asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the overwhelming importance of our export trade during the period of reconstruction and afterwards, it is the intention of the Government to have all our consular representatives abroad make regular reports of local conditions and needs, with a view to helping our industries to find markets all over the world?

Full use will be made of the trade commissioner, the commercial diplomatic and the consular services for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Throgmorton Street Stock Exchange is issuing licences to the public for the purpose of registering members of the public whose livelihood is derived solely or in part by remuneration received by introducing business in Government and other public securities to members of that institution; that the said Stock Exchange is obtaining revenue for such registration; under what statute this is done; and whether the Government are receiving part of such revenue?

I am informed that the Committee of the Stock Exchange, London, have instituted a system of registration for agents on payment of an annual registration fee and have prohibited their members from sharing commission except with agents duly registered. This has not been done under any statute and the Government receive no part of the fee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for workers in industries where their clothing is liable to become especially dirty to purchase other clothing without coupons?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Miss Cazalet).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to Ministry of Works and Buildings, whether he has any further statement to make with regard to fishing in the Royal parks?

It has been decided that, as an experiment, facilities for fishing might be allowed over a short stretch of the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Arrangements are accordingly being made for the amendment of the regulations to give effect to this decision and the revised regulations will be laid before both Houses in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what scope is given in connection with all new housing work to the views of experienced women?

The only work of the nature of housing for which my Noble Friend is responsible is the erection of hostels and quarters for transferred workers, both married and single, and of temporary living accommodation in the neighbourhood of certain towns which are considered to be particularly liable to bombardment. The standards of accommodation have been worked out in consultation with the Departments concerned and the architects of my Ministry are in close touch with those Departments and with the National Service Hostels Corporation on the details of planning. Women are included among the departmental representatives and advisers who have taken part in these discussions and they in turn have had the benefit of advice from bodies such as the Y.M.C.A.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the lack of co-ordination between the air-raid precautions officers and the local authority, at a place of which he has been informed, as manifested in connection with exercises there on 28th July; and whether, in order to prevent any such occurrence elsewhere, as well as for the purposes of better example, he will circularise all authorities with directions on their duty in this matter?

I have no reason to believe there is any lack of co-ordination between the local authority and the A.R.P. Officer (who is one of their officers) at Scunthorpe. The relationship between local authorities and their A.R.P. Officers is, I think, already fully understood and no further circular instructions are necessary.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is any branch of civil defence work which is not in his scheme of injury allowances?

The Civil Defence organisations to which the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme applies are set out in the Schedule to the Scheme, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, together with a copy of the Explanatory Notes on the Schemes, paragraphs 35 and 36, which give certain additional particulars. I am not aware of any organisations which should be added to the existing list.

asked the Minister of Health what use has been made hitherto of the accumulated supplies of transfusion blood; and whether the existing quantities are regarded as adequate?

Considerable numbers of blood transfusions, for which both blood and plasma are required, have been given in dealing with air raid casualties and Service patients, and increasing use is being made of transfusion therapy in hospital practice generally. I am advised that the existing donor panels and their associated blood stores, together with the plasma produced at the processing centres, should provide adequate resources for casualties on a considerably larger scale than was experienced last autumn and winter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of evacuee children now in the country as compared with the total six months ago?

The estimated number of evacuated children now in the reception areas, as compared with the number six months ago, is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to move to issue a writ for the election of a Member for the Wrekin Division of Shropshire in place of the late- Colonel Baldwin-Webb, as the constituency has had no representative in Parliament for nearly 11 months?

The Motion for the issue of a writ to fill the vacancy in the Wrekin Division was agreed to by the House to-day.

asked the Minister without Portfolio what steps he has taken to ascertain what use can be made of the Neath River, and the wharfage on both sides, as a suitable site for new industries and for shipping facilities, as post-war schemes?

The utilisation of ports and their facilities is part of the larger question of industrial location. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on 7th August.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is taking steps to adapt present industries which are now supplying munitions of war to be transferred for useful reconstruction when hostilities cease, to ensure continuity of employment to the workmen; and whether he is preparing a plan to maintain the population in the industrial areas of Glamorgan?

I would refer the hon.. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio to his Question on 7th August.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a firm, the name of which he has been told, which is requisitioned under the Essential Work Order, has only four days' supplies of coal; and will be take immediate steps to ensure the works being able to go on producing goods urgently required?

Steps have been taken to provide adequate supplies of the grade of coal required by this firm, which will enable them to maintain production.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the refusal of medical certificates by some doctors in Wales for miners who have been ill for one day and who need such certificates to secure the payment of the is. per day attendance bonus; and what steps he is taking in the matter?

The general question of furnishing medical certificates has been raised by the British Medical Association and is receiving consideration by the Departments concerned. In view however, of the decision last week regarding payment of the bonus, the question of certificates has ceased to be important in this connection.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries are still without canteens, and whether, as miners are still having inadequate food, he will stimulate, before the winter, the compulsory establishment of a canteen at every colliery of any size?

Out of approximately 1,100 pits employing more than 50 workers each, 255, or 23 per cent, have already started a canteen service and 411, or 37 per cent, are under negotiation, and should be in operation shortly. Provision will then have been made for 78 per cent, of the total number of men employed. Every effort is being made to expedite the establishment of colliery canteens where the miners desire them.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the output of coal produced per man-shift worked, at the present time, in 1939 and in 1936?

It would not be in the public interest to provide all of the figures required, but I will send them to the hon. Member for his own information confidentially.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of man-power in the mines, he is satisfied with the number of mines equipped with mechanical coal-cutting machinery; and what is the number and percentage of those in production at present so equipped compared with two years and 10 years ago?

I am satisfied that mechanical coal-cutters are in use wherever underground conditions are favourable and their use contributes to economy in man-power. In 1930, 37 per cent, of the mines used mechanical cutters, 44 per cent. In 1938 and 47 per cent, in 1940. In 1930, 31 per cent, of coal produced was obtained by mechanical cutters, 59 per cent, in 1938, and 64 per cent, in 1940.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether his Department has made any review of the question of the speed of merchant ships, as recommended by the Select Committee on National Expenditure; and if so, with what result;(2) whether any action has been taken in regard to the recommendation contained in the Twentieth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure that questions of design of new ships should be further investigated; and whether he can make any statement?

These matters are under consideration by the Admiralty and the other Departments concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any investigation has yet been made into the actual cost of building ships; and whether he can give any comparison of present costs with pre-war costs?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 17th June to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough East (Mr. A. Edwards) to a similar Question. The figure of 16 per cent, then quoted may also be taken as applying to the first quarter of 1941.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make known, either in public or Secret Session, to Members of this House, the losses sustained by the Mercantile Marine during the month of July?

As regards publication of the figures, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made on 15th July when the last monthly figures were issued. I will bear in mind his alternative suggestion that the figures should be given in Secret Session should any occasion arise in future when the House is debating matters of this kind in secret.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether string-covered gloves for mine-sweeper crews are still desired; and whether he will make a statement on the subject for the information of those who have hitherto been making them?

In the early days of the war supply of these gloves was much appreciated, but the need for them is now dying out. Leather gloves are now provided for mine-sweeper crews, as these are more suitable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how the egg rationg scheme is now working?

The Ministry's scheme for eggs is not one of rationing but of controlled distribution. A scheme of such magnitude is bound to encounter difficulties in its early stages, but these are being successfully surmounted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether farmers, asked to supply eggs to camps of boys assisting their work of harvesting, will be entitled so to sell them even if they have over 50 hens?

No, Sir. A farmer owning more than 50 head of poultry may sell eggs only to a licensed buyer or a licensed packer. A farmer owning 50 head of poultry or less may sell eggs to the boys' camps.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the waste of imported eggs owing to their bad keeping properties, he will consider using the equivalent shipping space for the importation of feeding-stuffs for our own hens?

While certain consignments of imported eggs, owing to delay in ocean transit, had deteriorated in quality on arrival in the United Kingdom I cannot agree that imported eggs generally have bad keeping properties. In regard to feeding-stuffs the Ministry of Food will continue to import the maximum quantities possible. Even if it were possible to increase the quantities at present being imported it cannot be assumed that the whole or part of any such increase would necessarily be allocated to hens.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has yet completed his inquiries into the alleged excessive price of a lemon substitute, particulars of which were supplied to him by the hon. Member for Leyton, West; whether he can indicate the percentage of price to cost of this article; and whether action has been taken to prevent the further sale of this article at a price out of all reasonable proportion to its cost?

No, Sir. My inquiries into this matter are not yet completed. I will write to my hon. Friend regarding it as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeeper; in Rochester and Chatham from whom the supply of rationed food has been withdrawn owing to their having fewer than 25 registered customers?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeepers in Gillingham from whom the supply of rationed food has been withdrawn owing to their having fewer than 25 registered customers?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeepers in Manchester from whom the supply of rationed food has been withdrawn owing to their having fewer than 25 registered customers?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeepers in Cardiff from whom the supply of rationed food has been withdrawn owing to their having fewer than 25 registered customers?

The number of small shopkeepers from whom the supply of one or more rationed foods has been withdrawn, after consideration of the convenience of the consumers and of the hardship to individual small traders, is: —

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the reasons why, after allocating recently imported lemons to the fresh fruit markets, the Ministry altered its decision at the eleventh hour and diverted the fruit direct to marmalade and soft drink manufacturers, thus by-passing the normal trade channels?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Jackson) on 31st July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why, as sugar is being distributed to schools to make wild fruit into jam, it cannot equally be distributed to families who wish to make jam of the same kind of fruit?

As I pointed out in a reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 31st July, the extra 2lbs. of sugar released in that month for every domestic consumer was intended to be available for making jam from the wild fruit crops as well as from other kinds of fruit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in formulating a policy for importation of eggs, as opposed to a policy for the importation of poultry feeding stuffs, due consideration will be given to the value of manure produced by poultry maintained in this country; and whether, in view of the interest displayed by the Minister of Agriculture in this matter, he will confer with him with a view to securing an increased amount of manure to aid next year's harvest?

The consideration to which my hon. Friend refers has been taken into account in framing all import programmes which cover both food for humans and feeding stuffs for animals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will give a list of foodstuffs which are subsidised by the Government, together with the amount of the subsidy in each case.

The current annual rate of the gross subsidies, computed on the latest available information, including current freight and marine war risk rates but without providing for future contingencies, approximates to £85,000,000, against which are to be set off profits on certain commodities which are not subsidised of about £5,000,000, making a net total of £80,000,000 in subsidies. Of the total of £85,000,000, approximately £50,000,000 represents the subsidy on flour, bread, oatmeal and feeding-stuffs; approximately £23,000,000 represents the subsidy on meat, excluding the pre-war cattle subsidy; and the balance of £12,000,000 represents the subsidy on milk, tea, eggs and potatoes. In addition to the above-mentioned subsidies, the Ministry of Food is incurring on its account the pre-war cattle subsidy of approximately £4,500,000 a year, the beet sugar subsidy of £2,250,000 a year and the cost of the National Milk and other milk schemes of approximately £17,000,000 a year—thus giving a total cost of subsidies in all forms of approximately £109,000,000 per annum (gross), or £;104,000,000 per annum (net).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make any further statement as to whether the rationing of milk is contemplated in the coming winter?

I would refer to the statement which I made on 6th August in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White}.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will reorganise the supply of tea to distributors, and allow tea to be supplied on the basis of the number of registered customers?

This Question is under close consideration at the present time but I am not yet in a position to announce a decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what extent calcium is now being introduced into bread; and whether this fortified bread is on sale at all bakers?

Calcium is not at present being added to bread. The second part of my hon. Friend's Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement on the results of the harvest, especially in relation to the food supply of the nation and the provision of winter feeding-stuffs for animals?

It is too early to make a definite statement on the results of the harvest, which has been retarded by unfavourable weather, but I expect them to show a striking expansion of production. The efforts of the farming community this season will have the dual effect of adding very materially to our supplies of staple foods, whilst guaranteeing a high degree of self-sufficiency in winter feeding-stuffs for animals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many milk-giving cows now exist in this country as compared with the corresponding total at a similar date in 1940?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cows drawn from dairy herds have been slaughtered since 1st June last?

Statistics of the livestock population and slaughterings of fatstock are not being made public at the present time. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friends that the Government is fully alive to the need for maintaining the numbers of good milking cows; and the present position in, this respect is regarded as satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has. any record of the amount of whole milk disposed of weekly in feeding calves; and whether, as such fattening of calves is a purely luxury trade, it is intended to continue it?

The statistics for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks are not available. With regard to the second part of the Question, in certain remoter areas the fattening of calves may be regarded as a useful part of farming practice. I agree generally, however, with the sentiments expressed in the Question, and prices for veal calves have remained unchanged since the beginning of 1940 at a level designed to discourage veal production where the milk could more economically be sold for human consumption or the calves should be retained for rearing. Arrangements have been made for the issue of special calf foods in order to release liquid milk for human consumption or manufacture.

asked the Minister of Information why a pacifist publication, published by the America First Committee under the auspices of Lindbergh and his friends, was passed by the censor, examiner 4124, for circulation in this country; and will these things be stopped in future?

There is no general prohibition on the import of publications of a pacifist character. Individual intercepts of this kind are dealt with on their merits, and unless the competent authorities consider that a particular pamphlet contains anything to which exception can be taken, it is released. No departure from this policy is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Health why no cost-of-living bonus has been granted to registrars of births and deaths: whether any application for such a bonus has been made to the Registrar-General: and whether his decision as to any such application is final or subject to review by the Treasury?

The Registrar-General is not the paymaster of registrars of births and deaths who, if salaried, receive from the local authority a salary determined by an approved statutory scheme. So far as the Registrar-General is aware, the local authorities concerned have usually applied to salaried registrars any bonus awarded by them to their own officers. Non-salaried registrars derive their remuneration from various statutory fees received from the public, the local authority and the Exchequer for specific items of their services. The usual war bonus arrangements are not, therefore, applicable to their case; but they have at all times the right of opting for the salaried basis.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in his assessment of the reasonable cost of the funeral expenses of a victim of enemy action at £7 10s., he has ascertained the views of undertakers as well as those of local authorities?

The grant of £7 10s. is considered to be a reasonable contribution by the State, especially as in all these cases a public funeral can be provided without expense to the relatives.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider empowering his Statutory Advisory Committee to meet regularly and not merely on official invitation?

Whilst maintaining the statutory position that meetings of my Central Advisory Committee are called when I need their advice, I am making arrangements to ensure that the intervals between meetings are not unduly long.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions and/or allowances are being paid in respect of civilian casualties caused by accidents to our own aeroplanes?

The information is, I regret, not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he will follow the example of Ministers during and after the last war, and make public the rates of pensions to be paid for permanent specific injuries arising from the present war;(2)whether, in assessing the compensation to be paid to women who suffer amputations as a result of the present war, he will take into account the added obviousness of the disability by comparison with men, discomfort in wearing artificial limb attachments, wear and tear of clothing, loss of amenities of life, damaged prospects of matrimony, and the severe handicap in the domestic sphere; and whether he will state the proportion of the award of 9s. 8d. per week paid as compensation for the loss of a leg and the foregoing items?(3) the names and qualifications of members of the committee of experts which recently considered the scales of pensions to be paid for permanent specific injuries resulting from the present war; whether all of the committee's recommended amendments have been adopted; and who is responsible for the award of 9s. 8d. per week pension to women who suffer amputation of leg below knee with stump exceeding six inches, seeing that an award of £1 per week was paid to 1914-18 war pensioners with exactly the same disability?

It is not intended to publish generally the assessments for specific injuries, which are given not as an absolute direction but for the guidance of medical officers appointed or recognised for the purpose of reporting on claims to war disablement pensions. Assessment of disablement is by comparison with a normal healthy person of the same age and sex and takes into account all effects of the disabling condition. It would be inappropriate to assess an exactly similar amputation differently in the case of a woman than in the case of a man. In the main the assessments now are, in general, the same as those in the TQ19 Warrant. In certain cases they are higher and in others lower. Assessments for amputation through the leg below the knee, with a stump exceeding four inches, are normally 40 per cent, as against 50 per cent, shown in the Schedule to the 1919 Warrant. The reason is that the advance in surgery and in the design and fitting of artificial limbs has been such that as a rule an assessment of 50 per cent, is no longer justified in these cases. There is no case of an amputation to which an award of £I a week would attach in Great War cases where the New War award would be 9s. 8d. a week. The Royal Warrant of 1919 from which the rate of £I a week is taken made no provision for women. The expert committee which considered the normal assessments for permanent specific injuries was composed of eminent independent surgeons and officers of my Department. I do not regard it as appropriate to give the names of those who advised me on this matter.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will alter the regulations under which the General Medical Council was constituted, so that the method of appointment of members should be by ballot of practising medical practitioners?

The constitution of the General Medical Council is laid down by statute and could be altered only by legislation for which, so far as I am aware, there is no general desire.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of advisory committees appointed to function in connection with the war effort and the Departments which they serve or have served?

The information which the hon. Member requires is not readily available and I regret that it could only be collected at a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the arrangements for making available to the appropriate officers of all Ministries technical information which has come into the possession of another Ministry are unsatisfactory; and whether he will investigate the advisability of setting up some central clearing house or some central intelligence or reference station where all technical and scientific information available to Government Departments will be pooled, and to which Government Departments will apply when needing such information not readily available to them?

The answer to the first part of the Question in the negative. Effective arrangements exist for the interchange between Departments of information on technical and scientific matters. As at present advised, I do not consider that any new central machinery is needed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT sold during each week of June, July and August, 1940 and 1941, respectively?

The figures for 1941 are not yet available and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would repeat his Question in a fortnight's time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the Exchequer in issuing transfer deeds free to the public for the period 1st April, 1939, to 31st March, 1941, and of the concession to Stock Exchange firms under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, and the amendment of 1931 for the same period, and from September, 1920, to 31st March, 1941; the extent to which each Stock Exchange has taken advantage of that privilege; the aggregate totals involved; and whether the members of the Association of Stock and Share Dealers are given the privileges of the amendment of 1931?

The cost of the transfer forms issued free to the public from 1st April, 1939, to 31st March, 1941, was approximately £435. The following table shows (a) for each Stock Exchange the effect over the same period of the operation of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, as amended by the Finance Act, 10,31, and (b) the aggregate total from the 1st September, 1920, when that Section

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts of the annual grants for the maintenance of the Welsh National Museum for each of the last five financial years; and whether the grant still continues and at what rate?

The amounts of the grants in aid of the expenses of the National Museum of Wales for each of the last five financial years were as follow:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is co-operating with the Colonial Office to organise War Weapons Weeks in the different Colonies

The circular despatch which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies addressed to Colonial Governments on 5th June last and which has since been published as a White Paper, emphasises the need for great propaganda drives in the Colonies for investment in War Savings schemes. The means of carrying out this policy has, of course, been left to the discretion of individual Colonial Governments, but the National Savings Committee has already advised many Colonies in the organisation of savings campaigns, and arrangements are now being made for specimens of the Committee's propaganda and literature to be sent as they are published to all Colonial Governments for their information.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the circumstances in which workers can be called upon by Employment Exchanges to transfer their labour?

Under Regulation 58A of the Defence (General) Regulations, National Service Officers, acting on my behalf, may direct any persons to perform such services in the United Kingdom as they are capable of performing. The circumstances in which these powers are exercised vary but, in general, they are used to ensure that work of urgent national importance requiring to be done is supplied with the requisite labour and that the services of persons with special skill are properly utilised in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in the case of a 10 or 12 hours' day shift for women, he can state the views of his Ministry regarding the hours of food; and whether it is recommended that some solid food should be supplied at tea-time or only a cup of tea, as is now often the case?

Intervals for meals or rest are legally determined by reference to the length of the spell of work rather than the length of the working day. For example, women may often work two five-hour spells with a 10-minute rest pause in each, and an interval of at least half-an-hour between the spells. Where the afternoon spell is longer, a tea interval of at least half-an-hour would normally be required. I am advised that tea with food is generally available at factory canteens during a full tea interval, but that the practice in regard to sending tea round to the workers during rest pauses varies. If my hon. and learned Friend has any special case in mind and will send me particulars I shall be glad to have it looked into.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been called to a meeting of workers engaged in aircraft production in the Northwest, held on Saturday, 16th August, in a town notified to him, at which speakers employed in the factory, of which he has been informed, complained of idleness among men and machines due to inefficient management, etc.; and can he assure the House that the allegations made will be speedily investigated with a view to securing the maximum output from the workers?

It is inevitable when a factory is changing over from the production of one type of aircraft to another that a period will occur during which a percentage of the workpeople becomes temporarily redundant. This is the present position at the factory in question, but I can assure my hon. Friend that, prior to the meeting of workers to which he refers, arrangements had been made by this Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and National Service, for the release of all such redundant workpeople for immediate re-employment elsewhere. Releases of this kind have been made and are still continuing.

asked the Minister of Labour what method is being employed to register persons, who have a conscientious objection to military service, who decline to register themselves?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Sub-section (7) of Section 5 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939. The power conferred by. this Sub-section of the Act has been exercised whenever there has been evidence to justify it.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the status of the professional officers and heads of departments of the Welsh National Museum under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations; whether any changes have been made in respect of any, or all, of them; and, if so, what since the schedule was first determined?

It was decided in July, 1940, that the rules applicable to civil servants under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations should be applied to the staff of the Welsh National Museum. Last February the position of museum staffs generally was further considered and reservation was withdrawn except in the case of persons engaged in occupations such as scientific work for which an age of reservation is specifically provided.

asked the Minister of Health whether the doctors on the panel of the National Health Insurance Scheme are. to receive an increased panel payment rate; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

Yes, Sir. From January next the doctors under the National Health Insurance Act will receive a capitation fee of 9s. 9d. instead of 9s. 0d. per insured person.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing legislation to enlarge the obligation of local authorities to admit the Press to committees when such committees consist of the whole number of members of the authority; and whether he is aware of the need of such action to stimulate high quality in local administration?

I do not think that in general the standard of local administration is adversely affected by the existing provisions and I do not contemplate the introduction of amending legislation on the lines suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, in view of the patching up of houses in the East End to provide temporary accommodation, he will express to the local authorities concerned the inadvisability of effecting any permanent repairs, in the expectation that at the end of the war the existing structures will be replaced by others more modern and appropriate?

I have been asked to reply. Before carrying out permanent repairs under the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, as amended by the Repair of War Damage Act, 1941, local authorities must obtain my consent in each case. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that such consent would not be forthcoming as regards houses of the type to which he refers and I would draw his attention to the last sentence of paragraph 7 of Circular 1810 of 18th August, 1939, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of black-listed schools there is in Wales, giving each county separately; what steps he is taking to abolish all such schools and is he preparing a plan to improve the accommodation, better light, better ventilation, plentiful supply of water for all school purposes, better sanitation, more open spaces for recreation, provision for school feeding; what action he is taking to provide nursery schools; is he considering holiday camps for elementary secondary schoolchildren; and is he aware that a large number of schools in Wales are in a deplorable state and much out of date?

Of the 268 schools in Wales and Monmouthshire which were included in the black list issued in 1925, 89 remain on the list. I am sending to the hon. Member a statement showing the number of such schools in the area of each local education authority. I am aware that a large number of schools in addition to these must be regarded as unsatisfactory, judged by modern standards. Before the outbreak of war the Board were pressing steadily for the improvement or replacement of black list schools in Wales, and definite proposals were under consideration in many cases. Since then only comparatively small improvements of an exceptionally urgent character have been practicable, and the need for restricting building operations not immediately necessary for the prosecution of the war renders it impossible for the present to make further substantial progress. For the same reason the immediate provision of additional nursery schools and holiday camps is also impracticable. But my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is pressing local authorities to provide wartime nurseries for children under five. The Board have urged local education authorities to provide free meals for all under-nourished necessitous schoolchildren and to expand greatly their provision of meals for payment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking with regard to the recent refusal of the Grampian Electricity Supply Company to supply electricity to a number of Army sites in the Highland areas on the grounds that they cannot do so until the Glen Affric Order has been approved, in view of the fact that the Glen Affric Supply Scheme will not be started until after the war?

A recent application by the military authorities for two small supplies of electricity was temporarily declined by the company on the ground that the power available from their existing sources of supply had been fully absorbed. Arrangements were subsequently made by the company with the Central Electricity Board for an additional supply to be made available from other sources to meet urgent war requirements, and I understand that it will now be possible to satisfy the existing needs of the War Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers whose wives have been caught in enemy occupied territory, namely, the Channel Islands, have had their marriage allowance stopped; and whether he will arrange to return their marriage allowance to them to be kept in a suspense account until they are reunited?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) on 25th February last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that officers of a unit, of which private information has been given, have been issued with one poker, one shovel and an inventory board per room, there being often more than one officer per room, and because of this issue the officers' field allowance which, in the case of subalterns, is 2s. a day, has been withdrawn; and whether he will take prompt steps to stop this reduction of about £3 a month from their pay in view of the difficulty subaltern officers have in budgeting when the margin of their pay is so small;

There has been no decision to withdraw field allowance from officers in this country who are entitled to it under the regulations. The qualifying condition for field allowance is that an officer occupies accommodation not equipped in excess of the scale laid down for officers' tents in standing camps. In effect, if any articles at all are provided, the regulations do not allow the issue of field allowance. It is recognised that anomalies arise in connection with the issue of the allowance. Indeed, as the allowance was primarily intended to meet peace-time conditions, its issue at all in time of war is to a large extent an anomaly. But repeated examinations of the question have suggested that any attempt to remove existing anomalies might result in further anomalies or in depriving many officers of the whole or part of the allowance which they now receive. I have, however, called for a report on the particular case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now consider granting free travel facilities to men in the forces whenever they are allowed leave to visit their homes?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 18th June; last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether British soldiers of foreign parentage and who possess special qualifications are now eligible for commissions in the Intelligence Service?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of French troops in Syria at the date of the armistice; the number who have decided to join the Free French forces; and how many of the latter are Colonials?

At the time of the signing of the Convention the strength of the Vichy French Forces was approximately 27,000, not counting casualties and prisoners. Over 12,900 have joined the Free French Forces. I regret that for security reasons I cannot give the detailed figures by categories.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are taken to secure and protect the personal effects of those who become casualties in the Royal Air Force?

The duty of safeguarding the personal effects of officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force who lose their lives is entrusted to committees of adjustment appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Regimental Debts Act 1893. In this country, the effects are held at the R.A.F. central depository until they can be sent to the person legally entitled to receive them. In commands overseas, the effects are normally retained at the unit until the question of disposal has been settled. The procedure for personnel reported prisoners of war is similar. As regards airmen admitted to hospital, the regulations provide for the safe custody of any personal property not required in hospital. The personal effects of officers admitted to hospital are safeguarded under arrangements made by the units to which they belong. My hon. Friend will wish to know that the working of this procedure has recently been reviewed and certain improvements have been made.