asked the Minister of Labour whether men called up and medically examined, but who have had their posting to the Armed Forces deferred for a period, will be given a further medical examination before having to report for service?

I have given consideration to this question. If re-examination after a specified period were to be prescribed, it would not be administratively practicable to confine it to men about to be called up, and a great amount of trouble and expense would be caused to no purpose. I propose, therefore, to arrange for men who have been medically examined to be informed that they should let the Ministry know if subsequently they think there has been any deterioration in their physical condition, so that a further medical examination may be held in such cases. This arrangement will cover cases that would not be included in a system of automatic re-examination after a fixed period.

Has my right lion. Friend been in touch with the Ministry of Pensions and the Army authorities to safeguard these Departments against the possibility of men being called up who, unknown to themselves, have become unlit? As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the question relates to the opportunity provided for men who are called up to make a further application for postponement on grounds of hardship. How does the Minister propose to provide for them?

I cannot add anything to the answer I have given. I have given careful consideration to the matter, but administratively it is as far as I can go in making it a workable arrangement. My Department is in close collaboration with the others concerned.

If particular cases are submitted to my right hon. Friend, will he be prepared to go into them?

That, quite clearly, is contained in my answer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the exemption from other military service of all skilled men of 35 years of age who are in the heavy industries who have served a minimum period of six months in the Home Guard, and passed the proficiency test, providing such men continue to serve in the Home Guard?

Skilled men, aged 35 years and over, in the heavy industries are already reserved from military service. I should add that on grounds of general policy I am not prepared to make service in the Home Guard a ground of reservation.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent joint consultative machinery has now been established in industry engaged on war production; and the numbers of firms and employés affected?

I have no record from which to give the statistics asked for.

In view of the great importance of machinery of this kind for overcoming production difficulties of all sorts now existing in factories, will the Minister not do everything he possibly can to urge the formation of such committees?

Yes, Sir, I have done that over and over again. I have asked an officer of my Department to take special steps to try and induce the setting-up of this machinery, but the setting-up of machinery by itself, unless there is the will to work it, is no good.

Surely, it is important to know to what extent the Minister has been successful in setting up the machinery. Will he not consider making inquiries on that point?

I will make inquiries.

Does the Minister now say that, although there is need for joint consultative machinery of the kind referred to in the Question, there is a difficulty about the will to work it? If there is not a will to work it, is any action going to be taken to induce those who are reluctant to work it to do so?

I have already indicated the steps I am taking.

Is not the lack of will to work it shown by the employers and not by the men?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of persons totally unemployed has fallen by 231,000 since his announcement that the reserve of labour was exhausted; and on what information this announcement was based?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the statement I made in January, that the reservoir of unemployed male labour was exhausted and that the problem of having to obtain a great recruitment of labour from non-essential occupations and from the unoccupied had to be faced. That was a statement of fact based on a careful analysis of the composition of the register of unemployed men. The fact that on the day of the count in May there were about 109,000 less men registered as wholly unemployed on that day than on the corresponding day in January does not affect the accuracy of my statement. Apart from those not suitable for industrial employment, the great majority on the register on any particular day are not a reservoir of unemployed labour but are merely passing from one job to another. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a statement relating to the February figures which demonstrates the position.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's statement that there is no difference between nothing and 109,000?

asked the Minister of Labour what complaints he has received from reception areas of the shortage of boot and shoe repairers for the increased population; and whether he can arrange for trained disabled men to be sent to these areas to supplement the present inadequate facilities?

I have had no complaints from reception areas of a shortage of boot and shoe repairers for the increased population, but I am aware that there is a shortage of repairers generally; the possibility of training disabled persons for boot and shoe repairing is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that, in exercising the powers contemplated by the International Labour Force Registration Order, proper provisions will be made that special consideration be given to families and dependants of Pioneers, soldiers and other persons engaged in work for refugee organisations?

In these, as in other cases, the endeavour of my Department will be to apply as nearly as possible the same general principles as are applied in the case of registration of British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that looting has become a serious menace and that during last year there were 4,584 cases of looting in London alone, and that the police cannot be expected to cope adequately with looters as well as carry out their many other duties, he will consider appointing a director of anti-looting measures?

The number of reported cases of looting has decreased considerably during the present year. This is no doubt to be attributed in part to the energetic action taken by the police. I have no reason to suppose that the police are unable to cope with the situation.

In view of the fact that the figures of looting have increased this year, especially as in many cases offenders are members of public services, would the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter, as undoubtedly the police are not able adequately to cope with this very serious problem, and in the circumstances I do not think they should be asked to?

Considering the whole situation and its ramifications, is it not a fact that, taken as a whole, looting has been surprisingly small?

:It is not the case that it has increased during the present year. That is contrary to the facts. If a director of anti-looting measures were appointed, he would be dependent on the police in any case, and I cannot see the point of it. Looting, as the Commissioner of Police observes, is an offence varying widely in magnitude and in the class of person by whom it is committed. It is often exceedingly difficult to bring an offender to justice, but I am satisfied that the police are tackling the problem with an increasing measure of success.

In view of the fact that many cases described as looting are nothing more than petty pilfering, would it not be better if the police were advised as to the course they should pursue when it is really looting?

:That runs the argument dangerously too far in the opposite direction. It should be a sacred instinct with the citizen that in the case of enemy attack he should not touch other people's property.

asked the Home Secretary what instructions have been issued with a view to altering the operation of the Business Premises Fire-watching Order so that it shall no longer be necessary for fire watchers to be provided outside business hours in daylight?

:As a purely temporary measure in present circumstances it has been suggested to appropriate authorities that, where the circumstances warrant, they should permit a considerable reduction in the number of persona performing fire-prevention duties at business premises in daylight after working hours. I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to disclose the exact extent of the relaxation suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being caused to fire fighters and fire watchers by the fact that they receive no compensation when their clothes are destroyed or damaged in the course of carrying out their duties; and will he consider granting such compensation, or, alternatively, in view of the fact that air-raid precautions personnel are now being provided with serge uniforms, will he consider issuing the overalls which they now wear, or were going to wear, to fire watchers and fire fighters?

:A certain number of claims has been brought to my notice, and a circular will shortly be despatched to local authorities indicating the arrangements to be made for the payment of compensation for damage done to the clothing of enrolled members of their fire-prevention service while on duty. In common with other members of the public, fire fighters and fire watchers who are not members of a local authority's fire-prevention service may submit claims under the War Damage Act for war damage to clothing, and the Assistance Board are able to make advances and to give immediate help in cases of urgent need.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information regarding the appointment of George Alberto Reed by the Red Cross Society to organise fire fighting in their numerous buildings; whether this man is an alien who was fined £ 10 at the Westminster police court for failing to register; and whether he still holds his appointment as organiser of fire fighting?

:My information is that this man was at birth a United States citizen. He came to this country as an infant, but as he has never been naturalised he is an alien. I have no information as to the circumstances of the appointment mentioned, which, I understand, has now been terminated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the announcement of the development of radio telegraphy in relation to enemy air attack is being construed as lessening the need for fire-fighting services; and whether he will make the position clear?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for bringing this point to my notice. I was not aware that any such suggestion was being made, and it is clear that there would be no justification in present circumstances for any relaxation whatever in the measures for dealing with incendiary attacks.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the striking increase in the number of thefts of food stuffs, steps are contemplated greatly to increase the penalties imposed for such thefts?

:I would remind my lion. Friend that the maximum sentences provided by law for the kind of offences referred to are already very high. For instance, larceny from ships or docks or after breaking or entering a shop, warehouse or other premises is punishable by 14 years penal servitude. There is therefore no reason for any amendment of the law.

Is it not a fact, none the less, that many of the penalties which have been imposed have been ridiculously inadequate and that these are acts of treachery and should be treated as such? Could not the right hon. Gentleman order the judiciary to take a little stronger action?

:A communication was sent to the judiciary some time ago with regard to looting, but it still remains that the administration of justice is a local function. I cannot guarantee equality of administration of the law.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the hon. Member for Plaistow, when cases come before him, binds them over for six months, which has the desired effect?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will move for the appointment of a small Committee of the House to assist him in reviewing cases of detention under Regulation 18B?

:My predecessor and I have had the advantage of the assistance of very able Advisory Committees, which have acquired considerable experience of dealing with these cases, and I do not think there would be any advantage in making the change suggested.

In view of the fact that under this Regulation the right hon. Gentleman is empowered to arrest and detain Members of the House, is it not desirable to appoint such a Committee so that the House may share to some extent in the responsibility?

That problem is not yet extensive, but in any case I should doubt whether it would be wise to appoint a Select Committee on a basis of party representation to perform what is essentially a judicial function.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are already in existence several Select Committees which work quite impartially along non-party lines?

:I make no suggestion to the contrary, but I think it would be really difficult if such a committee had to deal with the case of a Member of the House. It would be embarrassing to the Committee and would involve the situation that the Minister concerned would not be responsible to the House.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the heavy congestion of traffic and blocking of the roads on Wednesday, 18th June, at Newmarket; and what decision he has arrived at as to allowing race meetings bringing together large concourses of people to continue?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the race meeting known as the War Derby, held on Wednesday, 18th June, when 60,000 persons were present, over 5,000 motor-cars were used to take them there, and the congestion caused by these numerous vehicles held up an Army convoy for a considerable time; and will he take steps to prevent all race meetings, as they are having a detrimental effect on the war effort?

:I am informed that the attendance at the race meeting was less than half the number given by my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker), and that while traffic was slow on the approaches to the course, there was no serious blocking of the roads. In reply to the other points raised by my hon. Friends, I would refer to the answer given on 24th June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War and to the answer which I gave on 3rd April last to my hon. Friends the Members for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) and Ipswich (Mr. Stokes).

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see the danger that if a race meeting happened to synchronise with an invasion or a blitz, it might have serious results on the movement of our troops for defence purposes?

That suggestion arises out of an allegation which is entirely untrue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his point of view has nothing in common with the Labour party in my constituency, which passed a resolution calling upon him to do away with race meetings, which have an effect on our efforts to prosecute the war? There is no doubt that that is happening and, unless something is done, it will not be of advantage to the war effort.

I have every respect for the views of the Labour party in my hon. Friend's constituency, but there are other sections of opinion. We have severely reduced racing facilities, and the point is now reached when we must either go on with the very modified programme or abolish racing altogether, which would involve rather serious considerations.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the Government's decision in this regard is flying in the face of decent public opinion? Even with the limited figures that he has furnished to the House, is it desirable to allow these insane and unseemly spectacles to continue?

There is more than one public opinion about this. That is quite clear, as the House has indicated during this passage of question and answer. We will, of course, take that view into account. We have made a programme up to September, and it can be reviewed, but we are on the point whether an industry to which some importance is attached should be eliminated.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall take the first convenient opportunity to raise the matter.

asked the Home Secretary who is now to be the sole authority responsible for feeding arrangements in vulnerable areas?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on 10th June.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland said there was now one authority in charge of these arrangements, and I should like to know whether that is so?

I am not aware of that statement. If my hon. Friend had indicated in his Question who made the statement, I would have looked it up. If that is the line of argument, it would have been convenient if that had been indicated in the Question, because then one could have dealt with it specifically in its context. I cannot deal with the point now, because it is not before me. Broadly speaking, the Ministry of Health runs the rest and feeding centres. The Ministry of Food runs the communal feeding facilities. In so far as it is incidental to the rest and feeding centres, the Ministry of Health looks after the feeding there, but the communal feeding places are the function of the Ministry of Food. I cannot see anything shocking in that, although I appreciate that there can be two arguments upon the matter.

I thought my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland was speaking with full Cabinet responsibility when he made his reply, otherwise I would have notified the right hon. Gentleman, but the statement is on record, and will he ask his right hon. Friend whether it means something new?

Certainly I will. If my hon. Friend had let me know with whom he was debating, I would have checked up with my right hon. Friend. I did not know to which statement he was referring.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state whether compensation, similar to that received by householders when they have suffered damage to their property on account of receiving evacuees, will be granted to householders who have suffered damage as the result of compulsory billeting of war workers?

Yes, Sir, and a circular, a copy of which I will send to my hon. Friend, will shortly be issued to local authorities on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider a scheme for providing cheap holidays for Londoners and people from other heavily-bombed towns, who have suffered especial hardship as the result of air-raids, but are not covered by the Government evacuation scheme?

:I have much sympathy with the people whom my hon. Friend has in mind, but I am afraid that a scheme such as he proposes would not be practicable. Apart from Civil Defence personnel, for whom special travelling facilities are being made available, the difficulty of defining the classes of person to be benefited would be great, and any general extension of facilities would conflict with the Government's policy of encouraging holidays at home in order to reduce pressure on transport.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent occupation of premises prevents the requisitioning of part of such premises for educational purposes?

Where the circumstances warrant, I am. prepared to authorise the requisitioning of parts of occupied houses suitable for use for the education of evacuated children.

asked the Minister of Health in what way the requisitioning of "The Beeches," Saffron Walden, was of doubtful legality; who gave permission for a private person to occupy it; who made the request for it to be de-requisitioned; and to whom the de-requisitioning notice has been sent?

I am aware of no reason to suppose that the original requisitioning of this house was of doubtful legality; but it is considered to be doubtful if the requisitioning was still legally effective when the owner resumed possession, since, for one thing, the keys had been surrendered to him. On the owner's view, which has been accepted, that the requisitioning had terminated, he did not need permission to resume possession. The owner applied for the house to be derequisitioned, and notice of de-requisitioning has been sent to him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the serious nature of this case? Is he aware that the Ministry permitted the premises to be de-requisitioned for educational purposes, that the education authority required them and that, by some means, the owner got possession of the keys and took possession of the house, and that, as a consequence, the education authority cannot now use the place as a school and children may have to be transferred 100 miles away, with the possibility that they may all be brought back to London by their parents? Is not this a serious state of affairs which should receive attention?

The matter is very complicated. I understand that the authorities are making other arrangements.

Do they not consist of transferring the children 100 miles away, and may that not mean that they will be brought back to London?

:I understand that, at a meeting with the parents last Monday, the impression formed by the education authorities was that the parents agreed to the children being transferred.

asked the Minister of Health the total cost of the work of adapting the out-patients department of a certain hospital for children for the decontamination of blister-gas cases and provision of air-raid protection for the personnel?

:The amount approved for the adaptation as a first-aid post of the out-patients' department, to which I understand my hon. Friend is referring, including the provision of certain arrangements for gas cleansing, was £884, and a sum of £140 was approved in connection with the erection of a brick surface shelter for the personnel. Further works have recently been approved in order to improve the gas cleansing facilities and the protection of the post, but the statement of final costs of these works has not yet been received in the Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was estimated that the work cost £24,000, and that other first-aid posts are being adapted in the same grandiose manner; and can he not prevent this wasteful expenditure of public money?

I should prefer to see the full statement of costs before I could accept the hon. Member's view of the matter.

I am ready to put another Question when I get further information.

I will let the hon. Member know.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will make arrangements whereby London parents, whose children have been evacuated to a considerable distance, such as Cornwall, should be able to obtain, at least once every six months, a cheap railway pass?

Arrangements already exist under which parents whose children are evacuated from London or other evacuating areas can obtain railway tickets once a month at special cheap fares to visit them. Arrangements are now being made that such tickets available for one period of eight days will be issuable to parents taking their summer holiday with their children provided that they have secured accommodation in the reception area. An announcement will shortly be made as to the method of obtaining such tickets.

Is it not a fact that at the moment the cheap tickets are available only for three days and many parents wish to spend their week's holiday with their children, whom, in some cases, they have not seen for a year?

That is a matter on which I thought I had done rather well. When I went to the Ministry I found that that was what was happening, and we have extended the period from three days to eight days to cover that point.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inform parents of the almost complete absence of accommodation in many of these areas?

That was why I made the proviso that they should make certain that there was accommodation in the area to which they wished to go.

asked the Home Secretary whether the proposed new Deputy Commissioners, one of whom may be responsible for pre-air-raid preparations are to be appointed by himself and are responsible to his Ministry; and whether the team of experts and officials under the senior regional officer of the Ministry of Health will work under the general directions of such Deputy Commissioners?

The new Deputy Regional Commissioners will, like the present Commissioners and deputies, be appointed by Royal Warrant and the Minister of Home Security will be, as heretofore, generally responsible for the action taken by the Regional Commissioners and their deputies. The Regional Commissioners will remain responsible. for the general co-ordination of departmental measures in connection with Civil Defence and will allocate duties to their deputies as may be found most convenient in each region. In so far as duties relating to pre-air-raid preparations are allotted to a Deputy Commissioner he will have a special interest in matters for which the Ministry of Health is responsible and the senior regional officers of that Department and their staffs will be closely associated with him for the purpose.

Do I understand from that that the Deputy Commissioner who is in charge of the pre-blitz arrangements will have the general supervision of the Ministry of Health officials, and will he report to the Commissioner or to my right hon. Friend?

The Regional Commissioner is responsible. It is a matter of domestic arrangement as to how the Regional Commissioner and Deputy Regional Commissioners best use the staff, but I contemplate that one will take fire fighting and fire prevention and other Civil Defence matters and that the other will take over those services relating to blitzed conditions for which the Ministry of Health is largely responsible, and that he will work in close cooperation with officers of the Ministry of Health.

Do I understand from the answer that the local authority are unable to act except with the permission of the Regional Commissioner?

No, they have powers imposed upon them, and we certainly wish them to act under their specific powers in every case.

asked the Minister of Health how many refugees are in North End House and what proportion of them are children; what is the annual cost of renting the premises for the refugees and their attendants: what is the annual cost of feeding them by contract; what are the wages of the attendants; and how many attendants are employed there?

There are 273 adults and 77 children under the age of 14. The rental compensation under Section 2 (1) (a) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, is estimated at £3,040 per annum. In addition, a payment at the rate of £800 a year is made by the Ministry of Works and Buildings to the owners in respect of the heating of the premises. A contribution in lieu of rates, which is estimated at £2,150, will also be payable to the local authority. On the present basis of expenditure, the annual cost of feeding the evacuees and staff is estimated at £17,400. The number of staff employed is 10, and their wages amount to £2,000 per annum. In addition, arrangements have been made with the London County Council whereby they undertake the medical care of the evacuees. Women's Voluntary Services also do welfare work for the evacuees.

Can my right hon. Friend explain how he justifies the bringing of evacuee women and children into London at a time when he is doing his best to get women and children in London to go into the country and is advising them to stay there?

First of all, I do not bring them to London. I would point out that these are evacuees from the Rock of Gibraltar. There are some thousands of them, about 60 per cent. do not talk our language, and they have entirely different habits. I do not think that there has been a more difficult job in the whole war than the successful management of this problem.

Would not these evacuees be of more use in the country, and would they not certainly be safer there?

The answer to that lies in the explanation I have already given, that we are not dealing with people talking our language or having our habits. These people have been brought thousands of miles from their homes, and we are responsible for them, and I say that anybody who surveys the difficulties of the problem and knows the facts would say that this problem has been handled wisely and well.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the proposal to concentrate the whole of the Government of India in India itself after the war is being associated with any other political or constitutional proposals for the future Government of India; and whether special consultations on such proposals are now taking place, or are likely to take place, in the near future?

:The hon. Member is presumably referring to a recent description by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India of the nature of Dominion Status, which is the declared goal of British policy in India. There has been no new proposal such as is implied in the first part of the Question, and the remainder of the Question therefore does not arise.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, in existing circumstances, a fresh and vigorous attempt should be made to meet the very serious situation which is developing in India; and will he therefore at least indicate when he can make some pronouncement on the matter?

Is it not undesirable to raise this question during the war, in which the Indian troops are doing very well indeed? We do not want to raise dissension now.

Do not many of the Indian troops want a vigorous measure of self-government?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of our shipping losses, the policy respecting Indian shipping and shipbuilding yards will be reconsidered with a view to considerable expansion?

Inquiries are in progress as to the earliest date when production of ships in India would be possible. Meanwhile, with my support and that of the Government of India, certain provisional steps have been taken. The hon. Member will appreciate that the question is one of the best use, for the purposes of the war, of the supplies of machinery, material and personnel that can be made available.

While appreciating the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he has in mind any long-term policy for the development of Indian shipbuilding, especially in view of the shortage of ships?

I am concerned at the moment with the short-term policy, which is what is possible and desirable during the war.

Will my right hon. Friend take an early opportunity, if possible, to make some announcement, so far as it is in the public interest to do so, of how far the very important scheme of Indian shipbuilding is proceeding?

I will do so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that no long-term considerations will prevent the application of the necessary short-term policy?

I can give that assurance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give an assurance that there are on the staff of the Ministry practical housewives who have access to the Minister for purposes of advice on the rationing of food commodities?

If my hon. Friend wishes to know whether my Noble Friend has the benefit of the advice of practical housewives where and when it is needed, the answer is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will curtail the often un necessary distant transport of fruit and vegetables by a system of improved local marketing of perishable products, with special reference to North Wales?

:Consideration is being given, in consultation with the agricultural and trade interests concerned, to the question of eliminating unnecessary transport in the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables and of improving, where possible, arrangements for local marketing. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the case of North Wales will not be overlooked.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that apart from North Wales these fruits and vegetables are sent great distances, with great loss of time and damage to perishable foods, and will he treat the matter as a matter of some urgency?

Consultations are taking place on that very point at the present time, and everything possible will be done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his staff have furnished any reports on the reason for the disappearance of tomatoes from the wholesale markets since the control of selling prices became operative; whether he is aware that recognised retailers cannot secure supplies to sell to the consumers; and what action he proposes to take with regard to the unusual increase in direct purchasing of tomatoes from growers by hotel and restaurant caterers?

I know of no evidence to justify the statement that tomatoes have disappeared from wholesale markets since the introduction of the Maximum Prices Order last Sunday. The information in the possession of my Department is that tomatoes have been reaching the markets in considerable quantities but owing to the reduction of price the demand has increased greatly and the arrivals have been cleared quickly. In these circumstances, it may be that certain retailers have been unable to obtain supplies but there should be increasing quantities coming on to the markets in the next few weeks. With regard to the last part of the Question, if my hon. Friend will supply me with any evidence in support of his statement, I shall be glad to have the matter investigated.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that this very morning at 6 o'clock in a London market men were queueing up for over an hour, and that the only supply after this vigil was one 12-lb. box of tomatoes, while in the Lea Valley area, where tomatoes are grown, motor-cars and motor lorries belonging to the black buccaneers were yesterday taking away tomatoes wholesale to other parts of the country; and what action is he going to take?

If the hon. Member will give me detailed information of such cases, I shall be glad to have them investigated.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that an hon. Member only this morning saw a number of tomatoes on a stall and that the stallholder simply said that he could not have tomatoes unless he also bought a cucumber?

"Conditional sales" are an offence. I am sorry the hon. Gentleman has not reported the matter. If he will report it, action will be taken.

(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the proposal to close food shops in Bolton for the whole of the coming week on the occasion of the Bolton wakes and of the indignation aroused locally in view of the fact that workers who have responded to the Government's appeal to forego their holidays will be remaining in Bolton this year during Wakes Week, and, anticipating that they and their families will have difficulty in obtaining food supplies, what action he proposes to take?

:My attention has been drawn to the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that the Bolton Chamber of Trade has recommended the special closing of shops on Monday and Tuesday only and I hope that this recommendation will be accepted by food traders generally. It will afford an opportunity of relaxation for shop assistants badly in need of it but will avoid the inconvenience to the public resulting from the closing of food shops for the whole week. Communications have been sent to the bodies representative of the trades concerned, and I have no doubt that they will receive a satisfactory response.

It is not true, therefore, to suggest that the Bolton shops are going to be closed for a week?

I very much hope that they will respond favourably to the representations made, as I think they will.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in supplying county agricultural commit- tees with sterilising plants and portable sprayers for the use of small growers unable to provide them for themselves?

Arrangements have been made for the supply of 150 portable sprayers and one sterilising plant in response to applications received from county war agricultural executive committees. Delivery to the committees is in progress and should be completed soon after 30th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether arrangements will be made this year for the women's institutes to collect apple windfalls and make them into apple rings?

This matter is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of his announcement of the policy of additional man-power being made available for work on the land, he can now make some statement specifying the manner in which this is to be accomplished?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service has agreed to make available some 10,000 men for work under agricultural executive committees. About 3,000 Italian prisoners of war will also be arriving shortly in this country for similar work. The additional individual labour required by private fanners will have to be obtained mainly from the Women's Land Army; but in addition to the men that he is to make available for work with committees my right hon. Friend has agreed to endeavour to identify a certain number of men with previous agricultural experience now in other occupations whom it may prove possible to transfer to fill vacancies on individual farms.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the shortage of skilled manpower on farms is more acute than ever, and will he do something to get into the heads of the War Office and the Ministry of Labour the necessity for skilled men not only not to be taken from, but to be returned to, the farms to secure the maximum output from the land?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, what appointments, during the last six months, the Staffordshire War Agricultural Committee have made to the office of labour manager; how many members he has recruited for the Staffordshire land corps; and what arrangements have been made to supply workers from this to farmers wanting assistance for hoeing the sugar-beet crop?

The Staffordshire War Agricultural Executive Committee have made two appointments to the post of Labour Officer in the last six months, the first officer having recently resigned. I have no information as to the number of persons enrolled in volunteer land corps in the county, but I understand that active steps to recruit volunteers are now being taken.

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to give the names of the officers?

I will find out and let the hon. Member know; I do not know.

Is he not aware that there is a great deal of uncertainty in the county as to who really is responsible for providing the necessary labour, and that there is uncertainty as to who holds these appointments, and will he state specifically the names?

I will find out.

Is it not a fact that any letter addressed to the committee would be transferred to the proper officer?

It is.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, on what grounds Mr. Mason, of Wharram Percy, Malton, was forcibly ejected from his farm at Birds all, on Saturday, 14th June; how much land was in cultivation on this farm; what stock was on the farm; what order made by the war agriculture committee Mr. Mason has not carried out; and to whom the farm has been let, and at what rental?

Mr. Mason was ejected from his holding for failing to comply with an order of the East Riding War Agricultural Executive Committee directing him to give up possession of the holding on 15th May, in consequence of the termination of his tenancy under Regulation 62 of the Defence Regulations. All the land on the holding was under cultivation, but a considerable acreage was unsatisfactory. The stock on the holding, which is 880 acres in extent, comprised about 400 sheep, seven horses, 10 cows and 20 store cattle. Some of these were not Mr. Mason's property. Orders of the committee giving directions to Mr. Mason as to manuring the land were not complied with. The farm has been let to Mr. Lister at a rent of £200 a year rising to £400 a year. I naturally regret the necessity for the action taken in this case, but I am satisfied that in the national interest no other course was open to the East Riding War Agricultural Executive Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House if the new tenant is in possession of Mr. Mason's stock, implements, crops and furniture?

No, Sir. But I am quite sure that the war agricultural committee are taking steps to see that the farm is properly cultivated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is fair that the war agricultural committee should inspect a man's farm as late in the year as 10th May, and then turn him out in a season when nobody else can get any further production, and thus denude the industry of five skilled agriculturists?

I cannot accept the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. I have personally investigated this case on more than one occasion, and I am satisfied that the war agricultural committee were fully satisfied that if they had not taken. such action there would have been a bad effect on food production. I am not prepared to reconsider the matter.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether this farmer was actually evicted from his home, and further whether he was given an opportunity to continue to work in some capacity upon this farm?

He has certainly been evicted from the house, because it is ' required for the new tenant. As regards what he is going to do in the future, I do not know.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will instruct county agricultural war executive committees that it is undesirable that any member of the committee shall purchase, or secure directly or indirectly, a financial interest in any farm which has been relinquished or sold voluntarily or compulsorily by a tenant or owner by reason of his inability to comply with orders served upon him by an agricultural war executive committee?

I am not aware that there is a need for the issue of any such instructions.

If I send the Minister specific evidence of a case, will he personally inquire into it?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that foxes from Ken Wood, in the North of London, are making havoc in poultry runs in Highgate, 45 birds being killed in one run; and whether, in the interests of food production, he will call on the local authorities concerned to take immediate remedial measures?

I have ascertained that the London County Council have been aware of the presence of foxes in the district and have instituted searches in the woods with a view to destroying any that may be found. Two have been killed up to date.