asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any statement to make on the coal situation?

My hon. Friend has no doubt seen the full statement on the coal situation made on behalf of the Government in another place on 1st October. There is little in the way of detailed information that I can properly add at present. The steps taken to increase production and to reduce consumption, then reported, have continued throughout the month and we start the winter with distributed stocks appreciably larger than a year ago. But there is no room for complacency: when all possible economies have been made in the consumption of fuel, power and light, our coal needs this winter will still be greater than last winter and if we are to avoid a repetition of last winter's local shortages we must press steadily on to win more coal and to see that transport is available to distribute it.

Will my hon. Friend say how near we have got to the target of production for which we set out; and, secondly, will the situation necessitate any rationing of household coal for the winter?

In answer to the last part of the Question, I do not anticipate that we are very near to the point when we must ration coal, and I hope it will not be necessary at all. With regard to the other part of the Question, we have not reached the target figure, which was put forward with the idea that more men would be available than has already been the case. Production has been rising steadily in the last few weeks, and I think it is not now quite so much a question of production as of adequate transport.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is intended to publish an Annual Report for 1940, similar in form to other Departments?

No, Sir, on the general question I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 13th May last.

Might I ask my hon. Friend to reconsider the question, and issue an abbreviated report dealing with safety and health matters?

I will consider that point and let my hon. Friend know as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give particulars of the progress made in the provision of canteen services at coal mines?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines' canteens in existence at the end of October; and for how many miners they catered?

The number of colliery canteens in operation on 31st October was about 531, catering for some 500,000 miners. Canteens were being arranged at 290 other collieries, and when these are in operation 90 per cent. of the miners at pits employing more than 50 men will have been catered for. It is the intention to improve the service, where possible, as opportunities arise, and experiments are in progress with this object.

Can my hon. Friend state in how many of these canteens full meals have been provided for?

I cannot give the exact numbers. They serve only for a small proportion of the' miners.

Are steps being taken to increase that proportion?

Wherever possible, but my hon. Friend must realise that the choice of the form of canteen provision is offered in every case to the local organisation and to the men.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a circular issued by the Ministry of Information which would appear to indicate that the number of canteens is really far in excess of the number in existence?

I have not seen that circular.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister for a copy?

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to Canada and the United States of America, and especially on the provisions made for the welfare of British children now in North America?

During the Parliamentary Recess I paid a visit to Canada to see the 1,530 children officially sent out last year by the Children's Overseas Reception Board. I visited the nine Provinces in which they are living, and found them everywhere in good health and spirits. I also had most satisfactory discussions with the welfare authorities in each province on problems connected with the children. It was generally agreed in Canada that the evacuation scheme has proved a most successful form of temporary overseas settlement.

I also visited the United States, where I discussed with Mr. Marshall Field problems arising in respect of the 859 children from the United Kingdom for whom his Committee has assumed responsibility. Here too I was deeply impressed by all the arrangements made for the children's welfare.

It has been agreed that in the case of privately evacuated children, where circumstances warrant it, the United States Committee will assume responsibility for them. Similarly, in Canada the Children's Overseas Reception Board, in agreement with the Dominion Government, will assume responsibility for privately evacuated children in cases of proved difficulty or need. Throughout my tour I conveyed to the Canadian and United States authorities and to the foster parents the deep gratitude not only of the United Kingdom Government but of the parents of Britain.

When the children arrive at working age, who is responsible for getting them employment?

In Canada, there are about 14 children, boys and girls, who have reached school-leaving age, and good jobs have been found for them.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make with regard to the proposals of the city of Montreal for the future service of its loans issued in the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have not been asked to intervene in this matter and could not usefully do so, and accordingly I have no statement to make.

As these loans are liable to be requisitioned, is not the Treasury interested as well as the bond holders?

I cannot add to what I have said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the present method of tax assessment on the sum of the incomes of husband and wife makes it difficult, and frequently impossible, for a married woman to accept or to continue in employment for which she may be specially suited; that women holding university degrees, who have accepted office in Government Departments have had to resign because, when they have paid full Income Tax, extra help in their home, lunches out and fares to their work, they are out-of-pocket and cannot afford to go to work; and whether in these circumstances he proposes taking any steps to rectify the position;

(2) whether he will consider the application of the principle of the Married Women's Property Act to the taxation of married persons, so that the income of married women shall be assessed and taxed separately from that of their husbands?

I do not accept the assumption on which the first Question is based. I would point out that it is a long-established principle of Income Tax law that the incomes of a husband and wife living together should be aggregated for Income Tax purposes and departure from this principle would, in many cases, lead to an increased burden of tax. Under the existing law in cases in which a wife has earned income, in addition to the earned income relief in respect of that income, there is allowed an increase of the ordinary personal allowance for married persons equal to nine-tenths of the wife's earned income up to a maximum of £45. The married personal allowance may thus be increased from the general level of £140 to a maximum of £185, where the wife is an earner. The treatment of husband and wife for taxation purposes in the same way as single persons would involve the withdrawal of this increased personal allowance and the giving to both husband and wife of the personal allowance of £80 appropriate to single persons instead of the giving against the joint income of the higher personal allowance appropriate to married persons.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable amount of evidence to substantiate the point that I have raised, and is he also aware that the primary cause is the abnormally high direct taxation to-day and that it is also having a serious social and moral effect upon our people in so much as many find it more economical to live together than to enter into the state of holy matrimony?

I have no particular evidence of that. The matter was considered by the Royal Commission, which came to the conclusion, taking the matters set forth in my answer as a whole, that it is best to keep the law as at present.

Is the level of Income Tax the same now as it was when the Royal Commission sat?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the treatment of married women in the matter of earned income makes their employment unremunerative?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that, while he discriminates in this extraordinary way against women in the matter of Income Tax, he has no right to pay women lower compensation than men for war injury when that payment is made entirely from taxation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount paid in salary, and the amount of expenses paid, to the following officials of the National Savings Committee headquarters' staff, for the 12 months ending the last convenient date: Sir Albert Clavering, Mr. Shrapnell Smith, Mr. Buchanan Taylor and Mr. Paul Addis.

The first three gentlemen referred to receive no salary but an allowance towards their expenses. This is at the rate of £250 and £300 per annum respectively for Sir Albert Clavering and Mr. Buchanan Taylor, while Mr. Shrapnell Smith received £72 17s. 3d. during the year ended 30th September, 1941. Mr. Paul Addis is in receipt of a salary of £1,250 per annum and is entitled to claim travelling and subsistence allowance on the recognised scale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that while £104,778,000 was collected by way of National War Bonds between 26th July and 30th August, there were £32,500,000 Treasury deposits redeemed in the same period; and whether this represents in the main a transfer of bank investments from Treasury deposit lending to National War Bond investment;

(2) what is the per £100 cost to the State of borrowing by means of Treasury deposits and National War Bonds, respectively?

The answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. Interest is payable at the rate of 1⅜ per cent. per annum on Treasury Deposit Receipts and of 2½ per cent. per annum on National War Bonds. The former have a currency of six months and the latter of roughly 10 years.

Is there any reason why there should be this change, which obviously puts an extra burden on the State, and would it not be advisable to keep to one form of borrowing, even if it is for six months at a time?

No, Sir. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is also important to get long-term loans of this nature.

Is not the money invested in Treasury deposits a purely inflationary creation of money, and therefore, should not the charge to the State be only the cost of creation, which is estimated by economists to be 1 per cent.?

As the hon. Member knows, I do not take that view.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total sum received in respect of Part II, the Business Equipment Scheme, of the War Damage Act, covering the two periods for which compulsory premiums arc payable, and the total sum received in respect to Part III of the Voluntary Chattels insurance; and how much has been paid out in respect to claims under Part II and claims under Part III, respectively?

The total amount collected in premiums to 4th November, 1941, under the business scheme, including the farming scheme, was in round figures £37,000,000, and under the private chattels scheme £5,000,000. I regret that it is not in the public interest to give information as to the sums paid in respect of claims.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us what is the balance of cash that remains in hand?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that whole villages are practically deprived of wireless reception through lack of high-tension batteries; and whether he will arrange with the Secretary of State for Air that the thousands of batteries partly used by the Royal Air Force may be, as and when replaced, made available to the public as second-hand batteries?

In recent weeks there has been a substantial increase in the production of high-tension batteries, which will in due course reflect itself in retail stocks. Particular attention is being given to the question of supplies for outlying districts. As regards the second part of the Question, I understand that discarded batteries are used for recording and training purposes, but I will discuss the matter further with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, notwithstanding contracts; already entered into with the Hops Marketing Board, the Board of Trade have refused permits for the export of hops to South Africa for the use of two large English companies engaged in the brewing trade there; and, as at the same time permits have been issued for the export of English hops to Eire and to Kenya and to other Dominions and Colonies and, as the two English companies trading in South Africa are engaged largely in supplying beer to South African troops under contract with the Government of the Union of South Africa, if he will reconsider this decision?

Because of the need to conserve supplies of hops, licences for the export of this season's crops for brewing are not being issued. An exception has been made in the case of Eire because of the substantial exports of beer from Eire to the United Kingdom. This policy has been adopted after consultation with the Ministry of Food.

Will my right hon. Friend inquire into cases where concerns think they have been very unfairly treated, compared with other brewers? Will he give me an opportunity of bringing their case before him?

I am always most willing to look into any case further, but I should very much doubt whether any useful purpose would be served, because this is policy, and has been settled in view of the supplies that are available.

It is not policy but what is felt to be unfairness which I wish my right hon. Friend to consider.

I shall be very glad to consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 1,541 Palestinians, presumed prisoners of war, were left in Greece unsurrendered; whether they were left without arms to defend themselves; whether British officers were in command; if so, did they stop with their men; and what proportion of the Palestinians left in Greece and Crete were Jews and Arabs, respectively?

The latest figures from the Middle East show that the number of Palestinians missing in Crete and Greece total 1,444. Of these, 1,023 are Jews, of whom 583 are unaccounted for and 440 known to be prisoners of war, and 421 Arabs, of whom 376 are unaccounted for and 45 prisoners of war. All the Palestinian personnel in Greece and Crete belonged to pioneer or labour units, of whom a proportion were armed. They were commanded by British officers, and these naturally remained with their men. I may add that I strongly deprecate my right hon. Friend's suggestion, in this and other recent Questions, that the conduct of British officers in this war has been in any way inconsistent with the high traditions of the Service.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is stories like these which are spreading through the bazaars of the Near East; and that they must be answered in order that any recruiting can continue at all?

I really do not think it is in the interests of the country or of the Army to give publicity to rumours of that sort.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British military prisoners of war are interned in the camp of Miranda-del-Ebro, in Spain; whether he is satisfied with their treatment; and what steps have been taken, or are contemplated, to secure their release and repatriation?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say that he does not know the answer to this Question now? Have any previous inquiries been made? Have such inquiries not produced any information?

I have not all the necessary information at my disposal, or I would not have spoken about having inquiries made.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that at the present moment, in a neutral country, some thousands of British subjects are illegally imprisoned? Have not the Government made up their mind what they are going to do about it?

As I have said, I am making further inquiries.

Can any British subject be a prisoner of war in Spain, since we are at peace with that country?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the training of men in reserved occupations in the weapons they will use in event of an invasion, without introducing compulsion in the organisation of the Home Guard?

Men in reserved occupations are encouraged to join the Home Guard, and large numbers of them have taken advantage of the facilities thus afforded for training in the use of weapons. So far as I can see, no advantage would be gained by introducing additional facilities outside the organisation of the Home Guard, as my hon. and gallant Friend appears to suggest. Apart from other undesirable effects, such a scheme would result in duplication of effort and uneconomical use of our training resources.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend explain how duplication of effort can occur? Is he aware that in many country districts there arc: lonely farms where, if facilities are afforded, men will be available in case of invasion, and where they will be only too glad to be trained in the use of arms?

I think they can get their training through the Home Guard.

In view of the number of women who want to help, could not the War Department deal with them gracefully and enable them to take part in the war effort in this way?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with the object of decreasing the difference in pay received by the married and single soldier, he will consider reducing the qualifying allotment of non-commissioned officers and men by 3s. 6d. per week and increasing the wife's allowance by a similar amount to be contributed by the State?

No, Sir. I do not consider that the difference in the circumstances of married and single men in the Army can be regarded as excessive in comparison with similar differences in civil life.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that the Treasury make up the pay of civil servants who join the Army, and thus admit the principle that some extra assistance is needed? Will he reconsider the position of the married men in the Army?

I do not think that the comparative positions of married and single men in the Army are really very different from what they are in civil life.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers serving at distant stations, whose civilian wages at home are being made up, find themselves, on receiving promotion, involved in difficulties regarding overpayments made to their wives; and whether in all such cases the men involved will be given the opportunity of transferring their increases home, thus automatically balancing the overpayments made to their wives, or whether he will take other suitable steps to avoid this anomaly?

Arrangements already exist by which a soldier stationed overseas whose pay account is kept at his station may apply to his commanding officer for a remittance to be sent to the appropriate regimental paymaster at home for transmission to his wife or other person. The pay accounts of soldiers serving in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East are now maintained at home, and in cases where the balance of civil pay is made up from public funds a revised procedure has recently been adopted in order to prevent overissues in future.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether, in the case of these soldiers stationed overseas whose accounts are kept at home, there is any speedy procedure, such as the telegraph, for dealing with applications made by the men overseas for part of their money to be transferred to their wives? Otherwise there is sometimes hardship.

I cannot say exactly how information is received, but we are trying to obtain it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what objections, other than finance, there exist in the way of treating dependants of serving soldiers in the same way as wives in respect of the Government allowance; and how much such a change would cost the State?

The difference between family allowance and dependants' allowance is based on the generally-accepted principle that a man's responsibilities towards his wife and children differ, both in kind and degree, from his responsibilities to other dependants. For this reason, family allowance in respect of a wife and children is regarded as a normal service emolument of a married soldier who fulfils the prescribed conditions. Dependants' allowance, on the other hand, was introduced as a special war-time measure, to meet hardship arising from the inability of a man who has joined the Colours to continue during his service a contribution that he was previously making towards the support of a dependant other than a wife or children. The rate of allowance is, therefore, determined partly by the amount of his contribution in civil life and partly by the circumstances of the dependant during his service.

As regards the second part of the Question, I am afraid that it is not possible to form any reliable estimate of the cost of such a change, as particulars of dependants not covered by the present scheme are not available.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the Dominion Governments make the same payments to widowed mothers as to wives? Will he consult with the High Commissioner as to the procedure adopted by the Canadian Government?

The Canadian Government make their own arrangement, which are quite different from ours.

Is the Minister aware that there are shameful cases of neglect and ill-treatment so far as widowed mothers are concerned?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the rules governing the issue of dependants' allowances are being made to conform with the new concession indicated in Paragraph 8 of the Command Paper, whereby the first 4s. of a soldier's pay is ignored when assessing amount of war service grant?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. Paragraph 8 of the Command Paper to which I assume he refers does not state that the first 4s. of a soldier's pay shall be ignored for the purpose of assessing the amount of a war service grant, but that, where a man's pay does not exceed 4s. a day, the war service grant will be calculated on the assumption that the family receives only the amount of the qualifying allotment laid down in the case of Army family allowances. The contribution which a soldier is required to make from his pay as a condition of receiving dependants' allowance is in no case more than the allotment assumed by the Ministry of Pensions in assessing a war service grant.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the concession granted by the Ministry of Pensions in respect of war service grants is more favourable than the rule adopted by the Service Ministries in assessing dependants' allowances?

No, Sir; that is not so. In some cases the rules are rather more favourable.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many applications for dependants' allowances have been received; and what percentage of these has been rejected in the case of soldiers and women members serving with the Army, respectively; and what is the average rate of allowance paid;

(2) how many dependants' allowances have been granted to unmarried dependants living with soldiers as their wives?

Up to 18th October, 1941, 407,556 applications for dependants' allowances had been received. Over the whole period, the percentage of men's claims rejected was 51 per cent., but since April last this figure has fallen to 35 per cent. In more than half the cases where an application was rejected the soldier stated that he did not wish to make an allotment from his pay if the allowance were not granted. The percentage of women's claims rejected was 48 per cent. The average rate of allowance now in payment is 18s. a week. Separate figures are not available for grants of dependants' allowance to unmarried dependants living with soldiers as their wives.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Charles Stevens, whose services at the War Office were dispensed with in 1935 and who has since pressed repeatedly for an inquiry to be opened as to the justice and manner of his dismissal; and whether he is prepared to institute such inquiry?

The case of Mr. Stevens was very carefully considered in 1935 before the decision was taken to dispense with his services, and it has since been re-examined by two of my predecessors in the light of representations made by Mr. Stevens. I have myself personally studied the papers, and I am satisfied that the decision did not involve any injustice to Mr. Stevens.

Has Mr. Stevens been fully informed of the circumstances and the reasons for the decision?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider operating a scheme whereby tradesmen joining the Army, after receiving preliminary training and after passing their trade test and for whom no work or equipment is found in their own trade, might be given a temporary discharge and be sent back to their previous employer, subject to immediate recall to their unit?

Arrangements already exist whereby individual skilled men may be temporarily released from the Army. I am at present considering whether the present arrangements can be extended in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Burrell, Deputy Procurator Fiscal, and of Mr. Sheriff Gibb, when William Low Grant, a partner in the firm of T. R. Grant and Son, was sentenced at Dundee on Friday, 17th October, 1941; and will he issue the necessary instructions that persons who are convicted of these, and similar offences, shall not be employed under War Office contracts or sub-contracts?

I am aware of this case, and, in accordance with longstanding instructions, the firm has been removed from the list of War Office contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue orders for inquiries to be made into the conditions under which parties and entertainments are held for serving soldiers at Folyjon Park, near Ascot; and will he consider placing Folyjon Park out of bounds to all ranks?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

In making inquiries, can my right hon. and gallant Friend satisfy himself that there is no leakage of information to the enemy as the result of these parties?

I do not know that there are any parties until I hear the result of my inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is the senior tank officer at the War Office; and how long has he held that position?

The Director of Armoured Fighting Vehicles at the War Office advises the Chief of the Imperial General Staff on the organisation and equipment of the Royal Armoured Corps. This appointment has been held since 20th September last by Major-General A. W. C. Richardson.

Is there any likelihood of General Fuller being appointed, and, if so, will my right hon. and gallant Friend make most careful inquiries into his past record?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement on the use, value and country of construction of Owen guns?

The Owen 9 millimetre sub-machine gun is an Australian invention. Tests have been carried out in Australia and a model is being sent to the United Kingdom for examination.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army motor-vehicles are out of use for the want of spare parts; and will he consider having these put in order in priority to building new ones?

I am afraid that the number of vehicles out of use for want of spare parts at any given time could only be ascertained by calling for returns from every Command at home and abroad. Such information as it available, however, indicates that the percentage of vehicles out of use for any cause compares very favourably with that of the largest commercial transport undertakings, and there is no undue delay in putting them in order.

Would it be possible to get these motor vehicles repaired as soon as possible instead of building new ones?

I quite agree that it is very important to repair these motor vehicles as soon as possible.

Is it necessary to have Army vehicles conveyed all the way from the North Midlands to the South when they pass through districts where there are repair shops not fully in employment?

I must have notice of a detailed question of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that jurors for criminal trials in the West and Northern Scottish Highlands, in addition to the inconvenience of being away from work or business for several days, must also bear the cost of overnight living expenses and that no machinery exists for reimbursement; and if he will take steps to remedy this grievance?

There is at present no statutory authority authorising the payment of expenses to jurors in criminal cases. My right hon. Friend is considering the case in the light of representations he has received, and perhaps the hon. Member will repeat his Question at a later date.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider, instead of providing overnight living expenses, locking them up in gaol overnight, and perhaps they will have a better sense of justice?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish Members of Parliament attended the conference which he recently convened in Edinburgh to consider Scottish questions; and whether it is proposed to develop this expression of Scottish national feeling by delegating to such a Scottish Parliamentary conference the discussion of Scottish-local matters which now come before the British Parliament, and thus increase the time available for urgent general subjects?

More than one-third of the Scottish Members of Parliament found themselves able to accept my right hon. Friend's invitation to visit St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, during the Recess. The main purpose of the gathering was to give Members an opportunity of meeting the principal officers of the Scottish Departments. As my right hon. Friend indicated in reply to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen) on 21st October, it would be impossible during the war, when the United Kingdom is fighting for its very existence, to propose legislation raising complex and, no doubt, controversial issues affecting the machinery of Parliamentary government.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether, after the war, it is proposed to apply the Atlantic Charter to Scotland?

Can the Minister say when we are to have the next meeting in Edinburgh?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the general manager of the King's Lynn Co-operative Society reported to the King's Lynn Food Control Committee that early in September 224 cases of oranges were received by a local wholesaler for distribution among about 400 retailers and that, although many retailers of fruit had less than 100 oranges to distribute, instructions were given to the wholesaler by the Port of London Orange Panel for 20 cases to be allocated to one branch of a chain store; whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the persons responsible for issuing instructions for such unfair distribution; and whether he is taking steps to see that the distribution of oranges is, in future, confined to established fruiterers?

The statement referred to in the Question has been brought to my notice. The allocation of 20 cases to the chain store to which my hon. Friend presumably refers was made on the instructions of my Department, this being the quantity to which they were entitled on the basis of their pre-war sales. There is, therefore, no case for disciplinary action. Distribution is already confined to traders who regularly sold oranges before the war.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend appreciate that oranges are being sold in certain places by this particular chain store at branches where they have no fruit or vegetable department?

If my hon. and gallant Friend has a case in mind, perhaps ho will bring it to my notice, but I am only concerned here with actual allocation, and it is based on their pre-war sales.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House how chain stores prove their sales on a pre-war basis?

I suppose in the same way as any other stores. They must show proof, and it is on that, that they get their allocation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a considerable portion of the protato crop is subject to blight, and therefore is not likely to keep well; and whether he proposes to take special measures to ensure that the best-keeping potatoes are not marketed until after the disposal of those liable to wastage?

I am advised that the extent of potato blight is not considerable, having regard to the estimated size of the crop, and is much less than at one time appeared likely. In regard to the latter part of the Question, arrangements are being made as was done last season to accumulate reserves of good keeping stocks of potatoes, and for suitable early disposal of crops which shows signs of premature deterioration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether growers of pulses in Tasmania and New Zealand have lately made changes in their crop areas and are now producing an increased quantity of dried blue peas for human consumption in this country and will our purchases of this important food product from Tasmania and New Zealand be restricted or adversely affected by the operation of the Lease-Lend Act?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is "Yes," and to the latter part "No."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will indicate what progress has been made in the provision of canteens at factories and workshops; and what further special provisions are being made for heavy workers?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the latest figures available in respect of the provision of canteens at factories and workshops are those given in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on 2nd October. In reply to the last part of the Question, as I mentioned in the Debate on the same day, the principle has been accepted of granting increased allowances of certain foods such as meat, sugar and fats to industrial canteens. My Department are now working out the details of the scheme. Instructions have already been issued to local food offices for the classification of establishments for this purpose, and it is hoped shortly to issue instructions as to the steps to be taken for making the extra supplies of food available to establishments which come within the appropriate categories.

In those cases in which it is found impossible to get communal meals for workers employed in heavy industries, will my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the question of introducing the individual ration?

I would like to look into that question.

Has the Department paid any attention to the very large railway and engineering shops on munitions work to see whether there are any canteens in those works?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the primary purpose of my Department is to provide the food, but I will certainly look into that matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give a list of those rationed foods which chain stores are not licensed to sell?

No list such as my hon. Friend desires is in existence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many onions, particularly bull necks, are going bad owing to the refusal to allow growers to sell direct to the public; and whether he will speed up the sales machinery to prevent wastage?

Onions which are known in the trade as "bull necked" onions have been sold through the normal channels of trade under the provisions of the Green Onions (Maximum Prices) Order and there is no evidence of waste. Dry bulb onions are being distributed by the National Vegetable Marketing Company.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the improved cheese position, and the fact that cheese can now be served in restaurants as a subsidiary dish and no longer only as a main dish, he can now make arrangements to enable farmers and smallholders, working on their own farms, to receive the supplementary ration, which is now available only to agricultural workers holding agricultural unemployment insurance cards?

The special cheese ration was granted to certain categories of workers, including agricultural workers, who, as a rule, are unable to use works canteens and must consume their luncheon at their work. These conditions do not apply to farmers and small holders working on their own farms, who are generally able to get home for their midday meal. I regret therefore that the special cheese ration cannot be extended to them

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the atrocities being committed against the civilian population by Italian punitive expeditions into Montenegro; and why military objectives in Rome have not been bombed as a reprisal?

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any technical political or other objection to the bombing of Rome by our Air Forces?

While I have no information of any particularly brutal Italian atrocities in Montenegro—I mean nothing out of the ordinary compared with their usual behaviour—I have recently made it clear that retribution for crimes of such a nature must henceforward take its place amongst the major purposes of the war. As regards the bombing of Rome, I have nothing to add to the statement in my speech in this House on 30th September.

Will my right hon. Friend say why Rome has not been bombed; is he aware of the propaganda now being carried on in this country with the object of abolishing night bombing; and will he consider the significance of this agitation arising, just at the. moment that our position of being able to bomb our enemy objectives is getting better and better?

I do not see what the last part has to do with the Question on the Paper, which is fully covered by my Answer.

Does my right hon. Friend really think it wise to provide a hide-out for this rat Mussolini?

I think it would be as well to have confidence in the decision of the Government, whose sole desire is to inflict the maximum amount of injury on the enemy.

But the country as a whole is anxious. [Interruption].

On a point of Order. I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether any inquiry is being made into the complaints made by Viscount Gort in his despatches as to shortage of equipment; and whether the shortage of equipment was due to the failure of the Government to take the advice tendered by their official advisers during the period from December, 1937, to September, 1939?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is that it is not proposed to hold such an inquiry, and to the second part that I was not a member of the Administration during the period in question, and I am unable, therefore, to say what advice was either tendered to or rejected by that Government.

Do I understand that no records have been kept so that one can find out what took place?

Certainly there are records, but this deals with a specific communication.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with the object of securing some measure of parity in the remuneration of members of the Fighting Forces and those engaged on unskilled civilian labour, he will appoint a committee to investigate the whole question of wages, bonuses, overtime, danger money and the like, with a view to securing a fairer distribution of our resources, as between the Service man and the unskilled civilian worker?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the growing dissatisfaction at the inequalities and anomalies in the rates of remuneration as between men engaged in the Fighting Forces and those engaged in industry, in particular where men are semi- or unskilled; and what steps is ho proposing to take to remove the unfair inequalities which at present exist?

The remuneration of members of the Armed Forces is necessarily based on quite different considerations from those of civil employment, and I do not think therefore that the investigation suggested by my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley (Mr. Crowder) would be of assistance.

Would the Prime Minister bear in mind that it was generally understood after the last war that such grave inequality would never be allowed again? There is a good deal of feeling in the country.

There are many Parliamentary opportunities of ventilating such grievances.

Would the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House what are the different considerations as regards basing the pay of the. Forces compared with the pay of civilians?

I certainly should not attempt to do it at Question time.

asked the Prime Minister which member of the War Cabinet has the duty of deciding between conflicting priorities?

The major issues of policy which govern priority of production are determined by the War Cabinet or the Defence Committee. Conflicts of priority in the field of production are dealt with on the Production Executive or one of its subordinate bodies. Almost without exception these conflicts have been settled by agreement between the Ministers concerned. In the case of any unresolved disputes, any Minister has the right of appeal to the War Cabinet, or, in the first instance, to me. While there is no fixed procedure for referring priority questions for decision to a particular Minister, on suitable occasions this practice is adopted.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a certain amount of anxiety—indeed, confusion— among industrialists with regard to this question of priorities? Would he appoint, not himself, because he is already overburdened, one member of the War Cabinet to be the deciding factor in a conflict?

I went into these matters very carefully and at length shortly before leaving for the Atlantic Conference. I am always considering the matter and making such changes of emphasis and adjustment as may seem desirable from time to time, but I have reached the conclusion that no general alteration of what I then laid down to the House as the best machinery is desirable.

Do priorities vary from time to time, say from week to week?

Major priorities are sometimes varied when a different emphasis is required in accordance with the view taken of the war.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the fact that often members of the War Cabinet are absent on other important duties and sometimes out of the country, and would he not consider that from the point of view of laying the responsibility on very few shoulders?

I do not think they are unduly absent from their duties. I think they discharge their duties almost without cessation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will inform the House of the name and composition of the committee that examines inventions submitted for the three Services; and to what extent has any individual member the power to turn down inventions or to advise that they be taken up or developed?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the Engineering Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of my right hon. and Noble Friend Lord Hankey, the terms of reference and composition of which were published in the Press on 30th April last. In reply to the second part of the Question, individual members of the Committee are, of course, entitled to express their opinions to their colleagues.

Am I right in assuming that Lord Cherwell has a deciding voice in these matters?

No, Sir, he is not a member of the Committee.

asked the Prime Minister the names of the personal advisers who accompanied him on his recent voyage in a British battleship when he met the President of the United States of America; and what were their duties?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those who accompanied me on my recent voyage when I met the President of the United States of America.

If Lord Cherwell was one of the members of the party, does not my right hon. Friend think it unwise— [Interruption].

Seeing that the Prime Minister has met President Roosevelt, when is he to meet Mr. Joseph Stalin?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that we are fighting for our existence, he will consider removing from Government service all persons of German education and of German origin?

If the hon. Gentleman will specify any person—

Order. As this is the hon. Member's fourth Question, I have not called it.

I regret that I have not the opportunity of answering this Question.

If the right hon. Gentleman thinks it necessary to answer this Question, I will give him leave to do so.

I am very grateful, Mr. Speaker. I hope you do not think that I am interfering with the exercise of your duties. All I wish to say is that if the hon. Gentleman will specify any person or persons he has in mind, I will give his Question such answer as it may deserve.

Would not the Prime Minister agree that men educated in Germany might be particularly well equipped to help us?

Might we not fight to the last foreigner?

Do I understand, Mr. Speaker, that a precedent has been created by your allowing a fourth Question to be answered? If that is granted now, I hope it will be granted in other cases.

There is no question of precedent. It always was the case that if a Minister thought it necessary to give an answer to a Question, leave was always given.

asked the Prime Minister what are the duties of Lord Cherwell; what are his qualifications for his post, what salary he receives, under what Vote it comes, and what are the names of his secretary and his staff?

When I was asked this Question by the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 30th July, I gave the following answer:

"Lord Cherwell is one of my personal assistants and advises me as he has for many years upon the scientific and statistical aspects of our national defence. He is the head of the Statistical branch which I formed when at the Admiralty at the outbreak of war to collect and collate all the figures of the various Departments and is now specially charged with the duty of warning me of short fallings in any part of our war supply.

As Professor of Physics at Oxford University he was in receipt of a salary of £1,400 a year. But since practically his whole time was from the beginning of the war engaged in official work, I thought it right that £1,000 a year should be paid him by the State. The remaining £400 is still paid him by the University.

Since his elevation to the Peerage Lord Cherwell has expressed his wish to serve in an honorary capacity, but I do not consider this would be right in view of the continuous demands I make upon him at all hours of the night and day.

The number of Lord Cherwell's staff is 23, and I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the particulars asked for by the hon. Member."

Is he not worth much more?

asked the Prime Minister whether the agreement between the Emperor of Ethiopia and His Majesty's Government has now been concluded; whether its terms can be made known; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that it is now six months since the Emperor's return to his country as its lawful sovereign, the agreement will be expedited?

The actual terms of the agreement are still under discussion.

Is the Prime Minister aware that this long delay is causing great uneasiness both in Ethiopia itself and among friends of Ethiopia in this country, and can he explain why it is taking so long to arrive at an agreement?

This matter has to be carefully considered, and communications with Abyssinia take some time, but I can assure my hon. Friend that no undue or needless delay is taking place.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered a letter forwarded on behalf of Lambton D Colliery Coal Production Committee, in the county of Durham, in which it is stated that a good deal of absenteeism is due to greyhound racing on ordinary working days, and that, in the interest of the country's war needs for more coal, this dog racing should be stopped on working days; and whether he will have an investigation made into this matter and, if necessary, take appropriate action?

I have been asked to reply. I have seen the letter referred to. Greyhound racing is by arrangement limited to one meeting a week at each track and afternoon meetings are held only on Saturdays, public holidays and the local early closing day. Except for one track where licensing difficulties arise, greyhound racing in Durham County will in future take place on Saturday afternoons only.

Am I to take it that there is agreement that on all the courses in Durham the meetings will take place on Saturday afternoons?

Yes, Sir, except in the case of the one track concerning which licensing difficulties arose.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, having regard to the constitutional position revealed by the judgment of the House of Lords in the case Liversidge v. Anderson and Another, he will himself introduce legislation to provide safeguards against abuse of the absolute powers of arrest and detention at present possessed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department?

(2) whether, having regard to the grave constitutional issues raised by the judgment of the House of Lords in the case Liversidge v. Anderson and Another, he will introduce legislation to give effect to the interpretation of the wording of Regulation 18B, supported by Lord Atkin in his dissenting speech?

It is not proposed to introduce such legislation. These powers were conferred upon His Majesty's Government by the House, and we are not yet in a sufficiently secure position to abandon them.

Is it not a fact that when these Regulations were originally introduced, the House took the strongest possible exception to the liberty of the subject being placed at the sole discretion of the Home Secretary, with the result, that the Regulations were changed, but that now this decision of the ultimate court of appeal has established the fact that the new words mean exactly the same as the old ones; and, therefore, should not there be some change?

Although I speak as a layman on these legal matters, I am advised that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is incorrectly informed.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the Motion on the Order Paper, signed by some 60 Members of the House, who represent all shades of political opinion, calling for a modification of Regulation I8B?

I regret that owing to the House just having come together again, I have not been apprised of this Motion, but there will be many facilities in the coming Session for discussing this matter and other matters which 60 or even fewer Members wish to raise.

May I put a point of Order to you, Mr. Speaker? Does not the Prime Minister's answer show that the present procedure of the House in making known to Ministers the existence of Private Members' Motions on the Order Paper and the names appended thereto is at present quite inadequate?

That is not a question to which I can give an answer at this moment.

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the interpretation given to Regulation I8B by Lord Atkin in his dissenting judgment is precisely the interpretation placed upon it by the then Home Secretary when the new Regulations were presented to the House, and did not the House accept those Regulations on the basis of an interpretation which the House of Lords, by a majority, has now held to be wrong?

I could not attempt to answer that matter at Question Time, as it raises a number of legal points, and I should have to refresh my memory by reading what was said when the Regulations were passed. The position of the Government is that the House conferred certain powers on them of its own free will. Those powers are being exercised. They have not been abused in any way; otherwise, the House would certainly have brought the matter up. We do not propose at the present time, while the danger continues to be so severe, to volunteer the return of such powers.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the great change which has been made by this legal decision, I and my hon. Friends will be bound to raise this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.

What does the hon. and gallant Member think Parliament comes together for?

asked the Home Secretary whether the British subject, who sent the telegrams to President Roosevelt, thereby irregularly evading the censorship, which telegrams are alleged to have been shown by Mr. Tyler Kent to the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles and Southern (Captain Ramsay), has been prosecuted under paragraphs 1 and 4A of Defence Regulation 10; and, if so, with what result?

No information could properly be given about confidential documents which were abstracted from the American Embassy, but whatever may have been the nature of the documents in question, they do not provide the slightest foundation for the suggestion that someone had been guilty of evading the censorship or contravening Defence Regulation No. 10.

Were any of these cablegrams or messages sent by the Prime Minister behind the back of the then Prime Minister?