asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will facilitate the manufacture of mechanical lighters with a view to reducing the import of matches?

Steps are being taken to facilitate the production of mechanical lighters of a simple and economical type.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the inequitable distribution of matches; and which class of retailer should supply a householder with matches for household purposes?

The reduced supplies of matches now available are distributed under licence from the Matches Control, and retailers who normally supply householders with matches for household purposes should be receiving their fair share on the basis of pre-war trading, with adjustments for movements of population. If my hon. Friend has in mind any specific case of inequitable distribution, I will ask the Matches Control to look into the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that grocers are unable to supply their regular customers with matches? I will certainly give my right hon. Friend instances of this.

If the Question refers to the supply of matches to grocers and stores, I would point out that I find myself in the same position as my hon. Friend. It is quite impossible to obtain matches.

What is the ration?

The usual source of supply of matches for household purposes is, of course, the grocer, and steps are taken to ensure that a proper pre-war proportion of matches is available.

What is the proportion?

I am not able to say.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether women agricultural workers, not members of the Land Army, can be allowed extra coupons for obtaining necessary overalls, woollen gloves and Wellington boots?

A statement of the special clothing needs of agricultural workers of both sexes, including the needs of new entrants, has been prepared by the National Farmers' Union and the trade unions concerned and is now being examined. Additional coupon; will be issued where it is established that such needs cannot be met out of the normal ration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to make any difference in the issue of coupons between members of the public who do, and do not, require athletic equipment?

No, Sir.

Cannot anything be done for the Home Guard, for whom this is a very pressing matter, especially in Bilston?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now made an order controlling the price of shoe repairs?

No, Sir. Discussions are proceeding between the Central Price Regulation Committee and the trade about the control of boot and shoe repairing charges, and I hope a decision will be reached soon.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this matter has been before the Price Control Committee for nearly two months, and is it not time that something should be done owing to the high prices charged in evacuation towns?

I hope that a decision will be reached soon, but this has been a very complicated and difficult question.

When the right hon. Gentleman speaks of the trade, does he include the trade unions affected?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has made an order which will have the effect of rationing women more drastically in respect of cosmetics than men and women are rationed in respect of cigars, cigarettes and pipe tobacco?

The object of the recent Order was to regulate more closely the manufacture of cosmetics. It does not reduce the quota of supply available to the public. On the contrary, by release of stocks in the hands of wholesalers increased supplies will become available. I do not think that a comparison can usefully be drawn between the use of cosmetics and the consumption of tobacco.

Why does one amiable vice have preference over another?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that Australia has manufacturing facilities for the whole of the whisky required there, what is the object of sending whisky there from this country, in view of the shortage here of whisky and the employing of valuable shipping space, labour, etc.?

Our exports of whisky to Australia have been on a greatly reduced scale in recent months. The Commonwealth Government are aware that it is not our wish to export to Australia any commodities with which, in present circumstances, they consider it desirable to dispense. The whole question of our export trade in whisky is being kept under close review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet made any arrangements to simplify the procedure and reduce the cost incurred by patentees who apply to the court for a suspension of patent fees, in view of the fact that their patents cannot be worked owing to the war?

I am hoping shortly to introduce legislation to facilitate the obtaining of extensions of the term of their patents by patentees who have suffered loss or damage by reason of the war.

Will that apply-to people who have patents which they have not been able to renew?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to discourage the opening of new outlets for British exports to the United States of America; and whether he is aware that the Department of Overseas Trade has declined to suggest the names of suitable agents for a particular industry in the United States of America, on the grounds that business has not previously been done in that market?

The growing demands made by the war upon our labour, materials and plant make it increasingly difficult to promote now lines of export trade; accordingly, it is sometimes not possible to encourage such developments. I shall be glad to look into the case my hon. Friend has in mind if he will let me have particulars.

Surely it is the obligation of the Board of Trade to make contacts in the United States for possible business in the future? This is not the time to make applications of this nature. Surely it is the duty of the Board of Trade to develop and encourage our future trade after the war?

It is not so simple as that. We have to consider the susceptibilities of the United States in these matters, as well as the proper return we should make for the invaluable help they are rendering to us now.

Is there any contact with trade organisations in the United States so that a proper understanding may be established after the war with regard to Anglo-American trade?

Discussions in relation to the Lease-Lend arrangements are going on at the present time with the appropriate authorities in the United States.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are in touch with the Institute of Export as to the best way to keep alive our foreign markets in war-time with a view to the development of overseas trade the moment peace is in sight?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken to regain, after the war, for British exporting industries markets now being lost or voluntarily abandoned under Lease-Lend arrangements with the United States of America?

Winning the war must be our paramount task. But so far as is consistent with that and with our Lease-Lend obligations, everything possible will be done to preserve markets for our postwar trade. I shall be very ready to consider any suggestions that any trade organisation may have to make on the subject.

Except for winning the war, do the Government realise that this question is more important than any other?

Is the Export Council still functioning?

The Export Council is still functioning, and so is the export programme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to securing that the distributive trade is organised in the most effective way to assist the war effort, he will direct local authorities to licence retailers of commodities other than foodstuffs?

In view of the severe strain placed upon local authorities by their present duties, which have been greatly increased by the war, I cannot see my way at the present time to ask them to undertake the very heavy additional administrative work which my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would involve.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that large numbers of small shopkeepers are being compelled to close down, whereas the chain stores are making no attempt whatever to concentrate themselves? Cannot he make some fairer adjustment in the matter?

The whole of this subject has been dealt with in a report.

Does my right hon. Friend intend making the report public?

I have only received the report this morning.

This Question has been postponed, but in connection with the lack of inspectorate, may I ask the Secretary of State—

The Question has been postponed.

In connection with the postponement, may I ask, because this is a very urgent matter, whether my right hon. and gallant Friend will look into the question of the removal—

Order!

asked the Secretary of State for War, what machinery has been set up to secure the co-ordination of Government action on questions affecting United Kingdom, Dominion and Indian prisoners of war?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full statement showing in detail the machinery for coordinating the action of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Dominions and India, and also of the various Departments of the United Kingdom Government in matters relating to prisoners of war.

Is this committee of the same character as that appointed in the last war, when Lord Curzon was appointed as umpire in cases of differences of opinion between Government Departments?

The answer is long, and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will study it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any information has been received from the Protecting Power with regard to recent movements of British officer prisoner of war camps in Germany?

Apart from the announcement that some British officers have recently been tranferred to a new camp known as Oflag VB, no information has been received from the Protecting Power with regard to movements of British officer prisoner of war camps in Germany.

Has it not been common knowledge for some time past that there have been movements, and can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether any movement has been made to a camp called VI B, which, I understand, is a French or Belgian Stallag?

I am afraid that I have little information on the point at the moment. The Protecting Power has been requested to investigate and make a report.

Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that we are informed that some 2,000 officers have been evacuated and that they were obliged to leave their personal property and food parcels behind, and nobody knows to what addresses to send parcels? As it is a serious and urgent matter, will urgent representations be made to the Protecting Power to get the addresses of these officers?

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the Protecting Power has the right to demand such information?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether negotiations are still in progress with the German Government with a view to the repatriation of seriously wounded prisoners of war, in accordance with Article 68 of the International Convention?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any fresh negotiations are to be undertaken by His Majesty's Government with reference to the exchange of prisoners of war?

No communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the German Government since the breakdown of the negotiations on 6th October. The desire of His Majesty's Government to secure as quickly as possible the repatriation of sick and wounded prisoners of war remains unaltered and they are in consequence prepared at any time to resume, through the Protecting Powers, negotiations for repatriation upon the basis of the Prisoners of War Convention of 1929.

If the negotiations are resumed, will the War Office avoid making any public pronouncement on the subject until the whole thing is cut and dried, because of the enormous disappointment and worry which will be' caused?

Are we to understand that the Protecting Powers are aware of the Governments' views on the matter and arc taking what steps they can to initiate negotiations?

I could not go as far as that.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the German Government are putting the whole responsibility upon our shoulders?

The world will have read the statement I made in the House of Commons last week.

Have the wounded German prisoners been supplied with any information as to the real reason?

I believe that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he was prepared to hand over German prisoners before receiving any of our own; and why one of our hospital ships was not sent over empty so that subsequently the two hospital ships could have passed each other in mid-Channel?

The origin of the negotiations with the German Government on the repatriation scheme and their subsequent development were described at length in my statement of 7th October, to which I have nothing to add.

On what ground was the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to trust the Germans, in view of the fact that he intended to hand over Germans before any Englishmen were released?

As I say, the full story was told in the answer that I gave only a week ago. I do not think it will help to pursue the matter further by means of Question and Answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that E. M. Byrne, 420643c, Royal Signals, India, and P. Byrne, Royal Welch Fusiliers, each allotted their mother 7s. per week; that there are other six children attending school, yet the mother, anxious to help the war effort, accepted work at a factory of which he has been told with the result that the allowances have been stopped; why this has been done; and whether the money stopped is credited to the soldier sons?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the withdrawal of dependants' allowance in this case. This allowance is designed to meet cases where hardship would be caused to de-pendants other than wives or children as a result of a man joining the Colours, and it would be inconsistent with the purpose of the allowance to grant it without reference to the dependants' income from other sources. When the present case was reviewed in the normal way in July last, it was found that the net weekly income of the dependant, the dependant's husband and other sub-dependants exceeded the limit allowed by the regulations and the allowance was accordingly withdrawn. The allowance included a contributory allotment of 7s. weekly from Private E. M. Byrne, which is now in issue as a voluntary allotment. In addition the other son, Private P. Byrne, is making a voluntary allotment of 7s. weekly from his pay. This was suspended for a short period in September, 1941, owing to his absence without leave, but has since been resumed.

Does the Minister realise that it is cases such as these which militate against women entering munition factories?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling of all ranks against saluting when off duty or travelling; and will he consider some modification of the present system of saluting;?

I am not aware of any feeling among officers or men against saluting when off duty or travelling, and I see no reason to modify the present regulations.

Evidently the Minister does not visit the same places as I do, because if he did he would realise that there is grave discontent existing among private soldiers. I have seen officers turn away to avoid embarrassing the men, and if the Minister makes inquiries, he will find that what I say is true.

It is conceivable that there may be cases to which my hon. Friend has had his attention drawn, but in the main I do not believe there is any grave discontent.

If my right hon. and gallant Friend will look at Shirer's "Berlin Diary," he will see the changes which have taken place in the relations between officers and men in the Services in Germany.

I am reading the book at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) with reference to Major William Patrick Scott, officer commanding troops on the "Dunera," in what regiment this officer was gazetted as major in November, 1934; was he styled captain when the "Dunera" sailed; and has his rank since been changed;

The officer in question was gazetted major in the 14th London Regiment, Territorial Army, in November, 1934. He was transferred to the Pioneer Corps as a substantive major in November, 1939, and was given the acting rank of lieutenant-colonel on his appointment to command the troops on board the "Dunera" in July, 1940. He reverted to his substantive rank of major on relinquishing his command with effect from 8th October, 1940, and there has been no subsequent change in his rank. Major Scott was tried by court-martial on two charges under Section 40 of the Army Act of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. The first charge alleged that he improperly addressed the troops under his command in terms that suggested that he was aware of, and condoned, thefts of articles belonging to internees. The second charge alleged that having reasonable grounds to suppose that an interned alien had been treated with violence or neglect while in the custody of military personnel under his command he failed to ensure that any proper inquiry was made into the incident. He was acquitted on the first of these charges but was found guilty on the second. The charges were framed on the basis of the report of a court of inquiry, which was held as soon as possible after the members of the escort returned to this country.

Are we to understand that there was no charge preferred against him in respect of looting from the internees on board?

The charges are set out in my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there have been any new regulations which affect the pay or allowances of present or future officers, which will have the result of reducing existing rates, since 1st July of the present year?

Apart from the introduction of the new rates of allowances for married officers which were announced on 9th September, the only change in officers' pay or allowances since 1st July has been the decision dated 5th July to reduce the indemnity for rent liability from a maximum amount equal to 91 days' lodging allowance to one of a maximum of 30 days in order to bring the regulations on this subject into conformity with war-time conditions.

Will the recent changes and their full implications be clearly and simply explained to all officers by their commanding officers, so that there may be no misunderstanding?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the letter from five privates in the troop-carrying company, Royal Army Service Corps, on the question of increased pay for soldiers and increased dependants' allowances; and what reply has he made 1:o this communication?

I have been unable to trace the receipt of such a letter in my Department. If, as appears to be the case, the letter dealt with the question of increased pay and allowances for other ranks, I would ask my hon. Friend to await the White Paper on the improved arrangements for making provision for the families of His Majesty's Forces during the present war, which will be published to-day.

In view of the fact that these soldiers sent me what they alleged was a copy of the letter they sent to the War Office, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire whether it has arrived and make a reply?

I have had careful search made, and we are unable to trace it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the number of military prisoners detained in military detention barracks on 30th September, 1941?

The number of soldiers serving sentences at military prisons or detention barracks in the United Kingdom on 30th September, 1941, was 3,951.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in these detention barracks visitors have to speak, through bars, and will he put a stop to that?

How many of these prisoners are of the ages of 17 and 18?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman making any inquiry in connection with these prisoners?

There is another Question on the Paper dealing with that.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the privilege of medical and dental treatment accorded to the families of pre-war Regular soldiers now serving, and to those of reservists called up for service, is not given to the families of the soldiers enlisted or called up since the beginning of the war?

The extension to the families of soldiers enlisted since the war of the facilities for medical and dental treatment at present enjoyed by the families of pre-war Regular soldiers or reservists now serving would involve an enormous increase in the numbers of Army medical and dental officers which could only be effected at the expense of the civil medical services. Moreover, the families of pre-war Regular soldiers are not eligible for medical attendance in their homes unless they live within a mile of certain fixed points, and, if the concession were extended to the families of war-time soldiers, its value would therefore vary according to the family's domicile.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the provision of these facilities has not required any increased medical staff? Is he aware that the present procedure is that in the large number of cases where families are not able to obtain medical attendance from their own doctors, because they have no funds, they are referred to the relieving officer and, if the case is urgent, the relieving officer makes arrangements for them, but, if it is not urgent, they are referred to the public assistance committee? Does he not think it very undesirable that the wives and families of soldiers should be treated in this way and have to appear before the public assistance committee in order to get what they regard as their natural right?

I think the answer to the first part of the Question is that the emergency medical services are the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. As regards the second part, if this concession were to be made, it would entail an enormous increase in the number of medical and dental officers, which could only be effected at the expense of the civil medical services.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that soldiers, and the wives of serving soldiers, were entitled to go quite normally to the medical service hospitals and that no change would be required in that respect?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the difficulty which is being experienced in obtaining the required number of recruits for the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and having regard to the successful operation of the system of immobile units in the Women's Royal Naval Service, he will introduce a similar system in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, observing that such immobile units could easily be established in all large cities and towns where existing units of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are, more or less, permanently stationed?

This suggestion has been considered on several occasions and is at present being re-examined, but it presents great difficulties. There are very few Army installations suitable for the employment of units of the Auxiliary Territorial Service which are comparable with such places as dockyards where personnel of the Women's Royal Naval Service are serving. Local service conditions for Auxiliary Territorial Service were tried out early in the war and were found to be unsatisfactory from many aspects. Such conditions tend to import unfair discrimination between auxiliaries of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and to restrict volunteering for general service, for which the majority of Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel are required.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the fact that the matter was being reconsidered would give satisfaction to the available resources of woman-power?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Rudolf Hess is now kept in camp in Scotland or to what camp he has been moved; and what are his daily rations?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the present whereabouts of this prisoner. His daily rations are the same as those of his guards.

Is the man in question getting any pay, and is he living in some villa or some big house?

He is certainly not getting any pay.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to his having the same rations as his guards; has he an officer guard or a guard of N.C.O.s and other ranks?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that Question down, but I think it is a mixed guard.

Why should there be a secret about this man? Should not the public know where he is and what he is doing? Is he not claiming to be a special envoy who ought to be sent home?

We do not want him to be sent home; we want to keep him here.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the misunderstanding which still exists in Scotland, he will define the functions to be performed by the Scottish Advisory Council after the Reports of inquiry committees have been received; whether the council has yet met; and what progress has been made?

I am not aware of any misunderstanding as to the functions of the Council which were set out fully in my statements in the House on nth September. These functions are—

Could the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the Question and say what progress has been made? Have the Council yet defined the scope of the inquiry, and have they chosen to study the various subjects?

All I can say is that it will not be very long before some announcement is made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every member of this Advisory Council is a shell-backed Tory?

With regard to the consultations which my right hon. Friend has had with the Council, does that mean that he will consult with them in framing the proposals which he will put to the House following upon a report?

It means that the Government are responsible for any proposals they make to the House.

Is not this Council, apart from my right hon. Friend, composed of Tories?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, under the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, the Glasgow Public Health Department prosecuted a retailer for exposing for sale roast pork, canned, which, in the opinion of the city analyst, was not genuine roast pork; and can he state the terms of the analyst's report?

Yes, Sir. The city analyst's report stated that the sample analysed by him did not consist of genuine roast pork (canned), in respect that it contained only 17 per cent., or thereby, of meat, the remainder being composed of filling material, such as cereals and added water.

Is it outwith the scope of my right hon. Friend's Department to protect the public from having this concoction foisted on them for 2s. 6d. per 7 oz. tin?

I understand that the hon. Gentleman has a Question to another Minister later on the Paper.

Since when did it become the prerogative of the Food Ministry to interfere with the Food and Drugs Act in Scotland?

The hon. Gentleman has a Question to the Food Ministry later on to-day.

Again I should like to ask since when it became the prerogative of the Food Ministry to interfere with the Food and Drugs Act in Scotland?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now give further details as to the Government's post-war hospital policy for Scotland in relation to voluntary and emergency hospitals?

I propose to have consultations at an early date with the various organisations, including the associations of local authorities, concerned with hospital services in Scotland. In the meantime I am not in a position to add anything to the statement made in this House by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 9th October.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that voluntary hospitals are an anachronism in a modern world?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give an assurance that Glasgow evacuees will not be moved from Blair Atholl Castle now their present quarters, in order to accommodate boys at a preparatory school; and will he direct Perth County Council to requisition and reserve all accommodation at the castle for evacuees from industrial South-West Scotland?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Glasgow children now in Blair Castle will not be removed from the accommodation which they now occupy. With regard to the second part of the Question, before any suggestion was made that any additional accommodation in Blair Castle should be reserved for Glasgow children the West Downs School, whose premises have had to be taken for use as an emergency hospital, had begun negotiations with the Blair Castle trustees with a view to taking over the unoccupied portion of the castle. Until the result of these negotiations is known, I should not feel justified in agreeing that the additional accommodation should be requisitioned.

Does not the Minister agree that, while this school is in some difficulty, since they come from a reception area it must be easier to get alternative accommodation in its own area than to run the risk of depriving children from the heavy industrial districts of such accommodation as exists?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there are two sides to this Question, and I think that the answer I have given ought to satisfy him that every possible precaution has been taken to ensure that the evacuees presently in Blair Castle shall not be removed.

Why have some of these schools been buffeted about from one part of the country to another? Some of the boys in this school come from Brighton, and they have no continuity of tenure.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the particulars from the local fuel controller for the borough of Camberwell as to overcharging in a number of cases by merchants on which prosecution is advised; and whether it is intended to proceed with the prosecutions?

The papers have been referred to the Board of Trade Solicitors Department, who, I understand, propose to take legal proceedings.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the House Coal Officer in his Department is still actively engaged in his business as a coal merchant; that, at a meeting of coal merchants for the No. 29 Division, South-East London, this officer, who was present to explain the Government scheme for the distributive trade, said merchants should realise that the Government is paying for the control of the trade for the trade; and is he satisfied that such organisation is best fitted to safeguard the interests of the consumers?

I have not been able to trace the statement referred to, either in the minutes of the meeting or otherwise; but I should explain that it is necessary that the house coal officers and their assistants, who are all officers of my Department, should be men of standing with wide experience in the coal distribution trade. They are required, on appointment, to discontinue active participation in their private businesses, but I do not think that it would be either equitable or in the public interest to limit selection to such persons as are prepared, as a condition of appointment, to sever all connection with their private businesses. I am satisfied that these officers are rendering loyal and efficient service to the State.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that four chief officers in his Department are all actively engaged in the trade and are using their position in order to further their interests as against their rivals?

I should like the hon. Member to give me any evidence of that. I have no evidence that any officer is using his position for the purpose of improving his position in his business or in any other way.

I will take advantage of the first opportunity to raise the matter, and I will give the hon. Member the information.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of pit-head canteens now operating in Scotland; the number in course of preparation; and whether he is satisfied that the mineowners are giving effective assistance in the setting-up of these canteens?

Fifty-six colliery canteens are operating in Scotland, and 53 are in course of preparation. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

Are not colliery owners in certain parts of Scotland standing in the way of canteen development, and could not the necessary steps be taken to stop such efforts on the part of coalowners?

I should be glad to hear of any instances. I have no evidence of anything of that kind in Scotland, although there are difficulties in certain other parts of this country.

asked the Secretary for Mines what special steps he proposes to take to deal with accidents underground, particularly at the coal face?

As my hon. Friend knows, the number of fatal accidents from falls at the coal face has caused much concern, and I am taking action to give effect to the proposals which I outlined in an answer recently given to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker). Eight experienced inspectors, who will hold senior rank, and an additional inspector at headquarters, have been selected and will be at work within a few weeks. They will devote their whole time to the particular problem, under the general guidance, respectively, of the eight divisional inspectors and the Chief Inspector of Mines. The consequent vacancies in the inspectorate will be filled as speedily as possible. Associated with these inspectors in each division will be an informal committee or committees of influential representatives of the different sections of the industry chiefly concerned, namely, the owners, the managers, the deputies and the workmen. The progress to be made along these lines depends very largely on the measure in which the co-operation I am seeking in those quarters is forthcoming; and I am confident of a full and effective response.

Will the Minister take the fullest care to have a report made on the work done by these special arrangements? Will he also get out a separate classification for fatal and serious accidents for hand-getting as compared with machine-getting? We may be able to draw some remarkable conclusions from the comparisons.

I shall ask them to go very closely into the comparison between the risk of accidents in the shield-getting as compared with the hand-getting faces.

Will the Minister also pay particular attention to the inspectors to see that they have some engineering knowledge which will be useful to them, now that mechanisation has gone so far in many mines? Is not mechanisation one of the reasons for so many accidents?

I am asking that men of special qualifications shall be appointed for this job, and I hope that these good men will be able to give their full time to the investigation.

Will attention be given to the various kinds of support that are being used at the faces, and to such questions as the class of timber—whether it is as hard as it might be—and whether the position is affected in any way by the increasing use of steel supports?

All these are highly relevant questions, and I have given very close attention to the whole of this problem. I may say that I have not been able to satisfy myself that any considerable part of the increase in accidents is due to the immaturity of the. timber. Even in places fully supported by steel supports the accident rate has gone up. All these factors will be borne in mind, with other considerations.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and serious accidents during this year and the various causes of the accidents?

During the first 40 weeks of this year, that is, up to 4th October, 712 persons were killed and 2,208 seriously injured in accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act as compared with 719 killed and 2,475 seriously injured during the corresponding period in 1940. The chief classes of fatal accident this year are 381 from falls of ground, 144 on haulages, 65 from explosions and 67 on the surface. I am circulating the rest of the particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the war situation on the Eastern front?

No, Sir. This must obviously be left to the Russian High Command, who are conducting their great battle. I should not presume to add anything to their communiqués at this juncture.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable disquiet throughout the country about the form, the substance and the speed of the assistance rendered to Russia, and in the circumstances will he provide facilities for an early Debate on the subject?

The hon. Member should not suppose that he has a monopoly of anxieties in these times.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I know that this disquiet and anxiety are shared by others, but may I ask him the Question which I have already put—will he provide facilities for an early Debate?

I do not at the present time see any reason at all for an early Debate. I think it might be detrimental to have a discussion on the situation there. I am sure that it would be likely to do more harm than good.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the statement made by Lord Beaverbrook on his return from Moscow is worthy of discussion in this House, and will he not consider having a Debate, even if it is held in secret, so that the House could inform the right hon. Gentleman about the anxiety held in certain quarters? May I ask him his views about that?

Of course, in all these matters the House is master. The Government is only master of what it says. But I should deprecate a discussion on this subject at the present time, either in public or in secret.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it unwise for Members of this House to have an opportunity of expressing their views on this matter, but that it is wise for members of the War Cabinet to give gratuitous reassurance to the enemy that they will not be attacked anywhere? Has his attention been called to the statement made by Lord Halifax, and is it undesirable for us to discuss this matter and reassure the country while irresponsible people with bad records reassure the enemy in this way?

I am sorry that the hon. Member should go out of his way to abuse our Ambassador in the United States—

No.

The hon. Member spoke of him as an irresponsible person with a bad record.

Certainly.

Well, I call that abuse, and abuse of a man who has a high mission outside this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me and my colleagues an opportunity of establishing that charge in an early Debate?

I know of no reason—

rose—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount paid in subsidies for the last completed financial year and the estimated amount for the next, giving separate figures for those that come under the head of food subsidies?

Subsidies proper for the financial year 1940–41 cost roughly £6,500,000: the estimated cost for the current year is £8,750,000. Expenditure by the Ministry of Food in keeping steady the cost of food was about £80,000,000 in 1940–41 and is estimated at £109,000,000 for 1941–42. To those figures must be added a further sum representing cost borne by the Exchequer of sea transport of food now running at some £20,000,000 per annum.

It was rather difficult to follow what the right hon. Gentleman said, owing to the noise, but may I ask whether he is pursuing his policy of giving subsidies so as to stabilise prices?

Yes, Sir, I am pursuing the policy which I have already announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position of an owner of property who has suffered damage to some of his property, through enemy action, to an amount many times in excess of the war damage contribution on the whole of his property, and thereby has a larger claim upon the State than the State has upon the owner; and what arrangements are made under these circumstances for the payment of the war damage contribution?

Under Section 33 of the War Damage Act, 1941, collection of instalments of contribution on damaged property, in respect of which a "value payment" is likely to be made, is to be suspended, and the amount of the "value payment" if it is eventually made, will be reduced by so much of the instalments as has not been paid. In cases where a "cost of works" payment is appropriate in respect of a particular property, collection of the contribution due in respect of that property is to be deferred if and so long as the Inland Revenue Department is satisfied that the property is unfit by reason of the damage. Moreover, collectors of taxes have been instructed that, where sums have been expended by the owner in making good war damage and a claim for the amount expended has been, or is about to be, made to the War Damage Commission, he may, if he so requests, be allowed to defer payment for the time being, to the extent of the amount expended, of instalments due from him on his properties as a whole.

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his Answer, may I say that it is no answer to my Question? I ask him again, What is the position of a property owner who has a larger claim against the State than the State has upon him?

I can only repeat the answer which I have given to the hon. Member.

It is an unsatisfactory answer, and I give notice that I shall raise the subject on the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether war damage insurance contributions are being held in a separate fund towards the cost of reinstatement and value payments for properties damaged or destroyed by enemy action?

The War Damage Act, 1941, provides that contributions shall be paid into the Exchequer, and that payments by way of compensation shall be made out of moneys provided by Parliament.

Is it not desirable that these payments should be kept together in one fund so that they will be available as a nucleus from which war damage payments can be promptly made?

That matter was decided by Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the General Claims Tribunal, constituted under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, has yet given an interpretation of the scope of Section 2 (1) (d) of that Act, and, in particular, whether it applies to a loss on sale of stock from requisitioned premises when no storage space is available; and whether he will try to arrange, at the first opportunity, for the issue to be stated to the High Court in the form of a special case by the tribunal?

I understand that the tribunal has given no general interpretation of the scope of Section 2 (1, d) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, and the particular point which may hon. Friend raises has not, so far as I know, ever been referred to it. It is open to any claimant to ask the tribunal to state in the form of a special case for the opinion of the High Court any question of law arising in the course of the proceedings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now reconsidered the question of the taxation of wages paid for overtime; and whether he has any statement to make in view of the serious effect this taxation is having on our war effort?

There is no special taxation of overtime earnings. In so far as the recipients of such earnings are like other members of the community, liable to the additional taxation imposed by the Finance Act, 1941, they will I am sure appreciate that it is not possible at the present time to reduce that burden. A substantial part of the additional tax—in many cases the whole tax—will, as my hon. Friend is aware, be made available as a credit to the taxpayer after the war.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware of the fact that this is causing serious trouble all over Britain in the shipbuilding and engineering industries, and that one of the biggest employers on the Clyde came down here to see the Minister of Labour with a view to this difficulty being sorted out, in order to get the men to work overtime and finish one of the most important jobs that we have yet done?

No, Sir, I could not accept that statement. I do not think it is unreasonable that taxation should be paid upon these earnings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he realises the discontent felt by women members of the Civil Service that, without any reference to dependants, men are getting a larger cost-of-living bonus than they are?

The arrangement by which women employed in the Civil Service receive a lower bonus than men is in general accordance with the practice prevailing in other comparable employments, and was recently confirmed by Award 66^✶ of the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that long delays frequently occur in the payment of small amounts due by various State Departments to private individuals of limited resources; and whether he will take steps to improve and speed up the procedure in these cases?

Every effort is made by Government Departments to avoid delay in making payments of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will let me have the details, I will gladly have it investigated by the appropriate Department.

I have hundreds of cases in mind, but I want the Chancellor to inquire not into the particular cases but into the whole system. Can he not devise some system by which a. person who has a claim upon the War Office or the Ministry of Health receives the money inside a month and does not have to wait for six months or a year?

I could not accept the suggestion made by the hon. Gentleman. If he has hundreds of cases, perhaps he would send some of them to me so that I can have them examined.

Can we have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that if any of us write to him or any other Minister we shall have an answer within a fortnight?

Does the Minister not think it wrong that a housewife has to wait six months for payment of billeting allowances?

I shall be glad to have particulars of such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to introduce an amending Bill to the War Damage Act, 1941, in the near future?

I am not yet in a position to state when an amending Bill will be introduced. It would be premature to introduce it until we have had time to observe the working of the existing Act and to consider such points of difficulty as may arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered a resolution sent on to him from a mass meeting of old age pensioners at Atherton, Lancashire, calling upon the Government to raise the weekly pension from 10s. to 30s. and to lower the age to 60 years; and what provision can be made to meet this claim?

I have considered the resolution referred to, but I cannot add to the reply given on 17th July by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).