asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, out of the 199,000 names now on the Central Register, approximately how many relate to persons in employment; and of that figure how many can be said to relate to persons engaged in work for the national war effort?

Figures are not currently kept on the basis of the hon. Member's inquiry, but a special count was undertaken a year ago for the Select Committee on National Expenditure, when it was found that 96 per cent, of the persons on the Central Register were then in employment. It is estimated that less than 3 per cent. of those on the Register are now unemployed. In considering these figures, it should be borne in mind that enrolment on the Register is open to all persons with the prescribed qualifications, without regard to their suitability in any other respect for active employment. For the last part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his Question of 29th May on the work of the Central Register.

Is it not the fact that a year ago, when the revision was made, the figure on the Register was much less than the figure to-day, and if there is nothing to show how the Register can be utilised, will the right hon. Gentleman wind up the whole thing and put an end to this waste of money?

Can the Minister say how many of the 199,000 are men and how many are women?

I must have notice of these questions.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the Bedaux system of production has been introduced in the countries involved in the war; who are the directors of the company; is he aware that in this country agreements have been arrived at between the trade unions and organised employers providing for prices to be fixed by mutual agreement, and there is machinery to deal with cases of dispute; and is it intended to maintain these agreements and the machinery they provide?

No recent information is available with regard to the operation of the Bedaux system in the countries involved in the war. It is understood that it was applied to a varying extent in pre-war years in individual firms in this country and in Belgium, Czecho-Slovakia, Denmark, France and Italy. In accordance with the Companies Act, lists of directors of.companies are available for inspection at the offices of the Registrar of Companies. The answers to the last two parts of the Question are in the affirmative.

Have the Government any information about this Bedaux system being imposed upon the workers in France since they lost their trade unions, and, if so, can that information be given to the' House; if the Government do not possess the information, will they make an investigation in order that they can inform the House with regard to the introduction of this system?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether it is intended to establish special training centres in order to equip the people for industry, who have been injured in war service of any form; has consideration been given to the evidence of the Joint Committee of the Trades Union Congress and the Medical Association to the inter-departmental committee on the rehabilitation of persons injured by accidents; and what action is to be taken to deal with this matter;

(2) whether he can make a statement on the consultations held between the Ministries interested in rehabilitation and training for men and women incapacitated during service in the armed forces and industry; is it intended to arrange for set- ting up vocational training centres; to what extent are rehabilitation facilities provided; and when is it intended to have a satisfactory system in operation to cover all the needs of people injured in war service of any kind?

As the House has already been informed, the facilities for vocational training provided by my Ministry's existing training scheme are open to all men who are fit to undergo the training, and it is hoped that substantial numbers of men and women who have been injured in the Armed Forces, in war service of any kind or in industry, will after treatment prove capable of this training. For those of them who require training but are not fit for the existing courses, special courses will be provided as the need for them reveals itself, either in the Ministry's own training centres or in other institutions or with employers. Account will be taken of the evidence given by the Joint Committee of the Trades Union Council and the Medical Association. Further details of these arrangements will be announced in due course. In the first instance the scheme will be limited to training in occupations useful for the war effort.

Is the Minister aware that vocational training is not rehabilitation? The rehabilitation goes right back into the Services, and is he, therefore, in touch with- the Services in regard to getting rehabilitation from the time of their treatment to their return to industry?

Yes, Sir; we are in consultation both with my fight hon. Friend the Minister of Health and with the Service Ministers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether National Service officers have yet been appointed in the mining industry for purposes of the Essential Work Order?

All Employment Exchange managers and certain other officers in the Exchange service already hold appointments as National Service officers, and I do not consider it necessary to make separate appointments for the Essential Work (Coal Mining Industry) Order.

Is the Minister fully satisfied that this arrangement will work, in view of the peculiarities of the mining industry?

I think it will work so well that it may alter some of the mining peculiarities.

asked the Minister of Labour under what powers boys who, at one time, were engaged in coal mining but had entered other occupations, are being ordered to leave such employment by the Consett Employment Exchange and re-enter the pits; and whether guarantees are being given to such entrants that they will be taught one of the recognised crafts of the industry and not be entering blind-alley employment with the status of labourers?

A few boys at Consett who had secured employment outside the coalmining industry in contravention of the Undertaking (Restriction on Engagement) Order, 1940, were directed by the National Service officer under Regulation 58A of the Defence (General) Regulations to return to coalmining. Persons so directed have the right to appeal to the local appeal board. With regard to the last part of the Question, I have brought to the notice of my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines the importance of providing adequate training for boys in the coalmining industry, but it would not be practicable to confine the issue of directions to cases in which the boys are to be trained as craftsmen.

While thanking the Minister for that Reply, I feel that the matter ought to be pursued further, and I therefore beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the need for increased production of coal, he will give further consideration to the re leasing of men from the Army for the coal industry?

I am not prepared to recommend the release of men from the Army for this purpose, but I am taking other steps in conjunction with my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines with the object of meeting the requirements of the industry.

In view of the fact that a number have been taken in the last few weeks whose training has not commenced, will my right hon. Friend consider releasing them, and will he give instructions that no further men are to be called-up from the mining industry?

The numbers taken into the Army in the last few weeks must be very small, because the instruction to call up people was limited to young persons working on the surface only, and if they are employed below ground in their proper capacity, they are automatically reserved. I have taken steps to prevent any calling-up of underground miners, and also taken steps, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for War, to stop recruiting from this industry, with one exception, that is, young men volunteering to become pilots in the Air Force.

Is the Minister aware of the desirability of keeping an even balance of age in the mining industry, in view of the fact that so many thousands of young, virile men have gone into the Army that unless younger men come back production will be affected, and will he seriously reconsider this matter?

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the chaotic position of the coal industry and that it cannot be very long before some of our munition works may have to close down for lack of coal; and what is he going to do about it?

Is the Minister aware that men are being called up this week from the mining industry?

Coal seems to be a burning subject.

It is, but the difficulty is that we have no coal to burn.

Most of the questions that have been put to me ought to have been put to the Secretary for Mines. With regard to the calling-up, I would like to have particulars of people called up recently. It is not in accordance with the facts except in the limited sense that I have indicated; and with regard to the chaotic position in the coal industry, I can hardly be held responsible for that. It is not my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has inquired into the large amount of absentee ism in war production in South Wales, due to the inadequate and congested transport arrangements; and what he pro poses to do to remedy the position?

My information is that difficulties due to absenteeism in South Wales are decreasing. My local officers are constantly occupied with the difficulties of transporting workers to and from their work arising from the special features of that area and they are in close touch with the Regional Transport Commissioner as well as the other interests concerned.

Is the Minister aware that representations have been made about the transport position, which is still as bad as it was months ago? Is he aware that in a valley in the constituency that I represent hundreds of women are left stranded every morning and cannot get to work because buses do not turn up?

That raises the whole question of the fundamental organisation of transport, and in that connection I am about to consult my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport.

Is the Minister of the opinion that this is the only cause of absenteeism?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will define the responsibilities of persons on whom children are billeted as regards causing such children to attend school; and, in the event of the children refusing to go to school, what are the powers of the person specified in regard to the children?

It is the duty of the parent to cause his child to receive efficient elementary education, and the expression "parent" is denned in the Education Act, 1921, as including "guardian and every person who is liable to maintain or have actual custody of the child." It would be for the courts to decide whether persons on whom the children are billeted fall within this definition.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there have been actual cases where unruly children have been billeted on foster parents who have been quite unable to control them and have been summoned? Further, is he aware that there have been cases where a foster parent has exercised force on the child and has been summoned for assault?

The question of liability is one for the courts, and in my experience there is no difficulty. However, I would like to have particulars of such cases. If a child persists in playing truant, the best course would probably be to re-billet him in a hostel where there is closer supervision than in an ordinary household.

Are local education authorities attending to their business to see that these children do attend schools in their localities?

I think they are taking vigorous steps in that direction.

Would not a really good smacking be the best thing?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give, to the latest convenient date, the number of children of school age in England and Wales in full-time attendance at school, the number attending for part-time only, and the approximate number of those not receiving any regular school education?

The latest date for which complete figures are available is 1st April, 1941. On that date, 4,435,539 children, 96.5 per cent., were enrolled for full-time attendance at public elementary schools in England and Wales, 118,726–2.6 percent. —for part-time only, and it was estimated that 40,749— 0.9 percent. —were receiving no instruction.

Is the Board taking any special steps with regard to those children who are not receiving any regular school education?

We are doing all we possibly can to get them to school

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some local authorities are using inflammable material for weatherproofing bombed houses; and, in view of the increased danger this provides, whether he can take steps to render such material reasonably fireproof, or to make more suitable material available?

I am aware that some local authorities, realising that it is essential that first-aid repairs to houses should be carried out as soon as possible after damage has occurred, have where circumstances have precluded other methods of repair, patched roofs with inflammable material. After consultation with my noble Friend the Minister of Works and Buildings, I am drawing the attention of local authorities to the importance of using non-inflammable materials whenever possible. I am emphasising that if the use of inflammable material is, on occasion, unavoidable, it should be replaced by other material at the earliest practicable moment.

Will the Minister see that such inflammable material as is still being used is rendered fireproof by some chemical means?

I am not sure about that.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of serious complaints in Sheffield that whilst many houses damaged by enemy action are not receiving attention, other houses of a particular character, of which he has been informed, have no difficulty in having the repairs executed; and what steps he is taking to remedy this?

No, Sir, but I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that luxury shops are not being reconstructed in preference to houses which are wanted, and will he watch carefully to see that there is no discrimination of this type by the building industry or the Ministry of Works and Buildings?

That question is so vague that I should like to see it on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements have been made to ensure that proper fire-fighting appliances and fire-escapes are provided in all buildings used for evacuation schemes for which the Ministry is directly or indirectly responsible?

Local authorities were instructed in a circular in August, 1940, to review the air-raid precautions necessary in residential institutions provided in connection with the Government's evacuation scheme, and the authorities responsible were required to satisfy themselves that reasonable steps were taken to provide fire-fighting equipment and to train personnel against the risk of fire. In approving residential premises for evacuation purposes my Regional staffs have always in mind the question of means of rapid escape in the event of fire.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many voluntary bodies have equipped homes for evacuated children? Do I understand that the Ministry of Health will provide fire-fighting appliances?

No, Sir, the duty there is on the shoulders of the local authority, subject, of course, to the instructions which we send them.

But is the Minister aware that local authorities are reluctant to do this? This should come from another area. The burden need not be on the Ministry of Health.

If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case that he would like to draw to my attention, I would look into it so that I could have it in focus and see what the problem might be.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of difficulties in determining rent and rates chargeable for damaged houses only partly habitable; and whether he will issue a statement for the guidance of local authorities, tenants and landlords?

I would refer my hon Friend to the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) (Amendment) Bill at present before the House. If and when the Bill receives Royal Assent, I shall be prepared to issue a circular to local authorities explaining its provisions, and to take steps to ensure that it receives adequate publicity.

Will that be done in connection with the Commissioners for Crown Lands, who own so much property and demand high rents?

The Question here is general.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will supply an analysis of the average cost to householders of persons billeted upon them?

An analysis of the average expenditure by householders on evacuated persons could only be obtained by a series of detailed local investigations of a type which hardly seems justified at the present time.

How can my right hon. Friend insist that the billeting allowances are adequate if he is unable to give any figure?

I cannot answer that supplementary question in a supplementary answer. The allowance does, of course, take a number of factors into account, and these factors have been taken into account and a change made at least twice since the original allowances were made.

When will the Minister take an opportunity to give me this very important information?

On the appropriate occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to 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 Czechoslovakia, are engaged in relief and welfare work and carry out no political activities contrary to the public interest?

While the main objects of these organisations are cultural and benevolent, and many of the members and supporters who are interested in these objects are entirely innocent of any ulterior purpose, my information indicates that in each of these organisations Communists are to a greater or lesser extent exercising or trying to exercise an influence, in pursuance of their common practice of infiltrating reputable organisations for the purpose of furthering their political aims.

Would not the same thing apply also to some trade unions, and as my right hon. Friend does not condemn trade unions because there are Communists in them, why should he make any kind of implied condemnation of these organisations in which there may be a few Communists but whose main work is of a cultural nature?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that British-born men of alien parents were refused permission to join the Territorial Army and other branches of His Majesty's Armed Forces; and whether, under these circumstances, he can say to what nationality do such men belong, with special reference to Lithuanians and others, the countries of whose parents are now incorporated in the Union of Russian Soviet Republics?

A person born in this country is a British subject, and if he were at one time, because of his foreign parentage, refused admission to the Territorial Army, this would not alter his national status. Persons of Lithuanian nationality are still recognised in this country as Lithuanians, but the fact that the father is classed as a Lithuanian does not affect the national status of the British-born son.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the young men referred to in the Question, having volunteered for military service, have been asked to renounce their British nationality in favour of their parents' nationality, and have the Home Office anything to do with that?

No, Sir. That would be a matter for the War Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, on 27th May, police raided the premises of the Greek newspaper, published in London, "To Bhma-Vema," seized the correspondence, files, lists of subscribers, manuscripts, &c, found on the premises, and ransacked the proprietor's private apartment; whether it is proposed to prosecute the paper; and, if not, will he take steps to get the property of this paper returned and compensation paid for the inconvenience caused to its proprietor, a British citizen?

The search was made in accordance with the provisions of Defence Regulation 88A and was properly carried out by the police. I am unable to make any statement on the question of prosecution. Most of the property taken at the search has already been returned, and I can find no ground for considering any question of compensation.

Although it may be necessary to allow the police certain latitude in following up justified suspicions, should there not be a check of some kind on the police in the form of their having to pay compensation where there is a glaring case of an unjustified entry into premises?

No, Sir. There may be cases where the police cannot be sure before the raid takes place whether they will be justified or not, and indeed that may be the purpose of the raid; and the action is not taken without a proper and responsible authority giving sanction for it. I think in these times the police must have reasonable freedom to conduct their operations.

asked the Home Secretary how many schemes have been submitted under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order, 1941; and what percentage have been approved?

The approval of schemes is in the hands of a large number of authorities, and it would not be practicable without a disproportionate amount of labour to collect the information desired by my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind that these schemes are not compulsory until they are approved, and that the failure to approve so many schemes is causing great difficulty? Will he think of some method by which schemes could be approved more quickly, such as the presentation of a certificate that the Order has been complied with?

This is a point which is actively under consideration, and I am hoping almost at once to arrange, in agreement with the other Departments concerned, for a considerable degree of derogation to officers in the Region and to have co-ordination under the Regional Commissioners.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the necessity of seeing that the managerial side do their share of fire watching?

My hon. Friend will know that I have stressed that póint from the beginning and that it has been provided for in the Order.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the present time there is considerable dissatisfaction among the work people that the managerial side and the employers are not doing their share and that the employés have no redress against them, whereas the employers have against the workpeople?

I am sure that in such cases the trade unions will take some action, but if my hon. Friend will refer to me any cases of which he knows, I shall be glad to do anything I can in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that of the aliens interned in Australia, 419 had been authorised for release before 31st May, but that the great majority of these, owing to lack of snipping facilities, are still interned and are subjected to the same rigorous treatment as other internees, being unable to speak to visitors except through wire-netting in the presence of armed soldiers, restricted in their correspondence, and forbidden to send cables; and will he approach the Australian authorities to secure that at least those internees, whose political reliability and good character is shown by the authorisation of their release, should be subjected to less harsh and humiliating treatment?

In some 300 cases where internees intend to emigrate to the United States and other destinations outside the United Kingdom, release has been authorised conditional upon the in- ternees obtaining the necessary visas. In the other cases in which return to this country has been authorised with a view to consideration being given to release, difficulties have been caused by the shortage of shipping accommodation. Full use is, however, made for this purpose of any accommodation that may become available. As my hon. Friend is aware, the position of the Commonwealth Government in this matter is that they accepted these persons among others for internment in Australia on the basis that no question of their release in Australia would arise. I appreciate, however, the point of view expressed by my hon. Friend and will consider, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, the question of making an approach to the Commonwealth Government to see whether special treatment can be accorded to the cases to which she refers. I understand that the Australian Regulations now allow internees to send cables on private business or on matters affecting their release.

May I give notice, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the situation, and unless further assurances can be given, that I may have to raise this matter on the Adjournment?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement regarding the assault by Italian Fascists interned in the Isle of Man on another Italian internee on account of his pro-British sympathies; whether the culprits have been punished; and whether, in view of this evidence of the loyalty of the victim of the attack, he will reconsider the question of his release?

asked the Home Secretary what punishment has been inflicted on the Italians interned on the Isle of Man who beat up a pro-British fellow internee and assaulted his guard recently?

I presume that my hon. Friends refer to the assault committed in the Palace Camp, Douglas, on 11th instant, on the internee, Antonio Castellini. Three of his fellow internees have, I am informed, been arrested by the Isle of Man police on charges relating to this assault. The case being sub judice, it would not be right for me to make any further statement at present.

Will ray right hon. Friend be good enough to answer the latter part of my Question, whether in view of the evidence of the loyalty of the victim of the attacks, he will reconsider the question of his release?

I will consider the question of a release on the merits of the case, but I cannot be influenced in my decision by the facts of the assault. I will, however, look into the case.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the inquiry into the case of a friendly alien, Richard Weininger, now held as an internee, under Regulation 12 (5) A, the normal practice was followed by the tribunal of informing him what was known to his discredit?

Yes, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this man is wholly ignorant of the charges made against him?

I do not think that is true. The position was made quite clear in the course of the proceedings, and that statement would not be justified.

Is the Minister aware that he is entirely misinformed, and that this man was examined when he was in a condition of extremely bad health?

I have taken great care about this case, and I have decided that detention should be continued. I think I am right in the knowledge of all the facts available. The proceedings were very carefully conducted, and Mr. Weininger had ample opportunity to state his case fully to the committee.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that he will not reconsider the case?

I have already reconsidered it on the report of the Advisory Commitee. I have come: to a certain conclusion, and I see no reason to vary that conclusion at the moment.

Is the Minister aware that there are very substantial reasons for believing that Mr. Weininger has never had a statement in plain terms of the grounds on which he has been interned?

When aliens, as distinct from British subjects, are interned, details are not furnished in the same sense as for British subjects. I think that is right. In the course of these proceedings it was perfectly clear that the apprehensions of the authorities were justified. It must be understood that the proceedings under this Order must be different from the proceedings in a court of law.

In view of the nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible moment I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give, respectively, the number of aliens interned in Australia who have been authorised for release but still interned, actually released, and not yet authorised for release?

Out of about 2,500 aliens interned in Australia, there are 310 whose release has been conditionally authorised for emigration to the United States of America and other destinations, and 133 whose return to this country has been sanctioned with a view to consideration of their release. Of this.latter category, 62 are now on their way.

Is the Minister aware that some of these people who were authorised for release six months ago are still being kept under these extremely humiliating and restrictive conditions which are applied to those who have not been authorised for release?

The term "authorised for release" is a misleading term which I had better not allow to stand. In the case of those coming back to this country, they are not authorised for release, but sent back because there is a prima facie case for release. In the case of the United States they require a visa, but the basic problem is shipping facilities, which my hon. Friend will realise are bound to be difficult at this time.

Will the Minister consider cases that I will submit to him of men recommended for release who have been classified under Category 19, which is an extremely strict Category and which is only recommended for those who have been permanently, over a number of years, opposed to the Nazi system? In-spite of that fact these men, and one in particular, have been recommended for release under that category six months ago, but are still behind barbed wire and not allowed to interview anyone except in the presence of armed witnesses?

I will consider that, but the Australian Government took these men on the basis that they would not be released in the Commonwealth. I am in a difficulty with regard to shipping, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I am anxious to get these people over as quickly as possible.

Where does my right hon. Friend get all this information about shipping difficulties? Can we have some information?

asked the Home Secretary how many applications there have been in Sheffield for indoor shelters; and how many have been supplied?

It is not expedient, on grounds of security, to give publicly the information for which my hon. Friend asks. I will, of course, give it to him privately if he so desires.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the maximum effort is being made to grow vegetables and animal feeding-stuffs on suitable railway embankments, and other suitable railway property?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that land girls who become ill or incapacitated may be forthwith discharged from work; and whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that they shall not fare worse when ill or incapacitated than if they were serving with the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

Members of the Women's Land Army, although recruited and trained by the State, are not usually State-employed but work as employés of individual farmers under the ordinary conditions applicable to agricultural workers. Certain special arrangements and stipulations have, however, been made to prevent hardship to Women's Land Army members through sickness or unemployment, and I am sending details, to the hon. Member.

Why should girls in the Women's Land Army He penalised by being put in a more difficult position than their sisters who join other Forces?

Perhaps the hon. Member would look at the information which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a great deal of undrained land largely covered with rushes in the counties of Carnarvon and Merioneth, particularly adjoining the estuaries leading inland from Portmadoc and Barmouth; and whether Italian prisoners of war could be used to make this land more productive?

A number of State-aided schemes for the improvement of land in the districts to which the hon. Member refers have been, or are being, carried out, and further work is under active consideration. Arrangements are being made for the provision of additional labour, including prisoners of war, for land drainage work, but I do not think that the areas in question are very suitable for the employment of prisoners.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that silos made by digging suitable pits two feet deep in the ground are efficient and cheap; and can he see his way clear to give more publicity to this method of making silage owing to the importance of its food value?

A great deal of publicity has already been given to this method of making silage, and it will certainly receive its due share of attention in the national silage campaign.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is not possible to make pit silage on every kind of land? It requires to be done with very great discrimination.

Yes, and in the instructions that are being issued that point is brought out.

Does the Minister realise that many farmers do not understand that pit silage can be made at all?

A very full leaflet has been issued by my Department instructing farmers in all the different methods of making silage. It is a very comprehensive document, and anyone who wants to make silage can get the leaflet.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the leaflet has not been effectively distributed? Will he see that every farmer gets a copy?

I cannot accept that. It has been given very wide circulation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the case of uncultivated gardens in their boundaries due to families leaving the district for reasons connected with the war, the local authorities concerned have been given the right to enter and cultivate such gardens or to allow others to do so; and whether he will issue a statement to make the position quite clear for the information of the public and especially for the benefit of those who cannot obtain allotments in the ordinary course?

Under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 1939, local authorities in England and Wales, with my consent, may enter on any garden, occupied or usually occupied with a dwelling house, for the purpose of providing allotments. Voluntary arrangements usually, however, make the exercise of these powers unnecessary. Local authorities are well aware of their powers and if any further publicity on the subject is necessary I hope this answer will serve the purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the position of coal as one of the essential commodities now required, and the stabilising of the price to be paid by consumers, and anything beyond this fixed price to be met by a subsidy from the State such as is done in several other essential things?

On the general issues involved in this Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hendon (Sir R. Blair) on the 17th instant. I could not give any such unconditional undertaking as is suggested in the Question, nor could I decide whether the circumstances justified a subsidy to coal without taking into account the position of other essential commodities and services.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present position is very unsatisfactory? Prices go up, and the public feel that they are not being dealt with properly?

I cannot accept that as an accurate statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that comparatively little coal is being distributed and that, unless the matter is dealt with, many munitions works will close down for lack of coal before long?

The Question relates to a subsidy on coal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that, in the present circum stances, it is in the national interest for the Government to pay to the banks commission on sums invested by their customers in Defence and Savings Bonds; and will he arrange for all sums so invested in the future to pass either through the banks free of such commission or through the post offices and the usual channels of the national savings movement?

I am satisfied that the commission paid to the banks is reasonable in the light of the work involved. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

In view of the fact that banks already make handsome profits out of their customers, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the commission paid, as far as the issue of Savings Bonds is concerned, is excessive, in view of the fact that the banks have very little work to do in connection with these bonds, the bulk of the work being done by the Bank of England and the Post Office Savings Bank?

Of course, this is a matter of opinion on which one forms one's own judgment, but I think we do in fact get full efficiency, and I should like to recognise the help that the banks and stockbrokers are giving in guiding money into these loans.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in the letter which has just been addressed by the Prime Minister to the various Government Departments who are concerned with the requisitioning of premises, no reference is made to the serious hardship suffered by individuals who have property requisitioned for which they are paid a rental often much less than that which they themselves have to pay by the terms of the lease or agreement under which the premises are held, nor is reference made to the fact that provisional notice of requisitioning is often given for many weeks or months without letting the individual know whether his premises will actually be required or not and so preventing him from attempting to obtain other accommodation; and what action is being taken in these matters?

My right hon. Friend's note dealt generally with the use of requisitioning powers and not with individual points arising out of their use. With regard to my hon. Friend's first point, I would refer him to the Answer I gave him on 27th May; as I then went on to say, I am having an examination made of such cases of complaint as hon. Members have sent to me. I am not aware of the difficulty referred to in the latter part of the Question, but if my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind, perhaps he will let me have particulars of it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great urgency of the matter and that many people are having to pay rent for premises from which they have been removed and for which they get no value? As to the second point, I have just received a 'letter from a constituent saying that he was ordered to vacate premises as long ago as November last in a week or fortnight's time. The premises are still standing empty and all that he has received is a very small sum towards his expenses, which in no way recompenses him.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will let me have the particulars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of arranging for Government Departments to take over the tenancy agreements?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in proposing to repeal the Medicine Stamp Duties, his predecessor was influenced by the action threatened by Messrs. Woolworth for illegal administration of the duties; and whether, as an alternative to repeal, he will consider the introduction of a Bill to legalise any such administration?

The legal action to which my hon. Friend refers merely illustrated the difficulties to which the administration of these antiquated Acts continually gave rise. The answer to the second part of the Question is therefore in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present approximate annual yield of the Purchase Tax upon medicines; and to what extent this yield exceeds the present annual yield of the Medicine Stamp Duties?

Before the announcement of the abolition of the Medicine Stamp Duty in the recent Budget it was estimated that the yield of the duty in a full year would be £800,000. Precise figures of the yield of the Purchase Tax on prepared drugs and medicines are not available, but I think it possible that the yield for a full financial year will be of the order of £3,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the War Damage Commission will only supply one copy of Form No. C1, being a notification of damage pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 of the War Damage Act, 1941, to persons notifying them as to property damaged by enemy action, such form containing a large number of printed questions, all of which, with their answers, have to be copied out, involving applicants in considerable loss of time and expense; and will he instruct the Commission to send a duplicate for retention by the person making the claim?

The limitation on the issue of Form C1is due to the need for economising paper, and I do not feel justified in asking the War Damage Commission to change their practice. The particulars asked for are simple matters of fact or opinion, and normally the retention of a copy of the form by the claimant should be unnecessary.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it saves no paper, because the person who receives the form has to use paper in making a copy, and also that a great deal of time and trouble are taken in copying out all the questions? Would it not be simpler to send two printed forms rather than put the applicant to the trouble and expense of copying it out?

I could not agree that it is necessary to copy out the whole of the form.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part is played by the Treasury in fixing the price of gold; and what other parties are concerned?

The price at which gold is bought on behalf of the Treasury is fixed by the Treasury in consultation with the Bank of England.