asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the fact that, in connection with basic pharmaceutical ingredients, the Chemical Defence Research Department, in July, 1940, when examining scientific products for the decontamination of eyes, arrived at certain conclusions without the presence or assistance of any qualified ophthalmologist; and whether he will have the matter further examined?

Research on the medical treatment of gas casualties has been carried out in the Chemical Defence Research Department and elsewhere by teams of fully-qualified medical men, with the personal assistance and supervision of well-known research workers in the physiological and pharmacological fields. The findings of these workers have been subsequently scrutinised by a medical committee consisting of distinguished civilian specialists and Service medical men, to which additional specialists have been co-opted as occasion demanded. The increasing pressure of work on eye treatment was found in the summer of 1940 to necessitate the whole-time employment of an ophthalmological specialist, but owing to the difficulty of obtaining a suitably qualified man, this appointment could not be made until August, 1940. It was then also found possible to engage the assistance in addition of leading ophthalmologists working in independent laboratories. The intensive research which became possible as the result of these arrangements included a re-examination of all methods tried previously, in respect of which successful results had been claimed.

asked the Minister of Health why the Central Medical War Committee refuses to grant interviews to foreign and overseas doctors affected by the Medical Registration Order, 1941; whether he is aware that in the case of aliens three forms are required and in the case of non-aliens two forms are required to be submitted; and whether he will recommend curtailment of this procedure?

The Committee's staff could not interview these doctors, who number over 1,300, without seriously impeding their work of facilitating the employment and registration of the doctors. In any case no useful purpose would be served by interviews, because the Committee has full written particulars of the doctors which enable them to submit names to the employing authorities, by whom the selections for interview are made. The answer to the second part of the Question is Yes, and to the third part No.

asked the Minister of Health what are the arrangements made by the air-raid precautions services for the care of wounded civilians in the event of invasion making road or telephone communication impossible over large areas, particularly in those coastal regions upon which the brunt of invasion may be expected to fall?

The arrangements made to meet the contingency described cannot in the national Interest be set out in detail, but my regional officers and the scheme-making authorities have been fully alive to it when reviewing the first aid posts, first aid points and ambulance services in their areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will distinguish between the categories of senile and chronic, or bedridden, sick; whether he is aware that at a hospital, of which he has been informed, there were, in October last, 500 patients, 95 per cent. of whom were bedridden; that the medical staff was only two in number; that, while there was a considerable number of assistant nurses, there were only ten with full training; that, notwithstanding intensive bombing nearby, no effort was made to remove patients; that early in October the hospital suffered a hit from a high explosive, as a result of which eighty-five patients and three nurses lost their lives; and will he take measures to prevent a repetition of this in other hospitals similarly situated?

I assume that the first part of the Question refers to my reply to my hon. Friend's previous Question on 17th June last. I cannot give precise figures, but It may be taken that of the 4,000 described as removed from public assistance hospitals, the great majority were bedridden, while of the 4,000 described as removed from shelters the great majority were not. With regard to the latter part of the Question I would refer him to that reply.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether volunteers for house and street fire-watching under the age of 17 years and over the age of 60 years are eligible for compensation in the event of injury whilst carrying out their voluntary duties during enemy action?

Volunteers for house and street fire-watching who have been properly enrolled or registered in the appropriate civil defence organisations are eligible, irrespective of age, for compensation in respect of injuries which can be shown to have arisen out of and in the course of their duties as members of those organisations, although I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security does not favour the enrolment for these purposes of persons under the age of sixteen.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what Directors General there are at the Admiralty; when each of them left his last sea service; and whether the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty consider that it is in the interests of the service and personnel they represent that such officers should have recent sea experience?

There are two Directors General at the Admiralty, the Medical Director General and the Paymaster Director General. The officers at present holding these appointments last served at sea in 1930 and 1934 respectively. Most of the more important appointments for senior officers in the Accountant Branch, and all such appointments in the Medical Branch, are on shore. I do not, therefore consider that recent sea experience is of especial value in the case of either the Medical Director General or the Paymaster Director General, particularly as a number of the officers appointed as their assistants at the Admiralty come direct from sea service or have had recent sea experience. Moreover, senior officers of both Departments take every opportunity of visiting the Ports and Bases where ships are under construction or in commission.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, why the Forestry Commission, although the Forestry Acts do not include the production of medicinal herbs, did not concern itself in times of national need to offer to produce such medicinal herbs as it was able to produce, after it had been warned two years ago that there was a shortage; and will he now offer the services of the Forestry Commission to assist the Ministry of Health in this matter as one of national as well as of departmental concern?

With regard to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 24th June last. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has had the question of the supply of medicinal herbs continuously under review. Steps have been taken in collaboration with the manufacturers of pharmaceutical products and growers to encourage the cultivation of medicinal herbs and the Vegetable Drugs Committee was appointed in March last. With regard to the latter part of the Question the Forestry Commissioners are prepared to assist the Ministry of Health if they can perform a useful service in this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government to recruit for, and establish again, the West Indian regiments; whether he is aware that in most West Indian Colonies there is a widespread desire for opportunities of the local loyal population to serve in the Forces of the Crown in this war; and what are the objections to these regiments serving in the future African campaign?

His Majesty's Government is fully aware of, and much appreciates, the widespread desire of the population of the West Indian Colonies to serve in the Armed Forces of the Crown. They are of course already eligible for such service, and in particular arrange have been made for entry of qualified individuals into the Royal Air Force and into certain skilled trades in the Army. The question of raising special West Indian units is under constant review, but hitherto such a proposal has been found impracticable for various reasons including other demands on arms, equipment and shipping space.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Irish schoolteacher, Miss Cahill, is still detained without charge or attempted trial in an internment camp in Trinidad; whether he has any information as to the health conditions or amenities existing in the camp, the location of the camp, the number of persons there of either sex, similarly detained and whether medical facilities are available; and whether steps had been taken to allow legal facilities or consultations with legal advisers to persons detained, with a view to representations to the authorities or to their friends in Great Britain or Eire?

Miss Cahill is still detained in Trinidad and, as I informed the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt) on 13th March, she has been detained because she has engaged in anti-British and anti-war propaganda calculated to diminish the war effort and to encourage the use of violence. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Governor of Trinidad has reported that health in the internment camp, which is situated in the vicinity of St. James's Barracks, Port of Spain, is uniformly good. The camp is visited daily by a Government medical officer and an internee who is a qualified doctor registered for practice in the Colony is given facilities to practice in the camp and paid an allowance of $50 a month by the Colonial Government. The camp was built to accommodate 300 persons and at present there are 181 persons detained under Defence Regulations including the families of such persons, and of this number 95 were men, 64 women and 22 children. In addition, 103 passengers from the s.s. "Winnipeg" nave recently been detained there, and of these about half were women. As regards the last part of the Question, all internees may see their legal advisers with a view to making representations in regard to their detention.

asked the Minister of Labour, what percentage of the Gibraltar refugees of both sexes over the age of 16 are doing any sort of work in this country at the present time?

My information is that nearly all the refugees from Gibraltar are engaged in work, either in employment or in the centres in which they are accommodated, unless they are women who are unable to go out to work because they have young children to look after, or unless they have arrived in this country very recently. Arrangements are in hand for placing these people in work as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider amending the Ministry's leaflet, Form 280B, relating to tile drainage, so that applicants for grants, who now find it difficult to obtain a 25-inch ordnance map, the submission of which is necessary for new claims, be allowed to hand in a tracing, properly taken, as is now permitted when the work consists only of reconditioning or repairs.

I am at present considering, in consultation with the professional bodies concerned, the possibility of accepting suitable tracings in lieu of original ordnance maps required for the purpose of keeping a permanent record of tile drainage systems laid down, or reconditioned, with the aid of Government grants.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is necessary, in order 1o qualify for a temporary works payment under the War Damage Act, 1941, to obtain a licence or authorisation from a Government Department before carrying out temporary first-aid repairs to bombed houses; what are the Government Departments concerned; and is he aware that considerable delay is likely to arise before the licence is granted with consequent worsening of damage as many local authorities are unable to carry out urgent first-aid repairs ' themselves.

No, Sir. It is not necessary to obtain a licence or authorisation from a Government Department for first-aid repairs to bombed houses. The latter part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that, owing to the destruction of property by enemy action resulting in income from rents being discontinued, trust funds covering such property may be unable to meet liabilities in respect of annuitants, some of whom are aged servants; and whether he can do anything to relieve this position.

While I recognise and regret that the loss of income from rents may in some cases involve hardship, this is only one of many forms of loss of income due to the war and I regret that I cannot contemplate the extension of the War Damage provisions to cover it.

asked the Secretary for Mines what action has been taken on the correspondence sent him by the hon. Member for Stoke with reference to the Hanley recruiting centre taking men from the mining industry?

The men referred to by the hon. Member were properly enlisted under the arrangements in force at the time, and, as I have explained in a recent letter to him, I am not in a position to take any action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give extended leave, subject to immediate recall in case of emergency, to experienced miners, in view of the national danger likely to be caused by shortage of coal?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) on 2nd July.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum on what basis petrol is available; for use in motor cars on the system known as drive-yourself-hire; whether hitherto he has imposed any check on such hiring or upon the petrol thereby used; and whether any step is proposed to reduce all such supplies or render such journeys accountable or subject to special licence?

Hired cars, whether driven by the hirer or otherwise, are rationed for petrol on scales which restrict their maximum mileage. The permitted supply of. petrol has recently been reduced and will be still further reduced by the forthcoming cut in the basic ration which I recently announced. Moreover, the hired car will be made subject to the requirement of a record of all journeys made in it and the purposes for which such journeys were made.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he can give an estimate of the saving in petroleum consumption due to the rationing system to the latest available date?

It would not be in the public interest to give figures of the aggregate reduction in the civil consumption of petroleum estimated to have been achieved by rationing, but I can assure the hon. Member that a substantial economy has been and is being obtained.

asked the Minister of In with reference to the 196 units of petrol which were issued on the occa- sion of the Cambridge Conference, to how many persons these units were issued?

Petrol coupons were issued for 49 cars which carried approximately 147 people.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many of the 4,435,539 children who were enrolled for full-time attendance on 1st April, 1941, were attending one daily session only?

The returns were not in a form which would enable the Board to give the information required. Local conditions necessitated a single session in certain areas during the winter and spring terms but to a great extent the normal arrangement of two sessions has now been resumed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether facilities can be granted for Members to visit one or more of the schools which are now installed in the 14 holiday camps built by the State some time ago?

I assume that the Question refers to the camps erected by the National Camps Corporation. The corporation and I will welcome visits to these camps by hon. Members, and if any Member desiring to make such a visit will communicate with me I shall be happy to make the necessary arrangements.

asked the Minister of Information what broadcasts are now being employed in Syria to express the British view?

The radio transmitting stations in Syria itself are still under Vichy control: but broadcasts in French and Arabic, setting forth the British point of view, are regularly transmitted from Cairo and Jerusalem, as well as by the B.B.C. All these transmissions can be well received in Syria, and there is evidence that they attract many listeners. They contain direct appeals both to Arabs and to French, to rally to the side of the British and Free French Forces.

asked the Minister of Health whether on the occasion of his recent visit to Farnborough Hospital, complaints and representations made to him were made in the presence and hearing of all the parties concerned?

In the course of my right hon. Friend's visit to the hospital he saw the superintendent matron and the matron together in order that each might make any representations in the presence of the other. The superintendent matron adopted this course, but the matron asked to be allowed to make her statement to him in private, to which with the consent of the superintendent matron, he agreed. Before leaving the hospital he discussed the position with the chairman of the public assistance committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the grave discontent at Farnborough Hospital, he will hold a public inquiry, presided over by an independent chairman, at which evidence can be taken on oath, witnesses cross-examined and the parties represented by counsel, and thus help to remove a sense of injustice and victimisation which prevails there?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend felt no doubt, after personal investigation, as to the necessity of the action which he has taken regarding the matron, and he is not aware of any other matters affecting the administration of the hospital which would justify holding a public inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will give the reasons why the matrons at Orpington, Farnborough and Pembury hospitals have recently been relieved of their duties; (2) what were the terms under which Miss Cross, the matron of Orpington Hospital was offered alternative employment?

As to the matron of Farnborough Hospital I would refer to my reply to another Question by my hon. Friend to-day. I am informed that the matron at Orpington hospital, who is transferring to another appointment as matron under the same authority, is not a senior poor law officer the termination of whose employment requires my consent, and the matter is therefore one for the Kent County Council as the employing authority. I am informed that her new appointment carries the same salary and emoluments as at Orpington. I am also informed that the matron at Pembury hospital has ceased to be employed by reason of the death of her husband, the master, with whom she held a joint appointment.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is being made for the continuance of a nursing staff school at Farnborough Hospital; and what tutorial experience Miss lies, the matron, has?

I am informed that the sister tutor now responsible for the training of student nurses will continue to perform these duties under the superintendence of Miss lies who, although she has not, so far as I am aware, held a tutorial post, is well acquainted with the modern methods of training.

asked the Minister of Health the cost of providing and erecting a marquee on the lawn at Farnborough Hospital, including the cost of heating, light, laying on of water and flooring; the period during which the marquee was in use as a sitting-room and dining-room for the nursing staff; and why the problem of blacking-out a marquee was not realised before the decision to erect it was taken?

This marquee was one of several erected as extra accommodation at hospitals at the outbreak of war, as a temporary expedient while hutments were being completed. I am not able to give exact figures of subsidiary costs involved, but I understand that the cost of providing and flooring the marquee itself was something less than £250. The marquee was removed after damage by a gale some two months after its erection. I am not aware of any particular black-out problem which was not appreciated before erection.

asked the Minister of Health what complaints there have been from the nursing staff at Farnborough Hospital with regard to their feeding; and is he satisfied that the 16s. 6d. ration for doctors and the 13s. 6d. ration for nurses is being fairly apportioned?

I have not received any such complaints. If any are made to me, I shall be glad to investigate them.

asked the Minister of Health why the wards run by the public assistance staff at Farnborough Hospital indent for one tin of harpic per fortnight, and those run by the Guy's staff indent for six?

I have no information on this subject, which appears to be entirely a domestic one for the authorities of the hospital to deal with.

asked the Minister of Health what experience Miss lies, matron of Farnborough Hospital, has had in hospital administration; and how long is it since she held a comparably important administrative post?

From 1922 to 1937 Miss lies has held a number of posts in hospitals, including one as assistant matron of a provincial hospital, and another as acting assistant matron of an important London hospital. I am advised that her previous experience fully qualifies her for the post which she now holds at Farnborough.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the case of a doctor, sent to him by the honourable Member for the Newton division of Lancaster, who certified a person as incapable of work when the insured person was in prison; whether the person concerned was otherwise entitled to benefit; and what penalty is imposed on medical men employed by the National Health Insurance department for such conduct?

I have considered the information sent to me by my hon. Friend, but the particulars given are insufficient to enable me to identify the case. The penalty ordinarily imposed on an insurance practitioner for improper certification is the withholding of a sum of money from his remuneration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, (1) whether there are any rehabilitation centres for the disabled in Scotland as distinct from fracture clinics and from the training and retraining labour centres; whether any plans or developments are being considered for implementation of the Interdepartmental Committee's recommendations during the war; whether any official Reports are available for perusal by Members of Parliament; and what action he proposes to take, in view of the urgency of this problem;(2) whether he is aware that in the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow there is no in-patient organised fracture clinic on the lines laid down by the British Medical Association Fracture Committee, 1935, and recommended by the Interdepartmental Committee, the Delevingne Committee, 1938; and in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, there is only a partially organised out-patient fracture clinic; that in Glasgow there are only varying degrees of organisation of fracture out-patient treatment in the three voluntary hospitals in that city; and what action he is taking to remedy this?

While I am aware that facilities for fracture treatment in Edinburgh and Glasgow are not generally in full accordance with the recommendations of the Delevingne Committee some progress has been made since the publication of the report. Moreover in developing the emergency hospital services special attention has been given to arrangements for the treatment of fractures including the provision in Scotland of six entirely new orthopaedic units (with associated provision for occupational therapy providing 2,000 beds). As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 3rd April last these facilities are available not only for the treatment of civilian war casualties but also for certain manual workers whose early return to work is of special importance. As regards conditions which occasion crippling other than fractures I have encouraged schemes initiated by voluntary bodies for the improvement and extension of facilities for their treatment. I am not aware of any official report on this subject other than that of the Delevingne Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the terms of a resolution, passed with unanimity, by the Convention of Burghs, expressing grave apprehension of local authorities at the proposals being made to undermine or overrule the general structure of local government in Scotland by various forms of dictatorship; and what steps he is taking to allay the fears of local authorities?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the apprehensions which led to the passing of the resolution referred to, and I am in full sympathy with the views expressed in it. I can assure my hon. Friend that the terms of the resolution will be kept carefully in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dilapidated condition of the pier at Ullapool; and what steps are being taken to put it in order?

Yes, Sir. Certain necessary repairs have been recently carried out by the trustees under the direct supervision of and with the aid of a loan from the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. I am advised that the condition of the pier is now satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints of the shortage of cigarettes for men in the Army; and whether any steps are being taken to remedy this complaint?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the demand for cigarettes in the country as a whole exceeds the available supplies, and until the general position improves I can hold out no hope of an increase in the supplies at present available to the Army through the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether map-reading, as a practical necessary study, is taught to members of the Home Guard battalions in the different commands of the country; how many map-reading teachers have been recognised; and how many courses of map-reading have been organised as a practical field study?

Map-reading is one of the subjects laid down in the Home Guard training syllabus and a pamphlet on map-reading has been issued to every Home Guard section. Map-reading instruction is usually given by Home Guard officers, permanent staff instructors or personnel of affiliated Regular units. In addition, a specialist map-reading teacher is employed at the Home Guard schools, where students receive instruction in this subject as part of their course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry had to buy their own uniforms and that they are now not allowed to wear them; and whether, in view of the necessity for economy in all articles of clothing, he will allow them to continue to use their uniforms until they are worn out?

:I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to those members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry who have joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The Auxiliary Territorial Service is part of the Armed Forces of the Crown and all ranks of the Service are naturally required to wear a recognised uniform of a standard pattern. So far as officers are concerned, I understand that the uniform worn by members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry can be readily adapted for use in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fact that coupons are not supplied to cadets for His Majesty's Forces and that they will therefore be seriously handicapped for provision of ties, socks, shirts, gloves, boots and shoes; and whether he will take the necessary steps to adjust matters?

The present temporary arrangements whereby serving officers may obtain rationed goods by signing a statement on the back of the traders' bill that the articles mentioned represent their essential personal requirements apply also to officer cadets serving with H.M. Forces. The Board of Trade are considering, in consultation with the Service Departments, what special provision may be necessary for Senior and Junior Training Corps and other training units.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that works police employed with firms engaged upon war production, and having been measured for uniform before 21st June, are required to forfeit 26 coupons for same; and will he exempt or reduce the number of coupons so required?

Coupons are required for these uniforms, except in certain cases where the uniform was delivered before 21st June. I am, however, considering whether it is possible to arrange for the advance of a certain quantity of coupons, to be repaid over a period, to persons who on taking new posts would have to surrender a large portion of their annual ration to obtain uniform essential to their duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider exemption from the requirement to surrender coupons in the case of white overall coats and gowns used by doctors, surgeons and dentists in their private practices as well as when on duty in hospitals?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is being considered as part of the general question of special occupational needs, on which discussions are proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give special consideration to the case of a wife or family of a man serving abroad in His Majesty's Forces upon the former returning to this country with the very limited amount of personal luggage permitted, and grant some concession in their favour so that they may secure sufficient necessary clothing, which is impossible under present coupon conditions?

Yes, Sir. The Board of Trade are prepared to issue any extra coupons needed to bring such persons' stocks of clothing up to an adequate level. Application should be made by post to the local Collector of Customs and Excise, whose address and the appropriate form may be obtained from local authority information centres.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to give particulars of the special arrangements under the clothes rationing scheme to meet the needs of expectant mothers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the margarine coupons are excised from the ration books of new-born infants on the ground that their clothing is free of coupons; that this deprives parents of making home-made garments of wool, etc., and in some cases forces them to pay higher prices than are necessary; and whether any rearrangement can be made to meet those who prefer home-made articles for their children's health and comfort?

I hope very soon to announce special arrangements for the issue of additional coupons to expectant mothers and these coupons, together with the clothing cards which will soon be available for issue when children are born, should prove adequate for the requirements of parents who prefer home articles for their children.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, in the arrangements being made under the Concentration of Industry Scheme, preferences shall be assured in respect of family businesses in cases where sons, or other members of the family, have joined the forces in the hope and expectation of returning to re-occupy their positions upon demobilisation?

The scheme for the Concentration of Industry is designed to safeguard the interests of both closed and nucleus firms. I am afraid that it would be impracticable to discriminate between businesses affected by the concentration of production on the basis of the family circumstances of the proprietors.

asked the Postmaster General whether he can expedite the transmission of letters within the Principality of Wales, in view of recent instances brought to his notice where much inconvenience has been caused by letters between Denbigh and Cardiff taking three days, and similarly three days as between Aberystwyth and Denbigh?

Letters posted in time for the forenoon collection in Denbigh should be delivered next morning in Cardiff and letters posted in Cardiff for Denbigh in the early afternoon should be delivered first post next morning. Letters posted in time for the evening collections in both Denbigh and Cardiff should be delivered in the afternoon of the next day unless addressed to a rural area when they should be delivered early on the second day. Letters posted in Aberystwyth in the early afternoon should be delivered in Denbigh the following morning and the service from Denbigh to Aberystwyth is similar to the service from Denbigh to Cardiff. I am, however, having the arrangements examined to see that the scheduled connections are regularly made.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that considerable anxiety is felt by sons and husbands in His Majesty's Forces, now serving in the Middle East, because they are not receiving any letters from their homes, although their communications are received; and will he take some action that will remove the cause of such anxiety?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is fully aware of these delays which are due partly to the interruption of the normal routes to the Army base post office concerned, and partly to the distance units are often stationed from that base under conditions of active warfare. The matter is one which receives constant examination with the other Departments concerned, and every channel of transit is used. A special postcard service for transmission by air all the way to the base, at a charge of 3d., was begun on 2nd April last. Up to 23rd June over one million of these cards had been received at the base. The time of transmission from this country to the base has varied from 7 to 19 days. The airgraph service is already operating from the Middle East base to this country taking about 10 days in transit and my right hon. Friend hopes that a similar outward service from this country to troops in the Middle East will be inaugurated within a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that persons unfit for future employment by reason of severe disablement must when in need seek help from local public assistance, subject to the family means test, thereby adding financial burdens to the local authorities concerned; and whether he will propose legislation authorising the Assistance Board to grant supplementary pensions to persons in receipt of war disability pensions and incapacitated by reason of severe disablement and in need?

It is an essential principle of war disability pensions, advocated by ex-service men themselves and their representatives, that they should be based on the extent of disablement arising from war service and should not take account of the particular circum-stances of the individual. I am not prepared to recommend the fundamental change suggested, which would necessarily carry with it a reduction of pension in the case of many men who earn full wages.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many growers are allowing soft fruit to rot on the bushes on the ground that it does not pay them to market it; whether he will investigate all special cases of this waste if brought to his notice; and begin by making inquiries in the Burnham-on-Crouch district of Essex?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative and I shall be glad to receive any detailed information in his possession which justified him in making this allegation. Inquiries are already being made in the district he mentions but without confirming the suggestion contained in his Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will define what is recognised as fish by his Department; and whether the following come under this category: lobster, crab, crayfish, eels, whitebait, smoked salmon, sardines, cockles and mussels?

The definition of fish varies in different Orders according to the purpose of the Order. For example, in the recent Maximum Price Order the definition is wide, namely:

"any fish found in the sea whether fresh, frozen, smoked, cured, salted or otherwise processed other than shellfish, salmon, trout and pickled herrings and includes any part of a fish but docs not include fish paste, fish cakes or fish preserved in air-tight containers."

"Fish includes any part of a fish and includes lobsters, crabs and crayfish but does not include for the purposes of this Order oysters, whitebait or smoked salmon."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether full consideration has been given to the possibilities of manufacturing yeast from surplus potatoes which would be a more important food than potato meal?

Yes, Sir, this matter has been fully considered in consultation with scientific advisers. The conclusion reached is that full advantage is being taken of the food properties of surplus potatoes by the uses to which they arc at present being put.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, under the egg-rationing scheme, gifts of eggs by producers to friends will be permitted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my previous statement on the egg scheme. Commercial producers will be required to sell eggs only to packing stations. There is nothing in the scheme which will prevent any producer retaining eggs for his own household consumption.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that people not legitimately in the confectionery trade are buying up large quantities of sweets and selling them at exorbitant prices to retailers; and whether, having regard to the necessity for children to be able to purchase whole-some sweets at reasonable price, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

With a view to improving the distribution of chocolate and sugar confectionery my Noble Friend has recently, with the co-operation of manufacturers, created a war-time association of manufacturers on which the Ministry has representatives with a controlling voice. Comprehensive proposals for price control have been formulated which will cover the minority of cases where unreasonable prices are being charged. These proposals are receiving urgent consideration by the Ministry. If my hon. Friend has particulars of any such cases and will send them to me I shall be glad to have them investigated.