asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the importance of an adequate meat supply for miners and other heavy workers; and, in view of this, why a scheme put forward on behalf of certain societies interested in the breeding and feeding of cattle with a view to encouraging production of economical and early-maturity cattle, killing out at high percentages, has been rejected although involving only an additional payment to the producer of 2s. 6d. per live hundredweight or ½d. per pound by the butcher?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The scheme to which my hon. Friend refers was found to be impracticable under control conditions and in any case it would not have led to any material increase in meat supplies. I might add that increased prices have been paid for cattle killing out at 57 per cent. and over since 1st September, and it has been decided to reintroduce the grade for 58 per cent. cattle on 2nd March next, some two months earlier than in 1941.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that George Halliday, junior, 517, Maryhill Road, Glasgow, was recently prosecuted in Glasgow on a charge of having sold a can of roast pork weighing 7 ounces for 2s. 6d.; that on analysis the pork was found to contain about 17 per cent. of meat; that Halliday was acquitted on the ground that the product before reaching him had been warranted guaranteed by seven other firms since its manufacture by Sussex Canners, Limited; what steps he proposes to take to safeguard retailers and the consuming public; and whether he is now prepared to require that the containers of all canned meats and meat products shall bear a label stating clearly the meat content?

The attention of my Department has been drawn to the prosecution referred to by my hon. Friend which was taken by the Glasgow Public Health Department. It is now an offence under the Canned Meat Products (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1941, for any person to sell by retail any canned meat roll or canned ready meal which is not labelled giving the description of the product, the name and address of the manufacturers, and a statement that the product complies with the statutory requirements of the Minister of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the policy of the Ministry in the use of flour of 85 per cent. extraction is in accordance with the advice given by the Scientific Committee on Food Policy?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give an estimate of the annual saving of shipping space which would result from the compulsory use of national wheat meal flour?

It would be misleading to give the estimate asked for. The by-products of flour milling are valuable animal foods and the reduction in shipping which could be effected by adopting the course referred to by my hon. Friend is dependent to a considerable extent on animal feeding stuff requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that the South of Scotland Abattoirs Association, Limited, under contract as managers of slaughterhouses to the Ministry, is an efficient organisation; and what is the amount of profit earned by this association during last year and the amount charged by the management as travelling and other expenses?

I am making inquiries regarding the detailed information asked for by my hon. Friend and will write to him as soon as my inquiries are complete.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the policy of the Ministry in regard to the amount of calcium required to be added to food, in view of its deficiency in the present national diet, is in accordance with the advice given by the Scientific Committee on Food Policy?

This question is still under consideration by my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as the matter is one of consequence under existing conditions, steps have been taken to have additional stocks of food stored in Northern Ireland, and with what results?

Steps are taken to maintain in Northern Ireland ample stocks of all foodstuffs in which Northern Ireland is not self-sufficing. This policy was adopted some time ago and so far as can be foreseen is not likely to be varied.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether as the potatoes of this year's crop in Northern Ireland are such as will yield a large percentage of flour, the promised potato processing factories are now ready to operate; and, if not, whether he will have them completed and working at the earliest moment, since the best results can be obtained as the potatoes come fresh from the soil?

A contract has been given for five factories and the necessary equipment is being manufactured. It is hoped to place orders for three or four additional factories in the near future. The importance of completion of the factories at the earliest moment is appreciated and I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his Supplementary Question on the subject on 19th June.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Committee of the Medical Research Committee have recently reconsidered and recommended further categories of those to whom free or extra milk should be granted in the event of rationing; and whether he is satisfied that all necessary categories of priorities are adequately covered?

Yes, Sir. On the recommendation of the Special Diets Committee, the milk supply scheme which comes into operation on 12th October makes provision for a wider range of sick persons than the scheme for regulating distribution which has operated throughout the summer. The arrangements for expectant mothers, children and adolescents are also based on the advice of nutritional experts. I believe that the priority provisions of the new scheme represent a satisfactory balance between the claims of special classes and the requirements of the ordinary consumer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the estimated saving which will accrue as a result of the decision to stop the sale of wrapped and sliced bread?

It is estimated that the savings in wrapping material and operational costs will amount to about £1,000,000 per annum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements an in force to enable sick persons, whether private patients or in hospitals, who hold a doctor's certificate stating that they require an egg diet; to obtain an extra allowance of eggs; and if such arrangements are not yet in force, will he state how soon they will be?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mrs. Rathbone) on 2nd October.

asked the Parliament Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the representations of the hon. Member for East Fife with regard to the prices now paid to fishermen; and whether he has any statement to make?

Yes, Sir. I am saitsfied that the reduced maximum prices now in force give fishermen a fair return for their services, taking into account present abnormal conditions. These prices are substantially above pre-war levels.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many prosecutions have been instituted by his Department for alleged offences of charging excessive prices; how many convictions were obtained, and what penalties were imposed; and whether he considers the present penalties are adequate to check future offences?

I am having this information extracted and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before offering apparatus to cinemas throughout the country in order that they can show slides announcing changes in rationing, new registrations and other matters, it was ascertained whether cinemas were already in possession of such apparatus, which costs approximately £40; how many apparatus have been ordered by the Ministry for distribution to cinemas; how many have been distributed to cinemas which already possessed such apparatus; and whether the full requirements were ascertained from the Cinema Exhibitors' Association before orders were placed with the manufacturers?

The hon. and gallant Member's Question is based on misapprehension. No apparatus of the type mentioned has been offered to cinemas. Exhibitors have however been offered a folding slide, which costs 1s. 6d. and not £40; 2,500 such slides have been ordered; none has been distributed except to distributors who indicated their desire to co-operate in this scheme; and the whole scheme was discussed with the Cinema Exhibitors' Association before any slides were ordered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will set out in tabular form the amount of milk produced in 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941, respectively, and the amount of milk consumed for each of the same years?

It is not in the national interest to publish figures of milk production and utilisation since the outbreak of the war. I may say, however, that production has decreased and liquid consumption has increased. My hon. Friend will also appreciate that the production is greater in the summer months than in the winter months. For the prewar period referred to the information is as follows (the figures relate to the United Kingdom):

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeepers in the city of Birmingham from whom licences to trade with registered customers have been withdrawn?

The number of shopkeepers in Birmingham from whom the supply of one or more rationed foods has been withdrawn, after consideration by the Food Control Committee of the convenience of the consumers and of the hardship to individual small traders, is 219.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has ascertained the types of persons newly engaged on food profiteering; and whether, for the most part, they have any connection with the trade in which they carry on their operations?

I understand from information which my hon. Friend has given me since his Question appeared on the Order Paper that he wishes to know whether profiteering in foodstuffs has in general been confined to persons and firms who were not engaged in the food trade before the war. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any steps are to be taken to increase the supply of herring for the home market?

The supply of herring for the home market is to be increased by shipments from Iceland. Every endeavour is being made to secure as large a quantity as possible from this source but the quantity available will largely depend upon the productivity of the various Icelandic fishing grounds.

asked the Minister of Labour how many girls have been transferred from Scotland to England by the Ministry during the last 12 months; how many girls transferred from England to Scotland during the same period; and whether any degree of compulsion has been used in carrying out such transfers?

In the last 12 months 3,680 women were transferred from Scotland to England. Nineteen of them received formal directions from National Service Officers. The number of women and girls transferred from England to Scotland is not known, but it is probably very small.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it can be arranged that workpeople transferred under the scheme of the Ministry shall be provided with a railway voucher to enable them to visit their home several times a year?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply given on nth September to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish) and the reply given on 2nd October to the hon. Member for East Swansea (Mr. Mort).

asked the Secretary for Mines who is responsible for loss of wages involved in the case of ex-miners returned to the mining industry who are idle for one or more days before commencing work at a colliery, or pending acceptance by a colliery company?

The Minister of Labour and National Service pays to men transferred a sum to cover travelling expenses and loss of work for one day; and I arranged that the Mines Department should pay wages at time rates for any further time necessarily occupied in transfer. These arrangements were communicated to both sides of the industry at an early stage in the scheme for return of miners.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the call-up of shop workers, men and young women, for National Service, resulting in shortage of staffs and the employment of older women, he will take steps to prevent any extension of working hours in the interests of the health and well-being of assistants?

I see no reason to anticipate any such extension of working hours as would be likely to injure the health of the assistants, but if any evidence of it is brought to my notice I will certainly go into the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what steps are being taken to ensure that preparations are being made for adequate reservations of playing fields and recreational spaces in post-war plans for reconstruction and rebuilding of towns and cities?

My Noble Friend has received memorials from the National Playing Fields Association and the London and Greater London Playing Fields Association regarding the provision of playing fields and recreational spaces in connection with the reconstruction of towns. He will sympathetically consider in consultation with the Minister of Health, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the local authorities concerned, all the questions involved, including standards which should govern the provision of open space for various purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the name of the firm which obtained an Air Ministry contract at a place referred to privately by the hon. Member for Maryhill in a letter to him; whether the contract was submitted for tender; and what plant was hired by the contractor through third parties for this particular job?

A contract for the construction of runways at the aerodrome in question was placed with Landing Grounds Corporation, Ltd., as a result of competitive tendering. One excavator, 7 dumpers, 3 concrete mixers, 17 lorries and 2 pumps were hired by the contractor.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of children in Scotland are now receiving meals in schools; whether he proposes to take any steps to increase the provision of meals in schools; and whether he has approached the local authorities on the subject?

Nearly 7 per cent. of the children in Scottish schools are receiving a substantial meal daily, and a further 5 per cent. are receiving a light meal. I am taking every step I can to encourage local authorities to increase their provision of meals and considerable financial help has been offered to them. I am at present in consultation with the Minister of Food with a view to encouraging a further increase in this service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the increasing part taken by women in the Armed Forces in this country, he has considered the advisability of having similar bodies recruited in Palestine; and why has not action been yet taken?

This proposal is under consideration at the moment and it is hoped to reach a decision at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply if, bearing in mind its value, not only to prisoners of war, but also to their relatives throughout Scotland, he will see that the monthly magazine entitled "Prisoners of War News," printed in Aberdeen, on behalf of the Prisoners of War Appeal, under the British Red Cross Society, is not forced to suspend publication owing to the withdrawal of the necessary allotment of paper?

No authority has been given for the publication of this periodical, nor has any official allotment of paper been made for that purpose. I regret that I cannot see my way to provide paper for it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what members of the administrative staff, overseers, etc., at ordnance factories are being paid a commission apart from salaries; what is the amount of such commissions and upon what condition is it paid; and has he been made aware of the widespread disquiet owing to the suspicion that these men are deliberately arranging overtime for their sections in order to qualify for commissions?

At Royal Ordnance Factories, no employees receive in addition to their salary any emolument in the nature of commission. Certain staff ineligible for overtime pay may receive special payments for prolonged hours of work exceeding normal and I am sending to my hon. Friend a statement indicating the range of payments admissible for various grades. Heavy overtime is of course necessary at present. I know of no ground for the suspicion referred to in the last part of the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that many passengers have hitherto taken first-class tickets on suburban railways with the sole object of finding a compartment for non-smokers; and whether, as all first-class tickets are to be abolished from the beginning of next week, he will take the necessary steps to secure that a sufficient number of third-class carriages are provided for non-smokers, and will give directions that non-smoking carriages shall not be occupied by persons who insist on smoking, making clear at the same time what redress non-smokers have against those who refuse to stop smoking in nonsmoking compartments?

There is no intention of reducing the number of non-smoking compartments on those suburban trains which are now third-class only. The railway by-laws make it an offence to smoke in a non-smoking compartment and I do not think it necessary to give any special directions, such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many of the pedestrians killed by motor-vehicles in built-up areas during the second year of the war were using the pedestrian crossings specially provided for them; and will he undertake that in future the statistics shall be compiled in a way that will give this information, so that the public may know to what extent the use of these crossings can contribute to the safety of pedestrians?

I am afraid that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many privately-owned railway wagons are being used on the railways of Great Britain; and when he intends putting into operation, by Order in Council, Section 13 of the Transport Act, 1919?

All privately-owned wagons, with the exception of certain special types, were requisitioned at the beginning of the war and are operated by the railway companies in a common pool. The number of such requisitioned wagons on 6th September, 1941, was 577,957. There is no present intention of exercising the powers of purchase conferred by Section 13 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919.

asked the Minister of Health, what rating authorities have decided not to accept his recommendations; contained in Circular 2215, dated 22nd November last, that a rebate should be allowed from the general rate when property is uninhabitable for a period exceeding seven consecutive days and what is the number of defaulters in the payment of rates under agreements for compounding in the areas referred to; and will he consider taking further steps in order to relieve the poorer property owners who are suffering hardship by the loss of their income from rents and are called upon to pay the full year's rate?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend on the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the last part, rating authorities already have power to reduce or remit the payment of general rates on account of the poverty of any person liable to the payment of the rates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing legislation to enable public assistance committees to grant supplementary pensions to persons who are already in receipt of war disability pensions where such persons are incapacitated by reason of severe disablement from being employed, or where there is exceptional need?

It is already the duty of public assistance committees to grant any further assistance which may be required to meet the needs of the persons referred to and there is no necessity therefore for such legislation as is suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners were in receipt of supplementary pensions on 1st August, 1940, and on 1st August, 1941, respectively; and how many pensioners by 30th September, 1941, had re-entered employment and thus forfeited their supplementary pensions?

At the beginning of the Supplementary Pensions scheme in August, 1940, some 1,200,000 old age pensioners, including widow pensioners over 60 years of age, were receiving supplementary pensions, and at the end of July, 1941, the number was approximately 1,300,000. I regret that statistics showing the number of pensioners who have re-entered employment and are no longer in need of supplementary pensions are not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any information in connection with charges made on Monday, 15th September, against the firm of Messrs. Trefusa, Limited, of Bramley, Surrey, for issuing labels calculated to mislead the public about stronger tea tablets; and what the tablets consisted of?

I am informed by the food and drugs authority Concerned that this firm was convicted and fined on a charge, under Section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, of issuing a label which was calculated to mislead as to the nature, substance or quality of the article. I understand that the label claimed, inter alia, that by using the tablets, 100 extra cups of tea could be made for sixpence. According to the analysis, the tablets consisted of 91.56 per cent. of bicarbonate of soda and a little starch.

asked the Minister of Health when the Registrar-General's quarterly reviews for March, 1941, and June, 1941, will be published?

Publication of the return for the March quarter is expected in a few weeks and that for the June quarter a few weeks later. The former return has been delayed by the inclusion of additional features illustrating the effect of war conditions upon certain kinds of mortality.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that medical officers in the Home Guard who have obligations to civilian air-raid precautions authorities will not be prevented by their Home Guard duties from fulfilling those obligations?

The fact that the enrolment of medical practitioners in the Home Guard requires the previous consent of the local medical war committee, which is aware of the professional commitments of practitioners in its area, should secure that Home Guard appointments are not inconsistent with the fulfilment of any Civil Defence obligations which the practitioners may have undertaken.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases his attention, or that of his regional officers, has been called to the attempts of medical officers of health to prevent the appointment of medical officers in the Home Guard on the grounds that such officers will be required in emergency to give their services to the local authorities; and whether he will take steps to inform medical officers of health that the decision on such questions rests with him and not with them?

I could not say without special inquiry whether the situation indicated in the first part of the Question has arisen. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any such case which he may have in mind I will look into it and take such action as is appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any inquiry into the surrender at Kuneitra is being undertaken since the release of the officers and men concerned?

Yes, Sir. In accordance with King's Regulations a court of inquiry was held as soon as possible after the return of the officers and men in question. The proceedings have now been forwarded to the War Office but have not yet reached me.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether the preliminary arrangements for the census have yet been made in Jamaica; and whether steps are being taken to expedite the matter?

No, Sir. But the urgency and importance of taking a further census in Jamaica is recognised. Detailed proposals are expected shortly.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies why the secretary of the advisory committee, under the Defence Regulations in Jamaica, refused to inform Mr. W. A. Williams or his solicitor of particulars of the reason of the detention when requested on 14th June some three months after Mr. Williams's detention?

My Noble Friend understands that Mr. Williams was informed of the grounds of his detention on 12th May.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether any inquiries have been made into certain social questions in Nigeria and the Gold Coast; and what steps are being taken to stop the traffic referred to and to combat disease?

I assume that the social questions referred to by my hon. Friend relate to certain allegations which appeared in the Press some months ago to the effect that traffic in women and children was taking place between Nigeria and the Gold Coast. The attention of the Governors of these two territories was drawn to these, allegations and they were asked for their observations. Their replies have not yet been received. I may, however, mention that in a report received from the Governor of the Gold Coast towards the end of 1940, it was stated that the police of those territories were collaborating to devise means, legislative or otherwise, to stop this traffic.

asked the Prime Minister whether, since the Government has undertaken to make good for all civil servants the difference between Army pay, etc., and that of their peace-time occupations, and has recommended local authori- ties to do likewise, he is prepared, in consideration of equal sacrifice by all members of the Services, to consider arranging equal recompense for members of all the Services and their dependent families.

I have been asked to reply. I assume my hon. Friend's suggestion to be that the State should make up to all members of the Forces the difference between their Service emoluments and their remuneration prior to enlistment. I regret that I am not able to contemplate such a proposal, but, as my hon. Friend is aware, provision exists through the machinery of the War Service Grants Committee for assisting members of the Forces who are unable to meet their obligations owing to a reduction in their remuneration due to war service.

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?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd October, 1941; col. 740, Vol. 374] supplied the following statement:The following table gives the amount invested per head of population in National Savings Certificates, 3 per cent. Defence Bonds or deposited in Savings Banks for each of the National Savings Regions of England and Wales. The figures are compiled from the Returns received by the National Savings Committee and relate to Urban Areas only.