asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the existing arrangements, he will make it possible for a farmer who may so desire, to sell livestock on the actual killing-out weight, as bacon pigs are sold?

I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction with the existing arrangements for the grading of fat stock in collecting centres and the reports received by the Ministry show that the grading is being carried out generally in a satisfactory manner. The proposal to grant farmers the option of having their cattle and sheep graded on the basis of their actual carcase weights has already been carefully considered but it has not been found practicable to adopt such an arrangement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, in view of the price obtainable for meat classified as unfit for human consumption which is provided for dogs and for which up to 1s. 4d. per pound is obtainable, some farmers find it more profitable to classify their animals as unhealthy and so obtain a better price than by selling them for human consumption; what method he proposes to adopt to deal with this; and whether he will consider improving the prices of animals that are sold for the purpose of providing meat for human consumption?

I am aware that dogs meat is being sold to owners of dogs at high prices and that some cows which might be fit for human consumption may be finding their way to knackers' yards for this trade. Measures to prevent any abuse of this kind are at present being examined. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, the prices of lower grade cows have recently been increased.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when he proposes to rationalise the work done at Covent Garden so as to get it done more efficiently and to release labour for better use?

I shall be glad to examine any evidence my hon. Friend can furnish in support of the views expressed in his Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether remuneration is payable to insurance companies under the contract made with them to act as agents of the Government for the War Damage Act; and whether he will ensure that the Fair Wages Clause will govern the conditions of the workers employed by the companies?

The Fire Insurance Companies and Lloyd's have, in the national interest, agreed to undertake this task on a basis of remuneration so calculated as to cover the costs of administration without profit to themselves. The work will be performed along with and as part of the ordinary work of the companies and in these circumstances cannot be treated as a contract to which the arrangement suggested in the second part of the Question would apply. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the Government's appreciation of the public spirit shown by the insurance organisations and their staffs in carrying out the onerous duties placed upon them in connection with both the War Risks Insurance Act and the War Damage Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of difficulties caused by recent air-raids on certain cities, he will consider extending the period for submitting applications for insurance under the War Damage Act, 1941, Part II, by one month?

I have already extended from the 16th until the 31st May the period of grace for applications for insurance under the business scheme. The period of grace for the private chattels scheme does not expire until 31st May, and as the procedure to obtain this insurance is simple I see no ground at present for any extension.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of exorbitant prices charged by some shopkeepers for candles, sold owing to electricity failure during or after air raids; and whether he will take action to guarantee a sufficient supply and a reasonable price for this commodity?

I have had no complaints brought to my notice recently about the prices charged for candles or about a shortage of supplies. Candles are price-regulated goods under the Prices of Goods Act, and if the hon. Member will send me any specific information he has of overcharging for them I shall be glad to have it investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider granting a flat-rate family allowance to officers under the age of 30, similar to that granted now to officers who are over 30 years of age?

The whole question of rates of family lodging allowance payable to junior married officers is at present under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now completed his inquiries into the alleged ill-treatment of conscientious objectors at a town, of which he has been informed; and, if so, with what results?

The sergeant concerned in the allegations to which my hon. Friend refers has been tried by court-martial and acquitted on all the charges. Full details have not yet been received, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as these are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has evidence to show that members of the German Army Medical Corps were either trained in the use of arms or employed them during action against our own or allied troops?

No instances have been brought to my notice of the use of arms by German Army medical personnel in action against British or Allied troops, but I am making further inquiries in the case of the latter. My hon. Friend will appreciate that international law permits the training of medical personnel in the use of arms in their own defence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that under Section 3 of the Agricultural (Miscellaneous War Provisions) Act, 1940, the staff of the Wheat Commission are now to be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament, they have the status of temporary civil servants and are therefore eligible for membership of Civil Service staff associations?

The administrative expenses of the Wheat Commission are still, in accordance with Section 3 (2) of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous War Provisions) Act, 1940, payable by registered growers. As a temporary measure, whilst deficiency payments are in abeyance, the Commission's expenses are being met by advances from the Exchequer, but the staff continue to be paid from the Wheat Fund. The question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that there are no longer deficiency payments to be met by the Wheat Fund with wheat at its present fixed prices, it is still necessary to set aside £30,000 for administrative expenses; and what staff are now employed to administer it?

I have been asked to reply. Funds are still required by the Wheat Commission partly to discharge wheat deficiency payments and other liabilities remaining over from previous cereal years and partly to meet the net administrative expenses of the Commission, including the sums required to make up the balance of civil pay and pension contributions to members of the Commission's staff serving with H.M. Armed Forces. A small nucleus of staff is retained, principally on establishment and financial work, which is essential for the preservation of the Commission's organisasion. At the present time, ten persons are so employed full time and two part time; the numbers are being reduced as the volume of work declines.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to prevent employers discharging skilled men of long service and filling their places with trainees at lower wage rates?

Having regard to the great demand for the services of skilled men I have no reason to suppose that such action on the part of employers, with the object of reducing the rate of wage, is to be apprehended. My Department are constantly engaged in arranging the transfer of skilled men for the purpose of making the fullest use of their services, and their places have frequently to be filled by others of less skill and experience and at rates of wages which are in accordance with the agreements in the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the shortage of labour in the brewing industry; and whether any steps are being taken to improve the conditions in this respect?

I am not aware of any exceptional shortage of labour in the brewing industry, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any case he has in mind, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour why Marjorie D. Jessop, of Doncaster, D.H.N. 19902, was on the 2nd instant refused unemployment benefit by the Doncaster Court of Referees for failing to accept an offer of employment in a Midland town, over 25 miles from her home; and will he stop local officials forcing young girls of 18 years of age to leave their parents or homesteads, or suffer the penalty of disqualification if they refuse to do so?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible. He will, of course, be aware that claims for unemployment benefit are not decided by me, but by the independent statutory authorities. With regard to the second part of the Question I am considering whether any amplification of existing instructions is required.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is contrary to the Regulations at present in force in the Army, Navy or the Air Force, for an officer or a member of the ranks to write direct to his Member of Parliament on any subject affecting the welfare of the Services provided he does not make disclosures which are contrary to the Official Secrets Act; can a man be prevented from, or punished for writing such a letter; and will he make sure that this information shall in fact be received by those concerned by including this information in the daily routine orders of the three Services as soon as possible?

King's Regulations require serving officers and men who wish to make any representations relating to Service matters to do so through the recognised Service channels and in no other way. The practice and principles of the Services in this respect are, however, well understood, as also are the reasons underlying them. These reasons were fully explained to the House on 10th December last by the then Secretary of State for War in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that arrangements are satisfactory respecting the future position of West Indians affected by the lease of naval bases in the West Indies, particularly in regard to the preservation of social customs and the improvement of economic conditions?

Yes, Sir. I am confident that the United States authorities will do all they can to minimise any disturbance in the normal life of the community.