asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement about the development of nursing services in factories where women are employed; how many training courses for factory nurses have been established through his agency; and how many nurses who have passed through these courses now hold factory appointments?

I have no detailed statistics on this subject, but I am advised that the number of nurses employed in factories has largely increased of late. Three special short courses, at which trained nurses can receive supplementary instruction in industrial nursing, have so far been arranged for by my Department; 68 nurses have attended these courses, 50 of whom have obtained factory appointments.

Can the Minister say whether it is part of the duty of these nurses to advise married women workers before and after childbirth?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider introducing legislation prescribing that, for the duration of the war, Sunday labour shall, if the worker enjoys one clear alternative rest day in the then cur rent week, not be remunerated at other than the normal weekly rate of pay in the industry?

No, Sir, such legislation could not be confined to the point which my hon. Friend mentions, and would involve the supersession of the industrial machinery dealing with such matters on which it is the Government's policy to rely.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for a register to be made in all protected establishments or trades of individuals who have entered these protected employments since the outbreak of war and of their experience in other skilled employment?

No, Sir. The compilation of such a register would throw a heavy burden on the already hard-pressed staffs of the firms concerned and of my Department, and I do not see that any commensurate advantage would be obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 334 persons appointed to his Department at salaries in excess of £500 per annum during the last 12 months were drawn from the Central Register; and the average period during which these people had been on the Central Register before they were appointed in his Department?

It has not been possible in the time available to extract the information asked for by my hon. Friend, but I will communicate with him on the matter as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, why the regulations of the Civil Service do not permit an official, whose headquarters are in London and whose home is in Birmingham, to draw subsistence allowance either when on duty in London or when sent to Birmingham on temporary duty; and whether he will reconsider, the regulations?

When an official is transferred from Birmingham to London he is entitled either to removal expenses or to subsistence allowances. When he returns to Birmingham for temporary duty he would get subsistence allowance if he had removed his home to London, but not if his home were still in Birmingham. This follows from the fact that subsistence allowances are granted to cover hotel expenses, etc., which are not of course incurred if the officer's home is in the area to which he is temporarily Transferred.

Is not this tantamount to expecting such a civil servant to incur the expense of maintaining two homes?

No, Sir.

Can the Financial Secretary state the total amount of the subsistence allowance, either per day or per week?

No, Sir, not without notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what stage has been reached in the combing-out of men and women of military age from the various Departments of the Government under the guidance of Lord Kennet; how many have already been called up; and how many are still retained in the Departments?

Lord Kennet's Committee, which was appointed in April, is holding frequent meetings and is in close touch with Departments who are supplying information and evidence. The Committee expects to be in a position to make recommendations shortly.

Has any calling up taken place yet as a result of the investigations of this Committee?

They have not yet made their recommendations, as I have just pointed out.

Is it not the fact that young women suitable for the Armed Forces are still being taken into the service of Government Departments?

I would like to see that Question on the Paper.

Does not the reply of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that this inquiry is taking place with regard to every Department and that until every Department has been settled there will be no report and no action taken?

I cannot say that. The Committee are carrying out the work for which they were appointed, and when it reports is its own business.

Could not there be an interim report and interim action?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the shortage of waste paper for pulping, any steps have been taken to hand over to the paper salvage department of the Ministry of Supply the accumulations of old papers stored away in various Government offices which have long ceased to have any value; and, if not, whether the necessary steps will be taken to deal with this matter forthwith?

The attention of Departments has already been drawn, with good effect, to the need for increasing the supplies of paper available for re-manufacture, e.g., by the surrender of old papers, etc. My hon. Friend may rest assured that continued attention will be given to this matter.

Has the attention of the Financial Secretary been called to a recent article in the "Times" in which it was pointed out that one of the principal reasons for the erection some years ago of new Government offices in Whitehall and elsewhere was that the floors of the old seventeenth century buildings which accommodated the Government offices were no longer safe to carry the weight of the vast accumulation of ancient files of papers, and is this not a golden opportunity to get rid of all this valueless clutter?

asked the Minister of Health whether the Nursing Division of the Ministry, the establishment of which was announced on 3rd April, will deal with midwifery as well as nursing?

Yes, Sir. I have decided that these two services should be dealt with in the same Division. The Division will be known as the Division of Nursing and Midwifery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that about 30 Dutch internees in the Isle of Man have recently written to state that they have never been furnished with the reason for their detention; and whether he has any statement to make?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to a batch of letters, almost identical in terms, which he recently sent to me. Inquiry is being made into each case, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course. In the meantime, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to his Question on 29th May.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the rioting, after heavy drinking, by certain Italians interned at Douglas, Isle of Man, in celebration of the anniversary of Italy's entry into the war, during which one Italian said to be loyal to Britain was seriously injured; why discipline is so lax at the said camp that heavy drinking is permitted there; and whether internees who are well supplied with money are compelled to pay [or their keep?

My hon. Friend has been misled by inaccurate newspaper reports. There is no ground for the allegation that there has been rioting or heavy drinking among the internees, and the wide circulation which has been given to these allegations is much to be regretted. As I stated in my reply to Questions on 19th June, an internee was assaulted on 11th June by three other internees. These offenders have been convicted by the court at Douglas, and each sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. As regards the suggestion that persons whom the Government have interned should be compelled to pay for their keep if they are able to do so, the impracticability of adopting this course has been explained on previous occasions. Apart from other considerations, such a proposal would be in direct conflict with the Prisoners of War Convention, and undertakings have been given by the British, German and Italian Governments that civilian internees will be treated in accordance with the spirit of its provisions.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the changed political situation, he will review the cases of those aliens whose release from internment ox from detention under Regulation 12A has been refused only on the ground that they were suspected of Communist activities or propaganda injurious to the war effort?

If among the aliens who are at present interned there are persons who, though they were previously unwilling to assist the Allied war effort, are now genuinely prepared to cooperate in the promotion of victory for the Allied cause, I shall be ready to review such cases whenever evidence of a change of attitude becomes available.

Will my right hon. Friend say how any more evidence can become available while they are still in internment? Cannot the cases be reviewed on the statements that have already been put in on their behalf?

The hon. Lady will be aware that internees of this character, while in a greater or lesser degree being in opposition to the Nazi regime, were not necessarily friends of the Allied cause, and it is that which really must be the test for release from internment in these cases.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great and growing uneasiness about internees under, this Regulation, and does he not think that there should now be a special inquiry into these cases?

I am not aware of any such uneasiness; on the contrary, I am aware of a growing public confidence in the administration of these Regulations.

asked the Home Secretary how many mayors of London boroughs have been killed, and how many injured in air-raids on the Metropolis?

Two mayors of the Metropolitan boroughs have been killed in air raids and one has sustained minor injuries.

Is it not true that. while most of the mayors of London were magnificent, some of the local councils did not stand up to the air raids?

This Question arises out of a statement made in this House which I think was exceedingly unfair.

Is it not true that I have asked to be allowed to apologise to the House that I used the word "mayors" instead of the words "local councils''?

Is there the slightest foundation for any allegation that the councils of London have been more remiss in their duty than the councils anywhere else?

Generally speaking, members of local councils have shown a very keen sense of public duty, and I have no reason to believe that London has been any less conscientious in that matter than any other part of the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that concern is felt by many people because the police have no power to prohibit smouldering bonfires till they burst into flame, when action may be too late; and will he take steps to remove this danger to public safety?

No, Sir. The information at my disposal shows that the importance of observing the black-out is generally appreciated, and I do not think any additional powers are required by the police. No doubt my hon. Friend's Question will serve a useful purpose in drawing public notice to the danger of the smouldering bonfire.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of the 1941 Committee of Terminal House, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.I, which is publishing anonymous controversial literature calculated to obstruct the nation's war effort; and whether he can state the names of the officers of this committee?

My attention has not been called to the publication by this committee of any literature of the kind described by my hon. Friend. I understand that the chairman of the committee is Mr. J. B. Priestley and the secretary Mr. Raymond Gauntlett.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement about the question which was raised with him recently of admitting members of the public to inquiries by coroners under Defence Regulation 30A concerning certain deaths due to war operations?

Yes, Sir. Following consultation with the Minister of Information and the Press, the Regulation has now been amended, and no longer requires that these inquiries should normally be held in private. Arrange- ments have been made whereby any Press reports of such inquiries will be submitted for censorship before publication.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make on the question of amending the Fire-Watching Order?

Consultations with representatives of employers and the T.U.C. are in progress at the moment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to what measures are proposed to secure the more efficient supervision of fire prevention arrangements?

Yes, Sir. It has been decided that Regional Commissioners will in future be charged with the general supervision and control of all fire prevention arrangements in their regions, including those for which Government Departments other than the Ministry of Home Security and the Scottish Home Department are the "appropriate authority" It is further proposed that, so far as may be necessary, there will be delegation of responsibility by Government Departments to their local representatives in the regions, so that normally it should be practicable to settle matters locally, and also that there should be in each region a regional council which will include not only representatives of Government Departments, but representatives of employers, of the trades unions and of the local authorities. I am confident that these measures of decentralisation, together with the general power of supervision and control to be vested in Regional Commissioners, will result in increased efficiency and expedition.

Could my right hon. Friend say what will be the powers or duties of the Regional Councils?

Their function will be to review and receive reports, to suggest remedies where deficiencies exist, and so on. Obviously they will not be executive; that must be in the hands of Regional Commissioners and the proper authorities. I think they will be valuable bodies to keep the Regional Commissioners in touch with industrial problems which may arise in the regions.

Will the Regional Commissioners now be in charge of all the fire-fighting and fire-prevention arrangements?

Generally speaking, subject, of course, as the hon. Member will appreciate, to the authority of the Regional Commissioner and what arrangements he may make, it is intended that there shall be that consolidation of all fire-fighting and prevention work under the Deputy Regional Commissioners.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that pupils, sitting for the matriculation and higher examinations, who reside in bombed areas, are under a disadvantage owing to the physical and mental disturbance consequent upon the raids; and whether he is prepared to make some allowance for this?

The difficulty to which the hon. Members refers has been considered on more than one occasion by the Secondary School Examinations Council. On their advice local education authorities and governing bodies of secondary schools have been informed that schools may submit a statement of their special difficulties to the examining body responsible for the examination, and that such statements will be fully considered in consultation, where necessary, with His Majesty's Inspectors.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether all boys and girls are now taught the elements of first-aid before leaving school?

The. attention of local education authorities was directed to this matter by an Administrative Memorandum issued last September, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. A recent inquiry indicates that the great majority of authorities had already made arrangements for first-aid to be taught to all boys and girls before leaving school and that in the remaining cases such arrangements were being completed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that non-resident members of the staffs of training colleges, other than under the London County Council, who have evacuated to reception areas with the approval of. the Board, have been informed that they are not included in the Government scheme of allowances for evacuated teachers, although they are obligatory contributors to the Government school teachers super annuation scheme and have inescapable commitments for rents, mortgages, allowances to dependants, etc., similar to those of teachers included in the scheme; will he explain the real position of such teachers; and whether the colleges employing them, if they pay their billeting allowances on the London County Council scale, may expect reimbursement?

I am aware that members of the staffs of training colleges have been informed that they are not eligible to receive the billeting allowances payable in the case of teachers coming under the Government evacuation scheme relating to what are known as the "priority classes." The voluntary training colleges have, however, been informed that if they make special allowances to teachers in respect of evacuation expenses such allowances will be taken into account in deciding whether, and if so how much, additional grant is payable to the college at the end of the year. So far as colleges provided by a local education authority are concerned, the Board are prepared to recognise for grant purposes expenditure incurred in making reasonable evacuation allowances to members of the staff. I am now considering whether the present arrangements are satisfactory or require modification.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, to replace schoolmasters called up for military service without exposing boys and girls to the influence of conscientious objectors, he will issue an appeal to women of suitable experience and education to offer their services as teachers?

My information does not suggest that there is any necessity for the appeal which my hon. Friend proposes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if conscientious objectors are genuine, they are likely to be of a fanatical disposition, and, if they are not genuine, they are even more undesirable for this purpose?

I understand that the point of the Question suggests that I should appeal to people of suitable experience to offer their services as teachers. We feel it is unnecessary, because there is no evidence that teachers who left the service on marriage are all absorbed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some of these women might be conscientious objectors?

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to keep conscientious objectors misleading the young?

Better than some of the old generals.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the list of books prescribed for the Oxford and Cambridge Higher Certificate for 1942, and to the fact that one of the few German texts prescribed for General Reading by the examining board is Das Neue Deutschland; and whether, in view of the Nazi political and economic propaganda contained in this work, he will take steps to have it removed from the list?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to the inclusion of the book in question in the syllabus for the Oxford and Cambridge Joint Board Higher Certificate in 1942, and I am taking steps to investigate the matter without delay.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this book contains a photograph of Hitler by his personal photographer, that it describes Hitler's genius in great detail and in flattering terms, and that it elaborates the drawbacks of democracy, and contains many other equally offensive features? If his investigations confirm these facts, will he be prepared to act without delay?

My hon. Friend's remarks will stimulate me to carry out this investigation with exceptional speed

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that much information in this book was supplied by the Junkers and other armament factories in Germany, and is so acknowledged in the book? Is it not obviously a most undesirable book to be in the list for this examination?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what reduction in beef- cattle he proposes to carry out?

I have been asked to reply. In view of the shortage of imported feeding-stuffs, and in the interests of efficient production, farmers have been asked to send for slaughter beef-cattle that are unthrifty and of inferior conformation such that they are unlikely to fatten economically. In giving effect to this culling policy, the Government are not aiming at any specific reduction in numbers, but only at the removal of unprofitable beasts. As regards sound cattle, farmers have again been urged to make themselves self-supporting next winter, both by conserving roughages to the fullest possible extent and by a steady process of adjusting their livestock commitments to their known resources. It is not possible to say what effect this process will have on total numbers.

Has the Minister of Agriculture really no figure in mind as to what reduction would be desirable? Does he leave it entirely to the local committees or to the farmers themselves?

It is left entirely to the farmers and to the local committees.

What information are you going to give to the general public about the proper distribution of the beef?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to prevent the wholesale destruction of poultry by foxes, as in the instance brought to his notice by the hon. Member for Devizes, when 135 pullets and 35 turkeys were destroyed; and whether he will, through his liaison officers in the various regions of the country, urge county war agricultural committees to give serious attention to this matter?

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that, generally speaking, county war agricultural executive committees are taking appropriate steps in this matter. He is making inquiries into the particular instance quoted, and informs me that in any case where it appears that the action taken by a committee is inadequate, he will bring the matter to the notice of the committee concerned.

Have the county committees really any power in this matter? Owing to war conditions, the local hunts are much restricted in their activities, and this is really a serious menace, which the county committees ought to have greater power to deal with.

I understand that the local committees have ample power to deal with the matter.

Will the Government revive fox-hunting?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the delay in reaching a settlement of the application of the National Union of Agricultural Workers for a higher minimum wage?

The application is being considered by the Agricultural Wages Board in accordance with the Agricultural Wages Act. I understand that the Board have held two or three meetings on the subject, and will be meeting again on 22nd July.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the growing unrest among agricultural workers over the delay in dealing with this application, and of the feeling that no other body of organised workers in this country would be fobbed off in such a way?

I said that the meeting will be held on 22nd July. At the meeting on 15th May it was decided to ask the Minister of Agriculture to supply certain information on the position of the industry and general economic conditions. Such information took a certain amount of time to collect. It has now been collected. The committee have met again, and have adjourned in order that the workers' representatives may consult with their members.

Would my hon. and gallant Friend urge upon the Minister the desirability of reaching a quick settlement? Does he recognise that you cannot get a prosperous agriculture when you have a Woolworth wage in operation?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pension claims had been turned down by the Ministry at the date when independent appeal tribunals were set up in connection with the great war; how many of these claims were subsequently allowed by the tribunals; and the total number of claims for pension that were rejected by the Ministry of Pensions but subsequently allowed by the independent appeal tribunals from the time when the tribunals were set up in connection with the great war to the outbreak of the present war?

When the statutory appeal tribunals were set up in 1919 it is estimated that approximately 160,000 claims to pension on the ground that disablement or death was due to or aggravated by service had been rejected by the Ministry or the Service Departments. The right of appeal in these cases ran to August, 1922, and it is not possible to say how many of the cases allowed by the tribunals were rejected before those bodies were established. In all, from the beginning of the last war to date, approximately 500,000 claims to pension were rejected because disablement or death was not due to or aggravated by service, and in 46,600 cases, or just over 9 per cent., of the rejections a statutory tribunal allowed the claim on appeal.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pension claims he has rejected since the outbreak of this war, military and civil, respectively?

In the case of civilian personnel, claims by approximately 500 widows made under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme have been rejected because death was not attributable to war injury or war service injury. A few claims by dependants have been rejected on similar grounds. The majority of civilian claims in respect of disablement are dealt with initially by the grant of injury allowances, which are paid by the Assistance Board as my agents. So far as claims for continuing pensions are concerned, 90 have been rejected. I regret that, in the public interest, I con-not give information indicating the total number of deaths or invalidings of Service and Mercantile Marine personnel.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the great hardship caused in many cases, in view of the fact that no provision is made under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme for the dependants of an unmarried person killed in an air raid; and whether he can take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

I am afraid my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension, as the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme does make provision for parents and orphan brothers and sisters of unmarried persons killed in an air raid and also for the children of such persons, subject only to the condition, in the case of a man, that he had been supporting the mother of the children on a domestic basis.

asked the Minister of Pensions upon what grounds claims by dependants of soldiers, killed by enemy action while on short leave, are dealt with under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme and not under the Royal Warrant, in view of the fact that soldiers on leave are, for purposes of military discipline, on active service?

I regret that at the moment I am unable to add anything to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for West Bromwich (Captain Dugdale) on 24th June.

Will not my right hon. Friend give an explanation of the present position?

The explanation is that I am dealing with this matter through my advisory committee, and I am not yet in a position to make an announcement to the House.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give considertion to the case of men who have been passed by recruiting boards as fit for ser vice and are refused pensions on discharge, on the ground that their disabilities were present before enlistment?

I am glad to inform the House that, after considering this class of case in consultation with my Central Advisory Committee, I have come to the conclusion that, where effective service is found to have caused a degree of aggravation in a previously existing condition, the fact of discharge resulting from that condition would justify me in regarding the aggravation as material and thus bringing the case within the scope of the Royal Warrant. This can only be applied to cases in which men were definitely passed as fit on recruitment or mobilisation for war service. Cases of neurosis or psychosis will continue, as recommended by committees of specialists, to be dealt with primarily by way of treatment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this announcement, which will go a considerable way towards remedying a long-standing grievance, will give great satisfaction? Will the proposals be retrospective in operation?

Yes, Sir, I have already commenced to deal with a large number of cases under the new system. Many cases which have been already dealt with can now be re-examined.

Will this apply to reservists, as well as to recruits?

It applies, as I have said, to all those who have had a medical examination and have been passed fit for service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in connection with the inquiry which he is personally making into the subject of family allowances, he will receive and consider evidence as to the advisability of incorporating in the war pensions system, allowances for wives and children on the sole basis that they are dependent upon the pensioner, without regard to the date when marriage takes place or the children arc born?

The investigation which I am conducting relates to a general scheme of family allowances, and I should regard the question raised by my hon. Friend ns outside its scope.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the inquiry will be complete?

No, Sir.

In the event of any proposal coming from the Ministry of Pensions in this matter, would my right hon. Friend be found not unwilling to grant the money that would be necessary?

I am afraid that I could not give a promise of that kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part is played by the Treasury in fixing the market price of gold?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 19th June and to which I need only add that dealings in gold coin and bullion are limited under the Defence Regulations to the Treasury and declares acting on behalf of the Treasury

The answer which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave me the other day dealt with the price paid by the Treasury for fine gold and not with the market price, and swill he state who fixes the market price?

It is only in respect of transactions by the Treasury that the matter can arise. I will explain the position to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any commissions were paid on the sale of American Viscose Corporation; what amount, and to whom?

As I think it desirable that the House should be fully informed on the sale of the American Viscose Corporation, I am circulating, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a full statement which will show in detail the various payments made in connection with the transaction.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that statements have been made, both in this country and in America, that a commission of $4,000,000 passed, and that the banking profits amounted to $7,800,000, and does his statement deal with both these points?

Yes, Sir, my statement gives a complete statement of all the payments, and I should add, in order to allay apprehension, which I am sure the hon. Member would not share, that the only people who received commission were the syndicate and other persons in the United States who rendered various services in connection with the transaction.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the services rendered were commensurate with the figure that I have stated?

I would refer the hon. Member to the figures, but as regards the transaction generally I take full responsibility.

Does the proposed statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer make any reference to other transactions or only to this one?

Only to this one.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that sales have been made at reckless prices over there?