asked the Minister of Labour why strong, healthy men who are 65 years of age are prevented from working in a Government factory by the Ministry of Labour on account of their age?

I am not aware of any such action, which would be entirely contrary to the policy and practice of my Department. I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the case he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether persons in reserved occupations are subject to any periodical test as to whether they are individually making an adequate contribution to the national war effort in such occupations?

Every man who is reserved under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations and Protected Work is required periodically to complete a form giving particulars of the duties on which he is engaged. Hitherto, the check applied to these particulars has been mainly directed to the nature of the man's occupation, but arrangements are in process of being made to scrutinise also the nature of the output or services on which he is engaged.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed his inquiries into the shortage of labour for coal and coke distribution in Cheltenham; and will he indicate the steps he is taking to remedy the deficiency?

My hon. Friend has sent me particulars of a firm which has complained that a worker recently left its employment I understand that the worker concerned left because he was dissatisfied with his wages, which averaged just over £2 a week, and while the local Employment Exchange is endeavouring to fill the vacancy the terms are not such as to enable a worker to be transferred from elsewhere in order to fill it. The total demands for labour from coal merchants in Cheltenham are for four carters, two drivers' mates and one labourer and the necessary action is being taken to meet the demands as soon as possible, having regard to other urgent demands in the neighbourhood.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of volunteers over military age from professions or trades who have responded to his recent appeal to undertake land-drainage work; whether many such individuals are likely to be suitable for such hard labour calling for considerable technical knowledge; and why the ability to drive a motor-car has been included with the qualifications required for taking up land-drainage work?

I have no separate statistics of the number of men over military age from professions or trades who have volunteered for land-drainage work in response to my recent appeal. This work does not require technical knowledge or exceptional physical strength, and I am hopeful that some men of the type referred to will be found ready to undertake the work. Ability to drive a motor-car is not a necessary qualification for this work, but such knowledge would, of course, be useful to a man training to be a tractor driver.

Is it not possible to obtain recruits for this kind of job from the regular unemployed? Have attempts been made to do so, and, if they have failed, could the right hon. Gentleman say why?

I have no regular unemployed. I do not think it is an unfair tiling to ask all parties to come forward and render national service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the recent case where an employer dismissed a workman, without giving the usual week's notice, for arriving late at work because his home had suffered through enemy action, with the result that six men and one woman came out on strike in sympathy; and what action he proposes to take against the employer?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me have particulars of the dispute to which he refers, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Central Register is still in operation; whether he will give the number of persons whose names are now thereon; the number thereof known to be available; and the number employed from the Register to date?

The Central Register maintained by my Department is still in operation; the number of persons enrolled on the Register is now 198,913. The great majority of the persons on the Register are already employed in work of national importance and are therefore available for employment only in the sense that they can be transferred, if necessary, to new employment of greater priority. Up to date 13,172 persons on the Register have been placed in work of national importance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give his personal attention to the matter in view of the fact that it is obvious, from the many appointments that are made not from the Register at all, that there is something beside merit which gets appointments in the case of persons not on the Register, and that people are being side-tracked by having their names thereupon?

I have given it personal attention. I reorganised the whole business from top to bottom and put a person in charge who had had long experience as an expert in placing from Cambridge instead of a civil servant.

How is it that such a small number have been found appointments out of the thousands of appointments that have been made since the Central Register came into being? There is a good deal of public uneasiness about it.

The Central Register is not a place for providing employment for people. It was never intended to be, and I have no intention of converting it into such an instrument.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the comments of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, he will take steps to abolish work on Sundays except in very special cases?

The recommendation on this subject in the Fifteenth Report from the Select Committee, relating to the aircraft industry, is broadly in accordance with views which have been expressed on behalf of the Government, particularly in my reply of 3rd April to the hon. and gallant Member for East Leicester (Captain Lyons). Some progress has been made in this direction, and I am considering with my colleagues the methods by which Sunday working may be reduced to the utmost extent compatible with the flexibility necessary for certain systems of production and the temporary requirements of specially urgent work.

Does my right hon. Friend remember a report issued during the last war that, with a given number of hours per week, production is high in the factories and it is not worth employing people on these very technical jobs for more than a given number of hours per week?

The aircraft industry has certain peculiarities in this sense, that changes of type are so frequent that you keep getting a hiatus, and then you have to go all out, after re-tooling, to make up your production again. You cannot run the aircraft industry on a balanced order exactly the same as you can many other industries.

While recognising that principle, there must be a certain elasticity. Is not the principle accepted that in the long run a seven days' week does not increase production?

I accept that, but assuming that a new type is coming out, if it is possible, by asking the men at the retooling period to go all out, to reduce the re-tooling period by a month, it makes a tremendous difference to production. I cannot give a definite and firm answer, as the circumstances are constantly under review.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to provide a supply of forest workers for Forestry Commission and private estates; and whether the Employment Exchanges are able to assist owners requiring this class of labour?

I am not aware of any substantial unsatisfied demand for forest workers, if, as I assume, my hon. Friend is referring to persons engaged in the care of growing timber, and not in connection with timber felling.

Is it possible for owners to get the services of some of the Norwegian labour which is here now?

I am afraid that I cannot take the Norwegian labour off the duties it is now performing, especially having regard to the interests of our export programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call together at once the competent people in the constructional engineering and building industry, and other people, for the purpose of preparing a large-scale national scheme for the provision of strong air-raid shelters in areas where they are urgently required, and, later, in all industrial centres?

For the reasons explained in the answer which the Joint Parliamentary Secretary gave to a Question by the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 2nd April, I do not contemplate any such revision of our shelter policy as my hon. Friend suggests, and accordingly I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a conference of this kind. The matter is, of course, under constant observation by my expert advisers.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the 20,000 Anderson shelters in Sheffield, admitted in April to be unfit for use, have now been rendered fit; when the remainder will be so rendered; how many men are now employed upon the work; whether the quality of their labour is thoroughly satisfactory; and what is the population served by the 20,000 shelters and that served by those still unfit for use?

I am informed that 14,800 Anderson shelters in Sheffield remain to be treated. At the moment 275 men are employed upon this work. I cannot forecast when the work will be completed, as I am not satisfied with the rate of progress or the labour resources available and propose to look into the matter further. As regards the last part of the Question, it may be taken that the number of people affected is roughly in the ratio of four persons per shelter.

asked the Home Secretary who is directly responsible in each area which has suffered an air-raid for immediate advice and sympathetic assistance to the people affected, for moving their furniture, for the provision of food, etc.; and will he call the responsible Ministers together to review the situation, in the light of experience, and take steps to improve the machinery at once?

Local authorities are responsible both for immediate advice and practical assistance to those who have suffered in air-raids, and most of them have established information or administrative centres for this purpose. The Government Departments concerned with such questions as feeding, housing and relief are in close contact through their regional representatives with the responsible local authorities. In reply to the second part of the Question, the position is that Ministers keep these arrangements under steady observation, with a view to the introduction of improvements, where necessary.

I recently had an experience of moving among broken-hearted people who had suffered as a consequence of the local authorities not carrying out their responsibilities. In cases of this kind will my right hon. Friend give personal attention to the issues arising out of the question in order to prevent a repetition of that kind of thing?

I do, but if my hon. Friend will take the obvious course of letting me have the particulars of that case, I will at once go into it.

Is it not the obligation of the A.R.P. controller to see that these things are done properly?

Yes, Sir, it is part of his duty.

Is it part of the duty of the controller to see that these things are done?

Certainly, it is the duty of the A.R.P. controller to stimulate the general efficiency of all these services, as well as being the duty of the appropriate Government Departments.

Is it not the responsibility and duty of the Regional Commissioners to see that the best preparations are made to deal with situations of this description?

Yes, Sir, that is well known, and they do it.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that areas which have not had heavy bombardments learn the lessons of those that have?

I cannot be sure, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we do our best in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give a list of local authorities who have not yet prepared houses for the accommodation of air-raid victims; who have not appointed welfare officers; is any check kept on the preparation made in each locality; and what steps are taken to deal with local authorities that do not comply with Government circulars?

Local authorities have been requested to prepare houses for the accommodation of air-raid victims in areas where such provision is appropriate and to appoint information or welfare officers at the rest centres, and, in general, the local authorities have been prompt to take the necessary action. The service for the homeless is, however, a continuously developing one, and for this reason I regret that the information asked for in the first two parts of the Question is not readily available. My Department's regional officers are in close and constant consultation with the authorities to secure that the arrangements made are adequate.

In cases where local authorities do not accept their responsibilities or carry out their duties in accordance with the instructions sent out by the Ministry, what steps are taken to see that they do carry them out?

I have no knowledge of any such case. I have been round 10 of the Civil Defence regions in the last 14 weeks, and I am sure that if there had been a case of this kind, I should have heard of it. I do not say that I am fully satisfied with the adequacy of the arrangements made in all places, but we shall have a chance of discussing the subject after the Recess.

(for Mr. Martin) asked the Minister of Health the death rate amongst evacuated children; and how it compares with the normal death rate for children of the same age?

The statistics available as to the death rate do not distinguish between evacuated children and native children. All the evidence available, however, goes to show that, in general, evacuation has had a beneficial effect on children's health.

(for Mr. Martin) asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the high accident rate amongst evacuated children; and what steps he feels able to take to diminish its incidence?

I have no information to suggest that the accident rate among evacuated children is higher than among other children, but I should be very interested to examine any evidence on the point with which my hon. Friend can supply me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that all the following associations, namely, the Free German League of Culture, Free German Youth, Austrian Centre, Council of Austrians in Great Britain, Young Austria, Working Refugee Women, Refugee Teachers' Association and Young Czecho-Slovakia are engaged in relief and welfare work and carry out no political activities contrary to the public interest?

I am not in a position to give a categorical answer to my hon. Friend's Question, but the activities of these organisations are being watched, and I shall have no hesitation in taking appropriate action should I deem it necessary to do so in the national interest.

Has my right hon. Friend any reason to think that up to the present time any of these organisations have been doing anything contrary to the public interest?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to put down a Question for the next day when I am answering Questions, I shall hope to be able to give him a more specific reply. At the moment my information is not in such a condition that it would be fair for me to make a more specific statement.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that when he says these organisations are being watched it creates the impression that they are suspicious organisations, and in view of the association with them of many people in this House and outside of undoubted quality, cannot he give some assurance that meanwhile no suspicion has been justified by the investigation?

It is part of the duty of the Home Office to keep extensive watch over everybody—organisations and all sorts of people—and I think the House will agree that it is the obvious duty of the Home Office to keep observation on organisations of foreign people.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the difficulty of enforcing the Clearance of Lofts Order in unoccupied premises, where neither the owner nor any agent of his can be traced so as to secure the keys; and whether any power of forcible entry to see that in flammable material is removed exists in such a case?

The Order confers the right of entry to premises to which it applies. As regards the general question of unoccupied houses, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Marylebone (Captain Cunningham-Reid) on 22nd May.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to take any action respecting the recommendation of Home Office Fire Adviser on the provision of roof protective levels; and whether he intends to encourage the adaptation or improvement of roofs as a means of minimising fire danger from incendiary bombs?

Advice in regard to this method of protection was given in the amended reprint of Handbook No. 9 "Incendiary Bombs and Fire Precautions" issued in June, 1940, and further action is being taken.

Can my right hon. Friend indicate more precisely what kind of action is being taken and whether this kind of protection is to be widely applied?

It would not be in the national interest for me to give further details.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will approach the War Office for the release of the numerous trained men of the London Fire Brigade, who are now in the Army, and anxious to return to their fire-fighting duties?

Arrangements were made with the War Office last year for the release from the Home Forces of men who had fire-fighting experience and who were willing to return to the fire service, provided that they were not serving in certain specified categories in the Army. More than 4,300 men were released under these arrangements, of whom 482 returned to the London Fire Brigade. I propose, however, to consider in consultation with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War, whether anything further can be done in this matter.

While expressing appreciation of that reply, may I ask whether, as stated by the Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, there are 400 men of the London Fire Brigade in the Services anxious to come back to fight fires in London?

I could not say without notice, but evidence of that kind will no doubt help me in my arguments with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Will my right hon. Friend explain how these experts in the fire brigade service were allowed to join the Army?

I expect that it happened in the days when a lot of people did not attach as much importance to Civil Defence as they do at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary when he expects to be able to complete the regulations for the State fire service set up under the recent Act?

I hope that those of immediate urgency, dealing with the constitution of the new fire force areas and the responsibility of area officers, will be made at an early date.

Will these regulations come before the House, or be placed in the Library, or in what form can they be discussed in the House?

My impression, although I am not sure, is that these regulations will be in the same class of procedure as regulations made under the Emergency Powers Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Fire Prevention Executive Committee, under the chairmanship of the Postmaster-General, is to remain in being or whether its functions are to be altered; and whether he has in contemplation the setting-up of any central board, council, or committee, to control and advise, and which will include an Inspector-General and a Chief Staff Officer for Fire?

I am unable at this stage to make any announcement about possible changes of organisation.

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to give us the names of the Inspector-General and Chief Staff Officer for Fire whom he mentioned in his speech in the House?

This question is wider than that of fire prevention, and that point does not arise. It will arise on the fire fighting side, but I am unable to give the information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a good deal of public anxiety on this matter and that the sooner it is settled and a clear decision is reached the better?

I have given an assurance that we shall move with all practical speed, and I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will not cast doubt on that assurance.

Last week my right hon. Friend said that he was not contemplating any major changes in the fire prevention side. Do I understand from his first reply to-day that there is a modification of that decision?

I think that my hon. Friend was dealing with another aspect of fire prevention, and on that my answer will still stand. On the general question of the fire prevention organisation, certain aspects are under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some employers are exercising pressure on employés, who are already doing Civil Defence service, also to undertake fire-watching; and whether he has approved of this course?

I have strongly deprecated any action by employers which would tend to deplete the Civil Defence services, and very few cases have come to my notice of workers being pressed to choose between remaining in those services and performing fire prevention duties at the premises where they work. If my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind, perhaps he will inform me.

asked the Home Secretary whether Messrs. S. Lanni, S. Imponenti, Pietro Cavadaschi, Francis Vercelli and S. Volante, all of whom have been interned under Regulation 18B, are all or any of them British subjects; and were any of them transported to the Isle of Man prior to 24th March, 1941?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend refers to the cases of Pasquale Lanni, Renato Imponenti and Luigi Volante, these three men and the other two named in the Question were interned last summer when the general internment of men of Italian nationality was taking place. Four of them possess both Italian and British nationality, and the fifth is a naturalised British subject of Italian origin. One of them had endeavoured to divest himself of his British nationality by making a declaration of alienage. Another had an Italian passport and had made statements showing that he regarded himself as Italian. By inadvertence they were placed with Italian internees who were removed to the Isle of Man. Instructions were subsequently issued for their return to this country. I may add that in one case the man, after his return to this country from the Isle of Man, asked to be sent back there if he could not be released.

May I express my thanks to the Minister for correcting the names? He will recognise that these people may have several names. Is he aware that in the case of those who have British nationality he has committed an unpardonable offence against them, and will he say what steps he proposes to take to compensate them?

I cannot see why my hon. Friend should be so anxious to spend public money in compensating people who have been sent out of the blitzed areas of Britain to the Isle of Man. If there is a legal point involved, he will also appreciate that it would be improper for me to make any statement upon a case which may come into court. While I am very sorry for the mistake, and I apologise to my hon. Friend and to the House for making a mistake, nevertheless I cannot see why I should start making offers of compensation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the course of the Committee discussions on the Bill empowering the Government to transfer these subjects to the Isle of Man the Under-Secretary gave a categorical and specific denial to a question by me as to whether any British subjects had, in fact, been transferred to the Isle of Man in anticipation of that legislation?

I frankly admit that that is perfectly true. My hon. Friend gave the answer in all good faith and on advice. It must be remembered that our records are out of London. It was a mistaken answer, and I am sorry for it, as is also my hon. Friend, but in the circumstances I think the House will not regard this as quite a capital offence.

asked the Home Secretary what measures he proposes to take to reduce the risk of fire-bombs dropped among mature corn crops in the coming season?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any special measures in contemplation for dealing with the danger of incendiary bombs to crops at harvest time; and whether he is prepared to make arrangements in each district for the co-operation in fire-fighting of this type of military personnel billeted in the neighbourhood?

The matter to which my hon. Friends refer is being dealt with in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that adequate measures have been taken against this risk?

We shall take the best possible measures we can. I think my hon. Friend will agree that I ought perhaps not to go into details on a matter which might convey information to the enemy.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the War Office to see whether in rural areas the Home Guard could help in this matter?

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether any agreement has yet been arrived at with the Australian authorities to rescind or modify the regulation which prohibits interned aliens from sending cables; and, in view of the aggravation in the situation of these men, which has arisen from the fact that even when authorised for release they are not being actually released owing to lack of shipping to bring them home, he will press for an early decision on the question of cables?

I would refer to the reply to the Question by the hon. Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) on 22nd May. I now understand that a decision by the Australian authorities on the question of amended regulations to allow internees to send cables in certain circumstances is expected very shortly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this matter has now been dragging on for nine months and that this regulation works very cruelly? It takes months to get a reply. Even in very urgent cases of sickness or important business matters they cannot communicate with their friends by cable. Will he ask the Australians to hurry up with the revision of a regulation which the Canadian authorities have never thought it necessary to impose?

I have done and will do my best in the matter, but, as the hon. Lady will appreciate, it is a long-distance business, and I do rather think she is somewhat exaggerating the gravity of the situation.

Is it also realised that the war has been going on for some considerable time and that that also is not finished?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the concern caused by the dismissal during recent months by the Holborn Borough Council of leading members of their air-raid precautions service and recently of 27 stretcher bearers; and whether he will institute an immediate inquiry into these dismissals?

I am informed that the borough council have found it necessary to dismiss 27 members of the stretcher party service for conduct prejudicial to discipline and good order, and that they are reviewing each case in consultation with the National Union of Public Employés. Meanwhile, steps have been taken to ensure that an adequate service will be maintained.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these dismissals have been going on for months; that recently 27 men were dismissed and it is alleged they were dismissed because of certain trade union activities; and that there is very considerable concern in the locality?

But there is another side to the story, and I think it would be injudicious on my part to intervene in this matter, which ought to be settled between the local authority and the union concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what is the policy of His Majesty's Government for assisting local authorities to meet the increased expenditure necessitated by air-raid damage and to offset the loss in rates; and whether this policy applies to local authorities throughout the country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 13th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Tarn-worth (Sir J. Mellor). The policy set out in that answer applies throughout the country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolution from the Fife Area Council of the Scottish Old Age Pensioners Association, forwarded to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, concerning the administration of food supplies; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes" and to the second part"No"

Is the Prime Minister aware that the demand of these old age pensioners for the removal of Lord Woolton has the support of very many organisations throughout Scotland, and, I believe, throughout the country as a whole?

I do not think it is so, but if it were so, it would be a very ill-advised and unjustifiable demand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will state the number of prosecutions that have taken place for infringement of the Ministry of Food orders?

The total number of prosecutions for infringement of orders relating to food control from the beginning of the war to the end of April, 1941, is 18,272.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the price of matured onions is con trolled at 4⅓d per lb., but as unmatured onions are uncontrolled, unmatured autumn-sown onions are being sold in the shops at 2s. to 2s. 9d. a lb., and growers are pulling young onions in large quantities to get the bigger profit; and will he consider placing a control price on all onions in order to safeguard the future supply of matured onions to the public, and prevent another shortage?

It is not the practice of the trade to sell green onions by weight, but I am satisfied that the figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend are greatly in excess of the present average retail prices. It is a normal and necessary practice to thin out part of the crop of onions grown for autumn harvesting and to sell the thinnings in the summer, but I have seen no evidence that this is taking place on a larger scale than usual. Increasing supplies of green onions are now coming on to the market and in the circumstances I do not consider that price control is necessary or that it would have the effect which my hon. and gallant Friend desires.

If the controlled price of onions is 4⅓d.per lb., at what stage in the growth of an onion is an onion an onion?

I should want a lot of notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can announce the actual yield of liquid milk for the month of April obtained from the milk distributors by the operation of the Milk Restriction Order; and the computed percentage of milk so acquired as compared with the aggregate amount of available fresh milk during the same period?

I am obtaining the information, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can announce the number of protests received by his Department against the methods of operating the Limitation of Milk Supplies Order; whether he has considered a protest from a trade union representing 229,000 organised distributive workers demanding that a full rationing scheme should be immediately introduced that will ensure equality of sacrifice by all consumers and give every person an adequate supply; and whether he proposes to announce a new scheme forthwith?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, a letter on the subject has recently been received from the National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers, and a reply has been sent. In answer to the third part of the Question, all possible methods of restricting milk consumption are being actively examined, but I am unable to make any immediate statement.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that scores of retailers in the North of England are ignoring altogether the limitation Order, and is his Department prepared to take any action in these towns where the Order is being ignored?

Certainly, and I would be glad if the hon. Gentleman would communicate with me if he has any information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make a statement about the distribution of eggs; and whether he has any information about non-traders buying eggs from farmers and egg farmers at farms and other places?

I hope to be able to make a statement on proposals for the improved distribution of both imported and home-produced eggs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can now state the arrangements made for the distribution of oranges through schools and clinics with a view to their use by children where the need is greatest?

No, Sir. A statement on this subject will be issued as soon as possible.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a very widespread feeling in the country that this method is by far the most equitable and useful of any the Government could adopt, and will he give it very careful consideration?

That aspect of the matter is being considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to impress on the county war agricultural executive committees the importance of studying the grassland survey maps, which have been prepared under the direction of Sir George Stapledon, with a view to determining a cropping policy on the various types of land which have been ploughed up, and which ought to be ploughed up?

Copies of the grassland survey map for each county, together- with a synopsis of the information concerning the grassland of the county, gathered in the course of the survey of the whole country carried out by Sir George Stapledon and Mr. William Davies during the previous two years, were circulated to the county war agricultural executive committees last autumn, to help the committees in considering the steps to be taken in their counties in the direction of grassland treatment. I have no doubt that these maps and synopses have been and are of great use to the committees, though the hon. Member will appreciate that a cropping policy must depend on many factors besides the state of the grassland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the methods employed by Chesterfield and Kingston-on-Thames for the treatment of sewage; whether it is being used for agricultural purposes; and whether he intends to take any action to induce other authorities to employ similar methods?

I am aware of the methods of treating sewage sludge employed at these two places, and understand that the authorities are disposing of the product for horticultural or agricultural purposes. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 19th February and 6th March, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the war agricultural executive committees are able to tackle the problem of reclaiming derelict, scrub and waste land; and that, in some counties, it is not necessary to allocate this work to a special ad hoc body?

I see no advantage at the present time in setting up special ad hoc bodies to deal with derelict land.

Is the Minister aware that there are very large tracts of this land, particularly in Eastern counties, and that war agricultural committees are often so occupied with current business that they have great difficulty in handling the problem?

I have stated on more than one occasion in Debate that the reclamation of derelict land depends upon supplies of labour, machinery and materials. The creation of ad hoc bodies does not increase those supplies. The important thing is, that what supplies we have should be used to the best advantage, and I am satisfied that that is taking place at the present time.

asked the Minister of Information whether he proposes, in view of the attitude of the Vichy Government, to arrange for the British Broadcasting Corporation to emphasise its comment to the French people on the war news of the day?

The B.B.C. has already been requested to make abundantly clear to the people of France, by way of comment on the news and otherwise, the views held by His Majesty's Government, as well as by the Free French, on the deplorable policy of the Vichy Government.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to recent complaints that criticism of the British Red Cross in letters between prisoners of war and their relatives in Great Britain have been blacked-out by the British censor; and in what circumstances, and by whose authority, has the action referred to above been taken by the British censor?

Immediate inquiries into the suggestion made by the hon. Member are being instituted, and my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be in the position to furnish a reply.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any such instructions have been given by his Department?

I should be very much surprised if any such instructions had been given with my right hon. Friend's approval.

asked the Minister of Supply what organised action has now been taken, and with what result, to in duce the ground landlords of London to donate the railings round the gardens in the public squares to the service of the country?

Systematic approaches have been made to the great majority of the parties interested in the ownership of the railings around the London squares, and, as a result, in a large number of cases railings have been surrendered for scrap purposes. There are still difficulties arising from many different interests involved and legal restrictions imposed upon the owners and trustees, but these are being dealt with as rapidly as possible. Meanwhile, the flow is satisfactory from the practical point of view.

May we take it that my hon. Friend will Hot allow anything to interfere with getting this matter dealt with as soon as possible?

asked the Minister of Supply why a healthy man is prevented by the Ministry of Labour from being given employment in a Government factory because he is the holder of a hotel licence?

One of the standing rules relating to employment by the royal ordnance factories forbids employés to keep or hold a licence for, or in any way assist in conducting, a public house or beer house, pawn shop, or marine store dealer's shop or bookmaking business. My right hon. Friend has recently considered suggestions for relaxation, in the light of the present urgent demand for labour, but as the additional labour which would become available would be comparatively small, it seemed that any arguments for modification of this salutary rule did not outweigh those in favour of its retention. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the rule referred to.

Is the Minister himself aware that there is a war on? One could understand this arrangement in normal times, but man-power is wanted, and here are men with nothing to do during the day, strong, healthy men? Why not take them?

On reflection, I think my hon. Friend will see a number of reasons for this good rule. In regard to the first part of the Supplementary Question, my right hon. Friend is aware of the existing circumstances.

It is a silly rule, so I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter at an early opportunity.

asked the Ministry of Supply whether, in connection with the Eleventh Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure on the subject of a special process for the treatment of Army boots to extend their life, he now has any further analysis of the test already made, in which certain information was given as to 180 boots; and whether he can state what has happened to the other 220 boots issued to units for observation last September?

Of the 180 boots tested, 140 were treated and 40 were untreated. At the end of the test, the outer soles were worn through in 108 of the treated boots and 34 of the untreated boots. The 220 boots were withdrawn after periods varying from three to 10 weeks, as the men to whom they were issued were sent away on draft or were transferred to other units.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to utilise the waste rubber salvaged in the United Kingdom; whether arrangements are in being to relieve local authorities and local dealers of their collection of waste rubber at reasonable periods; whether he has under consideration any scheme for putting back into manufacture the stocks of salvaged rubber waste which have accumulated throughout the country; whether he is satisfied that the reclaiming industry is, at present, capable of satisfying the requirements of rubber manufacturers for reclaim, which is one of their chief raw materials; and whether he has any plans to expand this industry in the immediate future?

A considerable quantity of waste rubber is utilised by the rubber reclaiming industry for regeneration. The Salvage Department of the Ministry of Supply has, since its inception, assisted local authorities and dealers in the disposal of their material to reclaimers and other rubber manufacturers and has notified them of any special demand or outlet for waste rubber. The capacity of the reclaiming industry is ordinarily sufficient for the needs of United Kingdom manufacturers, but, in present circumstances, its extension is being considered. This is not likely to utilise the whole of the waste rubber, and other uses are, therefore, being developed.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that £1 and 10s. Treasury notes have been refused acceptance as legal tender at post offices in the Leigh area; whether this is in accordance with instructions from his Department or the Treasury; and whether he will make a statement as to the right procedure?

Yes, Sir. The Treasury notes to which my hon. Friend refers are not legal tender and were refused accept- ance in accordance with directions issued by post office headquarters to all post offices. These directions have been in force for a number of years, and were issued on the instructions of the Treasury. Treasury notes, that is, notes bearing the facsimile signature of Sir John Bradbury or Sir N. F. Warren Fisher, ceased to be legal tender in 1933. The right procedure to be followed by a member of the public who wishes to obtain the value of such a note is to send it to the Bank of England, either through a bank, if possessing a banking account, or direct by registered post to the Chief Cashier, Bank of England, London, E.C.2. If, however, the note is mutilated or defaced, the fragments should be sent by registered post to the Accountant-General's Department, General Post Office, London, E.C.I.

Why should these impositions be put on the holders of these notes when the Government are taking no trouble to collect the notes? Why should not the Post Office itself accept these notes and exchange them at the Bank of England, instead of people being asked to send the notes by registered post?

These notes, according to the "London Gazette," ceased to be legal tender on 28th April, 1933. As to the other suggestions which my hon. Friend has been good enough to make, I will bring them to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

Is it not possible to open branches of the Bank of England?

If these notes are sent by registered post and are lost, will the Postmaster General return to the senders the value of the notes which have been lost in the post?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to put that Question on the Paper?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any information in connection with the robbery at the Plashet Road sub-post office, Forest Gate, during the week end?

The office was burgled during last week end and the safe forced. The total loss is nearly £1,000, but a considerable part of this is in a form not readily negotiable. The police have the matter in hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what he anticipates will be the restriction on boots and shoes available in the near future for school children in Scotland; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

There is no proposal at present to reduce the supply of leather for the manufacture of children's footwear, the total supplies of which for the United Kingdom as a whole should, therefore, remain at the same level as in 1940.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the dearth of glass and pottery in New castle, he will consider raising the quota?

I am not aware of a dearth of glass and pottery in Newcastle, but fresh supplies will be released after 1st June, when a new quota period begins. I, therefore, see no reason for increasing the quota.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what licences have been issued for the export of waste rubber to the United States; and whether he is satisfied that the amount so shipped is surplus to the home manufacturers requirements for reclaim?

Some licences have been issued for the export of waste rubber to the United States, but it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of our export trade in present circumstances. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the police in country districts, who stop drivers of motor vehicles carrying trade plates because they were giving lifts to members of His Majesty's Forces, threatening prosecution for breaking the regulations; and whether, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government have urged motorists to help serving men in this way, he will revise the regulations in order that such helpful action shall be within the law?

Limited trade plates are granted only for special trade purposes, and as the duty payable upon them is very much lower than that payable on a fully licensed vehicle it is necessary to safeguard the revenue against abuse. I am, however, considering some amendment of the regulations so as to enable casual lifts to be given to members of His Majesty's Forces in uniform in vehicles being properly used under limited trade plates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that a British railways' advertisement is appearing in the daily Press which reads "When trains are late often the cause is this, the work of the Hun," and there also appears a picture of a railway bridge wrecked by enemy action, and another picture showing the resultant dislocation of our train service; and, as such propaganda is harmful as well as being a waste of railway funds, will he take steps to prevent this sort of advertisement showing the effectiveness of German bombing?

This series of railway advertisements has proved useful in helping the public to realise that there may be reasons outside the control of the railways for the late running of trains. The pictures do not convey any useful information to the enemy, and I see no reason to intervene in the direction suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consulted anyone else but officials about this question, and is he aware of the fact that a large number of ordinary people do not hold the same view?