asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to utilise in the national service the special qualities and trade experience of commercial travellers?

The local offices of my Department endeavour to place commercial travellers so far as possible in employment for which their experience fits them. Their qualifications are varied and it is often suggested that they should take training for munitions work or go on the land.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the evidence submitted in the 29th Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure showing the loss of thousands of man hours every week throughout the country in some firms to percentages as high as 10 or 12 per cent, and in certain firms to as high as 20 per cent.; and can he give the corresponding figures for the last six months or for a similar convenient period?

I have of course read this Report, which refers to figures supplied to the Committee by certain firms. There are no corresponding figures in my possession, but, as was stated in the reply to the; hon. and gallant Member for West Derby (Major Maxwell Fyfe) on 24th June, I am obtaining particulars of cases of absenteeism reported in undertakings scheduled under the Essential Work Orders.

asked the Minister of Labour what action the Government propose to take on the suggestion of the Select Committee on National Expenditure that Sunday labour should be abolished?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the Select Committee's report on labour in the aircraft industry. This was considered by the Production Executive and in accordance with their decision the Ministry of Aircraft Production has indicated to its contractors that Sunday work should be discontinued except for the purpose of meeting special emergencies.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of young women who have registered with their age groups and who are assigned to employment for which they think they are not physically fit, his Department arranges for a medical examination or whether the women themselves are expected to produce medical certificates?

If such a case should arise the ordinary practice would be for the young woman to produce a medical certificate in support of her contention. It would only be when there still appeared to be, some doubt that the Department would arrange for an independent medical examination.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that according to a statement in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" there were 922 trade disputes, involving the stopping of work on 940,000 days in 1940; and will he give the corresponding figures for the first six months of this year?

The articles in the May issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" in which the figures quoted by my hon. Friend were published, pointed out that the great majority of the 922 disputes involved only employé's of single firms, and that the aggregate of 940,000 man-days lost was the lowest recorded in any year during the period of 48 years for which statistics are available. During the first five months of 1941 the number of disputes reported as involving stoppages of work was 487, and the aggregate number of man-days lost is estimated at about 594,000. Statistics for June are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the hardship that may be caused to earners of the upper income limits who, having been admitted to the schemes of Unemployment and National Health Insurance, may now earn above the income limit on account of war-time payment; and whether he will take the necessary action to ignore the war-time increases in this connection?

There is no remuneration limit for the insurance of manual workers. In the case of non-manual workers the limit as regards Unemployment Insurance was raised to £420 per annum last July and as the House knows my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is introducing legislation which will correspondingly increase health and pensions insurance. It would not be possible to ignore war-time increases without fresh legislation.

asked the Home Secretary what measures are being taken to ensure a sufficiency of water for fire-fighting purposes in empty houses?

I am engaged on the preparation of measures to deal with the special problems presented by vacant premises. In the meanwhile, as the hon. and gallant Member is aware, I have asked local authorities to request owners and tenants to leave supplies of water in all such premises.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the hardship allowances to men compulsorily enrolled in the Auxiliary Fire Service, and other civil defence services, under the National Service Act, 1941, he is prepared to make these allowances available to the volunteer whole-time personnel of the Auxiliary Fire Service.

I am looking into this matter, and I will communicate later with my hon. and gallant Friend.

the Home Secretary what tests were carried out on the liquid "Incendex" in the extinguishing of incendiary bombs; and if these tests were carried out in conjunction with the inventors of the fluid?

The Research and Experiments Department of the Ministry of Home Security tested "Incendex" liquid by applying it to a burning incendiary bomb through a stirrup hand pump. It gave no evidence of being more effective than water in dealing either with an incendiary bomb or the resulting fire, and it produced dense clouds of choking fumes, which made attack on the bomb difficult and caused a burning sensation on the skin. An analysis showed that the liquid contained 70 per cent. zinc sul- phate. The fumes produced by such a solution in contact with burning magnesium in a confined space would, I am advised, handicap the person using it, and might be harmful. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered complaints from rural areas in North Wales from air-raid precautions personnel that their first-aid equipment is to be kept at the police station at a certain centre often three to four miles from the homes of the men engaged; and whether he will allow this first-aid equipment to be kept at home?

If my hon. Friend will let me have details of the particular case which he 'has in mind I will have the matter examined.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will review the case of Joseph Elias, a former student of Queen Mary College, London University, who has been interned for the past 12 months in internment camp B, Ottawa, and whose release was provisionally provided in a letter from the Home Office to the hon. Member for London University in December last, and again in March last?

As my hon. Friend is aware, Mr. Elias desires to go to the United States of America and he will be released if he can obtain permission to enter that country. Unless and until he is able to obtain from the United States authorities a visa for this purpose, I am afraid that there is no further action which I can take.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether a satisfactory plan for the provision of milk in schools has been adopted in More-cambe; and what steps he is taking to. ensure the provision of an adequate supply of milk to the schools in this borough?

The local education authority resolved to adopt the milk in schools scheme as long ago as 18tl November, 1940, but they have not ye implemented this decision. Difficulties in obtaining a supply of milk may have accounted for the delay during the early part of this year. The Milk Marketing Board at the request of the Board of Education are giving all possible assistance. I am informed that the authority have taken no steps to secure milk from one supplier who is known to have an adequate supply of satisfactory quality, and that an alternative but insufficient supply is also available. No contract has been placed. I view the authority's delay with very grave concern and I am pursuing the matter with them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he is aware that the dispossessed tenants of North End House, Fulham, arc being forced by their landlords, Plus Flats, Limited, as a condition of getting new accommodation to pay, by way of dilapidations on their former flats, immediate sums of money up to £50 which they would not have had to pay now but for the requisitioning; and whether he will arrange in cases of need to make prompt cash advances against the compensation to be paid by the Ministry?

I understand that the landlords of the dispossessed tenants in North End House, Fulham, have offered alternative accommodation in North End House to the tenants on terms which involve their paying sums in respect of dilapidations accrued to date. With regard to the tenants' unexpired liability for dilapidations, the landlords are prepared to redecorate alternative accommodation to the extent of this liability. As regards the second part of the Question, advances on account of compensation will be made immediately the claims have been received and examined.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether his Depart- ment exercises any control over the trading operations of such concerns as the Mercantile Overseas Trust, with a view to ensuring that their connections in America and elsewhere with traders of German origin are not used to facilitate German trade through neutral countries?

The controls exercised by my Department with a view to obstructing enemy trading and financial operations are applied as much to the foreign connections of United Kingdom companies, as to purely foreign concerns. The Ministry of Economic Warfare does not, however, exercise any special supervision over United Kingdom companies. If any such company comes under suspicion of having any commercial, financial or other dealings with or for the benefit of the enemy, either directly or through intermediaries, investigations are made by the Trading with the Enemy Branch of the Treasury and the Board of Trade, to which other Departments supply any relevant information in their possession. If the hon. Member has any such information, perhaps he will be good enough to communicate it either to the Trading with the Enemy Branch or to me.

asked the Minister of Information whether his Department is closely watching the broadcasts of any British prisoners liberated in Germany, with the object of ascertaining whether the condition of liberation is dependent on the astute adoption of propaganda methods?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information upon what date, and for what reasons, Sir Maurice Peterson and Sir John Pratt, respectively, resigned their positions at the Ministry?

Sir Maurice Peterson resigned on 27th June and Sir John Pratt on the 26th. Neither was satisfied with the scope of his work in the Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make any statement on the relative disappearance of new potatoes since the introduction of a controlled price?

The Order prescribing maximum prices for new potatoes came into force on 17th May. The glasshouse potato crop was being marketed at that time but is now finished. The outdoor crop of new potatoes is very late this year, owing to exceptional weather conditions, but supplies are increasing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many tons of the 1940 crop of potatoes have been sent, on Government instructions, to factories?

The total quantity of potatoes of the 1940 main crop, purchased by the Ministry of Food for processing in factories, amounted to 172,874 tons, of which 25,015 tons were snipped from Northern Ireland. Most of these potatoes were of non-keeping varieties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken to make tomatoes available for retail purchase in Scotland, seeing they have become almost unobtainable since the price was controlled, retailers declaring that growers are withholding the crop for canning as controlled price allowed is unremunerative; whether the higher quality of Scottish tomatoes and higher costs of production were taken into account when the controlled price was fixed; and whether efforts will be made to secure agreement with Scottish producers?s

The effect of the Home Grown Tomatoes (Maximum Prices) Order and the reduction of retail price has been greatly to increase the demand and, though supplies are increasing, they are not yet sufficient to meet the new demand. There is consequently a larger number both of satisfied and unsatisfied retailers and consumers and complaints are naturally to be expected. I know of no evidence, however, to justify my hon. Friend's statement that tomatoes have become almost unobtainable since the price was controlled. The sale of tomatoes to canners is prohibited by the Order and any case in which this is believed to be taking place should be reported to the Food Control Office for investigation. As a result of consultations with representatives of the Scottish growers which took place before the Order was made, higher prices have been allowed to Scottish growers than to English growers in order to take account of the factors mentioned in the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that "Food Facts, No. 46," prominently displayed in Scottish newspapers, embodied the statement that England expects us all to honour the food code; and whether he will arrange that any future propaganda in Scotland by his Ministry will be more appropriately worded?

I am aware of the advertisement to which my hon. Friend refers. I would point out to him how ever, that the phrase, "England expects," has time-honoured associations and should appeal as much to the Scots as to the English. In other advertisements where the word "England" does not form part of a recognised phrase, it is the practice of my Department to substitute "Scotland" in newspapers published North of the Border.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the promise of a supply of sugar to enable housewives to make stone fruit jam is related to the fact that the supply of stone fruit promises to be generally poor, and in some cases non-existent; and whether domestic fruit growers who have no stone fruit will still receive some sugar allowance to make jam from other fruits in respect of which they are better favoured?

The increase in the domestic sugar ration to sixteen ounces per week started on 30th June and will continue for four weeks, so that housewives will have an opportunity of using the sugar for making jam from any fruits, soft, stone or wild, of which they may obtain supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what reduction in the milk supply next winter is expected as compared with the winter of 1940?

A careful survey has been made and estimates prepared of the volume of milk expected to be produced next winter. It would not, however, be in the public interest to publish the figures.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why it has been found necessary to issue a new baby food in competition with those already existing?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the dried milk of modified cream content which is now available under the National Milk Scheme. This has been introduced after consultation with the Ministry of Health to meet the needs of those infants for whom the standard full cream National Dried Milk has been found unsuitable. Unlike the majority of the proprietary brands of baby foods, the new variety contains no added ingredients and is in fact the equivalent of liquid milk from which part of the fat content has been removed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the position of political parties and other non-charitable organisations which purchased wool and other materials before rationing was introduced for making clothing for sale at bazaars; whether coupons will have to be surrendered at such sale; and, if so, whether these coupons can be then exchanged for new supplies?

As stated in a reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Burton-on-Trent (Colonel Gretton) on 24th June, it is not at present necessary for coupons to be given up for purchases at sales of work or bazaars, but the Board of Trade propose shortly to issue directions providing for the surrender of coupons at such sales and regulating their subsequent disposal. These directions will apply to all sales of work and bazaars. Provision will be made to permit the use of coupons for future sales in suitable cases, for example, where such sales are held regularly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government has decided on its policy with regard to the non-wearing of stockings by Civil Service female employés; whether there is a general policy in this matter or if it is left to the Departments to decide; and whether he can state the position of each Department in this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 2nd July to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson).

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent workmen in Scottish shipyards, whose tools have been destroyed in air-raids, have been refused claims for compensation when those claims have come to less than 1; and whether there is any minimum sum for such claims?

Inquiries made so far have revealed no such cases. The minimum sum for claims payable by the Assistance Board is 1, but that Board have instructed their officers to deal on their merits with exceptional cases of claims in respect of tools where they are satisfied that the rigid application of the 1 minimum would lead to hardship.

Edwards asked the Minister of Health what decisions have been arrived at by the local advisory committees on the question of high and low rents in connection with the Unemployment Assistance and Supplementary Pensions Regulations for the county of Glamorgan?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 29th May. I am sending him particulars of the relevant rules for Glamorgan.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to avoid unfair competition among approved societies, he will insert in the new Health Insurance Bill, already promised, a provision whereby a legal contract of membership of the society shall not be valid prior to the entry into insurable employment of the applicant?

As employed persons become entitled to, and may require, medical benefit as soon as they enter insurable employment, I think that the amendment suggested by my hon. Friend would operate to their disadvantage because under the arrangements envisaged by him delay in securing medical benefit would be inevitable in many cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that patients in Botley's Park Hospital cannot remain out later than 6 p.m., although at nearby military hospitals the hour is 8 o'clock; and whether, during the summer at any rate, the hour at Botley's Park Hospital can be extended to 8 p.m.?

I am aware of this rule, which I understand was discussed and agreed by the authorities of the hospital with the appropriate military representative attached to the hospital. I should not feel justified in intervening.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to publish a summary Report covering the work of his Department for 1939-40?

I fear that I cannot bind myself to any definite date, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the material is being collated as rapidly as more urgent work permits, and that there will be no avoidable delay in the publication of the Summary for the two years 1939–40 and 1940–41.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare how many officials in his Department are, or were until recently, directors of the New Trading Company; and what positions in his Department are held by these officials?

One officer of the Ministry of Economic Warfare, who holds the rank of temporary principal, is a director of the New Trading Company. As the hon. Member was informed in a Parliamentary answer on 17th June, the practice followed in the Ministry of Economic Warfare is that which is prescribed for the Civil Service generally in time of war. When a person appointed to a temporary post in the Ministry does not wish to sever all connection with his commercial interests, no objection is raised, provided that he takes no direct or active part in the control of his business.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, taking the 12 leading building societies in the country, he can state what policy each of them is adopting in respect of any demand for payment of interest in connection with demolished houses from persons who arranged with them to buy houses under mortgage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on 24th June. The assurances mentioned in that answer were given to me by the Building Societies Association. As the 12 leading building societies are members of that association, I have no doubt that their individual policies conform to the terms of those assurances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how soon he anticipates that private individuals may expect to receive cost of works payments?

Cost of works payments are already being made by the War Damage Commission to private individuals. Payment follows promptly on the examination of the claims if these are in order. Every effort is being made to expedite the examination of outstanding claims.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Income Tax payers are entitled, under the present law, to rebates from Income Tax in respect of their dependent children; and how many children benefit by these rebates?

It is estimated that about 4,000,000 taxpayers will be entitled to Income Tax allowances in respect of children in the current year. The number of children involved is about 5,500,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to gather in the hay harvest from the commons and open spaces in and around London?

I am informed that the London County Council are taking active steps to ensure that the grass in all the parks and open spaces under their control shall be either grazed by stock or made into hay or silage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether permission will be given this year to start grouse shooting a week earlier than the normal date, in order to take advantage of an extra week in which shooting can take place by walking and thereby increase food supply?

The matter is under consideration but no decision has yet been reached

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mr. Walford, of whom he has been told, after ploughing up 50 acres of grass-land under his orders, has now been informed that 12 acres of this land now under green crops is to be used immediately by the Ministry of Supply for housing purposes, and that his growing crops must be cut green; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Supply with a view to postponing this order till after the harvest?

The area in question was selected by the Ministry of Supply after consultation with my Department and in the absence of any acceptable alternative site of lower agricultural value in the particular locality. With regard to the growing crops I regret that owing to the urgency of the Ministry of Supply requirements it is necessary for building to proceed forthwith.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as distinct from the Women's Land Army, he will give encouragement to and evolve some scheme, whereby further utilisation could be made of women for land and farm work drawn locally from the villages, since many of these people are experienced land workers but are prevented from joining the Women's Land Army owing to family ties?

I have urged county war agricultural executive committees to undertake on a large scale this year the organisation of part-time local volunteers as one valuable means of meeting the demand for supplementary labour, and schemes are in operation in a great number of counties where there is a demand for this kind of labour. I hope that all local women with agricultural experience who are not already assisting farmers will enrol themselves under these schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to deal with the increased plague of rats due to the extension of sugar-beet growing?

The powers conferred on county war agricultural executive committees by the Rats Order, 1940, enable them to deal with rats in any circumstances. I have recently urged the committees to press on more vigorously with the rat destruction campaign, and I have no doubt that this aspect of the problem will receive the attention of the committees concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the rule that men serving in the Army are entitled in each year to four periods of leave of seven days each, with two free railway vouchers and a week-end pass for six weeks or, if not, whether he will state the existing practice; and whether he is aware that there are men who joined up in July, 1940, who have had only one week's leave since?

While there is no entitlement to leave in the Army, every effort is made to allow all ranks to proceed on leave as often as possible provided that not more than 10 per cent. of a unit is away at any one time. Within this maximum 7½ per cent. are allowed to be on seven days' leave, leaving the remaining 2½ per cent, for leave on short pass. On this basis the maximum opportunity for seven days' leave occurs roughly four times a year and for leave on short pass about five times a year. All ranks are allowed two free travelling warrants a year for ordinary leave. All leave is, of course, subject to the exigencies of the Service, but, in practice, cases in which the maximum amount of leave is not taken are exceptional. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the individuals to whom he refers in the second part of the Question, I shall be very glad to look into the matter

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what is the present position of the dispute which has arisen at Cape Town over the disinclination of Chinese seamen of the steamship "Alice Moller" to continue their voyage to this country failing the payment to them of the usual war bonus received by other seamen who traverse dangerous waters; and whether steps can be taken to allay the ill-feeling among these men by according to all of them terms which have already been granted by some British shipping companies to several thousands of their number?

My hon. Friend has been misinformed as to the destination of this vessel, which is being employed in distant waters. As soon as I am in possession of the full facts, I will communicate them to him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why so small a sum has been offered to the master and crew of a vessel of whose name he has been informed, for salving this vessel; and why the award should be regarded as ex gratia payment by the Government, when the conditions of salvage were comparable with that which existed when the ''San Demetrio'' was salved?

The award to which my hon. Friend refers was not a salvage award but an award made by the Government, as War Risks Underwriters, in recognition of meritorious service in saving the vessel. Awards of this kind bear no relation to salvage awards and leave any person who has a claim to salvage to proceed with such a claim if he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms in this country are engaged in the manufacture of automatic machines used for the sale of cigarettes, chocolates, etc., and mechanical devices such as are displayed in amusement saloons; and to what extent is labour employed on this work at the present time?

Since the supply of machines of the type in question became subject to Board of Trade licence, in July, 1940, no licences have been issued and it is understood that no manufacture has taken place. The manufacturers concerned have diverted their capacity to munitions and other essential work.