asked the Minister of Labour the number of women who have registered up to date; and the number who have been called up for interview?

The total registrations of women, inclusive of the 1915 age group, are 1,823,176, of whom approximately 520,000 have been interviewed up to 20th September. Statistics of the registrations of the 1914 age group are not yet available but it is probable that the total registrations will now exceed 2,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of staff in canteens attached to munitions works and their continuous depletion by the offer of more remunerative and attractive employment elsewhere, he will make inquiries into the wage rates and conditions of these essential workers so that every encouragement may be given them to remain in their present occupation?

My present information has not led me to think that the factory canteens are suffering from a serious shortage of staff. If my hon. Friend has detailed information of this I shall be glad if he will kindly send it to me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the system of filling Departmental posts exclusively from the Central Register is still in operation; how many names on the Register have been entered there for 12 months or more without being offered employment in the war effort; whether the Central Register authorities take any steps on their own initiative to place persons in employment; and whether he can give an assurance that the practice which sometimes obtained of making appointments and then formally entering and deleting the name from the Register has now been entirely discontinued?

Departments have instructions from the Treasury to notify all vacancies for higher administrative professional and scientific personnel to the Central Register but this is not and never has been the exclusive source of recruitment for such posts. The statistics asked for in the second part of the Question are not available; it is known however that the vast majority of the persons on the Register are already employed in the war effort. The answer to the third part of the Question is "yes." I am not aware that the practice referred to in the last part ever obtained; the aim of the Central Register is to build up a complete record of the country's resources in personnel of the categories with which it deals and individuals placed or transferred by it do not thereupon cease to be enrolled but remain available for consideration in the light of changing circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the hardship caused to a large number of workmen transferred from their homes to work in distant parts of Great Britain prior to 1st June, 1940, and who, as a consequence, are denied the lodging allowance paid to men who transferred after that date; and whether, as the cost of maintaining two homes is the same for transferred men, whatever the date of their transfer, he will take steps to amend the regulations to allow of lodging allowances being paid to all men industrially transferred since the outbreak of hostilities?

I have considered this question more than once and have come to the conclusion that I cannot disturb the present position.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there 'is any available war work suitable to middle-aged men in South Wales now unemployed through the closing of the tinplate works; and whether in such cases all transfers are regarded as impossible?

I have discussed this matter, amongst others, with the Labour Supply (Iron and Steel) Committee for the Wales Region. No difficulty is anticipated in finding employment for tin-plate workers in the iron and steel industry or in other work of national importance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when the Government are going to put into operation the report by Mr. Frank Pick in connection with canals on war work; how many tons of water-borne coal were carried by ships and canal boats and whether there has been an increase in canal-borne coal?

I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a statement recently issued to the Press showing the action which is being taken on Mr. Pick's recommendations, together with a statement of the tonnage of coal and other fuels carried by canals and inland waterways during the six months ended 30th June, 1941. Although the canals have lost much of the coal previously forwarded for shipment, the weekly tonnage of canal-borne coal for home consumption has risen by about 15 per cent. during the present year. Figures of coastwise coal shipments are not published and I do not consider their disclosure to be in the public interest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether it is proposed, as a postwar problem, to take in hand the elimination of railway level-crossings?

Yes, Sir. In the preparation of post-war schemes the Ministry's policy of promoting or encouraging the elimination of level-crossings is being continued.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of an anti-Nazi organiser, Willy Otto, who, though returned from Australia, is still interned in camp P, although ho has applied for release under Category 19; when his case is likely to be heard; and will it come before Sir Francis Lindley?

This man's application has recently been received and has been referred for examination to the tribunal under the chairmanship of Sir Cecil Hurst which deals with applications from Germans and Austrians under Category 19. Sir Francis Lindley is chairman of a different body which considers cases of non-enemy aliens detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether the British Fascists interned in the Isle of Man receive precisely the same official food rations as their fellow citizens in England, Scotland and Wales?

They receive the same food rations as other persons interned in the Isle of Man, and in no case do internees receive more than the ordinary civilian population.

asked the Home Secretary to what extent, owing to the place of internment of the British Fascists being the Isle of Man, their friends are able to supplement their rations so as to render them free of the restrictions that have to be borne by their fellow citizens in England, Scotland and Wales; and if he will take immediate steps to terminate this?

The receipt by persons detained under Defence Regulation i8b of parcels containing foodstuffs has been strictly limited and restricted. They are not permitted to receive foodstuffs rationed either in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man, and parcels containing unrationed foodstuffs obtained in the Isle of Man must not exceed 10s. in value and must be limited to one a week.

asked the Home Secretary why the local employment exchange for internees is not operating in the Peel Camp, so that internees have no chance of agricultural or other work that might be available in other camps: to what classes of work are they put in Peel Camp; and why have efforts to secure their release for forestry work in other camps been refused?

Peel Camp consists of two separate compounds, one for persons detained under Defence Regulation i8b and the other for enemy aliens who are of Nazi sympathies or pro-German. Neither of these groups can be transferred to other camps nor are they within the scope of the temporary branch office established by the Ministry of Labour and National Service in Douglas in order to find employment for internees who may be considered for release. The Home Office welfare officer in the island has, however, been able to arrange for selected parties of the detainees in Peel Camp and a few of the internees to work under escort outside the Camp on agriculture and gardening. A considerable number are also engaged on camp duties. Notwithstanding the special difficulties presented by this camp, every effort is being made to find work for those who are able and willing to undertake it.

asked the Home Secretary whether air-raid wardens are to receive greatcoats for the winter; and, if so, from whom and at whose expense?

Greatcoats are being made for my Department and will be available for purchase by those local authorities which decide to buy them for their Civil Defence services, including wardens. Such purchases will rank for grant under the Air Raid Precautions Act, 1937.

asked the Home Secretary whether a person on fire-watching duty under the Business Premises Order or the Civil Defence Compulsory Enrolment Order who attains the age of 60 years whilst serving becomes automatically released from both or either duty?

Persons over 60 years of age are under no obligation to perform fire prevention duties under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) (No. 2) Order, but they are liable to perform such duties under the Civil Defence Duties (Compulsory Enrolment) Order. It is proposed, however, shortly to amend the latter Order and by one of the amendments proposed this difference between the two Orders will be removed.

asked the Home Secretary what is the fixed scale of compensation payable to a special constable who is incapacitated whilst on duty during a raid, and who, in consequence, is unable to follow his civilian employment for a period of two or three months?

There is no fixed scale of compensation for special constables temporarily incapacitated as the result of injuries on duty, but police authorities are authorised to pay an allowance not exceeding £3 10s. a week in respect of loss of earnings.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will call for a report from experts in Moscow as to the efficiency of the scheme under which the black-out has been discontinued and arrangements made to switch off all external illumination within a few seconds of the warning of a raid; and whether he will consider experiments on similar lines in some cities in this country?

I have seen in the Press reports suggesting that the black-out has been discontinued in Moscow. I am making inquiries as to the methods actually adopted there

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that no notice marks the entry on main roads into the defence and restricted areas in the South of England; that this leads to inadvertent breaches of the law; and whether he will take action to have notice boards erected on main roads and at railway stations?

Notices are already posted at railway stations. I am inquiring into the question of posting notices on certain roads.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many persons find difficulty in interpreting the instructions and prohibitions governing entry into the restricted and defence areas; and that the various police authorities, in the absence of definitions covering all cases which may arise under the regulations, are not always in a position to answer questions put to them by the public regarding the regulations; and whether he will take steps to meet this situation?

Statements have been issued from time to time informing the public of the restrictions imposed under Defence Regulations on visits to certain coastal areas and I am not aware of any general difficulty in interpreting the instructions. If my right hon. Friend has any particular type of difficulty in mind I shall be glad to have it examined.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that young persons in the early twenties are doing paid work at the air-raid precautions posts in London; and whether, in view of the wider calls on their services, it is possible to find such persons more useful employment?

I cannot accept the suggestion that Civil Defence is not on a par with the highest class of useful employment. A reorganisation of the London Civil Defence Services is, however, now in progress, in the course of which a number of younger men will be released for the Armed Forces and other national service more suited to their years. The progress of substitution of older or less mobile women for the young women now serving must necessarily depend upon the possibility of obtaining a sufficiency of women in the localities concerned who are not already fully engaged in vital work.

asked the Home Secretary why prison officer Bourne, who was assaulted by an inmate of Feltham Borstal Institution, was subsequently discharged from the prison service?

On the evening of 12th April Officer Bourne when on duty in charge of some inmates at the Feltham Borstal Institution was struck on the back of the head with an iron bar by an inmate named Miller. Miller then ran out of the room with the iron bar in his hand. Officer Bourne pursued him and caught him and a struggle ensued, in which other inmates who had followed tried to help the officer. The iron bar was taken away from Miller. At this stage Miller had no noticeable injuries. Officer Bourne then sent the inmates except Miller into the dining hall and locked the door. A further struggle then took place between the officer and Miller; the other inmates hearing screams rang the alarm bell in the dining hall. On the arrival of two other officers Miller was found lying on the ground in a dazed condition. He had received serious injuries, including two scalp wounds down to the bone and three fractured fingers, two on one hand and one on the other. Miller stated that he had been struck with the iron bar; his injuries were consistent with blows so caused and were inconsistent with a fall against a hard surface.The evidence at the inquiry showed that the first struggle was necessary and that no improper force was used; and the sole question was whether during the second struggle when no one but Officer Bourne and Miller was present, unnecessary force was used. The conclusion was that the serious injuries received by Miller could only have been due to inexcusable violence on the part of Officer Bourne. The suggestion that this conclusion rested solely or mainly on the evidence of prisoners is mistaken. The medical evidence as to the nature of Miller's injuries left no doubt as to how they must have been caused and showed that Officer Bourne's account of what happened could not be accepted. As one of the qualities required of a prison officer is that in dealing with troublesome or refractory prisoners he should be able to maintain self-control and refrain from using unnecessary force, it was decided that Mr. Bourne could no longer be regarded as suitable to have charge of prisoners or Borstal inmates, and that he should be removed from the prison service on the ground of his inability to discharge efficiently the duties of his office. He was awarded a retiring allowance based on his years of service less 10 per cent. under the provisions of Section 2 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date it is proposed to publish Lord Gort's despatches for the period prior to the evacuation from Dunkirk?

It has been decided to publish these despatches this month.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken in British East Africa to utilise the services of European and non-European prisoners of war on road improvements and other public works?

A few hundred Italian and native prisoners of war have already been at work on the roads in East Africa for some months in two small experimental camps. Arrangements are almost complete for the employment of a larger number in the near future. In addition, other labour schemes for prisoners of war are being experimented with on small scales and expanded where successful.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement on the suggested revision of the present scale of allowances to dependants of Service men?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 30th September to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Holderness (Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite).

asked the Secretary of State for War, concerning the 220 Palestinian Jewish soldiers missing in the conquest of Syria, how many were released; how did they come to surrender; were they armed; and were they under British officers?

I have so far been unable to verify that any Palestinian Jewish soldiers were captured or missing during the Syrian campaign, but further inquiries are being made from the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any medical officer with actual experience of Home Guard organisation is attached to the directorate of the Home Guard; and, if so, will be give particulars?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on 10th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that wooden splints issued to the Home Guard are so short that they would be useless for the proper control of a fractured leg; and whether he will have this matter corrected without delay?

Arrangements are in hand for the provision of suitable splints at regimental aid posts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that no form of antiseptic suitable for the making of collars, or for allied purposes, is issued to the Home Guard medical posts; and will he have this matter rectified?

I am not clear what kind of collar my hon. Friend has in mind, but all first-aid dressings for immediate use are impregnated with an antiseptic. Supplies of antiseptics are available for further treatment at civil and military aid posts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the only dressing suitable for dealing with burns which has been issued to the Home Guard is tannic acid jelly; that this jelly is by medical men considered to be more dangerous than useful in cases of the burning of the hands or face or any exposed part of the body; and whether he will have this matter reconsidered:

I am looking into this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will provide a means of appeal from the decisions of local medical war committees which have declined to approve the appointments of Home Guard medical officers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 1st October.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of supplies of tobacco in the Ipswich district, farmworkers are smoking hedgerow tobacco, made of oak leaves, docks, &c; and will he take steps to ensure that farmworkers in this area receive sufficient supplies?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that supplies of tobacco and cigarettes to the Ipswich district are less than those reaching other areas, but I will make inquiries. The hon. Member will realise that increased supplies can be made available to one area only at the expense of others.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in connection with his scheme for allowing places which have raised the requisite sum to adopt one of His Majesty's ships, whether he proposes to publish periodically what has been done in this respect so as to encourage imitation by others?

Yes, Sit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the sums subscribed to the War Savings Campaign by the West of England; and how the effort in this part of the country compares with similar efforts in other parts?

The figures required to provide an answer to the Question are not available at the moment, but I will circulate in the Official Report at an early date a table showing the amounts of small savings per head for the urban areas in the West of England and in other parts of the country. Figures for rural areas could not be similarly tabulated without undue expense and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what liability is imposed upon a mortgagee with regard to the contribution of 10s. in the pound on the net Schedule A assessment for the period of risk from September, I939, to August, 1941, due under the War Damage Act, in the event of the mortgage being paid off in September, 1941; and is his proportion of the contribution confined to the first instalment of 2s., due during the first year, or is he liable to contribute to the four subsequent annual instalments of 2s. which will fall due after the mortgage has, in this case, been paid off?

The liability of a mortgagee in respect of any instalment of contribution under Part I of the War Damage Act depends upon the position at the relevant date, namely, 1st January, in the year in which that instalment becomes due. In the case put forward by my hon. Friend, therefore, the mortgagee would be liable for his appropriate proportion of the first instalment but not in respect of the subsequent instalments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the mileage allowance to civil servants using their own motor cars of over 10 horse power on official business is 6d. a mile up to 3,000 miles, and that normally, making an allowance of 20 miles per gallon, the owners get about £60 a year, which often exceeds the insured value of the motor car; and whether, in the interests of economy, he will reduce this allowance?

The mileage allowances payable to civil servants who are authorised to use their private cars on official business have recently been revised in agreement with the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council. The allowance of 6d. a mile in respect of cars of over 10 h.p. for the first 3,000 miles a year, covers not only all running expenses but also reimburses to the car owner that proportion of his annual overhead expenses which his official mileage bears to his private mileage, as restricted by the petrol rationing scheme. I do not regard the allowance as excessive.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the apprehension of many persons that the imposition by the Government of financial burdens upon local authorities which are, in fact, more appropriately the responsibility of the central authority, may jeopardise the financial structure and administrative efficiency of many local authorities; and if he will take every precaution to preserve the advantages provided by the organisation and services of those authorities?

The division of responsibility for the services, the administration of which has been entrusted by Parliament to local authorities is, in the Government's view, fairly reflected in the arrangements for sharing the cost between the rate-payer and the tax-payer. The Government is fully alive to the importance of the point raised in the latter part of the Question and, as my hon. Friend is aware, financial assistance is available to any local authority where there is any risk of a breakdown.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, for the guidance of local authorities, issue a ruling as to whether a peer, as well as a commoner, appointed to the office by Letters Patent, should be correctly and formally described as His Majesty's Lieutenant of — and in the county of —, and whether the correct and formal style is Lord Lieutenant, etc., in the case of a commoner?

The title "Lieutenant" is statutory, being used in Acts, of Parliament from the 16th century onwards, and the designation officially used in all cases in Letters Patent is "His Majesty's Lieutenant of the County of —." The style "Lord Lieutenant "is, however, commonly used colloquially and in general correspondence, and is applied to the holders of such office whether they are peers or commoners. I do not think it necessary to issue any circular on the matter but trust my answer will be sufficient guidance.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that upwards of 100 children, resident in Upminster, attend secondary schools in Brentwood; that, with reduced services, it is very difficult for those children to get speedily to and from school; and whether school omnibuses can be provided?

No complaint has yet reached the Board of the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. I understand, however, that a recent proposal by the Essex local education authority to convey pupils to Brentwood was not generally supported by parents and that the authority have since made arrangements whereby younger pupils may attend a secondary school nearer their home.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he is taking to ensure an increase of pensions for teachers who have had to retire through reasons of ill-health; and whether he can issue some statement on this?

No steps are being taken towards increasing the pension of teachers who have had to retire for reasons of ill-health. These teachers are pensioned on the same basis (i.e., service and salary) as other teachers. Their pensions are necessarily smaller than otherwise because of the premature termination of their service. To grant them a higher scale of pension would require a radical revision of the Teachers Superannuation Acts, which my right hon. Friend does not think would be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Education when the annual reports of the principal medical officer to the Board for 1939–41 will be issued?

In accordance with the general decision to suspend the issue of Departmental reports not immediately essential to the war effort, I propose to defer the issue of the annual reports of the Board's chief medical officer until after the war.

asked the Minister of Labour when the annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1940 will be issued?

I hope that it will be possible to issue this report within the next three or four weeks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that envelopes are still being circulated by certain Government Departments with "On His Majesty's Service" printed on the face and economy labels attached to the back, thus allowing of the unauthorised use of the official franking each time a fresh label is attached by successive users, without possibility of detection by Post Office officials; and whether he will take steps to inform the Departments, generally, that economy labels should be used only on unfranked envelopes whenever the communication is intended for correspondents not entitled to the use of a franked envelope?

The words "On His Majesty's Service", or the letters "O.H.M.S." have no significance as regards exemption from postage. Unless the cover of a letter bearing either of these inscriptions also bears the "Official Paid" medallion (uncancelled), the letter should, if posted by a member of the public, be surcharged on delivery.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the terms of the circular issued to local war pensions committees in regard to the special allowances to soldiers or their dependants towards meeting abnormal expenses and commitments entered into prior to the war or enlistment; and in what respect this circular departs from the principles of the original order in regard to the basis upon which allowances should be made?

As the memorandum referred to is a lengthy document I am sending the hon. Member a copy. There is no departure in it from the principles of the original terms of reference to the Advisory Committee except in so far as improvements have been made in the benefits then provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of the Bulgarian Legation at Teheran?

The Bulgarian Legation at Teheran has been closed. The Charge d' Affaires and his staff, numbering four persons in all, left Teheran on the 17th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether diplomatic relations have now been established between all the Allies; and, if not, between what particular countries no such relations yet exist?

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary informed my hon. Friend on 30th September, it is not for me to answer for the international relations of the Allied Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been received from the Emperor of Ethiopia to the communication sent him with the text of the resolution adopted at the meeting of Allies at St. James's Palace on 2nd June?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have received a communication from the Emperor of Ethiopia expressing his desire to associate himself and his Government wholeheartedly with the resolution adopted at the inter-Allied meeting on 12th June. The Emperor's message has been conveyed to the Governments who participated in that Meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the banning by the Glasgow Corporation of Royal Air Force talks to scholars in secondary schools; and whether he proposes to take any action about this decision?

I have seen a Press report to this effect. In the exercise of their discretion in this matter it appears that the Corporation of Glasgow by a majority have decided not to permit facilities for personal appeals to join particular services. I do not propose to interfere with the Corporation's discretion in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the serious situation likely to arise in the East of Scotland owing to the continued shortage of Irish store cattle, upon which arable farmers depend for the manuring of their land; and whether, in view of the increased acreage now under the plough, he will consider some relaxation, under proper safeguards, of the present prohibition on imports of Irish stores?

I am aware that store cattle are in short supply owing to the prohibition of the import of Irish stores. The possibility of relaxing the present prohibition under proper safeguards is under consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, but I am afraid I can hold out no hope that any such relaxation is possible at the moment. Freedom from disease must be taken into account against the inconvenience of fewer stores.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there is a considerable body of agricultural opinion in Scotland opposed in principle to the stand-still order for farm workers, on the grounds that it may do injustice to both workers and farmers, interfere with the traditional good relations existing between masters and men, and injuriously affect production; whether he has consulted such opinion; and if he will consider postponing application of the order until he is satisfied, after full consideration, that it will, in practice, prove helpful to the national effort?

The terms of the proposed order to which my hon. Friend refers were drawn up in agreement with the representative organisations of fanners and farm workers in Scotland. All standstill orders naturally have elements of irritation in them. But I am satisfied that the adoption of this one for farm workers is vitally necessary to the national effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a resolution passed by the Fife Area Council of the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association, and sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, demanding the abolition of the means test and a better system of pensions administration; and what steps does he propose to take?

I have seen a copy of this resolution. As the hon. Member is aware, a Committee appointed by my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio is undertaking a survey of the whole field of social insurance and allied services. In the meantime I am always willing to inquire into any specific case of complaint.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the difficulties experienced by pensioned relieving officers in carrying on, as a result of the rise in the cost of living; and whether he will seek independent actuarial advice as to whether small increases in pensions can be granted under the terms and conditions of the scheme without prejudice to its general financial stability?

In the great bulk of cases the pensions of retired relieving officers are not payable out of a superannuation fund and actuarial considera- tions would not therefore arise. Amendment of the law would, however, be necessary to enable existing pensions to be increased, and I am not prepared to introduce legislation for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cite the committees at present advising him on medical matters, together with the names of their members, and the remuneration, if any, received individually by them?

The committees at present advising me on medical matters are as follow. None of the members receive remuneration for their services on these committees.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that traders are threatened with bankruptcy owing to the slow methods of paying compensation for the destruction of insured stock; and whether he will take steps to expedite payment?

In order to accelerate the payment of commodity insurance claims the machinery of assessment has recently been further decentralised by the creation of a large additional number of insurance districts each under the control of expert District Committees. All practicable steps are being taken to dispose of outstanding claims as quickly as possible. Where the final settlement of the claim is likely to be unavoidably delayed a payment on account based on an estimate of the loss can be obtained on application.If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any case he has in mind I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider allocating special coupons to football clubs wishing to purchase football kit for loan to their members?

No, Sir. I am afraid that the issue of special coupons to football or other sports clubs would not be justified in the present position of short supply. There is no objection to clubs collecting coupons from their supporters and the Board are willing to exchange these for coupons of a type which may be tendered in shops in a loose form and not attached to a clothing card.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state what concession he is able to make to colliery surface workers regarding the granting of additional coupons for clothing?

The evidence received regarding the needs of colliery surface workers for additional clothing coupons is being examined, but I am not yet in a position to announce a. definite long-term plan.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further statement to make respecting the political situation in India; and how many prisoners are awaiting trial for political offences, apart from the 12,000 now serving sentences?

No new development of importance has recently occurred in the political situation in India. The number of persons undergoing imprisonment in connection with the Civil Disobedience Campaign has steadily fallen since May and stood at 9,117 on 1st August. For reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on nth September, I am unable to state the number of persons awaiting trial for political offences.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why members of the principal material overseers staff of the Admiralty, employed at 17 and 19, Newington Causeway, London, S.E.I, do not take part in the voluntary fire-watching scheme which is in existence; and whether he is aware that the refusal of the Admiralty staff to take part has caused so much dissatisfaction that other voluntary fire-watchers in the building are threatening to resign unless the burden is equalised?

The Admiralty staff concerned do take a share of the fire-watching at Newington Causeway. The present arrangements have not, however, proved entirely satisfactory, and new proposals are under consideration which it is hoped will provide a more adequate scheme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that no official announcement was made of the recent Italian attack on Gibraltar, he can state what happened; and whether he will in future, in similar cases, make a public announcement?

Owing to the paramount importance of denying information to the enemy, it is inexpedient to issue a statement as my hon. Friend suggests, and the same consideration makes it impossible for me to give an undertaking that in similar circumstances in the future I shall be able to adopt a different policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will direct the agricultural war committees to organise in the non-food-producing residential areas of Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, schemes for beginning, this autumn, to encourage production of more soft fruits and vegetables and to invite their cultivation by voluntary help on the model of national savings collection through voluntary local committees?

No such action appears to be necessary The stimulation of orderly food production in allotments and private gardens is already being undertaken in urban areas by horticulture committees, and in the smaller towns and villages by county garden produce committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to ensure that an adequate supply of young pullets is available in the spring of 1942 for the replacement requirements of domestic poultry keepers, and that the price is kept within reasonable limits?

The Domestic Poultry Keepers' Council, which is responsible for guiding and advising domestic poultry keepers in England and Wales, is at present giving further consideration to this problem and hopes to be in a position to made recommendations to me at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will reconsider the national policy governing the cultivation in Britain of tobacco, with a view to it being grown here in considerable volume on suitable land, either privately-owned or on Government land if essential for the collection of duties; and will he include tobacco cultivation in the post-war rehabilitation of agriculture, consonantly with the sugar-beet policy, so as to replace imports by home production and increase rural employment?

No, Sir. In present circumstances, land on which tobacco might to grown can be more usefully employed in growing food crops. Experience obtained since the last war does not afford sufficient ground for the inclusion of tobacco growing in any post-war plan for agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of complaints that public footpaths are being, and have been, ploughed up without proper authority; whether he will take action to ensure that farmers comply with the necessity of first securing written authority for such ploughing from the county war agricultural committees; and whether he will direct county councils to preserve a true record of all public footpaths within their area that have had to be ploughed up during the war?

I have recently taken steps to impress on all concerned that footpaths which farmers have not the right to plough in the normal course must not be ploughed without the specific written authority of the county war agricultural executive committees, which is communicated to local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the differences of authoritative opinion on the subject of the proposed Hampshire Rivers Catchment Board, he will accede to the suggestion of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England for a public inquiry?

Objections have been lodged under the procedure provided by the Land Drainage Act, 1930, to the proposal put forward by the Hants County Council for a Hampshire Rivers Catchment Board. I am therefore arranging for a public inquiry to be held as provided for under the Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the further evidence submitted to him of the losses of farmers and poultry keepers and the inability of local hunts under war conditions to keep down the fox population, he will give a general direction to county war agricultural committees throughout the country to initiate more effective means to remove foxes?

I am having inquiries made into the cases referred to by my hon. Friend and will consider whether any steps are necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, and to what extent, potato blight has appeared in any part of England or Wales?

Potato blight has appeared in most districts, but on the whole the incidence of the disease is not abnormal.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will abstain from giving further broadcast publicity to speakers like Mr. Pollitt?

No, Sir. The news value of a speech must be the factor which finally determines whether or not reference should be made to it, and I am therefore not prepared to require in advance that a news bulletin should not in any circumstances contain a reference to a speech by Mr. Pollitt or anyone else.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will make arrangements for the text of our broadcasts to Germany and Italy to be available to hon. Members in the Library?

No, Sir. I do not think that I should be justified in requiring the routine supply of this very considerable volume of material, but the B.I.C. will always supply the script of any particular broadcast on receiving a request from any Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the measures which are being taken to review the civil and educational experience and qualifications of airmen after joining the Royal Air Force, with a view to the full utilisation of each man's skill and attainments to the greatest advantage, apply equally to those allocated to ground duties?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether his Department welcomes information as to the whereabouts of steelwork on bombed sites which is lying untouched in situ; and to whom communications should, in that case, be sent?

The responsibility for the clearance of bombed sites does not rest with the Ministry of Supply, but with the Ministry of Works and Buildings, in conjunction with the Ministry of Home Security and the local authorities. Communications should be sent to the Director of Emergency Works, Ministry of Works and Buildings, Lambeth Bridge House, London, S.E.I.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he proposes to reduce all building permits to less than the £100 now sanctioned; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

My Noble Friend is proposing an extension of the licensing of civil building, which at present covers the construction, reconstruction or alteration of buildings or civil engineering works, so as to include repairs, maintenance, decoration, demolition and protection against hostile attack. He also proposes to regulate by Order the sizes and types of materials that may be used and the methods to be employed in the execution of building operations and the frequency of redecoration of buildings. Powers are being sought to fix by Order the amount that may be spent on building or constructional operations without authorisation or licence; my Noble Friend does not propose to reduce at present the amount that may be spent on a building in one year without a licence below the existing limit of £100.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made against Beatrice Hedworth Foulkes, at Horsham police court, on Monday, 22nd September, for hoarding many kinds of food in tins and jars; and whether the tins of food were taken away from her house?

I am making inquiries to enable me to answer my hon. Friend's Question and I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as wheat is twice as profitable to carry as eggs, there is any transport reason why the former cannot be carried instead of the latter?

Every effort is being made to import as much feedingstuffs as practicable. There is no transport reason why wheat should not be imported instead of eggs, but I cannot accept the statement in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question. On the contrary, to substitute wheat or other grain for imported eggs would have the effect of reducing the quantity of eggs available for consumption in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he contemplates any measures to organise the table-poultry market?

The answer is in the negative.