asked the Secretary for Mines when the coal supply will be augmented in South-east Essex, especially the depleted stocks in Wickford and Laindon areas?

The Mines Department is aware of the extent to which stocks have been depleted in various parts of the country and we are now engaged upon a programme for increasing production so as to enable stocks to be set aside during the summer and thus to provide for the needs of all classes of consumers during next winter. The general plan is designed to lay aside greater reserves of coal than we had at the beginning of last winter. The main problem now is to secure a sufficient increase of output to enable these stocks to be built up.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will explain the shortage of coal in Birmingham and adjacent districts?

There has been some difficulty in getting coal supplies in the Birmingham area and for some time there has been a local shortage. With the prospect of increased production and the improved transport facilities, it is hoped that the shortages will soon be made good and that stocks will be laid down during the summer to prepare for next winter's needs.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has been taken as the result of the "Dunera" inquiry?

As a result of the report of the court of inquiry into the conduct of military personnel on board the "Dunera" orders have now been issued for the trial by court-martial of the commanding officer, a regimental serjeant major and a serjeant.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances members of the women's Auxiliary Territorial Service are employed on clerical duties in London; why any distinction is made with reference to their suitable employment in branches of the War Office; and what prohibition is placed thereon?

Members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are employed on clerical duties in London both at the War Office in branches concerned with the administration of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and also elsewhere in replacement of soldiers, mainly in Army schools and training establishments, pay and record offices, etc. Their general employment in War Office branches is unnecessary because civilian women clerks are available. Moreover, the strength of the Auxiliary Territorial Service is insufficient to meet requirements in view of the demands of outside establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers on home service are entitled to the usual leave periods in addition to time off being allowed in connection with domestic troubles, such as the serious illness of a member of his family or attending a funeral of a relative?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor) on 22nd October, 1940, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his instructions, in respect of the more frequent use of military bands for the escort of troops in London and the provinces, have had successful results; and, if so, what these are?

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that full particulars of the use of military bands can only be obtained by calling for detailed returns from every band in the country, and I am sure that he will share my reluctance to place an additional burden on units at a time when every effort is being made by my Department to reduce the number of returns to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position of reservists called up whose term of engagement expires during the war; and are they entitled to any gratuity or extra pay by reason of being retained in the Army?

Under the Military and Air Forces (Prolongation of Service) Act, 1939, the term of service of members of the Regular Army, the Army Reserve and the Territorial Army is deemed not to expire until the end of the emergency. Reservists retained with the colours under the provisions of this Act are not entitled to any special gratuity or extra pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers domiciled in Ireland are issued with travelling warrants or concession vouchers to the railway station nearest their homes when proceeding on leave?

Soldiers domiciled in Ireland have the normal entitlement to travelling warrants or concession vouchers when proceeding on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether embodied Territorial Army soldiers serving with the Royal Engineers and drawing tradesmen's rates of pay can be compulsorily transferred to another branch of the service and the tradesmen's pay withdrawn?

All embodied Territorial Army soldiers with the exception of those who enlisted before 3rd April, 1939, and who did not sign the Territorial Army general service agreement form, are liable to compulsory transfer under the terms of the Armed Forces (Conditions of Service) Act, 1939. In the case of the recent transfer of Royal Engineer units to the Royal Artillery, tradesmen's rates of pay were continued for six months to soldiers who became supernumerary to requirements as tradesmen in their new corps, in order to allow them to be absorbed into a trade vacancy in the Royal Artillery or to be mustered in another trade.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the fact that a joint copra board has been established at Sydney, at which Australia, New Zealand and the Western Pacific High Commission are to be represented, means that Australian control is to be extended over the economic life of Fiji and other Pacific islands; and what are to be the safeguards for the native population?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The second part therefore does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with whom rests the definition of what is fixed, and what is moveable, plant for the purposes of the War Damage Act?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 6th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Hey-wood and Radcliffe (Mr. Wootton-Davies).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of general trade, and especially in those of the Armed Forces and their families, he will raise the quota for photographic supplies?

I am not prepared to increase the general quota for photographic material. I may add that I am making arrangements to permit additional supplies to be made outside the quota for use in essential work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that thousands of small shopkeepers are being driven out of business because they can no longer obtain supplies to sell sufficient for their livelihood; and, where these people have been in such business for over 10 years, are 60 years of age, and not likely to be available for any other sphere of national effort, will he consider a scheme of compensation commensurate with the amount of capital originally invested?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made to-day about the retail trade and to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 7th May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what amount of labour and of coal, respectively, would be saved if all sugar imported into this country were issued for consumption in the form in which it was received?

It would not be in the public interest to give any figures from which the quantity of the annual imports of sugar could be calculated. I am advised, however, that it would not be practicable to put all sugar imported into this country into direct consumption in the form in which it arrives.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in expressing approval of the arrangements that popular caterers should only serve cups of tea and not pots of tea, he took into consideration the present charge of 2½d. per cup as against the charge in the previous week of 3½d. per pot of tea; and whether, in the interests of the poorer consumers, he will investigate the charges in question?

I cannot recall making a statement of the kind mentioned by my hon. Friend. If he will be good enough to provide me with particulars I will gladly give the matter further consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a certain admixture of horseflesh with beef is taking place in various articles of popular consumption; whether, if such admixture is small, it needs to be specified on the container or whether it can be regarded as a permitted amount of adulteration?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that, to some extent, the practice referred to is being adopted. Apart from the general provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, for the protection of purchasers, including those relating to labelling, the Act contains detailed provisions, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a summary, relating to the sale of horseflesh and articles of food containing it, the administration of which is a matter for the local authorities. I have no authority to interpret or dispense with the statutory requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the new regulations affecting cheese will debar the serving of this commodity at snack bars, in public-houses and similar places of refreshment; and whether he is aware that large numbers of lowly-paid workers regard this, normally, as their lunch?

It is not practicable from the reduced supplies to make cheese available for casual meals in all classes of catering establishments. Provision has, however, been made for the issue of limited quantities of cheese to certain industrial canteens, British restaurants, air-raid shelters and Civil Defence canteens.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider allowing a ration of feeding-stuffs for riding and carriage horses until such time as the grass is fit for their consumption without deleterious results?

I regret that owing to the shortage of animal feeding-stuffs it is not possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider granting rations for the hundred or so trained dogs of blind men?

I shall be happy to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion if he will be good enough to let me have particulars of what he has in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, since sugar is to be distributed to various women's organisations for jam making, there is any objection to these bodies delegating small supplies to individual fruit-growing families on condition that the latter subsequently submit for checking the jam they therewith make and allow its purchase, if required, at the current rate?

Yes, Sir. It would not be practicable to collect all jam made in private households. I would remind my hon. Friend that it has been decided that jam and bottled fruit made at the preservation centres will not be available for retention by persons supplying fruit to the centres.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in connection with the activities of the National Vegetable Marketing Company, consideration has been given to the position of producers who possess their own retail rounds; whether these will be co-ordinated with the scheme of marketing; and what compensation will be paid to these producers?

No, Sir, the position of the type of producer to whom my hon. Friend refers, has not yet been considered, but I shall be glad to call the attention of the directors of the National Vegetable Marketing Company to my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will request the directors of the British Broadcasting Corporation to see that in broadcasts on questions of national importance, especially in connection with the conduct of the war, uniformity in statistics and factual information is observed?

The B.B.C. does not allow important information relating to the conduct of the war to be broadcast without the previous approval of the Government Department concerned. If discrepancies have recently occurred they are not the fault of the B.B.C. which is merely a mouthpiece in such matters.

asked the Minister of Health how many death certificates were received during the year 1939 on which death was attributed to vaccination or vaccinia, or on which these diseases were mentioned, and the ages in each case?

The number of death certificates received during the year 1939 where vaccinia or vaccination was mentioned or the death was attributed to vaccinia or vaccination, and the ages in each case, were as follow:Non-Civilians: 1 at 20 years.Civilians: 1 at 4 months; 1 at 31 years.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered and approved the arrangements for co-ordinating the war medical services in Hackney; and will he consider adopting something on similar lines generally rather than continuing the present procedure of each district being largely left to devise its own scheme, with the result that there is lack of co-ordination, co-operation and uniformity?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to a suggested scheme for co-ordinating war medical services in Hackney the outlines of which were published in the medical Press in March. It has not yet been submitted to me and I understand that the borough council are awaiting further particulars of the scheme from the promoters. When these are received the council will consider the scheme. I will keep in touch with the matter and communicate with my hon. Friend later.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a case of indiscipline in the fire services after a recent incident; and whether the regular fire brigade or the auxiliary fire services were concerned?

The alleged case of indiscipline was unfortunately not reported until a considerable time after the incident. The allegations have been brought to the notice of the London Fire Brigade and investigations are proceeding. I am informed that it has so far not been practicable to identify the persons concerned or to confirm the allegations. I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any announcement to make with regard to improvements in the conditions of payment for injury and sickness of the auxiliary fire services?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some members of the Home Guard are being pressed by employers to undertake fire-watching duties on their employers' premises; and will he take steps to make it clear to such employers that this must not continue?

I have already made it clear in a memorandum, which has been widely circulated to occupiers of business premises, that members of the Home Guard are exempted from duties under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order and must not be included for such duties unless they volunteer. At the same time adequate defence against incendiary attacks is of such national importance that I hope Home Guards will, when their other duties permit, render all the assistance they can at premises where they work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the reduced priced railway tickets issued to parents to visit their evacuated children in Wales and elsewhere from the South of England can be extended from three days to a week, as the present time limit only permits parents to remain with their children one day as two days are taken up in travelling?

I am afraid that we are unable further to extend the period of availability of these special tickets as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has reviewed the existing regulations, which permit the public offer for sale of units by unit trusts. while prohibiting the public offer for sale, without Treasury consent, of shares and debentures; and whether he will now take steps to amend the definition of securities for the purposes of Regulation 6 of the Defence (Finance) Regulations, 1939?

Yes, Sir. I have come to the conclusion that in the national interest units and sub-units issued by unit trusts should be brought within the definition of securities and Regulation 6 has been amended accordingly. The effect of this amendment and of an exemption order issued concurrently is that unit trusts will not be able, without Treasury consent, to issue units and sub-units in excess of the number existing on the 12th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the conditions under which the Kingdom of Iceland 5½ per cent. 40-year Sterling Bonds of 1930 are being redeemed in this country?

It was announced on the 24th April that all outstanding bonds of this issue will be repaid at par in sterling on 1st November next by Hambros Bank, 41, Bishopsgate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, during the current financial year, contrive a method by which to take back into the Death Duty taxation area the holdings of real estate and of National Debt securities increasingly acquired by non-trading corporate bodies and sectional organisations which escape taxation for Death Duties by reason of undying ownership?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate the basis of the charge to Death Duties is the passing of property on the death of individuals and no such occasion for duty exists in the case of companies.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increase in juvenile delinquency, he can state the sums expended in combating this increase and, in particular, the allowances granted to institutions specialising on the scientific treatment of delinquency?

It would be impracticable to cumpute with any accuracy the additional cost of public funds caused by the increase of juvenile offences, but, leaving aside expenses connected with the police and the courts, there has been a substantial increase in the cost of the probation service, remand homes and approved schools. I have no information as to expenditure incurred in pyschological treatment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Paymaster Director General of the Navy, who is a non-executive officer, exercises executive authority at the Admiralty and wears the uniform of an executive officer; and whether he is responsible for the pay of the Navy personnel?

The hon. Member is, I am afraid, misinformed. The Paymaster Director General does not exercise authority as an executive officer. As a non-executive officer he exercises command in his own Branch in accordance with Article 173 of the King's Regulations. He correctly wears the distinguishing uniform of the Accountant Branch. He is not responsible for rates of pay or for the pay accounts of naval personnel.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of officers, now of commander's rank and above in the Navy, have served on the lower deck; that a number of them, as Greenwich schoolboys, failed educationally for entry into the Navy as boy writers; that none of the boys who passed the test for boy writers have reached the rank of commander; and whether he will seek the cause and find a remedy for this injustice?

Ratings of the accountant branch now have opportunities of promotion to commissioned rank similar to those enjoyed by the seaman and engineering branches. They have every prospect of being promoted in due course to Paymaster Commander at which stage they will stand an equal chance with other officers of reaching higher ranks in the accountant branch. I am aware that these opportunities were not available at the time when Greenwich School boys were entered as boy writers in the Navy, and the position described by my hon. Friend may, therefore, have arisen. My hon. Friend will, however, appreciate that the ability to pass an elementary examination at an early age cannot be regarded as a test of suitability for promotion to the rank of commander. The officers to whom he refers have all undergone various courses and passed examinations for promotion during their service careers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a temporary assistant in a Royal Navy armament depot, of whose identity he has been informed, prior to this appointment was employed in a motor-car business; that some time after his appointment he was released by the Admiralty for one month in order to return to the private motor-car business; that at this period the remainder of the staff at the depot were being worked at heavy pressure; and why a private firm is permitted to enjoy the services of a Government employé for its own private business for a month during a time of heavy pressure in the Admiralty service?

The temporary assistant to whom my hon. Friend refers had been released by his employers for the duration of the war, to take up work of national importance under the Admiralty. He was given special leave without pay for a month to help his previous employers in carrying out urgent work, also of national importance, in connection with the provision of transport for use largely on Government service. I am satisfied that the circumstances were exceptional enough in this instance to justify the grant of special leave.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider granting a pension on the lowest grade of the commissioned ranks scale to widows of soldiers who die while undergoing training at an officer cadet training unit?

Pensions according to commissioned rank are based on the principle of recognising responsibilities actually borne during the lifetime of deceased officers, and I have no power to depart from this principle.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the difficulties confronting doctors practising in areas where certificates for war injuries have to be issued, he will arrange for certificates to be issued on the lines of National Health Insurance intermediate certificates or otherwise in order to relieve the work of doctors as well as causing less inconvenience to patients?

The present system has worked satisfactorily in the large number of injury allowance cases with which my Department has had to deal, and I am not satisfied that any change is necessary or desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to persuade farmers to dispose of unwanted straw for paper-making?

Farmers are being urged through the Press and other channels to dispose of straw not required on the farms, particularly wheat straw, to the Paper-makers Straw Trading Company on the terms agreed between the company and the National Farmers' Union early this year. The Ministry's local officers have also made inquiries as to growers who may still have straw for disposal, and particulars have been supplied to the company.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now consider issuing a report setting out the conclusions the Ministry have arrived at, after inspection of poultry flocks by breeders, with a view to guidance for the future in improving the health of poultry flocks, as a result of the information obtained?

The only country-wide inspection of poultry flocks recently carried out at the instance of the Ministry is that made by panels appointed at my request by County War Agricultural Executive Committees. The inspection was made with a view to the selection of sound foundation pure-bred poultry breeding stocks which could be recommended for preference in the supply of concentrated feeding stuffs. When inspecting stocks for this purpose the panels (which in each case include a Veterinary Surgeon) specially take into consideration the health of the birds and may require special health tests to be carried out. The information obtained in the course of the inspections is not such as to necessitate any modification of the advice already given in the bulletin and leaflets published by the Ministry, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the additional number of allotment holders in the United Kingdom since the war?

Up-to-date figures for England and Wales are being collected and tabulated by my Department, but the results will not be available before the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, according to his latest reports, agricultural interests have adjusted themselves to extended summertime?

The initial adjustment appears on the whole to have been effected smoothly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, how many farmers have taken advantage of the Government's scheme of assistance of £2 per acre for ploughing; and whether he is satisfied with the response to the offer?

About 200,000 payments have been made to date, but it would not be possible, without a good deal of detailed investigation, to state the number of fanners concerned. As to the last part of the Question, I am well satisfied with the farmers' response.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in and around Benfleet, Leigh, Westcliff and Southend there are numerous portions of uncultivated land which, in the aggregate, would amount to many hundreds of acres; whether he will compel the owners to cultivate such land, thereby producing the necessary food for the local population and avoiding the necessity of transporting foodstuffs grown elsewhere; and whether he will communicate with the Essex War Agricultural Committee so that this matter may be immediately dealt with before the time for digging and planting has elapsed?

I am aware of the position regarding uncultivated land in the area mentioned and energetic steps are being taken to deal with it. Some land is already being reclaimed by the Essex County War Agricultural Executive Committee and will produce crops in 1942. The Committee fully realise the urgency of the matter and are ready to deal with the remainder of the derelict land in the area to the extent that labour and machinery are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state, for the benefit of allotment holders and those controlling small-holdings who are without the requisite technical knowledge, what are the recommended formulas for fertilisation of tomatoes?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Dig for Victory Leaflet No. 8, issued free by the Ministry, which gives the information referred to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when it is proposed to announce the prices for the 1941 wool clip?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State for Scotland have been discussing this matter with the representatives of the farmers and with the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and I hope it will be possible to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Prime Minister what are now the official operations of the Secretary for Overseas Trade beside routine Departmental duties; and whether, as export trade is being developed by the Export Council, of which the secretary is a vice-chairman, he will ask him to act as vice-chairman of the Area Distribution Committee for Consolidation of Retail Distribution (Limitation of Supplies Orders) or in some other capacity?

The Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade has a variety of functions connected with export trade and, in addition to the work of his own Department, under my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, he deals with the work of the Commercial Relations and Treaties Department of the Board of Trade and of the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The implication that the existence of the Export Council—of which he is vice-chairman—reduces his activities, entirely lacks foundation. Indeed, the abnormal difficulties which now confront our export trade increase rather than reduce the work of the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade. I see no occasion for extending the scope of his functions as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish a list of persons

Name.						Age.	Occupation prior to appointment.
F. V. Berry, M.A.		…	…	…	…	52	Managerial post.
D. B. Collett	…	…	…	…	…	33	Managerial post.
L. J.-B. Forbes, A.M.I.C.E., B.Sc.					…	51	Company Director.
W. Glennie	…	…	…	…	…	47	First Class Officer, Ministry of Labour and National Service.
A. M. Gordon		…	…	…	…	48	First Class Officer, Ministry of Labour and National Service.
Professor A. Gray, C.B.E., M.A.				…	…	59	Professor of Political Economy.
J. Hamilton	…	…	…	…	…	56	First Class Officer, Ministry of Labour and National Service.
Professor D. T. Jack, M.A.				…	…	39	Professor of Economics.
Professor H. A. Marquand, M.A., B.Sc.					…	39	Temporary Principal, Board of Trade. Prior to outbreak of war, Professor of Industrial Relations.
J. L. Milligan		…	…	…	…	53	Chartered Accountant.
F. W. Nunneley		…	…	…	…	47	Secretary to Public Authority.
Professor R. Peers, M.A.			…	…	…	52	Professor of Economic History.
V. Pendleton, M.I. Struct. E.				…	…	52	Company Director.
Mrs. J. N. Stirling		…	…	…	…	52	First Class Officer, Ministry of Labour and National Service.
G. E. Wear	…	…	…	…	…	49	First Class Officer, Ministry of Labour and National Service.

The persons who were previously first class officers in the Ministry of Labour and National Service are permanent civil servants and were appointed on the normal scale for this grade, namely, £850 by £30 to £1,000 per annum (£680 by £25 to £840 for women). The others were appointed

The number of appointments to the grade of deputy divisional controller which have been made during the last six months is fifteen. Eleven of the posts so filled were newly created for the purpose of dealing with National Service work. The persons appointed were as follow:at a salary of £900 per annum except in one case where no salary is paid but an out-of-pocket allowance of £250 per annum is made. The permanent civil servants and three of the other persons appointed were not enrolled on the Central Register.