asked the Secretary of State for Air how many group captains in charge of fighter command or bomber command stations have not had practical operational experience prior to the out break of war, and since the outbreak of war, respectively?

:I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for. In selecting officers for these appointments full account is taken of experience during service careers.

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind that there is considerable uneasiness among serving officers at some of the recent appointments, because it is said that some of the officers appointed have not had operational experience?

I can assure my hon. Friend that he is mistaken in thinking there is any widespread uneasiness. Recent operational experience, and especially operational experience in this war, is certainly an important factor in considering officers for these appointments.

But is it a condition of appointments that they should have had operational experience?

I cannot add to what I have said, but it is an important factor to be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is now any delay in the calling up of volunteers for flying duties with the Royal Air Force?

It is essential to maintain a reserve of personnel selected for flying duties in order to ensure an adequate and regulated flow to the training schools. The extent of the reserve necessarily varies from time to time, as it is influenced by such factors as weather and the rate of war wastage. Candidates accepted for air crew duties are in consequence enlisted in advance of the dates at which they are required for training and are placed for a time on deferred service during which they remain in civil life. Alternatively, they may elect to enter the Service forthwith for ground duties and instruction until their turn comes for flying training.

Has there not been a number of reports that young men who have volunteered have been kept waiting for a number of months, and can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this was not due to lack of instruction or training machines, not only here but in the case of preliminary training in the Dominions?

There are a great many factors which may make for delay. I referred here to delay on the one hand and to acceleration on the other. There is war wastage, which may at one moment lead to acceleration in appointments, and there is the weather, which, as I told the House frankly in my Estimates speech, led last winter to delay. It is certainly our desire to absorb these recruits as quickly as possible, but they are all volunteers—all men who have joined air crews are volunteers—and we have to take them when they volunteer. We cannot plan their entry into the Service as we can when we are dealing with other classes.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman give his attention to this matter again, because there is great disappointment among these young men on account of this long delay?

:I do realise that, and we have the matter constantly under review. We have made an arrangement, to which I have referred, for their training in the interval. Let me add that the Air Training Corps helps in this matter, and we have informed these young men that we hope they will join the Air Training Corps, in which they can get a considerable amount of preparatory training.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether all ranks of the ground staff of British aerodromes, at home and abroad, receive elementary weapon training in order to protect themselves and reinforce the aerodrome guard if they are subjected to attack by parachute troops as they were in Crete?

Yes, Sir.

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been drawn to a report in the "Times" from an officer serving in Crete that when the aerodrome was attacked the ground staff, who had never held a rifle in their lives, gallantly came to the assistance of the military defending the aerodrome? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that if they had had some extra training they would have given a better account of themselves than they did?

The answer is that the recruits' course includes 13 hours of weapon training, and musketry training, of course, as well.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that 13 hours of weapon training is sufficient?

I referred to bayonet training, because the hon. and gallant Member referred in his Question to bayonet training.

May I ask whether there is close co-operation with the Army in the defence of aerodromes or whether that is entirely a matter for the Air Force?

:It is certainly a matter in which we work in close co-operation with the Army. While the actual defence of the station is in the hands of the station commander, the defence of the aerodrome itself falls within the zone of defence under the military commander, and therefore the defence of the aerodrome is primarily an Army responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the broadcast of Air-Commodore A. V. Goddard, on 22nd May, to the effect that air-borne forces will not capture Crete, and the invasion is a measure of Nazi frustration; and whether such an assertion was made with the approval of the Air Staff?

This officer was expressing his own views and not those of the Air Staff.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is desirable occasionally for independent as well as officially inspired commentaries to be made on the war situation?

I think the hon. Member would agree that independent commentaries are not a matter for me but are rather for the Ministry of Information to arrange. We have done our best to assist the Ministry of Information. This officer undertook this duty voluntarily, as a public service, in addition to his ordinary work.

Will these views be conveyed to the Prime Minister, in view of what he said in his speech yesterday?

Which views?

The views about commentaries of this kind by Air-Commodore Goddard being expressed which are not related to all the facts. Is it not desirable to have independent and not always officially inspired commentaries?

Yes, Sir. I will certainly see that the Prime Minister is informed.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it very undesirable, on balance, for serving officers to make speeches on the wireless?

Should it not be definitely stated, when these gentlemen are making speeches, that the speeches are independent and are not Government speeches, because all such speeches have, in the past, been thought to be Government statements?

Surely the reverse should be the understanding, that speeches on the wireless are supposed to be delivered independently. It is a mistake to think that they are delivered on behalf of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the great mass of the people thought that this gentleman was speaking for the Air Council or for a larger body, and will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to see that it is made clear beyond doubt that the man was expressing only his personal opinion?

In view of yesterday's Debate and of the Questions which have been put this morning, it will be made abundantly clear that these are independent statements.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is satisfied that the present organisation to deal with the arrival, assembly and modification of American aircraft is adequate to allow the maximum number of these machines to be available for operational flying without undue delay?

No, Sir, but all steps are being taken to ensure that the organisation is expanded, as necessary, to deal with the increased deliveries expected.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend assure the House that there is no bottle-neck with regard to this matter? Does he not think it would be worth while to institute a separate organisation of men who understand American aircraft and American methods, so that there will be no undue delay before these aircraft are flying in the war?

By implication I have conveyed to my hon. Friend that there is a bottle-neck. What he suggests is being done.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that there is no waiting about in aircraft production for the mechanic, the labourer or the raw material?

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a document issued by the British Israel World Federation states that if he is satisfied that, in the opinion of a large and influential section of the community, the Federation is rendering an essential service of national importance, he may relax certain restrictions in favour of the Federation; what promise has been given to this Federation in this direction; and whether he is aware that, as a result of this promise, hon. Members have been subjected to a circularising campaign?

I am aware of the document, but I have made no promise of any kind to the Federation, and I am not responsible for the circularising campaign on which the Federation has seen fit to embark.

Has my right hon. Friend noticed that, in the document which accompanies the so-called declaration, there is a statement that a promise has been made, apparently by the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Supply, that if they got enough support, they would have certain privileges?

No such promise, and no other promise, has been made whatever by the Ministry of Information.

asked the Minister of Information on what grounds he chose the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. V. Bartlett) to broadcast a postcript on Sunday, 25th May, 1941?

The hon. Member was selected because he was, and is, regarded as eminently suitable for the task.

Did my right hon. Friend approve of the hon. Member for Bridgwater taking advantage of this postcript to boost his friend and comrade, Jack Priestley?

asked the Minister of Information why it was that, on the day following the decision of the House to reject the Government's proposal to open theatres and music halls on Sundays, the headquarters of his Ministry directed their regional representatives to report immediately on the reaction of public opinion to the Parliamentary proceedings, and to inform the Ministry of observations and comments by the public?

The direction referred to in the Question was sent out, without reference to higher authority, by an official who is no longer a member of the Ministry of Information. The matter was not one of the kind which usually forms the subject of inquiry by regional information officers, and had the matter been referred to higher authority the direction would not have been issued.

:How does it come about that a letter of this sort is sent out by a representative of the Ministry of Information without the knowledge of the head of the Department? Is my right hon. Friend aware that these inquests, held in secret by representatives of the Ministry in the constituencies, on Parliamentary doings, are most offensive to Members of the House?

I have explained in my reply that this was an inquiry which, in the opinion of myself and my advisers, should not have gone out. Perhaps hon. Members who have in mind further Supplementary Questions will await my reply to the hon. Member's next Question.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that, when there is any doubt in his mind about feeling in the constituencies, he will see the Members of Parliament concerned and ask for their views on the matter?

I frequently consult Members of Parliament and ask their opinions, and I am glad if hon. Members will be good enough to give me their opinions and ask me what confirmatory or other information I possess on the subject.

asked the Minister of Information on what Parliamentary decisions and public matters, besides the Sunday opening of theatres and music halls, the Ministry have directed their regional representatives to sound public opinion in their areas; what use is made of these reports by the Ministry; and what is the purpose of the Ministry in intervening with the public in Parliamentary matters which are the concern of the elected representatives of the people?

It has been the duty and the practice of the Ministry since its inception to keep itself informed of public opinion on all matters connected with the prosecution of the war. With this object in view, a very large number of inquiries have been made from time to time, of which it would be hardly possible to give a list. My hon. Friend can rest assured that such inquiries have never been designed to interfere in any way with decisions arrived at by the House of Commons.

May we take it from the right hon. Gentleman that, in future, there will be no repetition of the sort of inquest to which I called attention just now?

Yes, Sir, that particular matter was not one, as I have already said, on which I thought there ought to be an inquiry. Similar subjects will not be inquired into in future.

How can the right hon. Gentleman keep himself informed of public opinion when, as a matter of fact, 50 per cent. of the people do not bother about anything at all?

asked the Minister of Information whether he can now inform the House as to the result of his inquiries with regard 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?

:The War Office, in order that no unnecessary anxiety should be caused to relatives, from time to time, recommended to the Chief Postal Censor the deletion of passages in letters which contained criticism of the Red Cross that was clearly ill-founded and showed complete ignorance of the facts. The question has, however, been further considered and instructions given that in future these deletions will not be made.

asked the Minister of Information what is the present staff at his Ministry; and how many men and women of age-groups already called up are now employed there?

:The staff of the Ministry, excluding the Postal and Telegraph Censorship, numbered 1,801 on 31st May, 1941. Of these, 290 are men born in the years 1904 to 1922 and 90 women born in 1919 and 1920.

Why are they not called up? Why are they kept at the Ministry when so many of them might be doing other service for the country?

Civil servants are in a reserved occupation. A great many of them have received their notices, but they have not yet been called up. In only nine cases have exemptions been applied for.

Does not Goebbels regard his Ministry as the most important part of the army service?

asked the Minister of Information what numbers of employés are engaged in the working of the British Broadcasting Corporation at a town of which he is aware; how many of them are British subjects by birth; how many are over military age; how much billeting allowance is paid for them; whether they have any London residence or not; and what are the hours of work and what leave is given?

It has not been possible, in the short time available since this Question appeared on the Order Paper, to complete the necessary inquiries, but I will communicate to my hon. Friend the information asked for as soon as it is received.

Will it be circulated?

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange for all, or some, of the broad casts, "Lift up your hearts," at 7.55 a.m., to be printed and published?

Two volumes of selections from these broadcasts have been published, and a third is in preparation. The title is "A Thought for To-day," and the publisher is Frederick Muller, Ltd.

asked the Minister of Information what steps he has taken to give the widest publicity possible both inside Germany and throughout the world to the statement of the Catholic Archbishop of Freiburg that there are two rival and incompatible philosophies in Germany and, by implication, repudiating Nazi conceptions and policy?

Attention has been drawn to the Archbishop of Freiburg's statement on several occasions in suitable broadcasts to Germany. References to and quotations from the pastoral have been cabled to many other parts of the world, while copies of the text have been widely distributed.

:Has every effort been made to broadcast throughout Germany by some means this part of the Archbishop's pastoral, so as to make it clear that there is a movement in Germany which is distinctly anti-Nazi?

:Yes, Sir, every effort has been made to give this pastoral the widest possible circulation, but if the hon. Member has any suggestion for other ways of doing so, I shall be very glad to receive it.

Is it possible to make it known in America, where, I am told, there is great opposition to the war in these quarters?

Yes, Sir, it has been circulated in America.

You ought to tell the Pope, too.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that the military training given to members of the Royal Army Pay Corps and other non-combatant services is adequate to enable them to defend themselves against such enemy attacks as they may reasonably be expected to have to face?

As I stated in my answer on 28th May, personnel of the Royal Army Pay Corps and similar Corps receive the maximum amount of training in the use of arms that is compatible with the proper performance of their special duties.

:May I ask whether the answer my hon. Friend has just given has taken into account recent events in Crete?

Yes, Sir, it has.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much was spent on Army education during the six months preceding the end of the last financial year; what proportion of this was expended on vocational courses; and what proportion on the provision of classes and lectures arranged through regional committees for adult education?

:I regret that precise figures are not available. But, excluding the cost of the Army Educational Corps, which amounted during the six months preceding the end of the last financial year to about £50,000, the total expenditure during this period on the scheme for education in the war-time Army was approximately £30,000. Of this, about £11,000 represents the cost of the provision of lectures and classes through the regional committees for adult education, and some £1,500 was spent on vocational courses. The cost of these two particular items is low in relation to the work done, since well over half the lecturers claimed no fee for their services and much of the work on the vocational correspondence courses was done without remuneration. I should like to take this opportunity to express the Army's gratitude to those who have voluntarily contributed so much to the success of the education scheme.

:Will further efforts be made during the ensuing winter to enlarge this educational programme?

Certainly; it is being constantly developed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is now the general rule that soldiers stationed in this country must keep the brasses on their fighting equipment polished; and, if so, why is this the practice in a country which may at any time be invaded?

:Existing instructions provide that all webbing equipment, brasses, and other brass parts of arms and equipment used or worn, or likely to be used or worn, by troops during active service operations should be left unpolished. If my hon. Friend knows of any case in which this instruction is being disobeyed, I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Rhein metal guns of the 7.92 millimetres calibre are in our possession; and how many of them are being put to practical use?

:I am sure that the hon. Member will agree that it would not be in the national interest to publish details of this kind.

Is it not a fact that several hundreds of these guns were captured last year, during the Battle of Britain, and that they are being hoarded by the Air Ministry, and are not being put to any use whatever?

The fact is that I do not intend to tell the enemy what use they are being put to.

But is it not a fact that they are not being used at all? That is the complaint.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the many casualties from heat stroke in Iraq in the last war until water- drinking stations were established at frequent intervals and Command orders issued to ensure their fullest use; and whether corresponding steps have been taken in the present emergency?

I am making inquiries into this point, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Does my hon. Friend realise that no fewer than 100 people died in a single day in Iraq in the last war for lack of these facilities?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange with the Board of Trade for the issue of free coupons for the purchase of clothing by relatives for despatch to prisoners of war?

I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on this matter.

:Does the hon. Member realise that this is the only source of clothing that these people have and that the clothing issued by the German Government is quite insufficient?

No, Sir, this is not the only source. A great deal of clothing is being sent out by the Red Cross.

But does the hon. Member realise that to supply such clothing would take 60 or 70 coupons?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in order to prevent a repetition next winter of last winter's coal scarcities, he is preparing, in collaboration with the Minister of Transport, a scheme for the organisation of coal dumps in every town and village?

:A scheme has been prepared for the laying down of reserves at widely distributed points all over the country, but a substantial increase in the present rate of production is needed if the sites which have been prepared are all to be filled during the summer. It would, however, be hardly practicable to have dumps in every town and village.

:Are steps being taken, even with the reserves that we have, to see that they are distributed now, because of the possibility of a breakdown of communications later on?

Yes, Sir. I do not think there will be a shortage of sites. It is a question of finding supplies.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Glasgow the reserves are being eaten into and stocks are not being built up? Will he see that something is done about that?

I have made investigations in Glasgow and they are not eating into reserves there at the present time.

Will the Minister pay more attention to getting the miners and the owners to produce more coal, in order to fill the dumps that are empty now?

I have seen the owners and the miners, and the campaign for production is proceeding. I have warned the House and everybody concerned that we shall need large quantities of coal this summer. Pit committees and district committees are being set up, and we are promised the most active support. I am optimistic that, with that support, we shall get adequate quantities of coal this summer.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any information as to the colliery explosion on 2nd June at Ynysmardy Colliery, Llan-trisant; the latest figures of men killed and injured; and what measures are being instituted to discover the cause of the explosion?

I regret to say that four persons were killed and three injured, all at the surface of the mine. The circumstances are extraordinary. No work was going on below ground but a very violent explosion occurred, apparently at or near the top of the No. 2 Shaft, and wrecked or damaged most of the surface works. The cause of the explosion is being closely investigated under the direction of the Divisional Inspector of Mines and with expert help. I am sure the House would like to join with me in an expression of sympathy which I have caused to be sent to the bereaved relatives and the injured men.

Will an official inquiry take place into the explosion; and when will my hon. Friend be in a position to tell us something of the unfortunate explosion at Whitehaven?

The explosion at White-haven occurred the following day, and without having been given notice of this Question I can recall that eight men were killed and 13 injured. Three of the injured have since died, making a total of 11. The cause of the explosion is also unknown, and a complete investigation will be made.

Will an ordinary official inquiry be made?

My hon. Friend can rest assured that a special investigation will be ordered for Whitehaven. Meanwhile, I would invite the House to join with me in sending to the bereaved a message similar to the one which was sent after the Llan-trisant explosion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether steps have yet been taken to popularise and supply Scottish venison in English urban areas, as a supplemental meat ration, during the coming autumn?

:The supply of Scottish venison is limited. Difficulties of transport make it necessary for this meat to be consumed near the places of production, and arrangements are being discussed with the forest owners and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) why two ration books are being issued at this time; the reason for the supplementary or spare book; and the estimated cost involved;

The new ration book had to be designed at the end of last year. In order to be ready for a wider extension of rationing than was then contemplated, the preparation of a supplement to the ration book became necessary, and it is economical to issue the book and the supplement together although all the pages in the latter will not be required for immediate use. Counterfoils were omitted from the new book because it was felt at the time that compulsory re-registration could be dispensed with. Food control committees were not directly consulted in the matter, but the decision had the full support at the time of divisional food officers and food executive officers who were consulted and of retail trades associations. Large scale movements of population have, however, made a complete re-registration necessary, and counterfoils for this purpose have been provided in the supplement. The estimated cost of the supplement is £47,975.

:Is it not a fact that the inaccurate R.G.23(a) voluntary registration in February is one of the major causes for the method adopted at the moment?

:No, Sir, I do not accept that for a moment. The position is as stated in my answer.

Is it not the fact that food executives throughout the country believe that this is just another example of official waste?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the great concern that is being felt at the long delay in an agreement being arrived at with the fish industry which will bring about a substantial reduction in the present high price of fish; and will he either announce an agreement now or bring forward a scheme of his own without further delay?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, what action he now proposes to take to rationalise the fish trade?

Negotiations with the fish trade are nearing completion, and I hope to be able to make a statement next week.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a very strong public demand that the price of fish should be controlled, and can we take it that it will definitely be controlled from next week?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait until next week.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend make it quite clear that the trade is in no way to blame for the delay, and that it is not their responsibility to control the price of fish?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the milk trade has expressed any view on the decision not to reduce individual milk supplies per day if the normal amount of supply is one pint or under; and, if so, whether he can state its nature?

Members of the milk distributive trade have pointed out that the decision to exempt from the Milk Restriction Scheme households taking one pint or less of milk a day will result in a smaller saving of milk than had originally been anticipated. This was fully appreciated when the decision was taken to grant the concession which is designed to prevent hardship to small or poor consumers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will revise the Milk Rationing Scheme so as to provide one pint of milk for all children under 16 years of age and half a pint for all adults?

The present restriction scheme requires those consumers who are not in the priority categories to curtail their consumption by one-seventh as compared with the quantity purchased during the first week in March. Apart from this the scheme does not attempt to regulate liquid milk consumption. It would, however, be impossible to ration milk on the basis suggested by my hon. Friend as the quantity required to meet the suggestion ration, assuming that the whole of the ration was taken up, would be 50 per cent. in excess of the total milk production of the country at the period of the year when the milk output is at its lowest figure.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the present basis of rationing is very unfair and inequitable?

There is no rationing at the moment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how much shipping space was used last year for importing each of the following commodities: tobacco, wines and spirits, beer, and other goods not essential to the war effort; what quantity of foodstuffs he estimates could have been carried in the same space; and whether he intends to fix an amount by which these commodities must be reduced in order to ensure adequate space for food supplies?

As previously stated in the House, publication of details relating to our trade statistics has been suspended in the national interest since the outbreak of the war. Consequently no reply can be given to the second part of my hon. Friend's Question. I may explain, however, that in 1940 beer was imported only from Eire in vessels specially constructed for the purpose, which are unsuitable for longer voyages. No wine is now being imported, except for church purposes, unless exporting countries are prepared to provide freight in their own vessels and to allocate a part of that freight for priority goods. The only spirits now being imported are rum for the Navy and Army and a certain amount of high-proof rum for the manufacture of gin. I understand that consideration is at present being given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the import programme for tobacco.

:Will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consult his illustrious father to see the way in which he handled this trade during the last war, how he stood up—against the drink trade —for what was best for the country, and how he considered the country first and the trade afterwards?

I think the Noble Lady will find that the present position compares very favourably with the position during the last war.

It ought to be better; you are a younger and a more alert man.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, why, in the pamphlet entitled "Ministry of Food, General Policy," half the printable space by area, and more than half by weight, is blank, as such a wasteful use of paper restricts the importation of food?

My Noble Friend and I explained in a covering note to the pamphlet to which my hon. Friend refers that the contents would need to be revised from time to time. We hope that hon. Members who find the pamphlet of value will use the vacant spaces for making supplementary notes pending the issue of a revised edition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether community restaurants are being established at coalmining centres, and, if so, the number of these; and what steps are being taken to secure the benefits of these for mineworkers of the country where no such facilities exist?

Plans for the establishment of British Restaurants at a number of towns in which the mining population predominates have been approved by the Ministry of Food, and I am informed that the question of the provision of British Restaurants in other mining areas is under active consideration. I am obtaining a list of the towns concerned and will send this to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. The responsibility for preparing schemes of British Restaurants has been entrusted to local authorities. The urgent attention of all authorities, including those in mining districts, has been drawn to the desirability of establishing British Restaurants. I am arranging that the matter shall again be specifically brought before local authorities in mining districts. The extension of pit-head canteens where food can be served for consumption either in the canteen or underground is also being pressed forward as a result of conferences between my Noble Friend, my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines and representatives of the Miners' Welfare Commission.

Is the Minister aware that at the present time there are certain men working at the coal face who have, to take what we call the snack bread, with boiled turnip between the bread for butter, and also bread and only a bit of jam, and that they cannot get coal on that?

For that very reason they get eight ounces of cheese per week, which is not given to other people, except agricultural labourers.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in places where there is no provision for canteens, unless the miners get more meat, it will be impossible for them to maintain their vitality in order to work coal?

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that we are confined in many things by the supply position, and I think he will also appreciate that we have made an effort to meet the very points raised by my hon. Friends. We have done what we can, having regard to the supply situation; I only wish we could do more.

Is the Minister aware that at certain canteens miners can purchase only cups of tea, chewing-gum and a few biscuits?

As far as the underground workmen are concerned, we have made this special arrangement with regard to cheese, and, as far as surface workers are concerned, we are trying to devise some method by which we can meet their requirements.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman note that other people as well as miners require food?

Why are not mobile canteens which are not at present in use sent to the pit tops in order to deal with the position?