asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that applicants for commissioned rank in interviewing their commanding officers have to do so in the presence of a non-commissioned officer; and whether he will arrange that such interviews shall take place in private?

The presence of an N.C.O. at an interview between an airman and his commanding officer is entirely a matter for the latter's discretion, and I do not consider that it would be desirable to place any restriction on the exercise of that discretion.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this takes away from the confidential nature of the interview? I am sure he wants it to be confidential, and if there has to be someone else present, might it not be someone who is not in immediate contact with the colleagues of the man who is seeking the interview?

I do not think it is for me to dictate to commanding officers how to conduct their interviews. If a commanding officer is not fit to conduct an interview, he is not fit to be a commanding officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of pigeons from the United States of America accepted for use overseas, and the countries in which they are going to be used?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are vast numbers of pigeons in this country which will have to be slaughtered because of the present restrictions as regards feeding-stuffs, and will he see that these birds have the preference wherever possible?

Will my right hon. Friend speak to his colleagues about the pigeons in London, which are doing a great deal of harm to allotments and other things, and ought to be done away with?

Are not the pigeons referred to in the Question more valuable to the national effort than race-horses?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a full statement showing the position of a separated wife regarding her claim to a separation allowance for herself and the children of an airman in her charge, distinguishing between cases where the wife has received an allowance from the airman before his enlistment under a main- tenance order or a judicial separation or by informal agreement, or is entitled to such an allowance under maintenance order or judicial separation, and has made reasonable efforts to secure its payment without success, and, further, showing how the claim will be affected if an allowance is also claimed by a woman living with the airman as his concubine?

I have been asked to reply. The provision made for separated wives under Royal Air Force Regulations is the same as that made under Army Regulations. My right hon. Friend would, therefore, refer my hon. Friend to the reply on this subject given yesterday by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is able to account for the large increase in the registrations of private motor-cars during the last year; and whether he proposes to introduce any restriction?

It would not be in the public interest to give the figures for which my hon. Friend asks.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of a statement made in the House recently to the effect that 77,000 extra private cars had been licensed last year?

That is a question of licensing. If I gave my hon. Friend figures regarding registrations, it would be a reflex of the productive capacity of the country. If he will ask about licensing, I will give him information on that subject.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman observe that he is not asked for figures, but for the reason for the increase, and can he answer that question?

There has been no increase, but a big decrease in registration.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not now arrived at the conclusion that pleasure motoring ought to be abolished?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport what result has been reached to date in response to his urge to highway authorities for the release for agricultural work of unnecessary road labour; and what is the figure released?

The arrangements for release of roadmen for agriculture are made direct with county councils by county war agricultural executive committees, in consultation with the local representatives of the Minister of Labour and National Service, and the information asked for by my hon. and learned Friend is not available in my Department.

:In view of the fact that he said about a week ago that he had circularised local authorities bringing home this point, is it too much to ask whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will be satisfied with having no answer to his invitation for co-operation?

I have never noticed that the Minister for Agriculture is backward in coming forward on points of this kind. As the House knows I have already had indications by questions showing that the neglect of roads is having an effect upon transport.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many miners have to travel long distances to the colliery from their homes; that this means a reduced wage because of the fares they have to pay; and, seeing munition workers are granted a remittance of travelling expenses, will he examine the position and try and get the miners on a similar basis?

It is true that many miners have to travel at their own expense by train or road transport to the pit where they are employed. Arrangements have been made in special cases to assist them by providing bus services, for which they have been charged the ordinary fare. The Ministry of Labour has found it necessary to give allowances to assist munition workers to travel to certain new factories at a distance from their homes. The question of allowances to help miners in special circumstances has been raised by the workmen's organisation, and I regret I am not in a position to state whether any concessions have been given as a result of local negotiations.

As the Minister is aware, miners come under the Essential Works Order. Seeing that they have been put in that position, are they not entitled to some recompense for the money they have to spend in travelling, which in some cases amounts to 3s.or 4s.a week?

I do not think that it is, in the first place, a matter for my Department; it is a matter for the men themselves.

Could my hon. Friend see that this expenditure is allowed for Income Tax purposes?

I do not think that it can be taken into consideration for that purpose..

I do not suggest that this is a matter for the Mines Department, but I suggest that the Minister should approach other Departments to get the matter put right.

No, I think it is a matter for the men in the areas affected to make the first application. In some districts men have been paying high fares for years to go to work.

asked the Minister of Information how many of the 50 senior officers of the Ministry were previously heads of important publicity organisations, or managing directors or editors of any of our most widely-read national newspapers?

Nine, Sir.

Why do we not obtain the services of more men better qualified for this important job?

We have obtained the services of the people who, we think, are best qualified.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that German reports to the effect that the British were withdrawing from Greece, that the Admiralty had ordered the Greek navy to escort the withdrawing transports, and other false reports were widely circulated by the German and German-occupied wireless stations, and remained uncontradicted by our wireless for nearly 24 hours, with the result that they gained widespread credence abroad; and whether he will state the reason for the delay in countering these damaging falsehoods?

I am aware that at the beginning of last week the Germans circulated numerous reports from a variety of sources to the effect that Imperial Forces were evacuating Greece. I am not aware that such reports gained widespread credence abroad. They were rapidly disproved by the fighting that followed. It would be a mistake to issue an official denial of every false report which the enemy put into circulation, since if we were to do so the lack of a denial would be taken as confirmation.

Is there not considerable evidence that these particular reports did gain credence, and in fact took in a very prominent American journalist in Ankara who is by no means noted for his pro-Axis leanings?

I do not think they gained widespread credence. It is impossible to gauge the reliability placed upon them by individuals.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will re-investigate the news on Libya recently issued by the British Broadcasting Corporation to see how much of it has proved to be misleading?

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by the investigation suggested by the hon. Member. I am satisfied that the B.B.C. have done their best to provide an accurate account of events from the material at their disposal.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the news as presented did not in fact give an accurate picture of the situation, and also that it was stale when it was given?

The question of its freshness depends, of course, on the sources from which it springs, and it is not in our power to expedite its delivery. It is purely a matter of opinion as to how far the news as given out represented the facts; I do not think it seriously misrepresented them.

asked the Minister of Information whether his Department admits the right of a Member of Parliament to prevent the holding of any meetings in his constituency, even though an all-party local information committee recommends that such meetings should be held?

:No Member of Parliament has either the right or the power to prevent the holding of meetings in his constituency, but in my view it is undesirable that the Ministry of Information should organise meetings at the public expense in a constituency against the expressed wishes of the sitting Member.

:Is the Minister aware that every one of his Regional Committees—and I think they are 10 in number in England—have voted unanimously in most cases against this regulation? In view of the great misunderstanding throughout the country about for example, the inevitability of our intervention in Greece, will he not reconsider these regulations?

I am not aware that the Regional Committees have taken any action of the kind. They are not there to criticise the policy of the Ministry, but to carry it out. I have expressed the view I take, that I would not myself go into a colleague's constituency and hold a meeting against his wishes, and therefore I do not think I ought to arrange such meetings.

Is it the Minister's intention to stop public meetings?

:indicated dissent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he is in a position to state how much land in the Royal Parks is now under cultivation to grow foodstuffs; and whether he will say what plans he has in mind to extend further cultivation for this purpose?

Approximately 320 acres have, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, been placed under cultivation for growing foodstuffs. Having regard to numerous other war-time encroachments, and the great importance of maintaining the Royal Parks as open spaces for the pleasure and recreation of the public, it is not proposed to extend this area.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the Royal Parks could do no better service for the nation than that of growing foodstuffs, and will he not extend the land available, because I can assure him from my own observation that it would be very much appreciated?

The only answer I can give my hon. Friend is that careful consideration has been given to the question of releasing land for cropping and allotments, but that there are limits to the extent to which it can be so used. In quite a lot of the parks there are trees, walks, water and pleasure grounds, and I think the acreage which has been granted represents quite a substantial proportion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in connection with the cheese ration for agricultural workers, he will put on the same footing with the agricultural workers the market gardeners who are small master men; and, to prevent the abuse of such extension of this scheme, only make it applicable in the case of a small market gardener employing no paid labour, who should be regarded as being in the same category as a labourer; and whether he will favourably consider granting this extra ration by means of an application form with a declaration by the applicant, endorsed by a qualified person, such as is done in the case of the National Milk Scheme?

No, Sir, my Noble Friend does not see his way to extend the special ration in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend. I would refer, in this connection, to the reply which I gave to Questions on this subject on 2nd April.

Does not my hon. and gallant Friend appreciate that small master men are entitled to the same consideration as the agricultural workers, more especially as they provide a great amount of food for the national larder and are quite indispensable if we are to get the best results in this country? Will he give the matter further thought, because I know he is really sympathetic?

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say on what basis the allocation is being made? Is it on the basis of insurance cards or on the basis of whether or not a person lives near his work or has to travel long distances?

When one makes this sort of arrangement there has to be a rough and ready basis, and we thought that the simplest method in regard to agricultural workers was the insurance card basis.

Is it not most unfair to real smallholders? It is inviting smallholders to get round the silly regulation by employing each other.

I do not see what hardship there is to the smallholder. The fact that he is a smallholder shows that he cannot be very far from home. I do not see that they are suffering any real hardship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can arrange to add railway-men to the other categories eligible for a special cheese allowance as their duties require absence from home and inaccessibility to canteens or other food services?

I have nothing to, add to the answer which I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. de Rothschild) on 2nd April.

Is the Minister aware that men working on the railway have to be away from home and that there is no possibility of access to canteens or any other method of obtaining food? Is it not important that this concession should be extended to railwaymen?

As mentioned in a previous reply, consideration is being given to the matter.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the great dissatisfaction among surface mine-workers? They work as hard on the top as do men below, and will he see that they, too, get a supply of cheese?

On all these matters we consider the position of the men after advice from their representatives.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consult me, because I can give him advice?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the difference in the cheese ration allotted to men occupied in heavy work, who may be working or residing alongside one another, such as agricultural and forestry workers, or miners and steelworkers, is causing grave dissatisfaction; and whether he will take steps to make the distribution more equitable?

The higher ration of cheese is not allotted to men by reason of their being employed on heavy work, but is to meet the special cases of the underground miner and agricultural worker who require to take suitable food to their work. In view of the limited supply of cheese available, my Noble Friend regrets that he is unable at present to sec his way to extend the number pf workers who are eligible for the special ration. The working of the scheme will, however, be kept under constant review.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that it would be much better if this rationing was allotted on the basis of the habits of the men concerned? It is not only miners who take their food to work. Many categories of steel workers do so, and this scheme inflicts great hardship on them.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman reconsider this matter? There are smallholders and agricultural people on their own, and is not the answer he has given a little bit bureaucratic and wooden, and unlike his usual imaginative replies?

I have never given a wooden answer. The hon. Gentleman will realise that when you are drawing a line, you cannot make it perfect for everyone. You are bound to get strain on both sides, and therefore it is a little difficult. But we are keeping the scheme under constant review, although we are governed largely by the supply position. We are doing everything we possibly can to meet certain definite hardships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that certain large milk distributors are now delivering milk on six instead of seven days per week to implement the Government order to reduce consumption by one-seventh; and, as this entails the use of milk two to three days old, will he protect consumers by enforcing the customary seven day deliveries?

My Noble Friend has appealed to the milk distributors so to arrange the cut that the general discontinuance of milk distribution on one day of the week is avoided and a daily supply to the public maintained.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that consumers generally, unless this be done, will be forced to take milk which is probably unfit for human consumption unless properly bottled? Surely consumers are entitled to select the day on which they will take their short ration?

I think that if the hon. Gentleman reads my answer, he will see that all these points are met.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the chaos prevailing in many districts of the country as a result of the operation of the scheme for the reduction of the milk supply to consumers by one-seventh; under what conditions of this scheme, based on household consumption at a much earlier date arbitrarily selected, additional milk can now be obtained for fresh evacuees, or visitors or babies, other than by application under the free supply scheme, or by elaborate procedure obviating any immediate remedial action; and whether he will reconsider the whole scheme, basing it on rationing each household at so much milk per day, per person?

The introduction of the scheme for curtailing the consumption of non-priority milk by one-seventh has naturally involved considerable work. My Noble Friend is advised that the scheme is being introduced throughout the country with little disturbance of supply. Dairymen, whose demands for milk have increased since the first week of March, have been informed that they should apply to the Local Regional Officer of the Milk Marketing Board for an appropriate adjustment of their basic quantity. Pending the approval of the Regional Officer to the necessary adjustment, dairymen may supply additional milk for consumption by children temporarily home from boarding school or to new customers moving into their area. I am not satisfied that the adoption of the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of my hon. Friend's Question would result in improved distribution and utilisation of supplies.

Does not my hon. and gallant Friend agree that the present system, which takes into account neither the number of people in a household nor the number of children in a household, but is based on what happened in one week during March, can never be a success?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that it must be based on some date, and we thought that it would be better to base it on a date which did not give people the opportunity of taking more milk than they normally took. With regard to the number of people in a house, we appreciate the difficulties when people move, and arrangements are being made to overcome them. But when people move into one area some others may move out at the same time.

In view of the statement made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Noble Friend that he would ration only those goods for which he could ensure a fair distribution, will the Parlia- mentary Secretary make representations to him to consider the scheme submitted by the trade unions, which, in my opinion, is simple, equitable and just?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why it has been decided that neither tea nor any other rationed foods shall be used in the supplying of meals to fire-watchers?

As I informed my hon. Friend on 19th March, the general supply situation makes it very difficult to grant any further concessions. The possibility of making some allowance of rationed food in certain cases is however being closely examined.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that tea and other rationed goods are allowed at present to roof-spotters and many others engaged on Civil Defence, and is it the intention that fire-watchers should bring their own food rather than have it supplied by the employers?

I said that the possibility of making an allowance is being considered. The hon. Member will be aware that in certain offices allowances of tea have already been made for the people who work in those offices. But again, the whole matter depends upon the supply position.

What steps should be taken by those who desire to make application for an extra supply for fire-watchers at the present time?

If my hon. Friend will communicate with me, I will let him know the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to requisition fishing boats not required for Naval use for full-time fishing, with captains and crews salaried by his Ministry; and what other steps he intends to take to cheapen the retail price and increase the supplies of fish?

My right hon. Friend has noted my hon. Friend's suggestion but docs not, at present, contemplate such action as is suggested in the first part of the Question. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Food has already fixed maximum prices for Iceland cod, and has under consideration the extension of price control to other varieties of white fish.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the harm caused by the imposition of petrol rationing in British Guiana alone amongst West Indian Colonies; and whether he will cause this policy to be reversed?

My Noble Friend has already agreed that petrol rationing in British Guiana should be discontinued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the need for some welfare schemes in British Guiana has been accentuated by war conditions; and whether the special grants promised from the Imperial Exchequer and the Colonial Development Fund can be made available for this purpose?

In July of last year the Legislative Council of British Guiana unanimously passed a resolution forgoing, as a contribution to the war effort, all assistance from the United Kingdom Exchequer, and no issues were, therefore, made to the Colony from the sum of £350,000 which was provided for such works in the West Indies as could be put in hand forthwith. Schemes were, however, initiated in British Guiana in 1940, the cost being met from the Colony's own resources. In the event of applications being received from the Colony for grants from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote, they would be sympathetically considered. There is a local Development Trust Fund, the objects of which are the improvement of social conditions and the promotion of agriculture and other industries, and certain schemes are being financed from this Fund

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he has taken, or will take, any steps further to secure a sufficient supply of foodstuffs in Nigeria; whether he is also aware that certain essential foodstuffs have risen in price by 100 per cent., and that there are complaints of profiteering; and what steps have been taken to prevent profiteering, and to stabilise prices at a reasonable level?

With a few unimportant exceptions, all foodstuffs required for the population of Nigeria can be and are produced locally, and very active steps have been taken by the Governor of Nigeria to increase that local production. 1 have not had brought to my notice any special difficulties in obtaining such imports as are still necessary. The prices of foodstuffs in the territory have been controlled since early in the war and the formula used for that control is now under revision. If my hon. Friend will communicate to me any complaints he has received regarding either insufficient supplies or profiteering, they will be investigated.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his statement that the formula is being revised indicates that there has been some complaint regarding high prices?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the name of the expert consultant called in to advise on the camp construction; and at what stage in the construction his advice was sought?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend has in mind the sewage disposal plant referred to in a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Sir W. Smithers) on 8th April, the plant was designed and installed in accordance with the recommendations of Mr. G. T. Cotterell, the War Department sanitary adviser, who is one of the leading consultants in the country. As regards the second part of the Question, advice was naturally sought before the construction of the camp was begun, in accordance with the usual practice.

Did not the Secretary of State say the other day that a special consultant was called in after the work was started? I am asking for the name of that person, not of the original designer.

I do not recollect the Secretary of State saying that a special consultant was called in after the work was started. I said that a special consultant was advising the War Office on the construction of camps.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Militia camps at Cove cost £400 per militiaman, compared with £160 per head of persons housed in the London County Council estate at the White City; and whether he is satisfied that the contractors engaged have had fair treatment?

With regard to the first part of the Question, while I do not accept the figures given by the hon. Member, the comparison which he draws between Cove Camp and the London County Council flats at the White City is of no value, since obviously the problems involved were in no way comparable. As to the second part of the Question, the contractor has been paid in full, except for a small sum which is being held, in the normal way, as retention money and for any fee payable for work done additional to the original contract which is under consideration.

Does not my hon. Friend consider that Militia camps ought to cost less than permanent buildings? Is it not the case that this contractor, without any case having been proved against him, has been placed on a black-list, and that he gets no further contracts?

The two cases are not in the least comparable. At the White City, the buildings were used purely as dwellings, and they were built on a prepared site, at a time when labour was plentiful. The Cove camp was built on an unprepared site, at a time when labour was scarce, and, therefore, expensive. At the camp there were recreational rooms, hospitals, garages, roadways, and so on, to be constructed. It is perfectly true that this contractor is not now being given an opportunity/ to tender for War Office contracts. The reason is that his costs were very much higher than the costs of other contractors, and, so far, no satisfactory explanation has been offered.

Although I agree that the costs of this contractor may be excessive, is it not a fact that no case has been proved against him? In view of the unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any regulation which permits senior officers to travel in forward areas of battle without adequate protection; and, if not, will he take steps to rectify this dangerous state of affairs?

The presence of senior officers in forward areas of battle is often essential if they are to maintain control of the situation. It is neither possible nor desirable to attempt to define by regulation what degree of protection would be adequate for such officers in these conditions. The question is one which must be left to the discretion of the individual commander, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.

:In the case referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, the capture of three general officers of high standing, was not the real trouble the fact that they thought the forward area was more than 200 miles distant from them; and does not that indicate a serious lack of intelligence, demanding the attention of the War Office?

That is another question. My hon. and gallant Friend's Question was about whether some steps were necessary to control the movements of senior officers in forward areas. I indicated that this was not desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many claims have been settled by the War Department land agent for a refundment of a proportion of the rent paid in connection with the huts and bungalows definitely requisitioned by his Department, and in respect of which all licensees concerned were notified in October last to take the necessary action?

This information is being obtained from Commands, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as it is received.

What responsibility does the War Office take in the case of these huts and bungalows?

It would be more convenient if that Question were on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider raising the outfit allowance of young officers on first appointment, as £30 since the introduction of the Purchase Tax is found to be insufficient?

The Purchase Tax falls upon all members of the community according to their liability to pay on the purchase of taxed goods, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he would not feel justified in relieving Army officers of such taxation by increasing the amount of the outfit allowance.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that £30 is quite insufficient to provide an officer with his outfit, and is he aware that there are complaints from every regiment about this?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, quite apart from the Purchase Tax itself, £30 is at least one-third below the outfit allowance granted to officers during the last war, and will he take an opportunity of consulting serving Members of the House as to the actual cost of fitting themselves out?

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the line he is taking makes it very difficult for soldiers without private means to take commissions?

I can only report to my right hon. Friend what hon. Members have said.

Will he also report to his right hon. Friend that it does not seem altogether sensible to give Government money for the purchase of officers' uniforms and then to tax that money at the rate of one-third?

asked the Minister of Health what Department is responsible for reporting when a reception area is full; whether he is aware that the Services press for accommodation for the Forces, the local authorities for evacuation and education schemes and the Office of Works for the purposes of the ever-increasing Government Departments; and will he take steps to end the present difficulty which prevents the inhabitants from making their maximum contribution to war effort by the worry and hardship entailed by the competitive and unco-ordinated pressure of rival claimants for accommodation upon them?

My Department is responsible for co-ordinating requirements for civil billeting, and these are adjusted with military requirements both regionally and at headquarters. The demands for accommodation in reception areas are bound to increase with the exigencies of war, and this will neces- sarily affect the present standards of comfort and convenience; but the situation in these areas is kept continuously under review, and appropriate measures are taken to prevent overcrowding and to spread the burden as evenly as practicable.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the present unco-ordinated requisitioning of flats and dwelling-houses has become something of a scandal and that in my own constituency large new flats occupied by doctors and others who are doing national work are being requisitioned and the people turned out at a few days' notice, in order to take in refugees from Gibraltar and elsewhere?

I think my hon. Friend will agree that this has not been done without co-ordination. If, as I think we all agree, British subjects from Gibraltar or anywhere else are to come to this country while the war goes on, suitable accommodation must be found for them. In the arrangement for taking over flats and other buildings nobody, as far as I know, has been turned out at a few days' notice. If my hon. Friend has any cases like those he has mentioned and will let me have details, I will look into them at once.

Why should they be sent to London? Why should not they be sent into the country or somewhere else, especially as in my constituency there are large unoccupied houses to which they could be sent?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to talk the matter over with me as there are particular difficulties which I could perhaps explain to him. If my hon. Friend would go to certain parts of the country he would find a great many people there who would suggest that these refugees should be kept in London.

Does the Department of the hon. Lady consult other Departments of State in these matters?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the disproportionate rents still being charged by householders to sub-tenants who have evacuated from bombed areas; that teachers and other evacuees in certain towns have had to pay 25s. for a single unfurnished room; and what further steps he proposes to take to prevent the charging of extortionate rents?

As regards furnished lettings, I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 3rd April to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) together with a copy of the Circular, dated nth April, mentioned in that reply. As regards unfurnished sub-lettings, the Rent Restriction Acts provide a simple remedy, and I have no evidence that there is any general tendency to overcharge sub-tenants. Such sub-lettings are subject to a definite standard rent, a statement of which the tenant is obliged under penalty to give to the sub-tenant on demand, and, in cases of doubt, the standard rent may, on the application of the sub-tenant, be determined by the Courts. I should be glad to have details of any cases which have come to the notice of my hon. Friend so that I may at once look into them.

Would it be possible to have a notice placed in post offices and outside town halls so as to acquaint the many inquirers with the facts to which it is desired to draw their attention?

I think some publicity would be advisable, but there are so many notices outside post offices and town halls, where some seem to be pasted over the others.

Would the reply also protect the sub-sub-tenants from the extortionate charges of the subtenants?

If my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any difficulties of sub-sub-tenants, I shall be glad to look into them.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the provisions of the Rent Restriction Acts with regard to unfurnished rooms are largely rendered abortive by the partial furnishing of such rooms, and would it not be possible, by legislation if necessary, to introduce regulations applying to furnished as well as to the unfurnished types of rooms?

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that there is a difficulty in laying down a scheme for partially furnished rooms. It is difficult to assess the value of furniture in any particular furnished place, and that makes the position more difficult, but if my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any particular cases, I will look into them all.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he will consider the compulsory evacuation from London of all mothers and children not required for the prosecution of the war; and whether similar action will be considered for invalids?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend's predecessor on 19th December last. My right hon. Friend does not think that the reasons then given for the policy outlined in the statement have lost their cogency, and he is satisfied that it would not be wise to alter that policy now.

Does my hon. Friend think that it is reasonable and logical that reception should be made compulsory and evacuation allowed to be voluntary; and does she think it wise that children should be distressed, mentally and physically, by the horrors of housing in London?

As to evacuation being voluntary and reception compulsory, I think that my hon. and gallant Friend will agree, on consideration, that this is the right course. If people wish to leave these areas for their own good, we must find them accommodation in reception areas. As to the mental and physical distress, we have taken particular powers to deal with that.

Can the hon. Lady say how many children have been evacuated from London to the country generally under the compulsory scheme which was announced on 19th December?

I should have to have notice of that Question. The children are being watched very carefully, and there is no doubt that, in the greater number of cases, their state of health in body and mind has proved good. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will give him the number of children who have been evacuated under the compulsory arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the evidence in his possession goes to show that frequently in some districts shelters have been used for immoral purposes during "all-clear" periods; and whether he considers that the police and local authorities have needed or still need the assistance of private organisations in this matter?

No information has reached me suggesting that shelters are frequently used for immoral purposes during "all clear" periods, but if my hon. Friend would kindly let me have any evidence he may possess, I will certainly look into the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Public Morality Council have made certain sweeping statements which are very much resented by those who use these shelters, and therefore, will he see that this information is conveyed to the Public Morality Council so that they may be more careful in future?

The hon. Gentleman is quite right in saying that this matter has been very greatly exaggerated.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that this will give great satisfaction to those who resent this imputation?

:indicated assent.

asked the Home Secretary whether the cost of demolishing and reconstructing defective air-raid shelters will be borne by the Government?

So far as regards shelters provided by local authorities, this work will form part of the work of shelter construction, the whole cost of which, as my hon. Friend knows, is now reimbursed by the Government subject to the usual arrangements for securing the exercise of a reasonable economy. In some cases, how- ever, the defects have been found to be due to shortcomings on the part of contractors and it would clearly not be right in these cases for the cost of reconstruction to fall on public funds.

Is the hon. Lady aware that I am referring to those shelters which the Government urged local authorities to put up on faulty specifications, and which local authorities realised would become useless and unsafe? Is she aware that these shelters have to be pulled down, and that this is a waste of public money; that it has nothing to do with contractors, but is due to the faulty specifications which the Government gave; and in those circumstances, surely it is for the Government to bear the cost?

I think the hon. Member is greatly exaggerating the effects of a certain circular which allowed ungauged lime mortar to be used. We have found, as a matter of fact, that where the workmanship was good, the shelters have stood up quite well. Unfortunately, certain people have taken advantage of what they considered to be, and what was, a certain relaxation of our stringent restrictions, and have gone far in excess of anything contemplated by the circular. The Government are looking at this matter very carefully. They have given instructions for the shelters to be closed, and are now considering what should be done in the case of those contractors.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Arnold Leese has been on hunger strike in detention since 4th March as a protest against wrongful detention; and whether he will say for what reasons his detention is being continued?

Yes, Sir. As regards the second part of the Question, Mr. Leese is being detained in pursuance of an order made under Defence Regulation 18B because my right hon. Friend is satisfied that it is necessary to exercise control over him.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that Mr.Leese is not being detained on account of his well-known anti-Freemason and anti-Semitic views?

I do not think it would be proper for me to state the reasons for this man's detention, other than that they come under Defence Regulation I8B, but I may add that this man has not exercised his right of appeal to the Advisory Committee.