asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the cost of applying to the court for the suspension of patent fees is greater than the amount of the fees; and, in the light of this fact, will he review the question of the suspension of fees where the patentees are prevented using their patents owing to the Concentration of Industry Scheme and the Limitation of Supplies Order?

The object of an application to the court is to obtain not a suspension of current fees but an extension of the term of the patent. This is a future right which may have considerable value. I am, however, considering whether applications for the extension of the term of patents on account of war losses, to which I referred in my answer to my hon. Friend on 20th May, can be simplified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in respect to approved voluntary schemes for the concentration of production in the cotton trade, units included in such voluntary schemes will be exempt from payments to, or receipts from, any general pool of compensation that may subsequently be formed?

Yes, Sir, provided that under the voluntary schemes a degree of concentration is achieved that corresponds to the general level of concentration required from other firms.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is the first authoritative statement in connection with this important matter, that there has been a good deal of confused and often contradictory advice, and that in the result, through the trade not having clear direction in the matter, there have been very few voluntary schemes submitted?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that. I know there have not been many voluntary schemes in the trade, but I do not think that has been due to lack of information on this point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the widespread alarm among shopkeepers which has been created by the policy of his Department in recommending that they should realise their stocks and find other jobs; and whether he will make an early and comprehensive statement on the matter?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the speech which I made on 10th April. I regret that my remarks have been widely misrepresented. I would call attention to the OFFICIAL REPORT of my speech, from which it should be clear that I was not making any statement of policy, but was merely putting forward the suggestion that in individual cases retailers might find it prudent to consider whether they should not realise their stocks and find other jobs. My right hon. Friend is not in a position to make any further statement on this matter, pending the investigation into retail trade problems by the committee which was announced on 13th May.

Is the Minister aware that a statement of that sort, coming from a Minister, carries a good deal of weight, even when it is slightly misrepresented by certain organs of the Press? A good many shopkeepers will be grateful for the statement which my hon. and gallant Friend has made to-day.

Would the Minister regard it as prudent to make to the Board of Trade a similar suggestion that retailers should realise their stocks?

My suggestion was that, in considering various means of meeting the exigencies of the war, this means should be taken into consideration, and on that statement I stand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will endeavour to establish priority of supply to the small trader who deals in tobacco, cigarettes, sweets and chocolates, rather than to other suppliers, such as cinemas, clubs and canteens, who stock these commodities as side lines; and whether he is aware that the competition which is being created by the canteens, extends beyond the above-mentioned goods to such articles as ink, paper and soap, the supply of which is in direct competition to, and tends to destroy, the small trader?

I am aware that cinemas, clubs and canteens compete to some extent with both large and small shops. This problem falls within the ambit of the committee on retail trade which, as announced on 13th May, is being set up. As my hon. Friend will know, the special arrangements, whereby the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes were formerly able to get unrestricted supplies of certain goods controlled under the Limitation of Supplies Orders for their canteens, were cancelled some time ago.

:Is it not an unassailable truth that the small trader is not getting sufficient consideration from the Government? Will the Government really consider the small trader, who is the backbone of this country? It is useless to go on like this.

The Government have set up a committee to consider this matter and my hon. Friend ought to be satisfied that the committee will get all the necessary information and lay it before the Government in order that action may be taken.

Is not all this action being taken after the Minister has told the retailers that they ought to consider it prudent to realise their stocks?

If the hon. Gentleman would read the speech I do not think he would make remarks of that sort.

It is all very inconsistent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding officers' field allowance?

I am afraid that I am not in a position to make a statement at this stage.

Will my hon. Friend do his best to expedite some decision in this matter, because it has been going on for many months now, and there is great dissatisfaction at the way in which the field allowance is arranged in different commands?

I am aware that the field allowance does cause certain anomalies, but one has to be very careful in removing anomalies to see that one does not create still more. The matter is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will favourably consider the payment of out-of-pocket expenses to volunteers anxious to attend Home Guard schools but at present unable to do so because of the cost?

Existing instructions already provide for the payment of out-of-pocket expenses for volunteers attending Home Guard schools. Accommodation and rations are provided free of charge for the period of the course, and travelling expenses are admissible for journeys to and from the school. In addition, a detention allowance is payable where the volunteer is compelled to spend a night away from home on the journey.

Could those instructions Be made more widely known, as quite a number of people in the Home Guard are not aware that they can get out-of-pocket expenses, and they cannot afford to go to the schools and pay their own expenses?

I hope the reply I have given will get some publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers, at two camps of which he has been informed, of religious persuasion other than the Church of England, are compelled to attend the Church of England parade; and will he take steps to prevent this occurring in future?

King's Regulations provide that no officer or soldier will be obliged to attend the service of any religious denomination other than his own. At the two camps to which my hon. Friend refers, men of other denominations were apparently detailed to attend the Church of England parade, although it was explained to them that they were not obliged to enter the church or attend the service. The local military headquarters took immediate steps to stop this practice as soon as it came to their notice, and orders to this effect were issued on 5th May.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of commanding officers interpret this particular instruction as permitting them to compel troops to match to the door of the church and to march away from the church, and that the only right the men have is to wait outside the church, possibly in the rain, while the service continues?

If that is the understanding of the commanding officers, it is an erroneous one, and I will see what steps can be taken to bring this to their notice.

Is it correct for a commanding officer to say that if a man does not attend church parade, he will not have leave? Does that have the support of the War Office?

I cannot speak of that. The church parade is obligatory on the soldier. The only point raised in the Question, which I want to make clear, is that there is no obligation on a soldier to attend the church of any denomination except his own.

What does the hon. Gentleman mean? Does he mean that the soldier must attend his church parade? The hon. Gentleman gave the impression in a previous answer that this was not so.

The soldier is not obliged to attend the church of any denomination other than his own.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the unsatisfactory conditions respecting week-end passes and leave to men serving with a unit of which he has been informed, and, if necessary, take steps to rectify the matter?

If my hon. Friend will let me know in what respect he considers that the arrangements for leave in the unit to which he refers are unsatisfactory, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the terms of Article 1116 of the Royal Warrant for Pay, whereby a soldier having completed his term of service and qualified for a pension, is compulsorily detained during a national emergency, are being implemented by the issue of pensions in such cases?

Yes, Sir. Soldiers who have completed their pensionable engagement plus the extra year's service required by Section 87 (1) of the Army Act have the option of an immediate pension or of continuing to reckon service for pension with a view to a higher ultimate award on their discharge. An instruction on this subject has recently been issued and is being brought to the notice of all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army reservists enlisted into the Royal Artillery before October, 1925, and not possessing a second-class certificate of education, are entitled to draw war proficiency pay, if otherwise qualified, similarly to those soldiers called up under the National Service Act, for whom no educational test is required?

In view of their more favourable conditions of service, it was decided that war-time proficiency pay should not be granted to soldiers serving on the pre-1925 rates of pay, who would continue to be eligible for proficiency pay under peace-time conditions. Soldiers serving on the pre-1925 scale were, however, given the option of coming on to the post-1925 scale in any case where, as a result of the introduction of war-time proficiency pay, the latter scale was more favourable to them than their existing scale.

When a soldier elects to remain on the pre-1925 conditions, must he still have a second-class certificate of education in order to enable him to draw proficiency pay?

Yes, Sir. When he elects to stay on the pre-1925 conditions, I imagine that is so, but he will only elect to do so because it is to his advantage.

Will the hon. Gentleman look at Article 1015 of the Pay Warrant, which rather indicates that during the war the second-class certificate of education is not necessary? Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to write to me about this.

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, under ACI 59/1940, which governs the rates of pay of retired officers and Royal Army Reserve of Officers, and ACI 76/ 1940, which governs the scales of pay of the Supplementary Reserve, Territorial Army and Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, there is a considerable discrepancy between the pay drawn by captains holding these different forms of commissions; and whether he will take steps to remedy this anomaly?

Apart from increments in respect of length of service, differences in the rates of pay drawn by captains arise mainly from the fact that, when the pay scales for the Army were revised in 1925 and 1938, officers already serving were given the option of retaining the old rates, where these were considered to be more favourable. Retired officers and officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers were naturally given the same conditions as Regular officers, and officers of the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers the same conditions as officers on the active list of the Territorial Army. My hon. Friend will appreciate that in the circumstances it would not be possible to introduce a standard rate of pay for captains without depriving officers commissioned before 1938 of the rights guaranteed to them under earlier pay scales.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that quite often Territorial officers with a certain length of service are drawing considerably more than officers of equivalent rank who are holding war emergency commissions? Does he think that is equitable?

I have given a somewhat detailed Reply to this Question and tried to explain how the discrepancy arises. If the hon. Member would study the Reply and communicate with me afterwards, it might save time.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that, due to the rigidity of War Office orders, there is frequently a great and avoidable waste of transport and petrol, in some cases lorries having to travel 60 miles empty to do a journey of six miles loaded; and will he take steps to amend the instructions to enable the most economical methods of transport available to be utilised?

I do not consider that the existing instructions with regard to the provision of transport for the Home Guard, to which I understand my hon. Friend refers, are unduly rigid. In order to secure economical co-ordination of transport requirements, the provision of vehicles is normally carried out through the officer in charge of transport in the district concerned or the Territorial Army Association, but Home Guard commanders may also be authorised to hire locally, where this course is cheaper and more convenient. These instructions were carefully framed to meet the needs of Home Guard units with due regard both to economy and to administrative convenience, and I do not think that there should be any real difficulty, if they are properly carried out. I have, however, called for a report on the cases which my hon. Friend has been good enough to bring to my notice, and I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

Is the Minister aware that I submitted a case to him several weeks ago, where a motor lorry ran out of petrol within three miles of the official military petrol pump, and the driver had to wait according to his instructions until a lorry brought petrol from a distance of 40 miles, which meant a journey of 80 miles in all?

I have seen references to cases of that kind, and my right hon. and gallant Friend is very conscious of the necessity to economise petrol. However, I think the House ought to remember a recommendation of the Select Committee to the effect that it is undesirable to set up very expensive organisations solely with the idea of saving expenses. It would be possible to create an organisation to provide that this sort of thing should never conceivably happen, but it would be expensive and involve the Army in an extensive amount of paper work and administration. I think we had better leave this matter to the common sense of those responsible, and I do not think the general results are as bad as some seem to think.

Will the Minister withdraw his reference to the recommendation made by the Select Commitee, because the Select Committee never made any such recommendation?

I think, if the hon. Member studies the Fourth Report, he will see that I was right.

Will the Minister reward economy in the use of petrol?

Does the Minister really suggest that it would require a large organisation to deal with a simple problem of this kind?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution sent to him by the Independent Order of Rechabites, West Lothian District, calling for earlier closing of licensed premises, introduction of a no-treating order and suspension of bona fide privileges on Sundays; and whether he proposes to take action along these lines?

I have noted the terms of the resolution referred to, but as to earlier closing I have no powers to alter the decisions of the licensing courts. As to no-treating, I am satisfied that the enforcement of such an order, even if it were warranted by the facts, would be exceedingly difficult, and that the results would not justify the irritation which any attempted enforcement would cause. As to the third point in the Question a careful watch is being kept on the situation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we look upon him as one who is willing to tackle difficult things? Has he seen a declaration by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and will he give due weight to it?

I have seen many declarations on these matters, and I give weight to them all.

Is the Minister aware of the difference between town and town in regard to licensing hours? Will he not call a conference of interested parties with a view to passing legislation to make this question somewhat more uniform and less ridiculous?

If I saw the slightest chance of getting any resolution of that kind through by agreement, I would most readily do it.

Is it not possible for Rechabites to keep out of public houses without being kept out?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether farmers or crofters, suffering loss owing to crops being destroyed by deer, will be compensated by landlords who fail to kill off the deer or take other steps to protect the crops?

This question is at present before the Scottish Land Court, and it would not be proper for me to make any comment on a matter which is still sub judice. My hon. Friend is aware, however, that occupiers of agricultural holdings in Scotland are empowered to take and kill deer found on any arable, garden, or grass-land forming part of the holding and that agricultural executive committees may authorise the killing of deer upon any land for the purpose of preventing damage to crops.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that this Question refers to people who are not in a position to take these steps for themselves?

Yes, Sir, but I answered that specific Question in the first part of my answer, where I stated that an action on this issue was still sub judice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any information with regard to the number of tenants of corporation, or other houses in Glasgow, who have voluntarily evacuated to reception areas, thus occupying houses which might otherwise be available for homeless people; whether in such circum stances the local authority proposes to requisition the houses concerned for re housing bombed-out families; and whether he has made any representations to the local authority on this subject?

I am in communication with the Corporation on this matter and perhaps the hon. and gallant Member would repeat his Question after the Whitsuntide Recess.

Will the Minister also approach the county authorities for Renfrewshire, and find out how many large houses are vacant in East Renfrewshire which are available for those who have been bombed-out in Glasgow?

I am quite willing to do that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many homes of persons associated with Scottish Home Rule associations have been visited by the police; how many persons were taken to police stations and interrogated; and what were the reasons for these proceedings?

I assume that the Question refers to the execution on 3rd May of search warrants obtained by the criminal authorities under Defence Regulation 88A. The homes of 17 persons, some of whom are known to have had association with Scottish Nationalist organisations of one kind or another, were visited by the police. Eleven persons were asked to accompany the police to police stations and agreed to do so. As regards the reasons for this action, which was not taken because of any connection or sympathy with Scottish Home Rule, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate on 13th May.

I read the Lord Advocate's Answer with very great care, and he did not give any reason at all for the arrest of these men. Does the right hon. Gentleman tell me now that there were other reasons for visiting these men's homes than their connection with the Scottish Home Rule Association?

Yes, I did say so. I hope the hon. Member will assist in the matter. It would be most improper to have any political interference with legal processes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what movement these men were connected with which led to this being done?

The point is that already actions have been taken and convictions have been secured in two cases under the Firearms Act, and another case is pending.

May I ask you, Sir, in response to the right hon. Gentleman's appeal to me, whether I am doing something improper when I raise in this House the question of wholesale raids on private citizens? Am I to be accused of interfering with judicial processes? Is it outside my range as a Member of this House to raise this matter?

I did not hear anything improper.

Then it is my stupidity again.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his carefulness in this matter is most reassuring?

asked the Lord Advocate what charge was preferred against the Scottish Nationalist, who was charged under the Firearms Act; whether he has been tried; and, if so, what was the sentence imposed?

The charge was a contravention of the Firearms Act, 1937, Section 1. The accused pled guilty on 14th instant and was fined £20 with the alternative of three months' imprisonment, the firearms and ammunition being forfeited. Fourteen days were allowed in which to pay the fine.

Could the hon. and learned Gentleman give some idea of the nature of the charge under Section 1 of the Act? His predecessor led me to believe that this man was preparing an armed rebellion against England. Was that the charge that was let off with a fine?

The charge related to the possession of two Service rifles, five revolvers and 326 rounds of ammunition without certificates. There were also found on this man's premises two bayonets, nine dummy rifles, bandoliers, cartridge cases, holsters and other equipment, which were not the subject of the charge.

I am not asking what was found. This man has taken too seriously the propaganda of the Government that it is right to fight for national independence by force of arms. He thought that what was right for Czechoslovakia was right for Scotland. Was the charge against this man one of having firearms without having a licence?

That is so.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur Donaldson, who was arrested on 3rd May under 18B of the Defence Regulations for his activities on behalf of Scottish national independence, was arrested by a combined force of policemen and soldiers; what was the reason for it; and whether he proposes to make a practice of using armed forces to support the police in civil cases?

No, Sir. The apprehension was effected in the normal manner by the police. Donaldson was not detained for activities on behalf of Scottish national independence but because he was believed to have been recently concerned in the preparation or instigation of acts prejudicial to the public safety and the defence of the realm.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman say that the military were not present?

The military were not present.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman make further inquiries, because I have it on the very best authority that there were six policemen and four soldiers at the arrest of this one man, and this is the first time that the Government have been able to concentrate numerical superiority of force?

I should like to make it plain that, apart from serious rioting or grave public calamity, the military are not and cannot be employed to support the civil power. My information is that they were not so employed. If the hon. Member will give me his information, I will have it looked into.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman make further inquiries?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland has promised to do so if the hon. Member gives him his information.

No, he should do it without my information.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to make a statement on the report of the mineworkers' Federation with regard to the investigation into the practicability of the Voortmann plug for use in shot-firing?

This report indicates circumstances in which the use of this stemming plug for cushion-blasting seems to have been of advantage. There are, however, other effective methods of stemming shots, and methods of getting down coal without the use of explosives at all. The relative advantages of all these different methods vary with circumstances and are best determined by working experience. This is a free field subject to compliance with the essential conditions of safety.

In view of the fact that the report shows that this plug is not only used for safety purposes but enables more round coal to be brought down with less slack, will he give the matter further consideration?

We afford a free field for all these various substitutes for explosives. This is an ordinary explosive used in a special way, and the people who are present at the experiment will draw their own conclusions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the heavy death-roll of operative bakers employed on night-work, he will reconsider the suggestions made to him which would have the effect of bread being made in the daytime, without any interference with supply?

The suggestions made by my hon. Friend are, I am afraid, impracticable in existing conditions. If the House will permit me, however, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my great admiration for the way in which operatives engaged in night baking have stood to their task of maintaining the nation's bread supply during recent months.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman call the attention of his Noble Friend to the tragedy in which 32 men were killed in one bakery? If night baking is unnecessary, why should lives be risked in this way?

I am aware of the occurrence to which the hon. Member has referred, but I am informed, after most careful inquiry, that it would not be practicable to supply the bread necessary without night baking, especially as the consumption of bread his increased by 20 per cent. in the last few months.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take advantage of my expert advice on the question?

As blitzes come mostly at night-time, could not a further effort be made to bake in the day?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the continued abuse of the Egg Prices Order by wholesale egg distributors in Glasgow; and will he give protection to retailers prepared to give evidence of the said abuses?

As stated in the Reply to my hon. Friend on 9th April last, I have no information regarding the abuse of the Egg Prices Order by wholesale egg distributors in Glasgow. If I am furnished with particulars of alleged abuses, I will certainly do my best to ensure that the interests of my informants are not prejudiced in any way.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the whole question of the distribution of eggs is a scandal, and will he not take steps to ensure a more equitable distribution?

Steps are being taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on whose authority Messrs. Marks and Spencer received 101 cases of oranges from a recent shipment delivered at a certain port; and will he take steps to see that only firms whose main business includes the sale of oranges receive allocations in future?

The allocation to which my hon. Friend refers was made on the authority of the Ministry of Food. The principle upon which oranges are supplied for the branches of multiple stores and co-operative societies is that those shops which were regularly selling oranges in 1939 are entitled to receive supplies in proportion to their past trading. If the suggestion in the latter part of the Question is inconsistent with that principle, my Noble Friend could not accept it.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to ensure that the small traders who depend on selling fruit for their livelihood will receive some consideration in the allocation, and that multiple firms will not get such large supplies?

The allocations to the stores I have mentioned are based on their pre-war trading and in the proportion of that fruit to the trade.

In view of the fact that small greengrocers do not keep the statistics to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, how is it possible to make the allocation?

Without going into details I can say that, on the whole, the last supply of oranges was distributed very satisfactorily throughout the country.

When foods are scarce will the Minister see that they are not given to drapery stores which are extending their food departments, but are allocated to shops dealing solely in foodstuffs?

I will naturally look into the question of oranges being supplied to drapers, but I have not come across that. With regard to the multiple stores, many have important branches which include greengrocery departments, and they are entitled to have their proportion as much as anyone else.

asked the Minister of Information, now that it is clear that the Duke of Hamilton never had any written communication from the prisoner Hess, how it came about that a statement, containing this erroneous allegation, was broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The statement broadcast by the B.B.C. was based on information supplied by the Ministry of Information to the B.B.C. and the Press which has since been found to be erroneous. The true facts are those stated in the Reply given on 22nd May by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air to the hon. and gallant Member for Renfrew (Major Lloyd).

Why could not this extremely damaging statement have been verified?

It was verified and then found to be incorrect.

Was it sent out without an attempt to find out what the real position was?

My right hon. Friend much regrets that more careful verification was not made.

Is the Minister aware that a Member of this House has made a statement that he was in the company of the Duke of Hamilton when the Duke met Hess, and that Hess was attracted by the Duke and that the Duke was attracted by Hess?

Does my hon. Friend realise the seriousness of this kind of allegation which might be broadcast about anybody, humble or important? Does he not think that it is extremely dangerous to a man's personal characer that these statements should be made without verification?

There is no question of any imputation on the Duke of Hamilton's personal conduct. He has acted with the utmost circumspection and carefulness. For any statement for which my Ministry is responsible which may have led to any doubts about his integrity we must apologise, and we do so now.

On a point of Order. A statement has been made in the Press by a Member of this House in which he said that another Member of the House informed him and other Members at Westminster that he was with the Duke of Hamilton when the Duke met Hess at the Olympic Games. Is it not necessary that some inquiries should be made into that?

The right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Air made a definite statement the other day on this matter, and that really finishes it.

asked the Prime Minister why Rudolf Hess is being treated as a prisoner of war in view of the fact that he has no rank or status in the German army?

The answer is because, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, this is the most convenient and appropriate classification for the man in question at the present time.

In view of all the circumstances surrounding this case, would it not be desirable to put this man on trial as an alien entering this country without a passport or as a German spy in a military uniform, or are the Government afraid to do that?

I think that we must be the judges of what is the best method to adopt. I think that the House, better than the hon. Gentleman, can judge whether we are afraid or not.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to the blank pages on either side of the "Battle of Britain"; whether any utilisation thereof for advertising war savings or any other war effort was considered, and, if not, why not; and whether, in any further publication of this nature where a large circulation is expected, some steps will be taken to utilise to advantage all space therein?

I have been asked to reply. The Stationery Office did, in fact, consider whether these pages could be used for some form of Government publicity, but it was felt that in this particular case it was better not to associate the story with any form of advertising. It is the normal practice of the Stationery Office to use blank space of this kind as suggested in appropriate cases where possible.

Can it be suggested that seeking aid for war savings in support of the "Battle of Britain" would have interfered with this booklet, which had such a tremendous circulation?

No, Sir, I made no such suggestion. I merely explained what happened.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an assurance that in the re organisation of the fire brigades there will be consultation with the auxiliary fire ser vices as well as the regular fire brigades.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement about the steps taken by the South-West Regional Commissioner, to facilitate action on a regional basis after air-raids, by arranging for joint committees, co-ordinating a number of local government areas; whether similar joint committees have yet been established in other regions; or, if not, whether he has received assurance from each of the other regional com missioners that existing local government machinery is adequate to deal with all problems of homelessness, billeting, feeding, etc., which may be expected to arise in the districts surrounding any town liable to heavy air attack.

My right hon. Friend proposes to make a full statement on regional and local planning for after-raid problems in the course of an early debate on Civil Defence.

Will the statement include machinery whereby Members who represent areas that have been attacked may be informed of that fact at the earliest possible moment?

The Debate will take in all aspects of the matter.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the many cases of inconsiderate and arbitrary treatment of requisitioned property by minor officials, he will take steps to provide that the livelihood, housing and compensation of owners and occupiers are treated with care and consideration?

If my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind, perhaps he will bring them to the notice of the appropriate Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, when approached the appropriate Department say that they are bound by Statute and that it will require legislative change to improve the position?

There is no Statute which prescribes inconsiderate treatment of anyone, but I shall be ready to be informed of any cases of this kind which may be in the knowledge of hon. Gentlemen.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the complaint is widespread, that many people are having their property taken, that they have to pay rent for it and rent for other property, and that they are getting no compensation?

My attention has been drawn to this question from various quarters, and I shall be glad to receive information upon it, provided that the matter cannot be satisfactorily adjusted with the Departments concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that where tenants are deprived of occupation they are still liable to the landlord for the rent? Does that seem equitable, and ought not the liability for rent to be postponed?

That is a larger question, and it will certainly receive attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his attention has been called to the fact that various Government departments, the London County Council and other public bodies are in the habit of requisitioning premises and paying a rent in respect of such premises arbitrarily fixed by themselves which is often less than the rent reserved under the lease or agreement under which the said premises are held; and whether, in view of the serious hard- ship thus occasioned to private individuals, immediate steps will be taken to enable this injustice to be removed?

Departments have no power arbitrarily to fix a compensation rent. The Compensation (Defence) Act provides that the rent payable for requisitioned premises shall be a sum equal to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant in occupation of the premises, during the period for which possession of the premises is retained, under a lease granted immediately before that period. This rent may be greater or less than the rent payable under a former lease. In the latter event the compensation paid should reflect the cost of similar accommodation in the same neighbourhood and there is, I think my hon. Friend will agree, no reason why the Crown should pay more. Any claimant who is dissatisfied has the right of appeal to the Tribunal set up by the Act.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that one of my constituents, who was the proprietress of a prosperous private hotel, held on a 21 years' lease at a rental of £675 a year, has recently had it commandeered, and that she is receiving only £500 a year? She has therefore not only lost her livelihood but has to pay £175 a year without getting anything in return.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will let me have the case, and I shall be glad to consider it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is quite a number of these cases which want looking into, and that there is great lack of sympathetic treatment in a great many cases?

I must say that I am not altogether satisfied with the way in which this Act has been administered. The Lord Privy Seal is also interested in this matter, and if any cases are sent, I will see that they are carefully examined with a view to seeing what can be done.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to prevent misunderstandings, steps will be taken to ensure that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs shall be the sole Minister responsible in this House for all matters relating to foreign affairs in accordance with constitutional practice?

It is my intention that my right hon. Friend should continue to discharge the responsibility described.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this important constitutional practice has not been strictly observed in recent months and has caused serious misgivings and misunderstandings in several quarters?

If that is so, it has not been intentional, but sometimes in the conversational matter in which we discharge our affairs in this House supplementary questions may have led to an answer trespassing beyond the bounds that would be normal, and no harm has arisen.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to have all Acts of Parliament written in basic English?

No, Sir.

Does not the Prime Minister think that it would be a great economy of the time of the House if, after the official draftsmen had done their best —or worst—with these Bills, they were translated into more understandable English; and will he contemplate the calamity that might befall us if these draftsmen some day took his own speeches and translated them into official language.

Well, there is a great deal of official jargon, but it has not been arrived at with a view to causing inconvenience, but because those who are entrusted with expressing the decisions of the House in statutory form have found that to be the most convenient and precise method. With regard to the idea that we should try to describe everything in basic English, that is very sensible, and I may draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that the word "basic" and its neighbour the word "basal" are both under very great suspicion at present in the way in which they are used. I see that Mr. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, which everyone should study, says:

"These un-English looking adjectives, neither of which existed before the 19th century, were manufactured merely as adjuncts to certain technical uses of the noun 'base' in botany, chemistry and architecture where the word 'fundamental' would have been misleading."

While I thank the Prime Minister for taking so much trouble over this matter, does he not think that, in spite of all that he has said, some improvement could be made?

Would the hon. Member himself start by making his speeches in basic English?

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether, in planning for post-war reconstruction, he will consider bringing together into one national superannuation scheme all the private, municipal and national superannuation and pension schemes to remove the overlapping, anomalies and multiplication of existing schemes and staffs?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is being borne in mind. He will be aware of the statement made last Thursday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. Ellis Smith) that a thorough overhaul of the existing schemes of social insurance, including pensions insurance, is now being undertaken.

Will the Minister keep in mind that practically the whole population now come under some pension scheme or other, and that a great deal of overlapping must necessarily take place, both in accounting and otherwise; and will he keep in mind the possibility of combining all these into one big superannuation scheme?

I should not like to pledge myself to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, but the need for this survey arises largely out of the considerations which my hon. Friend has put to me.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will give particulars of the organisation of his Department; the numbers employed; the estimated total cost; and what progress has been made in the study of post-war world organisation?

The work of investigating problems of reconstruction is under the general direction of a Ministerial Committee of the War Cabinet, of which I am Chairman. As I stated in reply to a Question on 30th of January last by my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary), the major part of the work of investigation falls upon the Departments concerned and upon various organisations with which we are in consultation. It would be impracticable to estimate the cost of this work as in very many cases it forms only part of the duties performed by the staff engaged upon it. For the secretarial work in connection with the Ministerial Committee and for the general supervision of the work I have the immediate assistance of a staff of seven persons whose total remuneration amounts to £5,264 a year. As regards the last part of the Question, certain aspects of reconstruction are already the subject of consultation with Dominion Governments and other aspects will be discussed at the appropriate time; and post-war problems in the Colonies are under examination. I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as regards the international aspect of post-war problems which are under consideration.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in addition to the Dominion Governments with whom consultations are taking place, the Allied Governments are also being consulted?

Indeed, yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that he will restrict Government borrowing by way of Treasury deposit receipts to the affiliated English banks; and whether he can state the names of the banks outside the orbit of the English banks who have in the past two months been allowed to participate in these operations?

In the reply which I gave on 4th July, 1940, to my hon. Friend the Member for the City of London (Sir G. Broadbridge), 1 stated that these deposits would be taken from the clearing banks and the Scottish banks, and the scheme has also been made available to other banks operating in the sterling area which have accumulated sterling balances here. It would not be advisable to lay down binding rules for the future. It is not the practice to publish the names of subscribers to Government loans of any description.

Does my right hon. Friend not think it desirable that there should be some statement of Government policy regarding the whole question of the issue of Treasury deposit receipts, in view of the fact that taxpayers all over the country have been called upon to pay for this rather expensive form of borrowing?

I cannot agree with the latter part of the supplementary Question, but I think a statement has been made, and if on the Finance Bill anyone desires to put a question on the subject no doubt a further statement could be made.

Is it not in the national interest that the Treasury should borrow for its requirements from as broad a field as possible?

Certainly, and of course there is nothing objectionable in taking deposits from the central banks—rather the contrary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in cases where several members of a family are simultaneously killed by enemy action, the cost of taking out letters of administration is incurred several times in respect of the same estate; and will he take steps to save beneficiaries this unnecessary expense?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 13th May in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich (Sir G. Hume) and to the terms of Clause 37 of the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in cases of whole families killed by enemy action. Estate Duty is charged on the same estate, in some cases, three or four times; and will he take steps to remedy this injustice?

Each death must be treated separately for the purpose of the administration of the estates in question in order to prevent confusion arising in the devolution of property. Where each of the persons in question dies intestate the cost of obtaining such letters of administration as may be necessary may be very small but would no doubt vary according to the circumstances of each case. So far as the cost consists of Estate Duty, I would refer my hon. Friend to the proposals for a further remission contained in the Finance Bill. A reduction of court fees would follow automatically.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now prepared to give facilities for the conversion of stocks in respect of which the Commonwealth of Australia, and the various State Governments, are in a position to exercise an option of repayment?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to announce that an offer of conversion in respect of those stocks carrying a higher rate of interest than 4 per cent. will be made at an early date. In order to facilitate this operation without interference with the Government's borrowing operations, I have agreed to advance from the Vote of Credit to the Commonwealth of Australia such sum as may be necessary to repay any unconverted stock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of asking organisers of War Weapons Weeks not to accept loans from banks, or from individuals who have had the amount they invest advanced by their bank, unless such loans are made free of interest?

No, Sir. Borrowing from the banks by their customers for the purpose of subscribing to War Loans would be contrary to the Government's policy, and I do not think that any appreciable amount for subscriptions is so financed.

Surely the Chancellor realises that these War Weapons Weeks were instituted in order to help ordinary people to save, and not to enable the banks to get a higher rate of interest, and to get the credit of making contributions towards these weeks or inducing their customers to do so? Does the Chancellor approve of this procedure?

This matter was discussed at considerable length on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill the other day, and a considered statement was made, and I should like to say how grateful I am for all those who have organised these War Weapons Weeks.