asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a notification has been sent to the Elland Dyeing Company, Limited, stating that they will not receive any further supply of coal for the next eight weeks, and as they have not sufficient stocks to last for that period, they will have to close their works, although engaged on Government work and a protected firm; and what action he proposes to take to prevent this situation occurring?

In order to provide coal urgently needed for public utility undertakings certain collieries were instructed to reduce for a time deliveries to consumers of lower priority. In the particular case in question these instructions were wrongly interpreted to mean complete suspension but the mistake has already been corrected.

Does the Minister realise the seriousness of this situation? No in- formation has been received by this company that the notification was wrongly interpreted. Does the Minister realise that the chaotic situation is casting a very grave reflection upon the Government as as whole, apart from that which is cast upon his Department, which is utterly incompetent?

I do not know that I am required to argue the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. No doubt the company have had a substantial quantity of coal in stock, and now they will receive coal according to the full measure of their requirements.

Have the company been informed that the notification was wrongly interpreted and that they will receive coal, in order to prevent anxiety among their men? Otherwise, the company may have to close down.

Full supplies are going forward.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied that all public utility undertakings will have enough coal with which to carry on during the next six weeks?

I cannot give an absolute guarantee that all public utility undertakings can be supplied with coal enough for the next six weeks. The average amount of coal in stock by public utility undertakings, gas, electricity and water, runs to about six weeks' supply at the summer rate of consumption, but these stocks are not evenly distributed and there are a number of them which do not hold a fortnight's stock at the present time. There has been a marked increase in the rate of stocking by public utilities—notably gas works—in the past few weeks.

Is not the Minister aware that some of these public utilities have only a few days' supply, and will he not take drastic action to save them from having to close down?

This situation has, unfortunately, been in existence for many months throughout last winter, but no undertaking of any kind has stopped for want of coal since the beginning of the war.

If the supply of coal is not evenly distributed as my hon. Friend has said, who is responsible for the present situation?

It was found impossible to convey coal in the desired quantities to the various parts of the country. We are now trying to make good in those places where the stocks are lowest, and I hope to be able to report very shortly that places with only a few weeks' stocks have been raised to a level commensurate with other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered a communication from the town clerk of Chelsea pointing out the likelihood of a serious shortage of coal in Chelsea during the coming winter months by reason of the failure of his Department to supply any coal during recent months, notwithstanding the fact that, at the request of the Ministry, ample storage accommodation approved by them was provided so that coal might be available during the coming winter for persons who had no facilities for storing it themselves; and whether immediate steps will be taken to supply the coal reserve promised to Chelsea over five months ago?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply to the letter from the town clerk of Chelsea. The delay in increasing stocks in this and other localities is of course due to the general shortage of supplies. A site has been acquired at St. Mark's College, Chelsea, and I hope it will be possible before long to provide coal for it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the facts as stated in the Question are vouched for by the town clerk in a recent report, and is he aware that the persons for whom the coal is required are persons who have no storage accommodation in their homes?

It is because I am so anxious about the people who have no storage accommodation in their homes that I. have made provision for the stocking of 3,000,000 tons on Government account. There are now about one and one-third million tons on Government account, particularly for the people who have no stocking accommodation of their own.

Will some of this come to Chelsea?

I hope so.

asked the Secretary for Mines when a sufficient supply of house coal will be made available in the Easthampstead and Wokingham rural districts of the county of Berkshire?

From the information in my possession, I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that during recent months Berkshire has not suffered unduly as a result of the reduction in available supplies of house coal. The tonnage held in stock by the merchants in May compares favourably with the corresponding figures for previous months this year, and disposals during the past three months have exceeded the figures for the corresponding period of last year. So far as I am aware, sufficient coal has been available in the Easthampstead and Wokingham districts to meet current requirements. The future position will naturally depend on the results of our continuing efforts to increase production.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that while the coal now being supplied is sufficient for current requirements in the summer months, no reserve is being built up for the winter, which will be infinitely more difficult than last winter, because people who want a lot of coal and have not been able to acquire stocks will then come into the market?

There are stocks, equal to—and in some cases better than—those of a year ago. We are not, however, satisfied; we want more coal in stock, and if we can get more production, stocks will be correspondingly raised.

Were not these districts formerly supplied by the Tamworth Colliery, and should not "my hon. Friend be now considering the reopening of that colliery?

That does not arise on this Question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any additional money is to be made available for the provision of canteens at the various collieries?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on this subject in the House last Thursday. The matter is being pressed, and the necessary legal amendments are being undertaken as soon as possible.

Is it intended to get this money? Will my hon. Friend see to this matter and do his best to get the money as quickly as possible?

I rely very largely upon the committee, the chairman of which is a Member of this House. I am sure the committee is keen to do what it can, and it has the full confidence of my Department.

Will the money have to be found by this House?

It will not.

asked the Secretary for Mines what co-operation exists between the Coal Production Council and the area committees of the Ministry of Information with regard to the appeals made to mine-workers for a maximum coal output?

In order to further the appeals for maximum output, every effort is made to maintain close co-operation between the Coal Production Council and its district production committees on the one hand and the Ministry of Information organisation throughout the country on the other, both through the Ministry's headquarters in London and its regional information officers.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is no co-operation? Is he aware that in Yorkshire the Coal Production Council has been fixing a meeting and that the Minister of Information did the same in the same place and within days of each other, without any consultation? Is that not a waste of organisation power, and ought there not to be the closest co-operation?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, on 25th June, 1941, the manager of Polquhairn Colliery, Drongan, contrary to the Essential Work Order, prevented two workmen named Logan and Dungavel from proceeding to their work, thereby causing them to lose two shifts, because he alleged they were 10 seconds too late; that this allegation is denied; and what action he intends to take against the coal company?

I have made inquiries and am informed that the circumstances have been considered by the pit production committee, which has endorsed the action of the manager. If my hon. Friend has any further information on the matter, I shall be glad to discuss the question with him.

Will the Minister please answer the Question whether he is aware that a violation has taken place of the Essential Work Order, which gives employers no power whatever to suspend or dismiss men for absenteeism?

The answer I gave was that I made inquiries of the pit production committee because the committee is responsible for the decision taken.

Is the Minister aware that the only person who has power to deal with the matter is the district officer, who has never been called into question; and is he further aware that the pit production committee was not appointed by the men at that colliery?

I hope my hon. Friend will give me the facts privately, and I will see what I can do. I did not know those things at all.

Very good, I will do so.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the resolution carried at the Miners' Conference last week protesting at the conditions applying to the bonus attendance payment; and what steps his Department are taking on this question so as to bring about a more satisfactory settlement?

I am aware of the resolution calling upon the Executive Committee of the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain to take this question up with representatives of the colliery owners; I understand that a meeting between the parties for this purpose has been arranged.

Will the Minister not use his good influence to impress upon coal-owners that they should not be too hard? Is he aware there is some feeling among the miners at what is happening and that if it could be removed, a better spirit would prevail?

I would like to see conciliation adopted by both sides in order that a better spirit should prevail and improved production result.

Will the Minister make new efforts in this matter?

I hope it will be discussed at the next meeting.

Has not the Mine-workers' Federation agreed about this matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the number of accidents at the coal face being on the increase in proportion to the number of men employed there; and whether he will cause a special investigation to be made to find out whether it is due to the excessive noise caused through machinery which prevents the miner from sensing the danger which he would otherwise do?

I have to state with regret that the rate of fatal accidents at the coal face had gone up since the war. I have been in consultation with the inspectors on a number of occasions and am unable to satisfy myself that we have found an explanation of the cause of increase. There are a number of factors operating with greater effect in war time which contribute to the higher number of deaths. A similar result was observed in 1914–1918. I am proceeding with close investigations and will give the House fuller information when we return after the Recess.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some mines the more profitable seams are not now being worked in favour of the less profitable seams not normally in production, resulting in a loss of output; and whether he can make any statement on the matter?

I am not aware of the practice referred to by the hon. Member. If he has actual cases in mind, I shall be glad to have particulars, in order that inquiries may be made.

What power exists to deal with cases of this kind?

There are very extensive powers. If my hon. Friend can prove that an attempt was made to limit the production of coal in war-time, I have power enough to deal with the matter.

I will see that the Minister has the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, on what grounds it has been decided to be necessary to continue the export of cotton goods and textiles to the United States of America where there is already a sufficiency of clothing?

Our need for dollars is very great, and it is essential that we should make the fullest use we can of the export capacity which we still possess, without interfering with essential home requirements.

Will the hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles this statement with President Roosevelt's advice to his countrymen to "cut out the dollar sign and forget the financial nonsense," and will he also say why he has considered it advisable to export clothing from this country, where we have too little, to America, where they have too much?

I do not think those points call for a reply. Whatever my hon. Friend may say, the Treasury's need for dollars is still very great, and if the United States wish to buy clothes which we can manufacture and which are superfluous to our bare requirements, there is no reason why they should not be exported.

Is it not the case that we are producing manufactured goods out of raw materials supplied by the United States of America? Is that why?

No, Sir.

Are we not producing cotton goods from American cotton?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a boy's school outfit requires 200 coupons which, in most cases, it is quite impossible to provide; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this anomaly?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 18th June.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman not say what steps he will take to deal with this? The Answer referred to does not state what steps are being taken.

It is hoped that schools will modify their, in many cases, unreasonable requirements to bring them into line with present possibilities.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that whatever modifications are made, there will still be a shortage of coupons for children going to school?

Already small children get an advantage in the list which has been issued, and there will be special provision made for growing children, but we do not contemplate provision for large school outfits.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what children are not growing?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to an extra issue of clothing coupons to expectant mothers to meet their special needs for knitting wool and other materials?

Yes, Sir. The Board of Trade, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, the Scottish Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs have secured the co-operation of the local authorities for maternity and child welfare in issuing a special allowance of 50 coupons to expectant mothers. The scheme will come into force on 5th August, and full details will be published in the Press to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the state of our export trade, especially in view of markets after the war?

:My right hon. Friend is never satisfied with the state of our export trade, and he is very conscious that war conditions make it impossible to cultivate our overseas markets as much as we should wish. But my hon. Friend can be assured that the considerations he mentions are being kept in mind.

Does the Government realise the supreme, enormous, colossal and overwhelming need of looking after our export trade, especially when peace is restored?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is planning for the establishment of the window and plate glass industry on a large scale so that this country may not be dependent on foreign imports to repair damage after the war, and to supply our own needs and give employment?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of this industry is not being overlooked.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there might be a certain amount of broken glass in Germany?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the questionnaire issued by the committee set up by the Board of Trade, particularly in view of one of the 24 questions which asks trade associations if they consider that steps should be taken to reduce the number of shops, it is the policy of the Government to endeavour to eliminate a large number of small shops in London and the country either by voluntary or compulsory means;

(2) whether he is aware that owing primarily to the incidence of war 941 shops are empty in the borough of Wandsworth, compared with 308 as at March, 1939; and will he bear in mind this wholesale closing of small businesses all over the country causing great hardship to thousands of persons, when considering legislation regarding the retail trading community?

The Board of Trade are aware that largely owing to war circumstances a number of shops have had to close, and that hardship has in some cases inevitably resulted. The Retail Trade Committee, who drew up the questionnaire to which my hon. Friend refers, was set up to examine the numerous and complex problems confronting retail traders, and I cannot anticipate their findings. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the interests of the small shopkeeper have not been, and will not be, overlooked, and I would refer him to the statement made on 13th May when the appointment of this Committee was announced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish figures, comparable to those given to illustrate the saving in shipping space achievable by eating less or different kinds of bread, showing how much shipping space could be saved for every 10 per cent. reduction in the imports of tobacco generally and of American tobacco in particular?

Publication of details relating to trade statistics has been suspended since the outbreak of hostilities. I cannot therefore give a figure which would indicate the rate of import of any commodity.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that present propaganda about tobacco is most unsatisfactory, that the appeal to the tobacco consumers to reduce their consumption for a few weeks only, by one-fifth only, is unsatisfactory, first, because patriotic smokers have already reduced their consumption by far more than one-fifth and, secondly, that they would be ready to reduce it far more than that if they had reason to suppose it to be necessary.—[Interruption.]—May I not ask for a reply?

The hon. Lady is giving the answer to her own Question.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the urgent call of the Secretary of State for War and other Ministers for recruits for war services, he will issue an instruction to his Department that eligible men and women whose age groups have been or are being called up shall not be taken into or kept in employment in rationing or other departmental activities unless they are especially certified by him to be irreplaceable?

The retention of permanent staff and the recruitment and retention of the temporary staff of the Board of Trade are in compliance with the conditions prescribed in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations and Protected Work. Requests for deferment of calling-up have only been made for certain temporary officers with professional or other specialist qualifications essential for their work who cannot be replaced. This condition will continue to be strictly observed.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is considerable resentment among those who have been called up, often at great personal loss, that there should be retained in Departments like his men and women who could easily be replaced if the effort were made?

I can assure the hon. Member that we do not retain people who could easily be replaced—ever.

What about the President of the Board?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of the staffs engaged on work in Bournemouth connected with the clothes rationing, woven textiles, miscellaneous trades orders, and concentration of production; what proportion is composed of permanent civil servants; and whether he is satisfied that the Department there is working smoothly and with efficiency?

The total number of staff of all grades, including minor common services staff, employed in the Board of Trade offices at Bournemouth on these duties is 943 of whom 208 or 22 per cent. are permanent civil servants. There are many problems inherent in these new duties, and I am satisfied that the Department is doing its utmost to overcome the initial difficulties.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the public, at any rate, are not satisfied that these four hotels are being properly run and that a very large number of complaints are made that the whole thing appears to be in a most chaotic condition? Would the President of the Board of Trade have inquiry made?

I do not think there is a case for inquiry at all. We are well aware of the difficulties which are inherent in the position. I did not say I thought the position was perfectly satis- factory; I did say I thought that an improvement was taking place and that, given a chance, this matter would be got right.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing the large number of eligible men and women whose age groups have been called up who are being retained in the various Departments of the Government, he will request the Kennet Committee to consider the feasibility of calling up all these men and women unless they are certified by the Minister concerned to be irreplaceable in the Department?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, answer this Question and No. 59 together.

Question No. 59 has been deferred.

The answer is the same, anyhow. The Kennet Committee yesterday submitted an interim report to my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Labour. Perhaps my hon. Friend would wait until my right hon. Friends have had an opportunity of considering it.

How long does my right hon. and gallant Friend think it will be before we see this interim report?

If my hon. Friend wants to know whether it will be published, I should like to have notice of that Question. I should not think it would.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider, at an early date, removal or the reduction of the Purchase Tax on acetylene lamps used in coalmining?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 3rd December last.

Does the Chancellor realise that the present position is, that lamps provided by a colliery company are free of tax, whereas lamps acquired by the men themselves are subject to tax, and will he take steps to remove that anomaly and see that such lamps are free of tax?

I would like to discuss that with the hon. Member. I dare say he knows the difficulty there is in restricting the concession to the types used in the industry.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that the Purchase Tax is the main element in the spiral?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the cost of electric power has been increased by 40 per cent. due to increases in cost of coal; that the effect of this is to inflate the cost of nearly every commodity purchased by the Government; and at what date he proposes to carry out his undertaking to subsidise rising costs of coal-power, &c, in order to stabilise prices and wages?

My noble Friend the Minister of War Transport is not aware of any general increase to the extent indicated, but he will ask the Electricity Commissioners to look into any particular cases which my hon. Friend has in mind. Among the measures taken in relation to the charges of public utility undertakings, the Commissioners have informed all electricity undertakers that no further increases in electricity charges, other than increases already announced, should be made without the undertakers first submitting their proposals to the Commissioners with necessary supporting data so that the Minister may have an opportunity of considering the position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Ministry of War Transport has sanctioned an increase of 60 per cent. in the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board's town dues and dock rates as from 2nd July; and, as this is in conflict with the policy of the Government, what steps he is taking to prevent a consequent increase in the cost of many Government purchases?

Yes, Sir. My noble Friend consulted me before agreeing to the increased charges referred to. The matter was fully examined in relation to the policy which I announced in my Budget speech, and in view of the extent to which essential goods are now imported on Government account, I am satisfied that the increased charges will not be reflected in the prices of such goods to the consumer. There is, therefore, no conflict with the policy of the Government.

Is the Chancellor not aware that when he puts up the prices of these goods he must put up the cost of goods to the Government? Is it not impossible to stabilise prices if this method of increasing prices of all these commodities is continued?

That is a general matter. I have confined myself to the Reply I have given, which deals with a specific case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the adverse effect that they have upon the National Savings Campaign, he will take steps to prohibit, for the duration of the war, the display of advertisements upon hoardings throughout the country calling upon people to spend money upon the purchase of proprietary articles?

No, Sir. Private advertising upon hoardings is already subject to very severe and increasing restrictions by the Paper Controller and in other ways, and I am satisfied that the National Savings Campaign will not be adversely affected by leaving the position as it is.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider it unfortunate that posters encouraging people to spend should be placed side by side with the posters of his Department which encourage people to save?

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether, in view of the recent attack on the democracies made by General Franco, it is proposed to continue to permit the passage of supply ships through the British blockade to Spain?

I would remind my hon. Friend of the Reply which he received on Thursday last from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. My right hon. Friend referred to my statement of 30th July, 1940, when I laid it down that it was not the policy of His Majesty's Government to extend the blockade to neutral countries so long as supplies could reach these countries without the risk of falling into the hands of the enemy, that we were prepared to grant navicerts on such a scale as to allow imports adequate for domestic consumption, and, further, that it was the policy of His Majesty's Government not merely to allow such supplies to pass through our controls, but also to assist neutral countries to obtain them. As regards General Franco's speech on 17th July, my right hon. Friend pointed out that this speech displayed complete misunderstanding of the general war situation, and also of British economic policy towards Spain. He added that this speech made it appear that General Franco did not desire further economic assistance for his country and that, if this were so, His Majesty's Government would be unable to proceed with their plans, and that their future policy would depend on the actions and attitude of the Spanish Government.

Does that mean that, in the meantime, shipments are held up, that nothing further will be allowed to go through until we are satisfied that General Franco does not mean what he says?

No, Sir. No further decision has been taken in that sense. We are waiting for elucidation of the intentions of the Spanish Government.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the ships despatched by the U.S.A., the "Scheherezade," actually discharged a cargo at Dakar, which is under German control?

Yes, Sir, but Dakar is not in Spain.

That is worse.

Will my right hon. Friend continue to exercise the utmost vigilance in order that nothing will reach Spain which would increase General Franco's power to go to war against us?

Yes, Sir.

As General Franco does not appear to understand the position and intentions of the British Government, and the British Government do not appear to understand the intentions, of General Franco—

rose—

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare to what extent progress has been made as between Great Britain and the United States of America in producing an agreed black list of traders?

By a proclamation dated 17th July, President Roosevelt has authorised the preparation of a Proclaimed List similar to our own Statutory List. This Proclaimed List is to include persons who are believed to be engaged in activities helpful to Germany or Italy, and persons to whom the exportation of any article or material exported from the United States is deemed to be detrimental to the interests of national defence. Any person whose name appears on the list is to be treated as though he were a national of Germany or Italy, and is to be debarred from obtaining, except under special licence, United States products which are subject to export control. In pursuance of this proclamation the United States Government has now issued a list of 1,834 persons in Latin America. The majority of these also appear on our own Statutory List. I am consulting the United States Government on the coordination of the two lists. This new departure will be of the greatest value to us in waging economic warfare, and I am sure the House would wish to join with me in welcoming this striking act of American co-operation.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether joint consideration is now being given to the question of Japanese enemy trade?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to dissatisfaction among soldiers on home service that their seven days' leave every three months, if exigencies permit, is so often found to be impracticable; and will he look into the whole matter to be sure that leave is never withheld where it can possibly be granted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 3rd July, of which I am sending him a copy. Leave allotments are based on the operational requirement that the strength of units should not normally be allowed to fall below establishment by more than ten per cent. at any time. While I am aware that courses, special duties and training requirements may sometimes lead to the postponement of leave, I am satisfied that cases in which soldiers at home are unable to obtain four periods of seven days' leave in the year are exceptional.

Would the hon. Gentleman look more closely into that, as I can assure him that there is a considerable discrepancy between different units in the granting of these leaves? It is not by any means universal for four leaves within any year to be given.

If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars of any hardship cases, I will look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the Imperial troops stationed in Malaya are now being issued with tobacco and matches on the field service scale; and on what date was such issue approved, observing, that for some time issues of tobacco at the field service rate have been made to men serving in Iceland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands but not to mention Malaya?

:The free issue of tobacco and matches is normally limited to troops engaged in active operations, but it has also been extended to certain areas where troops are far removed from the normal sources of supply. The General Officer Commanding, Malaya, recently drew attention to the difficulties experienced in this respect by units on the Malayan mainland. Approval was accordingly given on 5th July last for the free issue of tobacco and matches to these troops.

:Can my hon. Friend say whether the delay in giving this free issue to the men in Malaya was due to the War Office or to the parsimonious action of the Treasury?

Cases are dealt with as they arise.

Was that application made for this issue some time ago, and was there any delay in giving it?

I understand the request was made by the General Officer Commanding, Malaya, quite recently.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the Army is now furnished with sufficient appropriate aeroplanes to make it independent of the Royal Air Force in effecting reconnaissance and similar work?

:My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. It is not proposed to set up a separate air force for the Army. All squadrons engaged on reconnaissance and similar work for the Army continue to belong to the Royal Air Force. Certain of these squadrons, however, which are specially equipped and trained for Army needs, are under the operational control of the Army; and, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated on 10th June, it is the intention to increase considerably the number of aeroplanes under Army control.

When is, it anticipated that this last-mentioned desire will be fulfilled?

It is going on all the time.

Is it still the case that no Army unit lower than a division can make a direct request to the Air Force for co-operative support, as opposed to the German Army system, under which platoons may make direct requests for aircraft?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, when a soldier's wife enters a rate-aided institution, the dependants' allowance is immediately stopped, although the soldier continues to receive the pay of a married man; and why the allowance is not paid to the local authority towards the maintenance costs?

:Family allowance is issued in order to assist a soldier in meeting the expense of maintaining and accommodating his family. If a soldier's wife without children enters a rate-aided institution, her allowance is withheld. At the same time, the regimental paymaster authorizes the issue of full pay to the soldier, unless he wishes a voluntary allotment to be paid to his wife. As regards the second part of the Question, it would be contrary to present policy for any payment to be made from Army funds to the local authority in such cases.

Is it not the case that all these rate-aided institutions make a charge to the inmates where they believe that the charge can be met? Is that too deep for the Minister to answer?

asked the Secretary of State for War what responsibility does the War Office accept for reimbursing a hospital for the cost of a patient injured by an Army vehicle, even though the cause of the accident may have been purely accidental or due to contributory negligence on the part of the injured person, or when the cause of the accident is in dispute?

When a person is afforded emergency treatment as the result of an accident arising out of the use of a War Department vehicle on duty on a road, claims are accepted against Army funds for the cost of such treatment at the rates and in the circumstances specified in Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, notwithstanding that that part of the Act does not apply to the Crown. Refund of other hospital expenses is considered in connection with any claim to compensation arising out of the accident. In general, the War Office accepts liability in respect of such expenses to the extent to which a private employer would be liable in similar circumstances.

Is the hon. Member aware that in many cases the district paymaster has refused to recognise claims made by hospitals when an accident was not absolutely due to the Army driver, or where it could not be attributed either to one side or the other, and that in such cases compensation has often been refused?

The payments to be made are laid down quite clearly in Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act. Those payments are made.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that one of the few recognised authorities in the science of camouflage is now in His Majesty's service; whether he is satisfied that he has been given an official position commensurate with his position in this highly-specialised branch of science; and what is his official designation and where are his headquarters?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to an authority on the biological aspect of camouflage about whom he has written to my right hon. and gallant Friend. This gentleman holds a commission in the Royal Engineers. He is now serving as a camouflage officer, and holds a staff appointment in that capacity at General Headquarters, Middle East. I am satisfied that his present position is such as to provide full scope for the exercise of his abilities and experience.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that valuable knowledge was accumulated during the last war in relation to the Kensington Gardens scheme of camouflage; that material on which it was founded was placed in store at a place of which he has been informed; whether such material is still to the fore; and whether care has been taken to make it freely accessible to camouflage officers during the present war.

Yes, Sir. All data, records and materials of the Kensington Gardens Camouflage School of the last war have been carefully examined, and are at the disposal of present-day camouflage officers through the medium of the Army Camouflage Training and Development Centre.

Are the Government fully convinced that our camouflage cannot be improved?

It is being improved all the time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Militia camps were included in the actual expenditure of £22,750,000; and how many were allowed for in the original estimate of £20,000,000?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 28th May.

That answer gave no information at all. Will the hon. Member state what percentage of the camps it was intended to construct were constructed? Unless this is stated, the answer makes no sense at all.

:The answer to which I referred the hon. Member was given to a Question of his which was almost identical with the one that he asked to-day. He had a very full reply, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War, seeing that it is laid down for courts-martial, in Rules of Procedure 87 (D), that the friend of the accused may advise the accused on all points and suggest the questions to be put to the witnesses, but cannot examine or cross-examine the witnesses or address the court, under what circumstances the friend may not be present in court throughout the proceedings?

The friend of an accused is entitled to be present in court at all times during which the accused himself is before the court and desires his friend to be present.

:If I send the hon. Member cases where this right has been refused, will he look into them?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, (1) whether he is satisfied that the hill sheep industry is receiving fair prices for its wool and mutton compulsorily sold to the Government; and whether the prices are the subject of negotiation with the industry or are they arbitrarily fixed by the Government;

(2)the average results of his inspection of current trading and profit and loss accounts and balance sheets of typical hill farms in the various districts, after allowing the working farmer the wage of the lowest-paid agricultural labourer;

(3) whether he is aware that, as a result of the severe winter and spring, mortality among ewes and lambs was high; and what steps he is taking to meet the situation, which will become worse within the next few weeks, when many hill farmers will be compelled to sell breeding stock to meet current expenditure?

:Wool prices have already been increased by 15 per cent. over last year's figures, and it is hoped that a statement will be made shortly on mutton prices. While the latest available hill farmers' accounts show an improvement for the 1940 season as against the previous season, I am aware that additional difficulties and financial hardships have resulted from the prolonged winter of 1940–41 and the resulting loss of lambs. The Government are fully alive to the position and have already given an undertaking to provide, if necessary, special assistance.

Is it not quite wrong that this great industry should be singled out in this way? Is it not a fact that the figures for the two years of Government purchase show a net loss on all the farms taken out by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland?

As the hon. Member knows, it is exceedingly difficult to discuss this complicated matter by way of question and answer. There will be an opportunity on the Scottish Estimates at the next Sitting, when I hope to make a fuller statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the conclusions arrived at by the Ministry of Food as to the necessary ingredients of a balanced meal; and whether he will confer with that Ministry with a view to providing such a meal to every child at school from September throughout the winter?

:The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is the duty of education authorities to provide meals for all necessitous school children, and I have encouraged authorities to extend this service to all other school children on payment of the bare cost of the food. At present, some 50,000 school children in Scotland are obtaining a well balanced meal daily; and this number, I hope, will be steadily increased.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, will he put more pressure on local authorities to provide these meals for necessitous children, in view of the fact that it is practically impossible for the mothers to get the food in the shops, even if they have the money?

I quite agree. We are taking every step we can to encourage the local authorities. There are difficulties about cooking equipment and so on, but we hope that these are being rapidly overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the nutrition of certain classes of workers in Scotland is inadequate, and compares unfavourably with the nutrition standards provided for other classes of workers; and whether he will take steps to provide adequate and equal nutrition for all workers?

:The policy of the Government has been, and is, to provide adequate nutrition for all classes of workers. If, as I assume, my hon. Friend has in mind any disparity in the provision of food canteens, and especially at the coal pits, in Scotland, I can assure him that the matter is receiving urgent attention.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the possibility of procuring nutritious food for miners in Scotland is almost nil, that miners' wives are completely at their wits' end, and that they are taking long journeys to the towns only to find short rations there? Will he see that the canteen system is spread as far as possible in Scotland?

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend the Minister of Mines has the subject very urgently under review. In Scotland we are exceptionally badly off. At present, we have only two canteens in active operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has now taken the promised steps to prevent the dispersal of the Highland Folk Museum?

The possible alternative accommodation to which I referred in my Answer of 15th July is being examined by the Inverness County Council. Meantime, I have asked them not to enter upon the museum premises.

Is not that a most satisfactory answer?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the increasing resentment which is felt among Scottish public works contractors at the growing tendency of English firms to obtain contracts for work in Scotland; whether he is further aware that resident engineers of English main contractors are enabled to appoint direct sub-contractors from England for work which can be more readily carried out by Scottish contractors in Scotland; and whether he will consult with the Government Departments concerned with a view to safeguarding the interests of Scottish contractors in future?

:While I have received some general representations in the sense of the hon. Member's Question, I have no specific evidence of any case in which the public interest has been prejudiced, or contracts given out in any manner disadvantageous to Scottish contractors or workmen. If any evidence of that nature is available, I shall be glad to consider it with a view to drawing the attention of the appropriate authority to the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that plants belonging to Scottish contractors have been requisitioned and handed over to English contractors, who have no plant of their own?

That is another question. If hon. Members had any evidence of that kind of thing, I should be glad to have it.

Will my right hon. Friend get into touch with the Ministry of Supply and the Board of Trade and see the particulars of these contracts?

I would prefer that a specific case should be given me.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that English contractors do not come up to standard and that local contractors have to carry out the work?