asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many sailors were in receipt, at the most recent date on which figures are available, of separation allowances in respect of their wives, children or both; for how many wives and how many children were these allowances paid; and what is the total value of the allowances thus paid, giving figures for wives and children separately, if possible?

It would' not be in the public interest to furnish the information requested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the notice to civilian medical practitioners, called in to attend naval ratings, was only inserted in the "British Medical Journal" and the "Lancet"; when was the notice published; and what was paid to each paper?

I understand that most medical practitioners read one or other of these papers. The notice was published on 8th March and no payment was made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the importance of getting dead animals, killed either by accident or enemy action, removed from farms, and of the specialised nature of this occupation of slaughterer and fell-monger, he will consider making such occupation a protected one in cases where in rural areas there are only one of such men in this occupation?

Slaughtermen and fell-mongers are reserved at 25: but applications are considered for the deferment of the calling-up of men below that age who are engaged on work of public importance and who cannot be replaced.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of forming a corps of internal security road police which would act under the instructions of the regional commissioners and which would, in the event of grave national emergency, prove of inestimable value in aiding the military authorities to deal with urgent problems likely to arise in regard to the control of road traffic?

Regional Commissioners, the military authorities and the police are already working in the closest co-operation in these matters, and the military authorities are assured of the full assistance of the police. My right hon. Friend does not think, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served by the creation of a new organisation for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary which members of advisory committees appointed under Regulation 18B have resigned to date?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th April, 1941], supplied the following list of names:Membership of the Advisory Committee appointed under Regulation 18B of the Defence (General) Regulations,1939.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the fact that among the interned and other enemy aliens there is an overwhelming proportion of Jews who are officially classified as German, Austrian or Italian, will he consider the possibility of sanctioning the renunciation of such nationality in cases where desired by such Jews and permitting their classification as of Jewish nationality, pending clarification of their status at the end of the war?

The renunciation by a foreigner of his foreign nationality is a matter which is governed by the law of his own country and it is not within my right hon. Friend's competence to sanction such renunciation. As regards the second part of the Question nationality has a meaning only by reference to a sovereign State.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he has approved the payment of Chinese seamen, most of whom have been recruited from our Colonies, of the £5 war risks bonus. and how many companies employing such seamen now pay the bonus and how many do not?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 8th April last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the percentages of direct and indirect taxation, giving the position before the Budget of 1941 and after?

The following is the answer:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether consideration has been given to the difficulties of the wholesaler who has to pay monthly in respect of all tax charged in the previous month whether collected or not; and whether, to, avoid much inconvenience, he will arrange that there should only be paid over monthly what has been collected in the previous month; and whether he is aware that the only information which can be given is the amount of tax charged up to a certain date and the amount of tax collected up to a certain date?

My hon. Friend is in error in supposing that payment of Purchase Tax is required to be made monthly. The Regulations provide for the tax to be paid quarterly, though in future a month will normally be allowed after the end of each quarter in which to make up the return of tax due and pay the money. This procedure affords a period of grace such as my hon. Friend appears to desire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make it clear that the purpose of War Weapons Week is to secure savings arising from a reduction of consumption, and that one of the consequences of a successful War Weapons Week in an area should be a substantial decrease in the takings of retailers in that area during the week?

The National Savings Movement is making every endeavour both during War Weapons Weeks and in its general propaganda to reduce private consumption to an absolute minimum. While I do not think that it would be right to measure its success by the reduction of consumption in any area during a single week, evidence which I have seen shows that the holding of a War Weapons Week increases the level of genuine saving in the area very materially.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any means of ascertaining what percentage of the contribution to the results of a War Weapons Week made by institutions, such as banks and insurance companies, is due to the institution making an investment in Government securities through the medium of the branch office in the area holding a War Weapons Week which it would normally make through its head office?

I am afraid that the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Miss J. F. Burke, headmistress of a school, has received no financial recompense for her original school and grounds being requisitionéd at short notice by the Air Ministry in October, 1940, and that, being now established elsewhere, the Air Ministry is again intending to requisition this property without giving her the opportunity of finding alternative accommodation within a reasonable distance; whether the original school has been put to any use by the Air Ministry; and what steps it is proposed to take to repay the sums owing to this lady, together with interest, in view of the heavy expenses and inconvenience caused?

The circumstances of this case are as follow. Early in October, 1940, it became necessary to requisition for the use of the W.A.A.F. the house in which Miss Burke was conducting her school. Miss Burke accordingly moved her school to a different district but unfortunately settled in a house the owner of which had already signed a certificate of willingness that the Royal Air Force should requisition it. It was not practicable for the Royal Air Force to relinquish its lien on this house and a requisitioning notice was served at the beginning of January. In view of representations made by Miss Burke and by the hon. Baronet himself, Miss Burke was informed about 7th February, 1941, that she would not be disturbed until 8th March. I cannot, therefore, agree that she was not given sufficient time to find alternative accommodation within a reasonable distance. As for the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, the original premises were requisitioned on 10th October. Certain alterations to them were necessary. These were completed by 31st October, since when the house has been continuously occupied by W.A.A.F. personnel. As for the third part of the Question, before compensation for the requisitioning of the original house and grounds can be paid, it is necessary that Miss Burke should present her claim in the manner prescribed by the Compensation (Defence) Act. Although the forms were delivered to her at the time of requisitioning, they have not yet been completed and returned. An officer has been sent to interview Miss Burke and to assist her in making out the claim. When the claim is completed every effort will be made to reach a settlement without delay, and any settlement will include the amount in respect of interest which the Act allows.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the changes now proposed in the Royal Observer Corps as the result of recent inquiries?

In view of the need for economy and the length of the summary referred to by my hon. Friend, I do not propose to circulate this in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but, as I informed the House, a copy was placed in the Library and copies were given to the Press. If any hon. Member wishes to have a copy, I should be happy to send him one.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, how many airmen were in receipt, at the most recent date on which figures are available, of separation allowances in respect of their wives, children or both; for how many wives and how many children were these allowances paid; and what is the total value of the allowances thus paid, giving figures for wives and children separately, if possible?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the information desired.

asked the Secretary of State for War" whether he will consider the question of setting up a small, committee of Members of Parliament with a view to watching the interests of all British prisoners of war?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the very full statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 5th November last, of which I am sending him a copy. The War Office and the other Departments concerned work in close co-operation with the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John in all matters affecting British prisoners of war, and I am satisfied that the existing machinery is adequate to secure full and sympathetic consideration for prisoners' interests by the responsible authorities in this country.

asked the Home Secretary the number of coalminers who applied for certificates of disablement to the Silicosis Medical Board during 1940; the number certified totally and partially disabled, respectively; the number of applications received for certificates that death was caused by silicosis, and the number granted; and if he will give separate figures for South Wales and the anthracite area of Wales?

The following table gives particulars of applications to the Medical Board for certificates under the Various Industries (Silicosis) Schemes for Coalminers—1940:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether candidates for commissions through officer cadet training units in India can be accepted if they are over 30 years of age; and what instructions have been issued on the subject?

The Government of India have agreed to accept candidates for training at Officer Cadet Training Units in India up to the age of 40. This new age limit will apply to any future candidates required by India, and instructions will be issued accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the blankets used by soldiers stationed at a place notified to him by the hon. Member for Barnard Castle have not been washed since issued five months ago, and that straw used in paillasses has not been changed for over three months; and whether he will order these matters to be put right without delay?

The regulations provide that at home stations the straw in paillasses should be changed every 90 days and that blankets should be washed after they have been in use for six months, unless the medical authorities order this to be done earlier. In addition, fresh straw is issued if necessary, on a change of troops, when the paillasses left by the unit marching out have been in use for 30 days. Blankets are invariably disinfected before being handed over from one man to another. Inquiries are being made to ensure that the regulations have been observed in the unit to which I understand that my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state the non-commissioned ranks of the Army liable for the first time to Income Tax under the recent Budget proposals?

Income Tax liability depends so much on individual circumstances, and the rates of pay of other ranks are so various when tradesmen's and other forms of special pay are taken into account that it is not easy to give any simple answer to this Question. But it is quite clear that the lowering of the exemption limit and the reduction of personal and other allowances will bring a number of soldiers mainly tradesmen of non-commissioned rank previously exempt within the scope of the Income Tax. In view of the complicated nature of the subject, I append a more detailed statement:

asked the Secretary of State for War how he deals with claims for proved cases of injury inflicted on civilians by Army vehicles driven by soldiers off duty, in uniform, or in disobedience to regulations, or without the sanction of superior officers?

It is the practice of my Department to pay compensation for injuries inflicted on civilians by the negligent driving of Army vehicles only in circumstances in which, if the Department had been a private employer, it would have been legally liable for the torts of its drivers. When the use of the vehicle is unauthorised, compensation from public funds is not therefore paid as a general rule, but special consideration is given to particular cases according to the circumstances in which the use of the vehicle was obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers were in receipt, at the most recent date on which figures are available, of separation allowances in respect of their wives, children or both; for how many wives and how many children were these allowances paid; and what is the total value of the allowances thus paid, giving figures for wives and children separately, if possible?

I am afraid that it would not be in the national interest to give any figures which might enable the enemy to draw conclusions about the strength of our armed forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps are being taken to restore the cut, made some years ago, in the retired pay of officers of the British and Indian armies, now that the cost of living has risen; and is he aware that many officers, who have no means other than their retired pay, are finding it extremely difficult to make both ends meet?

Rates of Army retired pay were stabilised in 1935 in accordance with the Government decision relating to the pay and pensions of the Defence Services and the Civil Service, and the rates are not now variable with the cost of living.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the repair of boots issued to members of the Home Guard?

Arrangements for the repair of boots issued to members of the Home Guard are left to the discretion of Territorial Army Associations. The procedure adopted by Associations varies according to circumstances, but the normal practice is to delegate to company, or in some cases, platoon commanders the responsibility for ordering repairs.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will sympathetically consider the desirability of payment of commanding officers of units of the Home Guard who are devoting their whole time to their duties?

No, Sir. The introduction of a system of payment for commanding officers of Home Guard units would be contrary to the spirit of voluntary, unpaid service which animates all ranks of the Home Guard, and I am sure that those commanding officers who are at present devoting such a large proportion of their time to the training and administration of their units would be the first to deprecate such a change in their status.

asked the Secretary of State for War why members of the Forces who are recognised for registration as architects by the Architects Registration Council, and who have been recommended by their commanding officers as suitable for transfer to the Royal Engineers, are not being granted a transfer as they are not members of the Royal Society of British Architects; and whether he will review this decision so far as those who are members of the Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors are concerned?

The Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors was omitted in error from the list of societies to which candidates for transfer were required to belong, and this is now being rectified. My hon. Friend will appreciate, however, that the possession of architectural or engineering qualifications is not in itself sufficient for the grant of a commission in the Royal Engineers. A candidate must also possess powers of leadership and practical experience in engineering. The amount of experience required varies according to the particular appointment for which the selection is being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what action the Government propose to take to ensure the continuous welfare of our children sent to the Dominions and to the United States of America, in view of the fact that the consent of the parents here cannot always be forthcoming for urgent action advised by medical opinion?

The difficulties referred to by the right hon. Gentleman are fully appreciated. Attention has indeed already been drawn to them by the United States Committee and the Canadian Government. To meet these legal difficulties His Majesty's Government propose to introduce a Bill forthwith to enable provision to be made for the duration of the war for the temporary guardianship of children sent out of the United Kingdom under the auspices of the American Committee in London or of the Children's Overseas Reception Board, and also for privately evacuated children, if desired.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will make arrangements whereby persons receiving vegetarian treatment in clinics and kindred institutions who are not ordinarily classified as vegetarians may be allowed to receive the increased cheese ration instead of meat?

I do not consider it practicable to provide for the issue of the special cheese ration authorised for declared vegetarians to non-vegetarians who are temporarily receiving vegetarian treatment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what special arrangements his Department has made, or proposes to make, to enable diabetics to obtain a balanced diet suitable to their condition while sharing, so far as possible, in the general sacrifices that are required?

On the recommendation of the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council, an independent body of medical experts by whom my Noble Friend is guided in all such matters, he has arranged for diabetics to receive two extra meat and two extra butter and margarine rations per week in lieu of their sugar ration. He understands that these extra allowances enable diabetics to obtain a diet adequate for all cases of diabetes mellitus, and under the present food restrictions no other special arrangements need be made.

asked the Minister of Transport how many Fordson and other makes of tractor are under order to his Department; whether these tractors are of the same type as those employed for agricultural purposes; and whether, in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture, he will consider hiring some of these vehicles to county war agricultural executive committees who require these machines?

I am writing to my hon. and gallant Friend on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he has asked the Japanese Government how they reconcile their action in restricting the import of sugar into China to imports from Japan and Formosa with Mr. Matsuoka's repeated declarations that there would be no discrimination against the trade of other countries;(2) whether he is aware that, in spite of the embargo placed on the import of sugar into China by the Japanese Federal Reserve Bank last September, 24,000 bags were imported into Tsingtao by Japanese firms, while applications for permits from British firms were refused; and whether his information goes to show that the Japanese prohibit the import of sugar from other countries so long as they are in a position to import sugar from Japan and Formosa?

My right hon. Friend has called for a report on the present position as regards the importation of sugar into China.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the provisions of the War Damage Act, 1941, and, if so, from what date must premiums be paid retrospectively by a limited liability company so that they are fully covered for any damage by enemy action; and whether machinery and plant of an engineering business must be insured to comply with the provisions of this Act?

In principle, the premium payable under the business insurance scheme is fixed at 30s. per cent, to cover the period from the outbreak of war until 30th September, 1941. For reasons of practical convenience this amount will be collected at the rate of 10s. per cent, on separate policies for three successive periods, the first beginning on 17th April, 1941, and the third ending on 30th September, 1941. To obtain cover against war damage occurring on or after 17th April, 1941, to goods falling within the business scheme, a company must take out a policy of insurance within 30 days of that date. Companies whose goods have sustained war damage before that date should, if they have not already done so, complete Form V.O.W.I and send it to the Valuer of the Board of Inland Revenue for their district. Compensation for past damage will be paid so far as possible on the same basis as if insurance had been effected, subject to an appropriate deduction in respect of premium. The answer to the second part of the Question is that machinery and plant which does not fall within the definition of "land" in Section 95 of the Act must be insured if its value exceeds £1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement indicating how dependants of members of the Armed Forces may make application for a review of allowances arising out of the application of the Determination of Needs Act?

Any such application should be made in writing to the regimental paymaster of the soldier's unit or, in the case of men serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force to the respective paying offices. It is contemplated that applications will normally be made by members of the Armed Forces, who are being given full instructions regarding the conditions under which claims may be submitted, but it is open to dependants to make application themselves, if this is more convenient.