asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he contemplates compulsory registration for the purchase of vegetables other than onions; if so, how he proposes to ensure that purchasers can buy articles they want and in the condition they require; and whether prices of all vegetables will be closely controlled?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative. The rest of his Question therefore does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of people who have now registered for onions; whether he proposes to adhere to the policy that no onions will be supplied to those who have not registered; and whether, in that case, any surplus will be distributed amongst those who have registered?

Owing to the extension of the period allowed for lodging reservations for onions, the returns showing the number of reservations are not yet complete. Onions will not be available for consumers who failed to lodge reservations unless they are holders of weekly seamen's ration books, leave or duty ration cards or emergency documents, who may be, supplied out of a margin granted for the purpose. All the onions allocated will be distributed among customers who have lodged reservations and the holders of such ration documents.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that vitamin authorities rank onions as possessing the lowest protective value of any vegetable, and carrots nearly as low, while broccoli tops, mustard and cress and watercress are ranked as possessing the most protein value; and why, under these circumstances, he concentrates on the supply of onions and ignores the other products?

The vitamin content of onions is low, but they are of great value as a flavouring agent. Carrots are a most important source of vitamin A because they are inexpensive, available all through the year, and give a higher yield of this vitamin per acre than any other ordinary market vegetable. For this reason, steps have been taken to ensure a plentiful supply. The food value of broccoli tops, mustard and cress and watercress lies in their vitamin and mineral content; they are not regarded primarily as sources of protein as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests. The implication of the last part of the Question is incorrect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the overriding commission paid to each of the wholesale meat supply associations which have been set up in the country; and what surplus each of such organisations had at the end of the first year of trading?

The commission payable to the wholesale meat supply associations has been the subject of investigation by the costings department of the Ministry. The final rate for each association has not yet been determined as certain applications that have been made for membership of these associations are still under consideration, and the expenditure incurred in the performance of services to the Ministry is still subject to final ascertainment. The principles governing remuneration have been agreed and certain payments on account have been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the different commissions charged from the time an animal intended for human consumption enters the market to the time when it is sold over the counter by the retailer to the public?

Commissions are paid to the auctioneers who conduct the business of the Ministry's collecting centres where livestock is purchased and graded. Slaughterhouse contractors operating Government slaughterhouses are remunerated by means of a contract based on a per capita charge. For the remuneration of wholesale meat supply associations, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his previous Question. For the price margins allowed to retail butchers, I would refer him to my answer of 17th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley (Mr. Crowder).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has come to any decision regarding the recommendation of the Liskeard Rural District Food Control Committee that fishermen should be allowed the extra ration of cheese received by certain manual workers engaged in heavy work?

The special ration of cheese is not granted on the ground of heavy work but to meet the needs of certain categories who require to take packed meals with them to their work. The case of the fishermen is being looked into and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, under the new milk rationing scheme, milk is to be supplied to children at school on the basis of the number of children attending or on the basis of the children who need or want it; and what becomes of any surplus milk thus supplied but not consumed?

It is not proposed to introduce any scheme for rationing liquid milk. I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the scheme for controlling the distribution of this commodity which will come into operation in October next. Under this scheme supplies of milk for consumption by children during school hours will, as heretofore, be determined by the requirements of each school as calculated by the school authority, or head teacher, on the basis of the number of children wishing to take milk. It is not anticipated that schools will order in excess of their daily requirements, but any milk not consumed would be returned to the supplier.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that producers with more than 50 fowls, who should send all their production to packing stations, are, in fact, selling some of their eggs direct to consumers at prices ranging between 3s. 8d. and 5s. per dozen; and whether he will tighten up the egg distribution scheme with a view to increasing the quantities allowed to registered consumers?

I am not aware of any such action by producers of this class but if specific instances can be given I will see that appropriate action is taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will amend the egg distribution scheme in order to secure control of the production of all poultry-keepers who have more than 12 fowls, having regard to the fact that this would enable the distribution of one egg per ration book each week instead of only three eggs per month?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware the question of including the poultry-keeper with 13 to 50 fowls in the egg scheme received very careful consideration prior to the scheme coming into operation, and I am not prepared to alter the decision then reached to exclude him from compulsory participation in the scheme. There is, however, a considerable financial inducement to such poultry-keepers voluntarily to sell their eggs to the packing stations set up under the scheme and a large nuumber do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in Scotland as much as 5s. per dozen is being paid for eggs produced by farmers who are outside the egg distribution scheme because they have less than 50 fowls; and whether he will amend the scheme to bring the production of such producers into the packing stations?

I am not aware that this class of poultry-keepers is obtaining as much as 5s. per dozen for their eggs and if my hon. Friend will furnish me with details I will cause appropriate action to be taken. The question of compulsorily bringing under the egg scheme the poultry-keeper with less than 50 fowls was carefully considered before the scheme was put into operation, and I am not prepared to revise the decision then reached to exclude them. There is, however, a considerable financial inducement for such poultry-keepers voluntarily to sell their eggs to the packing stations and a large number do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when it is expected that all white flour sold in this country will be fortified with aneurin, synthetic Vitamin B1?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 10th September. It is not possible, at present, to give a reliable estimate as to when all the white flour sold in this country will be fortified with aneurin, synthetic Vitamin B1.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is proposed to add calcium to the fortified white flour; and whether the views of the Scientific Advisory Committee on this question have been ascertained?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the first part of the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 10th September. The views of the Scientific Committee on Food Policy have been ascertained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when the addition of calcium to the fortified loaf, proposed in July, 1940, will be put into operation; in what form calcium will be added, and in what quantity; and from what source the vitamin B1 added to the fortified loaf is now obtained and in what quantity from each individual source?

As regards the first part of the Question, I regret I am not in a position at present to make any further statement as to when or in what form and what quantity calcium will be added to the fortified loaf. As regards the second part of the Question, the vitamin B1 added to the fortified loaf is at present obtained from a firm of manufacturers in the United Kingdom and from the United States under Lease-Lend arrangements. It is not considered advisable in the national interest to publish the quantity obtained from each individual source. White flour fortified with vitamin B1 is also now being imported from Canada.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether consideration is being given to the possibility of supplying cured herring to Russia; and, if these are required, whether the necessary arrangements will be made for the prosecution of the autumn herring fishing?

Adequate arrangements will be made for the autumn herring season so far as hostilities will permit. There is very little prospect, however, that the landings will be in excess of the requirements of the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether there has been a substantial increase in the consumption of wholemeal bread; and whether the response of the public to the appeal to buy the national loaf has been satisfactory?

There has been a steady increase in the output of national wheatmeal bread, which is now estimated to be about 7½ per cent. of all bread consumed. Further measures to increase the consumption of the national loaf are in course of preparation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will waive the restriction against householders purchasing more than one week's supply of rationed foodstuffs in the case of lonely glens to which merchants pay only occasional visits and whose inhabitants have to walk long distances for their weekly supplies when the roads are blocked by snow?

The rationing regulations provide that rations of butter and margarine, cooking fats, bacon and sugar may be purchased for the current week and for a week in arrears. Tea rations may be bought for the current week and either for a week in arrears or a week in advance. The whole ration of cheese for a four-weeks period may be bought at

I. Civilian and Army allowances of rationed food per week (15th September, 1941)
Commodity.	Civilian rations.		Army rations (a) Home Service Scale.
	General.	Seamen on weekly articles.	Men.	Women.
Meat	1s. 2d. adult, 7d. child under six.	120 ozs.	42 ozs.	35 ozs.
Bacon and Ham (uncooked, free of bone).	4 ozs.	8 ozs.	9 ozs.	8 ozs.
Butter and margarine	6 ozs. (not more than 2 ozs. butter)	13¼ ozs. (in any proportions of butter and margarine)	10½ ozs. (margarine only)	10½ozs. (not more than 3½ ozs. butter)
Cheese	3 ozs.	4 ozs.	4 ozs.	4 ozs.
Cooking Fats	2 ozs. (may be taken in the form of margarine)	2 ozs. (may be taken in the form of margarine)	—	—
Sugar	8 ozs.	30 ozs.	14 ozs.	14 ozs.
Tea	2 ozs.	4 ozs.	2 ozs.	2 ozs.
Preserves	16 ozs. per 4 weeks (jam, marmalade, syrup or treacle)	8 ozs. jam 2 ozs. syrup	7 ozs. (10½ ozs. for boys and young soldiers battalions) (jam, marmalade or syrup)	10½ ozs. (jam, marmalade, syrup)
(a) The maximum quantities of rationed foods which may be purchased by holders of leave or duty ration cards, with the exception of personnel billeted with subsistence, are those allowed to the ordinary civilian population. Personnel billeted with subsistence are allowed a larger meat ration (men 2s. 4d.; women 1s. 9d.).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will set out, in tabular form, the amount of rationed foods allowed per head of the civilian population per week, together with any supplementary allowances and special cases, and similar information regarding the rations allotted to the Army per week?

The information desired is given below:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to retail shopkeepers inasmuch as there are 52 categories of sardines on the market; that at a recent prosecution at Southend for exceeding the maximum, a representative of the food control committee was handed 12 tins and had to measure them separately by a paper chart; and whether he can introduce some scheme of co-ordination whereby these mistakes can be avoided?

The operation of the Sardines (Maximum Prices) Order may have caused some inconvenience owing to difficulty in identifying the large variety of containers in use, but it was clearly necessary for the Order to be comprehensive in this respect. The chart to which my hon. Friend refers was prepared as a ready means of identification and it is understood to have proved quite satisfactory for this purpose. Future importations of canned sardines will be restricted to five sizes, and the price Order can be simplified as soon as stocks already in the country have been disposed of.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether his attention has been called to the recent meeting of the Chelmsford Rural District Food Control Committee at which a case was cited where a shopkeeper was refusing to retail tomatoes at the controlled price but was slicing tomatoes and selling salad at 6d. per pound; and what steps he is taking to deal with this procedure, which imposes a condition of sale and should be prohibited?

I have inquired into the case recently discussed by the Chelmsford Rural District Food Control Committee. It appears that the firm referred to does not offer whole tomatoes for sale, but sells sliced tomatoes mixed with other vegetables in the form of a salad. The practice of offering for sale composite parcels of food, some of which are subject to price control, is now being examined by my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can give the numbers either by figures or percentages of population who have registered for milk and onions respectively, in this country?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to give my hon. and gallant Friend the information for which he asks, but I will communicate with him as soon as figures become available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements have been made for community feeding for rural and greenhouse workers and their families in the rural district of Epping?

I am informed that the Epping District Rural Council have already made inquiry as to the probable demand for community feeding facilities among the rural and greenhouse workers in their area, but that the response has not been encouraging. A British restaurant is already open at Theydon Bois, and others will be opened shortly at Roydon and North Weald. Plans have also been submitted for restaurants at Harlow and Nazeing. At the former place a small British restaurant is already in operation. All these British restaurants are available for rural workers, and I shall be glad to consider the desirability of establishing a mobile service to provide for the workers outside the villages, if my hon. Friend will indicate areas where he thinks such provision would meet with an adequate response.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is happening to the jam being made by the women's institutes; whether, after it has been passed by a Government inspector, it is placed on the market or whether the Government is collecting it for distribution at a later date through retailers; and whether he can make a statement on the whole subject for the guidance of those concerned?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver) on 9th September.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state, separately, for England, Scotland and Wales, the number of small shopkeepers who have been deprived of their right to trade in rationed goods where the number of customers was under 25; how many have succeeded in retaining their customers on grounds of hardship; and how many have been compelled to close down altogether consequent upon the imposition of these restrictions?

Statistics up to date show that the number of small shopkeepers to whom supplies of one or more rationed foods are no longer being made available was:—

England	11,526
Wales	921
Scotland	702
Northern Ireland	194
United Kingdom	13,343

The number of those to whom supplies are being continued on grounds of "hardship" is:—

England	6,613
Wales	525
Scotland	618
Northern Ireland	235
United Kingdom	7,991

I am not aware of any instance in which any shopkeeper has been compelled to close down altogether as a result of the decisions reached by Food Control Committees.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether be can make any statement about the plans of the Government for promoting tourist traffic to these islands after the war, especially from the United States of America?

His Majesty's Government fully recognise the importance of promoting tourist traffic to this Island after the war, especially from the U.S.A., but it would be premature to consider detailed plans at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what are the terms of reference of the Council of Ministers, of which Lord Reith is Chairman, and the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland the other Members.

The terms of reference are:

"To ensure that the administration of the Town and Country Planning Acts and of any legislation implementing the recommendations made in the First Report of the Uthwatt Committee shall proceed in conformity with long-term planning policy, as it is progressively developed."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether any steps have been taken to prevent profiteering in land since the commencement of the war; and, if not, whether he will give this matter his consideration?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement on the recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee, which my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 17th July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply how many complaints he has recently received of skilled men being retained by firms although such men are not exercising their skill; whether such complaints are becoming more frequent since the operation of the Essential Work Order; and what steps he proposes to take to put an end to employers retaining skilled workers unused for an indefinite period?

It is hardly practicable to obtain the information asked for in the first part of the Question, since the majority of such complaints are handled within the regional organisation. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, there is no evidence that cases of surplus skilled labour have been brought to light more frequently since the operation of the Essential Work Order; that Order in no way modifies the right of the Ministry of Labour to transfer such men to suitable work. Constant inspections are carried out by the regional officers of the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Labour; and in all cases where firms are shown to be retaining skilled labour surplus to requirements, steps are being taken to transfer such labour to work of national importance.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now reached a decision in the cases of Messrs. L Eccles-ton and William Yates, respectively, of 345 and 418, Manchester Road, Blackrod, Chorley, Lancashire, who, already employed on work of national importance, from which they would not have been released but for his directions to return to work in coalmines, involving an immediate reduction in their wages of about £3 per week each and an increase in travelling; and will he instruct Employment Exchange officers to inform persons so directed that they have a right of appeal against such directions and state the time limit for such appeals?

Mr. Eccleston was medically examined and found to be unfit for coalmining employment and accordingly is not being transferred to coalmining. Mr. William Yates, who was also medically examined, was certified to be fit for coalmining employment and was directed to report for work at the Pemberton Colliery, near Wigan, where he began work on 19th September. It is true that he has to travel in two omnibuses to reach his employment, but the whole journey can be done in 35 minutes. Mr. Yates will be paid the appropriate agreed rate for the coalmining employment. I am informed that his basic rate is higher than that of his previous employment for the same number of hours, but that his previous earnings included considerable payments for overtime. He was told that he had a right to appeal to the Appeal Board within four days, but he did not do so, and I cannot, in view of the vital necessity for increased coal production, reverse the decision.

asked the Minister of Labour how many women weavers of over 40 years of age thrown out of employment by the closing of mills by Government action have not hitherto succeeded in obtaining any suitable employment on the latest date for which figures are available; and what alternative occupation is now being offered to such unemployed workers?

The total number of women cotton weavers over the age of 40 who have been displaced by concentration of production and who are registered as unemployed is 1,182. The majority of these are elderly women who are unable for domestic reasons to leave their home area and who are unsuitable for vital war work which involves night duty. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend on nth September.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that some Lancashire textile mills are meeting difficulties in retaining a sufficient number of workpeople; and will he take steps to remedy this?

Yes, Sir. After discussions with the Board of Trade and the industry, I have decided to apply the Essential Work (General Provisions) Order to the nucleus firms in the cotton spinning industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of industrial canteens are managed by men and women, respectively?

I have no statistics on this subject.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will release men who understand land work, now employed by his Department on tree planting, for food production purposes; and whether he will order that no more agricultural labourers shall be recruited by the Forestry Department?

Arrangements with the county war agricultural executive committees have been in force for some time whereby Forestry Commission labourers not immediately required for essential maintenance or forest protection work are released for agricultural work during the summer. While no absolute assurance can be given with regard to the second part of the Question every endeavour is made to avoid competition with agriculture.

asked the Minister of Information what steps have been taken for the close co-ordination of Anglo-Russian propaganda?

The hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett) has ft the request of my right hon. Friend been temporarily acting as honorary Press attache in Moscow and has had a number of discussions with the Soviet authorities on propaganda matters in which our two countries have common interests. The Director-General of the Ministry of Information will shortly go to Moscow to follow up these discussions.

asked the Minister of Information whether there were any expenses incurred above the normal operational charges in the production of the film "Target For To-night"; and, if so, what was the amount, and how much has been received from the various cinemas to date which have exhibited the film?

Substantial expenses were incurred by the Ministry of Information in the production of this film. Distribution of the film is not nearly completed, and up to date the distributors have not sent in their accounts or their payments. My hon. Friend may, however, assume that in regard to this particular film the receipts will be substantially greater than the expenses.

asked the Minister of Information why, in preparing a film for the United States of America describing a model of democratic government in rural England, he chose the Kingsbridge Rural District Council, which has recently barred the Press, on undemocratic lines, from its meetings?

The film to which my hon. Friend refers was planned in May last. The incidents in it will be attributed to an imaginary place. The characters portrayed will be fictional and the treatment is intended to be entirely non-controversial. Kingsbridge was chosen as the setting because of the successful evacuation arrangements in this area which were intended to be a special feature in the original treatment.

asked the Minister of Information whether the promised steps have been taken to have air-raid shelters provided at the censorship headquarters in Belfast; and, if not, whether he will give instructions to have these shelters erected at once as a matter of urgency?

Detailed plans have been prepared and work is expected to start in about a fortnight.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that inconvenience is being caused to miners in the Forest of Dean by the shortage of matches; that in gas-free pits in their coalfields delays are caused through men being unable to light their lamps; and whether he will take steps to remedy this trouble?

Two cases of collieries in the Forest of Dean experiencing difficulty in obtaining supplies of matches for use underground have been brought to the notice of my Department. In both instances satisfactory arrangements have been made with the matches control for the monthly requirements to be supplied through the collieries' normal supplying agent.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that all registered coal merchants have received a printed circular, H.C.S./293, dated 14th August, 1941, over the printed signature H. W. Cole, Director-General; that there has been no previous intimation to the general trade that such an official exists; and whether he will state the functions of this official?

The general character and objects of the House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme which was set up in August, 1940, by the coal distributive trade, with Mr. H. W. Cole as Director-General, were explained in a Press announcement of 14th August, 1940, and in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald) on 21st August, 1940. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of both announcement and answer. Since that date, I understand, a high proportion of the coal merchants of standing in the country have been co-operating in the administration of the scheme and, as the Member will appreciate from his own Question, many circulars have been issued to the trade in connection with it.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the advisability of holding meetings of his Central Advisory Committee at regular intervals, with a view to allowing its members to review the situation, and to bring forward any proposals of their own, apart from the matters which he himself may desire to place before the meeting?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Rochester Captain Plugge) on 9th September, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered resolutions passed by the urban district councils of Cannock and Coreley, in favour of charging contributions for war damage to council houses to the Housing Revenue Account instead of the local rates; and can he hold out any hope of the Government adopting this suggestion?

My right hon. Friend has not received the resolutions referred to. The course indicated would not, however, be practicable for the reasons given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in his reply to the Question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) on the 10th April last. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular in which the position has been explained to local authorities.

asked the Home Secretary what representations he has received from local authorities alleging waste of man-power involved in the proposal of the Home Office fire service department to appoint large clerical and administrative staffs in the National Fire Service to perform routine administrative duties now carried out by the staffs of local authorities; and if he will inform the House of the nature of his reply to such representations?

The council of the borough of Maidstone have recently brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend, as well as to that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, a resolution to the effect mentioned in the Question, and similar resolutions have been received from several local authorities in the Medway district. The resolutions miss the point for there is no basis for comparison between the duties of divisional headquarters of the National Fire Service, and those of the local fire brigade which was established in the same centre. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply which has been sent to the council.

asked the Home Secretary whether representations have been made to him by local authorities that the cost of provision of uniforms for members of Civil Defence services should be a national charge; and whether, in view of the fact that Civil Defence is a national service, he will accept the principle that this should be a national charge?

With the exception of the National Fire Service, the Civil Defence services are directly administered by local authorities. On the cost of provision of uniforms for the services so administered, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave on 7th August to Questions on this subject by my hon. Friends the members for South Tottenham (Mr. Messer) and North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Home Secretary what disciplinary action has been taken against interned persons who recently rioted at Peel, Isle of Man; and what orders have been issued to the commandant of the camp with regard to any future disturbances?

My right hon. Friend proposes to make a statement on the third Sitting Day after the 14th September.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at a meeting of the Central War Medical Council, on 15th February, Brigadier P. H. Mitchener gave certain statistics as to the proportion of dead and wounded in air-raids; and whether this procedure is with his knowledge and disapproval?

I have no knowledge of the matter referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings how many houses have been constructed in the country in accordance with the design recommended in the Wartime Building Bulletin, No. 7, for House Construction; and whether he is aware that the concrete reinforcement in this design includes an impracticably large number of different sizes of steel, several of which are not readily obtainable?

I regret that information is not available of the number of houses built to the diagram given in War Time Bulletin No. 7. But, as the hon. Member is aware, there is very little house building in present war-time conditions. The designs were based on the paramount importance of saving steel and where large numbers of houses had to be built the saving would be considerable. In such circumstances there would be no difficulty in getting all the five to seven sizes of bars specified. From the point of view of simplification and standardisation, the question is however still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department medical advisers have reported upon any other known cures for tuberculosis than sanatoria or alopathy treatment?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health the number of sanatoria for tuberculosis available in the country, and what the number was for the past 10 years, showing each year separately; how many deaths have occurred from tuberculosis for these periods in the country generally, and in sanatoria, respectively; whether any statistics are possessed as to definite cures or of the disease being arrested sufficiently for resumption of work; and, if so, will he give them?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend will take some little time to compile and will require certain explanatory notes. I will send him the available particulars, with permission, at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health whether, during the years 1938, 1939 and 1940, there were any further outbreaks of food-poisoning on board ships; whether any further outbreaks of toxic peripheral polyneuritis, similar to the outbreaks of Ginger or Jake paralysis in the United States of America, were observed and recorded; whether the fine medical work in this connection of the medical officers of his Ministry, reported on page 165 of the 1938 Annual Report of the Ministry's chief medical officer, has been repeated; whether special watch has since been kept for such outbreaks; and whether appropriate commendation has been made to the officers concerned?

No further outbreak of toxic polyneuritis, or of other serious food poisoning on board ship, has come to my notice. I greatly appreciate my hon. Friend's tribute to the work of my medical officers and I can assure him that their watch for any serious outbreak of the kind to which he refers is a close one.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that Landore Zinc, Limited, récently went into liquidation, owing the Ministry of Supply £1,500; and what is the reason why his Ministry became a creditor of this company?

My Noble Friend is aware that the Landore Zinc Company recently went into liquidation. The firm was producing zinc by a special process, and the Ministry of Supply entered into contracts with the company to secure the production on terms which it was considered would enable the company to continue its operations. The company was, however, unable to meet its liabilities arising from this and its other operations and it went into voluntary liquidation. Pending the receipt of certain outstanding claims, the exact financial position between the Ministry and the company cannot be ascertained, but it appears unlikely that the amount owing to the Ministry is as much as that stated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether the change from regional representatives of the Ministry of Supply to regional controllers carries with it new responsibilities; and whether he can make a statement on this matter?

No, Sir; the change of title is intended to emphasise the value which my Noble Friend attaches to the work of the regional organisation, and the authority which he desires the regional officers of the Ministry to enjoy.

asked the Postmaster General the number of dog licences issued during each of the last four years?

The numbers of dog licences issued in England, Wales and Scotland during the last four years are as follow:

1937–38	…	…	3,000,967
1938–39	…	…	3,021,580
1939–40	…	…	2,801,025
1940–41	…	…	2,625,686

asked the Minister of Pensions the percentage of persons discharged as medically unfit from His Majesty's Forces who have been granted pensions since the outbreak of the present war?

Awards have been made by my Department to 32 per cent. of the persons claiming pension on discharge from His Majesty's Forces as medically unfit during the whole period since the outbreak of the war: the percentage at the present time is about 65.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from retired officers as to the difficult position in which they are placed owing to the increase in the cost of living and the fact that unlike other classes of His Majesty's subjects no adjustment has been made to increase their pensions, although a promise was made some time ago that this question would be reviewed periodically; and whether, in view of the position of retired officers of all services, he will consider the appointment of a committee to inquire into the whole matter with a view to effecting the necessary adjustments based on the cost-of-living figure so that the pledge to consider this question periodically may be implemented?

I am not aware of any pledge to adjust the current rates of officers' retired pay in accordance with increases in the cost of living. On the contrary, the consolidation of Service Retired pay which took place in 1935 was effected in pursuance of the Government decision that the pay and pensions of Crown Servants in general should no longer be subject to cost-of-living adjustments. That decision accords with the current policy of the Government as set out in Cmd. 6294. There has been no increase in the pensions of State servants as a whole, and I can find no ground on which retired Service officers could be selected for exceptional treatment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that motor coach companies, in spite of the urgent need to curtail consumption of petrol, are advertising pleasure trips; and whether he is taking steps to stop them?

As I recently announced to the House, the basic petrol ration was abolished for public service vehicles as from 19th September. All issues of fuel for these vehicles are now at the discretion of the Regional Transport Commissioners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will ensure that road authorities throughout the country keep the white lines on all major roads in their areas properly painted this winter?

We shall continue to impress upon highway authorities the importance of ensuring that white lines and other aids to movement are properly maintained. Substantial grants are available from public funds for this purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why ships' surgeons do not receive any leave with pay although other officers of the Mercantile Marine do so; and will he arrange that the same terms and conditions as regards leave with pay are applied to ships' surgeons?

Although ships' surgeons were not covered by the recent National Maritime Board Agreements relating to leave, it was not intended that they should receive less leave than other officers, and if my hon. Friend will inform me of any case he has in mind I shall be pleased to inquire into it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will consider again the proposed rehousing of the office of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, Manchester 17th District, Sunlight House, Manchester, which is shortly to be transferred to Ellesmere Road, Eccles, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the accommodation to be taken over arising from overcrowding of staff which will ensue; that the staff will be split up on three or four floors, making adequate supervision much more difficult, and the absence of reasonable amenities for staff welfare; and whether he will agree to the office remaining in its existing quarters pending a further search for more adequate accommodation.

I am advised that the accommodation to which it has been decided to move this Tax District is as satisfactory as can be expected under war-time conditions. The division of staff over more than one floor cannot be avoided; facilities for preparing meals are available and additional space is being obtained for anticipated increases of staff

asked the Secretary of State for War how many agricultural workers have been released temporarily 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.

The following table shows the number of soldiers temporarily released from the Army for agricultural work or granted special agricultural leave during the periods in question:

1941.	Temporary release.	Agricultural leave.
May	91	661
June	63	599
July	61	1,697
August	116	3,421
September (latest figures available).	108	Not yet known.
Total	439	6,378

In addition, 145 indefinite releases were sanctioned during this period. As regards local assistance given to farmers by the loan of troops on a day-to-day basis, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery). With regard to the last part of the Question, applications for temporary releases must be supported by the Ministry of Agriculture to whom they are forwarded by the county war agricultural executive committees. It is not possible for me to anticipate future releases.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the total number of soldiers employed, and the average number of days worked by each, as beaters on grouse moors in the country at a rate of pay less than that ruling for civilian beaters in the same locality?(2) Whether he will issue instructions that private sport must not be subsidised from public funds, as was done by soldiers being employed as beaters on the Stanhope East Moor, receiving only some liquid refreshment but no pay from the syndicate which employed them?

In the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers six men of an Army unit stationed in the neighbourhood volunteered on three occasions to act as beaters. I am unable to say whether similar cases have occurred in other parts of the country. There is, of course, no objection to an arrangement of this kind, provided that it is on a purely voluntary basis and does not interfere with a soldier's military duties. I appreciate, however, that in certain circumstances the practice may lend itself to abuse or at any rate to misinterpretation, and for this reason I think it should be avoided. Instructions are being issued accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that the Army production of parachutists is adequate for modern warfare, especially for raiding purposes; and whether he is satisfied with what is being done for that arm?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War how often the company-commander of B Company, 6th Buckinghamshire, Home Guard, or his second in command, has attended during the last twelves months at the headquarters of either No. 1 or No. 2 Platoon between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the nightly parade for the purpose of giving lectures or of inspecting the work in progress; and how often they inspected the pickets on duty outside?

No records are kept which would enable me to give this information; but I understand that the work of these officers has given satisfaction to their battalion and group commanders. While I am always glad to investigate any criticism of the Army and its administration which is put to me, I think that out of fairness to those concerned it would be better if hon. Members wishing to criticise the conduct of individuals would send me particulars in confidence.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a course for Home Guard medical officers to be held at Cambridge was notified only in the British Medical Journal and not through the usual official channels; and whether he will take steps to see that all Home Guard medical officers have an equal chance of selection for this course?

The course to which my hon. Friend refers was arranged at short notice by the local military authorities in connection with a series of courses for Royal Army Medical Corps officers which had been organised during the vocation in co-operation with the University authorities. As the time available before the end of the vacation was short and it was doubtful whether sufficient doctors would be able to attend, the Central Medical War Committee arranged for publicity to be given to the course through the British Medical Journal. No discrimination was shown against any doctors who volunteered for the course, which ended on 16th September.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is one of the duties of medical officers in the Home Guard to arrange points at which casualties may be collected for removal by the ambulances of the local authority; and whether civilians who may chance to be wounded in the immediate vicinity will be permitted to make use of such facilities as are available at these points?

It is one of the duties of Home Guard medical officers to advise battalion and company commanders with regard to the points at which casualties may be collected for removal by ambulances either of the local authority or of an Army mobile medical unit, whichever may be nearer. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 22nd July last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the French Government have yet returned all the British prisoners taken in the Syrian campaign in accordance with the terms of the agreement?

I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cleveland (Commander Bower) on 9th September that 52 British prisoners were known to have been returned to Syria and that according to unofficial reports all but one of the remaining 14 had recently arrived. I am now informed that the only prisoners who have not yet returned are two officers who have been in hospital, and I understand that these are expected to reach Syria very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the continuing difficulties caused to officers and other ranks by the non-payment, or wrong payment, of pay and allowances; and whether he will consider the institution of a pay officer or warrant officer specially trained in these duties in each battalion or equivalent unit to deal with this part of the administration?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 8th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the unequal results that follow the existing regulations that govern the granting of field allowance; and whether he will inquire into the matter, especially the limited scale of issue of barrack furniture, etc., that disqualifies an officer from receiving field allowance, the manner in which this regulation is applied in camps, and the ill-effect that results from officers having to repay field allowance when it has been issued under a misunderstanding?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara) on 9th September, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that units of the Army are refusing to recognise the photographic permit issued by the Ministry of Information to Press photographers; and will he give orders that all ranks be instructed to honour this pass, and that they be shown a copy as part of their training?

Permits issued by the Ministry of Information do not authorise the taking of photographs of or within a protected place under the Defence Regulations or within a military camp or establishment which is a prohibited place under the Official Secrets Acts. I am not aware that the existing instructions have caused any difficulties in practice, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the working of the railways in Persia and Mesopotamia is in military hands; whether use is being made of Indian railwaymen; and whether any freight or passenger charges are being paid or promised to the native Governments?

The railways in both Persia and Iraq are being worked by the respective State railways administrations. The military authorities are cooperating with the administrations in making provision for British and Allied traffic. Railwaymen from India and other countries are being employed in this connection. Charges for the carriage of British and Allied traffic are being credited to the railway administrations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the shortage of houses in rural Scotland, he will consider amending the existing regulations, with a view to increasing the facili- ties for repairing and occupying houses which have been condemned, as a temporary measure for the duration of the war?

As a war measure local authorities are empowered, after consulting the appropriate agricultural executive committee, to licence the temporary occupation of condemned houses, where this is necessary, for finding accommodation for agricultural workers, provided that the houses are suitably cleared and repaired. With my consent they may similarly license the temporary occupation of condemned houses for the purpose of finding accommodation for persons rendered homeless by enemy action. I do net feel that any extension of these powers is at present called for, but I am keeping the position under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land were let by farmers to potato merchant-producers for potato production for the season 1941 in Scotland and, separately, in each of the counties of Perth, Fife and Angus?

I regret that the information desired is not available and could not be readily obtained without a considerable amount of labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that the local authorities are taking adequate steps to provide milk for schoolchildren?

Education authorities have recently made considerable progress in developing the supply of milk to schoolchildren, but I am not satisfied that further progress cannot be made. My officers and those of the Milk Marketing Board are working with the education authorities to remove the difficulties of supply and distribution which arise in present circumstances, especially in the more sparsely populated areas of the country.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the strong opposition of the staff of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, Glasgow 17 District, 109, Waterloo Street, Glasgow, C2, to the forthcoming removal of the office to Hillhead because of the additional travelling which will be incurred, the absence of restaurant or canteen facilities in the neighbourhood, and the fact that the office will be substantially removed from the taxpayers it serves, he will authorise the suspension of the forthcoming removal until alternative more suitable premises, which are known to exist, have been investigated?

I understand that, since the proposal to which the hon. Member refers was framed, it has become necessary to provide for an increased number of staff in the Tax District in question, but as the accommodation selected has now been found to be inadequate other arrangements are being made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of camps erected under the supervision, as consultant engineer and architect, of T, B. Bennett, and the fees payable; whether he is aware that the recent further jobs for the erection of camps are all alike and the buildings standardised, involving no real need for architectural or engineering skill; and whether he will reduce the fees accordingly?

The number of camps either built or being built under the supervision, as consultant engineers and architects, of Messrs. T. P. Bennett and Son is ten. The task of laying out, erecting and equipping these camps is a very important one, requiring skilled supervision and constant attention in order to secure the earliest possible completion. It would not be in conformity with practice to reveal the actual fees paid for architects' services, but I can assure the hon. Member that the fees in this case are much below the normal professional scale. The Board of Admiralty are satisfied that the terms arranged with this firm are advantageous to the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the enthusiasm displayed by the members of the Air Training Corps and the value of this training to the Royal Air Force, he will consider defraying the full cost of camp facilities at service stations instead of charging the cadets the sum of 2s. per day for subsistence, which is the custom at the present time?

When the A.T.C. system of Exchequer grants was drawn up at the beginning of the year no provision was made for camp expenses to be met from grant as it was not contemplated that facilities would be available for camps in war time. It has, in fact, been found possible to arrange camps at certain R.A.F. units, and in such cases a small daily charge has been made for subsistence. This sum is found either by parents of cadets or from welfare funds. The question how far camp expenses as such should be admitted as a charge against grant will be further considered when the general system of A.T C. grants is reviewed at the end of the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under the Finance Act at present operating, persons in receipt of an old age pension are, in certain circumstances, being called upon to pay the standard rate of income tax; that this is causing much distress among pensioners; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am not aware of the type of case my hon. Friend has in mind but if he will send me details of particular cases I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will consider exempting for the duration of the war all members of the Armed Forces from paying Income Tax on their service pay?

I regret I cannot see my way to adopt this proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the chief reason why married women are not coming forward in adequate numbers to engage upon work of national importance is because they cannot afford to do so, due to the incidence of high taxation on joint incomes of a husband and wife, absorbing practically the whole of what she earns; and, in view of this fact, will he consider between now and the next Budget that, in the case of a married woman going to work, her income should be assessed separately, and at the same time the husband should receive his full allowances as a married man?

I do not accept the assumption on which my hon. Friend's Question is based, and I could not adopt the suggestion he makes. I may, however, point out that under the existing law the personal allowance for married persons is increased, where the wife has earned income, by nine-tenths of the amount of her earned income up to a maximum of £45.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are 26 stock exchanges recognised under the provisions of the Prevention of Fraud (Investment) Act, 1939, that certain of these stock exchanges have not been accorded the privileges of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1919–20, and the Amendment, 1931; and will he state the reason and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the names of the stock exchanges which he has in mind, I will cause inquiry to be made and communicate the result to him in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, subject to the approval of the Canadian Government, requisition, at not less than par and prior to earliest contractual repayment date, the sterling loans of the City of Montreal issued and held here, and return them to the Dominion authorities against purchases of Canadian goods as was done in August last with other Canadian loans?

The Dominion Government are not of course responsible for the service of these loans and I do not think it would be proper to submit to them a proposal on the lines suggested in the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether sterling can be sent by Americans doing war work in this country to dependants in the United States of America; and whether he will relax the restrictions and permit British nationals to remit subsistence allowance to wives and families who were privately evacuated there at the beginning of the war, especially in view of the fact that this country is relieved of the necessity of feeding and clothing them?

As regards the former part of the Question, I would refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 21st May. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is not practicable for reasons already explained, to arrange for the maintenance in America for British wives and families who left their homes here at the beginning of the war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the regulations that govern the repayment of loans for agricultural purposes advanced through Government schemes compared with the methods adopted to assess taxation of profits by the commissioners of taxes in cases where similar loans for similar purposes has been raised from other sources; and will he instruct the commissioners to apply the regulations in the latter class of cases as well as in the former?

If my hon. Friend is referring to arrangements under which interest on certain loans is paid without deduction of tax, I am afraid that it would not be possible to apply such arrangements generally to all loans for agricultural purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount per annum represented by Government contracts with Beechams Pills, Limited, referred to in the recent annual report of that company; what proportion of this amount represents purchases for the fighting services; and to what other purposes the purchases are applied?

So far as I have been able to ascertain, no Government Department has a contract with this firm.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the latitude given to the War Damage Commission to readjust the plans for reconstructing destroyed buildings, how, in reaching such decisions, the views of women, and especially women architects, are obtained?

I am informed by the War Damage Commission that no occasion has as yet arisen for obtaining the views of women in general or of women architects in particular in relation to its decisions. When the Commission finds it necessary to impose conditions on reconstruction, the deciding factor will be the public interest, as defined in Section 7 of the War Damage Act and Treasury directions thereunder.

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the recent upward revision of family allowances to junior officers in His Majesty's Forces, he will instruct the heads of the three Service Departments to formulate a similar agreed scheme for an immediate increase in the basic rates of pay for the rank and file?

The recent revision of family allowances of junior officers was the first general improvement in the emoluments of officers since before the outbreak of war. The family allowances of other ranks have, on the other hand, been improved on a number of occasions since that date and furthermore, as hon. Members will recollect, the pay of all N.C.O.'s and men was increased last year by the addition of 6d. a day war pay. I cannot agree, therefore, that the increased family allowances of junior officers afford any good ground for further improving the emoluments of other ranks. My colleagues and I are, however, examining suggestions that the families of other ranks are in certain cases experiencing hardship and difficulty in meeting their obligations. A further statement on this matter will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a yearly, or half-yearly, adjustment of the rates of pay of all members of the Armed Forces, in accordance with any rise or fall in the cost of living, taking as a standard the cost of living and rates of pay in force in September, 1939?

As stated in the recent White Paper (Command 6294) it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to prevent any substantial increase in the cost of living index number, apart from minor seasonal changes. For this and other reasons I see no ground for adopting any scheme for the periodical adjustment of the rates of pay of members of the Armed Forces by reference to changes in the cost of living figure. I would remind my hon. Friend in any case that, in respect of the issues which they receive in kind members of the Armed Forces are protected against any increase in cost, and also that their cash emoluments have been improved in various respects since the outbreak of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the fact that a review has been made of officers' allowances, and nothing has been done to increase the allowances to the dependants of other ranks, is causing considerable heartburning throughout the country; whether he is aware of the poverty and hardship suffered by many wives and children of members of the Forces; and why such dependants are placed in a less favourable position than the dependants of those who remain in industry?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to-day by the Prime Minister to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Holderness (Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, according to reports from experienced social workers, numbers of families of serving men are finding it impossible to manage on the present scale; and whether he will increase the minimum separation allowances?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day by the Prime Minister to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Holderness (Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the necessarily inadequate reports of Parliamentary proceedings in the newspapers, due to shortage of paper and space; and whether he will consider and propose arrangements for the sale of the OFFICIAL REPORT at 1d., any financial loss to be borne by the State, in order that the electors may have better opportunities to judge the conduct of their representatives and the vigour of their institution?

I am aware that in present conditions only a reduced space is available in the newspapers for reports of Parliamentary proceedings, but practical experience indicates that sales of the

1940				1941
week ended.		Number of Reports issued.	Average sales Per Report.	week ended.		Number of Reports issued.	Average sales Per Report.
8 June	…	3	1,621	7 June	…	No issues
15 June	…	3	1,345	14 June	…	3	1,821
22June	…	3	1,443	21 June	…	3	1,646
29 June	…	3	1,418	28 June	…	3	1,611
6 July	…	3	1,459	5 July	…	3	1,791
13 July	…	3	1,732	12 July	…	3	1,811
20 July	…	3	1,445	19 July	…	3	1,659
27 July	…	3	1,736	26 July	…	4	1,616
3 August		3	1,440	2 August		4	1,677
10 August	…	3	1,536	9 August	…	3	1,678
17 August	…	3	1,493	16 August	…	No issues
24 August	…	3	1,852	23 August	…
31 August	…	No issues		30 August	…

Statistics are not available for the total sales of Reports of Debates in any particular week and the statistics supplied are those relating to Reports issued during the weeks in question and sold to the present date. The 1941 figures may be subject to later amendment due to the return of unsold copies or further sales.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how goods seized by the Customs, including parcels from overseas confiscated solely on the grounds of them being overweight, are disposed of?

Goods imported without a Board of Trade import licence are forfeited to the Crown under the Cus- OFFICIAL REPORT to the public would probably not be substantially increased even if the price were reduced to 1d., and I do not consider that the results to be obtained would justify the loss involved. I should add that there are special subscription rates for libraries at £1 a year which work out at approximately 2d. a copy.

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

The average number of copies sold to date of Daily Reports of House of Commons Debates published during the weeks stated is as follows:toms Acts. Foodstuffs are handed over to officials of the Ministry of Food for sale on behalf of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. Other goods are sold by the Commissioners either to the Supply Departments or if no such Department is interested, in the open market. Non-perishable gifts sent in parcels must, among other conditions, be less than a certain weight. If these conditions are not fulfilled the goods are delivered as a special war-time arrangement to an approved charitable organisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, resulting from the restriction orders and the corresponding lack of supplies, it is estimated that one retail shop out of every four may be closed down; and whether he will consult with the various chambers of commerce for the preparation of a scheme for compensation for retail tradesmen who are so affected?

I have seen such an estimate but I know of no authority for it. It is, however, unfortunately true that, owing to restriction of supplies and for other reasons, a number of shops have already had to close and more may have to do so. This is one of the problems before the Retail Trade Committee who have sought the views of Chambers of Commerce and other interested bodies on the possibility of devising some scheme of mutual help. As has previously been made clear, public funds cannot be made available for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will be prepared to institute a scheme for controlling retail traders whereby any such who were in business before the war should secure a reasonable proportion of supplies in order that the businesses may remain open?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question about the closing of shops. As he is aware, the Retail Trade Committee were appointed by my predecessor to examine the present problems of retail trade in goods other than food, having regard both to the immediate needs of the conduct of the war and to the position after the war, and to report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date on which the regulation became operative in this country prohibiting the importation of goods to private individuals, of which the gross weight exceeded five pounds, and the dates when the existence of this regulation was received in the various Dominions, Colonies, and other neutral countries respectively, from which these parcels were in the habit of being despatched.

The regulation prohibiting the importation of gift parcels, exceeding 5 lbs. in weight, for private individuals applies to parcels sent from abroad after 28th June, 1941. The new procedure was announced on the 21st May, and details of it were telegraphed about the same time to the countries abroad from which such parcels were sent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what diplomatic contacts exist at the present time between any of our Allies and the Vichy Government?

It is not for me to answer for the international relations of the Allied Governments.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the firing of Vichy guns on our aeroplanes crossing France to attack Italy, he can state exactly what are our relations with the Vichy Government?

I have been asked to take this Question. I have no confirmation of the statement that Vichy guns have fired on our aircraft crossing France. The Vichy Government broke off diplomatic relations with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in July, 1940, and they have not been resumed. Since that date British interests in unoccupied France have been protected by the United States Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the functioning of the League of Nations and the International Labour Organisation; and to what extent work with regard to post-war reconstruction is being carried out at the request of the British and other Governments?

As regards the first part of the Question, the institutions of the League of Nations are being maintained in existence and are carrying on all those activities which the circumstances of the war and the financial situation of the League permit. The Acting Secretary-General, with a reduced staff is at Geneva, where a number of services are functioning, and he continues to control the activities of the services which are working outside Switzerland. A strong delegation from the Economic and Financial Section is at Princeton in the United States of America. Offices of the Permanent Central Opium Board and the Supervisory Body have been opened at Washington. The health activities are being carried on from Geneva and Singapore. The Treasury of the League has its office in London. The International Labour Office is established at Montreal, though a small staff remains at Geneva. A conference of the International Labour Organisation will be held at New York in October of this year. The Permanent Court of International Justice remains in being. A meeting of the Supervisory Commission of the League was held in July last and in virtue of the emergency powers conferred on it by resolution of the Assembly, approved the budget for 1942. As regards the second part of the Question, the delegation of the Economic and Financial Section at Princeton is, I understand, concerning itself with post-war, as well as current economic and financial problems. It works, of course, under the authority of the Acting Secretary-General.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, what instructions have been issued by the Minister to occupiers of land to destroy willow herb, in view of the fact that willow herb is a source of honey.

I have issued no instructions to occupiers of land to destroy willow herb.