asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many fire-watchers have expressed their resentment at being required to patrol their areas when there is no alert; and whether, in view of past satisfactory arrangements for fire-watching without this stipulation, he will make it clear that, provided fire-watchers are at hand and ready to patrol if necessary during an alert, patrol at other times is not imperative?

My right hon. Friend fully agrees that unnecessary patrolling by fire guards is to be deprecated. Local authorities have already been informed that except when the alert has been sounded it is, in general, sufficient during the black-out period if the fire guards, whose turn it is to be on watch, are awake, dressed, and ready to take up their duties.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of public misgivings and resentment respecting the facility with which air-raid precautions officers, central control officers and high municipal officers change their employment whilst ordinary members of the Civil Defence Service and municipal employees cannot do so; and whether he has taken or will take any action to allay this feeling and deal with the grievance?

The need to maintain the strength of vital civil defence services made it necessary to provide by Orders made under Defence (General) Regulation 29B that whole-time paid members of these services should continue in their employment until their services were dispensed with by the appropriate authority. In many cases it would not be in the interests of efficient local government administration and the most effective use of the experienced staffs available to impose general restrictions on the inter-authority transfer of local government officers engaged in administrative and executive duties.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent magisterial strictures on demolition workers, any inquiries as to character or antecedents are made by the authorities responsible for employing them?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the men engaged by local authorities and contractors for the work of debris clearance in the London Civil Defence Region. The men engaged were recruited through the usual machinery of the employment exchanges and special inquiries were not considered necessary. The fact that one or two men out of the large organisation have been brought before the magistrates should not be allowed to create a false impression of the excellent work and conduct of the men as a whole.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether some more effective system than now exists can be evolved for dealing with costermongers who sell controlled fruit at more than the controlled price and who get away before any complaint can be lodged with the local food office?

Yes, Sir. Owing to the peculiar nature of this trade, special patrols of inspectors are being instituted in those areas in which costermongers are in the habit of trading.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many dairy farmers find the prices fixed for liquid milk insufficient to meet increased costs of production; and whether he will issue a statement of account to show how these prices have been arrived at?

The price for liquid milk payable to producers during each of the twelve months from April, 1941, to March, 1942, inclusive, provides for a guaranteed increase over the price per gallon received by producers in the corresponding month of the milk contract year October, 1938-Septembor, 1939, inclusive. The increases were considered sufficient to cover the increased costs of production and to provide, in addition, an incentive to producers to maintain the maximum output during the winter period when milk is most needed. They were fixed by my Noble Friend after consultation with the Agricultural Departments and with the Milk Marketing Boards and National Farmers' Unions. It was agreed that if at the end of the summer or the winter six months' period the producers claimed, through the agency of the Milk Marketing Boards and the National Farmers' Union, that the average increase in costs of production in the respective period of six months over the costs in the corresponding period of the basic year 1938–39, exceeded the average increase in producers' returns as compared with the same basic period, prices for the half- year in question would be reviewed and any necessary retrospective adjustment made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the confusion and dissatisfaction caused by the difference between the regional price and the price received by the farmer for milk; and whether steps can be taken to fix a national price for milk at the farm and abolish the regional prices?

Yes, Sir; I am aware that there has been some confusion on this subject. The price received by the milk producer is guaranteed by His Majesty's Government and no longer bears any relation to the regional price. A full explanation of the present system of price fixing has been supplied to every milk producer in the July issue of the official organ of the Milk Marketing Board. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the approximate number of food parcels which have come into this country in the last three months; and whether he will consider diverting the shipping space so occupied to better use in the national interest?

I have no record of the number of food parcels received in this country during the last three months but in order to conserve shipping space for more essential purposes further restrictions were introduced in respect of gifts of food despatched from abroad to this country after 28th June. Foodstuffs may now only be received as gifts by individuals in this country provided they are sent direct by parcel post, do not exceed 5 lbs. gross weight or contain more than 2 lbs. of any one foodstuff. Moreover such parcels may not be solicited or received at frequent intervals. Having regard to the recent restriction it is not considered that further curtailment of these facilities is desirable at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will, in conjunction, with the Government of Northern Ireland, fix the price of potatoes grown in that part of the United Kingdom at the same figure as the price paid for potatoes raised in Great Britain?

Growers' prices of potatoes for next season are now being considered in consultation with the agricultural interests and Departments concerned. I am not yet in a position to reply to my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements are being made to provide increased supplies of unrationed foodstuffs, including, particularly, canned foods and sugar and fats for confectionery, to towns such as those to which his attention has been drawn, which have to cater for considerably increased numbers of resident workers as well as large numbers of workers who sleep the night in these towns but are not registered there?

The Ministry have made representations to National Manufacturers and Distributors of foodstuffs to adjust distribution of unrationed foodstuffs, many of which are neither owned nor controlled by the Ministry, in accordance with population movement as disclosed by registrations for the current ration book. It is, however, not possible to permit the consumer to be registered in two areas at the same time. Workers should therefore purchase unrationed food in the area in which they are registered for rationed food and take it with them to the dormitory area, so that they do not draw upon the supplies available for the resident population. The Ministry are unable to provide increased supplies of canned foods, but an all-round increase of 10 per cent, has been made in the basic allowance of sugar and fats to cake and flour confectionery manufacturers. As from 22nd September next the allocation of sugar and fats for this purpose will be adjusted in full conformity with the movement of population.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the proposal to add calcium to the fortified loaf has been abandoned in view of his announcement that the white loaf now issued does not contain that addition; and when the addition of synthetic vitamin B I will be made?

The proposal to add calcium to white flour has not been abandoned. The fortification of white flour with vitamin B I has already begun in certain mills supplying the South Wales area, and will shortly be extended to other districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how it is proposed to distribute the two lbs. of onions per person in the coming winter; and whether adequate steps have been taken to preserve perishable food of this kind prior to distributing?

The National Vegetable Marketing Company has arranged for the home-grown onion crop and imported supplies of onions to be distributed through the normal channels of trade in accordance with their reservation scheme as and when supplies become available. The Company will also arrange for accommodation to be provided where storage is necessary prior to distribution.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the rationing of onions, people will be expected to take the onions when the retailer insists, or whether they will be allowed to purchase them when they need them?

Consumers will be asked to take up their total reservation as soon as the retailer has received his supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when he expects to have used up all the imported eggs of which complaint is being made; and whether, in the case of further consignments from Canada, some better provision will be made for proper refrigeration?

The balance of imported eggs to be sold by the Ministry of Food as cooking eggs will probably have been disposed of before the end of September. Every precaution is being taken to ensure that eggs coming from all sources abroad are so shipped as to arrive in sound condition.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Llewellyn Roberts, 4, Dickenson Yard, Westhoughton, Lancashire, 36 years of age, an ex-miner, has been employed as a universal grinder, work of national importance, at the De Haviland factory since 20th November, 1939; that he was recently directed to work at the Brackley coalmine, Little Hulton, Bolton, which would have meant a reduction of about £2 per week in his wages; that his employer was unwilling to release him but was compelled to do so by his department; that Roberts has appealed against the direction and is now unemployed, apparently without title to unemployment benefit; and whether he will withdraw the direction in this case and allow this man to return to his employment at the De Haviland factory?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in view of the custom of Government Departments in many instances to consult recognised organisations before the announcement of Government policy, he will give an assurance that before any further policy is announced with regard to women's participation in the war effort, he will arrange for a conference between women's organisations and the various Government Departments concerned with women's services in the war, such as the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Pensions, the service Departments, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture?

I will call the attention of Departments to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he will state, by counties, the number of Land Army women who are employed in this country?

The total number of members of the Women's Land Army in employment in England and Wales is over 17,500, but as the table showing the distribution in the different counties of England and Wales contains a considerable number of figures I am sending it to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is arranged that National Service Officers shall consult works committees, or shop stewards of the factory concerned, before action is taken upon absenteeism or similar charges?

Instructions have been given to National Service Officers that wherever possible they should enlist the assistance of trade union officials and works committees or similar industrial machinery in dealing with cases of absenteeism or similar matters which are reported to them under the Essential Work Orders.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as compensation for requisitioned property is based upon the value of the property immediately before the war under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, he will ensure that no valuers shall contend that the property is of a substantially less value than in normal times because it is situated in a prohibited area?

In Section 2 (1) (a) of the Compensation (Defence) Act the compensation rent has to be fixed with reference to the date immediately preceding the requisition, and not on the basis of pre-war value. I cannot, therefore, issue instructions in the sense suggested. I am about to publish a report on the subject of requisitioning which deals with this among other questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider acknowledging Income Tax payments, deducted from wages, by a receipt to the Income Tax payer at the end of each six months?

Under the Regulations for the deduction of tax from salaries and wages, the employee may, at the end of each six-monthly deduction period, apply, to the Collector of Taxes for a certificate showing the amount of tax deducted. Although there are several million taxpayers whose tax is deducted by their employers, in only a few very isolated cases have certificates been applied for, and having regard to the very heavy work which would be involved, and to the quantity of paper which would be required, the issue of certificates in all cases would not be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as the Paymaster Director-General of the Navy is not responsible for pay of the Navy and his duties are in fact mainly of an executive nature, he will consider replacing him by an executive officer under a more suitable title?

The Paymaster Director-General is head of the Paymaster or Accountant Branch of the Royal Navy. He deals with accountant officers, maintains their records and makes recommendations to the Board of Admiralty in regard to their promotion, appointment, etc. It is right, therefore, that the post should be held by an officer of that branch, and the title which he bears is appropriate. The Paymaster Director-General is also consulted on the various activities of the branch, which include accountant, victualling and supply duties, messing and cooking, cyphering and secretarial work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to give an undertaking that the account of every rating discharged from the Navy will be checked by some competent individual to ensure that the country and the rating have both had a square deal, and to put the sailor on the same footing in that respect as a soldier or an airman.

All pay accounts of naval ratings are kept under the superintendence of an accountant officer. Pay ledgers are maintained in duplicate, accounts being kept independently in each. If my hon. Friend is proposing that every rating's account for the whole of his service should be independently audited when he is discharged. I am afraid that the proposal is not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been reached on the question of increased pay for junior officers and for non-commissioned ranks, respectively?

So far as officers are concerned, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for Wallsend (Miss Ward) and Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 9th September. A year ago non-commissioned officers received an increase of 6d. a day. No proposals for any further increase are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the handicap to wounded soldiers in out-of-the-way hospitals meeting the omnibus fares to nearby towns when leave to visit is granted; and whether he is prepared to make some arrangement whereby wounded men may obtain such transport by cheap voucher or nominal fare?

I am not aware of any demand for such a concession, but, if my hon. Friend has in mind any particular case in which hardship arises, I shall be glad to consider whether there is a case for approaching the local bus company with regard to a reduction of fares.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any Palestinian units, or any Jews serving in the British Army, combatant or non-combatant, were employed in Greece or Crete; if so, how many were left behind; and is there any information as to their subsequent fate?

Palestinian units were employed both in Greece and Crete, and 1,541 Palestinians are presumed to be prisoners of war. The number of Jews serving in the British Army who were captured in Greece and Crete could not be ascertained without a great deal of research. According to my latest information, all British prisoners captured in Greece and Crete are being moved to camps in Germany as soon as possible. There is no evidence of any discrimination against any particular category of prisoner.

asked the Secretary of State for War the name of the employer of soldiers engaged as beaters on the Stanhope Moor recently; the daily rate paid per soldier; and whether he is satisfied that the men who were put on this work could not have been employed on agriculture or other work of national importance?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement on the working of the clothing coupon scheme, especially in relation to the provision of overalls for workers and for warm winter clothing for children?

As previously announced, a supplementary issue of coupons will shortly be made to children who are unable to benefit from the lower coupon-values assigned to the smaller sizes of clothing, while discussions are taking place with the representatives of industries so as to ensure that they have sufficient coupons to meet their essential needs. In the meantime, industrial clothing necessary for the health or safety of workers may be obtained coupon-free on certification by a Factory Inspector.

asked the Home Secretary how many casualties to civilians have been caused by accidents to our own aeroplanes?

Civilian casualties caused by grounded British aircraft during the war period up to the 31st August, 1941, are reported to be 53 killed and 94 injured. Injuries and loss of life to the occupants of the aeroplanes are not included in the above figures.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries in Leicestershire which possess canteens and those which do not possess them; and what specific complaints he has received from the county with regard to the inadequacy of the food of the miners now employed?

All the collieries in the Leicestershire coalfield are supplying meat pies, sandwiches and other food for the miners to take underground, and consideration is being given to the establishment of canteens capable of providing meals for those who desire them. In this connection the Miners' Welfare Commission and the District Committee held a conference of representatives of the owners and workmen of the collieries on 8th September. These measures, coupled with the additional cheese ration, have been introduced to meet the general complaint from the industry of inadequate food. No specific complaints have been received from this county.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of miners who are still wanted in Leicestershire in order to make up output to the fullest standard of efficiency?

Production in the Leicestershire coalfield is very satisfactory. A little over 1oo men are wanted to bring the personnel up to the total numbers which the owners consider could be employed with immediate advantage to production.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the importance of milk as an essential food, he will take the requisite steps to ensure that the workers essential for the various stages of distribution are reserved or retained for the industry?

My Noble Friend is in constant touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service upon questions relating to the retention in civil employment of men indispensable to the distribution of essential food, including milk.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the position under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations of those men at present transferring from the boot and shoe industry to work in the iron-ore quarries as the result of his recent appeal?

Men of military age at present available for calling up are not being transferred to work in these quarries, but owing to the urgent need there for certain classes of labour men of military age who become dereserved at stage C transferring to this employment will not for the time being be called up for military service. The position will be further considered in a few months' time. I may add that any men of suitable physique who are asked by the employment exchanges to undertake this work may feel assured that in doing so they are assisting the war effort quite as fully as if they joined the Armed Forces.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether it has now been decided to release Mr. Alexander Bustamente, interned by the Governor of Jamaica, who has undertaken to keep the case constantly under review?

I have been asked to reply. My Noble Friend is satisfied that the Governor is keeping this case under review; but he has not received any intimation from the Governor that he has decided to release Mr. Bustamente.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the German air force are using radio beams for bombing this country; and, if so, what steps are being taken to counteract the beams?

Yes, Sir. It would not, however, be in the public interest to discuss our counter-measure?.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has received a report on the case of Mr. H. W. Codd, of Nairobi; and will he now state what action has been taken, or he proposes to take?

In accordance with the undertaking given to my hon. Friend by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, a report has been obtained from Nairobi as to the reasons for the discharge of Mr. Codd. I am satisfied that in the circumstances of the case the decision to dispense with his services was justified.

asked the Home Secretary the amount of money sent from this country to Eire for the purposes of the Irish Sweepstake; and whether, in the national interest, he intends putting a stop to this?

I am not able to give the precise figure, but from information in my possession I feel justified in saying that the amount is now very small.