asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company are declining claims arising out of excessive delay in transit, pleading that such delays are due to enemy action, when, in fact, no such enemy action has taken place; and what steps he proposes to take to compel the railway company to give fair treatment to private traders who are suffering severe financial loss in consequence of this action?

I am having inquiries made and will communiciate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has now received the report of Mr. Frank Pick on the traffic which can be conveyed by canals; why the information sought by Mr. Pick was not available at the Ministry; why it was necessary to employ Mr. Pick to collect information which should have been in the possession of the Ministry and whether he proposes to publish the report; and what action he proposes to make greater use of canals and inland waterways for the conveyance of traffic?

We have now received Mr. Frank Pick's Report. It is not our intention to publish it. Mr. Pick was not appointed to collect information but to suggest ways and means of making better use of the canals. In regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question some steps have already been taken, but it is as yet too early to say what further steps we may take in the light of the Report.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the difficulties which have arisen for the civilian internees transferred from Great Britain to Canada, owing to the fact that the Canadian internment camps are under military regulations and military jurisdiction; that these civilian internees are regarded in Canada as prisoners of war; and whether he will approach the Dominion authorities with a view to securing that these internees shall be treated as civilians, under regulations and administrative arrangements similar to those instituted by the Home Office in the Isle of Man?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that refugee internees in Canadian camps are still largely treated as prisoners of war; that instructions emanating from the director of internment operations or camp authorities still bear the heading "Prisoners of War"; that restrictions on the receipt of currency other than neutral currency are imposed on them corresponding to the German practice for British prisoners of war; and whether he will take any action to alter this state of affairs?

These matters have been under consideration and I understand that the Canadian Government have now decided to place the refugee camps under a separate administration, quite distinct from that of prisoners of war. This change will result in treatment similar to that enjoyed by internees in the Isle of Man. As regards the currency permitted in the Canadian camps, my information is that there is no restriction on the receipt of currency direct from foreign countries (including enemy countries), whose regulations allow money to be sent to Canada. Remittances of sterling to Canada from this country are prohibited by the Defence (Finance) Regulations.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to ensure that hon. Members are informed immediately after damage or casualties, resulting from enemy action, have occurred in their constituencies?

Arrangements have already been made and are in operation whereby hon. Members may obtain general information about bombing in their constituencies from the appropriate local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that his predecessor, after we had been at war for more than a year, stated that it was the policy of his Department that every hospital of 300 or more beds should have a properly equipped physiotherapeutic department; that there are hospitals staffed with one or more masseuses acting under the direction of surgeons who have no specialised training in this branch of medicine; that physiotherapists are appointed to the staffs of hospitals only in the event of an application being made for such an appointment by the medical superintendent of the hospital; and will he give the lead in implementing his predecessor's pledge by directing that physiotherapists be appointed whether the medical superintendent applies or not; and whether any alien physiotherapists have been appointed to posts under the Ministry of Health?

The policy of advocating the provision of physiotherapeutic departments in all Class I hospitals with 300 or more casualty beds was announced in a circular of 25th June, 1940, a copy of which I will send to my hon. and gallant Friend, and in subsequent statements by my predecessor. I am advised that the existing methods of staffing these departments are generally satisfactory. My Department have, in a number of cases, invited hospital authorities to consider the appointment of physiotherapists, but I am satisfied that it would not be wise to insist upon such appointments against the wishes of the clinical staff of the hospital. No alien physiotherapist has yet been appointed to a post under the Ministry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how the subistence allowance to civil servants on voluntary air-raid precautions duties compares with those accorded to voluntary air-raid precautions workers drawn from the public?

As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 22nd May in reply to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) revised arrangements have now been authorised regarding subsistence allowances to part-time civil defence volunteers under local authorities. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the rules regarding subsistence allowances to civil servants on voluntary A.R.P. duties in Government offices, recently agreed with the representatives of the staff, from which he will see that with minor differences broadly similar treatment is accorded.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that many women are now doing work of national importance, and in many cases have only Saturday afternoons left on which to attend to their domestic duties and do their shopping, he will arrange for shops to remain open on one evening in the week, preferably Friday, late enough to enable housewives who are away all day at work to do their week's shopping?

My right hon. Friend appreciates that for many housewives Saturday is the only afternoon free for domestic and shopping duties and he understands that shopkeepers are generally aware of this and keep open later on Friday and Saturday evenings than on other days. He has no power to compel shops to keep open until any particular time, but if my hon. Friend knows of special difficulties having arisen in any particular place and will send me particulars I shall be glad to have inquiries made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the findings of the South-West Scotland Food Price Investigation Committee, to the effect that their reports on cases of food profiteering are not dealt with and that they are denied powers to prosecute in investigated cases; whether he will now take steps to invest local committees with power to protect the public in examined instances; and whether he will make a statement on the findings of this Committee?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative and to the second and third parts in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can indicate the progress made in the establishment of communal restaurants in London and the country, respectively, other than those under the London County Council?

Excluding the L.C.C. area 489 British Restaurants are in operation in Great Britain. Of these 65 are in the Greater London area and 424 in areas outside Greater London. These restaurants include those set up under the auspices of the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Health (as centres specially started for evacuees) and those operated by local authorities or voluntary organisations on their own responsibility. In addition to these centres already in operation 169 British Restaurants in 120 local authority areas have been approved, and are being prepared for operation. Approximately 200 further local authorities have plans for British Restaurants under active consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what discretion is vested in regional food controllers to secure equitable distribution of supplies in general and of particular commodities within their areas?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the food executive officers appointed in the majority of local authority areas throughout the country. These officers are responsible for administering the regulations relating to the distribution of rationed foods to retailers and by retailers to consumers. They have no corresponding duties regarding supplies in general or even regarding other foodstuffs, though they are responsible for calling attention to local difficulties which may arise regarding the supply of any type of food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the procedure to be followed by farmers dissatisfied with the graders' estimates of the weight of the livestock they send for slaughter to the collecting centres; and whether there is any means of settling such disputes on a satisfactory basis?

A farmer who is dissatisfied with the graders' estimates of the carcase weights of his livestock may withdraw the animals from sale to the Ministry. Provision has been made for an inspector when present at a collecting centre to arrange in suitable cases for payment to be made on the basis of the carcase weights as ascertained after slaughter; in these cases the farmer may attend at the slaughterhouse to see the animals slaughtered and the carcases weighed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Bournemouth is experiencing a shortage of oatmeal, porridge oats and rolled oats; and will he make inquiries as to whether this is the result of rationing, or to a temporary dislocation of distribution?

My attention had already been drawn to the shortage of oatmeal, porridge oats and rolled oats in Bournemouth and additional supplies are being released to wholesalers serving the district.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the circulation of large quantities of printed advertising matter urging the community to spend, while the War Savings movement is urging them to save, is a gross waste of war effort; and will he take steps to prevent this kind of misuse of paper?

The distribution of advertising circulars by any person is now restricted to 15 per cent, of the pre-war quantity.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the petition from men of reduced industrial capacity in Rhondda, begging for the opportunity to obtain work, and thus share in the national effort for victory; and what steps he contemplates taking to meet their request?

I cannot identify the petition to which my hon. Friend refers but I would refer to the answer I gave him on 10th April. In co-operation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, I am arranging for unemployed coal miners in South Wales suffering from nystagmus or silicosis to be employed in agriculture if they are medically fit for it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has formed an estimate of the number of pensioners in the country able and anxious to perform useful work in the national effort for victory; and whether he thinks employing these people should not take precedence of the efforts now being made to take womenfolk away from their homes?

Figures on which to base such an estimate are not available. As stated in the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 6th March to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery) every effort is made to place pensioners who register for employment in work of which they are capable, but this does not diminish the need for women in industry, particularly those who are free to take work away from their homes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in some cases employers, on hearing that their employés have volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force on registration, have dismissed them from their employment on the grounds that if they defer their dismissal until they are actually taken for service they might find it difficult to secure suitable alternative employés; and whether, in these circumstances, he will prevent employers from dismissing girls until they are actually required for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force or other similar service, or arrange that the services shall give the employers at least a month's notice before calling up the girls, so that the former may have sufficient opportunity of obtaining substitutes?

No cases of the kind have been brought to my notice but if my hon. Friend has any in mind and will give me particulars I will make inquiries. I am arranging for the future that whenever it is proposed after registration to transfer a gill who is in employment either to other employment or to one of the Women's Services, a notice shall be sent to the employer pointing out that it is against the public interest to discharge her and that he should keep her until the transfer has been definitely arranged and offering to assist him in finding a substitute if one is required. I understand that after a girl has been accepted for the W.A.A.F. two weeks' notice is normally given before she is called up for training. I also understand that if a girl who has been accepted for the W.A.A.F. loses her employment and for this reason asks to be called up immediately, all possible steps will be taken to meet her request.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the composition and objects of the Air Training Corps Council of Welfare?

The Air Training Corps Council of Welfare originates from the Air Defence Cadet Corps Council which was responsible for administering the Air Defence Cadet Corps movement out of which the Air Training Corps was developed. The Council of Welfare has no formal terms of reference but constitutes a body of informed opinion which I can consult either individually or collectively from time to time on welfare and amenity questions affecting the Air Training Corps. Sums of money and other benefactions which are received from private sources for the benefit of the Air Training Corps, other than sums subscribed locally for the benefit of individual units, are passed to the Council of Welfare and administered under its authority. The present membership is shown below and additional appointments will be made from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why No. 1225394, A. C. Marks, who volunteered in June, 1940, who first went before a medical board on4th August and again on 21st April, 1941, has not received the board's decision, as in consequence this man is regarded by the Employment Exchange as technically in the forces and cannot get work even of national importance?

This airman was enrolled in the R.A.F. on nth January of this year and was placed on deferred service, which does not preclude continuation of, or a fresh engagement in, a civil occupation. On 21st April he was medically examined at his own request, when he was found to be permanently unfit for R.A.F. service and recommended for discharge. He was notified on 23rd May, when his discharge certificate was posted to him, that his discharge would be effective as from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that many Royal Air Force instructors volunteered for flying duties in Rhodesia on the definite promise from the Air Ministry that their wives could join them within a reasonable time; and whether he will take steps to fulfil this pledge?

No such promise has been given by the Air Ministry, since the availability of passages obviously depends upon the shipping situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received the report on the revision of the diplomatic service?

I suppose that my hon. Friend refers to the report prepared at my request by my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham (Sir M. Robertson). I have received that report. The matter is engaging my close attention, but I have as yet no statement to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when His Majesty's ambassador to the Soviet Union last had audience with M. Stalin; and whether any assurances have been sought or given regarding Soviet intentions in the Near East?

While His Majesty's Ambassador maintains regular contact with the Soviet Government, he has not for some time had an interview with M. Stalin. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why an instruction has been issued to suspend assessment of claims by persons whose homes and furniture have been destroyed because of enemy action on Clydeside; and if it is the intention of assessors to base their assessment at a sum considerably less than the value of any insurance policy a claimant may have had covering his property in peace time?

I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind valuations of war damage to furniture and other personal effects. As regards the first part of his Question, valuation was recently suspended for a short time while arrangements were being made to give effect to the provisions of the War Damage Act, 1941, but has since been resumed. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is a duty of valuers to assess the value of the goods at the time of the loss on a fair basis, which should take into account all relevant factors, including not only depreciation but also any rise in the price level. A valuer would not overlook any guidance which might be obtained from a peace-time fire insurance policy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Second-Lieut. F. H. Danger, notwithstanding the fact that on joining the Army he was promised the rank of lieutenant and status and pay of a technical maintenance officer, has in fact only "been given the rank and pay of a second-lieutenant; that he has performed the duties of a technical maintenance officer in his unit with great satisfaction since the 28th May, 1940; that his commanding officer has on several occasions attempted to remedy his grievance but without success; and will he examine this case and, under the circumstances, implement the promise given with all arrears of back pay?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that my Department has been guilty of a breach of faith in this case. This officer was informed in writing on 16th December, 1939, that he would be called up with the rank of second-lieutenant for employment on regimental duty, and he agreed in writing on 19th December to accept employment upon these conditions. The duties of a technical maintenance officer are in fact included in the normal duties of a regimental officer of the Royal Corps of Signals, and there is no reason why extra pay should be drawn in respect of them. It is a fact that in peace these duties were carried out by officers promoted after long service in the ranks, who drew pay at quartermaster's rates, but I cannot agree that these rates are appropriate for officers appointed to commissions since the outbreak of war from the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve. I am aware that one such officer has in fact been given these rates, but this was due to misunderstanding, and I am afraid that it cannot be regarded as a precedent.