asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will appoint special representatives of regimental paymasters to be attached to each battalion, battery or similar unit, in order to ensure as far as possible the correct assessment of soldiers pay and allowances and a more efficient control of soldiers pay accounts?

If my hon. Friend's suggestion is that soldiers pay accounts should in effect be kept by Royal Army Pay Corps personnel in the units, this would involve a complete departure from the present pay organisation: it would involve a heavy increase of staff, and it would introduce a system which would inevitably break down under war conditions. If the suggestion is that Royal Army Pay Corps personnel should be attached to units for liaison purposes, this again would call for a heavy addition of trained staff which is not available. But the need for improving in units the knowledge of pay matters is fully appreciated, and, with this end in view, arrangements have recently been made to provide command schools of instruction for regimental officers and non-commissioned officers. Representatives from units attending these schools are not only instructed in pay duties but are encouraged to raise both general and individual problems on behalf of their units. In addition, instructional staff are constantly visiting units and giving lectures and advice on all pay matters.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that, whatever he has to say about my suggestion, the present system is not satisfactory from the soldier's point of view; and if, therefore, he could not accept this suggestion, would it not be possible to attach a representative of the paymaster to formations like brigades?

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the present system in the Army is that the soldier is responsible for knowing the correctness of his own pay, and in nine cases out of 10 he does not, and will he shift that responsibility for correctness of pay to the regimental paymaster?

I will consider that point. In reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger), I am aware that there have been complaints, and I am anxious to remove these troubles. That is the reason for the course of action I have outlined to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large number of cases of men and their dependants being put under compulsory stoppages of pay and allowances by regimental paymasters, he will issue instructions that in no case shall overpaid money be stopped from wives or dependants allowances; and, in the case of a soldier, no stoppage shall exceed 10 per cent. of the man's pay for the purpose of recovering sums overpaid?

Existing instructions provide that current payments of family or dependants allowance should not be reduced in respect of the recovery of an overissue by more than 12½per cent. of the total weekly payment, and that the reduction should not be continued for more than eight weeks, unless the overissue was due to misrepresentation on the part of the payee. As regards recovery of overissues of a soldier's pay, instructions have recently been issued that, where the overissues were accepted in good faith, the rate of recovery should not exceed a sum that would leave the soldier with less than one shilling a day. In both cases the rate of recovery may be reduced where it appears that the maximum rate would entail hardship to the soldier or dependant, and part or the whole of the amount overissued may be written off, if the circumstances warrant it.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether the 1s. is after the soldier has made his allotment, and, further, whether he is aware that the instructions which he has just outlined are not being followed by the regimental paymasters?

If my hon. Friend can give me details of such a case, I will look into it at once and do my best to put it right. The 1s. a day is left to the soldier after the allotment has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the general regulations respecting allowances to a wife and dependants when the soldier has leave on account of serious family illness or when he absents himself for this reason; whether each case is decided by the paymaster; and whether, in view of the hardship to the family frequently arising from deductions during or subsequent to this leave or absence, he will consider modifying the practice so that financial hardship to the family is avoided?

The grant of leave on compassionate grounds does not affect in any way the issue of allowances to a soldier's wife or dependants. If a soldier absents himself without leave, he ceases to be entitled to any emoluments from Army funds, but in order to avoid hardship, payments which were being made to his dependants continue for seven days. I do not think that the Army authorities can reasonably be expected to relieve the soldier of responsibility for his family beyond this period.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that some authority has still to maintain the wife and children? Under these circumstances cannot he devise some kind of punishment to the soldier which does not inflict unnecessary hardship on the dependants?

We do not wish to inflict any hardship on dependants, but, equally, a soldier should not absent himself.

One quite understands that, but the point is not of preventing him from absenting himself or punishing him for absenting himself, but of the condition of his wife and children, who are not responsible for his absenting himself.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the frequent failure of the military authorities on requisitioning properties, and in the periods when properties are not occupied, to take any steps to protect or safeguard such properties, with the consequence of deterioration and theft which later will be borne by public expense; and will he take steps to remedy this?

Existing instructions provide for the employment of caretakers to protect empty properties from deterioration or theft. I am aware that these instructions were not always carried out in the exceptional conditions prevailing last summer, but I have no reason to think that there is any widespread failure to comply with them now. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

:I shall be glad to give the right hon. and gallant Gentleman certain instances, but may I ask him whether he will strengthen the instructions with a view to seeing that they are carried out?

Most certainly instructions must be carried out, and I think if they were carried out there would be no complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to promote efficiency and acknowledge good attendance, he will fix now the minimum hours of duty and the period which shall be regarded as the minimum necessary for members of the Home Guard to qualify for a service medal, to be issued after the war?

No, Sir. The question of the award of a medal to the Home Guard is part of the general question of the award of medals for service in the present war, and any assumptions regarding such awards would clearly be premature at the present time. So far as my hon. Friend's proposal is intended to serve as an incentive to increased efficiency, however, I may mention that a proficiency badge has recently been instituted for those members of the Home Guard who are recommended by their company commander and succeed in passing certain tests.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend prepared to consider some other distinction between the regular and irregular attenders other than the proficiency badge, perhaps something of a less stringent character?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would give me particulars of what he wants me to consider. I certainly do not think that now is the moment to go into the question of medals to be awarded after the war.

Is not the Home Guard absolutely under the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's control?

Yes, Sir. As Secretary of State for War I am responsible for it.

asked the Secretary of State for War, why the Nelson company of the Home Guard now in camp have been refused either rations or subsistence allowances?

Rations in kind are provided for members of the Home Guard attending approved courses of instruction at authorised training camps. I understand that no application has been made for the camp to which my hon. Friend refers to be placed on an official footing, but I have not yet received a full report from the Command and I am looking into the matter further. I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

While thanking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that repeated applications were made to the area headquarters, and assistance of any kind was repeatedly refused?

That is exactly the kind of fact I wish to bear in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present regulations in the Army with regard to the association of senior and junior non-commissioned officers and private soldiers when off duty?

Except as regards sergeants and corporals messes, there are no regulations on this question, which, I think, can safely be left to the good sense of those concerned.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there are certain units in which instructions have been issued for these ranks not to associate when off duty, and will he make it perfectly clear that no such regulations exist?

I am very glad to give publicity to that point. There are no such regulations, as I have said in my Answer to-day, except as regards sergeants and corporals messes.

If I send my right hon. and gallant Friend the name of the particular unit, will he be good enough to communicate with the commanding officer?

I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the ban on officers entering the Bournemouth Municipal Pavilion ball-room because they would have to associate with non-commissioned officers and men; whether he appreciates that this degree of segregation has caused considerable resentment, and is not in accordance with democratic and commonsense principles; whether a similar instruction exists in other Commands than the Southern Command; and whether he will take steps to have such an instruction withdrawn?

I have seen reports in the Press of the instruction to which my hon. Friend refers. There is, of course, no objection in principle to the association of officers and other ranks when off duty, and I understand that the instruction in question was not intended to impose any general veto but merely to deal with a particular case in which the conditions of such association were regarded as prejudicial to military discipline. In the circumstances I see no reason to interfere with the decision of the local military authorities. I am unable to say whether any similar instruction has been issued in other commands.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the explanation given by representatives of the Southern Command respecting this incident would apply elsewhere, and that, therefore, some further inquiry should be made to see whether these rather superficial explanations should not be put on one side in favour of fairer principles?

Conditions elsewhere may not be the same as in this particular case. That is why I cannot say what instructions have been issued elsewhere. I understand there is to be a meeting between the local authority at. Bournemouth and the military authorities; it has not yet taken place.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a newspaper report that this ban has been rescinded? Is that so?

I have not seen that report.

Is it not true that one reason given was that a soldier returning to a seat with a partner would find it difficult to ask an officer to give up his seat to a lady?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that in official communiqués the name of the unit which distinguishes itself shall be given in such a form that the relatives of the men serving may recognise it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the principle which guides him in publishing the names of units fighting in various theatres requires the concealment of the regiment in the name of the corps, namely, R.A.C., Hussars; and why the name of the regiment cannot be given?

As I promised my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for King's Norton (Major Peto) on 24th June, I have been looking further into this question, and I have now decided that, in future, individual cavalry or Royal Armoured Corps regiments may be mentioned by name in exactly the same way as infantry regiments. In general, I am most anxious to make public the names of individual regiments in such a way that they can be readily identified by the relatives of the men serving in them, wherever this can be done without prejudice to the conduct of current or future operations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will consider giving instructions that soldiers travelling by train should not be compelled to pay a service charge for their food; is he aware that Sapper E. Hall, No. 4342381, travelling between Newcastle and Perth, was charged 2s. 9d. for a plain breakfast, this including 3d. for service; and will he cut out service charges for uniformed forces?

As I stated last week in reply to a Question, special arrangements have been made for the supply of food to soldiers travelling by rail, most of whom, in any case, carry rations for the journey when travelling on duty or going on leave. In the circumstances I do not think that discrimination in charge, between soldiers and other passengers, in restaurant cars would be justified.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary put a stop to compulsory tipping by soldiers?

This service charge is operating on two of the railway companies by agreement with the staffs of their restaurant cars. People have a charge of 2d. on bills up to 1s., 3d. for bills between 1s. 1d. and 2s. 6d., and so on, and there is no necessity whatever for a tip in addition to the service charge. This arrangement is similar to that in force at a number of catering establishments, and I think it right that the men serving on these trains should get some form of gratuity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has given consideration to the representations made to him by the National Farmers Union of Scotland regarding the disturbance of sheep by dogs; and whether he has any statement to make?

The proposals made by the National Farmers Union on the subject, which include a recommendation in favour of doubling the Licence Duty on dogs, concern all dog owners and affect other interests as well as agriculture. I am bringing the representations in question to the notice of the Ministers concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend trying to strengthen the obligation that rests upon dog owners to keep their dogs under control, and to bring to them the realisation that other animals have their rights as well?

Yes, Sir. That matter has, of course, been very seriously under examination by all the interests concerned, particularly during the lambing season.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that persons whose houses were damaged in air raids and who have been unable to live in them for several months, have been asked to pay the rent for that period before being allowed to return; and will he take steps to remedy this injustice?

:The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I have had inquiries made of the town clerks of several Clydeside burghs and also of the Property Owners and Factors Association, and they are unaware of any case of this kind. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any such case, I shall inquire into it.

Thank you very much.

asked the Secretary for Mines what improvement there has been in the output of household coal available for the city of Coventry in the month of June, 1941, as compared with May, 1941, and June, 1940?

Figures of house coal disposals to Coventry for the month of June are not yet available, but I am informed that there has been no deterioration in the position as compared with May. Any substantial improvement must necessarily depend upon increased output. The general control of deliveries which has recently been imposed is designed to ensure the equitable distribution of the supplies available.

Is the Minister satisfied that the restriction of one ton per month per household is not going to throw a very heavy burden on the delivery of coal in the winter months, such as we had last winter, which led to the complete dislocation of traffic on the railways?

The restriction of coal to one ton a month will ensure the equitable distribution for which the hon. and gallant Member and many other hon. Members have asked.

Does this restriction not make it perfectly certain that there will be a breakdown in the winter? There was nearly a breakdown last winter, and now there will be an absolutely certain breakdown this winter.

No, Sir, it is intended to help. If 100 people get a ton each, it is better than 20 people geting five tons each.

Is it not better to allow people who can do so to store coal?

People are asked to store coal. The bulk of people do not consume 5 cwts. a week during the summer months.

Is my hon. Friend aware that under the tenement system in Scotland many houses cannot store 5 cwts.?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there is anything in the Essential Work Order or in the rules governing the procedure of the pit production committees which enables action to be taken against the mines management if it is proved that they have hindered or discouraged production?

While there are no specific provisions to this effect in the Essential Work Order, there are other ways of dealing with such a situation and they would be considered in a suitable case.

Can my hon. Friend tell me what these other ways are, and is he aware that one source of irritation among pit production committees is the feeling that penalties are too one-sided? He and I know that production is a matter for co-operation.

I will promise my hon. Friend that if the offence is shown to be on the owner's side, a suitable penalty can be devised for the owner in that case.

Is the Minister not prepared to take action to force the mine-owners to set up a national board to govern the whole of the industry?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement on the suggestion made to the mining industry that development work and repairs should be held up in the present emergency so that maximum production can be concentrated upon?

The points mentioned are among those receiving continuous attention by the Coal Production Council and by the district and pit production committees. The necessity for taking all possible steps, consistent with proper safety precautions, to secure maximum production during the next few months has been impressed on everyone concerned.

Will my hon. Friend appreciate that while one can understand development work being held back, what is annoying the coalfields is the suggestion that repair work should be held back, and a feeling that repair work underground cannot be held back without increasing the accident rate?

I do not know who is responsible for the advertisement of that suggestion in the? coalfield. I myself made the original suggestion, but I made it quite clear to both parties in the industry that there was no intention of delaying any necessary repair work.

I did draw my hon. Friend's attention to statements that had been made by responsible persons.

asked the Secretary for Mines what financial assistance is possible from the Miners' Welfare Fund or other sources to enable canteen facilities to be provided at collieries in the various coalfields; and what is being done to expedite these facilities?

:Now that the Ministry of Food have agreed that supplies shall be available for canteens to be established at collieries, it is for the employers, in this as in other industries, to take steps to establish them, co-operating where necessary in the provision of suitable accom- modation. The Miners' Welfare Commission has circulated all necessary information for their guidance and has offered to make grants for the requisite equipment where recommended by district miners' welfare committees. The Commission staff are using their good offices to speed up the arrangements.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that grants are large enough to set up the equipment? Is he also aware (hat, as I informed him, one of the first of these canteens set up is absolutely first-class, and that there is also a feeling in the coalfields, so I am informed, that some of the colliery managements have not yet canteen minds?

I am very glad to have received the details of the arrangements made at the Yorkshire Colliery mentioned by my hon. Friend. I have sent these particulars to Sir Frederick Sykes as an example of the kind of provision which we would welcome everywhere. I hope there will be additional money available for the purpose of creating accommodation for serving certain additional allowances of food at the pithead.

Can my hon. Friend inform me why canteens in the mining industry should be a charge, more or less, on the welfare committee, whereas in other industries it is a charge on the employers?

:No, it is not a charge on the employers in many industries. There are large funds available under the care of the miners' welfare committees, and I do not think we shall fail in carrying out this work for want of funds.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the position of Scotland under the proposed coal rationing scheme; and whether he is satisfied that identical treatment of the North of Scotland and the South of England is equitable?

The instructions issued to the divisional officers of the Department provide for the variation of the restrictions on deliveries and stocks where the circumstances of the area are held to warrant it. Representation on certain aspects of the scheme have been received from the Scot- tish coal merchants, and their representatives are visiting the Department this week to discuss these points.

Does my hon. Friend expect to receive an application from every householder in the North of Scotland?

We cannot expect to receive an application from every house

In view of the physical difficulties of the scheme, is my hon. Friend going to introduce modifications as between large and small households?

There are modifications as between large and small households in the scheme as published.

Why should a small household be entitled to take one ton, which is the same amount as a large house-hold is entitled to?

rose—

asked the Secretary for Petroleum what monthly allowance of petrol coupons for private use is given to. members of the Royal Air Force engaged in flying duties on operational command?

:Apart from the basic ration, a member of an operational crew of the Royal Air Force may receive petrol coupons when on leave for 300 miles a quarter. In cases where other means of transport are not reasonably practicable, he may also receive coupons for 250 miles a quarter for travelling between his unit and his leave address.

Apart from the ordinary leave allowance, is my hon. Friend satisfied that these members of the R.A.F. get an adequate private allowance of petrol to enable them to get proper rest and relaxation, as some R.A.F. stations are many miles from towns? Is it fair that they should not have sufficient petrol for that purpose, when large numbers of cars are used to attend race meetings?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air. These arrangements were made in agreement with him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a Brighton member of a certain squadron has a wife and two children in Canada who cannot receive his Air Force pay as the drafts are sent to her marked not payable out of the United Kingdom, and are cancelled within three months if not cashed; and will he now take steps to alter this system of payment, as the wife in the meantime is dependent on the charity of friends in Canada?

Several months before this airman enlisted in the Royal Air Force his wife and family crossed to Canada with knowledge that permission would not be given for the remission of funds for their maintenance. The man and his wife both signed the usual declaration to this effect, stating that the wife and children would be wholly maintained whilst abroad out of funds provided from Canadian sources. In the circumstances no remittance of Air Force pay or family allowance: is permissible. One postal pay draft was, however, sent to the airman's wife in error when this airman first joined the R.A.F. The position has been explained to the airman and his wife, and he has since applied for a special separation grant. This has been approved and accumulates to the credit of the airman, becoming payable on the return of his wife and family to this country or on their removal to a place within the sterling area to which remittances are allowed. As my hon. friend will be aware, these exchange restrictions are general and have been made in order to conserve our dollar resources.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend tell me whether the cheque which has been cancelled and is out of date will be restored to the man's credit on this side?

Yes. Sir. It will be restored in respect of the accumulating balance on this side provided that it was a payment properly due.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the method employed in calculating the amounts to be paid to insurance companies to defray their expenses for work done under the chattels insurance scheme; and whether any proportion of those sums will be paid to the insurance agent actually transacting the business between the insurance company and the client?

:The expenses of the Board's agents under the private chattels scheme will be calculated by reference to the actual cost to them of the work, as ascertained after a reasonable period of operation. The cost will include payments which will be made, in agreement with the Board of Trade, by the Board's agents to their intermediaries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many people who have sustained loss and damage to goods by enemy action are dissatisfied with the assessment of the district valuer; and what course is open to people who decline to accept the valuation of the district valuer?

District valuers are instructed to consider a claimant's objections to any proposed assessment as sympathetically as possible, and to make every endeavour to reach a settlement. I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the assessment of claims by these valuers. Where a claimant does not accept the district valuer's valuation, the assessment is not final, and the district valuer refers the case to higher departmental authority, who considers what further steps can be taken to ensure a final and fair assessment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider cases which I will present to him, with special reference to the one in which the district valuer simply refused to do anything but stand by the valuation?

I shall be very happy indeed to receive details of particular cases, and I will examine them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what action he proposes to take in view of the threat of Mr. Hammet, chairman of the Lancashire Poultry Producers War Emergency Committee, to withhold large quantities of eggs unless the maximum price is raised?

:My Noble Friend invited representatives of the committee to which my hon. Friend refers to attend at the offices of the Ministry and discuss the scheme for the control of home-produced eggs. The invitation was accepted and the interview took place last week. I am providing my hon. Friend with a copy of the statement issued at the end of the meeting.

Now that the question has been settled, will the Ministry of Food see to it that the eggs are properly distributed?

That is the object of the scheme.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that very large quantities of eggs are being held up in various parts of the country and are going bad, and that in other parts they cannot get eggs?

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that a scheme of this character, in the initial weeks, is difficult to administer, but I am not certain, from many reports, whether he does not exaggerate. The object of the scheme is to get a fair distribution in each district of the country.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in some cases as many as 100 cases of eggs are going bad because the eggs are not being distributed?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the South of Scotland Wholesale Meat Supply Association, Limited, have now informed the Glasgow Food Control Committee that, approximately, 11??? tons of meat was allocated to Messrs. J. P. Louden, 34, Spoutmouth, Glasgow, between 2nd January and 27th February, 1941; that the meat consisted of silversides, outsides, topsides and insides of rumps; that this steak was used in the manufacture of beef ham; is he aware that the allocation was made on the instructions of the Director of Meat Manufactures, Colwyn Bay; and will he take steps to ascertain why this selected allocation was made?

I am aware that the South of Scotland Wholesale Meat Supply Association, Limited, have furnished the Glasgow Food Control Committee with particulars of the meat allocated to the firm mentioned by my hon. Friend during the period 2nd January to 27th February, 1941. The total quantity of meat allocated in this period was 13½ tons and consisted of cuts of imported beef, known in the trade as silversides, outsides, topsides and insides, which at that time were available for manufacturing purposes. As I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 9th April, this allocation was made to the firm on the instructions of the Ministry of Food for the production of boiled beef ham. In accordance with these instruc- tions these particular cuts of meat were allocated when available to the firm but no instructions were given that these cuts should not be allocated to other manufacturers if required for manufacturing purposes.

Is the Minister aware that this information was only issued on a threat of court proceedings; and is he further aware that definite instructions were issued from the Director of Meat Manufacturers at Colwyn Bay that J. P. Louden, and Messrs. Young & McMillan, Glasgow, only were to receive allocations of these cuts and that any other manufacturers were to receive allocations of whatever manufacturing meat was available? Is not that a selected allocation?

I should be obliged if the hon. Member would let me have those particulars. I can assure him that there is no selective allocation in being to-day.

Must it always be necessary for Food Control Committees to take court proceedings through the local office to carry out the instructions of the Minister?

I do not know exactly to what the hon. Gentleman refers, but I have given all the information in my possession.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered a letter of protest from the secretary of the Glasgow and District Retail Fleshers Association against the action of the Ministry in granting supplies of manufacturing meat to J. P. Louden, 34, Spoutmouth, Glasgow, to enable them to manufacture sausages on a large scale; whether he is aware that the firm in question have installed machinery for this purpose; and why the application for machinery was supported by his Department to the Board of Trade Licence Department?

My Department has received the letter mentioned from the Glasgow and District Retail Fleshers Defence Association about the manufacture of sausages by the firm mentioned by my hon. Friend, and inquiries are being made about the facilities which this firm has for sausage making.

Is the Minister aware that while this meat has been handed out in this fashion, small caterers have not been able to get meat of any kind?

Do I understand that the Minister is not in a position to answer the latter part of my Question in relation to the Board of Trade licence for machinery?

Inquiries are being made. Up to date, this firm have had one second-hand mincing machine and a motor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the firm of John Gardner, Ltd., Partick, Glasgow, made a return to the Ministry on the prescribed form of the amount of meat used in manufacture in 1938; that no answer was received; that no allocations of meat had been received; that the firm in question's output of manufactured beef ham averaged 24 tons quarterly pre-war; that this firm's continuous production of this commodity for 75 years has ceased as a consequence; and. why his Department allowed this to occur?

The firm of John Gardner, Ltd., Partick, Glasgow, made a return in September, 1939, to the Wholesale Meat Supply Association of the meat used for manufacture in 1938. The receipt of this return was acknowledged by the Ministry of Food and as it was incomplete the firm were asked to submit an amended return which was duly received. I have no knowledge of this firm's output of different types of manufactured meat products made by this firm in peace-time as this information was neither asked for nor supplied. The return was not an application for supplies of meat and, as I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 9th April, the firm have not applied for allocations of meat as Group I meat manufacturers. As general butchers they have received the same allowance of meat for manufacture as all other such butchers who are not Group I manufacturers.

Is the Minister totally unaware of the allegations in the Question and further, is he aware—

rose—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the advisability of utilising motor trailer caravans as mobile canteens in the event of air raids; and whether any decision has been reached?

Yes, Sir, but experience in the use of specially constructed trailer canteens is not such as would justify the increased use of trailer caravans for emergency feeding purposes, there are obvious difficulties in manoeuvring trailers into suitable positions and in driving them in thoroughfares congested by debris, apart from the necessity of securing suitable cars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the widespread shortage of supplies of beer throughout the country; and whether, in view of the importance of this beverage, especially to those engaged in heavy manual labour, he will take such steps as will ensure adequate supplies being available?

I am aware that, particularly during recent hot weather, local shortages of beer have occurred. These have been due not to lack of materials, but to difficulties of transport, labour and fuel. I have already, however, invited the brewing trade to consider what steps can be taken to ensure that, if temporary shortages occur, the supply of beer to public houses will be maintained in working class districts.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend appreciate that it is not a local shortage, but a widespread shortage throughout the country which obtains at the present time, and in view of the necessity for men employed in industry and agriculture having adequate supplies of beer, will he see that brewers get the materials with which to make beer?

There are the difficulties of transport and hot weather which add to the problem.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that miners are far more interested in getting some meat than beer?

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman endorse the statement of the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) that supplies of beer are necessary and must not be allowed to fall away?

I do not think I can possibly enter into that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can devise any method of discouraging the formation of queues in and outside shops for the purchase of goods in short supply, seeing that this practice favours unfairly those persons with most leisure?

There is no evidence of the formation of queues for any rationed foodstuffs except to some extent in the case of meat. In that case competition for the better cuts has at times led to the formation of a queue. It has been decided wherever possible and practicable to improve distributive methods by an extension of rationing or otherwise. When such improvements have been effected there should be little reasonable justification for the formation of queues for any important commodity though it will be difficult entirely to eliminate them, particularly as they tend to form for a variety of causes, such as shortage of staff, not related to the supplies available.

In view of the unfairness to those who are too busy to stand in queues, will the Parliamentary Secretary invite the police to stop the formation of queues outside the shops?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a large number of these queues are due to the fact that certain shopkeepers with rationed foods refuse to make proper allocation on Fridays and Mondays? They insist on Saturday being the selected day. If they rationed out the food on two or three days, the queues might disappear.

I will look into that. I am not sure about the actual details, but I know that in some cases the difficulty is that supplies arrive towards the week-end. As regards the Supplementary Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor), it is not so easy to use the police for dis- persing queues. Moreover, the police have quite a lot of work to do at present.

Is it not a fact that if you do not have queues, you will have riots?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the saving to be made annually by reducing the discount rate on Treasury bills to J per cent.?

If the Treasury bills issued by weekly tender during the year ended 30th June, 1941, had been issued at J per cent. discount the saving would have been rather less than £4,500,000.

Am I to deduce that the saving for which I am asking is £4,500,000? Will the Chancelor explain why "Be will not take steps to get Treasury bills discounted at a lower rate than they are to-day?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to previous answers, to which I do not think I can add anything.

But does the Chancellor realise that all these answers are completely unsatisfactory?

Yes, Sir, to my hon. Friend.

How can the right hon. Gentleman expect people to save money when he is wasting it like this?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased rationing of petrol and the consequential increased cost per mile of motor travelling, he will consider an equitable rebate on the motor tax on the smaller horse-powered motor-cars if used for business or similar necessary purposes?

No, Sir. I could not afford the loss of revenue which would be involved, and I do not think that the criterion suggested would provide a workable basis for taxation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that if motor cars go out of use altogether through the increased incidence of taxation, he will lose a great deal more than he is receiving in income?

That is not the advice I have received.