5s. a week?

Perhaps the hon. Member is overlooking the fact that the scale has recently been increased?

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children under the age of five who are attending infant or nursery schools in Manchester?

The number of children under the age of five attending nursery schools in Manchester is 214; the number of such children in baby classes and nursery classes in public elementary schools is 4,072.

In view of the fact that such large numbers of small children are attending nursery schools in Manchester, cannot something be done on the same lines for children under five still remaining in London?

Circumstances are very different as between the two cities. In Manchester evacuation has not been on anything like the same scale.

If a similar Question is put down which applies to all local education authorities, will the Minister be able to give the figures in that case?

I should like to see the Question first.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in order to afford encouragement to education in the services, he will prepare and announce a scheme for 5,000 scholarships to be made available to all ranks, after the war, at universities and places of technical education, covering board, lodging and maintenance, with entrance by special examination?

After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio, I am appointing an Inter-departmental Committee to consider and report upon the plans which should be made to enable suitable persons, both men and women, who have served in the Armed Forces or in the Civil Defence Services to obtain the further education or training necessary to equip them for appropriate occupations in civil life after the war.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the majority of schools in the care of the Essex County Council in the Romford Division still lack heat and light in their shelters; and when this situation is going to be rectified?

I am informed that the existing lighting is being supplemented by electric lighting from the mains as supplies of the necessary materials become available. Similarly the additional heaters required are being installed as supplies are forthcoming.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps have been taken to safeguard the health, nutrition and welfare of children brought into employment in agriculture as a result of his Circular 1541?

The Circular in question does no more than ask local education authorities to arrange for school holidays to be fixed for those periods when the need for seasonal agricultural labour is greatest. It emphasises that the employment of schoolchildren must be within the limits permitted by the law, and consistent with the maintenance of their health and the interests of their education. Attention is drawn in the Circular to a circular letter, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, issued by the Home Office on 7th February, 1940, in which the matter is dealt with in greater detail.

In view of the general applicability of this Circular to the whole country, and the fact that there are certain local authorities which have made no regulations governing the control of employment of children in agriculture, will the Minister consult with the Home Secretary with a view to seeing that these regulations are made generally applicable to all local authorities where such schoolchildren are employed?

My Circular refers to adjustment of holidays, but T will have a word with my right hon. Friend on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that there is serious danger of the breakdown of the Milk in Schools Scheme in Middlesex County Council schools owing to the refusal of the milk distributors to supply milk in one-third pint bottles; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?

Yes, Sir. This matter is engaging my earnest attention, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Will the President of the Board of Education secure that the scheme does not break down, because, if it does, there is grave doubt whether it will be again started?

That is precisely what I am doing, and the scheme is giving me very great concern.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will authorise local education authorities to contribute towards the cost of fire-watching for non-provided schools?

:The powers of local authorities to defray expenditure in connection with fire prevention in non-provided schools have been explained by the Board in Paragraph 4 of Circular 1542, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Circular prevents some local authorities doing what they wish to do, that is, to assist non-provided schools? It causes hardship in many cases.

That is not my reading of the Paragraph. Paragraph 4 states:

"Reasonable expenditure on equipment …incurred by a local education authority in respect of provided schools, will be recognised for grant by the Board. … Such expenditure may include the reimbursement … of the reasonable cost of extra meals and of extra travelling expenses actually incurred by members of fire parties, whether in provided schools or non-provided schools within the public system of education."

Will the President of the Board of Education see that non-provided schools receive a comparable expenditure to that of provided schools?

I cannot go outside the Circular, but I will look into the question and let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is taken in cases where there is destruction by enemy action on a substantial scale of Treasury and Bank of England notes in circumstances which prevents identification; and whether the result is to the financial advantage of the Bank of England?

Bank of England notes of denominations of £5 and upwards which are destroyed by enemy action are normally replaced by the Bank of England against a banker's indemnity, if full particulars of the notes are supplied. The Bank will also replace £1 and 10s. Bank notes to the extent of the identifiable fragments or ashes which can be produced. No financial advantage accrues to the Bank of England by reason of the complete destruction of Bank of England notes, the position being governed by Sections 6 and 7 of the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928, whereby all profits of the issue department of the Bank are paid to the Exchequer. I should like to take this opportunity of urging everybody in present circumstances not to keep large sums in notes in their offices or houses but to put them into a bank or savings bank so as to minimise the risk of loss.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing legislation at an early date rendering illegal all contracts involving payments free of taxation, together with any necessary legislation for equitably adjusting outstanding contracts?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think there is sufficient ground for asking Parliament to intervene as regards such contracts.

As it is impossible to pursue this matter by question and answer, I give notice that I shall seek the earliest opportunity to raise it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will appoint a committee of agricultural experts in this House to report as to the results of the work of the agricultural committees of Sussex and West Surrey, respectively; particularly, whether the lands in the residential localities of these areas are at length being fully devoted to increased production of foods in various forms?

I see no reason for the appointment of such a committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the work has been done in residential areas?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the fact that there are abundant supplies of nitrogenous fertilisers in the country to-day, what steps he is taking to encourage farmers to make adequate use of these supplies, with a view to increasing the yield from existing meadowland?

Every available means in the way of propaganda and publicity are being utilised to bring home to farmers the importance of applying nitrogenous fertilisers to grass and arable land this spring. County war agricultural executive committees have been instructed to make full use of their power to issue directions, in suitable cases, requiring farmers to use these fertilisers. The quantities that have been purchased this season show a substantial increase over the quantities bought during the corresponding period last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to encourage local authorities to prepare artificial manures from their sewage disposal plants in view of the shortage of fertilisers generally?

Pending the results of the experiments to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend on 19th February, no encouragement is being given to local authorities to prepare artificial manures from sewage disposal plants.

Is the Minister aware that it is estimated that at the present time 750,000 tons of sewage sludge go into the sea every year which might be made use of by these processes and would prove very useful in augmenting the supply of fertilisers?

One of the most important things I have to do is to make sure that this product is suitable for the land, and until the experiments are finished I am not prepared to assume that it would be.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make some statement of progress in connection with the scheme for the provision of additional cheap credits for agriculture which the Government are considering?

:There is no new scheme of this sort, but certain additions have been made to the existing Schemes. County war agricultural executive committees are now authorised to provide such additional services as ditching, drainage, hedging, and removal of bushes and stumps, repayment by owners or occupiers of that part of the cost not covered by grants being permitted by instalments, with interest, over periods up to three years. The credit thus made available is, of course, in addition to that which farmers can obtain from banks and merchants or under the Agricultural Requisites Assistance Scheme.

:Is it not the intention of my right hon. Friend to speed up agricultural output in every possible way, and how can he possibly claim that this is being done when the banks are still allowed to charge 5 per cent. for loans to farmers? It is an absolute scandal.

I have no reason to suppose from anything that I have heard during my travels round the country that there is any lack of credit to assist an increase in food production.

:It is not a question of lack of credit but of too high charges. In view of the unsatisfactory Reply, I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity, and I shall go on raising it and raising it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will confer with the Minister of Food with a view to prices being fixed to make production economically possible on the lowest grade of land owing to the diversity of conditions under which the farming industry has had to be carried on since the outbreak of hostilities?

I do not consider that a general revision of agricultural prices would be an appropriate way of increasing production on the lowest grade of land.

:Has not my right hon. Friend told us that there are 300,000 or 400,000 farms and that it is difficult to ascertain the facts? Would it not be the wisest course to base the price on the highest cost of production on the lowest grade of land, in order to obtain the maximum output?

No, Sir, I do not think that would be an appropriate way. There are better ways which have been put into operation.

Perhaps my right hon. Friend will tell me what they are.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the steps which have been taken will have any effect upon the farmers?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of agricultural labourers and of recruits for the Women's Land Army, he will arrange for the admission to that army of alien women when they are personally suitable and when there are no well authenticated grounds known to the Home Office for suspecting them to be politically untrustworthy?

:Women's Land Army regulations already permit the acceptance of suitable aliens for enrolment, provided that consent is obtained from the local office of the Ministry of Labour with which they are registered.

Does that include aliens of all nationalities?

Yes, I think so. The main thing is that they should be able to speak English.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a strong impression that there are many of these refugees, including those of enemy extraction, who would very much like to join the Women's Land Army?

Perhaps the hon. Lady will be kind enough to give me particulars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the extent to which bomb craters in Kent remain unfilled; and whether he is taking any action to facilitate dealing with this matter in view of the shortage of labour available for this purpose?

I have not been informed of any specific cases in this county where food production has been impeded as a result of bomb craters on agricultural land remaining unfilled. The county war agricultural executive committees have been empowered to take the necessary action, either by arrangement with the military authorities or direct.

:Is it not a little too early for my right hon. Friend to be informed about whether food production has been curtailed? It will be, if he does not take some action.

:There are in the county district committees and the war agricultural committees, who are my agents, and I am sure that if there were any danger such as my hon. Friend apprehends, the district committees would already be taking action.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement in connection with the reduction announced to take effect next month in the value of the unit of animal feeding-stuffs under the rationing arrangements?

Owing to increasing demands upon shipping space for the transport of essential war materials, further reductions in imports of animal feeding-stuffs must take place. In these circumstances steps have to be taken to effect a corresponding reduction in the releases of cereals and other concentrated food for livestock from 1st April. Coupons entitling the holder to purchase feeding-stuffs during each of the three months ending 30th April have already been issued to owners of livestock, and therefore the only way to effect a reduction in the quantities purchased is to reduce the value of the coupon unit as from 1st April. As from that date the unit will accordingly be reduced by 50 per cent., from 1 cwt. to 56 lbs., and the reduction will apply both to the coupons valid for cereal foods and to those valid for protein foods. Special arrangements will be made, by the issue of additional coupons, to maintain as nearly as possible at their present scale the rations allowed to those classes of stock which, in the national interest, have been given first priority in the allocation of feeding-stuffs. These include dairy cows and working horses. It is proposed to make similar arrangements in respect of approved pedigree breeding stock of all kinds, and selected poultry stock; the selection of the latter will be carried out by an independent panel in each county.

Under the rationing scheme a farmer who sells, or uses for seed, grain and pulse of his own growing is given credit for the quantities sold. Provided that he has previously disposed of the whole of the quantity which is estimated to have been in excess of the needs of his livestock, on the scale of rations laid down in the scheme, he is allowed coupons to the extent of such sales. The devaluation of the unit will not prejudice this arrangement, as it is proposed that the seller in April shall be given additional coupons to compensate for the reduction in their unit value. The measures to which I have referred will, I am aware, fall with particular severity upon owners of pigs and poultry, whose supplies of feeding-stuffs have already been heavily reduced. It will be necessary to effect substantial reductions in the numbers of these classes of stock. To facilitate this process, adjustments are being made in prices of pigs and of boiling fowls.

The devaluation of the unit in April is the forerunner of other restrictions in the supply of feeding-stuffs. The scale of rations available in the summer months will involve still further reductions. Farm livestock draw the bulk of their sustenance in summer from grazing, and the management of grassland will this year be more important than ever. We cannot afford to allow any grass to be wasted. All pastures should be fully stocked, and the largest possible quantity of grass should be conserved for silage or hay to help to meet the inevitable deficiency in supplies of concentrates next autumn and winter.