asked the Minister of Labour whether the committee set up under the chairmanship of Sir William Beveridge, to examine the employment of skilled men in the Forces, has yet reported; and, if so, whetehr he will acquaint the House with the nature of that report.

The Committee have made an interim report, which will be published without delay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to assist medical boards in testing men for service in the Army, he will request approved societies to supply the boards with the medical history of each case so as to avoid as far as possible passing those whose medical history makes it obvious that they are physically incapable of making efficient soldiers?

The investigation of previous medical history forms an important part of the medical examination, which includes careful questioning on this matter by the examining doctors. In addition, every man is informed, when called for medical examination, that the medical board will be prepared to give careful consideration to medical evidence regarding any serious illnesses or disabilities from which he has suffered, and he is also asked to complete a questionnaire designed to elicit information as to certain aspects of his previous medical history. I have given careful consideration to the hon. Member's suggestion, but I am advised that it would not supplement the informa- tion already obtained to an extent sufficient to counterbalance the administrative difficulties in the way of its adoption.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that most men cannot give facts about previous illnesses, and if a man was asked to secure his medical history from his approved society, that would surely be very helpful if he presented it to the medical board?

Having administered an approved society, I would not place too much reliance on the medical history that such societies possess.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that recruits suffering from mental trouble are reluctant to give facts as to past illnesses, and therefore men subject to psychological disturbance are accepted who have eventually to be discharged?

The percentage of people who have had to be discharged is very low. I feel sure that, owing to the care taken in admitting people to the Army, the results have been better than in any previous experience though there have been mistakes, as there must inevitably be when such large numbers have been called up.

Will my right hon. Friend remember that many men hide defects from which they suffer?

The Question asks whether I can get the facts from an approved society, and, quite seriously, I say that, having administered an approved society, the medical evidence in their possession would be no great guide.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken by the Medical Boards, Armed Forces Act, to prevent men with tendencies to tuberculosis being recruited into the Forces; and whether it is proposed to improve the system of examination, in view of the number of men discharged from the Forces on account of tuberculosis?

Arrangements have been made for notification to the medical boards of particulars of every man of military age whose name appears on the tuberculosis register kept under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1930 In addition, every man examined is asked to state whether he has ever suffered from tuberculosis or received treatment for tuberculosis or suspected tuberculosis, and careful attention is given to any medical certificates which may be produced. It is generally recognised that incipient or latent pulmonary tuberculosis cannot usually be diagnosed by ordinary clinical examination, but where-over there is reason to suspect tuberculosis the board refers the man for radiological or other special examination ay the tuberculosis officer of the local authority of the area in which he lives. A suggestion that the chest of every recruit should be radiologically examined was fully considered last year by the Medical Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Horder, and the Committee decided that its adoption was impracticable.

While appreciating my right hon. Friend's reply, may I ask him whether he will give serious consideration to the representations which, I believe, have been made by the authority in Wales responsible for sanitorium treatment, who express grave concern at the increasing number of men coming back from the Armed Forces and going to them for treatment?

I will study the report and, if it is necessary, refer it to Lord Horder's Committee.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the approved societies have a much fuller medical record of these cases?

I do not think so, because these cases are compulsorily notifiable.

Will my right hon. Friend say why, if it is practicable to X-ray every recruit in America, it is impracticable in this country?

It was found to be impracticable, and I understand that it is a question of equipment and of the requisite personnel to examine the results. That supply is not forthcoming. It was not found practicable at that time to examine every person radiologically.

asked the Minister of Labour how many war emergency nurseries he has recommended for establishment; and how many are now in working order?

By the end of May, 1941, 157 war-time nurseries had been recommended by my officers. Since that date responsibility for reviewing the need for nurseries, for the children both of evacuated mothers and of those in employment, has been placed upon the maternity and child welfare authorities, to whom my officers give the necessary information direct as to the needs of industry. There are at present 40 whole-time and 104 part-time nurseries open, 27 whole-time and 19 part-time are approved and shortly to open, and others are in preparation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the need is really met by part-time nurseries? Is he satisfied with the whole position?

I am not satisfied with part-time arrangements, but it is sometimes the best you can do in war circumstances.

This Question, which affects about 10 Departments of State and was addressed to the Prime Minister, has been transferred to the Ministry of Labour.

The Government announced in May their view that a week's holiday should in general be taken this year but that special facilities for travel cannot be made available.

Were the trains which were run last Saturday put on because the crowds turned up or because the Railway Executive had arranged for them in advance?

That is a question that must be addressed to the Minister of War Transport.

asked the Minister of Labour how many canteens he has ordered to be established; how many have been built and equipped; and how many have been provided with rationed foods?

Legal directions, under my orders, have been given for canteens at about 150 factories, including shipyards, and 25 building sites, and notices have been served on 10 dock authorities to secure improved facilities. Most canteens at such places have been or are being established voluntarily, and, therefore, the foregoing figures are no index to the number of canteens in existence. New canteens have lately been completed and opened at an estimated rate of about 100 a month. So far as I am aware, they are all supplied with rationed' foods.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the position as regards the speeding-up of the building of canteens and the food?

No, Sir, but we are improving the position as to dealing with the question of priorities for supplies of equipment for canteens by centralising the authority, which I think will speed up the supply of equipment.

Is the right hon, Gentleman satisfied that the standard of cooking is kept up in these canteens?

Yes, I am satisfied that attention is given to the standard of cooking. I have seen sample menus, and the Ministry has been advised by good experts and canteen people who have been helping me in the development of the canteens.

Cannot you get good advice from a good housewife?

asked the Minister of Labour whether persons following certain occupations can now be called upon by officers of Employment Exchanges to transfer their labour under penalty to occupations selected for them by those officers; and, if so, under what legal authority is this done?

Yes, Sir. Under Regulation 58A of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, the Minister of Labour and National Service or any National Service officer duly appointed by him may direct any person in the United Kingdom to perform any service in the United Kingdom which the Minister considers him capable of performing.

May we take it, therefore, that we have now reached the stage of industrial conscription?

The powers conferred upon the Minister were carried by the House unanimously.

Is there any safeguard that a person shall not be transferred to an employment at a rate of wages lower than he was receiving before?

No, Sir. The House unanimously agreed that transfers to other work should carry work at the rate for the new job.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the position of girls of calling-up age who have entered employment in civilian occupations to release men for more urgent services; and whether they will be regarded as reserved or not?

Whilst I recognise that special consideration must be given to cases where a woman has been taken on and trained specifically to replace a man released for more urgent services, it is not possible to give an unqualified assurance that such women will not be asked to transfer if within the registered age groups. If her domestic circumstances render her free to take employment wherever her services are required, she may be asked to transfer if suitable arrangements can be made for her to be replaced by an older woman.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that shops and industries not engaged in war production are finding the position very difficult in view of the calling up of men and women, and will he endeavour to ease the position as far as possible?

I have given definite instructions to exercise care. I would ask those engaged in those trades to pay special attention at this stage of the manpower problem, to the employment of elder women in order that younger women nay be released for transfer to other work f necessary, sometimes in other areas.

Are we to understand that, f arrangements. cannot be made to substitute older women, they will not be transferred?

I cannot give that assurance. The urgency of war production must be the guiding principle.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the scheme of lodging allowances for transferred industrial workers does not apply to non-industrial workers who take up temporary appointments in the Civil Service away from home; and whether he will adjust this anomaly?

The scheme of lodging allowances for workers transferred away from home to work of national importance is designed to assist in moving workers required for industrial work and does' not apply to members of the Civil Service, whose remuneration is a matter for my, right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there should be this distinction, and that allowances should be given in one case and not in the other?

I do not think I should be called upon to say whether I am satisfied with anything. I can only give the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the sole reason why the appointment to a confidential post under his Department of a lady, of whose name he has been informed, a British subject of British parentage, and the widow of a British subject who served as an officer in the Army throughout the last war, was cancelled, was, as stated to her, that she and her late husband had devoted much of their times and resources in recent years to aiding and befriending refugees from Nazi oppression; and whether he will reconsider this decision?

The post in question is of a highly confidential character, and I should not feel justified in interfering with the discretion of the Regional Commissioner in the selection of candidates for it.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this lady and her friends feel that a slur is cast in this way on their loyalty, or at any rate their discretion, and can he do anything to relieve that feeling?

There is no slur cast at all. The Regional Commissioner came to the conclusion in the light of their associations, which were neither criminal nor offensive, that it would not be wise to let this lady have this post. The only point is whether I should intervene and require him to appoint her, but I think that would be going too far, and I do not think I ought to do it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the lady another appointment?

I do not think there is any obligation on me to do anything of the kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is merely an instance of a prevalent tendency which is working great injustice and that it casts a slur on the suitability of the Regional Commissioner to deal with appointments? Will the right hon. Gentleman take this serious charge more seriously?

I am taking it perfectly seriously, and I venture to say that putting questions in the House does not improve the situation. It is hardly wise to complain about any reflection if the maximum publicity is invited. There is no reflection on the lady, but this is a highly confidential post, and if the Regional Commissioner in his discretion does not think it wise, on reflection, to appoint a particular person to the post, I do not think, on reflection and after consideration, that I ought to intervene.

asked the Home Secretary under what conditions air-raid precautions workers are allowed free railway passes for holidays; whether the grant is retrospective; and whether this privilege will apply to a town, the name of which has been communicated to him?

A circular was issued to local authorities at the beginning of July authorising in areas which have suffered heavy air raids, the payment of one third-class return railway fare in a year, without limitation as to length of journey, to whole-time members of the Civil Defence services to enable them to go on holiday. The areas to which this concession applies have been notified by the Regional Commissioners to the authorities concerned. The town mentioned to me by my hon. and gallant Friend is included in the scheme. The provision for the payment of holiday fares became operative as from 1st June last, and the local authorities to whose areas the scheme applies are at liberty to refund the amount expended on travelling by whole-time members of the Civil Defence services who went on holiday on or after 1st June and did not have their holiday fares paid at the time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that full time wardens in Stepney are being employed in shops, etc., during their periods of duty; and whether he will have inquiries made into these cases?

I understand that proceedings have recently been taken by the Stepney A.R.P. Controller against one whole-time warden who is alleged to have been absent during his hours of duty for the purpose of attending to his own business. The proceedings stand adjourned until to-morrow. Inquiries are being pursued in another case, but the Stepney authorities are satisfied that these cases are quite exceptional.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that efficient supervision is exer- cised over the wardens' service in Stepney, and does he not think that inquiries ought to be made into the working of that system?

I think that the organisation of Civil Defence in Stepney is much better than it was a year ago.

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Home Secretary whether, when agreement was reached with the Dominions of Canada and Australia to receive deported aliens, the Dominions were assured that they would be asked to accept only dangerous enemy aliens; whether, as in fact the great majority of those deported were refugees from Nazi or Fascist oppression, he has authorised the release of many such on these grounds; and whether, as agreement was reached on the basis of mistaken facts, he will endeavour to negotiate a new agreement more in accord with the true facts?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The circumstances in which His Majesty's Government sent to Canada and Australia internees who could not be classed as dangerous enemy aliens were explained to the Governments of these Dominions a year ago. The categories of eligibility for release from internment apply to internees sent to Australia and Canada in like manner as they apply to internees in this country. As regards the numbers whose release I have authorised I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 31st July.

Does not my right hon. Friend recall that he himself has repeatedly stated in the House that the Australian Government were assured that the deportees sent there would be dangerous enemy aliens and those alone?

I do not recall that, but if my hon. Friend says I have said it, I accept his word for it. In any case, that has nothing to do with the point, because the facts are as stated in my Answer.

If, in fact, it is the case that my right hon. Friend has said so, we must assume, I suppose, that it is a fact; and if it is a fact, is it not also true —

rose—

On a point of Order. If I am not to be allowed to put my Supplementary Question, I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

The hon. Gentleman was not putting a proper Supplementary Question; he was raising an argument.

I was putting a perfectly proper Supplementary Question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the severe financial obligation which will be placed on scheme-making authorities by the operation of the provisions of Circular 157; and whether he will favourably consider the representations which have been made to him that equipment and uniform for Civil Defence workers should be a national charge?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make upon the communication addressed to him by the County Councils' Association, indicating the concern of county councils at the heavy expenditure which will devolve upon local rates, in respect of the issue of battle-dress and equipment to the civil defence personnel; and is he aware that in the county of Middlesex the charge upon the county rate will involve an addition of approximately£83,000, exceeding a Id. rate?

The majority of the equipment for Civil Defence services, including anti-gas clothing, is provided at the cost of the Exchequer, but the provision of uniform has always been a matter for the local authorities with the aid of grant, and I can find no sufficient reason for varying this arrangement. A reply is being sent to the County Councils' Association in this sense.

Will my right hon. Friend give this more reflection and greater consideration, because it will be a heavy burden on the local rates for what should be a national charge?

I gave this matter careful and full consideration and reflection before I answered the Question, and, indeed, at the time I made the decision. I really think that the financial arrangements with the local authorities are not ungenerous. In the case of uniforms, in which economical administration is so desirable, it is not unreasonable that the authorities should bear the small part of the expenditure we now call upon them to bear.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why, if the Civil Defence personnel are ordered to wear battle dress, they should be placed in any different position from the Armed Forces of the Crown?

Because they are not Armed Forces of the Crown. They are part of the Civil Defence organisation, as to which long negotiations took place with the local authorities. A settlement was reached, and in that settlement uniforms remained a grant-aided service.

Is it not a fact that he who calls the tune should pay the piper?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of difficulties respecting air-raid precautions workers desiring to visit relatives in Northern Ireland; and whether he will arrange that air-raid precautions personnel on leave shall have the same facilities for visiting Northern Ireland as those afforded Service men on leave?

Air-raid precautions workers are eligible for the grant of exit permits to enable them to visit their homes in Northern Ireland once in any period of six months, and I regret that I should not feel justified in according them preferential treatment over other classes of civilian war workers, so far as travel between this country and Ireland is concerned.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman consider extending the facilities for these workers to visit at least near relatives in Northern Ireland?

That Question had better be put down. I was answering the particular point mentioned in the original Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending the facilities for these workers and placing them at least in the same position as members of the Armed Forces?

I have done so, and, as I need not assure my hon. Friend, I am very sympathetic towards their cases; but the soldier goes because he holds a leave pass, and therefore the matter is much simpler in his case. Other circumstances arise in the case of Civil Defence workers, and if I gave this concession, I should find it very difficult to resist concessions to other war workers in the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will avert the disintegration of fire services in rural areas by arranging for the calling-up of part-time Auxiliary Fire Service men to be deferred until the reorganisation of fire brigade services is completed?

In view of the general man-power situation, I would not feel justified in pressing for further deferment of the calling-up of part-time members of the Auxiliary Fire Service who have already registered. The review of the man-power requirements of the Fire Service, including those of rural areas, is, however, being pressed forward as rapidly as possible, and I hope that it will be possible to meet the essential requirements of rural areas by means of part-time personnel in reserved occupations or over military age, supplemented, where necessary, by the posting of additional personnel on a whole-time basis.

asked the Home Secretary what extra powers have now been given to Regional Commissioners by the recent circular?

As local authorities were informed by the Circular to which my hon. Friend refers, it is proposed to delegate to Regional Commissioners the powers exercisable by a competent authority under the new paragraph (IA) which has been added to Defence Regulation 54B. This paragraph enables a competent authority to give instructions of a specific kind to local authorities. Such instructions may deal, for example, with any of the matters on which a local authority has to take action after a heavy air raid, and the instructions may require local authorities to take measures which lie outside the scope of their ordinary Civil Defence services.

Will my right hon. Friend consider putting copies of these more important circulars in the Vote Office?

Yes, Sir, I will give consideration to that point in the case of circulars that would be likely to be of interest to hon. Members, if not putting them in the Vote Office depositing them in the Library, so that hon. Members can ask the Department for a copy if they wish to have one.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a resolution from the board of directors of the Methil Co-operative Society, representing over 4,000 members, calling for the lifting of the ban upon the "Daily Worker"; and what reply has been sent to the board?

I have received the resolution to which an acknowledgment has been sent.

I want to ask the Minister whether it is not the case that it is infantile stubbornness and pathetic political prejudice that are preventing the ban being lifted from the "Daily Worker"?

The hon. Member must not use that language in a Supplementary Question. He would not be allowed to put it on the Order Paper and the same rules apply to Supplementary Questions.

Does not the Minister think that the time is now opportune for him to act in a generous fashion in this matter, and withdraw the ban upon the "Daily Worker," because the atmosphere is completely changed since the ban was imposed?

rose—

On a point of Order. I have put a question which is relevant to the original Question, and I desire an answer.

I do not think hon. Members realise that there are 128 Questions on the Order Paper to-day.

I attend here regularly, and this is the only Supplementary Question which I have put this week, and surely—[Laughter.] The hon. Member would not laugh is he were up against this. He makes the point when it suits him.

I wish to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter throughout the country during the Recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet decided to apply the Civil Defence Compulsory Enrolment Order to all urban areas to which the Business Premises Order has been applied; and when will the Order come into effect?

Yes, Sir. Compulsory enrolment will be applied in the case of all local authorities, the whole of whose area has been prescribed under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order; and the necessary measures will be taken as soon as possible.

Is my right hon. Friend able to say when the Order will come into effect?

No, Sir. I could not say that, because it is a question of organising the necessary machinery and making preparations, but it will be as soon as I can do it.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to remove doubts in the public mind, he will make a further statement regarding the extortion by touting agents of exorbitant fees from interned aliens, and indicating that in a proper case it may be advantageous for an alien, if he so desires, to seek the ad vice of a reputable solicitor for the purpose of preparing his application for release from internment?

:Yes, Sir. The persons to whose activities I referred in my previous statement are mostly what may be conveniently described as touting agents and are neither practising solicitors nor employed by solicitors. I stated that the majority of solicitors are acting quite properly and that, so far as the Home Office is concerned, no objection can be taken to solicitors acting for aliens in proper cases and charging reasonable fees. The point which I was anxious to make clear is that no preferential treatment is secured from the Home Office by applications made through solicitors or agents over applications made directly by the aliens themselves.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now received the report of the Regional Commissioner on the dismissal of a section leader from the Cambridge air-raid precautions service?

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he is likely to receive this report?

I have not asked for a report. I have made inquiries, but I have not asked for a report. The view I took in the House last week was that this was a local dispute which ought to be settled locally. The Regional Commissioner has seen the parties, I believe, and has done what he could in the matter, and I do not think it is a dispute of such a character that it needs the personal intervention of a Minister to settle it.

Surely my right hon. Friend will remember that he did say that he would ask the Regional Commissioner to examine this matter, and surely the Regional Commissioner will report to him?

He may or may not; it is not obligatory that he should, because I should think that this is hardly a matter which ought to bother us.

asked the Home Secretary how the rations of internees compare with ordinary civilian rations?

In no case do internees receive more than the ordinary civilian population. I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of the dietary scale at present in operation in the camps.

Has the Minister any statistics as to the average loss or gain in weight of internees, as compared with ordinary citizens?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is delay in rendering accounts to London parents for their share of the cost of billeting their children removed to the country; that, in one recent case, a mother who had frequently asked for an account was not given one until the contribution demanded had reached£ 10; and whether he will give an assurance that such delays, which cause worry to the parents and losses to the Treasury, will not recur?

Recoveries in respect of the cost of billeting of their children are made from parents by the county authority of the area from which they were evacuated. I am not aware of any substantial delay in such recoveries, but I am making inquiries of the London County Council about the case mentioned by my hon. Friend and I will let him know the result as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education what action is being taken by his Department with regard to juvenile delinquency among children of school age?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Circular No. 1554, which has been recently issued, and which deals with this subject.

Does the Minister realise that the main incidence of this so-called crime is above the age of 13, and will he stress the educational, as against the Home Office, aspect of the matter?

That point is covered in the joint circular.

Will the Department deal with what is more important, indictable crimes committed by youths between the ages of 17 and 25, with which matter the Home Office does not deal?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will arrange for schools in rural districts, and especially schools attended by evacuees from towns, to give instruction upon the importance of respect for growing crops and of closing gates?

A leaflet prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture on the prevention of damage to growing crops has just been sent by the Board to local education authorities with a request that they will assist in making its contents known to schoolchildren throughout the country. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that wherever wages are raised to the male agricultural worker, women permanently engaged in agriculture will also receive an appropriate increase?

Under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Acts, 1924 and 1940, the responsibility for fixing the minimum rates of wages for workers employed in agriculture rests with the county agricultural wages committees, subject, in the case of regular adult male workers, to conformity with the national minimum wage fixed for such workers by the Agricultural Wages Board. In fixing the minimum rates of wages for other classes of workers, including women, it is the duty of agricultural wages committees to have regard to the national minimum wage for men.

Will it ever be the intention of the Department to do the right thing by women employed on permanent agricultural work? Is not the Minister aware that the present situation is entirely unsatisfactory and needs remedying?

My information is, taking the country as a whole, that the percentage increase in the wages of women is approximately the same as the percentage increase in the wages of men. The wage increase of men is 28 per cent. and of women 24 per cent.

Surely the Minister is aware that the wages in both cases are absolutely shocking?

Is the Minister not aware that 20 per cent. of £1 is very much less than 20 per cent. of £2?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the granting of rations for dairy cows in the coming winter, any consideration will be taken of smallholders under 10 acres whose facilities for growing their own feeding-stuffs are meagre?

Rations for dairy farmers, including the class to which the hon. Member refers, will normally be provided only in respect of milk sold in excess of half-gallon per cow per day. Where the county war agricultural executive committee are satisfied that a farmer has been unable to grow enough feeding-stuffs to provide both for maintenance and for the first half-gallon, they may at their discretion issue full rations in respect of all milk sold. Where, however, farmers cannot provide even maintenance rations for their cows, they will be expected either to make arrangements to buy unrationed feeding-stuffs, such as hay, or to reduce the number of their cows.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether farmers who have wheat saleable for milling will be eligible to receive a cereal ration in proportion to their wheat sold, irrespective of the amount of oats and beans which they have also grown on their land?

County war agricultural executive committees will be given an atllotment of coupons to be issued at their discretion to wheat growers who are in need of feeding-stuffs for stock other than dairy cows, whose needs are otherwise provided for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many farmers planted large acreages of wheat last autumn, before they knew that it would be requisitioned for human food, and that therefore in many cases they have not got a sufficient acreage of other crops, and will it be borne in mind that that is the case of a good many farmers?

Wheat is grown for human consumption, and that was made quite clear on numerous occasions last autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether steps will be taken to make available for farm work in this country the large number of Italian prisoners of war now in various places overseas?

The first 2,000 Italian prisoners of war for employment on the land have now arrived in this country and will shortly be distributed to working camps. Further parties are expected to arrive during the next few months. These prisoners will be employed mainly on ditching, drainage and land reclamation. The total number that can be made available depends of course upon a number of factors which fall outside the scope of my Department.

Is there any possibility of their being employed individually on the farms?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the instances in Worcestershire of crops being ploughed in because of lack of labour, he will confer with the War Office and the Ministry of Labour with a view to restoring skilled labour from the Home Forces to the land?

I am not aware of any cases where crops have been ploughed in for lack of labour, and I shall be glad to have particulars. As regards the release of skilled labour from the Forces, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 15th May and to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir Herbert Williams) on 12th June.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that from the national standpoint it is sheer folly to plough in crops on land which has been ploughed at such great sacrifice by the farmers, and if I give him abundant evidence that it has taken place in Worcestershire, will he really take this matter very seriously?

I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to ensure that the acreage of sugar-beet is not decreased owing to the lack of skilled labour, especially having regard to the high cost per acre of employing unskilled labour and conscientious objectors, as owing to their lack of knowledge they perform far less work for every I paid than the skilled worker?

I have instructed county war agricultural executive committees that the acreage of sugar-beet to be planted in 194a is to be sufficient to fill the manufacturing capacity of the factories.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many steeplechase racehorse geldings there are in training; and what quantity of hay and oats it requires to keep them for one year?

Training for steeple-chasing normally starts towards the end of August. Until the Government decides whether steeplechasing is to be continued next winter, I am unable to say how many geldings will be put into training for this form of horse-racing. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Does the Minister not realise that though geldings have to be raced during the winter, the trouble is that they have to be fed and kept now; while fodder for the production of milk and eggs has been rationed and herds have been reduced, is it not criminal that it should be used for these animals?

As I have already pointed out, training for steeplechasing does not start until the end of the month, and a decision as to whether horses should be put in training for steeplechasing has yet to be taken by the Government. The total of oats or other cereals consumed by the geldings would be about 750 tons during the whole season. It is a mere fleabite.

Is the Minister not aware that that is sufficient to keep alive 12,000 hens?

In view of the number of Questions still on the Order Paper, I shall be glad if my right hon. Friend will circulate the answers to these Questions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information in connection with the charge against a man at Wonford petty sessions, Devon, on Tuesday, 29th July, for not burying the carcase of a lamb at Broad-clyst, Devon, on 2nd July; whether he is aware of the danger of burying in the ground bad meat and offal; and whether he will give instructions to have all bad meat and offal burned?

I have ascertained that the prosecution was taken by the police under Section 6 of the Dogs Act, 1906, which makes it an offence to permit the carcase of any cattle, horse, sheep, pig, etc., to remain unburied in any field to which dogs can gain access. The carcase which was found to be lying close to a hedge adjoining the public road must have been there for several days in view of its advanced stage of decomposition, and as other sheep had access to the place where the carcase was found, there would have been considerable risk, had the animal died from an infectious disease. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am advised that, provided burial is carried out in a proper manner and in a suitable place, no danger to animal health will ensue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that. it was discovered 60 years ago that it was dangerous to bury diseased meat, and as a result it was decided to burn it, I myself having burned many tons of it?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has decided the dates between which pheasants may be shot?

The matter is under consideration, but no decision has yet been reached.

Will my right hon. Friend consider allowing a longer season for cocks than for hens, in view of the fact that there is always a surplus of cocks?

I have said that the matter is under consideration.