asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the full name of Major Scott, commanding British troops on the "Dunera"; what is his regiment; and when was he gazetted major;

(2) what steps he has taken to pro-vent what happened on the "Dunera" being repeated whenever Jewish refugees are under military escort; and

(3) whether any of the hundreds of wedding rings and gold watches robbed from Jewish refugees on the "Dunera" have been recovered; and what steps were taken to induce the escort to restore the stolen property when the "Dunera" returned?

The commanding officer on board the "Dunera" was Major William Patrick Scott, of the Pioneer Corps. He was gazetted Major in November, 1934. Where practicable, members of the escort were searched on their return to this country, and various articles which were believed to be the property of internees were confiscated. Strict instructions have since been issued to commanding officers with regard to the handling of the property of internees on board ship, and I have no reason to anticipate any repetition of the incidents that took place on the "Dunera."

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman deal with the charges that were framed so far as the court-martial was concerned and say whether those charges were based on inadequate evidence, and can he tell me now whether there was some sort of preliminary inquiry on which the charges were framed?

There was obviously a preliminary investigation to see whether charges could be framed, and it was on the result of that investigation that the charges were framed.

Arising out of the original answer, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend will take steps to restore the property to the owners?

The property which was recovered was of minor value; I think it totalled something like £100, and it was felt that it was better to follow the procedure of satisfying claims rather than to send these small trinkets back to Australia and try to discover to whom they belonged.

Has any estimate been formed of the total value of the claims?

I think I can answer that question; the last time I saw the figure I think it was somewhere about £35,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that considerable numbers of soldiers are not able to take advantage of the four leave periods per annum, which most of them are entitled to get, by reason of their inability to pay heavy cost of travelling, due to the long distance between their unit station and their home destinations; and, as this results in discrimination between such soldiers and those situated much nearer home, will he devise measures to eliminate such inequity?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the proposed new financial arrangements with the railway companies, he will now increase the number of free travelling warrants issued to men going on leave?

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present state of his consideration of the question of adding to the number of free travel warrants granted to soldiers stationed far from home who cannot afford to pay their fares; and will be consider whether it is possible to station men nearer to their homes to mitigate this hardship?

I am at present engaged in a re-examination of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to publish the despatches of the general officer commanding in chief Middle East Forces concerning the Abyssinian, Syrian and Iraq campaigns; and, if so, when?

It would not at present be in the public interest to publish the despatch describing the campaigns in Syria and Iraq, as it contains a great deal of military information which would be of value to the enemy. No despatches have yet been received with regard to the Abyssinian campaign.

In view of the answer he has given, may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether it has been laid down as a principle that no military despatches are to be published about operations during the war?

No, Sir, that is not laid down as a principle, but in any publication one has to exercise the greatest care that nothing is given away of use to the enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make some statement showing to what extent the Army assisted during the harvesting period?

The extent to which the Army has been able to assist farmers during the harvesting period has naturally varied very much from unit to unit. Commanding officers have been encouraged to meet the needs of farmers in their locality by providing labour on a day-today basis, wherever military requirements permitted, and the number of troops made available in this way during August was on the average not far short of 10,000 a day. Arrangements were also made for farmers to obtain the use of Army transport on direct application to the nearest unit. In addition, agricultural workers in the Army were in many cases given special leave to return for work on their old farms for periods up to a month, and in view of the lateness of the harvest commanding officers were authorised to grant a fortnight's extension to those still on leave at the end of August.

In referring to commanding officers, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman mean the immediate commanding officers of the men to be released, and is he aware that in a number of cases very serious delay has taken place through one officer referring the matter to another?

I was not aware of that. I have received expressions of thanks from all over the country for the work which the Army did in the harvest.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend give due consideration to a point of importance to the agricultural industry, namely, that of sending the same men to the same farm on consecutive days, as otherwise it takes men some time to get used to the work they have to do?

asked the Secretary of Slate for War what is the approximate number of men in uniform who act as batmen in the United Kingdom; and whether he proposes to control the batman system by closer and more frequent combings-out and to place some of these batmen in the fighting ranks, or, if of a low medical category, to return them to industry?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. The allotment of batmen varies according to the rank of the officer, the type of unit and other conditions. Batmen with fighting troops are fully armed and trained soldiers and are available for ordinary duties in the ranks.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the present to be an appropriate moment to abolish this archaic system?

I think the use of batmen tends to military efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that those officers of the Regular or Territorial Army Reserve of Officers who have been compulsorily transferred from their prewar regiments to the Pioneer Corps as a result of having been posted for duty with that corps are automatically re-transferred to their original regiments, on either being posted for permanent duty with another corps or unit, receiving a staff appointment unconnected with the administration of Pioneer troops or ceasing to be employed with the said corps?

Any application for re-transfer in such cases will be considered on its merits. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that, while there would normally be no objection to the re-transfer of an officer posted for permanent duty with another arm or corps, the holding of a staff appointment could not in itself be regarded as constituting a final severance of all connection with the Pioneer Corps.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the importance which people attach to returning to their own units and to being included on the statements of their own units, as it adds to the morale of the unit?

Yes, I am quite aware of that, but at the same time I do not think it applies exclusively to the Pioneer Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many commissioned officers of His Majesty's Forces have been court-martialled since 3rd September, 1940, for obtaining or attempting to obtain money under false pretences or for fraudulent conversion of regimental or public funds to their own use?

I am informed that since 3rd September, 1940, 72 commissioned officers in the three Fighting Services have been found guilty by court-martial on charges of obtaining or attempting to obtain money by false pretences or of fraudulent conversion or misapplication of regimental or public funds to their own use. In addition, 24 officers were tried and acquitted.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that these lapses referred to in the Question are usually caused by officers being underpaid, and can he state when it is proposed to remedy this legitimate grievance?

I honestly do not think there is any justification for a statement like that.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that, whereas since the war began the cost of living has risen by 40 per cent., officers' pay remains at the pre-war rate?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that such courts-martial of non-commissioned officers and men are often due to the fact that they are much more grossly underpaid than commissioned officers?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any recent contracts had been placed on a cost-plus-percentage basis; and whether he can give an assurance that all future contracts will be made either at a fixed price or on a cost-plus-fixed-profit basis?

Very few contracts have been placed on the cost-plus-percentage basis in this country recently, and this form of contract is used only in very exceptional circumstances. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings stated on 26th February last, it is not possible to give an undertaking of the kind suggested, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the use of this form of contract will be limited to cases where it is clearly the only suitable form.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that contracts are being placed before the prices are fixed, even when there is no necessity for doing so, and will he take steps to stop this practice?

I think that that is perhaps a different point. Perhaps the hon. Member will put a Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decreases announced in allowances to certain ranks of officers commissioned after 1st January, 1942, he will reconsider the position at an early date?

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in the announcement regarding married Army officers' allowances, it was not made clear that the increase of allowance only referred to married officers under 30 years of age; and what is the justification for reducing the allowances of married officers over 30 years of age by 2s.?

Under the old system the rates of family lodging allowance payable to a married officer over 30 are based on rank without reference to the size of the family. It was felt, however, that the assumption underlying this system, namely, that the accommodation which an officer provides for his family varies according to his rank, was no longer valid under war conditions, and it was accordingly decided that the size of the family should in future be adopted as the sole basis for determining the rate of family lodging allowance. While it is true that under the new code there will be certain decreases in the allowances payable to officers over 30, it is by no means true that no officer over 30 will be eligible for an increase. For example, a lieutenant over 30 with two children will be eligible for an increase of 10s. fid. a week. Moreover, any officer already drawing the allowance at the old rates may continue on the old code, if he prefers it. The effect of the new code on officers both under and ever 30 was made perfectly clear in my answer of 9th September.

Are the new Regulations acceptable to senior officers in the Service, or has my right hon. and gallant Friend succumbed to Treasury blandishments?

It is not in my nature to succumb to Treasury or any other blandishments.

Is it not a fact that the officer now serving who becomes married after 1st January, 1942, will be put in a far worse position by the new Regulations?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend has a Question on that point for the next Sitting Day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an increase in the pay of officers is still under consideration?

No, Sir. As I said in my reply of 9th September, for the unmarried officer I do not think the total of the pay and tax-free allowances are unreasonable, particularly having regard to the increased burdens and restrictions which are continuously being imposed on the rest of the community.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has not quite answered the Question on the Order Paper as to whether the senior officers in the Service are still pressing for a revision of the rates of pay of officers, and what action he proposes to take if that is so.

I can answer that again in the way I did in my first reply, and say, "No, Sir."

Instead of considering increasing the pay of officers, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider a reduction of the cost of living for these officers in mess allowances, which cause most of the trouble?

I think I said in my reply of 9th September that that point was having close attention.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the rations are now so liberal and good that there is no reason whatever for officers to supplement them in any way whatever?

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity or, if I am fortunate enough to catch your eye, Mr. Speaker, in an appropriate Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for War the allowances made for children of serving men of commissioned rank, non-commissioned rank and other members of the Army, respectively?

The rates of allowances for the families of other ranks were set out in detail in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on 9th October, 1940, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. So far as officers are concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for Wallsend (Miss Ward) and Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 9th September.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman put the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when soldiers' wives and dependants claim consideration on the ground of hardship, their household circumstances are investigated by officers of the Assistance Board; that the officers report on such circumstances, but do not decide the question of hardship or amounts to be granted; whether he is aware that in fact the household means test is being applied to such soldiers' dependants without the exercise of the officer's discretion; and whether he will take steps to put an end to this?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that the hon. Member's Question relates to applications for War Service grants. The officers of the Assistance Board are required to do no more than investigate and report the facts of each case, and the decision rests with my Department, with the advice of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee. In deciding a case regard is had to the principles of the Determination of Needs Act, and to all the circumstances of the applicant.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men and women have been invalided out of the Army or incapacitated on account of defective hearing?

I regret that this information is not readily available.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider giving some kind of instruction whereby men invalided out of the Army for deafness may be passed on to the National Institute for the Deaf in order that good use may be made of these men, many of whom are extremely valuable, although no longer of use for military service?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he realises the hardship caused by the drastic cutting down of military allowances for the relatives of a soldier reported missing, thus adding financial difficulties to anxiety; and can he hold out any hope of this situation being eased?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) on 25th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise the enormous hardship caused to a mother or wife who, after hearing that her husband or son is killed, has her allowance cut down as well?

I think that the arrangements I announced to the House on that date are working satisfactorily.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not reconsider the matter sympathetically?

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the procedure followed after sentence for detention is passed by a court-martial; and what remission is granted for good conduct during the running of sentence?

When sentence is awarded by a court-martial the proceedings are forwarded for confirmation to the confirming officer who may confirm, commute or remit the sentence or recommend to a superior military authority that sentence be suspended. After confirmation sentence is promulgated and put into execution. All sentences are reviewed at intervals of not more than six months and may be reviewed more frequently, if necessary. A soldier undergoing detention may earn by good conduct a remission of one-sixth of a sentence of 28 days or one third of a sentence for a longer period.

Is regard paid to the youth of the soldier who has committed an indiscretion? It does seem a mistake that they should be under detention for any length of time.

All these relevant facts are taken into consideration. Sentences given may be considerably curtailed.

Are the men in question sent to a military prison?

They are sent to detention barracks.

Is the process of revision which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has described applicable to sentences of detention imposed by a commanding officer without court-martial?

The commanding officer is able to give detention only up to 28 days.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many skilled miners have been temporarily released from the Army for that work during the months of May, June, July and August and up to date in September, respectively, and how many more are available temporarily?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given further consideration to the urgent national need for the return to the mines of coalminers in the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the serious danger of shortage of coal in the coming winter, he will release skilled miners on temporary leave from the Armed Forces?

The Government's policy with regard to the release of coalminers from the Armed Forces was explained by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Wines in answer to Questions on 9th September. He stated that it had not been found necessary to ask for the return of more men from the Fighting Forces, and I have nothing to add to that statement.

Would it not be possible for my right hon. and gallant Friend to give us the approximate numbers?

I am afraid I have not got them.

If I offer to bet my right hon. and gallant Friend that these men will be back in the mines by Christmas, will he accept the offer?

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not consider that as these men have now no doubt been fully trained, they might be allowed out on leave, in order to get more coal and to increase the war effort?

It is not a question of their having leave for a short time. My hon. and gallant Friend, who has been a soldier himself, knows that you cannot just train a man and then let him go. Training is a continuous process.

Shortage of coal is the governing factor.

I can only answer that by repeating what my hon. Friend the Minister of Mines said in his answer of 9th September.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware of the hardship frequently caused when overpayments made to a soldier for a long periods, as a result of miscalculation by the regimental paymaster, are adjusted in his account by a restriction of cash issues; and whether he will direct that, when a soldier has through no fault of his own received excess pay, no recovery of such excess shall be effected until after inquiry into the circumstances and his liabilities has shown that no serious hardship would result to him or his dependants from such recovery?

If a soldier has received an over-payment in good faith, the commanding officer should submit the case to higher authority with a view to a write-off of the whole or some portion of the over-issue. The cash issues of the soldier are, however, in the meantime restricted, subject to the proviso that the soldier shall, normally, be left with a minimum of 1s. a day. To continue the cash issues at the full rate would merely postpone the date of final recovery should a full write-off not be approved. So far as family allowances and qualifying allotment are concerned, any over-issues recovered from the wife's weekly payment are restricted to a maximum of 12½ per cent. and may not continue beyond eight weeks. If it is evident that a reduction of the weekly payment by 12½ per cent. is likely to cause hardship, a lesser proportion may be recovered.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that these provisions are made clearly known to all ranks?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the dependants' allowances are so small that a 12½ per cent. reduction constitutes an intolerable burden?

If the attention of my right hon. and gallant Friend is called to cases which have gone on for 50 weeks, will he have them reconsidered?

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has considered the representations made to him by representative bodies regarding the widespread concern occasioned by the recent trials of cases in England which, it is contended, ought to be conducted in Scotland; and whether he has any statement to make?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to enemy agents, I have nothing to add to my answer to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison) on 9th September, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. With regard to other cases, prosecutions in respect of offences alleged to have been committed in Scotland will normally be conducted in Scotland.

What policy exactly is guiding my right hon. and learned Friend? Are domicile and the place of commission of the offence not necessarily important factors in deciding where any trial shall take place? Is not to disregard either of these considerations giving away Scottish legal jurisdiction?

With regard to enemy agents, I would remind my hon. Friend that the Treachery Act, 1939, makes special provision that persons accused under that Act may be tried at any place in the United Kingdom, irrespective of where the offence was committed or where the person was apprehended. I must have regard to that statutory provision in anything I may have to decide in regard to enemy agents. In regard to other cases, I have given an undertaking which is qualified only by the word "normally." In war-time one cannot always foresee what may happen I do not want to give an undertaking which may tie the hands of myself or of my successors in circumstances quite unforeseen, but I can assure my hon. Friend that unless something unforeseen occurs Scottish offenders will be tried in Scotland, except in the case of certain enemy agents.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that in some cases a local fuel overseer, with office and staff, deals with a weekly tonnage of only 150 to 200 tons of fuel, this being the equivalent in cost to 2s. 6d. to 3s. per ton; and whether he will take steps to effect economies in this direction?

Under the Fuel and Lighting Orders, each county borough or county district authority (in Scotland each county and town council) is required to appoint a local fuel overseer, and in sparsely-populated parts of the country, while it is essential for the convenience of the public to maintain this uniform arrangement, the officer may only be concerned with a very limited tonnage of fuel. Claims of local authorities for the repayment of expenses incurred in the administration of the Orders are examined by my Department, and only such amount as is considered reasonable, having regard to the amount of work involved, is refunded.

Would it not be possible in some cases to amalgamate offices which are dealing with only very small amounts?

The hon. and gallant Member will realise that in sparsely-populated areas the area of administration is extensive. In such areas no full-time officer is appointed. The officer who is appointed does the work on a part-time basis and for very small remuneration.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that coal dealers have recently received notices concerning the procedure for deferment of calling-up, Form N.S./200, from three separate authorities, namely, the Director-General of the House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme, the Divisional Coal Officer, and the Local Fuel Overseer; and whether he will issue instructions to eliminate this overlapping of functions?

I think that the hon. and gallant Member is under some misapprehension. The new deferment procedure to which he refers is operated through the local fuel overseers, and full instructions about it were issued in June, by these officers only. The divisional coal officers have made no general issue of instructions, although, as they are consulted by the Ministry of Labour under the new procedure, and are responsible for the actual issue of the forms to merchants, there may have been communications with individual merchants. The House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme, which is the merchant's own organisation, working in co-operation with my Department, merely included a reminder about this deferment procedure in a general circular to merchants which dealt with a large number of other matters relating to coal distribution.

Is it really necessary that coal dealers, especially small men, who have not large clerical staffs, should receive notices about the same matter from three or four different sources? Apart from anything else, does it not involve an appalling waste of time and paper?

I dispute the suggestion that dealers generally receive notices from three or four different sources. There may have been individual cases. But the hon. and gallant Member would be much more disturbed if they did not get notices at all and if their workmen were wrongly taken into the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the need for affording every protection for miners against accident, he will issue instructions that every man who is returning to the pits under the new Registration Order is to be medically examined?

In order to secure uniformity and speed in the urgently-needed return of men to the pits under the registration scheme, the question of medical examination is determined in each case by officers of the Ministry of Labour and National Service on the facts brought to their notice at the interview.

Does my hon. Friend not consider that on arrival at the pits such men should undergo examination, having regard to the safety of the men already working at the pits?

It is not a matter of safety at all. It is not usual to examine the men seeking employment at a colliery.

What is the reason for the differentiation in Government policy, in view of the fact that girls who are engaged for work in factories are examined by doctors paid by the Government?

Sometimes there is some doubt about the fitness of men engaged in work of this character, apart from the question of safety. If the men themselves want to be examined, they are examined.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding progress in the production of coal in Scotland; the position as to winter stocks as compared with last year; and what action he is taking to continue in production pits which owners wish to cease working?

The production of coal in Scotland, though still below the level which is needed, has shown some improvement in recent weeks, and district and pit production committees are working to improve the output still further. I am not prepared to make a statement on the stocking position in any one district, but I am satisfied that the position generally is at least as good as a year ago. No pit will be allowed to close without full consideration of all the facts by the Coal Production Council.

In order to add to production, and in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for War appeared to place the responsibility upon my hon. Friend with regard to taking men from the Army, is he taking into account the possibility of men in a low medical category, who consider themselves fit to work in coal mines, being released?

I did not understand that my right hon. and gallant Friend put the responsibility upon me. He declared that I announced the Government's policy in answer to a Question in the House. It is not my policy.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that there are sufficient men being released from the Army to get him out of the chaotic position in which he finds himself to-day with regard to the production of coal?

It is not a question of whether there are sufficient men. No men are being returned from the Army. It is not part of my business to see where men can be got.

Do I understand my hon. Friend to say that he does not agree by doctors paid by the Government?

It is not my business to disagree with the policy of the Government. My own position is clear. It is that I thought we were entitled to more men for production at the beginning of the summer.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the deliveries of coal to the town of Redditch during the month of August this year were only 81 per cent. of that supplied in August, 1940; that the population in the meantime has greatly increased; that merchants have been quite unable to deliver to consumers even the restricted quantity of two tons for storage suggested by the Mines Department; and what action he is taking in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. In order to meet essential industrial demand, some diversion of coal from the domestic market has been inevitable, and this coupled with the fact that the population of Redditch is 12 per cent. higher than it was in June, 1939 (though 10 per cent. lower than it was in December, 1940), has naturally led to some difficulties in maintaining adequate supplies of house coal in this area. An improvement in the position must depend upon an increase of output and the exercise of strict economy by all consumers. In the meantime my Department is taking all possible steps to ensure that the available supplies of house coal are distributed as equitably as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any advantage or assistance, direct or indirect, is being given to the London gas companies in connection with the purchase of coal or otherwise over those given to municipal or public utility gas concerns in other parts of the country?

My Department is endeavouring to secure supplies for all gas undertakings and has not provided any advantage or assistance to London gas companies which is not available to other undertakings in similar circumstances.

Does that mean that some assistance or advantage is being given, but is not being put at the disposal of municipal undertakings or public utility undertakings in other parts of the country?

I said there was no advantage except this, that some assistance is given in certain areas, where coal is carried by expensive sea routes, to meet the additional charges so incurred.

Is it given to the disadvantage of other parts of the country?

No, I am sure there is no disadvantage.

Is the assistance by means of a levy on tonnage?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will endeavour to prevail upon colliery companies to pay wages on Thursdays so as to enable miners' wives to do their shopping in good time, and thus obtain their fair share of unrationed goods, which, because of short supply, are frequently disposed of before miners receive their wages on a Friday, or more usually on a Saturday?

I am afraid that any attempt to arrange a Thursday pay day for the industry generally would give rise to a number of difficulties in regard to the "making up" day. I am prepared, however, to look into any case where men who are paid on Saturday desire to be paid on Friday and to see whether the necessary arrangements can be made.

While I appreciate that reply, would my hon. Friend, instead of asking for specific instances, because I have already supplied him with some, let that view be generally known so that some action might be taken by colliery companies?

There are not many cases where companies have failed to make arrangements, but I should be glad to make it known that the convenience of the workmen should be studied in this matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been directed to the resolution of the National Gas Council, West Riding Board, recommending members not to agree to increased coal prices unless approved by the Ministry; whether he will state the names of the officers authorised to give such approval in the West Riding and on what grounds increases of price on existing contracts are given?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The general levels of colliery prices are controlled, on lines agreed with my Department, through machinery set up for each district under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, and any increase in prices, which have to be permitted from time to time, are authorised by my Department, either nationally or for individual districts. Coal prices are only increased after very careful consideration of all the circumstances, especially the vital need for maintaining production at the maximum level. Special arrangements have had to be made for a price increase on certain supplies, particularly on those now being diverted from the domestic market to gas works. The great majority of existing contracts between collieries and buyers provide for the automatic addition of all authorised increases to the original contract price.

Will my hon. Friend give the names of the officers in the West Riding who approved these increases?

I could give the names, but not offhand.

But my hon. Friend will see that in my Question I asked whether he would state the names of the officers authorised to give such approval in the West Riding.

That is an omission, but I can give my hon. and gallant Friend and the House that information if they desire.

asked the Secretary for Mines to what extent the rationing of household fuel is contemplated?

The whole situation in regard to coal supplies for the coming winter is being carefully watched in its three aspects of production, consumption and stocks, and consideration is. of course, being given to the arrangements which would have to be made in the event of a shortage developing, either generally or in particular localities. Meanwhile every member of the public can help to minimise the risk of our having to resort to a general rationing scheme by exercising the most careful economy in his consumption of all forms of fuel; not only of coal and coke, but also of gas, electricity, fuel, oil and paraffin.

Is it not the Minister's primary duty to provide coal and not to preach economy?

Is my hon. Friend aware that well-to-do people are stocking cellars and that in the winter it will be the poor people who will have to suffer from a shortage of coal?

There are very substantial stocks in the custody of people who are not generally regarded as well-to-do. The House may be assured that the household stocking this year is equal to that of last year. We have 1,000,000 tons more in Government stocks, and I hope to help the very poorest people from those Government stocks.

Has my hon. Friend a scheme for securing that those who have very limited storage capacity will be guaranteed coal during the winter?

I am sure that my hon. Friend has cases in mind where over vast areas people have not storage accommodation. The only way to help them is by having Government stocks, and that is being done.

How does the Minister propose to provide these stocks?

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the number of collieries in each district where canteens are in existence serving sit-down, cooked, full meals to mineworkers?

Of the 751 pit-head canteens already in operation or in preparation there are 16 where full meals are at present being provided. Of these, seven are in West Yorkshire, four in Nottingham, two in South Yorkshire and one each in Lanarkshire, Northumberland and North Staffordshire. The type of service provided at pit-heads is governed by the local demand and the facilities available, but the Miners' Welfare Commission advises all collieries to consider establishing canteens capable of providing all types of service, including full meals where the demand for these exists.

Are conferences taking place in the localities where canteens are desired between the Welfare Commissioners and the different committees, and can my right hon. Friend say when the money from the Miners' Welfare Commission is likely to be liberated for the purpose of extending these very excellent canteens?

I have not the slightest doubt that the money can be liberated. The work is not delayed by lack of money. The conferences have now been held. I want to pay a tribute to the Miners' Welfare Commission, the Chairman of which is the right hon. and gallant Member for Central Nottingham (Sir F. Sykes). They are very actively engaged upon the whole plan for providing canteen accommodation.

Is not some credit due to the district welfare organisations for initiating the canteens?

I do not demur from that statement. The plans will have to be provided by the central organisation, but the local organisations have played their full part.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has given further consideration to the suggestion that a Merchant Service cross and medal be instituted for gallantry in action against the enemy?

The awards available in the Merchant Navy are the George Cross, appointment to the appropriate Class of the Order of the British Empire, the George Medal, the British Empire Medal, and Commendation for brave conduct. The Victoria Cross may also be granted, and for services in operations under the orders of the Royal Navy military awards are given. The Albert Medal in Gold, the Albert Medal, and the Silver and Bronze Medals for Saving Life at Sea are also available. Bars may be awarded to both Crosses and to all these Medals. The Merchant Navy is thus already accorded a wide range of appropriate honours and awards, but the matter is being further investigated.

Does my right hon. Friend agree with the recent statement of an ex-First Sea Lord and member of the War Cabinet, that the Navy and the Merchant Service are sister Services with a common task and a common responsibility and that there ought not to be two different types of honour for the same work?

I would rather see that Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister without Portfolio, whether he is now in a position to state when it is proposed to introduce legislation consequent on the recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee, and to set up a central planning authority as recommended therein?

Considerable progress has been made in the drafting of legislation consequent upon the recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee, and the Government hope to introduce the Bill before Christmas. On the question of a central planning authority, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave to Questions on 17th July and 9th September.

Would my right hon. Friend say why the Government are not to accept, the recommendation of the Uthwatt Committee on this fundamental point of a central planning authority, and will he give it reconsideration?

If my hon. Friend will look at the report of the Uthwatt Committee, he will see that they do not recommend a central planning authority. They assume, quite rightly, that it is the Government's policy to set one up, but as the issues involve so many Departments and an important central planning authority should act with proper powers, it is a matter for close consideration, and I hope before long to make a statement to the House.

Is it intended to pay more deference to this Uthwatt Committee than was paid to the last Uthwatt report?

We are considering the last Uthwatt report.

In view of the complexity and importance of this matter, will arrangements be made for a reasonable period of time to elapse between the availability of the Bill in the Vote Office and its introduction into the House?

Most certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the scheme passed by the shareholders of the Commonwealth and Great Boulder group of companies, the effect of which is to substitute holdings in Australian companies for the present British companies; and whether such a scheme has been approved by His Majesty's Treasury?

Application was made on behalf of the seven companies concerned for Treasury consent, under Regulation 6A of the Defence (Finance) Regulations, to the scheme referred to in my hon. Friend's Question. A reply was sent to the effect that, after full consideration, the Treasury was not prepared to give its consent.

Are we to understand that this company has acted quite contrary to the wishes of the Treasury, and, if so, will any Governmental action be instigated?

I would not say that. I think it was within its authority and its constitution in putting forward these proposals, but the Treasury decided not to accept them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will inform the House concerning the circumstances in which a monetary stringency was allowed to develop in the money market towards the end of August; whether he can assure the House that the stringency did not indicate any change in the Government's declared cheap money policy; and whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrence of such stringency?

The exceptional position which occurred in the money market towards the end of August was largely due, I understand, to the large volume of subscriptions received by the Government during the closing days of the National War Bonds issue, coupled with seasonal currency demands and end-of-month requirements. There is no change in the Government's cheap money policy, which remains entirely unaffected by temporary fluctuations in the volume of short-term funds, and any steps in support of this policy will be taken as and when required.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that events of this kind are apt to make people lose confidence in the intention of the Government to maintain cheap rates, and will he give the House an assurance that now that Mr. Montagu Norman has reappointed himself Governor of the Bank of England he will not be allowed to monkey with the rates?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any women in the Inspector of Taxes Department are being retained on a permanent basis after marriage?

There are at present no women retained after marriage in an established capacity as Inspectors of Taxes in the Inland Revenue Department. I should add that if a woman Inspector of Taxes marries and it is not thought that she should be retained as a permanent established Civil servant, she is, in present circumstances, invited to stay in the Department in a temporary capacity.

Considering the enormous cost of training these women for these important jobs, is it not a great waste of public money, as well as being very unfair and old-fashioned, not to retain them on a permanent basis after marriage?

It has been agreed with the Staff side of the National Whitley Council that a married woman can be retained in an established capacity where the head of her Department and the Treasury are satisfied that this is advisable in the light of her special qualifications or special experience in relation to the duties required of her or of the special requirements of the Department in which she is serving.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of these women, when they have been obliged to leave their Department because of marriage, have obtained big jobs and drawn higher rates of pay outside than when they were in the Government service?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will call for a report from the British Embassy in Washington as to the extent to which British subjects now residing in the United States of America, if made subject to British Income Tax, could add to the receipts of the British Exchequer during the war; and as to the extent to which dollar securities are held by such persons?

No, Sir. I do not think a useful purpose would be served by this inquiry.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman be in a much better position to decide whether it is worth pursuing these people if he had a report as to the size of the problem, in view of the great interest taken in this matter both in this country and in the United States?

The hon. Member knows that I have gone into this matter at considerable length and made many inquiries, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by following the course he suggests.

How did the right hon. Gentleman go into the matter properly without getting a report as to the size of the problem? Will he not reconsider the matter? Otherwise, I shall have to pursue it.

If the hon. Member has any further information to give, I should be glad to look into it.

Does not the hon. Member realise that nothing further was ever intended?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the trade or business of landlords is subject to Excess Profits Tax?

As I explained in my Reply to my hon. Friend's Question on the 9th instant, the Excess Profits Tax is applicable where the selling or leasing of land constitutes a trade or business. Whether a trade or business is carried on depends in general on the facts of the particular case, but, as I pointed out in my previous Reply, a property holding company is deemed, under a specific provision of the Excess Profits Tax, to be carrying on a business An individual landlord would not normally be regarded as carrying on a business by reason of his ownership of property.

Does the Chancellor mean that a landlord has no business, and will he explain why landlords; should be left in this privileged position?

I do not think a landlord is yet in that position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the 1s. 3d. per hour paid to members of the Observer Corps, as out-of-pocket expenses, is being included in assessments for Income Tax; and whether he will consider deleting these sums from such assessments?

I understand that the payments to which my hon. Friend refers are issued as pay and they are assessed to Income Tax as such. I am advised that this treatment is in accordance with the law, and I am afraid that I cannot see my way to propose any concession.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the OFFICIAL REPORT and see the answer which he gave to me some time ago, that these payments were regarded as out-of-pocket expenses?

I shall be glad to look at that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the hardships inflicted upon persons with small incomes by reason of the existing high rates of taxation and the increased cost of living; and whether, in the preparation of his next Budget proposals, he will consider extending the present statutory allowances in order to alleviate the distress of such persons?

My hon. Friend must not expect me to anticipate the Budget Statement.

I have not asked my right hon. Friend to do that, but merely to give special consideration to the hardships inflicted in the cases to which I have referred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Income Tax ruling for the financial year 1940–41 relates to interest on all money facilities placed at the disposal of the Treasury for the year ended 31st March, 1941?

I am not quite clear as to the precise information required by my hon. Friend, but if it relates to the Income Tax payable on the interest paid on British Government securities in 1940–41 the amount of Income Tax deducted at the source was about £50,000,000. In addition about £20,000,000 was assessed direct on the recipient in respect of interest which is paid in full under the terms of the issue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recommendations he has received from local war savings committees for the issue of 10s. Savings Certificates; and whether he has given consideration to this proposal?

One or two such recommendations have been brought to my notice but I have come to the conclusion that the advantages to be derived from the substitution of a 10s. Savings Certificate for the current one would not compensate for the practical difficulties which the change would involve.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the course of negotiations with Messrs. Courtaulds, Limited, with regard to the price to be paid for the American Viscose Corporation shares, the conditions upon which the Government are prepared to go to arbitration have been discussed; and whether those conditions include a limitation of liability?

The discussion referred to is still continuing and when agreement is arrived at therein I will inform the House of the same.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum what percentage of petrol coupons issued remain unaccounted for and unreturned through regional or district officers for the last period for which figures are available?

The figure for the latest period is approximately 1½ per cent. of the petrol value of the coupons issued.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether his attention has been drawn to the increased road-death figures, estimated at 10,000 for the past 12 months, with a heavy proportion of children; and will he once more consider a further reduction of petrol supplies to private motorists, not only as a measure for the reduction of road deaths but also to conserve national supplies and shipping space?

The avoidance of road accidents depends on a number of factors other than petrol issues. I may, however, remind the hon. Member that a further reduction in the supply of petrol for the motorist will take place in October and the succeeding months.

While feeling grateful to the Minister for this reduction, may I ask whether he does not agree that the time has now arrived when all private motoring should be stopped?

No, Sir.

Will the Minister consider preventing children playing with marbles and whip tops on the highways?