asked the Minister of Labour whether any plan has been adopted for placing men of reduced industrial capacity in jobs, at ordnance factories and other establishments, that otherwise would be filled by men whose higher capacity would be thus wastefully employed?

I am in communication with my right hon. Friends the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Minister of Supply, the Minister of Aircraft Production and the Secretary for Mines as to arrangements for employing men fit for light work, wherever it is possible for such men to replace men of higher industrial capacity in establishments under their control.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable resentment has been created during past months by able-bodied men being drafted into forms of employment that could have been filled by men of the class referred to?

I have no knowledge of that matter, but if there are particulars, I shall be glad to have them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one factory 100 moulders were dismissed, and dilutee people with not half their experience were brought in by the management?

That does not arise on this Question.

What about superannuation?

That point is being carefully considered.I have already submitted to the Mines Department the point that a lot of these men are being kept away from the mines for surface work, not purely on the ground of incapacity, but to some extent on the ground of extra insurance involved. I suggest that, in the extreme difficulty of man-power, the position could be met by an extra insurance premium, and that insurance companies should not be allowed to prohibit men from returning to work.

asked the Minister of Labour, why it is that hundreds of women residing in a certain area, having been urged to volunteer for work at an ordnance factory and, having been interviewed and accepted at their respective exchanges, are now informed that no more women are to be engaged from this area?

Recruitment of further women from the area to which I presume my hon. Friend refers has been temporarily suspended, pending the provision of additional transport facilities. My Department is co-operating with the Ministry of Transport in the matter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of transport arrangements having been provisionally made and since suspended, thus accounting for the failure to give these women employment?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars, I shall be glad to look into the matter. I took the view that it was no use including women for such long journeys as those involved unless transport arrangements were provided, and I insisted upon the transport arrangements being provided first.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many women are hampered in offering themselves for National Service by the difficulty of ascertaining the essential facts as to qualifications for, and conditions of, service or of training for the various forms of service, such as the three forces auxiliary to the Armed Forces, the nursing service, the Women's Land Army and munition work; and will he, therefore, issue a single leaflet or pamphlet summarising these essential facts?

Women desiring information about opportunities for war work should ask the Employment Exchange for advice, where leaflets describing the work and conditions in the various auxiliary services are also available. I do not think this information could usefully be compressed into a single leaflet.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that women, especially those in the country, find the greatest difficulty in getting information about all the services, and that it would save an immense amount of time to the Employment Exchanges and everybody else concerned if the information could be made available? Will he consider a suggestion on this point?

I have adopted a policy of arranging special interviewing machinery through which women can ask their questions and get their answers. When that machinery is in operation, I think it will prove far more effective than asking people to consider documents which they do not understand.

Would it not be a good thing to set up a few permanent information centres, apart from the Employment Exchanges, to which women could go for information about employment?

No, Sir, I am very anxious to keep this matter within the Employment Exchanges. I am sure I shall not be misunderstood when I point out that the Employment Exchange system was not primarily established for what are known as the working classes. These are Employment Exchanges, and every citizen dealing with employment should go through exactly the same interviewing process, and then there will be a better understanding of what the Employment Department is for.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he intends to set up an advisory council to assist him in mobilising the man-power in the engineering and shipbuilding trades; and whether he can name the members of the committee?

I am constantly in touch with the representatives of both sides of the engineering and shipbuilding industries and a formal advisory council seems to me to be unnecessary. I am, however, considering with the industries whether it would be useful to appoint small panels which could be a convenient means of discussing with representatives of my Department points arising from time to time.

On a regional basis?

No, I have been considering a national basis up to now, because I have to consider the national organisations for the unions and for the employers. Under the Essential Work Order, for the purpose of dealing with matters in the localities, I have already agreed to local committees being established.

asked the Minister of Labour what provision has been made in London for children under school age whose mothers are anxious to do war work?

The circumstances of London are different from those of many provincial areas. I understand that in several areas on the outskirts of London the Ministry of Health are arranging for the establishment of day nurseries.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the President of the Board of Education with a view to using some of the infants' departments for children under five?

I thank the hon. Lady for the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that essential men and women are being transferred from laundries to other ser vices, thus endangering the laundry ser vices, vital for the health and efficiency of hospital, air-raid precautions centres, nursery-schools and other accommodation of evacuees, and of the Forces and general population; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give special consideration to the reserve of a limited number of maintenance engineers and women employés of laundries in areas where a large influx of military and civil population has put a special strain on these essential services?

I have given instructions that workers in the laundry service who cannot be spared should not be transferred by the Employment Exchanges to other employment. Furthermore, workers in this service who seek advice as to the desirability of their taking other work will be advised to remain in their present employment unless they are surplus to requirements. I do not think it is necessary to create a special reserve for this purpose.

That being the case, will my right hon. Friend, in company with the Minister of Health, to whom I put down the Question originally, keep a watch over the position here, because it is vital to the health services, even if it does not fit in with the actual pattern of employment of the Minister of Labour?

I will keep a close watch on it, but I am very anxious that these employers on their side shall bring the amenities in the laundries up to the standards of the Essential Work Order. There is a good deal of turnover in this industry in normal times. Therefore, I think it is essential, not merely to have people retained in the industry, but that if they are to stop there without disgruntlement, the conditions associated with them should be brought into line.

asked the Minister of Labour what provision is made for the provision of suitable work for those men discharged from the Forces, and in whose cases no pension has been awarded; whether these provisions include training for work suitable to their capacity; and whether he will give details of any such scheme?

If men discharged from the Forces, whether or not they are in receipt of pensions, will apply at the Employment Exchanges, every effort will be made to find them suitable employment, or, so far as they are suitable, to provide them with training under the existing training schemes. As indicated in the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 3rd April, arrangements are being made to provide special courses of training for those who, because of disablement, cannot take up immediate employment or are not suitable for the ordinary training courses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue a brochure giving detailed recommendations, as to the reconstruction and improvement of air-raid protection services in areas which have not yet been heavily bombed, based upon the practical experience gained in areas which have?

To issue a brochure as suggested by my hon. Friend would not be a convenient way of achieving the object he has in mind. Fresh experience is gathered continually, and as soon as new lessons are learned the information is circulated to Regional and Local Authorities. In addition, the Inspector-General and his staff are in continual and close touch alike with raided areas and with areas not yet heavily raided, and are able by personal contact and effort to secure a development of the organisation of Civil Defence to meet the conditions likely to be created by current forms of attack.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his Reply, it is a fact that in the North of England, the reconstruction of shelters—

It is Question Time now.

May I complete my supplementary?

The hon. Member is not entitled to make a statement. If he wishes to ask a Supplementary Question, he may.

Has the hon. Gentleman taken cognisance of what prevails in the North of England in the areas which have not been bombed? They are much behind the times as compared with those which have been bombed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in some areas a small minority of householders are refusing to place sand or water outside their premises, thereby endangering their neighbours and causing discontent amongst the fire patrol volunteers; and whether he proposes to give local authorities power to enforce these precautions?

While my right hon. Friend is aware that sand and water are not in all cases being placed outside their premises by householders, no instances of deliberate refusal to do so, in cases where it seems necessary, have been brought to his notice. I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of such cases. My right hon. Friend would, however, prefer to rely upon an increasing measure of voluntary co-operation among the small minority described rather than to resort to compulsion in this matter at present. It may not always be practicable to adopt the precautions suggested.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that one person in a street can disturb the harmony and efficiency of the whole street fire-service by being awkward, and that no one has any authority to take any steps to make such a person fall into line?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the excellent effect on the spirits of the people of Southampton after a heavy air-raid from the provision of music at public-houses; and whether he will circularise the licensing justices, with a view to a like provision being made elsewhere, especially on Sundays, when theatres and music halls are to remain closed?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with information in his possession, I shall be glad to consider it. I understand that, generally speaking, the authorities responsible for granting licences for public music do not place any difficulties in the way of the provision of music in licensed houses, but this, of course, must depend on the suitability of the premises and other local circumstances. As my hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware, wireless sets are now very commonly installed in public houses.

Has the Home Office not seen reports from the Ministry of Home Security in one of which was contained this statement about the good effect of music in public-houses in Southampton?

Yes, Sir; we certainly do see the reports, although we do not always concur in them.

If the hon. Gentleman is not aware of the benefit of music in conditions such as have existed in Southampton, I would like him to accompany me —

rose—

asked the Home Secretary whether local police throughout the country have now been given explicit directions as to the restrictions to be imposed upon Americans resident in their district; whether such Americans, having satisfied the police of their good faith, are allowed to travel more than five miles from their homes without a permit; and for what period is the curfew restriction relaxed in their favour?

:Instructions have been given to the police that, in dealing with applications for permits and exemptions from the restrictions which in the interests of national security it has been found necessary to impose on aliens, liberal treatment should be given to persons in whose cases there is a presumption that their sympathies are with this country. The decision to grant a permit or exemption and the nature of such permit or exemption must depend on the circumstances of each individual case. The restriction upon travelling more than five miles from the registered address does not apply to aliens of non-enemy nationality.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information about the work to be given internees in the Isle of Man?

In addition to the various forms of employment available in connection with the interior economy of the camps, internees in the Isle of Man can volunteer for work on farms, or on land reclamation, or other similar schemes for which labour is required in the Island. Some industries such as watch-repairing; toy-making, etc., are also carried on in the camps, and it is hoped to increase the number of these industries.

Can anybody who is interned in the Isle of Man definitely be promised labour if he wants it?

I should hardly care to give that definite undertaking, but the Home Office have in the Island a full-time welfare officer, who is charged with the special duty of exploring every possibility for the employment of internees.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that women interned in the Isle of Man are allowed to write two 24-line letters and a postcard weekly only to their husbands interned in Australia; and will he abolish these restrictions so that these people can maintain a closer contact until they are reunited?

The restrictions to which my right hon. Friend refers are those applying generally to internees, but the women interned in the Isle of Man are allowed in addition to send one air-mail letter a month to any relative in Australia. The Commandant has also discretion to permit extra letters in special circumstances, and letters in excess of 24 lines, if necessary for sending business information. I think it would be difficult to extend these privileges.

Is air-mail correspondence also restricted normally to 24 lines?

Yes, Sir; except in special cases where it is desired to send business information.

What is the object of the restrictions on correspondence between internees and people in this country?

It' is entirely due to the requirements of the postal service.

What is the necessity for censorship of correspondence between internees detained in this country and correspondents in this country?

That is a matter which has often been discussed in the House, and I can only refer the hon. Member to my previous statements.

How is it that internees in Australia are refused permission to write to Members of Parliament?

That does not arise out of this Question.

asked the Home Secretary which members of advisory committees appointed under Regulation i8b have resigned to date?

The Advisory Committee appointed, under the chairmanship of Mr. Norman Birkett, K.C., to hear objections by persons detained under Regulation i8b has now practically completed its work, and only a small number of cases remains to be heard. The opportunity has, therefore, been taken of reconstituting the Committee, which consisted of four separate Panels sitting practically continuously, as a smaller body which will meet as and when required to deal with such cases as arise. I will circulate the names of the present members of the Committee in the OFFICIAL REPORT. My right hon. Friend would like to take this opportunity of expressing his appreciation of the very valuable public service which this Committee has rendered, and his thanks, which he has already conveyed individually to those members whose continued assistance will, under the new arrangements, no longer be required.

While thanking my hon. Friend for the information which he has given me, may I point out that he has not answered my Question? I asked him whether any members of these committees have themselves of their own volition tendered their resignation?

No, Sir; as far as I am aware, no member has resigned from the Committee because he disagreed with the policy of that Committee. Some members have withdrawn because they found themselves unable to carry on the work required of them, but the body, which originally consisted altogether of some 22 members, now consists of nine.

Is my hon. Friend unable to answer my Question? I asked what members of this Committee have resigned?

As I have explained, the Committee has been reconstituted, and some of the former members are not now on it. I will certainly circulate in the Official Report the names of those members who have been serving on the Committee but who will no longer do so in future.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will look into the serious restrictions placed on alien seamen and consider whether these can be substantially reduced, particularly in the case of seamen of allied nationality serving on boats which voyage regularly from and to ports exclusively in the British Isles?

My right hon. Friend sympathises with the view that every reasonable concession should be made to foreign seamen working in the allied interest and arrangements are already in force under which shore leave is freely granted to such seamen subject to certain essential safeguards. Steps have also been taken to facilitate the landing and embarking of alien seamen engaged exclusively in voyages between ports in Great Britain.

Would it not be possible, seeing that these restrictions mean that the men cannot travel any distance home on leave, to give them a once-for-all examination and then allow them to move as freely as they want? They are in the war on our side, so why should we not treat them as we treat ourselves?

The question relates to alien seamen who, ex hypothesi, have not got any homes, but if the hon. Member will send me individual cases where difficulty is being encountered I will see what can be done to meet them.

Is this practice of dealing with individual cases really fair on hon. Members? Would it not be right to make it a general matter that alien seamen serving exclusively from British ports should be given a once-for-all examination, and then have as much freedom as British seamen?

We have done a very great deal to free these people from unnecessary restrictions, but if there are still cases where difficulty is encountered, I will certainly look into them. However, I must have regard to the interests of national security.

Is it fair to hon. Members to have to receive all these complaints and pass them on and get them settled satisfactorily? Why cannot the matter be dealt with generally?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the chief constable of Sheffield has refused permission for a photograph to be taken of the queue at an egg shop in the Attercliffe Division; under what authority he is acting; whether this prohibition refers to the photographing of queues forming at food shops throughout the country; and what is the object of such a prohibition?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has made inquiries and is informed that the chief constable of Sheffield received an inquiry whether there was any objection to a photograph of a queue at an egg shop being taken, and expressed the opinion, in reply, that in present circumstances it was undesirable that such a photograph should be taken. My right hon. Friend agrees with this opinion. While there is no specific prohibition on the photographing of queues at food shops my hon. Friend will appreciate that such photographs might be put to improper use.

asked the Home Secretary in what districts fire-fighting by staff and workmen is to be made compulsory on business premises?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) on 26th February, particulars of the areas to which the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order, 1941, has been applied have already been published in newspapers, and Regional Commissioners have been requested to arrange for lists of these areas to be posted in public places. It would not be in the public interest to publish a collated list of areas to which the Order is applied. Whether the Order will need to be applied to other areas will depend on the future course of raiding.

With regard to those districts where there appears to be some doubt as to whether the Order should be made, can the hon. Member concerned obtain an official statement on the subject from the Ministry of Home Security?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will define the responsibility of members of the Air Training Corps as to fire-watching at their places of employment and also in the localities in which they live?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 9th April to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander).

Is my hon. Friend aware that many junior members of the A.T.C. are prevented from carrying out practices and attending lectures by fire-watching duties? Could not some consideration be given to the question of relieving them?

No such cases have been brought to my notice. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me particulars of such cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in cases where billeting officers have earmarked accommodation for civil evacuation or military purposes, the householders are in all cases informed of the nature of the call which may be made upon them?

The earmarking of accommodation or billets for military purposes is a matter for the military authorities or the police. It is customary for billeting officers, when reserving billets for evacuated persons, to inform householders of the number of persons they are likely to be asked to receive, but full particulars of the children or mothers with children to be billeted are not normally available until their arrival in the district.

asked the minister of Health whether, in the event of any individual failing to produce his national registration identity card when called upon to do so, is he required to produce his identity card within a specified period of time; and whether, during that specified period of time, he is immune from prosecution for his failure to comply with the regulations?

The answer to the first part of the Question is that an individual failing to produce his identity card when requested to do so by an authorised person is required to produce it within two clear days at a police station nominated by the defaulter. With regard to the second part of the Question, no offence is committed under the existing law, unless and until the individual fails to produce his identity card within the prescribed period.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman rather in the dilemma that if he did not allow time for the production of the identity card, a number of innocent persons would be victimised or prosecuted, and that if he did allow time in which to produce it, an enemy agent, for example, would be able to make himself scarce?

I have not been aware of a dilemma yet, but if my hon. Friend has any case to bring to my notice, I shall be very glad to look into it, for, as he knows, it is a very difficult problem.

asked the Minister of Health whether the scheme of hospital treatment, outlined on 3rd April, is available for part-time Civil Defence workers, and, if not, why not?

The special scheme for the treatment of fractures which I outlined to the House on 3rd April includes whole-time Civil Defence workers, but not part-time Civil Defence workers unless their other occupation brings them within the scheme. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the resources of the scheme in skilled personnel and accommodation are limited, and therefore, in view of other commitments, it is not practicable at present to extend the scheme beyond the already numerous classes of workers mentioned in my statement. I should make it clear, however, that all Civil Defence workers injured in the course of their duty, whether they are whole-time or part-time, already receive free treatment under the scheme and will continue to do so.

Is it not the fact that there is ample accommodation available in the hospitals of this country, and, if so, why discriminate against those who are giving their services free?

The answer to that is that it is not so, and although there is no guarantee under the scheme that was announced, the working-out of the scheme, it is hoped, will provide the accommodation, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we have gone as far as we think we can in order to get these vital workers, who are outlined in the answer, back to work at the earliest possible moment on vital munitions work and full-time Civil Defence work, and we cannot go further than that.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest convenient opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue an order in his campaign to make the people gas-conscious, compelling all persons to wear their respirators, whether in the street, office or factory, on specified days, and at certain times; and, further, for respirators to be worn for 20 minutes while work continues?

As was stated in reply to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on 3rd April, the enforcement of an order making the carrying of respirators compulsory presents great difficulties. My hon. Friend's suggestion would present similar difficulties. Public exercises, which involve the wearing of the respirator, are now being held in many places, and it has been urged that people should have periodical practice at their place of work. Such exercises and the continued propaganda which my Department is conducting will, it is hoped, secure the desired result.,

The Question refers to the campaign to make the people gas-conscious. I ask my hon. Friend to reconsider his decision with that in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the necessity for permanent cooperation between this country and America, and in view of the desirability of providing, at least in secondary schools, a more detailed study of American history and present-day civic life, he will say what steps he will be prepared to take to put this into effect?

I am in full sympathy with the object which my hon. Friend has in view, and am actively engaged in examining steps to secure it.

Does my right hon. Friend think that there is a sufficient number of the right type of text-books in existtence to deal with this question?

That is one of the questions that I have to examine.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of nursery centres in being and the number of children attending them?

The number of nursery centres so far approved is 86. It is not possible to give the number of children actually in attendance, but these centres have accommodation for about 2,700 children.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that the time has come for co-ordinating all nursery provision for children under five, either under one Ministry or under one separate committee?

That seems to be a much wider question than the Question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children of school age have returned to London since 1st January, 1941?

The number of school children evacuated under the Government scheme who have returned to London since 1st January, 1941, is 6,171. There are, however, a large number of children who have been moved out from and back to London by private arrangement, and precise figures of the total number of school children who have returned to London since that date are not, therefore, available.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether, in view of the dislocation of family life and normal education, and the alarming growth of juvenile delinquency among children of school age, he will take special steps to safeguard child life, increase the provision of nursery centres and hostels, and, if necessary, institute a national child service throughout the country;

My Department is in consultation with the Home Office, in the light of the suggestions made at the Home Office conference a week ago, as to the measures that can be taken to deal with the problem of juvenile delinquency, and a statement will be issued as soon as possible. The hon. Member may be sure that all practicable measures will be taken into account.

While I realise the difficulties with which my right hon. Friend is faced, will he not, in addition to com- pulsion and opening schools as play centres, consider the suggestion that all those engaged in any form of service with children, from nursery centres to youth services, should have some form of recognition that their work is a vital part of the war effort? It is very difficult to get even domestic helpers in hostels, because they are tempted away by munitions work and other such services.

Could not this have been done a long time ago, by a former Minister?

This is a very serious problem. The best method of approach is, on the one hand, the strictest possible enforcement of school attendance and, on the other hand, wherever possible, the encouragement of youth organisations such as clubs and youth service corps.

Is the delinquency greater in those areas from which children have been evacuated, and where schools have been closed, than in reception areas?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to lessen foreign currency difficulties, he proposes to launch an appeal for gold and silver articles and ornaments?

This suggestion has been considered on several occasions. I do not think that its adoption is desirable at the present time.

But does not the Budget deal with this problem?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the increase of Surtax and Income Tax, over and above what would have been received if present rates were continued, comes from Surtax, from Income Tax on incomes over £5,000, from Income Tax on incomes between £1,000 and £5,000, and from Income Tax on incomes under £1,000?

As the answer involves a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As the total contains only four figures, I would ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to read the four figures asked for now.

The hon. Gentleman has not seen the table. He is wrong

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement as to the position of the local authority, of which he has been told, under the War Damage Act, as to the passing on of the premiums in the form of increased rents to tenants of houses built under the various Housing Acts?

Then I do not think that the Minister has looked at my Question, which only asks for four figures.

rose—

On a point of Order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker. The Minister said he would do something with my permission. That presumes that I will give permission. I am only asking for four figures, and I do not give the Minister permission to circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

If the House will tolerate it, I will certainly read them out.

I think really, in view of the fact that there is a large number of Questions on the Paper, it is not necessary. I agree that very often long answers to Questions are partly responsible for not getting through a larger number of Questions.

As my right hon. Friend explained in reply to the Question by my hon. Friend on Tuesday, the War Damage Act provides that contributions shall be treated for all purposes as outgoings of a capital nature, and therefore they cannot be included in the housing revenue accounts of local authorities. Consequently it is not possible for a local authority to obtain the money for con- tributions by increasing the rents of their houses. My right hon. Friend is passing on the correspondence sent to him by the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who has undertaken to communicate with the local authority concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to safeguard firms in the management and survey of property against losing highly technical members of their already depleted staffs to the War Damage Commission, who are offering salaries and terms of employment which competitive professions cannot afford?

Following normal practice, appointments under the War Damage Commission are made by selection from persons who have registered with the Ministry of Labour and National Service. Rates of pay offered are related to the duties to be performed under the Commission and are not considered to be excessive.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman investigate several cases that I can give him where people have been attracted from their professions who have never registered in the Central Register?

I will certainly look at any cases which my hon. Friend likes to put before me, but it is novel that they should be able to obtain salaries in the Civil Service much higher than those outside.

But what I have said is the fact.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the vulnerable and industrialised areas North and South of the River Tyne are under-provided with communal feeding kitchens; that in the county of Northumberland not one urban district, rural district or borough has provided kitchens, and in Durham County, South Shields alone had done so by 27th March; and whether, as many of these areas are now vulnerable, and others might be required to receive refugees from bombed areas, he will consider the list of un provided towns sent him, with a view to prompt action?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give me the purport of the reply?

Not between now and the end of Question time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with tea supplied to stallholders; and whether his attention has been called to the comment made by the stipendiary magistrate of the Old Street Police Court on Saturday last?

A stall-holder is in exactly the same position as any other retailer in regard to obtaining supplies of tea and making sales to the public. I have seen Press reports of the learned stipendiary's comment referred to by the hon. Member. The Tea (Rationing) Order is designed to prevent consumers from obtaining more than the ration quantity of tea, and I have no reason to assume that it is ineffective in the manner suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now able to make a statement with regard to his proposals for dealing with the special needs of young children requiring such food as eggs and fruit; and whether these will be made available through clinics or, through some other channel?.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 3rd April by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when he expects to be able to make a statement on the subject?

I hope, very soon, but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it is a very difficult question. It is under close examination at the present time.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman keep in view the special position of young children with regard to rationing? Are there any regulations dealing specially with young children?

Yes, Sir, milk is one. There is special provision made in regard to young children.