asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give for a date in each three months, and for each year, since March, 1939, the number and location of detention barracks, the number of persons confined therein, distinguishing between conscientious objectors and others; and how many of the former are serving a second or third sentence;

I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving such figures as are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to include in the training of cadets in officers' cadet training corps courses of instruction as to the avoidance of waste and damage to commandeered property?

Instruction is given in this subject to all officer cadet training units.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the number of accidents due to careless driving of motor vehicles or bicycles by the military is increasing, and what steps does he think it necessary to take to reduce it?

:As has been indicated on previous occasions, my right hon. Friend has been much concerned at the number of accidents in which Army vehicles are involved, and he has been carefully examining all possible means of reducing this number. Strict instructions have been issued enjoining observance of traffic regulations, road signs and speed restrictions imposed by law, and also laying down maximum speed limits for the various classes of Army vehicles in areas where no speed limit is imposed by law. In addition, lectures on this subject are given at training schools and units by officers of the Claims Commission. As regards the enforcement of the instructions, extra patrols have been instituted by the military police, and the civil police are also co-operating by prosecuting any serious cases of bad driving, and by reporting other cases to the military authorities. Each of these cases is carefully reviewed at Command headquarters to ensure that adequate disciplinary action is taken, and further instructions are shortly to be issued on this aspect of the question.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in many parts of the country the complaint is that the civil police seem to be afraid to take action?

I think that that is a matter which ought to be taken up with another Department; they certainly have power to take full action.

Can the hon. Gentle-may say whether, when an Army driver is involved in an accident on the road, he is under the same liability as a civilian to report the accident to the police, so that particulars may be taken then and there?

I am not absolutely certain whether he is under any liability to report an accident to the police, but he is certainly under the liability to report it to the military authorities. I will look into the point.

Is it not a fact that when an accident occurs in which casualties happen there is a liability to report to the police?

I will have that looked into.

Can my hon. Friend say what time lapses between a complaint being received and the police being communicated with on the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a further statement with regard to the complaints made by the hon. Member for South Croydon, as to the soldiers engaged in clearing a bombed site?

The soldiers to whom my hon. Friend refers belonged to a working party of 30 other ranks which had been detailed to assist in rescue and demolition work under the city engineer's department in two roads in the town in question. They were in two parties, each under a non-commissioned officer. No officer was detailed to supervise them because they were working under the direct orders of the city engineer's department, whose representatives were on the spot all day. They were, however, visited by an officer at 3.p.m. and found to be working satisfactorily. They were dismissed by the representatives of the local authorities at about 4 p.m. as their assistance was then no longer required. Both parties then assembled to await transport back to bar racks, and it was during this period that they were seen by my hon. Friend. I may add that the city engineer informed the military authorities the following day that the work carried out by these men was in every way satisfactory and that the troops had co-operated efficiently and keenly.

Can my hon. Friend explain how it was that a non-commissioned officer at 4 o'clock told me that no officer had been on the site all day long, having regard to my hon. Friend's statement that an officer was there one hour before I came?

The explanation probably is that, although the 30 men were divided into two separate units, those units were still further sub-divided and scattered widely about the site, and it is quite possible that the non-commissioned officer missed seeing the officer.

:But the site was less than 100 square yards, and it was impossible that the non-commissioned officer could not see the officer when he arrived; and what explanation can my hon. Friend give of the complete lack of interest of the Brigadier when I reported the matter to him?

There was no evidence of a complete lack of interest on the part of the Brigadier, but there was evidence to show that he took up the matter immediately. He might have given the impression to my hon. Friend that he was not interested, but that may have been in the nature of what the psychologists call "defence mechanism," because my hon. Friend sometimes is very violent, even on the telephone.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I telephoned to the Brigadier twice and that on both occasions three witnesses heard all that I said and are aware that I was studiously moderate in making my complaint and can confirm it?

asked the Secretary of State for War when the letter addressed to the hon. Member for South Croydon, which was intercepted by the censorship at Inverness, will be delivered to the hon. Member?

The letter to which my hon. Friend refers was returned by the base censor at Inverness to the soldier's unit in view of the fact that its enclosure in a "green envelope" involved a twofold breach of the censorship regulations. In the first place, the soldier had falsely signed a certificate to the effect that the envelope contained nothing but private and family matters; in the second place, the letter was enclosed with another letter addressed to a third person, to whom the envelope was addressed. In addition, the letter to the third person mentioned matters of military importance, such as the locality of certain defences. The soldier was accordingly confined to barracks for 10 days for a breach of the censorship regulations. It was made clear to him that his offence lay in a misuse of the "green envelope" and that there was no objection to his writing to a Member of Parliament through the ordinary channels. The commanding officer took the opportunity at the same time to discuss the soldier's grievances with him. As a result of this conversation the soldier expressed himself as satisfied that his complaints were without foundation and stated that he did not want the letters back. They were accordingly destroyed in his presence.

As a letter, having been entrusted to His Majesty's Post master-General belongs to His Majesty's Postmaster-General until it is delivered to the person to whom it is addressed, can I have an explanation why a letter addressed to me was destroyed without the sanction of the Postmaster-General?

I take it that the purpose of the letter to my hon. Friend was to see that certain grievances and complaints were examined. The complaints were, in fact, examined on the spot, which seemed to be the most sensible way of dealing with them, and as the soldier did not want the letter to go forward, and said that he did not, there seemed to be no object in sending it.

At the moment when the letter was destroyed, it was the property of His Majesty's Postmaster-General and should remain his property until delivered to the addressee, and in these circumstances can my hon. Friend say by whose authority this letter was destroyed and is he aware that the letter was written to me in consequence of a letter from Lord Croft which I had sent to the soldier, who was answering Lord Croft's request?

Yes, Sir, I am perfectly aware that the letter was in a sense sent at the request of Lord Croft, and, as I have tried to explain to my hon. Friend, if it had not been enclosed illegally in a green envelope, the letter would have been forwarded in the usual way.

But I want to know why it was destroyed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is taking any steps to make it known to soldiers that the conditions of allowances for their dependants have been modified and that men making an allotment may have their claim of a dependant investigated again?

Yes, Sir. An Army Council Instruction has been issued on this subject, and copies will be made available for detailed reference by the troops.

:Is not this a very important change in the financial allowances to soldiers, and could not other steps be taken to make the matter known more fully so that parents can know that this great change has taken place?

I should think that it will get publicity through Question and Answer in this House, but commanding officers have been instructed to explain to the soldier what has taken place.

Could not this A.C.I, be repeated in all regimental orders?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider increasing the outfit allowance to young officers on first appointment, as the £30 now given has been found quite insufficient?

The information in my possession does not indicate that, apart from the operation of the Purchase Tax, the present rate of outfit allowance is inadequate. As regards the effect of the Purchase Tax, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 23rd April.

Is it not the fact that every unit in the Army is complaining that this outfit allowance is insufficient and that really valuable ranker officers are thus prevented from taking commissions?

No, Sir, I do not think there is any evidence to show that ranker officers are prevented from taking commissions by reason of the amount of outfit allowance, which is adequate, if it is carefully used, to provide the necessary outfit.

Is the Minister aware that many young officers who now find themselves in debt have said definitely that they are in debt as a result of the inadequate allowance provided by the Department; and that, in addition, because of the high prices of Service kit and the operation of the Purchase Tax—and I hope that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will take note of this—these officers find themselves in great difficulty, and will he not take some immediate action in the matter?

Is it not a fact that when this amount of £30 was arrived at by the War Office it was considered adequate as it was not possible then to bear in mind the subsequent Purchase Tax? If it is not possible for the War Office to persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer to that point of view, will they take over the responsibility of providing officers with an adequate outfit and withdrawing the allowance altogether?

Will my hon. Friend take personal steps to go to one of the military stores and ascertain from them what is the cost of an outfit?

I have ascertained what is the cost, and, apart from the Purchase Tax, the amount is adequate.

If many officers had declared that the amount is inadequate—and they are in a better position than the hon. Gentleman to judge—why should there be any objection to taking some immediate action? Can we have an answer, as this is a very important question affecting a very large number of men in the country?

While it may be true that many officers do complain that the allowance is inadequate, a far larger number have been able to get on with the allowance as it is. The allowance has been carefully calculated, and, apart from the operation of the Purchase Tax, it is adequate to cover the necessities of the officer.

Is it not a fact that £50 was the allowance in the last war? Why should there be any decrease now?

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost per cubic yard for excavating and revetting trenches in the areas of which he has been informed on the contract executed for his Department by Messrs. George Wimpey and Company?

This information is being obtained from the Command concerned, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as the figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the war commentaries, made periodically by an authoritative military spokesman in Cairo, are issued with the sanction and authority of the General Officer Commanding Middle East?

:All statements made by military spokesmen in Cairo are made with the authority of the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that these communiqués always give a true report of the facts as they relate to the situation at the time, in view of the; fact that, with regard to Benghazi, it was stated that it was of no importance whatever and that the loss of Cyrenaica would be a matter of no consequence?

That seems to be another question, but in view of the fact that the Prime Minister has stated that we can have a Debate on the whole situation at the appropriate time, I think we had better leave it till then and not have it now.

Will the War Office take this matter seriously, as these statements are carrying less and less authority, not among the critics of the Government, but among the mass of the people who are prepared to give every help to the Government?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this matter is being taken very seriously.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider mobilising the Home Guard for two weeks' continuous training in their own districts, all ranks living at home as usual, parading at 8 a.m. daily, or earlier, with rations, suitable pay and allowances being made, and exemptions from duty restricted to men engaged on urgent national work?

No, Sir. The value of the Home Guard lies to a very large extent in the fact that it enables men already engaged in ordinary civil occupations to fit themselves to take an active part in the military defence of this country against invasion. Any departure from this principle of part-time service could only result in serious dislocation of civilian life and consequent interference with the national war effort.

Is it not a fact that if invasion takes place, serious dislocation will occur, and is my hon. Friend satisfied that 21½ hours' training per week is adequate for any military force; and will he bear in mind the words of the Prime Minister on Sunday night, that General Wavell had only two divisions in Libya and a small force in Greece? If the Home Guard is adequately trained, it can take the place of some of our Regular troops.

:Even if, as my hon. Friend says, dislocation will take place in any event, I cannot see any advantage in inviting dislocation in advance. The Home Guards even on a part-time basis, has succeeded in the main in reaching an extremely high standard.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of Home Guard units do not parade their nominal roll, and will he satisfy himself that some measures are not required to increase the attendance at parades? May I have an answer, because this is a most important point regarding the strength of the Home Guard?

The Home Guard, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is a voluntary and part-time organisation, and I do not really see that he has any justification at all for his statement.

What I said was that the Home Guard do not parade their full strength for duty, in many cases often for reasons beyond their control. I asked the Minister for an assurance—and the House will observe that he refused to give it to me—that he would satisfy himself on this point and take steps to increase the attendance at parade.

To the best of my belief and, I am sure, the belief of the House, the Home Guard has done patriotic service and will continue to do it to the best of its ability.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the figures of the average absenteeism at collieries for the past six months and for the corresponding period before the war?

It would not be in the public interest to publish the figures.

Is it not true that voluntary absenteeism has largely increased and that if it were done away with, it would mean that an extra 13,000,000 tons of coal could be produced every year?

I have previously answered the hon. and gallant Gentleman on that point. I do not believe that complete elimination of voluntary absenteeism would result in the figures which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has quoted from another source.

Would it not largely increase the output? Is it not madness to call men back from the Colours to the mines while voluntary absenteeism continues?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must remember that what he describes as voluntary absenteeism would not be accepted as the standard in the industry itself.

Is it not a fact that the man who made the statement that 13,000,000 tons more coal would be produced ought to have known better?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any of the 10 mines inspectors recently appointed have had practical experience at the coal face; and, if so, how many?

Yes, Sir, all of them. Such practical experience and the statutory manager's certificate are indispensable qualifications for such appointments.

asked the President' of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as to the raw material and labour available for export industries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to make a statement defining the Government's present attitude towards the encouragement, or otherwise, of overseas trade?

It has to be recognised that few exports do not in some way make a demand on resources such as labour, material, plant, and shipping space which are in heavy demand for the war. It is, therefore, necessary, as I have said on several occasions and as the Industrial and Export Council recently repeated in a circular letter to all Export Groups, to apply a selective policy to exports and to encourage those which help the war effort. The tests are (1) whether the exports earn or save exchange needed for the payment of essential imports; (2) whether, in the case of the sterling area or Allied countries, they are essential to the importing country; (3) whether the value of the exported product its high in relation to the imported raw material and (4) whether the article can be manufactured and exported without putting an undue strain on resources needed for other war purposes. Subject to these overriding considerations it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage exports and to maintain trade connections as far as the circumstances permit. I recognise that the booking of export orders is rendered very difficult by the need to apply these various tests, but my Department have given and will continue to give general guidance to the Export Groups to help them in answering inquiries. I am in constant touch with the other Departments concerned on the question of supplies of labour and raw material for manufacture for export.

Have we increased our exports to the United States?

Yes, Sir.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to reply in the affirmative to that Supplementary Question?

I mean that recently we have increased our exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in requisitioning factories for national purposes, special consideration will be shown to firms which, having been bombed out of their premises, have re-established themselves in less vulnerable areas?

In considering what factories in production can best be released for national purposes, regard must be had primarily to the suitability of the labour and premises and to the relative importance of the present output of the factory for the prosecution of the war. The fact that bombed-out firms have moved to new premises in less vulnerable areas cannot in itself be regarded as a reason for protecting them against requisitioning, and I propose in the near future to take steps to prevent, except under licence, the acquisition of new premises by private firms.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that some of these firms have shown very great courage and very great enterprise in re-establishing themselves, that they have trained and fully equipped local labour, often evacuees in these areas, and that, therefore, it is in the national interest that they should not be disturbed unless it is imperatively necessary to do so in the interests of the prosecution of the war?

That is exactly what I said. Of course, if firms are engaged in work which is necessary for the prosecution of the war, we shall protect them against requisitioning.

Is not the supplying of the needs of the civilian population of the country, many of whom are engaged in war work, something that ought to be considered, and will the right hon. Gentleman give a definite answer with regard to the stoppage or closing down of firms which have been bombed out and have re-established themselves in other areas?

Supplies for the civilian population are, of course, necessary for the prosecution of the war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make a statement on the steps he proposes to take to reorganise the film industry on a sound basis to enable it to play its full part in propaganda and information in support of the war effort?

I cannot at present add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Islington (Miss Cazalet) on 18th March last.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration that the Nazis consider films to be an important part of propaganda in total war, and is he aware that the industry in this country is anxious and ready to put the British war effort on the screens of the world? Will he, as far as his Department is concerned, expedite plans to make this possible?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the importance of the film industry. I think it will be found possible to maintain British film production at a level sufficient to enable renters and exhibitors to conform in general with the quota requirements, and this would also carry with it the possibility of producing the propaganda films which the hon. Gentleman mentions

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that the great Continent of America is ready and anxious to show films of the British war effort, and that under the present organisation it is not possible for the industry to produce them without the help of his Department?

I do not admit that.

Is there in the Department anybody who really understands the intricacies and difficulties of this trade to advise my right hon. Friend?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make about the application of the policy of concentration of production to the cotton industry?

The shortage of raw cotton and the need to maintain deliveries of raw cotton to certain mills, about 140, heavily engaged on Government work, has made it necessary in the last few weeks to withhold raw cotton from some 60 mills, many of which have now closed down. Mills in the former category have been provisionally classed as "nucleus" mills and will be expected to contribute by a levy, the details of which are under consideration, funds for the care and maintenance of the closed mills. This will be administered by the Cotton Board, which will try in every other way to help closed mills to cope with their problems, including those of maintaining goodwill and trading connections.

:If 60 mills are to be closed down, whether as a result of voluntary agreement or compulsion by the Government, are arrangements in hand rapidly to absorb the displaced workers and use them in the war effort?

Yes, Sir.

What are the arrangements? Are the industries prepared, and so on?

The arrangements are under the Ministry of Labour.

Have they nothing to do with the right hon. Gentleman?

It is my duty to keep closely in touch with the Ministry of Labour and see that all the workers displaced are absorbed as quickly as possible in munitions work.

If it is not known which mills are to be closed down, or when, how can it be possible that arrangements are now in hand to absorb the labour?

The reason is that the cut in raw materials has necessitated 60 mills being closed down.

Will my right hon. Friend especially emphasise to individual mills how advantageous it will be to them to produce immediately plans among themselves for concentration rather than to wait until they are forced to do so?

Yes, Sir. That has already been done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to regard hosiery firms whose premises have been partially destroyed by enemy action as being telescoped for the purpose of the concentration of industry?

Special consideration is given to such cases by members of the Industrial and Export Committee; the decision must necessarily depend on the merits of each case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the representative of this industry made a statement in Glasgow last week to the effect that firms damaged by enemy action would automatically be telescoped, and is he further aware that the machinery used in this industry is imported from abroad?

If the hon. Member will give me details of this particular case, I shall be glad to look into it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman and the Committee working for him recognise the importance of maintaining in different parts of the country hosiery manufacturing units to guard against any possibility of lack of supplies through one concentrated unit being destroyed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the newly-established Control of Factory and Storage Premises will affect the acquisition of alternative accommodation by private firms?

:The increased demands for factory and storage space for war purposes make it necessary to prevent the uncontrolled use of existing accommodation which might be needed for essential purposes. An Order is accordingly being made which will in general prohibit the transfer of production or storage to other premises without the prior authority of the Control of Factory and Storage Premises. Pending the coming into operation of the Order, private firms should in the national interest refrain from seeking alternative accommodation outside their own area unless it is required for purposes essential for the prosecution of the war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider the rationing of sweetened milk and other foodstuffs which are in short supply?

Consideration has already been given to my hon. Friend's suggestion, but the rationing of many foodstuffs, including sweetened condensed milk, is impracticable owing to variations in demand as between individuals, fluctuation in supply, and other factors. Urgent attention is, however, being given to possible schemes for improving the distribution of foods at present in short supply.

Will the Minister keep in mind the importance of abolishing so far as is possible the queue system which prevails so much among working-class parts of the country, in the Midlands and in the North?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider extending the extra cheese ration allotted to underground miners and agricultural workers to quarrymen?

My Noble Friend regrets that he is unable at present to grant the larger cheese ration to any other categories of workers than those already included in the scheme, in the limitations of which he is supported by the representatives of workers' organisations, with whom he is in close touch.

Will the Minister consider extending the extra cheese ration to quarrymen, who also work in the open air, in view of their difficulty in getting home for food?

I fully appreciate that there are other classes of cases which can be brought under the same heading as those receiving this ration, but our difficulty, as I mentioned last week, is the question of shortage of supplies. As I said in answer to a Question last week, we are keeping the matter constantly under review.

Is there any truth in the statement made in the Press, that the Ministry anticipate a big increase in the production of cheese?

We are always hoping for an increase.

Are we to understand that contrary to the statement made a few days ago, the question of an additional ration of cheese for railwaymen, who have travelling to do and require an additional ration, has been decided?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether further consideration has been given to the organisation of the preservation and distribution of home-grown fruit; and whether he has any further statement to make?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any further statement on this matter.

If I put down this Question in a week's time will the Minister be able to give a reply, and may I in the meantime send him a spontaneous petition from hundreds of housewives in my constituency, who feel the burden imposed by this centralisation method?

By all me; ns, and if the hon. Gentleman puts a Question down next week, I think I shall be able to give him a reply.

asked the President of the Board of. Trade whether he will compel the Romford Gas Company to connect its mains with those of the Gas Light and Coke Company so as to lessen the chance of a loss of gas supplies from enemy action?

I have no precise information about the interconnection proposed, but as at present advised I do not think that there is a case to justify the exercise of compulsory powers to divert to this purpose the substantial amount of labour and materials that would appear to be involved.

Is it not a fact that it is not in the economic interests of these companies in peace-time to have their mains connected, and that therefore the Government must give a 100 per cent, grant or else make it compulsory that this connection, which would be in the interests of the people in the event of a serious raid, should take place?

I do not admit that it would be desirable or necessary.

Is it not necessary to telescope these two firms?

:Would not the better solution be for these two companies to amalgamate in the interests of the consumers and themselves?

No, Sir, I do not think so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Service provisions apply to allied aliens resident in this country, and who have been enrolled as members of the Civil Defence first-aid party?

I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind. The provisions of the National Service Acts apply only to British subjects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation making British subjects, resident or domiciled outside British territory, liable to declare all foreign holdings, and giving the Treasury power to request such British subjects to deliver these holdings, and making them liable to Income Tax, as British subjects outside British territory are under no legal liability to contribute financially to the war?

I have had this matter under consideration, but the enforcement of United Kingdom legislation upon persons and holdings outside the jurisdiction of British courts would involve considerable difficulties.

In view of the importance of this matter in reference particularly to the United States, will my right hon. Friend be good enough to listen attentively to any representations which may be made on the subject during the course of the Finance Bill?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can estimate approximately the percent age of the population already covered, if entitled to it, by some form of family allowance in the form of Income Tax rebates for dependent children or allowances directly paid for such children to members of the Armed Forces, civilian widows and orphans, unemployed per sons, destitute persons in receipt of some form of public assistance, and child evacuees, giving, separately, the figures for each of these classes so far as they are available or can be given in the public interest?

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend has in mind persons already in receipt of allowance or persons who might become entitled to them. I am communicating with her, and I will provide such information as I have available.

Will the Chancellor confirm this general statement? Am I right in believing that the form of allowance notified in the Question already covers the whole population except employed or semi-employed persons earning less than £3 10s. a week, those being the persons who most need assistance for their dependent children?

I should like to consider that question, and perhaps the hon. Lady will be good enough to put it on the Order Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will exempt miners' safety gloves from the Purchase Tax, having regard to their value in pre venting accidents to hands, the most numerous of miners' injuries, and to the urgent necessity of increasing the output of coal?

I could not exempt miners' safety gloves from the tax without at the same time exempting all other kinds of protective gloves used or adapted for use in industry, and the interests of the Revenue prevent me from doing that.

Is it not a fact that the sale of safety gloves has almost ceased because miners earning an average of 12s. a day cannot afford to buy them? Having regard to the interest of the men in preventing injury, and the still greater interest of the State, should not this tax be now waived?

I would gladly help in that connection, but I must point out the difficulty which I have stated in my Reply.

Would it not be a good thing if the colliery companies themselves provided them?

Is it not a fact that the companies do supply them?