asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to a statement made by the chairman of the North Midland Food Price Investigation Committee that big gambling was taking place in food prices; and what steps he is taking to prevent this in future?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether his attention has been called to the fact of the profiteering in canned soup and canned marmalade through the handling of commodities on several occasions before they reach the consumer, where the price from the manufacturer is 6½d. and 8½d. and sold to the public at is. 2½d. and 3s. 6d. per tin, respectively, through price attachments by several persons who render no service in the matter at all; and whether he will take some steps to eliminate this manifold handling?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave on this subject on Tuesday, 6th May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements will be made to catch a sufficient quantity of herrings, during the forthcoming summer and autumn fishings, to satisfy all the possible requirements of this country?

As my hon. Friend is aware, there are certain considerations affecting the herring fishery which make it unlikely that the quantities landed will be sufficient for the full requirements of the home market, and my Noble Friend trusts that the catchers will co-operate with him in making such arrangements as will ensure that the maximum quantities possible will be made available for consumption in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take steps to prevent persons who are not employed in industry or the professions, or are not on national service of any description, from taking meals in restaurants or hotels in addition to their rations, by the official stamping of ration books or identity cards, or in any other way that will bring this abuse of the rationing system to an end?

I am not in a position to add anything to the statement I made on this matter in the course of the Debate on 30th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food his plans for drying vegetables this summer?

The expert advice I have received with regard to the drying of perishable summer vegetables is that so large a proportion of the food value of the resultant product is lost when any of the processes now operated on a commercial scale are employed, that further development on these lines would not be justified in existing circumstances. My Department is, however, keeping in close touch with the experimental work which is being carried out on this subject, and, should this work lead to improved technical methods, steps will be taken to develop them on a commercial scale.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a case where a Blandford farmer was fined for unlawfully possessing regimental stores including 200 loaves and over 30 legs of lamb and other articles of food which were used in a pig swill; and what action has been taken against the officers responsible?

My attention has been drawn to this case. The question of how far military personnel were responsible for the loss of the stores in question is at present being investigated by a court of inquiry, but I am able to say that there is no foundation for the statement that the stores were obtained from Army swill tubs.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the anomaly of the position of the man who has married after he has entered the Armed Forces of the Crown, and who makes application for special allowance under M.S.A.C. Form 21, as such allowance is refused because the marriage took place after enlistment; and when he intends to take such steps as will remedy the situation?

The War Service Grants Scheme was designed for the assistance of persons who, as the result of being called up for service from civil life, were rendered unable to meet their obligations. The position of these men is entirely different from that of those who were already serving in the Forces at the time they undertook their obligations.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the War Office authorities have fixed a date in April, 1941, for the modified Determination of Needs Act, to be applied to those in receipt of special dependants' allowance, and that a date has been fixed for application of same in all other services, he will inform the House whether a date has yet been decided upon for the application of the modified scheme to applicants and recipients of benefit to those dependants of the Armed Forces who are dealt with under the Military Service Allowance Committee Form 21?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar Question put by him on 1st May. Nothing can usefully be added to that statement at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary what is being done to compensate British subjects evacuated from Gibraltar, the Channel Islands and other territories outside Great Britain to this country for the loss of furniture and personal belongings?

I regret that His Majesty's Government cannot undertake any liability in respect of property left in the Channel Islands.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet reconsidered the case of internee Herbert Paul Ahlers, No. 50027; and whether he is now prepared to order his release?

I have now had an opportunity of giving careful consideration to this case and have decided, in view of all the circumstances, to authorise this man's release.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to add anything further, since nth February, with regard to Mr. Jacob Wollock?

I have now decided to authorise Mr. Wollock's release.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Martin Littmann, a distinguished Jewish consulting engineer from Germany, is to be kept interned in spite of the fact that his services are required in connection with patents of his that are being developed and that he has never been before a tribunal and was marked C?

This case has received the most careful consideration, but I regret that I have come to the conclusion that, on grounds of national security, I should not be justified in authorising the release of this man.

asked the Home Secretary what is the decision of the Advisory Committee in the case of Frederick Bowman, No. 4762, who is in Brixton Prison under Regulation 18B; the reason for refusing him permission to see his mother who was dying, and only telling him of her death four days after the event; and whether he is prepared to release this man who is willing to give assurances of his intention to refrain from any illegal activities?

:It would not be in accordance with practice for me to disclose the nature of the Advisory Committee's report to me in the case of any person detained under Regulation 18b. After considering the Committee's report and all the circumstances of the case I decided that the order for detention must be maintained. I did not feel justified, after making inquiries, in acceding to this man's request to be allowed to visit his mother, who was not then on the danger list. The information as to her death was sent at once by the police to the commandant of the camp where Bowman was then confined and communicated to him as soon as possible after its receipt. I regret that I am not prepared to authorise the release of this detainee.

asked the Home Secretary what steps can be taken by citizens of friendly countries detained under a deportation order to ensure an independent investigation of their alleged offence?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to cases of persons detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order. I have appointed a committee to consider the cases of persons so detained and that committee has practically completed the review of all the cases referred to it.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in cases where British citizens or friendly and neutral aliens are detained on grounds specific to the individual, these grounds will now be stated, so that when the individuals concerned come before the Advisory Committee they may know with what they are charged and have an opportunity of answering it?

Aliens detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order have an opportunity of appearing before an Advisory Committee appointed by me for the purpose of considering the cases of persons so detained unless the Committee decide that they can recommend release without seeing the individual. They are then afforded an opportunity of answering any allegations made against them and of explaining their activities. As regards British subjects detained under Defence Regulation 18B, paragraph 5 of that Regulation provides that every person so detained; who desires to make objections to the Advisory Committee appointed for the purpose, shall be informed of the grounds on which his detention has been ordered and shall be furnished with such particulars as are in the opinion of the chairman of the committee sufficient to enable him to present his case.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any authority with investigating power in cases where firms decline to shoulder or evade shouldering a fair proportion of fire-fighting services in the City of London; and, if not, whether he will consider creating one?

Under paragraph (6) of Defence Regulation 27A any constable, and any person authorised in writing by the appropriate authority, may at any time enter and inspect any premises to which the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order applies for the purpose of seeing whether the Order is being complied with. The appropriate authorities for the purposes of the Business Premises Order are given in Article 7 of that Order and include, in relation to certain factory or commercial premises in the City of London, the Common Council.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that persons evacuated from the Channel Islands are distressed at not receiving any correspondence from their friends and relatives left on the Islands; and whether anything can be done to facilitate exchange of correspondence at least equal to that of prisoners of war held in enemy territory?

I am hapy to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the Foreign Relations Department of the Red Cross inform me that since the beginning of the year well over 3,000 messages have been received from the Channel Islands. The great majority of these have been received in batches in the last few days, and it is hoped that this flow will now continue. These are, for the most part, messages sent in reply to inquiries made before the postal message schemes were instituted. As regards the second part of the Question, the position of inhabitants of occupied territory who are at liberty is not analogous to that of prisoners of war.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, arising from a report by the Fertiliser Control, his Department admitted they were unable to supply from the usual sources the necessary labour to ensure maximum production of fertilisers during the peak period of the fertiliser industry; that his representatives stated that subject to certain conditions, the Ministry was ready to direct labour of an agreed suitable type to the industry for three months; that, although applications were received for over 500 men under this scheme, only about 200 are now working; that a number of men directed under the scheme have left their employment without permission from the Ministry and many thousands of tons of fertilisers have not been made available to farmers for producing food for next winter; and what steps is he prepared to take to make the necessary labour available?

I agreed that where undertakings engaged in this industry adopted a specified minimum standard of wages and conditions I would direct labour to take the employment. About half of the firms concerned accepted the scheme and with one or two exceptions their demands for labour have been substantially met. In some cases men directed to take this employment have subsequently left it and I am taking the necessary steps to prosecute them for failing to observe the directions given. Meanwhile all possible steps are being taken to make good the deficiencies so caused.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval reservists, called up before the outbreak of war, and serving in the Far East, have had no home leave for over 20 months; and whether, as opportunity offers, he will arrange for these men to be transferred to duties nearer home?

Yes, Sir. Steps are being taken to relieve these men as opportunity offers.

asked the Home Secretary the number of women between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age who have been evacuated out of the country since the beginning of the war?

I regret that the information asked for could not be obtained without an undue expenditure of time and labour. Save in exceptional cases exit permits are not granted to enable women between the ages of 16 and 60 to proceed overseas unless they are travelling with children under 16 years of age.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider reintroducing the use of nets for the catching of salmon in rivers where this was a practice in the past, in order to increase the supplies available to the public and to reduce the present price at which this fish is at present being sold?

The hon. Member's suggestion would necessitate the abrogation of the existing by-laws prohibiting netting for salmon in non-tidal waters, which have been made by fishery boards with the object of preserving the salmon breeding stock. There has been no evidence of a general demand for the removal of the prohibition which would be likely to deplete breeding stock without appreciably adding to the food supply for the population generally.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the value of the iron-ore industry to Northern Ireland, he has yet had taken additional samples of iron-ore from the mine in county Down for the purpose of having them tested; and, if so, what were the results obtained?

In accordance with the undertaking given by my right hon. Friend on 12th March, arrangements have been made for further samples to be taken when local conditions are more favourable. I will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the particulars from the Pontardawe Trades Council, of an investigation made by them of redundant tinplate labour from that area, sent to the Midland counties to the Small Drop forge industry; and whether, to effect economy, he will set up this industry where the billets are produced and works available to carry out such requirements, and thereby save the transfer of labour, and assist to equalise the distribution of industries?

The question of siting new drop forging plants in South Wales has been given careful consideration, but I regret that the over-riding necessity of utilising available supplies of skilled labour and experienced management to the greatest advantage to deal with the very big expansion taking place in this industry made this course impracticable.

asked the Minister of Health whether any instructions have been issued by his Department as to the method of assessing the elementary and secondary schools for rating purposes; what are the highest 10 county areas and the lowest 10 county areas; how the county boroughs are dealt with; and whether he will consider one uniform method for the whole country and issue instructions accordingly?

The assessment for rating purposes of schools, as well as of other classes of hereditament, is a matter for the local authorities, and there is no authority for the issue of instructions, but advice has been given by the Central Valuation Committee of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I regret that the statistical information asked for is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the decision of the executive of the Federation of Education Authorities for Wales strongly urging the establishment of a Welsh department in Wales, and that it would be to the mutual advantage of. the Board and of the education authorities; and will he meet the executive committee at Cardiff at a date suitable to his convenience?

I have received a copy of the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. If the executive of the Federation of Education Authorities for Wales wish to make representations to me I shall be glad to meet them.

asked the Postmaster-General when permission will be given to the cable companies to use the special code for sending messages to soldiers serving in the East?

I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement on the subject very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make inquiries as to the practice in depots and establishments of burning waste paper in incinerators in view of the fact that the Ministry of Supply are urging the salvage of this material; if such material as steel strips, wire, wood, and other packing material are sorted and salved; and whether he will see that establishments under his control should set an example in recovering all material that can possibly be used again?

The vital importance of economy in the use of materials is fully understood in the Royal Air Force and I have recently appointed Air Vice-Marshal (late Air Chief Marshal) Sir John Steel as Controller-General of Economy in the Air Ministry for the purpose of exercising general control over all matters connected with salvage and of ensuring that the utmost economy is practised in the holding, use and disposal of materials of all kinds. Anti-waste committees exist at all units and establishments for the purpose of recommending and initiating measures for the prevention of waste, including the salvage of materials, and command salvage officers have been appointed whose responsibility it is to secure that orders on the subject of salvage are observed. If the hon. Baronet has any evidence which suggests that these orders are being disregarded and will let me have it, I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the exemption from compulsory insurance against war damage of the goods of public utility undertakings, such goods should be insured voluntarily under the business scheme?

In view of the further legislation on war damage to public utility undertakings foreshadowed in Section 40 of the War Damage Act, such undertakings should defer insurance of their movable property for the time being. The days of grace for taking out insurance of goods within paragraph 6 (2) (h) of the War Damage (Business Scheme) Order will, if necessary, be extended accordingly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action is being taken by his Department to ensure the retention of a sufficient number of men to carry out in the spring and summer months the much needed extension of drainage of land whose cultivation is possible?

I am in consultation on this subject with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will publish a list showing, in each regional office, the names and numbers of male persons under the age of 41 therein employed, respectively, excluding messenger staff, and the aggregate amounts paid to such persons at each office in yearly salaries?

As regards the publication of details of the kind requested, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on 8th October last. The total number of male officers other than messengers under the age of 41 at present employed in the regional offices of the Ministry is 91, and their salaries amount in the aggregate to £32,035 18s. per annum.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether it is proposed to make any change in the statutory petrol allowance for private motor-cars?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement regarding the forthcoming reductions in supplementary allowances made on 6th May.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum to what extent paraffin wax and paraffin scale have been brought to ports in this country and transhipped to Eire?

The re-exports and transhipments of paraffin wax and scale from this country to Eire have been limited to small quantities.