asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make regarding the recent attacks upon the "Gneisenau" and "Scharnhorst''; and whether these ships have received any damage as the result of recent operations?

I am unable to add to what has already been published on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the effectiveness of "The big and beautiful bombs of the boys in the back room" or is it necessary for more powerful explosives to be used against ships of this kind?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the same general arrangements, with military honours, are provided in Germany for British airmen killed over enemy territory as are given in the case of German airmen killed over British territory?

Yes, Sir. Our information is that full military honours are generally accorded.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production, what is the annual cost of the Air Transport Auxiliary Force and what duties it performs?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the annual cost of the Air Transport Auxiliary. The function of the Auxiliary is to ferry Royal Air Force and Royal Naval aircraft from the makers in the United Kingdom to storage and operational units.

Would it not be possible to get British pilots to carry out this work? Is the organisation under military law? Could it not be brought under the Royal Air Force?

As to the first Question, we discussed it by Question and answer last week. It is under military law, and the Royal Air Force are too busy.

What is the nature of the arrangement by which this organisation submits its expenditure to the Air Ministry, by whom is that expenditure checked or audited, and upon what actual Vote in the Air Ministry does it appear?

I must ask for notice of that Question.

Should we not be very grateful to American subjects who are prepared to sacrifice themselves in the service of this country?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what is the salary paid per week to American subjects employed in the Air Transport Auxiliary Force; and how does it compare with the salary paid to British pilots in the same force?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 2nd July to-the hon. Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Garro Jones) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air.

Is it fair that these American subjects in the Air Transport Auxiliary should be paid at so much a higher rate than other American subjects who risk their lives in the Eagle squadrons?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production upon what conditions and financial terms are Air Transport Auxiliary Service pilots given advanced training at Royal Air Force flying schools?

The Air Transport Auxiliary have their own flying training school, but on a few occasions Air Transport Auxiliary pilots have been given conversion courses on new types of aircraft at Royal Air Force flying schools. The cost falls on public funds in any event and, in accordance with the war-time rules governing inter-departmental adjustments, no payment is made to the Air Ministry from the Vote of my Department.

If facilities are available for the training of civil pilots, why does not this organisation recruit that large number of pilots who received a little less than 50 hours prior to the closing down of the Civil Flying School?

That is where we get our English pilots from—those who have done about 50 hours' flying. The reason why the Air Force come into the question is that we have not very many of the new types to get our pilots accustomed to them, and they certainly should get accustomed to them if they go over for a short time to the Air Force.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman has not quite got my point. Is he aware that pilots who have done less than 50 hours have had no opportunity of completing their training to bring them within the recruiting regulations?

They will soon be wanted.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what powers his area representatives have to ensure that all available men and plant in their areas, engaged in aircraft production, are kept fully employed?

The area representatives of my Ministry are charged with the responsibility inter alia of remedying impediments to the full utilisation of capacity in the aircraft factories in their areas. When remedial action is beyond local resources, the matter is reported to headquarters.

Is every effort made by the area representatives to preserve units of industry so that they shall not be split up, as this lack of work is not due to any fault of employers or employees?

Yes, I quite agree.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many candidates were examined under the Naval Cadet Scholarship Scheme in June last; and whether the examination results are available?

The number of candidates for scholarships at the recent Dartmouth entry examination was 344. It is intended that no distinction should be made between cadets entered by scholarships and those entered in the ordinary way. Consequently it will not be possible to publish a separate list of scholarship results. All cadets entered will be shown in one list in alphabetical order. This list will not be available for another week or two after the interviews and medical examinations have been completed. Scholarship candidates whose results in the written examination were such as to preclude any hope of their being in the final list have already been informed of their non-success.

Is the Admiralty satisfied that the scheme is working well, and why would it not be possible to show those who have entered under the scheme apart from those who have come in in the ordinary way? Otherwise we cannot tell if it is working properly.

It is too early yet to pass judgment on the scheme. We are deliberately not differentiating between those who come in under scholarships and those who come in the ordinary way. The Admiralty consider it desirable to treat all Dartmouth cadets alike.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to mitigate the hardships occasionally caused to officers and ratings when, through an error that is no fault of theirs, pay in excess of what is due has been credited to them, a maximum percentage deduction may be brought into force instead of a total stoppage of pay now prevailing while the debt is cleared off?

I think my honourable and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. The Regulations provide that when a debt is to be recovered from a rating, recovery shall be made by instalments. Though there is no regulation about officers, the rate of recovery would be a matter of arrangement and there would not be a complete stoppage of pay.

Will my hon. Friend recognise that the natural tendency of a paymaster is to make the maximum possible stoppage, for fear that the officer or rating may become a casualty before the debt is paid off, and will he therefore ensure that the percentage deduction to work off arrears is kept as low as possible?

It is the policy to keep deductions as low as possible. My information is that in no case does a complete stoppage of pay ever take place. If my right hon. and gallant Friend has a case in mind I will look into it.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in view of the fact that much of the labour in the United States of America bases in the West Indies is not organised, and that local wage levels are below those of reasonable subsistence, he will advise the respective Governors to encourage the payment of higher wages than those so prevailing?

As was stated in my Reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 2nd July, the rates paid by the United States authorities are based upon the rates prevailing for comparable work in the Colonies in which the work is being carried out. In the event of the Governors being of the opinion that the rates paid generally are unreasonably low by reason of the rise in the cost of living or other cause, it will be possible in nearly every case for them to deal with the situation by prescribing minimum rates, in the event of agreement for higher rates not being reached between the employers in the Colony and the workers or the workers' unions.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that since the outbreak of war wages in the sugar industry in Jamaica have been increased by 30 per cent, and the average hours of work are 20 per week, and that wages have increased in Trinidad and other islands?

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a general feeling among those who are studying the problem of wage conditions in the Colonies that the Colonial Office is very shy in insisting on better conditions for the under-paid?

I do not know that my hon. Friend is justified in making that assertion. The Governors in some of the Colonies are taking up with the American authorities the question of increasing wages even beyond the rates paid generally throughout the Colonies.

What is the 30 per cent, increase based on? Is it 6d. a day?

I cannot say that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information as to the working of the Coffee Control Board in Kenya and the general situation of East African coffee growers; and what steps have been taken to assist African coffee growers in Uganda and Tanganyika?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Are the Government bearing in mind Lord Lloyd's statement that this is one of the black spots in the Empire?

I do not think my hon. Friend will be dissatisfied with the Reply when he sees it.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information about the present position of the property of the Abyssinian Church in Jerusalem?

I have no recent information on this subject, but I am asking the High Commissioner for a report.

Was this property at any time administered by the Italians?

Is my hon. Friend aware that this question has been raised many times in the House and that there has been great delay in returning this property to its rightful owners?

As my hon. Friend is aware, there has been a change in circumstances recently.

Not recently, but a long time ago.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of complaints being made in Nigeria respecting the effect of the high rate of railway freights in holding up internal trade in foodstuffs; and whether he will secure a reduction in the rates of foodstuffs, particularly in view of the general improvement of the railway position?

I am not aware of the complaints to which my hon. Friend refers; but inquiry will be made of the Governor, and on receipt of his reply I will communicate with my hon. Friend again. In the meantime, perhaps my hon. Friend will let me know on what information his Question is based?

If my hon. Friend discovers that the difficulty to which I refer exists, will he take steps to secure a reduction in the freight charges?

We must await the information from the Governor before I can commit myself.

In making his inquiry will the Minister take into account the possibility of competing road haulage rates?

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the report made in the Johore State Council that an acute scarcity of essential foodstuffs now existed and that large areas of land were derelict; that the production of rice as a staple product has fallen drastically during the last decade owing to the lack of proper drainage and irrigation; whether the schemes of water-control being formulated, as stated in the Economic Survey, are likely to be carried into effect; and whether the peasants are being assisted in regard both to land reclamation and an adequate food supply?

My Noble Friend has not received a copy of the report mentioned, but he has no information of any acute scarcity of essential foodstuffs in Johore. The Government of Johore, like other Administrations in Malaya, is energetically developing its existing and potential "padi" areas, in order to grow more food and reduce the extent to which Malaya has depended in the past on imported supplies of rice. The State Government is carrying through a development scheme, which is estimated to cost 2,500,000 dollars, and it is the policy in Johore, as in the other Malay States, to develop settlement in new "padi" areas opened by fresh irrigation works. Arrangements have been made in Malaya to ensure the maintenance of food supplies.

Do I understand that my hon. Friend is making inquiries with regard to the supply of rice in particular in Johore?

We are awaiting a report, but we are carrying out the work as suggested by my hon. Friend in his Question.

When is that report likely to be received?

I cannot say.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, whether he is aware of the Inconvenience caused to soldiers on train journeys when they travel with equipment on leave; and will he consider making provision for them to place it in a luggage van adapted specially for that purpose?

Main line trains are already made up to their full capacity, and further vehicles cannot be added. I am therefore afraid that we are unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Is there nothing that the Minister can suggest to get over this difficulty? Should not some attempt be made to make travelling more comfortable for the soldier?

I think the difficulty is due to the fact that if a soldier is carrying his pack and rifle, he rather likes to keep an eye on them in the train.

He is not so keen on them as that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that certain works, of which he has been informed, are in difficulties from the slow transport of steel from the docks; and whether he can hold out any hope that certain facilities, of which he has been informed, will be available in the near future.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the delay being caused, at a place of which he has been informed, owing to a loco motive turntable having been out of repair since 9th June, 1941; whether he will investigate whether it is due to the lack of the necessary material; and. whether he will take steps to have the matter rectified in order to avoid delay in traffic and un necessary use of fuel.

I understand that delay in the repair of the turntable in question is due to difficulty in obtaining a certain casting. I am having further inquiries made and am seeing what can be done to expedite the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when the proposed erection of the new railway halt at Treforest, Glamorganshire, will be commenced.

Very shortly, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the in convenience caused to workers travelling home from work by the congestion caused by crowds of people leaving the grey hound racing-track at Harringay; whether he will consult with the Home Secretary with a view to arrangements being made for dog-racing to be held earlier in the day; and will he arrange for additional transport facilities to be provided.

I have made inquiries and am assured that no serious inconvenience is caused to homeward-bound workers by Harringay racegoers. The hours of racing are fixed in consultation with the transport authorities so as to avoid overlap with the rush-hour traffic.

Will the Minister have special investigations made, as I regret to say from my experience that the Answer is not in accordance with the facts?

Before answering my hon. Friend I had special inquiries made. The first race is at 7.30 in the evening, and the track is cleared at 10 p.m. These times do not as a rule conflict with the going home of the workers.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether dog racing is necessary for the national effort?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what final instructions he gave to the railway companies with regard to traffic during the last week-end period?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why it was necessary to run so many additional trains during the August Bank Holiday period, having regard to the Government's appeal to the public not to travel, and the imperative need of reducing coal consumption to the minimum consistent with the war effort; and whether, on future occasions, he will take care that appeals not to travel are reinforced by absence of abnormal travel facilities?

The railway companies were instructed that in accordance with the policy with regard to holidays generally no special facilities for travel should be provided and no extra trains should be run apart from those required to dispose of the overflow which could not be accommodated by the regular services. Despite the appeal not to travel, the number of passengers arriving at the stations was far in excess of the capacity of the scheduled train services and relief trains were necessary to remove the crowds of waiting passengers who had already paid their fares. My hon. Friends will, however, be glad to hear that over the period as a whole there has been no hold-up of essential goods traffic.

Has not the Minister any power to deal with a situation of this sort? If the railway companies are prevented by some legal difficulty from refusing to carry passengers, would it not have been possible for the Minister to relieve them of that difficulty, especially in view of the previous announcement that no additional trains would be run over the Bank-Holiday period?

We certainly have the power. We could direct that no passenger trains at all be run on Bank Holiday or on the Saturday, but in fact, although we did not want an extra number of people to travel, there were sufficient trains to take them away. There may not be in the winter months. While some of these people can get a holiday without interfering with essential railway traffic, it would be right to allow trains to run and to allow people to take a holiday which many of them thoroughly deserve.

Why was it previously announced that no additional trains would be run?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many additional passenger trains were run between 1st August and 4th August inclusive; what was the estimated amount of additional coal consumed; and to what extent was goods traffic impeded?

It will take some little time to collect the desired information, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I have obtained it.

How can my right hon. and gallant Friend reconcile the waste of coal, which everyone knows took place, with the Government's appeal to the miners to increase their efforts to produce coal and to the public to economise in the use of it?

I do not think we can stop all passenger trains because of a certain shortage of coal. I should be interested to know how many Members of this House travelled during the Bank Holiday week-end.

Why were the newspapers full of advertisements from the railway companies urging people to take advantage of special facilities to go on holidays at the time when they contained appeals from the Government to the public not to travel?

There was only one such announcement in the newspapers, and when our attention was drawn to it we found that it had got in by error, and we stopped it.

asked the Minister of Information what steps are being taken, by way of propaganda, to enlist the active sympathy of the Finnish Social Democrats for the war against Nazi Germany?

My right hon. Friend regrets that it is not in the public interest to discuss methods of propaganda to Finland.

Are we to understand that no special arrangements are being made for special broadcasts to Finnish Social Democrats, Liberals, peasants and others who are deeply attached to their own democracy and many of whom must realise the danger and the wickedness of the course on which their Government has now embarked?

For the reason given in my Answer, I regret to say that I am unable to add anything to it.

asked the Minister of Information whether he has yet received a reply from His Majesty's Ambassador to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with regard to the suggestion that arrangements should be made for British war news to be issued in Russian by the Press Department of the British Embassy in Moscow on similar lines to the news bulletins issued in English by the Press Department of the Soviet Embassy in London.

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador has decided not to issue such bulletins at present.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider means whereby our public may become informed on the struggle which the Chinese people are carrying on by means of documentary films?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any suitable films exist at present, and there are serious difficulties in the way of getting them made, but if the hon. Member has any suggestions to make regarding this matter, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider them.

Will my hon. Friend consider consulting the representatives of the Chinese Government to see whether something on these lines is not practicable?

That suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that letters sent by Pacific and Atlantic air mail bearing the Calcutta postmark 7th April, were delivered in Newcastle-upon- Tyne on 10th July, and also letters from India dated 18th and 24th April, were delivered here on 24th July; and whether these delays can now be materially reduced?

As regards the first part of the Question, the trans-Pacific air service and trans-Atlantic air service to Lisbon are operated by an American company, and in the case of outward letters to India by this route the transit time has varied from 20 to 31 days. The arrangements for the despatch of mails from India to this country are the responsibility of the Indian Postal Administration; but if the hon. Member will let me have the covers of the letters to which he refers I will have inquiry made as to the cause of the abnormal delay. As regards the second part, the letters referred to appear to have beten ordinary letters despatched in surface mails which took rather longer than usual in transit. The hon. Member will appreciate the difficulties of the sea transport of mails in present conditions, and I am afraid I can see no prospect of any immediate improvement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position further to state the results of his investigations into the dispatch and delivery of mails and telegrams for civilians and for the Forces in the Middle East; and will he explain the division of responsibility between the Services and his department?

Yes, Sir. As regards the mail services to His Majesty's Forces in the Middle East, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Reply given on 8th of July to my hon. Friend the Member for Abertillery (Mr. Daggar). The outward Airgraph service is expected to be started very shortly. I regret that owing to the very limited aircraft accommodation available, it has not so far been possible to give, in the case of civilians in the Middle East, the same air mail facilities as those afforded in the case of His Majesty's Forces. My right hon. Friend is, however, examining in collaboration with the other Government Departments concerned, the possibility of making the Airgraph Service available to and from civilians in the Middle East. Letters for His Majesty's Forces in the Middle East are transferred to the Army Post Office in this country and the despatching arrangements are made in close collaboration with my Department and the other Departments concerned. The responsibility for the civil mails rests with my Department up to arrival in the country of destination where they are taken over by the civil Post Office of the country concerned.

Telegrams to civilians in countries in the Middle East area must be addressed in the normal way to a telegraph office in the country of destination. The telegrams are transmitted by the system of Cable and Wireless Limited to the country of destination where they are delivered either by the local telegraph company or by the civil telegraph administration of the country concerned. Telegrams addressed to members of the Middle East Force are transmitted by the system of Cable and Wireless Limited from this country to the Base, where they are handed over to the Army postal authorities who are then responsible, as in the cage of correspondence, for forwarding them to the addressees.

Will the Minister see that there is no waste of coal in giving these facilities to civilians?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings (1) how many hostels it is proposed to erect similar in design to a hostel attached to a certain Royal Ordnance factory; how many have been erected; and how many are in the course of erection;

Only three hostels of the type referred to have been built, and no more are contemplated. An improved design was developed some months ago in collaboration with the Departments concerned, and I am glad to learn that this action anticipated the results of the inspection referred to by my hon. Friend.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, I would like to ask whether there is full consultation with all kinds of people who have knowledge which would assist in the designing of these hostels?

The Departments are consulted, including the War Office, the Admiralty and the Ministry of Health.

But is the Minister satisfied that those Departments have practical knowledge of the conditions under which women like to live in hostels?

In view of the inferior designs of the three original hostels, is the charge to remain the same?

There are two types of hostels, the one a temporary hostel and the other a more permanent type, and therefore they cannot all be of one design.

asked the Attorney-General what reply he has sent to the request of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce to support the Solicitors' Bill, so that the public may be as soon as possible protected by legislation against frauds by solicitors?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Reply I gave on 30th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall). I replied to the Association on the same lines.

May we know what those lines are?

My hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln was informed that the Law Society were in touch with certain Members of this House who have put a Motion on the Order Paper, and that it was hoped that as a result of consultations the Bill would be able to proceed as an agreed Measure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what remedy is open to a retailer under the Egg Rationing Scheme whose customers find the eggs sold to them unusable?

If the retailer is satisfied that the eggs sold to a consumer are unusable he should supply others in their place, and in his turn claim a replacement from his wholesale supplier, who receives from the Ministry's agents an allowance to meet such claims.

May I ask whether the retailers are aware of this? I have had a complaint from my constituency that in the case of one family five eggs were bad and the retailer thought he had no redress.

I shall be glad to make inquiries into that case, but circulars on this subject have been sent to all the officers in the areas.

Do the wholesalers have to bear the loss?

No, they get an allowance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether in the interests of economy of time and transport, he will authorise producer-retailers of eggs to hold back the appropriate rations of their customers before dispatching their eggs to the packing stations?

No, Sir, there is no fixed ration for eggs. The number to be made available for each registered customer can be calculated only after deliveries at packing stations are known. In order that the producer-retailer may obtain the full producer price, it is necessary- that his eggs should pass through a packing station for grading and stamping.

Is it not a fact that the Ministry know approximately each week the number of eggs they will obtain, and is not this '' general post '' of eggs highly unsatisfactory, in view of the difficulty of transport and the fact that, by this system of collecting eggs from farms and taking almost an equal quantity back, you are utilising a vast quantity of transport, which is scarcely tolerable in the present circumstances?

I do not think it is right to say that an equal number of eggs goes back to the farm with what is taken off, because that is hardly possible; but I can assure hon. Members that everything that can be done to reduce transport is done. Distribution is, as much as possible, confined to the areas of collection.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that many married women are now in Government employ, he will make arrangements for them to do their shopping without having to stand in queues; has his attention been called to a system adopted in the Slough district, where shopping cards of different colours for different days are being issued, and shops kept open at special hours for women who hold these cards; and whether he will consider adopting a similar plan throughout the country?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 8th July, it has been decided wherever possible and practicable to improve distributive methods by an extension of rationing or otherwise. When these improvements have been effected queues for practically all foodstuffs should cease so far as they are due to local shortages. In the meantime the local officers of the Ministry of Food and Ministry of Labour have been instructed to do what is possible in consultation with local trade organisations to assist married women workers to do their shopping, whether on the lines now in experimental operation in certain shops in Slough or otherwise, as may best suit local conditions.

In view of the wonderful national work done by these women, many of them married, why cannot my right hon. and gallant Friend take some really effective action to see that they get their weekly rations in good time?

As I pointed out to my hon. Friend in my answer, the most effective means would be to have a better system of distribution, and, as I have told the House, I am very hopeful that it will shortly be in operation.

But are not queues the fairest way of doing it? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] If you do not have queues, you will have scrambles, which will be worse.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, on 6th December, 1939, in reply to a Question whether some of the barley devoted to brewing would be devoted to feeding stuffs for animals, the Ministry of Agriculture promised to give consideration to the matter; that on 18th January, 1941, a further answer stated that the matter was under discussion with representatives of the brewing industry; and, as 18 months has now elapsed, what actual reduction has been made in the supply of barley to brewers?

In view of the Government's decision that the output of beer should be permitted up to 100 per cent. of the output in the year ended 30th September, 1939, no reduction in the amount of barley used for brewing has been feasible. Purchases by brewers and maltsters have, however, been strictly controlled to the quantities necessary to meet the current requirements. It is estimated that, by restricting to a minimum the stocks ordinarily carried by the industry from one season to another, between 150,000 and 200,000 tons of cereals have been diverted to animal feeding-stuffs during the cereal year 1940–41.

Are we to understand from the answer of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that it is the policy of the Ministry that, whatever else may go short, brewing must not?

I do not think that conclusion can be drawn from my. answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of his promise to supply rationed foods to miners' canteens, he will also pro vide rationed foods to canteens used by workers in the heavy industries where the canteens are provided at the order of the Minister of Labour?

Canteens provided at the order of the Minister of Labour are registered as catering establishments under the rationing Regulations, and are already entitled to supplies of rationed foods.

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend seen the correspondence about some of the canteens on the Tyneside, and is he aware that continually saying that everything is satisfactory is not always true?

That is true about many things. I have not seen the correspondence, but I can assure my hon. Friend that if any question relating to a canteen is brought to my notice, I will look into it. I have not had any such question brought to my notice so far.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend ask for the correspondence, because there must be volumes of it in the Ministry of Food relating to the canteens on the Tyneside? Will he also consult the Ministry of Labour to see whether they are satisfied that his own Department has supplied the necessary foodstuffs?

Up to date, I believe, food has been supplied in more cases than have the canteens.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement respecting the licensing of food traders?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether any decision has now been reached with regard to the licensing of dealers in foodstuffs and the prohibition of trading therein without licence;

Traders in all the principal foodstuffs have been required from the outbreak of war to be licensed by a food control committee before they may sell by retail. This policy is being continued, and will be extended where necessary to any foodstuff of which the price is or may become controlled by Order. It has also been the policy of the Ministry since the beginning of the war to require traders to obtain a licence to trade by wholesale, whenever it appeared that this course was desirable in order to secure adequate control over distribution of any foodstuff. It has now been decided that in the absence of special circumstances this procedure shall be applied to all foodstuffs of which the prices are or may become controlled by Order.

As a general rule, licences to deal in any commodity, whether retail or wholesale, have been granted only to traders who dealt in that particular commodity before the war, and, save in exceptional circumstances, it is intended to continue this policy. It would not, however, be practicable to make this an absolute rule. There are cases in which, in the interests of consumers, exceptions are desirable. Since the outbreak of war it has not been the practice to revoke to any considerable extent licences which have been issued to traders in foodstuffs. It has, however, now been decided that further steps must be taken to ensure that the provisions of maximum price and rationing Orders are obeyed. Practically all important foodstuffs, with the exception of certain perishable and luxury articles, are the subject of price control and, with a view to ensuring that the provisions of all Orders will be carried out, my Noble Friend has decided that in future the licence shall be withdrawn from any trader, whether wholesaler or retailer, who is guilty of conduct which renders him an unsuitable link in the chain of distribution. This will come into operation as from 15th August.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his answer and for the very big advance which his Department has made, may I ask whether he can give us an assurance that only legitimate traders in foodstuffs will be licensed?

Yes, Sir, certainly, but, as I pointed out in my answer, sometimes there are cases in which the interests of the consumer cut across such distinctions; but this will be the only exception.

In view of the fact that unchecked gate-crashing in the food markets has been responsible for much rise in prices, may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend, while assuring him that we all welcome the advance, whether he will give more consideration in future to representations that are made in these matters, and will bear in mind that these suggestions have been made to his Department for 12 months?

My hon. and gallant Friend is not always well informed on these matters. We have always taken a very serious view of recommendations sent forward to us. I am sure that if he will go back over the past 12 months during which he says nothing has been done, he will find steady progress.

On a point of Order. Arising out of the Minister's remarks, in which he said I am not well informed—

That is not a point of Order.

rose—

In the terms of the new Order, will the Minister impose the penalties to which he referred upon a retailer who by-passes the market, and upon any wholesaler or retailer who commits offences such as were mentioned?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, of Food whether he is aware that shopkeepers are finding it difficult to supply workmen's hostels recently set up by the Ministry of Labour in addition to their regular customers with unrationed foodstuffs; and whether he will consider supplying such hostels with their requirements direct from his Department as in the case of British restaurants?

I am aware that, in certain cases, difficulties have been experienced by some new establishments catering for workers, including British Restaurants, in obtaining supplies of unrationed foods. The whole question of the better distribution of unrationed foodstuffs is receiving careful consideration.

Will the Minister bear in mind the difficulty of providing hostels with a sufficient supply of foodstuffs?

I appreciate the difficulty in regard to all these unrationed commodities, and we are taking special steps, apart from the examination of the bigger question. Instructions have been given which will make distribution easier.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that the hostels can be supplied by his Ministry? How are the British Restaurants supplied?

They are not supplied direct by the Ministry, but through the ordinary trade channels.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why stocks of meat in cold storage, in a town he knows of, were sent by rail and/or road to cold stores in a distant port, with the result that meat arriving there a few days later by ocean steamship could not be accommodated, and the stocks brought in by rail and/or road were re turned whence they came?

The incident to which my hon. Friend refers was very unusual. The ocean steamship in question had to be diverted at very short notice, for reasons beyond the control of my Department. If it had been possible to learn of this in good time, the necessary arrangements at the cold store could have been made, and the incident referred to would not have arisen.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the owners of the steamship and the cold storage company were both aware of the situation?

I take it that they would be aware of the diversion after it had been ordered. The point is to know before the diversion has been ordered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why unnecessary risks are taken by his Department in hot weather in transferring cargoes of frozen produce from ports of entry to other towns when cold storage space is available at the ports?

Several considerations have to be taken into account, such as expected future arrivals and space available at the port and the need for dispersal for security reasons. I can assure my hon. Friend that no unnecessary risks of the kind to which he refers have been taken by my Department.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that 7,000 tons of vacant cold storage space was available, and, as the weather was very hot at the time, was it not most unwise, having regard to the scarcity of food, to transport it at all?

My hon. Friend must remember my difficulties in replying to questions about details. I do not think there was all that spare space at the particular time of arrival, but I would rather not try to deal with details.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why frozen meat arriving in a town he knows of by rail and road in soft condition, was discharged into non- refrigerated barges and allowed to remain out of cold storage for several days; and why much, if not all, of this meat was not sent direct by rail and road to cold store, thus saving much-needed food brought from overseas?