asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of labour in the mining industry, he will recommend that miners of low medi- cal category, now serving in the Armed Forces, be released conditional upon their taking employment in the industry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19th June to the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald).

I do not know what that answer was. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be kind enough to give it?

asked the Minister of Labour, whether, in the absence of any medical evidence or certificate, any officer of the Ministry or Assistance Board is competent to decide if a person registering for work is medically acceptable; and whether it is permissible for the officer to ask leading questions of applicants with a view to determining if they are medically acceptable?

Unemployment allowances can only be paid to applicants who are "capable of work," and it is the duty of the Board's officer to satisfy himself on this point, and for this purpose to make any necessary inquiries. Where substantial doubt exists regarding an applicant's physical condition, the practice is to refer the case for medical opinion.

What is the process by which the officer decides whether an applicant is in good health; and on what ground is the applicant put off the register for the time being? Has the applicant any right of appeal in such a case?

Certainly, the applicant can appeal under the Act.

asked the Minister of Labour how many regional welfare officers have now been appointed; and what are their main functions?

There is one divisional welfare officer in each of the eleven regional divisions in England, Scotland and Wales. They are concerned with the welfare of industrial workers outside the factories, and, in particular, with such matters as proper housing, feeding, transport and recreation. It is in general the function of the welfare officer to bring any defects in these matters to the notice of the appropriate authority, and to endeavour to secure that the necessary remedial action is taken as quickly as possible.

Is that the total number of welfare workers? Is there just one in each region, or are there others in the districts?

The welfare officer is my representative in the region, but he has organised under him all the voluntary agencies, and he co-ordinates the whole of their work.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people who have been trained as welfare officers under the Ministry of Labour scheme are still without posts?

This Question deals with those outside the factories, and the hon. Member is referring to those inside the factories. I am not aware that people are left without posts very long. I follow each case as it is passed out.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that steel production is handicapped for want of bricksetters for the repair and maintenance of furnaces; that piece rates for such work are frequently impracticable; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the present position?

No, Sir, but if my hon. Friend will furnish further details I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the policy of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers is to oppose the dilution of labour; and whether, in the national interest, notwithstanding this attitude, he is prepared to augment the supply of labour in this industry to over come the shortage that exists?

While I am aware of certain difficulties of this kind, I know of no reason for thinking that they constitute any major hindrance to production in this industry, and more effective methods of increasing production arc being adopted.

Is the Minister prepared to see that no ill-effects from the national standpoint result from people putting sectional interests above those of the nation?

I will do that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the beneficial effect in industrial centres of the long summer evenings and the proposal to spread holidays over a long period, in order not to affect production and so keep as many as possible continuously employed; and will he extend the present summer time until the end of August?

While I appreciate the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend, account must also be taken of the effect of his proposal on early morning workers. If the period of double summer time were extended as proposed, black-out time in the last days of August would not end till about 6.40 a.m. In fixing the period full consideration was given to the effect on various classes of workers and the Government came to the conclusion that extension beyond 10th August would involve disadvantages outweighing the advantages.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the present consideration in this country of possible social and economic adjustment and expansion after the war, and a measure of preparation to this end before the end of the war, any comparable plans for India are being, or will be, considered both in respect of the automobile and shipping industries, and of other industries and socially necessary services?

The Government of India have recently appointed a reconstruction committee to deal with post-war problems of readjustment of industry and labour. I have no doubt the committee will consider all the matters to which the hon. Member refers.

Is the scope of that Committee as wide as that given to one of our Cabinet Ministers regarding our own British reconstruction?

I have not yet received full details.

Will those details be made public?

The hon. Member might ask me again.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the altered international situation, he has considered the substantial diplomatic and psychological advantages that might accrue from the release or amnesty of political prisoners in India, and a reconsideration of the basic cause of the continuing political deadlock and of an acceptable policy to remove this; and whether he contemplates any further approach to Indian political leaders?

I am afraid I cannot accept the hon. Member's inference with regard to the effect of the altered international situation upon the political deadlock in India. In any case I am not at present in a position to make any fresh statement on the subject, which, however, continues to engage the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the changes in the international situation are likely to affect such a vast problem as that of India; and, in the circumstances, can be give any indication when he is likely to make some further statement on the subject?

No, Sir.

Could not this deadlock at once be ended if Congress would permit those seven Ministries to go back to function?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the practice of some agents who exact exorbitant fees from interned aliens and their friends in return for making representations on their behalf to the Home Office; and whether he can take any steps to put an end to this exploitation of human distress?

As the Answer is rather long, I will, with Mr. Speaker's permission, make a statement at the end of Questions.

Yes, Sir: from time to time such cases come to my notice, and I am always anxious to take such action as is possible to put an end to conduct of this character, which I am sure the House will join with me in condemning. In any case where it appeared that an agent had obtained money by false pretences, e.g., by pretending that he is in a position to obtain preferential treatment for his client, the papers would be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to consideration of the question of instituting proceedings. In cases where there is no evidence on which a criminal charge could be instituted, communications received by the Home Office from such agents are ignored and replies are sent direct to the. alien concerned. People who make a profitable business of acting as agents for aliens usually avoid exposing themselves to a charge of false pretences, but nevertheless they frequently by suggestion or innuendo convey the impression that by their intervention they can secure for the alien some advantage which he would not otherwise gain. There is no foundation for such claims. A communication from an alien, however imperfectly expressed, commands the same consideration as an elaborate memorial from an agent who represents himself as an expert in the transaction of such business or even from a solicitor. Indeed, a communication at first hand from the applicant may often be more effective for his purpose. The idea—unfortunately common—that it is an advantage to have influential support is entirely mistaken. The best support for any application to the Home Office is a simple and frank statement of the facts. If in any case an alien feels difficulty in framing an adequate statement of his case owing, for example, to imperfect knowledge of the language, the voluntary organisations which befriend refugees are always willing to give assistance free of charge. There is accordingly no reason why an alien should employ touting agents to write to the Home Office on behalf of himself or his friends. I am taking steps to make this answer known both in the internment camps and at the offices of the refugee organisations.

If the right hon. Gentleman's attention is called to cases where firms of solicitors have asked an unduly high charge for professional services for making application to the Home Office— one such case has been brought to his notice— will he report the matter to the Law Society?

Yes, I will certainly do so in cases which prima facie require investigation.

In view of the statement that such cases have been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice, what action has he already taken?

I have taken the course in the case which has been indicated of putting it to the Law Society, but I have not yet had a report.

Is there any evidence that the great mass of solicitors have abused their privilege, and is there any objection to an alien going to a solicitor in the ordinary way to advise him on such a matter?

I do not think there was any allegation that the mass of solicitors are behaving improperly. On the contrary, I should say the great mass of them are acting quite properly. These cases are exceptional. As far as the Home Office is concerned, there is no objection to an alien having the assistance of a solicitor. I only felt it right to say in my Answer that he would thereby, in my experience, get no better consideration from the Home Office than if he wrote himself.

As the Regulations are very complicated, will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that an alien will not be prejudiced by getting advice as to what his rights are?

Yes, I will do that, and that is, of course, the case. I only wanted it to be understood that the contrary is not true and that he will not get an advantage by obtaining assistance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of refusing to recognise these agents?

In cases where we know that they are agents we refuse to recognise them.

In the case that has been referred to, when the report is received from the Law Society will it be made available to Members of the House?

I must consider that.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a dump of highly inflammable material is lying stored in the open in a densely populated urban area; that this was brought to his attention by the local authority concerned and by the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick over a year ago, and repeatedly since; and, seeing that this material could readily be stored in the country as it is not used for adjacent manufacture, will he see that it is now moved to a place of safety?

Directions were given in November last by the Regional Commissioners for London requiring certain precautions to be taken in connection with this dump, but great difficulty was experienced in complying with them. These difficulties have now been overcome and rapid progress is being made in disposing of the dump.

Is the Minister aware that, in fact, the directions given by the Regional Commissioner have not been complied with, that the dump is not being disposed of rapidly, and that if the present rate of disposal is continued, even assuming that no more material is put in, it will be at least five months before this danger is removed?

I am assured that that is not so, and that satisfactory progress is now being made. I believe that progress is very rapid, and I am informed that the position is satisfactory now.

I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the disappointment expressed by some members of the Auxiliary Fire Service, who, owing to the provisions of the National Service Act, 1941, have lost the option of enlisting in the Armed Forces; and whether he will consider, in consultation with the departments concerned, applications from such members for discharge from the Auxiliary Fire Service to enable their enlistment?

:The only persons who have so far been compulsorily enrolled in the Auxiliary Fire Service, irrespective of any preference they may have expressed for any other form of national service, are part-time auxiliary firemen whose calling up for military service had been deferred because of their part-time service. These compulsory enrolments have been made in accordance with established national service arrangements which provide that men with special experience or aptitude are earmarked for particular duties, and I regret that the needs of the fire-fighting services at the present time make it impossible to release them.

While I recognise that everyone must give the services required, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these people are in this position because they originally volunteered, and, that being so, will he take that fact into account should any further opportunity of discharge arise?

If the supply of auxiliary firemen should improve, or if circumstances should happily make it possible gradually to reduce the fire brigades, which I very much doubt, I will take that fact into account, but as things are the balance is rather the other way.

Will the Home Secretary see that, if these people have to go into the Services, their conditions are made at least equal to the conditions they have previously enjoyed?

Approximately speaking — and it can only be approximately— the material worth of service in the Army and that in Civil Defence are the same.

Is it not the fact that they are not the same?

They cannot be the same, and I did not say they were the same. I said "approximately," but, taking it by and large, they are estimated to be about the same in material worth.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, on Sunday, 6th July, supplies of a Communist party leaflet, "Solidarity with the Soviet Union," were seized by police at a meeting in a market place; and whether, as this leaflet appeals for the closest collaboration with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the struggle against Nazism, police forces throughout the country will be informed that no obstacles are to be placed in the way of its distribution?

I have no information as to this incident, or as to the circumstances in which the police took action, but if the hon. Member will supply me with further particulars, including the place at which the incident is said to have occurred, I will have inquiry made.

May I ask the Home Secretary whether, in view of the handicap from which the Communist party suffers as a result of the banning of the "Daily Worker," it would not be desirable to encourage the police to assist them in the distribution of the leaflet?

I am bound to say that that is not the only handicap from which the Communist party suffers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that difficulties have arisen in the Cambridge Civil Defence organisation as a result of which certain individuals have been called upon and others have threatened to resign; and whether he will set up an impartial inquiry to report upon the matter?

I understand that there have been some complaints, and they are the subject of investigation by the Regional Commissioner.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he has decided to carry out any further delegation of his Civil Defence functions to Regional Commissioners, as recommended in the Fourteenth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure?

Yes, Sir. I informed the Regional Commissioners on 23rd June that after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security we had come to the conclusion that executive responsibility for all services the Ministerial responsibility for which is at present divided between his Department and mine should be delegated to Commissioners in order to ensure single control in the region, and that I had accordingly decided, subject to any directions which it might be necessary for me to give on matters of policy, to delegate responsibility for the first-aid posts and A.R.P. ambulance services forthwith. The position therefore is that the Commissioners now have the same authority in relation to those services as they already have in relation to the first-aid party and rescue party services for which my right hon. Friend is responsible.

Are first-aid posts and ambulances in the new delegation?

The Question was precise, and the Answer I have given was precise.

Will my right hon. Friend consider extending the administrative powers of his officers?

I have delegated considerable powers to my senior regional officers, subject to my directions on matters of policy.

asked the Minister of Health, how many regional, and how many county welfare officers have now been appointed; and what are their respective functions?

Twenty welfare officers have been appointed on my regional staffs. The latest available information indicates that 48 welfare organisers have been appointed by county councils and 70 organisers and social workers by borough and district councils. Speaking generally, the regional welfare officers are concerned with the development of welfare work throughout the region, such as the provision of social centres, hostels and communal billets; the supervision of unaccompanied children in billets; the provision of occupational and recreational facilities; and guidance in individual cases presenting special difficulties. The county organisers are concerned with similar activities but their function is the administration within their county areas. There is in addition a very large number of voluntary workers, in the Women's Voluntary Services and other organisations, engaged in this work.

Would my right hon. Friend see that the excellent people who have been appointed do not overlap with one another and with similar officers who have been appointed by the Ministry of Labour and, to some extent, by the Board of Education? Could he arrange meetings so that the maximum benefit could be obtained from the work to be done?

So far as my regional welfare officers are concerned, once a county's arrangements are in running order the officer is there mainly for guidance, and my personal inquiries on the spot show that that guidance is appreciated. If my hon. Friend knows of any cases of overlapping, I will look into them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is overlapping?

asked the Minister of Health, in how many cases of children evacuated apart from their parents, both the authorities and the children concerned have lost touch with the parents; and whether he proposes taking any action in such cases?

Statistics are not available, but I am making inquiries of the evacuation authorities concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in some instances, owing to the increased number of children of school age in reception areas, the local school accommodation is insufficient to provide full-time education for many children; and whether he will take steps to instruct local authorities to obtain, by. requisitioning if necessary, additional suitable accommodation in order that all children may receive full-time education?

I am aware that in some cases the local school accommodation in reception areas is insufficient to provide full-time education for all children in the area. The desire of the Government that all children should receive full-time education, where practicable, has frequently been impressed on local education authorities who have also been advised of the powers available for the requisitioning of premises to provide additional school accommodation for the education of children transferred to the district under the Government evacuation scheme. I have no reason for thinking that any authority is unaware of the Government's policy in the matter of school attendance, but the position in each area is under constant review by my Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there are enough teachers available, and, if not, will he assist local authorities to obtain them from whatever source they are available?

There ought to be, but I will do all I can in this connection.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many youth organisers have now been appointed by local education authorities?

According to the information at present in the Board's possession, 58 local education authorities for higher education employ youth service organisers—27 counties and 31 county boroughs. In addition, three county authorities are known to have such appointments under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of cases of new clothing and foot wear, respectively, supplied to necessitous school children in England and Wales by the public assistance committee, the Assistance Board and the education committees, respectively, in the 15 months ending 31st March, 1941?

Local education authorities have no power under the Education Acts to provide clothing and footwear to necessitous children. Arrangements are, however, made by education authorities under the auspices of the Ministry of Health to supply evacuated children in case of need with clothing and footwear from voluntary and other funds. Provision made by public assistance committees or by the Assistance Board does not fall within the purview of my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he is proposing to ensure that necessitous schoolchildren in England and Wales, like those in Scotland, have ample provision made for footwear and clothing for the ensuing winter season?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 25th June.

Would the Minister be good enough to say why there should be preferential treatment granted to Scotland?

I do not think there is any question of preferential treatment for Scotland. This matter is dealt with in England under a different regulation.

Is it not the case that this provision is paid for by Scottish ratepayers and not by the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of cases during the last two years in which education authorities and/or other local government authorities have declined to accept the recommendations of school managers as to the appointment of teachers, and as to the specific grounds upon which such refusal has been confirmed; and whether in all such cases other appointments have been made of fully qualified teachers?

Cases known to the Board are those in which they have been called upon to determine under Section 29 (9) of the Education Act, 1921, a question arising between the local education authority and the managers of a non-provided school. In the last two years there have been two such cases in which the local education authority have withheld their consent to the appointment of a teacher under section 29 (2) (c) of the Act: in both cases the Board confirmed the action of the authority, determining that consent had been withheld on educational grounds. I have no record of the other appointments made but it is to be assumed that they would be made in compliance with the requirements of the code.

asked the Minister of Information whether all persons employed under him are bound by the usual Civil Service rules?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not one of those rules that the Civil servants in a Department are not allowed to criticise the Department, and therefore, was it in order for one of the chief officials of the hon. Gentleman's Department to criticise the Government, and say that the Department had been given a pitchfork to deal with a tank?

The British Civil Service is an organism and not a machine. It owes its vitality to the fact that even its most rigid rules are sometimes violated.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the particular statement was not a proper one to be made by an official of his Department?

In the circumstances, I think the statement was of public value.

Is it to be understood that in future officials of the Department may make statements of that kind without any restraint?

A very exceptional official and in very exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Information whether, as the representatives of enemy countries find sanctuary in Eire, and, in order to avoid the leakage of information useful to our enemies, he will at once make arrangements for the censorship of all letters passing both ways between Northern Ireland and Eire?

This is a matter to which much attention has been given and the question of what further precautions are practicable and expedient is one on which my right hon. Friend is in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Is the Minister aware that there is a strong feeling in Northern Ireland that this matter is a pressing one and should receive immediate attention, and will the earliest possible decision be taken on it?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is satisfied that in the terms of the Whitley Council for civil servants the censorship building in Belfast affords sufficient accommodation for the staff employed; and what shelters have been provided in the case of air raids?

The premises originally occupied by the Belfast Censorship Unit were destroyed by enemy action on 4th-5th May, 1941. Emergency accommodation was secured which was found unsuitable. The Censorship Department was offered the present accommodation, which is situated outside the vulnerable area and is the best available in the circumstances. Certain alterations to the premises are about to be effected which will eliminate any overcrowding and provide adequate air-raid shelter accommodation.

May I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, which will give great satisfaction?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what complaints he has received of the lack of replacement fittings for much of the agricultural machinery purchased from Australia and the United States of America; and what steps are being taken to remedy this?

I am not aware of any complaint of the lack of spare parts for Australian machinery. Adequate supplies of spare parts are available in this country for servicing all classes of Australian machines purchased by the Ministry and these stocks will be maintained. With regard to spares for American agricultural machinery, I am not aware of any evidence of actual shortage at the present time. Arrangements have also been made for the importation of spare parts for American machinery to supplement stocks already in the country, and I am informed that these supplies are now coming forward.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to reduce the number of rabbits which are still excessive and damaging to crops, he will consult with the Ministry of Food with a view to fixing controlled prices on a sufficiently remunerative scale to induce the persons concerned to kill rabbits in the early months of the autumn?

The prices fixed for rabbits last season were at a level designed to encourage intensive trapping, without at the same time being so high as to give an incentive to the retention of breeding stocks. This principle will be adhered to in any future review of maximum prices for rabbits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the action taken by a Government Department whereby it compelled the growers of 24 acres of corn, worth £500 when mature, to cut and sell the corn for a few pounds, which, had it been left for a further six weeks, would have been mature and formed a valuable contribution to the national larder; and whether he will confer with the Department concerned with a view to ensuring that no similar action is taken, and that where land is required for building it shall either be selected on ground which is not utilised for corn-growing or, where corn-growing land has been selected, an opportunity shall be afforded for first harvesting the crop?

I know the case which my hon. Friend has in mind. The area in question was requisitioned after consultation with my Department in the absence of any acceptable alternative site on land of lower agricultural value, and owing to the urgency of the particular requirement it was not found possible to postpone development until the growing crops could be harvested. As regards the latter part of the Question, close contact is being maintained between my Department and the other Departments concerned with proposals involving acquisition of sites for building purposes, and every endeavour is made to minimise disturbance of food production interests. Should selection of land under crops prove unavoidable, all possible facilities for harvesting or salvaging are provided.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that it was a shocking waste of food, and perhaps just a moment more and that waste could have been avoided? What a pity.

Is it not a fact that there were other sites available, and will my right hon. Friend inform me whether the farmers will have to bear the loss?

There were no alternative sites available, and that is why this particular site was taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of publishing the names of British subjects who have left the country and are refusing to pay sums of Income and Surtax owing?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is not one which, as at present advised, I should feel justified in adopting.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to my publishing some of these names?

The hon. Member would have to consider the law of libel, slander, and matters of that kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether dealings have commenced in United States stock markets in the preferred and common shares of the American Viscose Corporation; and, if so, how do current prices compare with the prices at which the shares were sold to the public by the syndicate in pursuance of the agreement with His Majesty's Government?

I have no current figure, but I understand that a week ago the preference shares issued at $ 107.5 were being dealt in around 111, and the common stock issued at $ 24 around 24⅜. The stock market generally moved slightly upwards since 26th May, the date of issue of the shares to the public.

Will my right hon. Friend regard the market prices in America as some evidence in the assessment of the amount of compensation which will be payable to Messrs. Courtaulds?

I cannot give any undertaking of that kind. Unless the matter is settled between the Government and the company, it will have to go to arbitration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) why it was decided to pay so large an underwriting commission as $ 4,099,200 on the sale of the American Viscose Company;

(2)why a commission of $1,822,800 was paid to the purchasing syndicate engaged in the resale of the American Viscose Company, especially having regard to the fact that the sum received by His Majesty's Treasury was much below the market value?

The Viscose shares had to be disposed of by issue to the public, since, owing to American legislation, direct purchase by interests already engaged in the rayon industry was precluded. Underwriting commission is a normal incident of the issue of shares to the public, and the scale of the commission was dictated by practice and the state of the market at the time of issue. The sum of $1,822,800, the payment of which fell on the Treasury only in the event of a resale, was a commission paid to the syndicate as remuneration for the services rendered in connection with the operation. The course of the market in the shares does not indicate that they were issued at too low a figure.

Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer really think that 7½ percent, underwriting commission on transactions of this kind is warranted? Is he aware that the total expenses involved amount to a sum almost equivalent to 15 per cent, on the net sum received by the Treasury? Is he also aware that it is reported that the American Treasury have insisted on a refund of 1,000,000 dollars because they consider the whole thing unsatisfactory?

I think my hon. Friend had better put a Question down on the latter part of the information he has given me. So far as the other part is concerned, I would refer him to my statement in answer to this Question that regard ought to be had to the practice in America and the state of the market.

Does the Chancellor really think it is satisfactory that such a high underwriting commission should be paid?

Was it not thoroughly unsatisfactory?