asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is satisfied that the area and local machinery that exists for production purposes is functioning with efficiency and obtaining the maximum production with the minimum of friction;

(2) what are the executive, as distinct from the advisory, duties now performed by the Area (Production) Boards, and whether he is satisfied that the boards are in a position to make their maximum contribution to the effective mobilisation of industry for war production?

The Area Boards as such have no executive functions; tasks requiring executive action locally are carried out through the Area officers of the Departments. While the reconstituted Area Boards are making a useful contribution to the effective mobilisation of industry for war production, I am not wholly satisfied with the present position, and I am reviewing in consultation with my colleagues the existing local machinery and the powers and functions of the Area Boards.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some of the munition factories in the north-west of the country there is great dissatisfaction with the functioning of this machinery, and will the investigation now promised be carried out swiftly?

Is the Minister aware that the Board on the north-east coast situated at Newcastle is giving the greatest satisfaction, alike to employers and employés?

Yes, Sir. Life is full of compensations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, and how, the workpeople's views are considered with regard to production, and how their services might be utilised to the best advantage; what steps are taken to deal with reports of waiting time where it is above the average; is there a weekly check of local area and national results; and, if so, what steps are taken on reports received?

So far as co-operation at the centre is concerned, my hon. Friend will be aware that the Minisry of Supply have appointed an Advisory Committee of representatives of trade unions nominated by the T.U.C. General Council. The Admiralty and M.A.P. have Labour Advisers who are in close touch with the T.U.C. in connection with matters of this kind and under the Essential Work (Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing) Order, both a national committee and local consultative committees, including representatives of employers and trade unions, are being set up. I have no information about the practice in individual establishments, but I feel sure that enlightened employers welcome practical suggestions put forward by the operatives, and in many cases have made formal arrangements for receiving and considering such suggestions. Any report that waiting time is excessive in any particular establishment which is brought to the notice of my Department is immediately investigated and steps are taken in co-operation with the Supply Department concerned to remedy the position by removing the causes where that is practicable or by transferring the workpeople to establishments, where they can be fully employed. I assume that the last part of the Question relates to production results. If so, it should be addressed to the production Ministers concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are skilled and qualified engineers in the Polish and other Allied Forces at present stationed in this country; and whether he will approach the military authorities concerned to secure at any rate the temporary release of those who speak English so that these engineers may work in British factories and thus allow their special skill to be used where it will best serve the Allied war effort?

My information is that there may be a small proportion of men with skill in the engineering trades in some of the Allied armed forces, but that the number is likely to be of any substantial character only in the case of the Polish forces. The Polish authorities have already released a certain number of engineering technicians for civilian employment and loaned the services of a still larger number of other men to British industry. I have no information as to whether the Polish authorities, having regard to the needs of their own forces, would be in a position to go further in this direction, but I propose to consult them in the matter, in agreement with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Will the Minister see to it that these consultations cover the areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow?

I can only deal with the Polish or any of the other Allied Governments, and not as affecting particular districts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the arrangements made, and to be made, under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, the Registration for Employment Order, and the National Service Bill, regard will be given to the need, in the national interest, of maintaining a continuous flow of students to the universities, even though the period of student life should have to be temporarily restricted; and whether the importance of maintaining the non technical faculties will be kept in mind in this connection?

The arrangements made for the registration of men of the 1921 age class include special provision for those studying to take certain examinations at schools and universities, and careful consideration is being given to the arrangements to be made in the event of the registration of members of the 1922 age class in the light of representations recently made on behalf of the universities and schools. With regard to women of the 1919 and 1920 age classes who will register under the Registration for Employment Order, I do not contemplate that it will be necessary to ask full-time students at universities to abandon their studies.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to the large percentage of their male employés already serving in the Forces, distributive trade employers have recently trained young women to fill their places; that some of those women are now likely to be conscripted; and whether he will consider placing the most essential sections of the retail food trades in the category of work of national importance?

I recognise the importance of this work, and full account will be taken of it in making transfers under the Registration Orders.

Will the Minister bear in mind that, in view of the very difficult situation in shops, particularly in dealing with supplies and the demands of customers, the life of some managers in particular is becoming very difficult?

I think they will be considerably facilitated in their task if the trades respond to the appeal I made to them direct yesterday that they should discuss it jointly between themselves and their unions and make their recommendations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the misapprehension arising from the announcement by his Department that women should not give up their present employment, whatever it may be, unless the Employment Exchange advises them to do so; and whether, seeing that in most cases the Employment Exchanges have no opportunity of intervening, he will make it clear that women should themselves exchange non-essential employment for work of national value?

When women think that they ought to transfer to more essential work better results will be obtained by guiding and advising them than by leaving it to them to make up their own minds without knowledge of all the facts on. which their course of action should be based. The Employment Exchanges will be ready to give advice to any women who consult them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the state of bewilderment of many thousands of women at the moment, and will not he help to clarify their position by telling them what, in the view of the Government, under present War conditions, are essential occupations and what are not?

It is the purpose of the present Registration Order to reduce the position to a sense of order, but I cannot be expected to clear up every difficulty in a woman's mind.

Is not the census so long drawn out that most of the women are left still in a state of serious embarrassment?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the embarrassment in the women's minds is not due to any particular stupidity of the female mind, but to the extraordinarily imperfect information hitherto given to them by the entirely inadequately staffed employment exchanges?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will provide the information necessary to measure the woman-power problem by arranging for an occupational register of all women under 45 years of age, so as to ascertain exactly what women are, and are not, doing in the national war effort, and especially to discourage non-essential employment and encourage all capable women to take their part?

Information of the kind suggested will be obtained under the Registration for Employment Order, but the process must be gradual if adequate information is to be obtained. I would remind my hon. Friend that there are about 9,000,000 women between the ages of 21 and 45.

Would it not be better for the right hon. Gentleman, first of all, to ascertain the facts over the whole field and then to base his policy upon those facts?

That would take such a long time that I am afraid that victory would be achieved before the registration could be completed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that arrangements are made for access to all underground pure water in case of damage by air raids to existing supplies?

In the public interest it is not desirable for me to go into details as to the measures adopted for securing continuity of water supply, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the matter to which he refers has not been overlooked.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in various localities where there have been increases in the population as the result of transfer of civil servants and others, there is a continual rise in rent charges; and whether steps will be taken to prevent unjustifiable increases of this nature?

I am aware that high rents are being charged for furnished let-tings in some parts of the country. Persons who charge extortionate rents for furnished lettings are liable under the Rent Restrictions Acts to a fine not exceeding 100. I have urged local authorities to make the utmost use of their statutory power to prosecute in these cases and a number of prosecutions are impending. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any cases which have come to his notice, I will at once take them up with the local authorities concerned.

Is the Minister taking any action with regard to those local authorities which are not using the powers that they now possess?

A circular was sent to all local authorities—Circular 2164 of 50th September, 1940—pointing out the facts and making clear their legal powers.

But that was in 1940. Does the right hon. Gentleman propose taking any further action with regard to the local authorities who still take no action arising out of that circular?

I must have information about that before I can act. If the hon. Member knows of any such authority, perhaps he will let me know.

Does the Minister give any guidance to local authorities as to what are extortionate rents?

Will not the Minister consider that point? Under the Rent Restrictions Acts, where houses are empty, a standard rent is fixed, and the other protection is bound to be abortive if there is no measure by which to judge whether rents are exorbitant or not.

Perhaps I may send a copy of the circular to the hon. Gentleman, and he will see that the point is covered in the terms of the circular.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Wembley Borough Council have been forbidden to continue their manufacture of air-raid shelter bunks; and whether, in view of the fact that these bunks were being made at a price much below that charged by private manufacturers, he will have the embargo placed upon the Wembley local authority removed?

I am aware that the Regional Commissioners for London have declined to approve the continuation of manufacture of bunks by the Wembley Borough Council. The Commissioners have had the costing figures supplied by the Wembley Borough Council examined and also the bunks. The Commissioners are not statisfied that the bunks are of equal standard to those supplied by the Government nor that the price quoted represents the full cost of manufacture. Local authorities were warned as far back as the 30th November not to make further arrangements for local purchase or manufacture. This action was necessary in order to secure central control, and consequently more economical use of the limited supply of raw material available. Notwithstanding this direction Wembley made their own arrangements for manufacture three weeks later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the strong opposition that exists to the proposed closing of the tunnel shelter of which he has been informed; and whether he will make whatever arrangements are necessary so that this shelter shall remain open?

As was explained by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary yesterday in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen), there are good reasons why the continued use of this shelter is not possible. Steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information given yesterday was of a very brief character, and that there is really no comparison between the shelter in question and the alleged alternative accommodation? Is he further aware that this matter affects over 2,000 people who look upon their eviction as a very callous and inhuman act?

I must make it clear that there is no official authority for the occupation of this shelter by this large number of people. This shelter is not as safe as the people think, and I am apprehensive that there might be a major disaster, in which case my hon. Friend would be the first to put down a Question. Moreover, there is an alternative use for this shelter which is vital to the national interest. I have given the matter careful consideration, as has my Parliamentary Secretary, and while I fully appreciate my hon. Friend's feelings, I do not think I can fairly press for the retention of this shelter.

Will the Minister consider announcing; a definite policy on these unofficial shelters?

My hon. Friend is a great man for definiteness, but, as he knows as an ex-Minister himself, we have always about six conflicting considerations to bear in mind. I have taken them into account, and have come to the best conclusion I can; but it is no use making an authentic statement unless you follow it up.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that full alternative accommodation will be provided for approximately 2,000 people? Is it not true that another tunnel is being used in spite of the fact that it is an unofficial shelter?

We do the best we can in all these cases, but at some time or another there must be a decision one way or another. Sometimes we have been able to give a decision which meets the wishes of my hon. Friend, but in this case we have not been able to do so. Another point to bear in mind is that not all the people who use this shelter are local; some come from a considerable distance. I have stated in my Answer that steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation.

The Parliamentary-Secretary stated in a Debate the other day that he was considering taking powers in regard to these unofficial shelters, inasmuch as some serious incidents have occurred. Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any general policy in dealing with this question, or whether he decides each case on its merits?

In the end we shall have to decide each case on its merits. The hon. Member will realise that there are some legal complications, and I may have to make a Defence Regulation whereby our powers can be made stronger in regard to unofficial shelters, some of which are dangerous. It is not always easy to get a clean line in the matter, because we are dealing with human beings, and they have to be taken into account.

Will the Minister answer my Supplementary Question, and say whether he is providing full alternative accommodation, if it is dangerous for these people to be in this shelter? Is it not also the case that it is equally dangerous for the people whom the right hon. Gentleman is going to put in this shelter?

The hon. Member will realise that there is danger everywhere; it is a matter of degree. I do not say that this is a bad shelter, but it is not as safe as the people who use it think, and there may be a disaster. I cannot go beyond what I have said, that steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the application of Mrs. N. G. Johnson, of Cwmbran, Monmouthshire, for a pension in respect of her late husband, who was fatally injured while returning from air-raid precautions duty, has now been agreed to?

Mr. Johnson died as a result of injuries accidentally caused by colliding with an electric standard whilst driving a motor car. As he was not on duty at the time I regret that it is not possible to grant his widow a pension under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. I am informed, however, that a pension of 15s. a week has been awarded to her under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts.

Will the Minister give consideration to the problems arising under this legislation?

Yes, Sir. There have been many cases brought to my notice in connection with this question of on and off duty, and I am having a thorough investigation made into the position. I hope to be able to report to the House at an early date.

In any investigation will the Minister consider the retrospective aspect of the matter?

As regards pensions, certainly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, having regard to the interpretation placed by his Department on Section 16 of the Personal Injuries (Defence) Scheme, in consequence of which Mr. H. W. Stannard, of Grundis-burgh, Suffolk, a member of the Observer Corps since its inception, has been denied compensation in respect of an accident sustained by him when returning from duty on the night of 21st January, 1940, which disabled him totally for several months and resulted in permanent lameness, he will cause the wording of the Order to be so altered as to make it plain that injuries sustained by a volunteer while proceeding to, or returning from, duty are not regarded by his Department as injuries which have arisen out of and in the course of the performance of his duties?

In the absence of the papers relating to this case, which it has not been possible in the time available to obtain, I am unable to reply on the merits, but I will look into it and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Will the review which the Minister is going to make of cases of this kind cover the kind of case referred to in the Question?

I want to see the papers before I can give any answer on that point.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the likelihood of the use of poison gas by the enemy and of the undoubted neglect of large numbers of our people to carry their gas masks and 61 their want of experience in their fitment and use, he will give the widest publicity to this matter and, in particular, he will urge all heads of businesses that they should organise in their works, or other places of business, periodical rehearsals of the fitting and use of their gas-masks by all persons there employed?

The use of gas is abhorrent to His Majesty's Government, and this country will in no circumstances be the first to employ the gas weapon. No attention need be paid to any attempt by the enemy to cast doubts on our attitude, or to suggest that our defensive measures imply some intention to take the initiative. Unhappily, we cannot put any faith in statements which the enemy has made that he will not use gas. On the contrary, his whole past record shows that he will stop at nothing, and that if he conceives the use of gas to be of military advantage to him, he will use it. For that reason it is essential that the country should be prepared. Full use must be made of the provision that the Government have already made for the defence of the civil population—the civilian gas mask— which when properly used gives full protection against any known war gas. The Government are taking fresh steps to ensure that every member of the population carries, practises with and is in every respect familiar with the use of his gas mask. Exercises and propaganda will be used to this end, and the Government will seek to obtain the widest possible co-operation in helping to achieve the desired aim. I would emphasise that with proper measures of protection such as are now available to the population there is no ground for serious alarm about the effect of gas attack, provided always that proper precautions are taken and that the public obeys the advice given to it. For that reason the Government are determined to ensure that the whole population is in a full state of preparedness.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a large number of people who do not carry their gas masks are relying on the protection of shelters, and will he, therefore, make it clear that the gas protection afforded by these shelters is in any case very elementary, that the underground shelters are liable to receive the gas, which is heavier than air, and that in any case gas masks will be needed to be worn in the shelters? Will he stress that point in order to prevent the public shielding themselves by the presence of shelters?

The hon. Member is quite right in what he says, and I will certainly take into account the inclusion of that point in our propaganda.

Has my right hon. Friend yet made a decision upon the proposal to have gas-mask drill over the B.B.C., and has he given consideration to the other suggestions submitted to him in a memorandum recently?

I have given full consideration to those points to which the hon. Member was good enough to draw my attention. Certainly, the B.B.C. will be used as one of the agencies of propaganda, whether quite in the form the hon. Member has suggested, I am not sure, but certainly that point will be given sympathetic consideration.

Arising out of my right hon. Friend's original reply, am I to understand him to mean that, although we shall not in any circumstances be the first to use gas, we shall most certainly retaliate should the enemy use it on us?

The House will draw its own conclusions, I hope, from the statement I have made that we will not be the first to use gas. I am not authorised to go beyond that.

May I take it that we stand fully committed to the Geneva Protocal in this matter, and is there any evidence of the use of gas by any belligerent forces up to the present time?

I think the answer I have given that we shall not be the first covers the point about the Geneva Protocol. I can only hope that the hon. Member is equally certain about everybody else.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the letter concerning Mrs. Ansbacher; and whether he will see that these wives of friendly aliens, whose husbands were sent to Australia with the promise that their wives would be sent after them, receive maintenance money and that when their husbands were on the "Dunera" that part of the compensation is paid to them?

Several letters regarding Mrs. Ansbacher's case have been considered and answers have been sent, including the information that, if she is in need of help in order to maintain herself, she should apply to the nearest office of the Assistance Board under the scheme for the Prevention and Relief of War-Time Distress. As regards compensation, mentioned in the last part of the Question, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. I may refer my right hon. Friend to the statement made by the Financial Secretary to the War Office in the Debate on the Motion for the Adjournment on 25th February.

Can my right hon. Friend assure us that the compensation promised in the speech to which he has alluded has actually been paid?

I cannot say. That is a matter for my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Can my right hon. Friend inform us whether these women who have lost their all will be able to get out to Australia?

I can assure my right hon. Friend that we are doing our best in that matter, and I am glad to say that there are indications of active sympathy by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia; but I ought to make it clear that there was no promise that the wives would be sent. To say that there was would be an exaggeration. We said that we would do our best and I can assure my right hon. Friend that we are doing so, because I feel that we certainly have a moral obligation to do our very best in the matter.

Will my right hon. Friend convey to the Government of Australia how strongly we feel on that matter?

I have seen the High Commissioner, who has been exceedingly helpful, and I have no reason to think that the Australian Government will not do their best in the matter, but there were some real difficulties at their end.

asked the Home Secretary how many internees have now been returned to this country from Canada following on Mr. Paterson's visit; how many have been released; and the dates on which the ships arrived here?

579 internees have been brought back from Canada since Mr. Paterson's arrival in that country. Of these, 182 have volunteered for enlistment in the Pioneer Corps and have been or will be released on being accepted for enlistment. Of the remaining 397, the release of 170 has been authorised. In the remaining cases I am awaiting replies from tribunals, other Government Departments, prospective employers or the internees themselves. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the exact dates on which the various ships arrived.

In view of the fact that some of these internees have now been back and in the Isle of Man for a period of more than three months, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of asking the tribunals to be a little more rapid in the matter?

My hon. Friend is on a false trail. He is trying to get preferential treatment for persons returned from Canada.

No, Sir.

These people have no right to be put in a preferential position in comparison with anyone else. They were returned from Canada as a result of the best information available, and because there was prima facie evidence that they were appropriate for consideration for release; but it does not go beyond that. Therefore, they must take their turn with all others. I think it will be agreed by the House generally that the speed in dealing with these cases has very much improved in recent times.

Can my right hon. Friend say, before he authorises the return of these people, that he will take into consideration the food position of this country?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has sent, or will send, to the Colonial Governments and to the Indian Government, copies of the White Paper dealing with categories under which internees may apply for release; and whether he has taken, or will take, any action to promote similar treatment in the Colonies and India to that already existing in this country?

I have no responsibility for the policy which is adopted towards aliens in the Colonies or in India, and it would not be proper for me to intervene in this matter. I understand that my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for India and the Colonies have already sent copies of the White Paper to India and the Colonies.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, since the suppression of the "Daily Worker," pamphlets of a similar nature are being issued and distributed; how many cases of this kind have been brought to his notice; and what steps he is taking to stop them?

This matter is receiving my attention. It would not, however, be right for me to make any further statement at present.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise there is a general desire that we should not pursue any further suppression of opinion in this country?

I do not want to suppress opinion for the sake of suppressing it, but it is my duty to take any action necessary for the furtherance of the security of the country and the success of the war. My hon. Friend must take it from me that I shall do anything necessary for that purpose.

Does my right hon. Friend remember that, when he spoke last about the suppression of the "Daily Worker," if my memory serves me correctly, he said that any other publication on similar lines would be suppressed?

Yes, Sir, it is the case that under the Regulations, if an effort is made to evade a suppression by bringing out a similar publication, the Secretary of State is entitled to suppress it, and under that provision the matter is under active consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Communists are using 16-millimetre films, which are not subject to censorship; that they are magnifying them and displaying them in vans; and will he take steps to stop this form of propaganda, which is directed against our war effort?

I have no information that any films which could be described as propaganda directed against our war effort are being shown in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend, but I should be glad to consider any information which is in his possession.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he is taking to pre vent the spreading of Communist propaganda directed against our war effort by means of dramatic societies?

Such information as I have on this subject does not suggest that our war effort is in any way imperilled by the activities of dramatic societies, but if my hon. Friend will let me have the information which has prompted his Question, I shall be glad to have further inquiries made.

In all these cases where the right hon. Gentleman has to consider action, will he take action through the courts?

It depends on the nature of the case. As the hon. Member knows from personal experience, I am always exceedingly tolerant.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many voluntary street party fire watchers are declining to sign the official form issued by the local authority, not because they are not prepared to give 48 hours to their duties, which they are already doing, but because the form requires them to state their willingness to be on duty in streets other than their own; and whether he will consider modifying this stipulation?

I fully understand and appreciate the feeling which my hon. Friend has in mind. The whole fire watching scheme however would simply not operate if every fire watcher refused to be on duty away from his own house and in a street other than his own, and I think that the truth of this is generally understood and recognised. I do not see why willingness to accept the narrow obligation to take part in the fire protection of one's own property or street should be a substitute for the wider obligations to the nation's war effort as a whole that may fall on persons in areas where it is necessary to apply the provisions of the Civil Defence Duties (Compulsory Enrolment) Order by reason of the insufficiency of volunteers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while many fire parties are ready and enthusiastic to look after their own street, they are afraid of being sent to other streets, perhaps in some remote part of the area, especially in London? Could not the wording be made a little more precise?

I quite understand, and that is not an unnatural feeling, but I do not think I can vary the Order. As far as administration is concerned, the authorities who are involved would, of course, be wise to meet the convenience and personal preference of people as far as they could. That is my wish, and anything that I can do in that direction I will do, but I must adhere to the point, and ask the public to support me in it, that in the last resort the job has to be done and we must send people where it is necessary to send them in the public interest.

Will my right hon. Friend make it plain that their own streets will not be left completely unguarded while they may be a long distance away?

I am glad my hon. Friend has put that point. It may well be necessary, in order to secure the protection of their own street, that some of them shall go somewhere else.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the restriction put upon the importation of Irish store cattle, he has considered the advisability of stopping the slaughter of young calves for veal, so as to reduce as far as possible the shortage of store cattle for feeding purposes?

The reduced supplies of concentrated feeding-stuffs and the substantial decrease in the grazing area, make necessary a general reduction in the cattle population to which the reduction in imports of store cattle from Eire will contribute. Reductions will, however, also be needed in the numbers of home-bred stock, including calves kept for rearing. The rate of slaughter of veal calves is being kept under close review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many owners of domestic poultry returned application forms before the issuing of ration cards; how many birds did they own; and how much food did they purchase in October, 1940?

A count taken on 22nd February of the numbers of ration cards issued up to that date, including late applicants and persons newly taking up domestic poultry keeping since rationing began on 1st February, indicated that the number of applicants was about 750,000. It is not in the public interest to disclose numbers of livestock. Particulars of the quantities of feeding-stuffs purchased by these domestic poultry keepers in October, 1940, are not available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that under the Government Regulations many keepers of poultry obtained much more food than they ought to have had and others went short?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the interests of efficiency, he is prepared to allocate feeding-stuffs to poultry-keepers in some proportion to the quantity of eggs de livered to Government-controlled packing stations?

A plan of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers has been submitted to my right hon. Friend. As at present advised, he feels that it is open to serious objections both in practice and in principle, but the matter is still under consideration.

Is it not necessary to do something to eliminate hopelessly incompetent poultry keepers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the setting-up of alternative impartial bodies to the county war agricultural committees to enable farmers to appeal against dispossession and on the question of the crops to be grown, in view of the fact that they know the crops and produce to which their own land is best suited?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. de Rothschild) on 27th February" last.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of these questions between war agricultural committees and farmers are a matter of agricultural opinion? Does he not, as a good democrat, recognise that even farmers, in a war for freedom, should be given a right of appeal on a matter of dispossession?

Perhaps the hon. Member is not aware that the powers delegated to the war agricultural executive committees to take possession of land cannot be exercised without the consent of the farmer himself or of the Minister.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take any steps to control the disposal of the sum, estimated to be about £20,000,000, received by Messrs. Courtaulds by the sale of their assets in the United States of America in the Viscose Company?

On various occasions since the outbreak of war securities have been acquired by His Majesty's Government with a view to re-sale abroad. Payment to the owners is made unconditionally in sterling. I have no doubt that the possibility of investment in Government securities will be in the minds of the directors of Messrs. Courtaulds. I would remind my hon. Friend that the sum has not been determined.

Is it not a matter of concern to the right hon. Gentleman that this large sum should not be handed over to the shareholders by way of a return of capital, and so increase by this amount the possible spending power of a certain section of the community, and will he make representations to that effect to Messrs. Courtaulds?

I think we can rely upon Messrs. Courtaulds to make proper recommendations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give consideration to the granting of an allowance of 5s. per week for children in excess of two, to parents whose income is below the Income Tax limit, at an estimated cost of £12,000,000 per annum, by reducing the subsidy now paid on certain articles of food by an equivalent amount?

While my hon. Friend's suggestion is, no doubt, one of the several ways in which a scheme of family allowances might be formulated, I cannot add to the answer I gave on the general question on 26th February, 1941, to my hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Horabin).

Will the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to this particular proposal for family allowances, seeing that it is bound up with the question of a wage policy?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many county boroughs, counties and county districts, respectively, have now established schemes of communal feeding which are now in working order; whether a list of these authorities will be made available; and what percentage of the present populations he considers it desirable that communal kitchens should be capable of feeding in the more vulnerable areas?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of that reply and of the success, the popularity and the manifest economy of communal feeding, are the Government giving the matter all possible support?

We are giving every possible support by encouraging local authorities in this matter.