asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the increased percentage of agricultural production in the year 1940 as compared with the year 1939?

It would not be in the national interest to publish detailed statistics. There has, however, been a substantial increase in the contribution made from our own soil to our food supplies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether farmers in the West Country are likely to get supplies of compound manures, some of which have been on order for six months, in time for spring sowing; and, if not, will they be available for the sugar-beet and root crops

Supplies of compound fertilisers delivered in the West Country so far during this season have considerably exceeded those for the corresponding period of last season, but I am aware that there is still an unsatisfied demand. Additional supplies are being sent to this area and it is expected that sufficient compound fertilisers will be available for sugar beet and root crops.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider adopting as the Government policy the encouragement of farmers to keep on sows of good type and sell all pigs not required for breeding as soon as they are suitable for pork; and whether he will, in addition, approve the price of 21s. a score for pork pigs for the next year and not merely till 28th April?

For a given quantity of feeding stuffs more meat is produced by feeding pigs onto bacon weight than by producing a larger number of smaller pigs for the pork market. Moreover, bacon is the form of pig-meat which is most required. In view of the feeding stuffs situation, the total number of pigs must be substantially reduced, but arrangements are being made whereby pedigree pigs will not suffer the reduction in the unit value of the ration coupon. The scale of prices for fat pigs announced on 1st March is designed to facilitate this reduction in numbers. I am unable at present to make any further statement with regard to future prices. The position will be kept under close review.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the possibility of gases being used in the near future during the course of enemy action in this country, he has ensured that the personnel of the air-raid precautions for animals service are adequately supplied with the necessary equipment for dealing with gas-contaminated animals both in towns and in the country?

I have no reason to believe that the National A.R.P. Animals Committee is not provided with equipment for the purpose indicated by my hon. Friend, but if he has any particular deficiencies in mind I shall be glad to investigate them if he will let me have details.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now completed his inquiries into the loss of goods and money, amounting to about £ 1,200, sustained by a number of interned aliens on arrival in Canada?

No, Sir; inquiries are still proceeding and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the number of children killed and injured, respectively, since 1st January last in the different districts of London from which they could have been evacuated?

The number of children under 16 years of age who were killed by enemy action in the whole of the London Civil Defence Region between 1st January, 1941, and 28th February, 1941 (the latest date for which figures are available) inclusive was 76. The number injured and detained in hospital during the same period was 136. Separate figures are not available in respect of those portions of the area which have been declared evacuation areas for the purposes of the Government evacuation scheme

asked the Home Secretary whether, to meet the new form of explosive incendiary bombs sometimes used by the enemy, and to ensure the use of correct methods in dealing with them, he will issue an additional set of instructions for the guidance of fire-fighting parties?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 18th February to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander). I then stated that local authorities are kept advised of the most up-to-date methods of dealing with incendiary bombs including those which contain an explosive charge, and I indicated that detailed information and practical training will continue to be given under their auspices. I may add that advice in regard to dealing with explosive incendiary bombs has also been given to the other appropriate authorities mentioned in the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order for communication to occupiers of business premises with which they are concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that, on premises occupied by firms who are carrying on business to a substantial extent for the purpose of one or more Government Departments, shelters will not be requisitioned for civilian use without either the consent of the occupiers or the approval of the Government Department or Departments interested?

Factory shelters which are not required by the employ é s during the night can afford a valuable supplement to public shelter provision and I have encouraged local authorities to take full advantage of this possibility subject, in proper cases, to considerations of secrecy. The absence of complaints from factory occupiers or from clients interested in their production confirms my view that the advice conveyed to local authorities has been interpreted on commonsense lines and I should be sorry, when the vast majority of factories are directly or indirectly engaged on Government contracts, to see any unnecessary obstacle placed in the way of the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, either in areas which have sustained war damage, or generally, any scheme has been formulated or is in contemplation to enable groups of civilian doctors, by rotation, to be on duty at night for all purposes and thus permit the others to obtain relief and rest; and how many insurance committees favour such an arrangement?

In a number of areas a rota of doctors for duty at first-aid posts, medical aid posts in public shelters, and food and rest centres has been arranged with the object indicated in the Question. As regards the last part of the Question, the making of similar arrangements for providing medical attention for insured persons is a matter for agreement between the panel committee and insurance committee of each area concerned, and detailed information is not available

asked the Minister of Health whether there is accommodation immediately available for all children who have been notified under the compulsory evacuation scheme; and whether there is sufficient accommodation available for the evacuation of unaccompanied children under five years of age through the official channels?

Accommodation is immediately available for all children certified, under the Defence Regulations, as suffering or being; likely to suffer as a result of hostile attacks. As regards children under five who are not so certified, the Government evacuation scheme contemplates that in areas to which the mothers and children scheme has been extended they will normally be evacuated with the mother, who will continue to look after them, or be sent to be billeted with friends or relatives. Residential accommodation for unaccompanied children under five is strictly limited, and careful selection has to be made in filling vacancies in new or established nurseries of those whose mothers cannot for some-very strong reason go with them, or send them to friends or relatives.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the names of those licensing districts which, at the recent licensing sessions, were granted an extension to 10.30 p.m. on weekdays, specifying which were for the whole year and which for a lesser period; the names of districts in which, last year, the permitted terminal hour on weekdays was 10.30 p.m. during the summer months, but which, this year, have reverted to 10 p.m. closing; and a complete list of licensing districts where the justices have extended permitted hours on weekdays to 10.30 p.m. either for the whole year or part of the year?

The information is not yet available. I will communicate the particulars to my hon. Friend when they are ready, but this may not be before about six weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position of a doctor on duty at a first-aid post who receives a request for an emergency attendance upon an insured person; can the patient, if his own doctor is not available, obtain treatment from another doctor; is the latter entitled to make a claim for rendering such treatment; and does the patient's doctor have the emergency fee deducted from his insurance remuneration?

An insurance practitioner is required to make all necessary

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to take any, and if so what, steps to recall to this country British subjects of military age not engaged on Government business now in the United States of America, and who, if resident in the United Kingdom. would be liable to service in the armed forces of the Crown?

British subjects of military age who are not in Great Britain on the date of the proclamation affecting their age-group, though eligible, are not liable for military service under the National arrangements for securing the treatment of his insured patients where prevented from giving such treatment himself by urgency of other professional duties or other reasonable cause. If neither the practitioner nor his deputy is available for giving treatment in case of accident or other sudden emergency, any other insurance-practitioner who may be available can required to give it. A fee is payable to the last-mentioned practitioner, subject to the claim being passed by the panel committee. The fee is recoverable from the patient's own practitioner unless the panel committee are satisfied that there was reasonable cause for not summoning him.

asked the Minister of Health in how many insurance committee areas have the number of prescriptions in 1940 been substantially less than in 1939, with little difference between the total cost of the prescriptions and of the dispensing fees; and will he give the comparative figures for 1939 and 1940 for London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol?

The areas in England and Wales which fulfil the conditions set out in the first part of the Question number seven. The information asked for in the last part is:Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939. There are, in any case, no statutory provisions enabling them to be recalled to this country.

asked the Home Secretary how Stanley Thurston broke out of Dartmoor Prison on Tuesday last; how many times he has been convicted; how many times he has broken out of gaol; and the longest time he was at liberty?

The circumstances of this man's escape on 25th March are under in- quiry. He has been convicted eight times for house breaking and similar offences. He has twice escaped from prison previously. On the first occasion, he was recaptured on the following day; on the second, he remained at large for six months.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange to place correct and complete translations of public speeches made by the German Chancellor in the Library for the convenience of Members of this House?

The monitoring digests of the British Broadcasting Corporation, which are placed regularly in the Library of the House, contain full and reliable translations of all important speeches made by the German Chancellor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food upon what date Circular F.I.G. 586 was issued to local food offices; upon what date Special Form R.G. 40 was" issued; and what date was fixed for returns being completed and received by the said offices?

The confidential circular to which my hon. Friend refers was issued to local food offices on 21st March. It was expected that the Forms R.G. 40 would be printed and ready for despatch to divisional food offices during the three days 17th to 19th March, but I understand that the despatch was not completed until 23rd March. I assume that the last part of the Question relates to the forms of application for supplies. The last day for the despatch of these by retailers is 2nd April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that a proper balance is being maintained of supplies of unrationed foodstuffs to large and small retailers, respectively?

Unrationed foodstuffs are in general being distributed by wholesalers to retailers on the basis of the volume of pre-war trade, subject to some adjustment to meet changes of population. I have no evidence to suggest that there is discrimination in favour of large retailers.

asked the Secretary of State for Burma whether any steps are being taken to improve communications between Burma and China?

The Chinese Government have for some years stressed their desire to improve communications between China and Burma. The road between these two countries was opened in 1938, but in view of the limitations of road traffic the Chinese Government have consistently pressed the need for railway communication and have actually begun building a railway to the Burmese frontier. After discussion with the Government of Burma, His Majesty's Government have now agreed to provide funds to enable that Government to build a line from railhead at Lashio to the frontier, which will link up the Burma railway system with that of China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the instrument covering the lease of naval bases to the United States of America will need ratification by the Senate of the United States of America?

I am informed that this instrument will not require ratification by the Senate of the United States of America.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the speech made at Berlin by Mr. Matsuoka, on Wednesday, 26th March, 1941, to the effect that the Japanese people were praying for a speedy victory for Germany; whether His Majesty's Government has yet sent to General Chiang-Kai-Chek a message of encouragement and support on the lines of that sent to China by President Roose- velt; and what steps the British, Indian and Burmese Governments have taken, jointly or severally, to open, and keep open, the Burma Road, and to aid the Chinese in resisting the aggressor in their country?

I have seen Press reports of the statement in question. The policy of His Majesty's Government was stated on 20th march, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan), and I am satisfied that it is already fully understood by General Chiang Kai-shek. As regards the Burma Road, owing to Japanese bombing attacks on the Salween and Mekong bridges, there has been a certain interruption of traffic, but repairs have been effected and 1 understand that the road is now open to traffic over its entire length.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that, due to the issue of national milk to children from one to five years of age without requiring attendance at maternity and child welfare centres, in Newcastle, as previously, there has ensued a serious falling off in attendances of such children at the centres, with the loss to them of continuing medical supervision previously given; and whether he will consider the desirability of making the issue of milk under this scheme contingent upon the children attending the centres?

My right hon. Friend has been informed by the local authority that there has been a falling off in the attendance of young children at the welfare centres. He does not think it is appropriate to link in the manner suggested in the second part of the Question the two distinct questions of attendance at these centres and distribution of milk under the National Milk Scheme which is administered by the Minister of Food. He has asked his officers to discuss with officers of the local authority the action which can most appropriately be taken to improve the attendances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any information in connection with the two Post Office robberies in London last Tuesday night and the value of the stamps, money and other things stolen; and how many Post Office robberies have taken place since September, 1940?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend is referring to the robberies from the Post Offices at Enfield and Cheam, the total losses were £451 and £2,992 respectively. These amounts, however, are face values and the net loss may be much less. Since 1st September, 1940, to date the total number of Post Office robberies is 183, but in a number of cases there was no loss at all.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. A. Carroll, 90, Bruce Castle Road, N.17, widow of the late Quartermaster Carroll, an insured contributor under National Health Insurance, who died in 62 General Hospital, Palestine, applied in November last for a widow's pension, giving full information of her husband's death; that on 4th February she was informed by letter, numbered 14591353, that no action could be taken until she forwarded a certificate of death; that on sending again the full information received from the War Office she was again asked to send the death certificate which she could not obtain; and, in view of the fact that five months have now elapsed since this widow's application and she is dependent on the charity of relatives, will he expedite a decision?

I find that Mrs. Carroll's claim to a widow's pension under the Contributory Pensions Acts was not received by my Department until 17th January, 1941, the claim having been signed and posted by her on 14th January. As no documentary evidence of the death of Mrs. Carroll's husband was forwarded with the claim, Mrs. Carroll was asked to furnish a death certificate or, if one was not obtainable, to state the reason. On 18th February, 1941, a document which had been sent by the War Office to her was received from Mrs. Carroll. This document was accepted by my Department as sufficient evidence of the death of the husband and there is no record of any further request for a death certificate having been made by my De- partment. Mrs. Carroll's claim also entailed investigations regarding the insurance history of the deceased husband and certain other particulars, but I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that my Department succeeded a few days ago in collecting all the requisite data for the determination of the claim and that on 26th March Mrs. Carroll was notified that she had been granted a pension. This pension is payable from 4th February, 1941, as up to that date Mrs. Carroll continued to receive an allowance from the War Office, in continuation of that paid to her during her husband's lifetime.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he has paid for the furniture, black-out curtains, etc., commandeered by him in September, 1939, in the Holloway Institute, Stroud, Gloucestershire; and, if not, how much is still owing to the Red Cross, and when he proposes to pay this money?

Yes, Sir. All claims in respect of furniture have been settled. I am not aware that the local Red Cross had any legal interest in the premises and no claim from that body can be traced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what steps his Department is taking to prevent hurried decisions leading to last-moment action in the advance planning to obtain adequate supplies of overseas timbers, and other building materials, suitable for post-war reconstruction, to be ready for post-war delivery directly shipping is then available?

My hon. Friend may be assured that his suggestion will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will take steps to ensure that the experience and knowledge at the command of independent organisations such as Nuffield College will be utilised to the full in connection with the preparation of reconstruction plans?

Yes, Sir. Full advantage is being taken of public-spirited offers of co-operation from independent organisations in connection with the preparation of reconstruction plans. The authorities of Nuffield College have been good enough to collaborate with my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and Buildings and myself in conducting an inquiry into certain problems of reconstruction and the transition from war to peace conditions. We expect the results of this inquiry to be most valuable, and we hope that the investigators will be given all possible assistance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to defend the taxpayer from the retroactive effect on war expenditure caused by the three-point increase in the cost-of-living index arising from the Purchase Tax, in view of the fact that increases of wages and bonus are based on the index; and whether he will exclude from wage and bonus calculations the inflationary effect of the Purchase Tax?

I do not propose to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. I would remind him that a very large sum is contributed by the Exchequer to curtail increases in the price of staple foods, and therefore in the cost-of-living index.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Purchase Tax is now being imposed on gas mask carriers; that this is discouraging the carrying of masks; and whether he can remit this imposition?

Gas mask carriers fall within the scope of the tax. The bulk of such carriers were bought before the tax came into operation. I am not aware that the tax discourages the carrying of masks, and I do not think it is practicable to exempt them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether arrangements can be made for travelling expenses from Westminster, their constituencies, or their homes, to be paid to Members attending meetings summoned by the regional commissioners covering their constituencies?

No, Sir; the privilege of free travelling facilities is restricted to journeys between London and a Member's constituency and I could not recommend enlarging the Vote to permit of its extension in the directions suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that farmers are being pressed for the payment of tithe arrears, with the result that they are being forced to reduce their production of food; and will he therefore consider a standstill or moratorium arrangement for the period of the war?

So far as I am aware, farmers are not being unreasonably pressed for the payment of tithe arrears. The Tithe Redemption Commission are always prepared to give sympathetic consideration to any reasonable proposals for payment from those who experience difficulty in meeting their obligations. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.