asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the many alternative ways in which foodstuffs can be distributed, he will direct young women between the ages of 20 and 25 years, employed by the chain stores in food distribution, to enter the uniformed service of their choice, or to take up work of national importance?

It is not my intention at present, as a general rule, to require young women employed in food distribution to transfer to other work.

asked the Minister of Labour the principle upon which he proposes to make grants for the acquisition and equipment of suitable buildings for clubs for women munition workers in industrial areas; how many such clubs are in operation and how many projected; and if he is receiving cordial support from local authorities and manufacturers in support of this work?

My Department makes grants to assist voluntary organisations to provide new or extended club facilities to meet the special needs of war workers, whether men or women, especially those who have been transferred away from their home towns. Each case is judged on its merits among the factors which are considered being the possibility of obtaining premises and equipment without prejudice to the immediate needs of war production and the measure of voluntary support forthcoming from local employers and other sources. Apart from clubs which are grant-aided in this way—and they form, of course, only a small proportion of the whole—I have no figures of the number of clubs for women munition workers in operation or projected. The welfare staff of my Department are in constant touch with voluntary organisations in all places where improved club facilities are needed and I am receiving cordial support from all concerned in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied with the provision made for canteens in the Lithgow Yard, Port Glasgow; and, if he is not, what steps he is taking to expedite work in this connection?

I understand that one canteen, providing a good meal service for men employed at three yards, has recently been opened and that a second is under construction. The existing canteen is not at present being used to its full capacity.

asked the Minister of Health how many friendly alien doctors are now employed in their own work in our war effort, giving, approximately, the different spheres of employment; whether any are in our services; whether any further avenue of war service is being offered to them; and how many alien doctors of all nationalities except the United States of America are still available?

The number of alien doctors registered under the Medical Register (Temporary Registration) Orders, 1941, by virtue of employment in approved services is 470, apart from American doctors who have been dealt with under the Order of 1940. Of the total of 470, 385 are employed in hospitals, 33 in public health appointments, and 52 as ship's surgeons or in other miscellaneous posts. In addition 24 have received commissions in our Services, apart from those serving in Allied forces. The Order made on 23rd September last, provides an avenue of service in general practice by enabling alien doctors to be registered by virtue of employment as assistants to doctors already on the permanent medical register. The number of doctors still available, as asked for in the last part of the Question, is approximately 500, including those who have only recently become eligible for registration under the amended Defence Regulation 32B.

asked the Minister of Health the number of maternity and child welfare authorities which have, after consultation with local education authorities, submitted plans for war-time nurseries under Circular 2388, of 21st May 1941; the number of schemes which have now been approved; the number of nurseries which are now in operation; and the number of children being cared for in these nurseries?

One hundred and fifty-six maternity and child welfare authorities have submitted plans for war-time nurseries. Of these, 94 made their proposals following the issue of Circular 2388, 221 nurseries have now been approved and of these 163 were in operation at the end of September. It is not possible to say the exact number of children in attendance at these nurseries but the nurseries approved provide places for approximately 7,250 children.

asked the Secretary of State for Burma whether he can make a statement as to what progress has been made in the building of works in Burma intended to carry the railway line to the frontier there to join up with the railway which the Chinese are constructing to Yunnan?

The heavy rains which last from June to October render the area through which the Burmese section of the railway will run too unhealthy for the maintenance of any considerable labour force. Extensive field work was therefore not possible until the beginning of October, but a commencement was made and it was expected that full outdoor staff consisting of five survey parties would be complete by the end of September and ready to take the field as soon as the rains ceased.

asked the Home Secretary the number of conscientious objectors, now in English prisons, who have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment by courts-martial, and those sentenced by the courts for failing to present themselves for medical examination; and the periods of sentence and respective prisons where they are detained?

Conscientious objection is not a criminal offence and no one can be imprisoned on account of it. Thirty-eight men called up for military service are at present undergoing sentences of imprisonment imposed by courts martial for offences claimed to have been committed by reason of conscientious objection and 372 men are serving sentences of imprisonment imposed by civil courts for failing to present themselves for medical examination under the National Serivce Acts. The warrants issued by the courts in these cases do not indicate whether the offences were alleged to have been committed on conscientious grounds, although in most of the cases the men concerned had appeared before a conscientious objectors' tribunal and had been refused registration in the register of conscientious objectors. Of the 38 men sentenced by courts martial eight have sentences of over one month and up to three months; 22 have sentences of over three months and up to six months; and eight have sentences of over six months and up to one year. There is one at Dorchester Prison, one at Exeter, five at Leeds, three at Liverpool, six at Manchester,

asked the Home Secretary the nature of the telegrams, cables or messages stolen and alleged to have been shown by Mr. Tyler Kent to the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles and Southern (Captain Ramsay); and the name of the British subject who had sent these messages to President Roosevelt and for what purpose?

No, Sir; it would be contrary to the public interest to give this information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Fermanagh County Council co-opted Mr. Cahir Healy, M.P. for Fermanagh, on to the Enniskillen area urban seat, and that this council which has a Conservative majority, showed confidence in his public work and character; and will he release forthwith Mr. Healy in order that he should be able to continue his public duties?

I understand that a vacancy having occurred on the county council, the council in pursuance of the agreement between political parties that the balance of representation shall be maintained during the war, decided to elect a representative nominated by the party to which the former member belonged, and the party nominated Mr. Healy. The responsibility resting on me to decide whether the detention of any person is necessary on grounds of public security remains unaltered.

asked the Home Secretary whether air-raid precautions units have been called upon to send particulars for a service kit for wardens; whether such kit would be for parade purposes and not for essential work; why he considers that wardens are not already adequately equipped for their work with the present issues; and what would be the cost of the service kit if issued?

If by "service kit" my hon. Friend means uniform, I would refer him to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on 22nd May, of which I am sending him a copy. Local authorities may, if they wish, purchase on a grant-aided basis serge uniforms, overcoats, boots, anklets and berets at a cost of about £6 10s., including Purchase Tax, for each outfit or proportionately less if some items are omitted. The cost of the corresponding outfit for women will be rather less. The new uniforms will be a working dress and instructions have been given that where they are issued the bluette overalls previously worn are to be withdrawn and put to one of many uses for which they are needed. The new uniforms are intended to meet a need which I have no doubt exists in many areas and for many duties.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the services performed since the commencement of the war by the National Air Raid Precaution Animals Committee organisation in providing emergency assistance for damaged farm livestock in air raids, and of the fact that numerous veterinary officers and others have given their services free in this connection, what amount has been paid up to date to ensure the efficiency of the organisation; and what steps are now being taken to ensure the maintenance of its efficiency in the future?

Apart from the financial assistance, of which my hon. Friend was informed on 2nd April last, given when the National Air Raid Precaution Animals Committee was first formed, the possibility of reimbursing— and, if so, to what extent—expenditure incurred on the rural areas scheme is to be considered as soon as a balance sheet brought up to 3rd September, 1941, is submitted by the committee. I am informed that the salvage organisation of the Ministry of Food is now in a position to deal with farm livestock killed and injured in air raids; financial assistance to the National A.R.P. Animals Committee for this purpose could therefore not be justified beyond that date.

asked the Home Secretary whether Elizabeth Wenck is still interned; whether she is still marked B: whether he considered a letter from her fiance, Sergeant E. W. W. Clark, Royal Engineers, Headquarter Command, Malaya; why it has not been replied to; and whether, in view of the fact that she has been adopted by Sergeant Clark's parents, who will see that she is properly looked after, he will now get a report on her conduct and set her at liberty?

I have recently reviewed this case and have decided to authorise Miss Wenck's release subject to certain conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make a statement about the appointment of a Scottish committee on nurses' salaries?

I have appointed Lord Craigmyle to be chairman of the committee which I am setting up for the purpose of drawing up, as soon as possible, agreed scales of salaries and emoluments for State registered nurses employed in Scotland in hospitals, including mental hospitals, and in the public health services, including the service of district nursing, and for student nurses in hospitals approved as training schools by the General Nursing Council for Scotland. The committee will consist of two panels, one representing employers and the other representing employees, of equal numbers. The following organisations have been invited to appoint representatives to these panels:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the result of the investigations promised to the hon. Member for St. Rollox into the utilisation of the 100,000 tons of spent tea-leaves containing 20 per cent. protein and its utilisation for animal and poultry-feeding; and is he aware that Japan is already operating on these lines with only 27,000 tons at their disposal?

I am not satisfied from inquiries which have been made that the possibilities of obtaining a valuable addition to the supply of animal feeding-stuffs from this source are such as would justify the expenditure of the labour, transport and materials which would be required for the separate collection and treatment of spent tea leaves. Apart from brief Press reports I have no information about Japanese practice in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the successful large-scale experiments in other countries, notably South America, in the cure and prevention of foot-and-mouth disease by antigen injections; and whether he will cause similar experiments to be conducted in this country?

I am aware that experiments in the prevention and cure of foot-and-mouth disease have been made in certain countries with varying degrees of success, but I have no knowledge of the successful results of large-scale experiments in South America to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I may say that this question is kept under continuous review by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee at Firbright, but that there can be no question of abandoning the slaughter policy in favour of methods of prevention and cure so long as it remains possible to control the disease effectively and economically by slaughter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many milch cows and heifers have been slaughtered in consequence of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease since the outbreak of war; how much has been paid in compensation; and whether he can give any estimate of the loss in supplies of milk and of meat involved by slaughter and by standstill orders during this period?

Since the outbreak of war about 11,000 milch cows and heifers have been slaughtered as a result of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain. The carcases of about 6,500 of these animals were salvaged for human consumption. The total compensation paid to farmers in respect of all the animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain since the outbreak of war amounts to about £650,000. It is not possible to estimate the loss of milk. The amount of meat lost is estimated to be about 2,175 tons. No appreciable loss in milk or meat has been occasioned by the operation of standstill orders during the period in question. The loss in milk and meat is, of course, trivial compared with the losses which would have occurred if the animals had not been slaughtered and the outbreaks of disease had not thereby been controlled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Sugar Commission have had before them the matter of Dr. Leake's spacing drill for over three years; that arrangements were made for the manufacture of six spacing drills last year, but that these were so inefficiently built that they were useless for demonstration; that it is now proposed to recondition three only of these spacing drills for the 1942 season; and, having regard to its value in wartime in materially increasing the quantity of home-grown sugar with a great reduction and saving of seed, what action does he propose to take to see that this spacing drill is placed at the disposal of the farming community with as little further delay as possible?

I understand that Dr. Leake brought his drill to the notice of the Sugar Commission in June, 1938, with a view to securing assistance in its commercial production. Dr. Leake was unwilling to submit his drill to trials or demonstrations under the aegis of their Research and Education Committee, and they were unable to assist him. Shortly after the outbreak of war the claims made by Dr. Leake in regard to his drill, particularly for sugar beet, were brought to my notice, and the advice of the Sugar Commission was again sought. As a result of preliminary investigations which the Research and Education Committee thereupon arranged, the Committee decided to manufacture six drills to obtain adequate information on the performance of the drill under different conditions. No working drawings were available for the manufacture of the drills, which incidentally involved accurate machining of a type for which facilities are peculiarly difficult to get under war conditions, and Dr. Leake did not accept the models produced as being sufficiently accurate copies of his drill for the purpose of further examination of its performance. In these circumstances the Committee, after consultation with Dr. Leake, decided that he should be invited to carry out the reconditioning of some or all of the drills to his satisfaction for that purpose. I am, therefore, at present unable to say what action, if any, can be taken in regard to the use of the drill generally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information regarding prices now being paid for the six chief types of pedigree cattle; and whether these animals are being bought in advance for post-war exportation?

I have no information as to the prices now being paid for pedigree cattle other than that contained in reports of sales appearing in the agricultural Press, nor am I aware whether purchases of such animals are being made with the object indicated in the latter part of the Question.

asked the Home Secretary whether a county probation committee is a statutory committee; to whom it has to report its findings; either the standing joint committee, the quarter sessions, or the county council; and will he consider issuing an order to make the probation committee and education committee a joint committee of a limited number to deal with probation matters, and that the probation officer can be used before court proceedings as well as after?

Probation committees are statutory bodies created by the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925, which define their functions. They are comprised of a small number of justices selected by the justices acting for the court or courts concerned, and they do not report to any other body. Probation is a method of treatment which is applicable to adult as well as to juvenile offenders, and the functions of probation committees and education committees are distinct except in so far as both are concerned with the welfare of juveniles who come before the Court. It is, however, most desirable that they should co-operate as closely as possible in matters which are their common concern, and particularly in encouraging collaboration between probation officers and school teachers the need for which was emphasised in the joint memorandum recently issued by the Home Office and the Board of Education. As regards the use of the services of a probation officer in making preliminary inquiries, including inquiries into the home circumstances of offenders with a view to assisting the Court to decide what is the most appropriate method of treatment, the Probation Rules of 1926 expressly include among the duties of probation officers the making of such inquiries under directions from the court; and the Home Office has called special attention to the importance of such investigations in the published handbook on the probation service and in the recent memorandum on juvenile offenders.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will make a statement regarding the supplies which formerly reached the enemy from Syria, Iraq and Persia, but which are now denied to him as the result of the British entry into those countries?

I have no evidence that any appreciable quantity of goods was reaching the enemy from Iraq before the entry of British troops. Exports from Persia and Syria to enemy and enemy-occupied countries consisted principally of raw cotton, wool and hair, citrus fruits and dried fruits, oilseeds, cereals, pulse and skins both tanned and untanned. The amount of such exports is not known with any accuracy, but they were certainly quite substantial. As a result of the German attack on Russia, and the occupation by British and Allied troops of the countries in question, all these supplies have, of course, been denied to the enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether compensation has been, or will be, paid to owners of civilian airports when, for reasons of defence, the Royal Air Force took possession of the grounds and hangars?

The amount of compensation due under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, has been agreed in a number of cases and final settlement has been made. Where agreement on the final figure has not been reached payments on account are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent liquid milk is now refused to Royal Air Force pilots and milk substitutes supplied; and whether he is satisfied that this policy does not affect the physical or mental efficiency of pilots?

Supplies of liquid milk are made available for operational crews when recommended by station medical officers. The last part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the policy adopted by his Department of urging civilian instructors to agree to wear uniform will be extended to all civilian personnel at the Royal Air Force stations, and later to the headquarters of the Ministry itself; and, if not, why this particular class of civilian has been singled out for pressure?

Civilian instructors were invited to enlist in the Royal Air Force because service status would enhance their value to the training organisation. This consideration does not apply to civilians at the Air Ministry nor to the same extent to other civilians at Royal Air Force stations.

asked the Postmaster General whether he will consider the adoption of the airgraph system to and from East Africa?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 14th October and of which I am sending a copy.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware of the failure of parcels and letters to reach the soldiers serving in the Middle East; and whether he has any statement to make thereon?

Yes, Sir, I am fully aware of these delays which, generally speaking, are due partly to the interruption of the normal routes to the Army Base Post Office concerned, and partly to the distance units are often stationed from that base under conditions of active warfare. The matter is one which receives constant examination with the other Departments concerned, and every means of transport is used. In order to ameliorate the position, a special postcard service with transmission by air all the way to the base, at a charge of 3d., was begun on 2nd April last, and up to the 4th of October approximately three million of these cards had been received at the base. The time for transmission from this country to the base for most of these cards has varied from 7 to 18 days: but a relatively small number have taken somewhat longer. In addition, an airgraph service to His Majesty's Forces in the Middle East was introduced on 15th August last, and up to 7th October nearly 1,000,000 airgraph letters had arrived at the base, the time of transmission for all but a very small number varying from 8 to 14 days. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the Assistant Postmaster-General and the Director of Army Postal Services are at present in the Middle East investigating conditions on the spot.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what arrangement has been made with regard to the dispersed timber stocks throughout the country; who supervises these stocks; whether trade union conditions apply to the men engaged in attending to these timber stocks; and what are the minimum rates of wages?

The storage and supervision of dispersed national stocks of timber are undertaken by wharfingers, acting as agents of the Ministry of Supply. I am informed that the men employed by the wharfingers at the storage yards are paid at trade union rates for their particular locality where such are in operation. The minimum rates vary with the locality.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what number of tin and sheet mills, steel and copper works have been closed within the last seven years in the Neath Borough, Neath Rural District Council and Pont-ardawe Rural District Council areas; how many idle works have been utilised for any Government requirements during the period of the present war; is any active investigation being made by his Department to avoid further derelict areas; and are there any reports issued by his Department of their findings for West Wales?

Fifteen sheet mills have been closed during this period at three works and 59 tinplate mills have been closed at 11 works. Ten of the closed tinplate works and one sheet works are being used for storage purposes. No steel-making or copper works have been closed within the last seven years in the areas referred to. In answer to the third part of the Question, it is the general policy of the Ministry of Supply to develop munitions production where the necessary facilities and resources are available. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether the samples of iron-ore, recently taken in County Down, have been tested; and, if so, with what results?

Yes, Sir. The investigations have been completed and the samples tested, and it has been found that the quantity of ore suitable for making iron and steel is insufficient to justify working the deposits.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (1) how many State-registered nurses are employed in Royal Ordnance factories in the category of helpers or assistants; and what is their rate of remuneration;(2) how many State-registered nurses are employed in the Royal Ordnance factories; how many are receiving a salary of £234 10s. per annum; and how many holding industrial nursing certificates are receiving £244 10s. per annum?

The number of State-registered nurses employed in the Royal Ordnance factories is 187, of whom 102 are charge nurses, in receipt of a salary of £234 10s. per annum and three, holding the industrial nursing certificate, are senior charge nurses, in receipt of salaries in excess of £244 10s. Of the remainder, 62 occupy positions subordinate to that of charge nurse at salaries of approximately £180 a year and 20 have, for personal or domestic reasons, accepted employment as surgery orderlies, at rates of pay varying from £2 12s. 6d. to £3 3s. a week. The rates of remuneration quoted include the Civil Service war bonus.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the amount of labour, space and time now wasted on the railway transport systems in conveying and handling non-essential goods such as ice-cream containers, etc.; and whether he will take steps to relieve railway traffic by stopping such traffic during the war?

In order to eliminate unnecessary transport we have been looking closely into the distribution of foodstuffs, including ice-cream, in consultation with my right hon. and Noble Friend the Minister of Food, and steps have already been taken in a number of cases where we have found wasteful use of transport. Meanwhile, when railway conditions make it necessary to restrict acceptance of traffic, preference is given to essential commodities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information about the German gun that fired shells from the French coast on Dover for two hours on Sunday afternoon, 12th October?

I do not consider that it would be in the national interest to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make on the question of improved travelling facilities for soldiers proceeding on leave?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement that will be made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions in the Debate this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether free travelling warrants, granted for compassionate leave, are inclusive or exclusive of the normal number to which the soldier is entitled?

Compassionate leave granted when a soldier's home has been damaged or his relatives injured as a result of enemy action does not count against the soldier's normal allotment of leave, and an additional free warrant is issuable in all such cases. For the reasons given in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor) on 22nd October, 1940, compassionate leave granted on other grounds counts against the normal allotment and an additional free warrant will not therefore normally be required under the new arrangements which will be announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for War the circumstances in which, and the length of time for which, Huntsman Harry Roberts was temporarily released from the Army temporarily to resume his duties with the Plas Machynlleth foxhounds?

The soldier in question was released from the Army for a period of six months as a result of strong recommendations by the Ministry of Agriculture. In support of the application it was stated that these hounds were maintained for the sole purpose of protecting sheep and poultry from foxes, and that since his enlistment farmers had suffered severe losses. The Ministry are satisfied that in this mountainous district the only effective method of keeping down the foxes is to hunt them on foot with hounds and to drive them towards guns or towards their earths, where they are destroyed by terriers or other means.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British prisoners of war proposed to be exchanged are now back at the, camps from which they came or if they have been moved; and will he take steps to secure their new addresses so that their relations can write to them?

No information is yet available on this point, but inquiries are being made through the Protecting Power.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many children and nursing mothers in Scotland are taking advantage of the National Milk Scheme; and what is the total annual cost of the scheme?

The total number of beneficiaries under the National Milk Scheme in Scotland on 27th September, 1941, was 358,200. The total annual cost of the scheme in Scotland is estimated at £1,540,000, including an allowance for administrative expenses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will make inquiries into the refusal of the Southwick Urban District Council to grant a catering licence to the new hostel for merchant seamen, opened at Southwick, on 18th September, under the auspices of the British Sailors' Society, as on recent occasions it has been impossible to provide fully for these men without collecting from charitable sources odd provisions; and will he authorise the licence as soon as possible?

I understand that the delay in registering the hostel as a catering establishment is due to the failure of the local naval officer to furnish necessary information. This has, however, now been obtained and the Food Control Committee have been advised to register the hostel.

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?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 8th October, 1941; col. 998, Vol. 374] supplied the following statement:From the beginning of Food Control up to the end of August, 1941, 8,486 prosecutions have been instituted by my Department for charging excessive prices of which 7,751 cases were successful.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for the cancellation of the enlistment notice to Mr. L. C. Brittain, of Manor House, Grafham, Hunts, who holds a Board of Trade certificate of competency as second-mate for foreign-going steamships, dated the 17th May, 1921, and a registration certificate No. M.W.S. 33629 with the Merchant Navy Reserve of the 8th September, 1939, which facts were duly recorded at the Huntingdon Employment Exchange; and, if not, upon what grounds of national necessity a sea-going duly qualified officer is required to serve in the Royal Corps of Signals?

When Mr. Brittain registered for military service in May 1941, he stated his occupation to be that of insurance agent and did not express a preference for naval service or disclose his previous sea-going experience. There is some conflict of evidence as to the date when he made that experience known to the Department. The earliest notice in writing from him was received on 18th September, some nine days later than the date at which his calling-up notice took effect. I am however willing to accept his statement that he informed the local office of the Department orally at an earlier date when he received his summons to medical examination. Having regard to the fact that he was actually following the occupation of insurance agent his calling-up was quite in order but had he made his sea-going experience known earlier, inquiries would have been made with a view to transferring him to employment at sea. Since the calling-up notice has taken effect, he can only be released from the Army by the authority of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. I could only advise my right hon. Friend to grant such release if employment could be found for Mr. Brittain in the Merchant Navy and as I understand he has not been at sea since 1920 there may be some difficulty about this.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether subsistence payments made to men serving under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order, 1941, are subject to Income Tax?

No, Sir; the standard subsistence allowances prescribed by the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) (No. 2) Order, 1941, will not be regarded as assessable remuneration. As regards arrangements which were in force before the operative date of that Order (22nd September, 1941), the question to what extent allowances paid to employees constitute additional remuneration depends upon the facts of the particular case, but where extra expenses are necessarily incurred by a fire watcher through doing duty as such outside working hours and a specific payment is made to him by his employer in respect of those expenses which represents a reasonable estimate of their amount, the payment would not be regarded as chargeable to tax. In any case in which there is held to be Income Tax liability in respect of a payment to an employee on account of fire watching duties outside working hours, so much of the payment as corresponds to the standard subsistence allow- ance which would have been payable under the recent Fire Prevention Order will be excluded from assessment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can investigate the complaints of excessive delay in the settlement of claims for damaged houses; whether the War Damage Commission possesses enough staff; and whether he can state the approximate time which should elapse before the claimant secures some indication of the intention of the Commission?

I do not consider that there has been excessive delay in dealing with war damage claims in view of the very large number of notifications of damage which the War Damage Commission took over from the Inland Revenue Department when it began work. These had to be dealt with alongside the new notifications coming in under the War Damage Act. The Commission has now almost overtaken these very considerable arrears, and the bulk of the claimants have had an indication of the Commission's intention in the issue to them of the claim form appropriate to the apparent degree of damage. The remainder should receive the forms in the course of the next few weeks. Thereafter, the staff will be adequate, so far as at present can be foreseen, for the issue of claim forms immediately on notification of damage. Settlement of claims in Cost of Works cases proceeds as the claim forms arc returned; many have already been paid. I should add that in cases where a value payment is considered appropriate, payment will not normally be made until the end of the war and in the meantime the claim bears interest at 2½ per cent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the growing feeling that the War Damage Commission initiates and protracts correspondence with the object of postponing any financial settlements of war claims; and whether every effort is and will be made to adjust these claims?

There are no grounds for the unwarranted suggestion in the Question. The Commission makes every effort to settle claims as rapidly as the circumstances of the case permit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under the War Damage Act the ground landlord is compelled to contribute towards compulsory insurance of a building to restore premises partially or wholly destroyed by enemy action; and what provision has been made to ensure that payments made to the tenant for rebuilding shall be expended for that purpose?

Contributions under Part I of the War Damage Act are not insurance premiums nor are payments necessarily earmarked for the restoration of the damaged property. Payments may be made either for the cost of repair or as compensation for depreciation in the value of the property. Cost-of-works payments are made only when the repairs to the property have actually been carried out. Value payments will be divided among the owners of the proprietary interests, of whom the ground landlord is one, in shares proportionate to the depreciation in the value of their respective interests. Section 7 of the Act empowers the Treasury to give directions in the public interest under which the Commission can require such payments to be expended on re-building. Under Section 6 of the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) (Amendment) Act, 1941, a tenant who has served an unconditional notice of retention, and is therefore under an obligation to render the land fit, may, if the Commission approve, have a value payment paid to him in respect of the reinstatement of the building, but the application to the Commission must come from the tenant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the War Damage Commission has received any specific indication of the aggregate amount to date of claims in respect of damage due to enemy action in this country?

As a large proportion of the claims on the War Damage Commission will be for the actual cost of making good the war damage, the claims already received do not afford a specific indication of the aggregate amount to date of the potential claims. In any case, it would not be in the public interest to give figures of the estimated amount of damage.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the strength of the clerical staff directly and indirectly employed by the War Damage Commission; and what is its annual cost?

The number of staff of the basic executive clerical and sub-clerical grades, including temporary employees, at present employed by the War Damage Commission is 1,169. The annual cost of this staff is approximately £225,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the daily pay of private soldiers belonging to the Dominion and Colonial Forces and those of foreign nationalities at present serving under the Crown; and from what source or sources these payments are provided?

I regret that complete and up-to-date information as to the pay of Dominion and Colonial Forces is not available. Foreign nationals serving in the British Army receive pay at British rates. The pay of Dominion Forces is borne by the Dominions concerned. Normally, the pay of Colonial local Forces is met by the colony or, if met from United Kingdom funds, a contribution is made by the colony. Forces recruited from the Colonies for the British Army are paid from United Kingdom funds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need for conservation of fuel and light, he will consider the withdrawal of minimum period total charges for lighting, whether by gas or electricity, where now obtaining, and so encourage economy by substituting actual consumption charges in every case?

Gas undertakings are not given statutory authority to make minimum charges for gas. Electricity undertakings which, unlike gas, have to install plant to cover their peak load and to maintain it for use when required, are authorised to make minimum charges, and I think it is not unreasonable that they should continue to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he anticipates that he will be able to reach a decision on the question of the surrender of coupons for the uniform or overalls of part-time Civil Defence workers?

Part-time wearers of uniform should surrender coupons for the uniform but in the case of part-time members of Civil Defence services it has been decided that no coupons shall be collected in respect of uniforms or overalls issued to them on the understanding that those who receive uniforms shall not be entitled to receive any coupon-free comforts.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Powell Duffryn Coal Company, Limited, refuses to recognise the South Wales and Monmouthshire Colliery Examiners' Association, and make it a condition of employment that these men shall not become, and remain, members of a bona-fide trade union; and whether he will use the good offices of his Department to prevent this dispute from developing into a stoppage of work?

I am aware that there has been discussion in South Wales on this subject, but any understanding of the matter is not quite as indicated by the hon. Member. My Department is always prepared to use its good offices with a view to settlement of difficulties of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire why Salford has refused to approve the recommendations of his Department in favour of allowing a rebate on rates for the period for which a war-damaged house is unfit for occupation?

asked the Minister of Health whether for the protection of poor owners of property rendered uninhabitable by enemy action he will inquire from the different local authorities in the areas affected, whether they have given effect to the recommendations in Circular 2215; and whether he will, in all cases of inaction or refusal to follow such recommendations, investigate the reasons?

As stated in Circular 2215 I have no jurisdiction which would enable me to determine authoritatively questions arising as to liability for rates, and the circular was intended only to draw the attention of rating authorities to the considerations which appear to be relevant to that issue. I have no reason to suppose that rating authorities are not aware of their discretionary power to reduce or remit the payment of rates, in cases where legal liability exists, on the ground of the poverty of the person liable, and, in the circumstances, I do not propose to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dispute prevailing between the Gloucester Corporation and its municipal house tenants as to the rents now being charged by the corporation; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the management of their housing estates is by statute expressly left to the discretion of the local authority. I have, therefore, no jurisdiction in such matters and I cannot properly intervene in this dispute.