asked the Chancellor of the the Exchequer whether he can give any information in connection with the charges made against the Beau craft Furniture Company, Bethnal Green, for a Purchase Tax evasion; and what was the value of the goods on which the tax had been evaded and the total loss to the revenue?

:This firm was charged with furnishing false tax returns, producing and using false documents and making false statements in connection with the tax. The value of the goods involved was not less than £4,200, on which the tax evaded was about £1,400.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he realises the hardship to widowers still having to keep up their houses being taxed as single men; and will he consider some relief?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware a deduction of tax on £50 can be claimed by a widower in respect of a resident housekeeper. I cannot see my way to propose any further special relief to widowers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to what extent the compulsory billeting of Civil servants has been adopted in the country; and whether he will state the general policy and the chief areas affected?

:I regret that I have no statistics to show the precise extent to which it has been necessary to have recourse to compulsory powers in billeting Civil servants. I understand, however, that only in a very few cases has this expedient been adopted. The general policy has been to enlist the good-will of the householders concerned and I am glad to say that it has been generally successful. It is hoped that householders and proprietors of boarding houses will continue to render such assistance as they are able to give in this very difficult matter, but I must point out that accommodation for people transferred to carry out essential work must be secured, and only in the last resort is recourse had to compulsory powers. With regard to the last part of the Question, it would not be in the public interest to publish a list of the places to which Civil servants and their offices have been evacuated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what profit has accrued to the Government in respect of the trading activities of his Department in commodities in short supply?

The Ministry of Food's trading activities must be regarded as a whole and in the aggregate a very substantial loss has been incurred in carrying out the Government's policy of subidising certain essential foodstuffs. Profits have, however, arisen on certain commodities mainly owing to the necessity of fixing retail selling prices at the nearest penny per lb., and in the early days of the war to requisitioning of stocks. Such profits are not substantial in amount in relation to the Ministry's activities, and are offset against the heavy losses incurred in subsidising other foodstuffs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before deciding to eliminate as purveyors of rationed food, traders with fewer than 25 registered customers, he formed any estimate of the number of such traders; and, if so, whether he will state what it was?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative: It was impossible to form any such estimate until the new registrations were completed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeepers in Bournemouth who are likely to be affected by the regulation withdrawing food rations from shopkeepers who have fewer than 25 registered customers; whether he will lay upon the Table of the House copies of the instructions designed to bring to the notice of the Food Committee his promise of considerate treatment; and whether, in the case of any adverse decision, these traders will have any right of appeal?

:The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is that the number of small shopkeepers in Bournemouth who are likely to be affected by the arrangement to which he refers will not be known until the recent re-registration of customers with individual shopkeepers has been examined. In reply to the second part of the Question the instruction to which reference is made is confidential. In the case of an adverse decision the trader concerned may appeal to the divisional food officer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Paymaster of the Royal Engineers has debited the accounts of certain members of that unit with sums up to £11 for equipment lost whilst these men were swimming for their lives from ships that were sunk in the Dunkirk evacuation; and whether he will take the necessary steps to cause these sums to be refunded to the soldiers concerned?

:I have made thorough inquiries but am unable to trace any case in which a soldier's account has been debited in respect of equipment lost, in the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. I shall be glad therefore if my hon. Friend will supply me with the particulars of the cases upon which the allegation contained in his Question is based.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether, in adopting the new Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform, arrangements will be made to ensure that there is no waste of any of the old type uniforms now in stock?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered, or will consider, the advisability or practicability of making it a condition of membership of the Home Guard that members must accept an obligation to attend a fixed minimum number of attendances at parades each week or month, in view of the fact that membership of the Home Guard relieves a member of the obligation of attending a fixed number of hours on fire-watching?

This proposal has been considered, but it was decided that it would not be practicable to enforce such a condition universally, as members of the Home Guard engaged in essential occupations may on occasion be prevented from attending parades for reasons beyond their control. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that a battalion commander in the Home Guard has the power to discharge members of his battalion who wilfully disregard their obligations, and I think that in matters of this kind we must rely upon his judgment.

asked the Minister without Portfolio, whether he will give particulars and personnel of the various bodies undertaking surveys in connection with post-war problems; and the degree to which his Department is financing them?

It would be impossible for me to provide my hon. Friend with a list of all the surveys which are being undertaken by independent agencies in connection with post-war problems. The only survey which is receiving financial support from the Government is the Social Reconstruction Survey instituted under the auspices of the Nuffield College authorities. Full particulars of the personnel employed by the Survey and of the financial support which the Government is providing towards the expenses of the Survey were given in my answer to the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Pickthorn) on 2nd July.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether, in a consideration of plans to deal with the post-war situation, it is intended to have regard to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Distribution of the Industrial Population; and whether he will consider such plans to be of immediate importance and urgency?

The Government have already had under consideration the Report of the Royal Commission on the Distribution of the Industrial Population in the light of the changes in the industrial situation since the report was prepared. Plans for dealing with the postwar situation in this and other fields are being examined with full regard to the importance of the issues involved.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether it is proposed to await the result of any post-war reconstruction surveys before laying before Parliament any plan for dealing with the problems that will arise after the war, such as unemployment due to the existence of special areas; and, if not, when it is proposed to produce such plans for discussion in the House?

The Government will complete all the preliminary investigations which are necessary before any plans for dealing with post-war problems are produced to the House, and in particular they are making a full study of all the complex issues involved before producing plans for dealing with unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British dispensary at Hankow has been obliged to close down its business owing to the refusal of the Japanese authorities to permit the shipment of essential supplies; and whether he will take up the matter with the Japanese Government and also with the International Red Cross Society?

The Hankow dispensary ceased business last April owing to difficulties arising out of the closure of the Yangtse. Special efforts to help this British firm were made by His Majesty's Consuls-General at Hankow and Shanghai, and some shipments of medical supplies were permitted to Hankow for the dispensary. Owing, however, to great delays, and to the fact that no miscellaneous goods were allowed to be shipped, the turnover became insufficient to keep the firm in business.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, pending an agreement for the repatriation of badly-wounded prisoners of war, he will explore the possibility of arranging for the transfer of these men from enemy countries to Switzerland?

If my hon. and gallant Friend means a one-sided arrangement under which, while the British party are transferred to Switzerland, the German party are to remain in British hands, there is no ground for supposing that the German Government would accept it. His Majesty's Government are, however, examining every possibility of overcoming the transport difficulty which is the main obstacle to any arrangement on a reciprocal basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent speech by General Franco has been the subject of communication between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America; and whether it is proposed to take any action.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Hon. Members will be aware that General Franco's speech has already been the subject of a statement by the United States Acting Secretary of State at his Press conference on 23rd July. I have at present nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made any representations to the Spanish Government on the recent speech by-General Franco; and whether any reply has been received?

No, Sir. The attitude of His Majesty's Government should, however, be clear to the Spanish Government from my right hon. Friend's statement in reply to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 24th July.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the proposal, recently announced by him, for securing the services of 1,000 doctors from the United States of America to help in the medical services of this country?

The scheme to which my hon. Friend refers has not yet become fully operative. According to information recently received from the American Red Cross some 80 United States doctors who have applied under the scheme are at present being considered for acceptance, in addition to one who has already arrived and is at work in a civil hospital and four who are on their way to this country.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are taken to ensure that experimental results obtained by Service Departments in relation to camouflage are made known to other Departments interested so that the country may obtain full value from such results?

All results obtained by the Services from experimental work in camouflage are discussed by the technical sub committee of the camouflage committee which has met regularly at frequent intervals since its formation and on which the Services Departments are represented.

asked the Minister of Health how many people came under the health insurance system in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the year ending 1940, giving separate figures for men and women; how many rank as deposit contributors; the total income paid out in benefits; the accumulated funds; the amount invested by or on behalf of the approved societies; the expenditure on sickness and disablement benefit, giving separate figures in weeks and separate figures for men and women; expenditure on additional benefits in cash and other benefits; the amount standing to the credit of societies at the last valuation; the total number of societies or branches; how many societies had deficiencies, and their membership; and how the deficiencies were made good?

The figures given below are in respect of Great Britain as it is not possible in the time available to include those for Northern Ireland. At 31st December, 1939 (the latest date for which such information can be given), the number of insured persons was as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any aeroplane engines are now manufactured in India?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what were the amounts of kitchen waste collected by each local authority in the months of January and June, 1941, in the counties of Lancashire, Surrey and Yorkshire?

The following list gives the tonnages of kitchen waste food sold during the months of January and June, 1941, by those local authorities in the Counties of Lancashire, Surrey and Yorkshire who are making collections: —

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can give any information in connection with the 300,000 petrol coupons that were stolen from the Department's office at Morden, Surrey, on Thursday last?

Some 43,500 coupons to the value of about 250,000 units of motor fuel were stolen. I am pleased to inform the House that practically the whole of the coupons have been recovered and that an arrest has been made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what number of members of the Women's Land Army have been placed in employment during recent weeks; and whether that employment is temporary or permanent in character?

During the month of May, 1,678 members of the Women's Land Army were placed in employment in England and Wales and, during June, a further 1,801 members. No member of the regular force of the Women's Land Army is placed in employment except on the understanding that the work will be regular throughout the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of members of the Women's Land Army or women unattached thereto who have since the start of the war, learned or been taught how to milk cows; and whether he is satisfied with the measures of extension of this knowledge?

No exact analysis of Women's Land Army trainees is available, but it may be taken that of the 15,000 members of the Land Army now at work, approximately one-half are in employment which includes milking. I am not in a position to give information about women outside the Women's Land Army who may have gained experience in milking since the outbreak of war. If farmers able to provide milking instruction will apply for Women's Land Army volunteers for training sufficiently in advance of their needs, I am satisfied that it should be possible to meet the demand for milkers in full.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the removal of the pro-Nazi book, "Das Neue Deutschland," from the list of those prescribed for the Oxford and Cambridge Higher Certificate for 1942?

Yes, Sir. I am informed that, in deference to the views of the Board of Education, the Oxford and Cambridge Joint Board have decided to withdraw the book in question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds the editor of the "Sheerness Times and Guardian" was refused a list of the successful candidates at the recent open competitive examination for the entry of apprentices for His Majesty's dockyard?

In view of the paramount necessity for paper economy, it was decided to reduce to a minimum the number of copies of this list to be printed, as it is a document of 70–80 pages. Candidates themselves do not receive a copy of it, but only an extract giving details of their own performance. No copies were furnished to any newspapers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in order to lessen the time required for the journey from London to Belfast, via Heysham, which is causing much discontent, he will arrange for the train from Leeds to arrive at Heysham shortly after the train from London, thus obviating a considerable wait there?

I am informed that the intervals between the arrival of the three trains connecting with the boat from Heysham are arranged so as to ensure sufficient time for the completion of the formalities necessary before embarkation, and that it is impracticable to reduce the interval between the arrival of the first train and the sailing of the boat. I am ready to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend, as it is, of course, not in the general public interest or in the particular interest of passengers on these boats to discuss in public the times of sailing.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding facilities for convoy leading signalmen to pass for the rating of convoy yeoman of signals after a suitable period of sea service?

Yes, Sir. It has been decided to provide these facilities as soon as practicable. It is hoped to promulgate details shortly.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production the total revenue of the Air Transport Auxiliary Service in each quarterly or other convenient period for which records are available and the source of that revenue?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to-day in reply to a similar Question on this matter.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what total number of each rank of Air Transport Auxiliary Service employees, as classified on 2nd July, 1941, was on the roll of employees available as pilots, or, if the total number cannot be given, what percentage of the above-mentioned roll was represented by the total of each rank as classified?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the number of pilots employed by the Air Transport Auxiliary. Percentages of the total number of employees holding the ranks classified on the 2nd July, 1941, represented by the total of each rank and the percentages available as pilots are as follows: —Captain, 1.8 per cent., of which 52.5 per cent. are available as pilots.Junior Captain 3.2 per cent., of which 100.0 per cent. are available as pilots.First Officer, 42.5 per cent., of which 90.9 per cent. are available as pilots.Second Officer, 20.6 per cent., of which 73.0 per cent. are available as pilots.Probationary Cadets, 31.9 per cent., of of which 100.0 per cent. are available as pilots.

asked the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the position of immigration into Ceylon of non-Ceylonese labour?

Discussions have been proceeding for some time past between the Governments of India and Ceylon regarding the immigration of Indian labourers into the island. A conference was held at Delhi last November, in which representatives of both Governments took part, but no settlement was reached. There is reason to hope that negotiations may be re-opened in the near future.