asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cancel the maximum of 14½ years of age for the entry of boys into the Post Office service as telegraph messengers, in view of the way this condition prevents suitable boys from obtaining entry to the service?

Employment as boy messenger in the Post Office is intended primarily for boys from elementary schools. The maximum age limit has accordingly been fixed at 14½ years. The Post Office undertakes to provide a permanent career for all satisfactory boy messengers, and early recruitment is therefore particularly desirable, in order that each boy may render a reasonable period of juvenile service and that the total number of boys to be provided with adult situations may be kept within manageable proportions. Other situations are, of course, available in the Post Office for boys who remain at school to a later age.

asked the Postmaster-General what hours the small post offices are expected to keep open for the public during the coming black-out?

Generally speaking, hours of business at small post offices conform to those of the shops in the district. These post offices will therefore normally open at 9 am. and close at 6 p.m.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that soldiers were employed in some districts last Christmas on Post Office work, although suitable civilian labour could, have been obtained if adequate remuneration had been paid, he will consider offering higher rates of pay to civilian Christmas casual employees and thus reduce the need to make use of soldiers on civilian work who receive only Army rates of pay and allowances?

The employment of soldiers last Christmas on the heavier part of the mail work for which women are unsuitable was resorted to only in those cases where suitable civilian men were not available. I am satisfied that the question of the rates of pay fixed for male civilians did not affect the position. The rates of pay to civilian casual staff during the forthcoming Christmas period will be higher than those paid last year by an amount approximating to the increase of war bonus granted in March last to the corresponding Post Office grades.

asked the Postmaster General whether, in 1942–43, he expects to be able to arrange a trans-African airmail service to shorten the long existing air-mail service to the Middle and the Far East?

The question of the air-mail services to the Middle and Far East is under constant review by the Departments concerned. I am unfortunately not in a position to state what services will be available in 1942–43 but I can assure my hon. Friend that I am most anxious to accelerate these mails and that advantage will be taken of every available service.

asked the Postmaster General whether the relatives of soldiers serving in Iraq and Iran are able to make use of the airgraph system of letters; and whether the cheap-rate system of telegraphing, available to soldiers in the Mid-East Army, are now extended to such soldiers in the two countries mentioned?

The airgraph service is available for despatch of messages to soldiers serving in Iraq. I am already making inquiry regarding Persia and I will write to my hon. Friend shortly. I regret that the special service, whereby telegrams may be sent at reduced rates to soldiers serving with the Middle East Force and in the British Empire generally, is not at present available for the despatch of telegrams addressed to places in Iraq or Persia. So far as Iraq is concerned, H.M. Ambassador at Baghdad has made representations on the subject to the Iraqi Government and it is hoped that a favourable decision will be reached shortly. The question of extending the service to Persia presents considerable difficulties and it may take some time to overcome these, although everything possible is being done.

asked the Minister of Information what further changes have recently been made in the relationship between the Ministry of Information and the British Broadcasting Corporation?

Some misunderstanding appears to have arisen regarding the effect of the recent changes in the Overseas Division of the B.B.C. upon the status of the corporation as a whole and of the governors in particular. The governors act as trustees to the public and Parliament for the maintenance of the integrity and high standards of British broadcasting. They have always recognised that in wartime it is necessary and right that the Government should control the policy of the B.B.C. in matters affecting the war effort, the publication of news, and the conduct of propaganda. Subject to this measure of control, the governors in addition to their responsibilities as trustees remain in charge of the administration and technical services of the corporation, and of the expenditure of the moneys voted to it by this House.. I will take this opportunity of saying that I am grateful to the chairman and governors of the B.B.C. for their cooperation in effecting these important administrative changes. I believe that they will conduce to that close and efficient liaison between the Government and the B.B.C. which is essential to the needs of this country in war-time.

asked the Minister of Information whether any information has been sent to information committees to enable their members to counter the criticism to the effect that His Majesty's Government should have landed an army in France in order to help Russia?

Local information committees have not been given any information on this subject not already available to members of the public. Where they have required guidance to enable them to meet the type of criticism referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, the guidance given by the Ministry has followed the lines laid down by the Prime Minister in his speeches in this House on the 9th and 30th September last.

asked the Minister of Information what percentage of the five British news reels is of purely British origin; and what is the proportion of British news shown in the newsreel theatres in this country?

I have no means of readily ascertaining a figure in answer to my hon. Friend's Question, and any estimate would be likely to be misleading. The contents of newsreels naturally vary according to the march of events and the availability to the newsreel companies of suitable material.

asked the Minister of Information whether the Mr. Ivone Kirkpatrick, engaged by the Government to take charge of their propaganda to enemy and enemy-occupied countries, is the psychiatrist who had many meetings with Rudolf Hess?

Mr. Ivone Kirkpatrick, who has been appointed Controller of the European Division of the B.B.C., is a member of His Majesty's Diplomatic Service who until the outbreak of war was First Secretary to His Majesty's Embassy in Berlin. In this capacity he had to meet most of the Nazi leaders and was therefore sent to identify and question Rudolf Hess when the latter landed in Scotland. Since February of this year Mr. Kirkpatrick has been the Foreign Adviser to the B.B.C. on behalf of the Government.

asked the Minister of Information whether the recent broadcast by Mr. A. R. D. Houghton, the general secretary of the Inland Revenue Staff Federation, explaining to manual workers how to fill up Income Tax forms, can, in view of its utility, be followed on future occasions by similar explanations?

I hope to be able to arrange some more explanatory talks on similar lines to the very successful one given by Mr. Houghton.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to compel those employers who have not replaced any, or only a small percentage, of their men workers by women to change their policy?

I prefer to obtain the willing co-operation of employers; but Parliament has given, me power to take the men workers away and I shall not hesitate to use this power wherever necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that exception is taken to the request of men who desire to be transferred to the 80-hour groups in factories from the 50-hour groups; and whether, in the interests of production, arrangements will be made for such transfer to take place?

I have not been able to trace the cases mentioned but if my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me fuller particulars I will make further inquiry. I may add that recent changes in hours of work at the establishment to which I understand my hon. Friend refers appear to have given rise to some misunderstanding but this has since been removed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons whose names have been added to the Central Register and the Supplementary Register, respectively, during the three months ended at the last convenient date; and the number of persons who have been found employment from these registers during the same time?

The number of persons enrolled on the Central Register between 1st July and 30th September is 5,056, and the number of persons appointed from the Register in the same period is 2,198. The corresponding figures for the Supplementary Register for the three months ended 8th September were 7,477 and 2,544.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any report from the representative of his Department who attended the special meeting on 2nd October of the Birmingham Day Nursery Campaign Committee; if so, whether he has decided thereon that any special form of such nursery is appropriate to the city; and what stimulus he proposes to give to bring it into immediate existence, especially by modification of the recommended standard which is thought to be too rigid?

I am informed that at the meeting referred to a suggestion was made that the standard of accommodation for war-time nurseries might be lowered. The suggestion, as I understand it, was not that any special type of war-time nursery should be adopted for Birmingham, but that the standards required for the accommodation of young children should be relaxed in view of the urgency of 1he need for nurseries. I should not be ready to approve proposals which would be prejudicial to the health of the children whose mothers are at work, but if the Committee have any specific suggestions to make I should be glad to have them examined.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the giving of the £10 per acre subsidy on potatoes encourages the bad farmer and penalises the good; and will he, in any future arrangements, take steps to pay the subsidy on tonnage and not on acreage?

The answer to both parts of my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, why sales of seedcorn from one farm to another are no longer permitted even though some farmers may have specialised in pedigree corn; and why this further restriction is regarded as essential?

It has not been possible to allow unrestricted sales of grain as seed grain from one farmer to another, because it is necessary for the Ministry of Food to make sure that all millable wheat, other than seed wheat, sold off farms shall be available for human consumption, that oats sold off farms shall be available for oatmeal milling or for the feeding of essential transport horses and colliery ponies, and in general to ensure that the provisions of Orders fixing maximum prices for grain sold off farms shall not be defeated. Last season farm-to-farm sales of barley, oats and beans for seed purposes were permitted under individual licences issued by County War Agricultural Executive Committees in England and Wales and Agricultural. Executive Committees in Scotland; similar licences were issued in the case of wheat from November to March. Arrangements have now been agreed with the Agricultural Departments enabling farm-to-farm sales of wheat, oats, barley, beans and rye for seed purposes to be licensed in the same way during the present cereal year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make any statement as to the extent to which, under his new scheme of distributing American evaporated milk through wholesale grocers, the grocery trade will go in for milk selling over and above the present practice?

Evaporated milk, which is full-cream unsweetened condensed milk has always been handled by the wholesale grocery trade. It is impossible to estimate the quantity of American evaporated milk which will be released for distribution during the winter. This will depend upon the liquid milk supply from month to month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, what percentage of the prosecutions against traders have been for serious attempts at profiteering; and what percentage for trivial offences due to accident or lack of comprehension of the regulations?

I am having the matter looked into and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible. It is not certain that figures such as my hon. Friend desires are available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made against A. W. Bruckshaw, of Mount Pleasant Road, Tottenham, for selling a sugar substitute with a false trade description and adulterated saccharine tablets?

I have been asked to reply. I have made inquiries and am in-formed that A. W. Bruckshaw of 283, Mount Pleasant Road, Tottenham, sold to a retailer an article labelled as being a substitute for sugar, the packet being stated to contain £ oz. and to be equal to 3 lbs. of sugar. A sample packet as sold by Bruckshaw, was found in fact to contain 0.38 oz. and the sweetening power to be equal to only 0.3 lb. of sugar. The authority then brought two charges against Bruckshaw; one under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, for giving a label falsely describing the article as to its nature, substance, and quality; and the other under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, for selling an article to which a false trade description, namely the statement that the weight was ¼ oz., was applied. A fine of 10s. was imposed by the magistrates in respect of the offence under the Food and Drugs Act, and a sentence of three months imprisonment, in respect of that under the Merchandise Marks Act. An appeal was made to quarter sessions against the latter sentence, but it was confirmed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will afford facilities at the docks of a seaport, of which he has been informed, to raise a sloop foundered in shallow water, so that it can be used in the national war effort?

The responsibility for raising the small craft, to which my hon. Friend refers, rests upon the owner, and notice has been served upon him by the port authority to remove it. As this notice has not been complied with, steps are being taken for removal at the owner's expense.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the lack of accommodation for passengers during the evening rush hours on the London suburban railway services; whether the withdrawn first-class carriages have been replaced by an equal number of third-class compartments; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the existing state of affairs?

Since the commencement of the war there has been a decrease in London suburban traffic, but train services at peak hours have been substantially maintained. During these periods some trains are crowded, but no general deterioration in the conditions has taken place. When one-class services were introduced on the 6th October, the railways either substituted third-class carriages for firsts, or converted the firsts to thirds. Where there is evidence that difficulties exist on a particular route the train services are augmented if it is practicable to do so without interfering with the movement of vital war traffic.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that there exists; in a town of which he has been informed, discontent on the question of transport in the town; that workmen experience difficulty in getting home from work and have to wait long periods for conveyance; and whether he will give his personal attention to this matter, with a view to an early settlement?

I have asked the Regional Transport Commissioner for a report and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will be prepared to introduce an order under the Defence of the Realm Regulations making it obligatory for all pedestrians to wear a white armlet whenever they are on public paths or roadways during the hours of black-out, having regard to the continuance of the grave death-roll on the roads?

No, Sir. Such a regulation would, I am afraid, present insuperable difficulties of enforcement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that discontent is prevalent because the widows' pension is not, in any way, supplemented to meet the increased cost of living; and if he is prepared to remedy this?

An increase in the amount of the widows pension payable under the Contributory Pensions Acts would necessitate raising still further the weekly contributions payable by employers and workers under these Acts, and I could not in present circumstances undertake to introduce legislation for this purpose. I may remind my hon. Friend that a widow pensioner who has attained the age of 60 is eligible for a supplementary pension in case of need.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths of children under five years of age in England and Wales were assigned to smallpox in the years 1938, 1939 and 1940; and how many during the same period, in the same age group, were assigned to vaccinia or causes associated with vaccination?

There were no deaths of children under five attributable to smallpox in 1938, 1939 and 1940. Deaths of children under five assigned to vaccination numbered five in 1938, one in 1939 and six in 1940; but I am advised that this classification does not rule out the probability that such deaths may have had other contributory causes.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to recent cases where fruit machines have been so rigged that the player cannot possibly win; and whether he will introduce legislation to see that any person responsible for this form of swindle shall be given imprisonment without the option of a fine?

Yes, Sir. In a number of cases it has been found that these machines have been altered so as to make the winning of the highest prizes less likely or impossible. The law relating to obtaining money by false pretences authorises heavy penalties for this offence and the difficulty which is experienced in proving who is responsible for so altering a machine would not be lessened by any new legislation. The police will continue to give vigilant attention to this matter and it is right that public attention be drawn to the fact that these machines are not only illegal under the Gaming Act but provide many opportunities for swindling persons who put money into them.

asked the Home Secretary whether Joseph Ashmore Thumb-wood, Wilfrid Gordon Snape, James Chapman Winn, and Ernest Wyatt, recently charged under the Defence Regu- lations, had been members of the British Union of Fascists; whether they had been interned or will they now be interned?

I understand that these four men were formerly members of the British Union. They had not been interned. Two of them have recently been sentenced to three years' penal servitude, while the remaining two have been acquitted. I am considering the question whether further action in the matter is necessary.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the shortage of male and female labour available in this country and of the now undoubted hostility to Hitler of the Jews interned in Great Britain, Australia and Canada, he will set free all those who are willing to work or fight in any capacity, and not merely those who are accepted for the Pioneer Corps and, in the case of those willing to take the risk overseas, bring them back as working crews or on cargo boats?

The desirability of utilising the help of the many aliens of enemy nationality whose sympathies are with the Allied cause is fully realised; and in pursuance of that policy large numbers have been released. For an alien who is of military age and physically fit the best way of demonstrating his loyalty to that cause is to volunteer for the Pioneer Corps, but where a man is ineligible by reason of age or health for the Pioneer Corps and in other proper cases such as cases of men whose skill can be used with advantage in industry, releases are authorised if I am satisfied that security interests are not thereby prejudiced. As regards those who are in Canada and Australia, every effort is being made and will continue to be made to find shipping facilities for men whose release has been authorised or who appear to be eligible for return to this country for consideration for release if they are willing to undertake the voyages.

asked the Home Secretary what were the total casualties resulting from enemy action in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the six months ended 30th September; and how do these compare with the same months for last year?

According to the most recent returns, the total civilian casualties during the six months ended 30th September last were 13,381 killed or missing, and 13,182 injured and detained in hospital. The figures for the corresponding period of last year were 8,180 killed or missing and 10,408 injured and detained in hospital.

asked the Home Secretary by what authority the chief constable of Oxford refuses members of the public access to cinemas throughout the day unless they are carrying gas masks?

I am informed that the chief constable has imposed this restriction under the Public Entertainments (Restriction) Orders.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statistics showing the number of alien pacifists now in this country; and what war work they do to earn their living?

No, Sir. No such statistics are available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of granting exemption from fireguard duty to parochial clergy, as is done to doctors, in view of the fact that experience has shown that wherever danger from bombing has been the greatest the clergy are out and about ministering to their people, and their example has been a valuable factor in the maintenance of morale?

I cannot see my way to exempt ministers of religion from taking their share with the laity of fire prevention duties, but I fully agree that this should be so arranged as to cause the minimum of interference with their spiritual duties. I have accordingly asked regional commissioners to arrange that local authorities should ensure that ministers, of religion are assigned fire prevention duties either at their own churches or places of worship or in the immediate neighbourhood of their own residences.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that consider- able apprehension has been aroused in the country regarding the disturbance in the camp at Peel, on 20th September, and that allegations of daily riotous scenes at Peel, and of gross mismanagement generally of the internment camps in the Isle of Man have been made in Tynwald; and can he make any statement?

Yes, Sir. I regret that notwithstanding the statement I made in this House on the 2nd instant about the recent occurrences at Peel camp there have been further misrepresentations. There have also been reports of fresh disorders which are pure fabrications. My attention has been called to repcrts of speeches made in Tynwald on the 14th instant by two Members of the House of Keys who appear to have made unfounded reflections on the military officers of the internment camps, but I note that on a vote being taken these speakers had no support. The manner in which the officers of the camps have discharged their duties has received warm appreciation in well-informed quarters, and I am glad of this opportunity of paying my tribute to the good work of the military personnel concerned and of making it clear that recent changes do not involve any reflection upon them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made to enable the Army to assist in the distribution of coal during the coming winter by permitting the numerous columns of empty lorries being driven by learner-drivers and others to ply to and from goods yards and distributing centres to local consumers, more particularly as no difficulties in loading or unloading need then arise?

Arrangements already exist whereby Army mechanical transport vehicles, employed on the training of drivers, may be used to assist in civilian transport work in cases of urgency. The extent to which assistance of this kind can be rendered by the Army is of course limited by training considerations. However, the possibility of further extending the use of Army mechanical transport is at present being examined in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of War Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons, physical or other, men of Grade A are placed in the Pioneer Corps; whether he is aware that some men who have brothers or other relatives in other corps resent having been placed in a corps where there is no chance of advancement beyond the rank of corporal; and will he make arrangements for such men, desiring to be soldiers where ability is recognised, to be transferred on making application to their commanding officer?

The strenuous nature of the tasks which fall to the Pioneer Corps, and the localities in which they may have to be performed, make it necessary to include in the corps a proportion of men of the highest medical category. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that ability goes unrecognised. I am informed that a soldier's prospects of promotion are at least as good in the Pioneer Corps as they are in other corps, nor is such promotion restricted to the rank of corporal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether enemy aliens who have been permitted to join the Pioneer Corps are required to wear uniform at all times?

In regard to the wearing of uniform, enemy aliens in the Pioneer Corps are subject to precisely the same rules as other soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the reason for authorising the publication of Lord Gort's despatches during this particular phase of the war crisis?

Lord Gort's despatches were published in accordance with an undertaking given to the House by my right hon. Friend some time ago. The exact date had, of course, to be settled many weeks ahead, in view of the numerous arrangements necessary to secure a simultaneous world release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government to publish despatches from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force, France, covering the operations from 3rd June, 1940, to the time when the last British soldiers were evacuated?

A number of reports were received from the commanders of the various British formations in France during the period in question. These are unco-ordinated and technical in character. The question of the appropriate treatment of this material is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the subsistence allowance now paid to fire-watchers is, on the average, just double that paid to the Home Guard for similar periods of duty, although the duties of the Home Guard are normally more onerous than those of fire-watchers; and what action he intends to take to remove this differentiation which is causing grave discontent in the Home Guard and leading to numerous resignations?

I consider that the rates of subsistence allowance paid to the Home Guard are adequate for the purpose for which they are intended, namely, to meet extra cost incurred in the provision of food when on duty. I am, however, reviewing the position in the light of the recent decisions in regard to fire-watching.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the many cases of hardship among the widowed mothers of serving soldiers as a result of the inadequate scale of allowances paid to them; whether he can now make a statement with regard to the case of Mrs. Putnam, of 22, Trigon Road, S.W.8, about whom he was approached on 18th July last, whose total income has been reduced to 28s. gd., entirely contributed by her two sons except for a widow's pension of 10s.; and whether he can see his way to an improvement in this state of affairs?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions intimated to the House on Thursday last that the improvements in the methods of assessing war service grants in the case of families of married men in the Services would be extended to solely dependent parents. With regard to the individual case referred to by my hon. Friend, I have informed him by letter that Mrs. Putnam has now been found eligible to receive a grant of dependant's allowance in respect of her son, Sapper S. D. Putnam, and that this allowance has been put in issue as from 16th September, the date of Sapper Putnam's claim. If Mrs. Putnam considers that she is still suffering hardship as a result of her son's enlistment, it is open to her to make application to the War Service Grants Advisory Committee for a supplementary grant.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the nature of the inquiry which was made into the allegations of W. A. Marriott, who complained of ill-treatment at a Midland unit; whether he was questioned by anyone other than officers concerned; whether witnesses were examined; and, if not, whether the right hon. Gentleman will institute an independent inquiry?

My right hon. Friend has already communicated to the hon. Member the result of his investigation into the allegations of ill-treatment of Private W. A. Marriott. The commanding officer of the unit concerned rendered a detailed report to the War Office as a result of his personal investigation into all the circumstances of the case, in the course of which he examined all the witnesses concerned. The commanding officer was not himself present at the time the incidents complained of took place. In view of the very full investigation made into these allegations of ill-treatment of Private Marriott, I am not prepared to institute an independent inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of complaints about the long hours, inadequate rations and welfare accommodation of soldiers employed on postal work proper to the civilian authorities last Christmas, he will see that adequate arrangements are made if soldiers are again employed; and whether, in view of the objections to soldiers being employed on civil work while receiving only Army pay and allowances, he will consider revising the regulations which prevent the payment of ordinary civil rates of pay for the work;(2) whether, in view of the objections to the employment of soldiers at Army rates of pay on civilian work alongside civilians paid at ordinary rates, he will consider securing that any soldiers whom it is necessary to employ on Post Office work next Christmas shall be paid not less than the appropriate civilian rate of pay?

I have not had complaints of the nature mentioned by the hon. Member in the first part of the Question brought to my notice, but I will see that the suggestions he makes receive consideration. With regard to the second part, the employment of soldiers on this and other work for civilian authorities is performed as a military duty, and they continue to receive their normal military emoluments as for any other duty. I do not consider it desirable to alter this practice

asked the Secretary of State for War which is the organisation through which books handed in by the public at Post Offices are sent to Army units; whether they are sorted by voluntary or paid workers with or without library experience; and what machinery exists for seeing that each unit has an opportunity of receiving books of the type likely to appeal to it most?

The organisation referred to is the Welfare Branch of the War Office. The books are sorted by voluntary and paid workers who work under the supervision of persons with library experience. The procedure to be adopted by units to obtain books of the various classes available has been laid down in Army Council Instructions 1507 and 1184 of 1940 and in various booklets dealing with the soldier's welfare which have been issued to Army officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to impress upon Italian prisoners of war the merits of the democratic way of life and the evils of the Fascist regime; and, it so, what is the nature of such steps?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolver- hampton (Mr. Mander) on 21st October and to my hon. Friend the Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah) on 25th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the figures he gave of 53,000 British Empire prisoners in the hands of Germans and Italians includes the Palestinian prisoners; and will he give the relative figures of Palestinian prisoners, distinguishing Jews and Arabs?

The total number of 66,000 British prisoners of war in enemy hands given in my answer to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 21st October includes 1,182 Palestinian prisoners. My information does not enable me to distinguish the numbers of Jews and Arabs in this figure.

asked the Home Secretary on how many occasions each of the voluntary homes referred to in Section 94 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, have been inspected in the last five years?

It has not been the practice to undertake a systematic inspection of all voluntary homes within the section referred to, but inspections are made in all cases where there is reason to think it desirable. It has been ascertained on inquiry that out of some 800 voluntary homes liable to inspection, 300 have been inspected since the 1st January, 1937; 72 have been visited twice and 56 on three or more occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Agricultural Advisory Committee has re-examined the Hill Grazing Subsidy Scheme in the light of the facts set out in the memorandum submitted on 3rd July, 1941, by the hon. Member for Kincardine and West Aberdeenshire; and whether he can now announce that the Aberdeen Angus breed will be included in this scheme?

As I informed the hon. Member on 19th September, the Scottish Agricultural Advisory Committee found it impossible to discuss the hon. Member's memorandum at their September meeting. They will now, however, have an opportunity to consider it at their next meeting, which takes place early in November. The inclusion of Aberdeen Angus cattle in the Hill Grazing Subsidy Scheme will be carefully reconsidered in the light of any report which the Council may make to me on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that many persons who lost their homes and all their possessions in the air-raids on Clydeside have now been billeted for over seven months; and what progress is being made in the restoration of bombed houses, or the building of houses where necessary, to re-house such people in homes of their own, to restore their independent family life, and so to lessen their sufferings?

For security reasons it is difficult for me to reply publicly to the hon. Member's Question, and I hope he has received my written answer to the points he has raised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the acute shortage of pipe tobacco throughout the country; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this deficiency?

I am aware that the shortage of pipe tobacco has recently been more marked. I am considering urgently what steps can be taken to improve the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that tin workers have to wear aprons at their work; that four to six of these are required every year and three coupons have to be surrendered for each one; and whether he will consider putting these aprons on the exemption list?

The claims of tinworkers for coupon facilities to obtain additional clothing are being examined. Arrangements will be made to ensure that workers are not precluded by lack of coupons from obtaining the clothes necessary for their work, but the exemption of aprons suggested by the hon. Member might divert available supplies to those for whom they were not essential.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the discrepancy existing between the number of coupons required for the purchase of men's vests and of men's socks, having regard to the comparative weight of wool utilised in the manufacture of such articles; and whether, having regard to the necessity for the constant renewal of men's socks, particularly during the winter months, he will take steps to reduce the requisite number of coupons as was recently done in the case of handkerchiefs?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to cases of members of the Women's Land Army being refused admission to Services canteens on railway stations when travelling in uniform; and whether he will make representations to the proper authorities to remedy this decision?

As I intimated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb) on nth September last, this matter is under consideration, but I am afraid that it is not free from difficulty.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the success of the Waste Food Board in organising the collection of kitchen waste; and what steps are being taken to encourage the use for pigs and poultry of the greatly increased supplies of meal which are now available?

Yes, Sir. My Department is co-operating closely with the Waste Food Board and I have been gratified to learn from the reports which I have received of the success of the board in organising the collection and sterilisation of kitchen waste. The value of kitchen waste for animal feeding has already been given a good deal of publicity and county war agricultural executive committees have been asked to assist in putting suppliers and farmers in touch with each other. The co-operation of the agricultural merchants in the disposal of concentrated kitchen waste has also been secured. Arrangements are being made for further publicity in order to make known to pig and poultry keepers the value of this feeding material at a time when other feeding-stuffs are in short supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations, are in progress for a further loan to the Spanish Government?

No negotiations are at present in progress for further advances to the Spanish Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply the official number of successful introductions through the Machine Tool Clearing Centre in South Wales; are the unsatisfied demands heavy; have the representations of firms been satisfactory; by what arrangement is the auctioneer appointed; and what fee, if any, is paid for the work?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Cutting Tool Committee for South Wales. This Committee is responsible for arranging meetings at which the needs of a firm for these tools can be met from the surplus of other firms by agreement amongst themselves. Two meetings have already been held under the chairmanship of a manufacturer, who conducted these meetings at the request of the Cutting Tool Committee and acted in an honorary capacity. No professional auctioneer was engaged. Approximately half the shortages were made good. The unsatisfied demands were not unduly heavy and further steps are being taken to meet them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, to what extent each of the various commodity controls are provided with scientific advisers, or to what extent they have arrangements to obtain scientific advice with regard to the matters with which they deal?

The Raw Material Controls are equipped with staff competent to deal with all day to day technical questions which arise in their work, and on questions involving scientific research and development they have full access to my Noble Friend's Advisory Council on Research and Development. Under existing arrangements, the advice of any other scientist and consultant in the country can be obtained at once, as and when required. The Ministry of Supply is also in close contact with the Scientific Advisory Committee presided over by my Noble Friend the Paymaster-General.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the private and confidential document issued by his Department on the post-war views of eminent educationists has now been publicly commented upon; and will he now circulate it to all education authorities in the country?

Yes, Sir. I have seen some comments. The memorandum in question, the nature and origin of which I explained in the answer given to the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Wilson) on 31st July last, has already been sent, on the instructions of my predecessor, to the executives of the several associations of local education authorities. It was prepared by officers of the Board to serve as a basis of preliminary talks between them and the accredited representatives of local authorities, teachers' associations and other bodies with which the Board are associated in the education service. It has always been a feature of our education system that such interchanges should take place between authorities conducting the local administration of education, the teachers who impart the education, and the Board's officers. Such consultations cannot properly or profitably be conducted in open forum. I am, however, prepared to publish a short statement indicating the major subjects and questions covered by this memorandum and I am circulating such a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It will, of course, be understood that other subjects not mentioned in the statement and not covered by the memorandum may also come under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the proposed war bonus for teachers, he will consider amending the regulations so that there should be a rate of not less than 10s. weekly payable to all teachers alike, irrespective of sex or present salary?

I have been asked to reply. The question of war bonus, like that of teachers' remuneration generally, is a matter primarily for the consideration of the Burnham Committees representing the teachers and the local education authorities. They have recently agreed to recommend to their constituent bodies a war bonus for teachers on the same terms, subject to some minor adjustments, as those awarded after arbitration to civil servants.

asked the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to adopt the suggestion put forward by the Soviet Ambassador at the inter-Allied meeting, on 24th September, that the Central Bureau envisaged in paragraph 6 of the second Resolution should have an inter-Allied character and be built on the basis of equal representation of all the Governments concerned; and whether the matter is being studied by the Allied Governments with a view to reaching a final decision at the next inter-Allied Conference?

I understand that the Soviet Ambassador is submitting proposals to implement the suggestion which he put forward at the inter-Allied meeting. These proposals will be considered in consultation with the Allied Governments and authorities represented at the meeting on 24th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state what progress has been made in the negotiations with our Allies for the recording of evidence of acts of cruelty and oppression committed under the authority of responsible agents of the Axis Powers in occupied countries and contrary to the generally accepted principles of warfare?

Discussions have been initiated with the Allied Governments, as contemplated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 7th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received that the Japanese are using poison gas against the Chinese; and whether this intensification of war brutality, especially against civilians, will be taken into account in any assistance in respect of war equipment which we may be able to spare for the Chinese?

Reports have been received that gas was used by the Japanese in the recent fighting round Ichang. These are now being investigated. As regards the second part of the Question, as my hon. Friend is aware, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to do all they can to help China to maintain her independence.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in drawing up his new scheme for the reorganisation of hospital services, he will consider the question of women being admitted as medical students to those London voluntary hospitals which do not now accept them?

The point mentioned by the hon. Lady is no doubt one which will be taken into consideration in connection with the arrangements relating to the teaching hospitals to which I referred in the statement which I made in the House on 9th October.

asked the Minister of Health whether the cases of dysentery reported from Bristol County Borough came from the same area as the cases reported of paratyphoid fever?

The recent cases of paratyphoid fever in Bristol were fairly evenly distributed over the Borough as a whole. The occurrence of dysentery cannot be specially identified, therefore, with any particular locality affected by the paratyphoid outbreak.

asked the Minister of Health whether the information supplied in response to his circular, dated 12th June, 1941, will inclucle the ages of the diphtheria cases and deaths, immunised or unimmunised, reported since 1st January, 1940; the ages of all diphtheria cases and deaths reported since the introduction of immunisation into the district reported upon; the diphtheria notifications and deaths for the 20 years prior to the introduction of immunisation into the area; and all the cases of diphtheria and deaths from that disease known to have occurred in children who had, at any time, been inoculated against diphtheria or pronounced Schick-negative?

In reply to the first part of the Question, the return referred to shows the aggregate number of cases of diphtheria in children under 15 notified between 1st January, 1940, and 30th September, 1941, and in what proportion of these cases the child had received a complete course of immunisation. The return does not provide the information asked for in the remainder of the Question: and I should not be justified at the present time in asking local authorities and their medical officers of health to undertake the laborious task involved in getting out such particulars, going back over many years, as my hon. Friend mentions.