asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet reached a decision on the claim for compensation for damage sustained through the War Department by a firm of bleachers, dyers and finishers in county Down; and, if not, whether, as the matter is urgent, he will come to a decision on the claim at the earliest possible moment?

:I have given instructions that this matter shall be dealt with urgently and all possible steps taken to expedite a decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his Department consulted the War Office before requisitioning houses in the Mid-Bedfordshire area; and whether he is aware of the hardship caused to the civil population when both the military and his own Department compete for accommodation?

:No consultation with the War Department took place about the particular requisitioning to which the hon. Member refers, but my Noble Friend is, of course, conversant with the great shortage of accommodation prevailing at the present time and does his best to avoid hardship subject always to satisfying urgent Government demands.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he is aware that his officials have instructed an elderly lady in Bedfordshire to give up possession of her home, which she will not do; and does he intend to use forcible action to remove her?

:Yes, Sir. I am aware of the facts. I am glad to say that the lady, who is neither owner nor tenant of the property, and for whose co-operation I am grateful, has left the house.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the feeling among many in industry that the vast number of forms issued by his Department is wasteful of paper and unnecessary, as the replies could often be more easily obtained by local inspectors or by greater liaison between Government Departments; and whether he will reduce the number of such forms to an absolute minimum?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of the amount of information necessary is kept under constant review. If he will let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind, I shall be pleased to look into them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the staff of His Majesty's Stationery Office in Kingsway is inadequate to serve public requirements, with the result that people asking for Government publications have to wait for exceedingly long and unnecessary periods; and whether he will take steps to correct this?

The staff of His Majesty's Stationery Office in Kingsway is constantly under review, with the object of maintaining as far as possible an adequate service to customers and inquirers. The April, 1041, figure for sales over the counter, however, was double the average figures for earlier months, attributable largely to heavy demand for the "Battle of Britain," the Schedule of Reserved Occupations and the War Damage Act; and under present conditions, including the calling-up of experienced staff, it is not always possible to cope with exceptional peaks of counter-trade with the usual promptitude. The position will be watched.

asked the Minister of Information whether the full text of the speech broadcast by General Smuts, on 26th April, will be made available for world distribution by the Royal Air Force and other agencies?

:The fullest publicity has been given to the speech through the channels available to the Ministry of Information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a remission of the fees and Estate Duty due on obtaining letters of administration or proof of probate on estates in respect of civilians killed by enemy action, particularly in cases where the estate includes property with an outstanding mortgage?

k: My right hon. Friend cannot see his way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion for remitting the fees and Estate Duty in the cases referred to.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware of the statement recently made on behalf of the Government that the authorities were in touch with the professional societies concerned with a view to the possible establishment of a separate organisation working in the field of applied science and in close touch with the Scientific Advisory Committee and that an announcement might be expected before long; and whether, in view of the fact that a number of leading professional scientific institutes have not yet been approached, he can give any more exact indication of what is intended?

:I have appointed an Engineering Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of my Noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the membership of which was settled after consultation with professional bodies representative of the engineering sciences. Particulars of the committee and its terms of reference were announced in the Press generally on 30th April last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious rating inequalities and resulting hardships arising in present conditions from the de-rating legislation of 1929, he will introduce a Measure for its repeal?

:I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave on 1st May to my hon. Friend the Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why pamphlets C1A, dealing with compensation, are only to be supplied to people who have suffered actual damage by enemy action; and whether he will consider making a free distribution of these documents to anyone applying for them?

The explanatory pamphlet issued by the War Damage Commission is designed to assist claimants in completing the Commission's form of claim and in securing the benefit for which they are eligible under Part I of the War Damage Act. It is distributed free to such persons, and in response to the public demand arrangements have now been made for the pamphlet to be placed on sale to the general public.

asked the Postmaster-General the postal rates to and from Singapore; whether any reductions on the standard rates are allowed to men serving in His Majesty's Forces there; and whether he will reduce the present rates in their case?

:The standard postal rates from this country to Singapore are as follow:Letters.—2½d. for the first oz. and 1d. for each additional oz.Parcels.—Up to 3 lb., 2s.; 7 lb., 3s. 3d.; 11 lb., 4s. 6d.; 22 lb., 7s. 9d.For letters and parcels addressed to all members of His Majesty's Forces serving overseas, however, special reduced rates are in force, namely:Letters.—1½d. for the first oz. and 1d. for each additional oz.Parcels.—Up to 3 1b., 9d.; 71b., 1s. 6d.; 11 lb., 2S.; 22 lb., 3s. 6d.I am sorry that I can make no further concession.For letters from Singapore the standard rates are 8 cents for the first oz. and 4 cents for each additional oz., and for parcels up to 3 lb., 80 cents; 7 lb., 1 dollar 40 cents; 11 lb., 1 dollar 90 cents; 22 lb., 3 dollars 40 cents. Free postage has been granted in respect of letters for this country posted by His Majesty's Forces, but I understand that parcels have to be prepaid at the standard rates. Any question of reducing the parcel rates in favour of the Forces would be a matter for the Colonial Government.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of serious complaints, both by civilians and soldiers, regarding the delay of letters between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, he will give immediate attention to this delay, and have the mails delivered with greater expedition?

:The average time of transit, including censorship, is three days. I have received very few complaints in the last few months, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind, I shall be glad to give them full consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of farmers in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire, respectively, given notice to quit by the county war executive committees, who would not or could not make proper use of their land?

:In the cases of 10 farmers in Glamorgan and six in Monmouth my consent has been given to the War Agricultural Executive Committees taking possession of their land, these figures including occupying owners as well as tenants. In addition, my consent has been given to the termination of the tenancies of nine farms in Glamorgan without possession being taken of the land, arrangements for the proper cultivation in future having been made by the owners with the approval of the executive committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the number of motor vehicles for which licences had been issued as at 31st January or other convenient date in 1939, 1940 and 1941, distinguishing between annual, quarterly and part-year licences, and between private motor-cars, goods vehicles, hackneys, tractors, motorcycles and other vehicles, and the revenue derived there from?

:I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend the figures for which he asks. They are not now published.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has any statement to make on the excessive prices being charged for certain vegetables, with particular reference to lettuce?

:The lettuces now coming on to the market are grown under glass and are naturally expensive compared with the out-door lettuce which should soon be available in abundance at prices within the reach of all consumers. The recent cold weather has been responsible for the rise in the price of lettuce towards the end of April. While "he price of certain other vegetables is admittedly high at this time of year I would point out that carrots and turnips are still on sale at approximately pre-war prices, and that many summer vegetables should soon be on the market in plentiful supply at reasonable prices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the form of certificate for additional supplies of milk to persons suffering from certain diseases is objectionable, in that the doctor is required to certify the precise disease from which the person in need of the additional supply of milk is suffering, and that the certificate has to be handed to the local dairyman who, and whose employés are thereby made aware of information which should be strictly confidential; and whether he will consider withdrawing the present form at once and instituting some other procedure?

:The British Medical Association has already been consulted on the procedure to which my hon. Friend refers and the views of the Association which have recently been received are now under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider the immediate distribution of existing stocks of dried figs, the holding-up of which is impeding the production of certain valuable and pharmaceutical preparations?

It has not been the practice of the Ministry to hold stocks of dried figs. They have been distributed through the usual trade channels as soon as possible after arrival. During the past few months supplies have been below normal owing to delay in arrivals. Further supplies are, however, now reaching this country. These will be released as soon as possible with the result that the quantities available for consumption during the next few months should be above pre-war normal levels.