asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he can give the average cost of production at works of Portland cement, giving highest and lowest figures; whether he is aware that cement made from slag is, for certain work, superior to ordinary cement; and whether it is his intention to encourage the expansion of the use of slag for cement manufacturing?

I regret that I am unable to make public the costings of cement works which are submitted to my Ministry in confidence. In the second part of his Question, my hon. Friend no doubt refers to blast furnace cement, certain classes of which are of high quality. As I have stated on previous occasions, my Ministry has taken a close interest in promoting the expansion of blast furnace cement. Neither the labour nor the steel position, however, would justify the establishment of new works.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings the sums receivable by the Director of Cement by way of salary, emoluments, allowances and expenses, respectively, from the cement industry?

As the receipt by the Director of Cement of remuneration from the cement industry is not inconsistent with his duties of directing the work of production, allocation and distribution, I have not thought it proper to make inquiries as to the terms of the arrangement between the parties, which concerns them alone.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of cooperative societies, and others, at the scheme whereby surplus fruit is handed over to women's institutes for jam-making, on the ground that lack of proper facilities will make for waste, and that methods of distribution will be open to evasion and unsatisfactory; and whether he will consider a scheme whereby collecting centres for fruit will be set up, and manufacturers allocated sugar supplies to handle the collections?

I am aware of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am confident that they will be generally overcome and that the scheme will be successful, as it was last year, in saving for human consumption much fruit which would otherwise be wasted. I cannot agree that the method of distribution, which has been worked out in collaboration with representatives of all sections of the trade, will be either unsatisfactory or liable to evasion. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, the scheme is designed to prevent the waste of email, scattered surpluses which it would not generally be possible to send to the jam factories. There is, however, nothing to prevent manufacturers from arranging to obtain fruit from the centres, where it can be collected in lots of sufficient size to make this an economic process.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, milkless days are in operation, owing to the fact that suitable arrangements have not been made for the equitable distribution of milk on each day, as was previously the case; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this situation?

:I am informed that in Wolverhampton the largest milk distributive firm has now resumed seven-day delivery but that certain others, although delivering daily, operate a milk-less day on each round in turn. In the neighbouring towns of Walsall, Bloxwich, Cannock and Hednesford, I am informed that the majority of dairymen are delivering on seven days a week. Representations have been made to the firms concerned in operating milkless days by the regional officer of the Milk Marketing Board on behalf of the Ministry of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what quantity of milk has been saved through the reduction of diarymen's supplies to customers; and whether any steps are contemplated to check evasions, through consumers extending their purchases to two or more salesmen, who make no cut on supplies of one pint per day?

During April the quantity of milk saved through the operation of the Milk Restriction Scheme is estimated to have been 2,300,000 gallons. The scheme did not, however, come into operation until the 13th of the month. Information is not yet available as to the amount of milk saved during May. The possibility of evasion from the operation of the scheme in the case of consumers taking milk from two or more suppliers is recognised and the scheme is at present being reviewed in the light of this and other considerations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the date of the establishment of the Ministry's Consultative Council; the number of meetings held, and the date of the last; the number of sub-committees, and the occasions on which they have met, respectively; and whether it is proposed to wind up the Council?

:The Consultative Council was set up on 22nd April, 1940.. It has held two meetings, the last on 23rd July, 1940. There are three sub-committees, the sub-committee on food education met on 11th October last. Meetings of the sub-committees on publicity and on consumers problems have not yet taken place. Informal discussions have, however, taken place with individual members. It is not proposed to wind up the Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his inquiries into the question of profiteering in the sale of food for dogs in London, to the detriment of the provinces, where dog food is unobtainable in some cases, have been concluded?

Inquiries regarding the prices of meat for feeding dogs are nearing completion and I hope that it will shortly be possible to fix maximum prices. I have no reason to think that excessive prices are being charged for other dog foods.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the profiteering in horseflesh for dogs and cats; whether he is aware that this has been in recent times quoted at prices which have yielded 300 per cent. profit; why these prices are allowed; and whether, considering that such meat is really the only food available to pet animals, he will investigate the whole issue, with a view, if necessary, to instituting controlled prices?

I am aware that horseflesh is being sold at high prices for feeding dogs and cats. The sale of horseflesh other than for human consumption is, however, not controlled, but measures to deal with the trade in meat for animals, including the question of price, are at present being examined.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many cheese factories in Great Britain are working at the present tune; how many such are working normally, and what is the percentage of aggregate output as compared with the normal output in peacetime?

The number of factories producing cheese in Great Britain during May, 1941, was larger than in May, 1939. Most of the factories are at present working to capacity and the output of factory cheese last month exceeded the corresponding figure for two years earlier. It would not be in the national interest to give more precise information respecting the production of food in this country at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the prohibition of the printing of all special cheques, and cheques which require elaborate processes of printing, with a view to the elimination of unnecessary processes?

This matter is receiving consideration, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that he intends taking steps to economise in paper by securing the issue of smaller cheques of uniform size, he will also issue an order reducing the size of dividend counterfoils?

I am having the hon. Member's suggestion further investigated.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will indicate the result of salvage work for each Metropolitan Borough and for the large cities outside London, respectively, for the months of April, May and June?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the official report the figures for May and June as they become available. The following table shows for each of the Metropolitan Boroughs and the larger cities outside London the value of the sales of salvage materials for the month of April, 1941. These figures do not include material collected and sold by voluntary organisations or merchants.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Building Technical Advisory Committee has not met since April, 1940; that at least two of the principal institutions have withdrawn from the committee; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this matter?

:Yes, Sir. The chairman of the committee came to the conclusion that under war conditions the essential work of the committee could best be carried on by means of a skeleton committee consisting of the chairmen of the main and sub-committees. This is still functioning, and the other members of the committee are kept in touch with the work.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that rumours have circulated in Liverpool after air-raids as to the number of casualties, which, being far from the truth, may have a demoralising effect upon the citizens; and if he will ensure in the future that an official report is published as quickly as possible, giving the exact number of casualties incurred in each raid, thus avoiding the spreading of false rumours which are difficult to counteract?

For reasons given in his reply on 1st April to a Question by the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) my right hon. Friend is not prepared to make a practice of giving figures of casualties arising from particular incidents or on particular days. Lists showing names and addresses of casualties are posted locally, and by this means full information is given to those directly concerned. Total casualties for the whole country are published at the end of each month. Rumours are, I am aware, put into circulation, but I am confident that credence is not given to them by the majority of citizens, and that the morale of the country has not in fact suffered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the United States Department of Justice has obtained from Princess Hohenlohe information about subversive Nazi operations in Britain, also a list of active Nazi sympathisers in this country; and will he see that appropriate action is taken to render these people harmless?

My right hon. Friend has seen a Press report which suggests that this lady has supplied certain particulars to the United States Department of Justice relating to persons in this country. He has no confirmation of this report but is making inquiries.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that refugees interned in Canadian camps still receive instructions bearing the heading '' Prisoners of War,'' that instructions imposed 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 make representations to the Canadian Government to modify this in line with British practice?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar Question by him on 28th May. I thought that I then made it clear that the difference between prisoners of war and internees had been fully and explicitly recognised by the Canadian Government's decision to which I referred, but, as has been previously explained, internees are described in the Defence of Canada Regulations as Prisoners of War, Class 2, and any question of altering these Regulations is entirely a matter for the Canadian Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some local medical war committees are uncertain as to the precise areas for which they are responsible; that inconvenience has been caused thereby by delay in the approval of appointments of medical officers for the Home Guard; and whether he will give this matter his attention?

:I am not aware of any such uncertainty concerning the areas of local medical war committees as is suggested in the first part of the Question and the remaining parts of the Question therefore do not arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will arrange for the dividends of British subjects now in the Channel Islands to be invested in National Savings Certificates or War Bonds, instead of being retained as at present by the companies?

No, Sir. Permission is given to banks or other agents of British subjects in the Channel Islands to invest on their behalf where sufficient authority for the investment is held or assumed. Dividends should not be retained by the companies, but should be paid either to such a bank or agent, or to the custodian.

asked the Minister of Health whether consideration has been given to representations made by local authorities that they should be indemnified against loss of rate income occurring through the destruction of property in their respective areas through enemy action; and when the requisite legislation will be introduced?

The representations of certain local authorities to which my hon. Friend refers have been considered, but for the reasons given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 13th May, the Government consider that it is necessary to deal comprehensively with all losses of rate income due to enemy action. The scheme of assistance now being administered requires no legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered fixing a quota of livestock for every farm; and whether such a step is contemplated?

As at present advised I do not consider it necessary to fix a specific quota of livestock to be kept on every individual farm, but in carrying out the policy of culling inferior and unthrifty cattle from both dairy and beef herds which was announced on Saturday last, county war agricultural executive committees have been instructed to take account of the stocking policy of farms in the same way as they have hitherto dealt with crop production.

asked the Minister of Pensions why his Department when granting pensions, differentiates between the man who has lost an eye and the man who retains an eye but cannot see with it?

The loss of an eye involves a definite addition to the disablement caused by loss of vision; this is due to the inconvenience of wearing an artificial eye, the necessity of renewing it from time to time, and the special care needed to keep the socket in satisfactory condition.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications for assistance have been received by the War Services Grants Advisory Committee since 1st January, 1940; how many have been declined; and what is the average rate of grant in cases which have been entertained?

In the period referred to the applications received numbered about 372,000; the grants made about 254,000; and the rejections about 118,000. The average rate of grant is about 8s. 6d. per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to appoint a new chairman of the British Council in place of the late Lord Lloyd?

I am glad to inform the hon. Member that, with my approval, the Executive Committee of the British Council have appointed my right hon. Friend, the Member for Mitcham (Sir M. Robertson) to be Chairman of the British Council. I should like to take this opportunity to tell the House that Lord Snell has been appointed as one of the Vice-Chairmen of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered Mr. Cordell Hull's declaration that the United States Government favours the abolition of extra-territoriality in China; and whether he can announce the British Government's support of a similar policy?

Yes, Sir. The policy of His Majesty's Government remains as stated by the Prime Minister on 18th July, 1940. He then said that when peace was restored in the Far East, His Majesty's Government were ready to negotiate with the Chinese Government the abolition of extra-territorial rights, the rendition of concessions and the revision of treaties on the basis of reciprocity and equality.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the recruitment of Palestinian subjects into the Armed Forces?

:A steady flow of Palestinian enlistments into units of the British Army and into the Royal Air Force has been maintained. Recruiting for the Palestinian Companies of the Pioneer Corps is also satisfactory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that no difficulties will be put in the way of Jewish residents in Palestine who wish to join the volunteer force and play their part in the defence of the country?

The High Commissioner is empowered to accept the services of any persons who are Palestinian citizens, irrespective of race, who desire to join the volunteer force and offer their services to His Majesty. The strength of the force will be determined from time to time by the High Commissioner in accordance with the military requirements of the situation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that while wireless sets are not allowed in motor cars they are allowed in river craft; and whether he will take steps to remove this discrepancy, which is illogical and not conducive to the safety of the realm?

I have been asked to reply. The question of prohibiting the carrying of wireless receiving apparatus in vessels, including river craft, was fully examined last year. It was considered that there would be difficulty in administering a Regulation which would have to provide for the exemption of the very large number of vessels which are required by law to carry wireless. Moreover, in view of the restrictions already imposed on yachts and pleasure boats by the Immobilisation of Vessels Order (1940), the number of river craft which would be affected by such a Regulation would be negligible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, for the past 30 years, practically every ex-cadet accountant officer of the requisite seniority has been promoted to paymaster-commander, whereas in the executive branch only about 45 per cent. of the requisite seniority reach commander's rank; whether ratings of the branch which appears to require the lower standard of officer have been partly recruited b y open competition between the ages of 18 and 23, and none of them have yet been promoted to paymaster-commander, whereas many recruits in the other branch have been entered at the age of 15½without competitive examination, mostly as the result of economic pressure, and have reached commander's rank and above, including one to flag rank; and whether he will take steps to remove this injustice?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 13th May to a similar Question. There is nothing which I could usefully add to that reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of various Kent newspapers that, on the occasion of the recent visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Chatham, outside photographers were allowed to operate, while local photographers were excluded; and why it is essential to make this differentiation?

When a Royal visit is to be made to an establishment coming under Admiralty control, it is customary to inform the Newspaper Proprietors' Association. This body, by agreement with the Press as a whole, then becomes responsible for making arrangements for the selection and attendance of Press reporters and Press photographers, subject to the limit in numbers necessitated by the occasion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that proper re-provisioning of police canteens is assured at the present time, particularly in view of the competitive claims for supplies?

My information does not indicate that any special difficulties are being experienced in this matter, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether the Social Services Survey, announced to be shortly set on foot, will embrace Ministry of Labour subjects?

Yes, Sir. The survey will cover the Unemployment Insurance Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Air Ministry assessor of Income Tax failed to deduct from a pilot officer, No. 78658, Income Tax in respect of his pay for the year 1940–41, and is now deducting £16 a month for 12 months, leaving this officer less than £6 a month; what is the maximum amount that can be deducted from a junior officer dependent on his pay in respect of Income Tax arrears; and whether he will give an assurance that, in future, no junior officer will be allowed to accumulate a debt of this magnitude?

The accumulation of arrears of Income Tax necessitating substantial deduction from pay in the case referred to by my hon. Friend arose primarily from the fact that it was not until some time after this officer joined the Royal Air Force that my Department became aware that he possessed a private income in respect of which he had claimed all the allowances and reliefs to which he was entitled other than those for earned income and uniform, and that in consequence his Service pay, less relief in respect of earned income and uniform allowance, should have been taxed at the full rate. There was also some delay in effecting recovery for which my Department was not responsible. A debt of similar magnitude in respect of Income Tax could not accumulate in the case of a junior officer entirely dependent on his pay, and in any event the rule is applied that for an officer with no private means deductions from pay in respect of overpayment or other liabilities may not exceed in the aggregate a sum representing 25 per cent. of the pay currently due.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the wife of a serving soldier is still entitled to draw marriage allowance if she herself is accepted for service in any branch of the Defence Forces?

The wife of a serving soldier who is herself serving in the Defence Forces may continue to draw family allowance if she is otherwise eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether transfers under King's Regulations 322 (iii) can be sanctioned from the Royal Armoured Corps to the Royal Artillery?

In view of the present rapid expansion of the Royal Armoured Corps, voluntary transfers from that corps are temporarily suspended.

Before we begin the public Debate on the Civil Defence Services, I should like to say a few words in secret. Therefore, I espy strangers.