asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there has been a considerable increase in the allocation of work in Portsmouth dockyard to outside contractors; and why much of this work could not be performed by labour working under the direction of the existing supervisory staff in the dockyard?

The work allocated to contractors is of an urgent nature and of a kind requiring unskilled labour. The necessary amount of this labour is not available in the dockyard and cannot be procured at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of skilled craftsmen are being employed on clerical duties in Portsmouth dockyard; and whether the services of these men could be more profitably utilised in their respective trades and the clerical duties performed by clerks?

There are certain duties carried out in H.M. Dockyards, such as those performed by estimators, foremen's writers and recorders of work, which, although of a clerical nature, require technical knowledge for their efficient performance. This work, which could not be performed by clerks, requires, in general, the employment of skilled mechanics, but non-mechanics have been substituted where possible in order to release the fully skilled workmen. The numbers employed on these duties are, in any case, extremely small.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the representation of the hon. Member for Stratford respecting the anger of the workmen who executed the work on a certain ship when they knew of fresh orders involving stripping the work already done to make the ship seaworthy, he will cause inquiries to be made?

I have already inquired into this matter and my hon. Friend was given the full facts in a letter dated 29th August. I do not think that any further inquiry is necessary.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what cargo was carried by the Vichy ship "Azic," from Bordeaux to Casablanca, which justified its seizure by the British Navy; and whether there is a regular system of sending such cargoes from France to North Africa?

My hon. and gallant Friend refers no doubt to the French steamship "Isac," which was intercepted on 19th July on passage from Bordeaux to Casablanca. The ship was carrying three locomotive chassis and parts weighing 127 tons, 165 tons of sugar and 248 tons of general cargo for Casablanca, Dakar and other West African ports. This vessel was seized under Article 2 of the Reprisals Order in Council of 31st July, 1940, whereby any vessel on her way from a port through which goods might come from enemy territory, and which is not provided with a valid ship navicert, is deemed to be carrying goods of enemy origin or ownership and shall be liable to seizure as prize. As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that there is an extensive traffic between French Mediterranean ports and ports in North Africa. In addition, there are occasional sailings between French-occupied ports and Casablanca and Dakar.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether a survey is to be made of the potentialities of North Staffordshire for post-war industrial development, in particular the mining and subsidiary allied industries, a large expansion of the pottery industry, the clearing of all derelict and unsightly areas, and the co-ordination of essential services by the local authorities?

As I said in reply to a Question on the 7th August, the Government will endeavour to secure that in the machinery which is now being prepared for the planning of land utilisation in the post-war period proper provision is made for taking into consideration the industrial potentialities of all parts of the country and for obtaining the advice and assistance of persons having expert local knowledge.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare why some sort of official barter is being arranged with Japan?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the concern expressed by local price regulation committees that their recommendations to institute proceedings against traders for overcharging are not always acted upon by the Central Committee, who, in some cases, state that, owing to the time available, it had not been possible for the Board of Trade to consider the matter in time to institute proceedings; and whether he will expedite decisions in the legal department of the Board of Trade, or take other steps to remedy this state of affairs so that offenders can be punished and the public protected?

No, Sir, my right hon. Friend is not aware that there has been any failure on the part either of the Central Price Regulation Committee or of the solicitor's department of the Board of Trade to take proceedings in cases where the evidence justified them, and the local price regulation commmittee's report was received a reasonable time before the end of the period within which summary proceedings may be taken. If my hon. Friend knows of any such cases, I should be glad if he would let me have particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, separately, the values of made-up clothing and unmade-up clothing materials exported to the United States of America during the first six months of 1941?

As has already been stated in reply to previous Questions, publication of particulars of our trade with individual countries has been suspended since the outbreak of war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the report of Mr. John Morris, K.C., with regard to the complaints of the public as to the method and procedure of Government Departments and of local authorities in connection with the compulsory requisitioning of property and the compensation payable; and what decision has been arrived at by the Government in the matter?

Yes, Sir. Copies of the report will be available in the Vote Office. The Government have decided to accept in principle the recommendations contained in it. Two of them will require legislation. Departmental instructions implementing the rest are now being issued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any increases in charges for electricity, gas, transport or coal, have been sanctioned since the Government stabilisation policy was announced in the last Budget Speech; and whether he will give details?

Certain increases have been sanctioned. I append a statement. I would remind my hon. Friend that in my Budget Speech I spoke only of preventing or minimising the impact of certain increased costs on the prices of essential goods and services. The effect of these particular increases is very small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now decided to increase the mileage allowance to civil servants using their own motorcars upon official duties, as these allowances are still those which prevailed before the war?

In agreement with the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council, the mileage allowance regulations have now been modified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider taking further steps to reduce the high rates of interest paid by local authorities on their loans to, at most, 3 per cent.?

No, Sir. I do not regard my hon. Friend's particular suggestion as practicable. I will, however, continue to bear in mind the possibility of such further conversions of local authorities' loans as may be permitted by the conditions under which those loans were issued, provided always that such transactions do not conflict with other more important claims on the capital market.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of annual grant previously paid to the British Academy; and why has it been withdrawn?

The amount of the grant in aid of the British Academy was £2,000 for each of the years 1935 to 1939. In 1940 the grant was suspended as a war economy. For 1941 provision has been made for a grant of £1,000 on the understanding that it is devoted to the preservation of learned societies whose existence would otherwise be endangered by the war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the concession under which war disability pensions are exempted from Income Tax is applicable to the damages recovered by Service men disabled in accidents whilst on duty, and to the income from such damages, in cases where the weekly value of the damages so recovered is deducted by the Ministry of Pensions from the disability pension normally payable?

A lump sum received by a Service man as damages for disablement by accident is not income for Income Tax purposes. Any income arising from the investment of such a lump sum would constitute assessable income and there is no provision in the law for the exemption of such income in cases like those to which my hon. Friend refers. The amount of tax, if any, which would be payable would depend on the allowances and reliefs to which the individual concerned was entitled. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to make inquiries if he will send me the necessary details.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent and in what circumstances cost of works payments are made during the war under the War Damage Act?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent and in what circumstances cash payments are made during the war to compensate persons whose property has been damaged or destroyed as the result of enemy action?

Any cost of works payment on which the War Damage Commission determines is made as soon after the completion of the works as the Commission is satisfied that the claim is in order. Generally, cost of works payments are made when the property is not a total loss within the meaning of Section 4 (1) (a) of the War Damage Act and there is no reason in the public interest why the damage should not be made good. Exceptionally, cost of works payments may be made notwithstanding that the damage involves total loss, if the Commission is satisfied that repair or reinstatement is in the public interest, or if the value of another property is affected. Payment of the cost of works executed for temporarily meeting the circumstances created by the damage is also made on the completion of the works. The other payments which the Commission is empowered to make without delay are advances to claimants in need of funds to secure housing or business accommodation, and value payments where the Commission is satisfied that immediate payment is necessary or expedient in the public interest. With regard to war damage to goods, under Part 2 of the War Risks Insurance Act, 1939, payment is made as soon as the damage has been assessed. Under Part 2 of the War Damage Act, 1941, payment is made immediately only in those cases in which the Board of Trade are satisfied that the replacement or repair of the goods destroyed or damaged is expedient in the public interest; or in the case of the Private Chattels Scheme that it is expedient that the payment or part thereof should be made to avoid undue hardship. Early payment is also made if the claim as assessed does not exceed £100 in the case of the Business Scheme or £25 in the case of the Private Chattels Scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workmen have, up to date, been prosecuted, fined, and/or imprisoned, at the instance of his Department for refusing to work in occupations selected for them by his officers?

Up to a recent date 47 workers had been prosecuted for failing to obey directions issued by National Service Officers to take up work which they were considered to be capable of performing. In four cases the summonses were withdrawn, and one case was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act; in 30 cases penalties of fines or imprisonment were imposed; the remaining three cases were adjourned on the offenders taking up the work to which they were directed. Proceedings are pending in a further 68 cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will approach the employers in shipbuilding and other large industries, now making use of labour which has been transferred from long distances, to initiate a uniformity agreement, such as exists between both sides of the building and civil engineering industries, enabling workers to obtain free fares for visits to their homes?

I would point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that men employed in these industries are paid in accordance with the agreed settlements between the unions and the employers.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the hardship caused to Lancashire women over 40 years of age who have lost their jobs in cotton mills closed by Government action, and who are now finding great difficulty in getting employment in essential industries on account of their age; and whether he would appeal to employers or issue instructions to Government factory managers to leave the primary selection of female workers to local exchanges and not to impose an age limit on applicants irrespective of merit?

Every effort is being made to find work for older women who are temporarily unemployed through the closing of mills under the scheme for the concentration of the cotton industry. Firms retained as nucleus are required to take on older workers discharged from other mills, releasing younger workers as necessary for transfer to vital war work. If the older women are unable to leave home and move either to nucleus firms in the industry or to Royal Ordnance Factories they will be placed, so far as possible, in suitable local employment as substitutes for younger workers in other industries who are available for transfer to vital war work. The employers have been informed that they must be ready to engage older women, and in this I have the support of the British Employers' Confederation. So far as the Royal Ordnance Factories are concerned no age limit is now imposed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increasing number of housewives who are taking up work of national importance, he is satisfied that the laundry industry, already faced with great difficulties, can continue to maintain its services; and whether he will take further steps to ensure that an adequate supply of labour remains available for this industry to deal with the growing calls that are being made upon it?

The Department is taking such action as is practicable to prevent laundry staffs from being unduly depleted but cannot at present ensure that workers do not leave for other employment. The question of bringing laundries under the Essential Work Order is under consideration.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how much money has been expended on advertising for recruits for the Women's Royal Naval Service, Auxiliary Territorial Service and Women's Auxiliary Air Force; and when, if they are needed, it is proposed to take steps to call women up for such duties?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the Question I am informed that the amount expended is approximately £108,000. As regards the second part, women who have been required to register under the Registration for Employment Order, 1941, and who are considered suitable for transference to work of greater national importance than that on which they are engaged are already being recruited in considerable numbers to the women's auxiliary services. They may either choose one of the women's services or be required to undertake vital work in industry. In this way the available woman-power is being distributed between the services and industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he has yet circularised all local authorities explaining the steps it is intended should be taken for the sorting out, cutting up, removal and disposal of all potential scrap-metal and other material in damaged areas?

A circular on the steps to be taken, in conjunction with the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Works and Buildings, for the recovery and disposal of iron and steel from damaged sites, was issued by the Ministry of Home Security to all local authorities on the 16th July. I shall be glad to send the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the circular.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has further considered the question of abolishing first-class travel on the London suburban railways; and can he make any announcement on the subject?

As from Monday, 6th October, all trains which both begin and end their journeys within the London Passenger Transport Area, extended to certain points somewhat beyond that area, will be third class only. First-class accommodation will continue to be provided on trains beginning or ending their journeys outside, but making stops within, this area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been directed to the serious increase in road accidents, there being 618 persons killed in June of this year, as compared with 479 in June, 1940, and 647 killed in July, making an increase of 29 per cent. over the previous month or 69 per cent. over the corresponding month in 1940; and will he consider reinstituting the driving test?

Yes, Sir. I am of course well aware of the deplorable increase in road accidents but I regret that driving tests cannot be resumed at present as sufficient qualified examiners are not available. Special arrangements have however been made for testing drivers who suffer from disabilities and for tests ordered by a Court.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and South Huntingdonshire Authorised Potato Merchants' Society has been informed that on 1st October, a further reduction of 25 per cent. in petrol is to be made in their supplementary allowance; whether this reduction applies to other areas; whether he has taken steps to ensure that the potato and market-garden supplies for the London area are not reduced unduly thereby; and whether he is aware that supplies in the past by rail, owing to delays, have not been satisfactory?

Yes, Sir. The Regional Transport Commissioner reached this decision after consultation with the Ministry of Food and the growers and merchants concerned. The reduction will affect only certain operators who have up till now continued their peacetime practice of delivering potatoes direct to retailers in London by road instead of making use of the adequate rail services available.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what descriptions of work Italian prisoners of war are being employed in this country; whether, for their labour, the War Office is being paid the standard rates of pay for such work plus a further sum for supervision; whether they are conveyed to and from their work at the expense of those employing them; and whether he is satisfied that the total cost to British employers of employing these Italian prisoners of war is not higher than the cost of employing British subjects and so at variance with the declared policy of the Government to prevent further increases in production costs?

Italian prisoners of war now in this country are being employed partly on agricultural work and partly on constructional work. Where they are used to help with harvesting, the farmer is charged an appropriate wages

	Women's Royal Naval Service	Auxiliary Territorial Service.	Women's Auxiliary Air Force	Civilian Ration.
Meat, fresh or frozen	5 ozs.	5 ozs.	5 ozs.	1s. 2d (per week)
Preserved meat	—	3/14 oz.	—	—
Sugar	2 ozs.	2 ozs.	2 ozs.	1 1/7 oz.
Butter	1½ oz.	½ oz.	½ oz.	2/7 oz.
Margarine		1 oz.	1 oz.	4/7 oz.
Cooking fats	—	—	—	2/7 oz.
Tea	2 oz.	2/7oz.	2/7oz.	2/7oz.
Bacon	6/7 oz.	1 1/7oz.	1 1/7oz.	4/7 oz.
Cheese	4/7 oz.	4/7 oz.	3/7 oz.	(Miners and farm workers 1 1/7 oz.)
Jam	1 oz.	1 ½oz.	1½ oz.	4/7 oz.

When as a matter of service convenience members of the women's services are not fed in kind from service sources, they are paid an allowance in cash and are then entitled to the civilian scale of rationed foodstuffs, which they are able to supplement by purchase of non-rationed foods or of meals in restaurants in the same way as the civilian population.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the arrangements for accommodation for Home Guard

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of rationed food supplied to women of the Forces, and how this compares in each case with the amount supplied to male industrial workers.

The following table shows the daily quantities of rationed foodstuffs authorised for members of the women's services and for male industrial workers: —winter training is to be the same for this coming winter as they were for the winter of 1940–41?

The arrangements last winter were designed to ensure that each member of the Home Guard was able to have a minimum of two nights' training a week. The same basis has been adopted for the coming winter, but this does not, of course, prevent local modifications of last year's arrangement's where experience has shown this to be desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Home Guard motor mileage allowances for private motor cars used on duty does not cover the cost of running the car; and whether he will sanction an increased allowance?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of His Majesty's commissioned officers surrendered to the enemy during the conquest of Syria; how many of these were unwounded; how it happened that so many surrendered when we largely outnumbered the enemy; and whether he was satisfied that it is sufficiently understood in the Army that there is rarely any justification for an un-wounded officer to surrender?

The number of commissioned officers taken prisoner in Syria was 78. Of these, 15 are known to have been wounded, but complete information is not at present available. As regards the third part of the Question, it was not until late in the campaign that superiority in numbers was reached and even then there were many occasions when the enemy possessed local superiority. As regards the last part of the Question, I may perhaps remind my right hon. Friend of the gallant resistance of the Royal Fusiliers at Kuneitra when, although outnumbered and surrounded, they continued the fight until their ammunition was exhausted.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds and on whose advice the decision was taken to send at first to the conquest of Syria weak forces without tanks or air co-operation?

It is not the case that the forces sent to Syria were without tanks or air co-operation. In view of our other heavy commitments in the Middle East it was not possible to send as strong a force as we would have wished, but the urgency of the German threat made it necessary to act quickly. I think the House will agree that the successful conclusion of this difficult campaign in less than five weeks thoroughly justifies the decision to act at once with the forces then at our disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds it was decided to discontinue the payment of tradesmen's rate of pay to radiolocation operators; and whether this decision will be reversed in view of the skilled nature of this work?

It was decided to remove the trade of operator (fire control) from the list of Army trades with effect from 31st January, 1941, as it was considered that the duties performed did not warrant a continuation of the trade grading. Under the normal rules, men who were at that date mustered in the trade in question Were entitled to retain their tradesmen's rates of pay for a period of six months, and it has since been decided to allow the men concerned to retain their rates for a further period up to 31st October, 1941, whilst they remain employed on the same duties. In the meantime, the whole question is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the practice, except in circumstances of emergency, for soldiers serving in the Home Forces to be granted leave at three-monthly intervals, he is aware of any cases in the present year in which intervals have exceeded six months; whether extended leave may be granted in cases where intervals have been unduly prolonged; whether, after the transfer of a soldier from one unit to another it is a condition authorised by the Army Council that there must be a period of three months' service in the latter unit before leave may be granted; and whether there is any appeal available to a soldier who is unable to obtain a grant of leave from his commanding officer?

With the exception of personnel undergoing specialist courses, I am not aware of any case in which a soldier serving at home has been unable to obtain leave for more than six months. I am afraid that it would not be possible to grant extended leave without postponing the leave of other soldiers in the same unit. A soldier transferred to another unit counts his service in his old unit for leave purposes. With regard to the last part of the Question, the procedure by which a soldier may seek redress of a grievance is laid down in Section 43 of the Army Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds he has refused the application for increased pay and allowances to Army officers; and what advice or requests he has received from the War Office on the subject?

My hon. Friend will have observed the answer given on 9th September by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, in which certain improvements in the allowances of married officers were announced.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men serving with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy are granted four free travelling passes, whereas those serving in the Army are only granted two such passes; and whether he will take the steps necessary to ensure equality of treatment with the other services?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. Men serving in all three Services are entitled to two free leave warrants a year, with the exception of certain categories of personnel in each Service who receive two additional warrants a year in view of the specially hazardous nature of their duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the continued delay in the granting of Army honours and awards for gallantry in air-raids as compared with civil awards; and what steps he is taking to shorten the procedure in view of the value to morale of awards made soon after the event?

This question has recently been re-examined and it has been decided to introduce a new procedure which it is hoped will expedite the examination of recommendations.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has read the literature now being issued by the Individualist Bookshop, Limited; and whether, in view of its bad effect on national production and unity, he intends to take steps to suppress such publications just as he did in the case of the "Daily Worker"?

Such literature as I have seen does not, in my opinion, call for action such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Home Secretary whether the police have completed their inquiries into the activities of members of the Right Club; and whether he is prepared to make a statement concerning the results of such inquiries?

For the reasons given in my reply to a Question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 31st July last, it would not be in the public interest that I should make a statement in this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the issue of two free travelling vouchers per year to full-time Civil Defence personnel?

Provision was made, as from 1st June, 1941, for the issue of a free holiday fare once a year to whole-time paid Civil Defence personnel serving in areas which have suffered heavy air raids, to enable them to take leave away from the area. I cannot see my way to extending that concession to provide two free fares in a year.

asked the Home Secretary whether free meals or free food coupons are issued to all sections of full-time Civil Defence personnel; and whether he will give particulars of the amount and value to which persons of each section are entitled?

Whole-time paid members of the Civil Defence Services are normally expected to provide their meals at their own expense, unless required to undertake tours of duty which entail continuous absence from home for substantially longer periods than occur in ordinary working life. Authorities may, however, as a grant-aided service, provide, free of charge, a meal to the value of 1s. (exclusive of overhead charges) to paid personnel kept on continuous duty for 12 hours or more. Where paid personnel are engaged on continuous duty in their home area for periods exceeding one day, and are unable to obtain their meals at home, meals may be provided as necessary at a cost not exceeding 1s. 6d. in each subsequent 24 hours of the continuous duty period. Arrangements for the provision of food free of cost to parties sent away from their home on reinforcement duties or detained for long periods at particular incidents vary in accordance with circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent influx of 10,000 people calling themselves Jehovah's Witnesses into the City of Leicester for a week; and whether, in view of the offence given to the local inhabitants by the views of these people, the cases of breach of the peace likely to follow, and the disturbance to the transport and other services in this city unprepared to deal with holiday-makers in war-time, he will prohibit such gatherings in the future?

I am prepared to use the powers conferred upon me by Defence Regulation 39E in any case in which I am satisfied that it is necessary to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of detainees under Regulation 12 (5c) has been detained for many weeks at Leeds Prison under conditions only suitable for convicted prisoners; will he arrange to have these removed for internment in the Isle of Man; or, if they are awaiting further investigation which requires detention on the mainland, to the central or other schools, or a prison such as Brixton which is adapted for remand prisoners?

Now that the number of these detainees in Leeds Prison has been greatly reduced it has been found possible to arrange for their detention in Brixton Prison while their cases are under review, and I have given instructions for their transfer accordingly.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having in mind the great wartime importance of the Port of Liverpool, he is aware of the uneasiness and apprehension created in Liverpool and district by the fact that no less than four chiefs of the fire-fighting services have held office in the district during the last five months; whether he is satisfied that such chiefs can be of real value with such a short experience of local conditions; and whether he will allay further anxiety to property-owners, industrialists and general inhabitants in this vital war-time centre, by stating that a man of wide experience shall be appointed to this task and be allowed to remain in the post sufficiently long to become acquainted with local conditions and to become of real value?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I fully appreciate the importance of these considerations. All the changes to which he refers were not, however, due solely to the unification of the fire service. In fact, one of the four officers referred to in the Question was only in Liverpool for a few days in connection with a blitz. I regret that in the process of reorganisation under the Fire Services (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1941, it became necessary to appoint to a post elsewhere the officer who had been placed in charge of the Liverpool Fire Brigade, but an experienced officer, in whom I have every confidence, has been appointed to command the Liverpool Fire Force and it is certainly my intention that he should remain in that post.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement as to the procedure followed in connection with the filling of senior appointments in the National Fire Service?

Yes, Sir. After the passing of the Fire Services (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1941, a notice was issued inviting persons with suitable qualifications to apply for posts in the National Fire Service; the applications received amounted to several thousands. These applications were carefully examined in the Department, and a selection was made of those candidates whose qualifications rendered them suitable for interview. I was fortunate in being able to obtain the assistance of the first Civil Service Commissioner, who presided over a selection board which interviewed these selected candidates and reported to me upon each of them. The appointments made to the posts of chief regional fire officer, fire force commander and assistant fire force commander have all been made from candidates who appeared before the Board; I should, however, make it clear that final responsibility for these appointments rests with me and not with the Board, and that in some cases I have found it necessary to appoint officers to posts for which they were not recommended by the Board. In the great majority of cases, however, the recommendations of the Board have been adopted, and I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the great assistance I have received from them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the staff establishment which will be sanctioned for the chief regional fire officer, the fire force commander, the divisional officer, column officer and company officer under the new Fire Services Organisation; and what administrative and executive duties each officer of the hierarchy will perform?

The headquarters establishments of the various formations in the National Fire Service will naturally vary to a considerable extent according to the local conditions. As regards the chief regional fire officer, a typical establishment would be a senior staff officer, a staff officer and four junior staff officers, with an additional part-time staff officer to deal with special problems affecting part-time personnel. The provision to be made for the headquarters establishment of the fire force commanders and the headquarters staffs of divisional officers are included in the detailed schemes submitted by fire force commanders to regional commissioners; the division is the smallest formation in the National Fire Service which will normally function as a self-contained operational unit and formations below the division will, therefore, not possess a headquarters staff as such. I regret that it would not be possible within the compass of a Question and answer to set out the administrative and executive duties of these officers.

asked the Home Secretary whether any relaxation of the Lighting Restrictions Order is contemplated?

The Government has carefully reviewed the Lighting Restrictions Order in relation to experience gained. Admittedly the present restrictions, cause some difficulties for drivers of motor vehicles, but, on the other hand, the degree of risk of aiding the enemy in his air attacks has to be taken into account. Following upon the review to which I have referred I am amending the Order so as to enable drivers of motor vehicles to utilise if they wish two masked headlamps made to the existing specification each giving a light of the maximum intensity at present permitted for a single masked headlamp and to show more light from their rear lamp. Until the amending Order is made the existing Order must be observed. The continuance of these relaxations will, however, be reconsidered if conditions should require.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will indicate the reasons for the changes in the title of the Civil Defence services and the consequential alterations in the uniform badges?

The change in title from Air-Raid Precautions to Civil Defence was decided upon in order to mark the developments which have taken place, and to emphasise the growth and increased importance of the services and their essential unity with other branches of civil defence. Moreover, while "Air-Raid Precautions" may have been an appropriate term in the days of pre-war preparations, it is, in my judgment, neither dignified nor stimulating enough for the splendid body of men and women who have rendered active and heroic service in the face of fierce enemy attack. The Civil Defence badge will be supplied on new uniforms as production changes can be introduced. Separate Civil Defence badges are not being supplied in replacement of existing A.R.P. badges.

asked the Minister of Health whether special provision is now made to ensure the welfare of all evacuated tuberculosis patients; and whether local after-care committees have been set up wherever practicable, to which the local histories of patients are made available?

The attention of local authorities has been drawn to their responsibilities towards tuberculous persons who come to live in their areas through wartime removal: and the importance of authorities exchanging information about such cases has been stressed. My Department will continue to encourage the work of after-care committees.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the mothers and babies recently evacuated from London under Government auspices had previously been evacuated at public expense, and had subsequently returned to their homes; and whether, in such cases, the parents will be called upon to pay the cost of re-evacuation?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As at present advised, I am not disposed to adopt the suggestion in the second part of the Question as it would be a deterrent to re-evacuation and might result in placing children in danger owing to the action of their parents. Other steps will however continue to be taken to convince parents of the folly of bringing children back to the danger areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that already, as a result of the redistribution of the population, laundries in many areas are faced with a difficult problem; and whether he is satisfied that the lack of normal facilities is not endangering the health of the people in these areas, and assuming the probability of further large-scale enemy bombing, has he taken steps to ensure prevention of disease due to further dislocation in the laundry industry?

I am aware of the problem to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The safeguarding of the public health under war-time conditions is the subject of constant attention from all points of view, and consultations are at present taking place Between the several Departments concerned with a view to assuring that an adequate laundry service is maintained in all eventualities.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position of the Central Medical War Committee with regard to the allocation of medical practitioners to various civilian and military services; whether the new committee under the chairmanship of the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs supersedes in this respect the Central Medical War Comittee; and whether a practitioner, dissatisfied with the decision of the Central Medical War Committee, may appeal to this superior committee?

The Central Medical War Committee continues to act as a supply committee in providing the doctors required by the various civilian and military services, and is not in any way superseded by the Medical Personnel (Priority) Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Dominions, although in selecting the individual doctors it will naturally conform with any decisions taken by the Government on the recommendation of my hon. Friend's Committee as to the order of priority in which the demands of the various services are to be met. It is not intended that an appeal from a practitioner should be entertained as suggested in the last part of the Question.

asked the Home Secretary whether any grant is made by the State to local authorities towards the cost of uniforms for members of their Civil Defence organisations; whether any grant is made towards supplying uniforms for members of similar industrial defence organisations which relieve part of the civic responsibility; and, if not, whether he will consider doing so?

Grant under the Air Raid Precautions Act, 1937, is payable on the cost of uniforms provided for members of local authorities Civil Defence services, whether whole-time or part-time. In so far, therefore, as members of industrial Civil Defence organisations have separately enrolled with the local authority on a part time basis grant under the Act would be payable on uniforms provided for them by the local authority. As at present advised I do not think it would be practicable to go beyond this.

asked the Home Secretary how many tons of material have been removed from the inflammable dump, of which he knows, since 7th August; and whether any fresh material has been added during the same period?

About 150 tons of material have been removed from the dump in question since the 7th August. Difficulty of access has hampered the rate of clearance, but the labour and transport available have now been substantially reinforced. I am assured that no deliveries have been made during this period.

asked the Home Secretary why in a recently issued Regulation, about detaining persons until they can be returned to Ireland, the name "Ireland" has been used instead of "Eire"; and whether, as Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, he will make clear that the Regulation does not apply to Northern Ireland, and that in future when any regulation applies to Eire the name "Ireland" is not to be used?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to Defence Regulation 18 (2B). The term "Ireland" is properly used in that Regulation which confers power on the Secretary of State to direct the return either to Eire or to Northern Ireland, as the case may be, of a person to whom the Regulation applies. The Regulation applies to any person who, not being ordinarily resident in Great Britain on the 24th July, 1941, has come to this country from Eire or Northern Ireland after that date and has so conducted himself as to render it expedient in the national interest that he should leave Great Britain.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to issue an appropriate order for the suppression of the "Statist," a weekly paper for City of London workers, in view of the articles disturbing to public morale published therein in the last six or more months, or whether he will take similar action to that taken in the case of the "Daily Worker"; and why this has not already been done?

On the information before me I do not think that any action such as my hon. Friend suggests is called for.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as formerly arranged, he will instruct passport officials to grant travel permits to Northern Ireland people resident in Britain who wish to return and remain in Northern Ireland for the duration of the war?

I do not think that any further instructions are required. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the existing regulations which, he will see, make provision for cases of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the places where the local authority has refused the request of the military authorities for the Sunday opening of cinemas?

I regret that the required information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many bombing aeroplanes have been lost over Germany or occupied territories in Western Europe, excluding Greece or Crete, since 1st April, 1941?

An analysis of British official communiqués shows that between 1st April and 8th September, 1941 558 aircraft of the Bomber Command have been lost in operations in Western Europe.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the constant shortage of funds experienced by mothers of children who have evacuated themselves to Canada and the United States of America, he will endeavour to provide for them either to return for urgent work at home or to take up some appropriate job across the Atlantic, where there is also a great demand for labour?

Arrangements already exist whereby exchange can be made available to enable British mothers, who have gone to Canada or the U.S.A. and wish to leave for a country within the sterling area, to meet the necessary transportation expenses. As regards the last part of the Question, this appears to be a matter for the Governments concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the charge against nine men for stealing 43,436 coupons, the property of the Minister of War Transport, which was heard at the Wimbledon Court on 12th August; and what other charges have been made against four of the men?

These cases were finally disposed of at Wimbledon Petty Sessions on the 29th August. Of the nine men charged, three were convicted of receiving stolen property, two of them being sentenced to three months' imprisonment and the third to a fine of £20. Of the remaining six, one was bound over on a charge of stealing by finding, three were fined £5 and two were fined £10 on charges under the Motor Fuel Rationing Order, 1941. In the case of these six men, the charges mentioned were preferred subsequently to the date of their original appearance in court.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he intends to include in the new scheme for the control and distribution of milk any provision for the retailers to purchase raw or brine-cooled milk at a uniform price, or will he undertake a review of the existing differentiation in prices for the same commodity, which reacts unfavourably against retailers known as small dairymen?

While it is not possible to guarantee that all retailers of milk will be able to purchase their supplies at a uniform price, it is hoped that arrangements will be made under the new scheme whereby retail dairymen obtaining their milk through wholesale channels will be able to obtain their supplies on a reasonably uniform basis.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the estimated output of milk on 1st September, 1940, and on 1st September, 1941, respectively; what is the estimate of milk which will be available on 1st January, 1942; and what percentage of milk in the coming winter months will be devoted to the supply of this liquid to the public, to the manufacture of cheese and milk powder, etc., and to its use in manufacturing processes of any sort?

It is not in the national interest to make public the detailed information asked for, but my Noble Friend has recently stated that the quantity of liquid milk which it is estimated will be available in the worst months of the coming winter will be between 70 and 80 million gallons a month. In view of the requirements of the liquid milk market no manufacturing programme has been prepared for the six months from October, 1941, to March, 1942, inclusive, and only insignificant quantities of milk will be released for manufacture in this period.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the milk pool prices, as now guaranteed for each month to March 1942, will be proportionately increased to meet the extra cost of production caused by any rise in the wages of the agricultural labourer which may be awarded by wages boards?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) on 10th September. In considering any application from milk producers for a review of prices payable to them all relevant increases in costs of production will be eligible for consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether small traders whose registered customers went elsewhere on the announcement that their supplies of rationed food would be withdrawn will now be permitted to return to the said traders so as to enable them to receive considerate treatment from the authorities?

There is no reason why consumers who desire to reregister with their former retailers who gave up their trade in rationed food on account of the introduction of the 25 registration rule, should not apply to the Food Offices to do so; or why, if the total number desiring transfer does not amount in the case of any one retailer to 25, the Food Control Committees should refuse the applications if they are satisfied that they should do so because of hardship to individual small traders or on account of convenience to customers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is the policy of the Ministry to make more use of small traders for the storage of food rather than to rely on large dumps in different parts of the country which are liable to be the cause of mass destruction of food if they receive hits from enemy bombing?

The Ministry aims at achieving the maximum dispersal of food stocks consistent with good warehousing. A large number of small traders' premises are utilised for this purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the Home and Colonial Stores secretary who was charged at Westminster Police Court, on Monday last, with supplying the Pheasantry Club, King's Road, Chelsea, with 30 lbs. of butter in excess of the specified amount; whether the butter was sold to the members of the club; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

In the time available since my hon. Friend's Question was received it has not been possible to complete the necessary inquiries which are being made. I will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made against the managing director of the Catering Contracting Company, Limited, of Abbey House, Victoria, for obtaining bacon, butter and beef contrary to the rationing order and Defence Regulation, which was heard at the Westminster Court on 18th August?

In the time available since my hon. Friend's Question was received it has not been possible to com- plete the necessary inquiries which are being made. I will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the £100,000,000 of subsidy in respect of foodstuffs includes, or excludes, the profits made by the Ministry of Food on other commodities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fins-bury (Mr. Woods) on 9th September, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the controlled price of poultry allows nothing for the work, cost and loss of weight involved in drawing the fowl; that, in those parts of the country, namely, West Wales, where it is the custom to sell poultry drawn, to meet the convenience of consumers, the producer suffers a loss as compared with the producer who, at the same price per pound, sells rough plucked only; and whether he can do anything to overcome this disadvantage by amending the prices Order or otherwise.

A producer who sells poultry drawn is entitled to calculate the price on the weight of the bird rough-plucked, untrussed and uncleaned. The price on this basis is not therefore affected by the loss of weight involved in drawing the bird.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can make any statement on the measure of success experienced to date in communal jam-making with State sugar?

Yes, Sir, nearly 6,000 co-operative preserving centres have been set up in the United Kingdom, of which about 5,500 have been set up in rural areas in England and Wales by women's institutes in collaboration with other women's voluntary organisations, and the remainder by Food Control Committees in England, Wales and Scotland, or by the women's institutes of Northern Ireland. Centres have been established wherever it was considered locally that they might be needed to cope with local surpluses of garden fruit or to make full use of the wild fruit crops. In addition, many establishments—especially schools —which have grown fruit in their gardens or gathered wild fruit or been presented with fruit, are taking part in the scheme. For reasons which I gave in my reply of 7th August to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) I am unable to state the quantity of preserves which has so far been made. It will be appreciated, however, that not only is the maximum potential output of these centres relatively small compared with that of the factories, but that in many districts, in consequence of the unfavourable weather, there has been no surplus of soft and stone fruit from cottage and other gardens such as might have occurred in a normal season. While, therefore, some centres have found little or no work to do, it must be remembered that had no such scheme been organised in advance, there would have been a serious risk of valuable food being wasted. Moreover, even though in some districts little jam may have been made from cultivated fruits, it is hoped that during the next few weeks considerable quantities of blackberries and other wild fruit will be brought to the centres under arrangements which have been made between my Department, the Board of Education, the Scottish Education Department and the juvenile organisations.The jam which is made at these centres is inspected by supervisors appointed by the Department of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture prior to its distribution through the normal trade channels in accordance with the provisions of the preserves rationing scheme. A certain amount of jam made early in the season, especially rhubarb, has been rejected by the supervisors for technical defects. The concession whereby schools and other children's institutions are allowed to buy this sub-standard jam, which is generally quite wholesome, for consumption outside the ration, has been greatly appreciated. Of the jam which has passed the inspection test, there is evidence that the greater part has already been sold to local shops at controlled prices for distribution to their registered customers. Arrangements have been made to pass on details of any unsold stocks to the trade associations, which have given their assistance to the scheme by encouraging their members to buy the jam. In the event of the jam not being disposed of in this way, the Co-operative Wholesale Society has kindly offered to take it over. I am glad to say, however, that the initial difficulties in selling jam locally, which some centres reported, now appear largely to have been overcome. A certain amount of fruit has also been canned or preserved in other ways.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a resolution dated 2nd September, unanimously passed by the Totnes Borough Council viewing with concern the intention to proceed with the building of a new police station at Totnes and suggesting that the erection of such building should be deferred until the end of the war; and whether he will accede to the Totness Council's request?

I have recently taken the opportunity of visiting the existing premises and have satisfied myself by personal inspection that new premises are necessary in the interests of police efficiency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of land in Wales are being farmed by the different war agricultural executive committees; and what is the estimated cost of such farming over and above the normal yield of revenue?

Nine thousand one hundred and twelve acres of land in Wales and Monmouthshire are being farmed by county war agricultural executive committees representing 108 separate units. The estimated total revenue from farming in the first year of operations represents a small net surplus over farming costs and it is expected that when each unit is in full production—during the second or third year—none will show any annual farming loss.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any instructions have been issued to the war agricultural executive committees with regard to the culling of herds of tuberculin-tested dairy cattle?

Detailed instructions have been issued to war agricultural executive committees regarding the culling of cattle. It has been made clear that the scheme of culling applies to inferior, diseased and unthrifty animals and that on a number of farms, particularly those carrying pedigree, milk recorded and attested herds, and those free from disease or with high yielding cows, no abnormal culling will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the estimated number of milk-giving dairy cows on 1st September, 1940, and on 1st September, 1941, respectively; and what is the estimate of the number of such cows which may be expected to give milk on 1st January, 1942?

Detailed statistics of the livestock population are not being published at the present time. The total number of cows and heifers in milk and in calf in the United Kingdom on 4th June last was, however, slightly higher than a year earlier despite the loss of the usual imports of dairy stock from Eire on account of foot-and-mouth disease in that country. Information with regard to the general position on 4th September will not be available for some weeks. Because of the uncertainty about future supplies of dairy stock from Eire I am unable to estimate whether there will be any significant change in the number of cows in milk on 1st January, 1942.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet made an appeal to industrial employers throughout the country to make available to employees, as allotments for their food production and also for works canteen requirements, suitable land adjoining their respective factories?

I propose to make this appeal at the end of September, when the "Dig for Victory" Campaign for 1941–42 is launched. Meanwhile, I am having inquiries made regarding the extent to which industrial employers in various parts of the country have already taken action on the lines indicated in the Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any reason now exists why Irish store cattle should not be imported; and whether he is prepared to remove the ban at an early date?

Owing to the disease situation in Eire I am not at present prepared to remove the existing prohibition on the importation of store cattle from Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether samples of iron-ore have been taken under favourable conditions from the mine in County Down; and whether the result of the testing of these samples is such as to warrant the immediate start of operations at the mine?

The further examination is being made next week, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether we are obtaining in this country the maximum production of steel by the utilisation of our full capacity; if not, why not; and what is the percentage of production above or below the peak pre-war year?

It would not be in the public interest to give the details for which the hon. Member asks, but he can rest assured that our steel capacity is being employed to the fullest extent within the limits and types of the raw materials available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is satisfied with the organisation of the steel industry and the prices which are being paid for supplies of steel?

The steel industry is working to a high level of efficiency. The system of price control in operation was devised to ensure that supplies of steel should be available at reasonable prices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether the production of home-produced ore is being obtained by the utilisation of our total capacity; is the survey of scrap finished; is the supply of scrap satisfactory; is it being utilised by the nearest plants in order to save transport; and is the whole organisation of ore and scrap supply satisfactory?

Existing iron ore workings, including workings which have been opened up since the beginning of the war, are producing to capacity, and the rate of output is substantially in excess of the pre-war output. Further workings are being developed. As regards scrap, I assume the hon. Member is referring to the national scrap survey which is being conducted by local authorities. This is not yet complete, but is proceeding as rapidly as available technical staff permits. Large quantities of scrap have been identified by the Survey and much of it has already been removed. The supply of scrap is at present adequate. As a further step towards mobilising all our home resources my Noble Friend is issuing a Direction to all local authorities to conduct a speedy survey of railings and similar material in their areas. Railings which are scheduled as unnecessary will be requisitioned and removed. In disposing of scrap, every effort is made to avoid unnecessary transport, and material is diverted to the nearest plants in accordance with requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that the conditions proposed by the new management in the transferred Royal Ordnance Factory will mean that men of the same degree of skill and working at exactly the same class of work will have different basic rates of pay; and, in view of the harm this can cause, will he take steps to see that the basic rate in operation before the transfer remains the basic rate for all employees, old or new?

At present, the Clyde district time rate is slightly lower than the Royal Ordnance Factory rate. Where piece work applies, however, the system of fixing prices is identical. All workers employed when the management of the Royal Ordnance Factory was entrusted to Messrs. Beardmore will continue to be paid on Royal Ordnance Factory piece and time rates. The question of the appropriate time rate for new entrants is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that 7046211 Fusilier Albert Cooke, of Station Road, Handsacre, Rugeley, was admitted into the Army on 13th August, 1940, with a medical category A 1 and has now been discharged as medically unfit; and will he see that an adequate pension is paid to this man?

Mr. Cooke was not discharged as medically unfit but on account of his services being no longer required, and no previous application has been made to my Department. His documents have now been obtained from the Record Office and as soon as the investigations into his case are completed I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications he has received since 31st July, from officers and nurses, in respect of war-service grants?

In the period from the 1st August to the 4th September inclusive 59 applications were received.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has any further statement to make with reference to an increase in the amount of Great War pensions to meet the increased cost of living?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to instruct the Welsh Board of Health to prepare a scheme for unifying the water supplies of Glamorgan so that cities, towns, villages and rural areas shall be adequately provided for after the war?

The primary responsibility for seeing that their areas are adequately supplied with water rests with the individual local authorities, but where improvements are required I am always prepared to stimulate joint action if it seems appropriate. So far as I am aware supplies in Glamorgan areas are generally adequate. If my hon. Friend has in mind areas where there is a likelihood of shortage after the war I shall be happy to have the matter looked into by the Welsh Board of Health.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the report of the Welsh National Memorial Association; and what steps he has taken to meet the deficiency of 400 beds at sanatoria and hospitals in the Principality?

The shortage of institutional accommodation for tuberculosis in Wales, which is less than is suggested, has been receiving close attention and proposals are before me which it is estimated will provide 114 additional beds, by the erection of huts at two existing sanatoria and by structural extension at a third.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications received for supplementary old age pensions since the new regulations were issued; the number granted and refused supplementations; and the average amount awarded?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the supplementary pension under the Determination of Needs Act stating the number of pensions paid under it, and the average amount to each person who has been awarded a supplementary pension?

Between 1st May, when the new Regulations were made, and 1st August, the last date for which figures are available, approximately 168,500 applications for supplementary pensions were received. In respect of these applications supplementary pensions were granted in about 142,500 cases and found not to be payable in about 22,200 cases, 3,800 cases remaining under consideration. Particulars regarding the average amount of supplementary pensions granted since the new Regulations came into force are not yet available. I hope to be able to make a statement regarding the results of the review of current supplementary pensions under the Determination of Needs Act very shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in determining awards for supplementary old-age pensions, the term "household" is being interpreted in a different spirit from that promised when the Regulations were approved by Parliament; and what instructions have been issued to the officers on this point?

I have been in consultation with the Assistance Board, but I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. If he has any individual cases in mind and will send me particulars, inquiry will of course be made. I would remind him, however, that any pensioner who is dissatisfied with the decision on his application has the right to ask for his case to be referred to the appeal tribunal. As regards the latter part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson) on 29th May.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in a number of areas old age pensioners, particularly those living with relatives, are, under recent legislation, receiving less than they would receive by way of public assistance; that this is due to the fact that, although it was provided that any person actually in receipt of public assistance at the inception of the supplementary old age pension scheme was not to be placed in a worse position, public assistance scales have been increased since to meet the rise in the cost of living, whereas the supplementary old age pension scales remain stationary; and whether, in view of the relatively small additional expense which would be incurred, steps will be taken to remove this anomaly?

The main object of the 1940 Act was to enable all pensioners to be dealt with on a national basis in accordance with Regulations approved by Parliament. The amount of a supplementary pension to be granted in any particular case must be determined by the Assistance Board in accordance with these Regulations, and without regard to any scales that may have been drawn up by local authorities for their own guidance in similar cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a widowed mother, recently awarded a hardship grant, who was in receipt of a supplementary pension at the time the weekly grant was made, has now had her supplementary pension reduced by the amount of the grant made by his Ministry; and whether he will take the necessary steps to prevent the Assistance Board from nullifying the decisions of his Ministry?

I am making inquiries of the Assistance Board and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered resolutions and communications sent to him respecting a basic increase in old age pensions; and whether he will consider giving directions that supplementary pensions originally granted shall be increased at intervals relative to the increase in the cost of living?

I have considered the resolutions mentioned by my hon. Friend but, as I stated in reply to a Question which he asked on 17th July, it is the considered policy of the Government that the situation to which he refers should be met, not by increasing the basic rate of old age pensions, but by the provision of supplementary pensions in cases of need. So far as supplementary pensions are concerned, I cannot add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 7th August.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the British Social Hygiene Council is likely to curtail its activities owing to lack of funds; and will he take steps to prevent this happening?

The British Social Hygiene Council have acquainted me with their financial position, end I have suggested to the Council that they should co-operate with the Central Council of Health Education which is the agency recognised by the Government for education on matters of health generally. The Council have welcomed this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the difficulty in retaining nursing, attendant and domestic staff in hospitals and municipal institutions, he will include them in the schedule of undertakings under the Essential Work (General Provisions) Order, 1941, as being services essential to the life of the community?

I have recently made an Order under which persons employed whole-time for more than twelve months as nurses in mental hospitals where certain conditions as to rates of pay and conditions of service are complied with are required to continue in such employment unless their services are dispensed with in accordance with the provisions of the Order. For the purpose of conserving the staff of hospitals this procedure is preferable to scheduling hospitals as undertakings under the Essential Work (General Provisions) Order, 1941. The question of making a similar Order applicable to hospitals generally is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes taking to prevent and deal with profiteering in the letting of furnished accommodation?

Of 1,468 local authorities to whom I addressed inquiries on the subject of excessive rents I have now received replies from 1,437. I am glad to be able to say that the reports show that there is no evidence of rent profiteering in the greater part of the country. Where excessive charges have come to notice, the local authorities have generally been able to secure appropriate reductions by making representations to the landlords without recourse to legal proceedings, but proceedings have been, or are being, instituted by 26 authorities. Almost all local authorities have either set up or are about to set up a special committee to deal with this problem, and a careful review of the reports indicated that rent profiteering can be checked by the vigorous use of the powers which have been conferred on local authorities. I propose to ask local authorities for a further special report in six months' time, when I shall again review the matter, and to remind them that in cases in which tenants of furnished lettings who complain are evicted by their landlords it might well be suitable for them to exercise their powers of compulsory billeting and requisitioning in order to secure accommodation for the "priority classes."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give figures

Year	Murders made known to the Police	Victims in cases in Column 2	Number of persons proceeded against for murder, whose cases were disposed of within the year (i.e., all persons apprehended whose cases were disposed of within the year, including those discharged without being called for trial but excluding persons charged with murder and found guilty of some lesser offence)		Discharged, not called for trial	Acquitted	Found insane		Convicted and sentenced to death but death commuted to P. S. for life		Persons proceeded against for murder and found guilty of some lesser offence, including culpable homicide, in cases not covered by foregoing columns
1	2	3	4		5	6	7		8		9
			M	F			M	F	M	F
1931	8	9	4	—	—	1	3	—	—	—	2
1932	10	12	6	1	1	—	1	1	4	—	—
1933	16	16	3	6	5	1	—	2	*1	—	2
1934	11	11	8	4	3	3	5	—	—	1	3
1935	16	19	3	2	1	—	2	1	†1	—	3
1936	19	19	6	3	4	—	5	—	—	—	9
1937	10	14	4	3	1	—	3	3	—	—	2
1938	15	18	4	5	4	—	3	2	—	—	3
1939	8	8	3	4	3	1	1	2	—	—	3
1940	8	8	2	2	—	2	2	—	—	—	2
Total	121	134	43	30	22	8	25	11	6	1	‡29
*Quashed on appeal and conviction of culpable homicide substituted. Sentence of P.S. for life imposed.
† Conviction quashed on appeal.						‡Includes 2 females.
Note.—In 21 cases the person against whom proceedings would otherwise have been taken committed suicide. No persons were executed during the period in question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing in the public interest legislation to prevent

The answer is as follows:local authorities suppressing all publicity about their doings by forming themselves into general purposes committees and merely using council meetings to record and endorse decisions thus reached?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Morgan) on 9th September, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Information why the British Broadcasting Corporation recently gave prominence to the views of Mr. Harry Pollitt, the Communist spokesman, especially in view of the attitude of the Trade Union Council towards the Communist party in this country and the fact that the Communist daily paper remains suppressed because its loyalty to the British war effort is not yet established?

The speech referred to in the hon. Member's Question was considered to be of sufficient public interest to justify the inclusion of a reference to it in the B.B.C.'s news bulletin.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will explain the programme which he proposes to adopt for propaganda in munitions workshops and factories in this country with the object of emphasising friendly relations between works' executives and workpeople and urging joint effort in the maintenance of production of war material?

The objectives mentioned by my hon. Friend are ones to which I attach the first importance. Separate programmes have been worked out for specific industries, and they include the use of speakers, cinema shows, posters and all other suitable means of propaganda.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made before the Recorder of London, on Tuesday, against the manager of a Bournemouth firm of contractors for inciting the Duranbrite Flooring Company to defraud the Admiralty; and whether he has had his attention drawn to the statement made by the Recorder about the case?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give particulars of the silver coinage recently minted in London and sent out to Abyssinia?

4,700,000 silver Thalers have been struck in London since the outbreak of war for use in Abyssinia.

asked the Home Secretary the present position in relation to the employment of schoolchildren, in particular, in agriculture; the approximate number employed; and the conditions of their employment?

There are no statistics available as to the number of children employed in agriculture. The legal conditions are contained partly in the provisions of Section 18 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and partly in by-laws made by local education authorities under that Section. Amongst the conditions set out in the Section is a condition about the lifting of heavy weights and a limitation on the hours of employment on school days. Amongst the conditions which can be dealt with by local by-laws is a requirement that persons employing children out of doors should see that they are provided with suitable boots and clothing sufficient to protect them from inclement weather. It is very desirable that local education authorities should give special attention both to the making and to the enforcement of by-laws on this subject. If the best use is to be made of the assistance of children to meet the acute need of agriculture, care must be taken to see that children are not employed for excessive hours or on excessively heavy tasks or under conditions which are injurious to health.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when a man of the 39-40 class is called up to register for National Service and has signed a registration form giving his employment partly as in a reserved occupation and partly as a general worker, it is permissible for registration authorities to alter the occupation qualification without informing him or his employer; and whether he will reconsider this, as such action may lead to fraud unless the parties concerned are informed of the alteration before the man is called up for his medical test?

It is the duty of the local officer of the Ministry of Labour and National Service to determine the primary occupation of a man registering under the National Service Acts. Information received from an employee, either at the time of registration or later, is verified by reference to the employer, who is notified if it is decided to classify the man in an occupation other than that specified by the employer. A man is not reserved if he does not follow, as his primary occupation, an occupation named in the Schedule. Heavy penalties are provided in cases where false information is knowingly or recklessly supplied. If my hon. and gallant Friend has a particular case in mind, perhaps he would be good enough to send me details.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what terms insurance against war damage under the business scheme will be extended after the end of this month?

The business scheme will be maintained in force after 30th September. It is proposed that the premium for the whole year to 30th September, I942, shall not exceed 30s. per cent. For the period of six months up to 31st March, 1942, the rate of premium will be 15s. per cent., which will be payable at the option of the insured either in one sum, or in two instalments at 7s. 6d. per cent. each covering the quarterly periods to 31st December, 1941, and 31st March, 1942. The rate of premium for the subsequent six months will be determined in March next and will not exceed the limit indicated.

asked the Home Secretary (1) the weekly allowance per convict in His Majesty's penal establishments of meat, milk, butter, margarine, bread, cheese, jam and sugar;(2) the weekly allowance per male in Borstal institutions of meat, milk, butter, margarine, bread, cheese, jam and sugar?