asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the services of women, whether in the Women's Voluntary Service or otherwise, are available and made use of by the Home Guard for carrying out such duties at headquarters as telephone operators, first-aid messengers, typists, etc.; and whether every encouragement in suitable cases is given to this, with a view to freeing men for combatant duties?

The services of members of the Women's Voluntary Service have for some time been widely used to carry out suitable auxiliary duties for the Home Guard. A large number of individual women are also giving their services in a voluntary and unofficial capacity. Such assistance is certainly encouraged, and I am glad to have this opportunity of acknowledging its value to the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the recreational facilities for British soldiers in West Africa; what provision is made for adequate disability assistance and care for native troops; and to what extent tuberculosis exists as a reason for medical rejection of native recruits or their discharge?

All possible steps are being taken to improve the recreational facilities of the troops in West Africa. Large quantities of wireless sets and sports gear have been sent from this country; mobile cinemas have been provided for the use of isolated units; and money grants have been made to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief for local purchases. I may add that the Director-General of Welfare and Education at the War Office has recently visited West Africa in order to study the needs of the troops at first hand. As regards the second part of the Question, adequate hospital facilities are provided for native troops in West Africa. I regret that no statistics are available at the War Office which would enable me to answer the last part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of soldiers stationed at Catterick camp who have been employed as beaters to shooters at or near Gainsford, county Durham, during October, 1941; how they were conveyed; who employed them; and what was the daily rate of pay per man?

I am having inquiries made into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible. I may add that instructions were issued on 25th October forbidding the employment of soldiers for this purpose, and no further cases should therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers under 41 years of age without previous military experience in the ranks or otherwise in the Judge-Advocate's department; and whether he will consider placing them in combatant regiments and replacing them by older and more experienced men, many of whom are available?

The number of officers in the Judge Advocate-General's department under 41 years of age without previous military experience is nine, of whom two are serving abroad. In view of the fact that these appointments carry with them the obligation to proceed overseas at any time, I do not consider that this figure can be regarded as unduly high.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of occasions on which the following men, claiming to be conscientious objectors, have been brought before a court-martial; what sentences were awarded in each case; and whether any of these sentences were such as to permit of a re-examination of the men's claim to conscientious objection, in accordance with the provisions' of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act: No. 9700535, John Lindsay, N.C.C., attached No. 3 Pioneer Corps, Training Centre, No. 97002654, Arthur Hiller, No. 6 Company, N.C.C., Section 7, No. 1077011, Stanley Hilton, Medium and Heavy 25th Training Regiment, Royal Artillery, and No. 997512, Robert Campbell, Medium and Heavy 25th Training Regiment, Royal Artillery?

I am having inquiries made and will send my hon. Friend full particulars as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, now that the Royal Army Ordnance Corps has combatant status, there is any reason to continue to differentiate between the rates of pension for colonels of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and those paid to combatant officers retiring; and whether the similar difference which exists between combatant officers' pensions and those paid to Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Pay Corps and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps officers will be adjusted?

The recognition of the combatant status of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps affords no ground for alteration in their financial conditions of service. Nor it is proposed to alter the provisions regarding retired pay in the case of the arms referred to in the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the resentment caused by the removal of officers from the active list as a result of adverse reports which make only vague suggestions of incapacity; and whether he will amend Army Form B 194 (2), so that the reporting officers will be required to state how long they have known the officer recommended for retirement and any definite failure on his part in regard to enforcement of discipline, efficiency of administration, individual training, collective training and general character and conduct?

I cannot accept the suggestion that officers are removed from the active list as a result of adverse reports which make only vague suggestions of incapacity. Army Form B.194E, to which I assume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, requires the reporting officer to give details of the length of time the latter has known the officer recommended for retirement and the grounds on which the report of unsuitability or inefficiency is based.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will investigate the question of unpaid acting non-commissioned officers to avoid the resentment arising from the fact that hundreds of these men are taking the extra responsibility and are not receiving the extra pay?

All promotions during war-time are made initially on an acting and unpaid basis, but after holding acting rank for a continuous period of 21 days the soldier is granted the pay of the rank retrospectively provided that a vacancy in that rank exists on the establishment of his unit. The establishment is fixed so as to provide for a sufficient quota of non-commissioned officers for the performance of the duties required of them under normal conditions, but local commanders are empowered to sanction the temporary appointment, in cases of necessity, of a small number of unpaid lance appointments in excess of the establishment of paid ranks and appointments. Men filling such additional appointments are considered for paid appointments as vacancies arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the mileage allowance to members of the Home Guard using their own motor-cars of 12 horse-power on official business is 3d. a mile up to 3,000 miles, which compares adversely with civil servants who get 6d. a mile for motor-cars over 10 horse-power, and as the latter charge is officially not regarded as excessive, if he will revise the Home Guard allowance in an upward direction?

The question of revising the rates of motor mileage allowance for the Home Guard is at present under consideration. I should, however, point out that the 6d. rate to which my hon. Friend refers is paid only to certain military and civilian officials whose duties necessitate regular travelling which cannot be performed by other means than a private car without serious loss of time and is payable for the first 3,000 only in each mileage year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in Gloucester market, on 13th October, cauliflowers and savoys were being sold by auction at a wholesale price of 2s. 6d. and 3s. a dozen, whilst the price in the shops was from 5d. to 1s. per cauliflower and savoys 3d. to 7d. each; and is he satisfied that these prices are fair to the growers on the one hand and the consumer on the other?

Average wholesale prices for cauliflowers and savoys sold in Gloucester Market during the week commencing 13th October were much higher than is suggested by the figures quoted by my hon. Friend and I am satisfied that retail prices were, generally speaking, reasonably related to the prices received by growers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that mental hospitals and other institutions, who bake their own bread, do not receive the subsidy granted to private bakers; and whether he will grant the subsidy in these cases, or make an equivalent arrangement by which such mental hospitals and public institutions do not suffer this disadvantage?

All flour is heavily subsidised and is consequently being sold at extremely low wholesale and retail prices. The price of bread on sale to the public is now controlled by Order, however, and an additional subsidy is being paid to bakers to enable them to conform to the new prices and to meet their costs of production and delivery. This additional subsidy is not of course payable to institutions which bake bread for their own consumption.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the conviction of a Leadenhall Street firm, at the Kensington court, on Tuesday, 21st October, for selling a milk substitute, said to cost 2½d. a pound to produce, and sold at 3s. a pound, described in court as an article dangerous to the public health and as affording no nourishment for children; and whether, as the defendants stated that they had purchased the article on a warranty, and were fined £10 and £10 10s. costs, he will take further proceedings against the original vendors?

I have been asked to reply. The proceedings to which I understand reference is made were taken under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938. I have made inquiries of the Food and Drugs Authority concerned, and am informed that the warranty in this case was not accepted by the prosecution or the Court.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why, as Regulation 3 of instructions issued by the Home Secretary under Regulation 18B empowers an internee to supplement the meals provided, the Food Controller has refused to permit Mr. Cahir Healy, M.P., to have any extra food by post, save on an isolated occasion; and whether he will consult with the Home Office with a view to ensuring that the Food Regulations do not militate to the detriment of the health of a public man of 64 years?

The regulations governing the receipt of gifts of food from overseas permit only genuine unsolicited gifts of small quantities at infrequent intervals. The Home Office instruction that a person who is detained under Defence Regulation 18B may at his own expense or the expense of his friends supplement the meals provided for him does not mean that such a person may receive food in contravention of the regulations of the Ministry of Food which apply to all persons in the country, and my Noble Friend would not be justified in making in favour of persons so detained exceptions which would not be made for other people.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the frequent cases of long delay on the part of the National Vegetable Marketing Company in replying to requests from growers of onions for instructions as to their disposal; and what steps he is taking to enable growers to sell their onions in accordance with the regulations before they rot?

A few cases of delays on the part of the National Vegetable Marketing Company in issuing instructions to growers as to the disposal of their onions have been brought to my notice and these have been dealt with immediately. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any further cases I will have them investigated. With regard to the latter part of the Question I would refer him to the reply I have to-day given to a Question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for the Romford Division (Mr. Parker).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why meat traders who have hitherto been able to sell canned meats are now forbidden to do so?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. I would refer him to my reply to the Question put by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 8th October.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether butchers will be allowed an equitable allotment of all tinned meats arriving in this country under the Lease-Lend Act; whether they hold a tinned meat licence or not in order that they may compete on equal terms with the grocers and multiple stores who are able to sell these goods coupon free?

Butchers who habitually sold canned meats before the war and who are licensed to sell them, will be allowed a fair share of the initial allocation of the Lease-Lend and other imported canned meats that are now being distributed to the retail trade. Replacements of their initial stocks will depend upon the points coupons that they collect from the public. Butchers who have no licence to sell canned meats will not be entitled to an allocation and in this respect they are on the same footing as all other food retailers. With reference to the last words of my hon. Friend's Question, I must explain that the goods referred to be saleable only against points coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to the encouragement of the trade of this country with Spain and Portugal, he is prepared to increase the importation of wines grown in the Iberian Peninsula?

I am not in a position to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 2nd October last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that the present prices of bread meet the views of all bakers, both urban and rural; and whether it is proposed to continue them throughout the winter?

My Noble Friend has reason to believe that the present prices for bread, coupled with the arrangements he has made to license the sale of bread at higher prices in sparsely populated rural areas and in towns which have lost more than 40 per cent. of their prewar population, have met with the general approval of the bakery trade. The present arrangements will be reviewed after they have been in operation for three months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the shortage of fish, he will consider introducing some better system of distribution in order to ensure that the general public receive a fair share of fish before the supply is acquired by the big stores, large fishmongers, hotels and institutions?

When the Fish (Maximum Prices) Order, 1941, was introduced, a system of allocation was organised at the ports in order to establish an equitable system of distribution. Owing, however, to the absence of statistics in the industry, there are no records of where the fish goes after it has been sold at the port. Statistics are now being collected and the whole question of allocation is under close review at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number of small shopkeepers to whom supplies of rationed foods have been restored, on further consideration of their cases by the different food committees?

The number of small shopkeepers with less than 25 registrations for one or more rationed foods who have been allowed to retain those registrations is 7,689 according to the latest available figures.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why no decision has been reached in regard to the production of malt and grain whisky; whether, in view of the importance of the export trade which is taking 50 per cent. of the total production, he will do everything to increase the quantity of whisky produced so that there shall not be an undue shortage for the home trade, and that stocks should be distributed as widely as possible, having regard to the heavy losses already sustained owing to the concentration of large quantities at a limited number of ports; and whether, in view of the value of this trade from a national point of view, he will recognise the importance to distillers of being able to retain ample basic stock for blending and other purposes, which can only be arranged once the quantities of the raw materials have been laid down?

I am unable to make any statement at the moment, but I should be glad if my hon. Friend would repeat his Question in 10 days' time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in connection with his canned food regulations, he proposes to conduct propaganda, especially in the rural districts, on the value of fresh food?

No, Sir. The food advice propaganda of my Department has always stressed the value of fresh food and in particular of fresh vegetables. I see no necessity for special propaganda in this connection, on account of the new rationing scheme to begin on the 17th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, under a decision of the Ministry, applications made by Air Training Corps for registration as catering establishments may not be granted by local food executive officers, with the result that satisfactory canteens cannot be opened at air training corps centres; and whether, as many of the boys attending these training centres come straight from their places of work and it is therefore desirable that canteen facilities should be available for them, he is now prepared to modify this decision?

Yes, Sir. As a result of discussion which had been proceeding between the Air Ministry and my Department arrangements were recently made and the necessary instructions issued to local food control committees for the registration as catering establishments of canteens established, with the approval of regional commandants, at the headquarters of local units of the Air Training Corps. This will enable these canteens to serve light refreshments to members of the Corps.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the communications from the East Riding of Yorkshire retail butchers buying committees, protesting against his recent decision with regard to the meat rationing scheme; and whether he has any statement to make?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke) on 22nd October except that the same considerations as in Burnley apply to the East Riding.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in cases where it is proved that a farmer and members of his family are working on their own farm, they will now be granted the extra cheese ration allowed to other agricultural workers?

The special ration of cheese was made available for agricultural and other classes of workers who, generally speaking, are unable to return home for their midday meal and are not able to obtain meals at workers' canteens or similar establishments. Farmers and the members of their families who work on their farms are usually able to get home for their midday meal. My Noble Friend is, therefore, unable to include them among the categories eligible for the special ration of cheese.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether firms who carry on wholesale milk distribution as well as wholesale grocery distribution will be entitled to distribute American evaporated milk to retail dairymen?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in the absence of regulation by the Ministry the national wheatmeal loaf of 85 per cent. extraction at present supplied commonly contains an excess of the coarser bran of little nutritive value, the more valuable constituents being abstracted and sold by the millers for animal feeding; and whether he will issue an order requiring that the 15 per cent. removed by the millers in making the 85 per cent. extraction loaf shall be restricted to the coarser bran and pollards as advised by the Scientific Food Committee as the loaf would thus not only be of greater nutritive value but also nearly white in colour, and consequently more acceptable to the public taste?

My hon. Friend is not correct when he refers to the absence of regulations. There are regulations governing the manufacture of national wheatmeal. One of these is that the coarse bran shall be excluded. If my hon. Friend knows of any case where this is ignored, I shall be pleased to investigate if he will supply details. It is possible that some confusion arises as wholemeal and other brown flours of higher extraction than 85 per cent. are still on sale to meet the tastes of those who desire the coarse bran retained in the meal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether unfortified white flour will be available for those members of the public who object to the addition to flour of substances which carry a potentiality of harm?

I am advised that there is no ground whatever for the suggestion that fortified white flour, that is, flour to which vitamin B1 (aneurin) has been added, is potentially harmful. The answer to my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether, in view of the fact that a double registration for milk is not allowed and supplies of tinned and dried milk are not yet available, he will consider making some arrangement for those members of the public who are regularly away from home for two or three days each week, in order that they may be able to obtain milk throughout the week?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the Milk Supply Scheme does not debar a registered customer from purchasing, or his dairyman from supplying, additional milk for the needs of visitors to the household.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, the gross profit allowed to grocers on the following rationed commodities: butter, cheese, lard, sugar, syrup and jam?

The gross retail margins on the foodstuffs mentioned above, if the retailer is charged, and charges, the maximum price, are as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before any British Restaurant is established, investigation is made into the existing facilities for the supply of cooked food and the effect such communal feeding may have on the livelihood of retailers in the district?

British Restaurants are established where, in the opinion of the local authority, facilities ought to be provided for the supply of hot, nutritious and cheap meals, and where such facilities are not otherwise provided, or are inadequate. It is the expressed wish of my Noble Friend that, before a decision is taken to establish a British Restaurant, full account should be taken of facilities provided by existing catering establishments. My hon. Friend will realise that it may frequently happen that catering facilities which were adequate under peace conditions are found to be insufficient to meet the demand at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider fixing two prices for horse-flesh, the one to form the maximum charge for the coloured meat for animals, and the other for meat fit for human consumption?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on 15th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling). I am not, at present, in a position to make any addition to that reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many public slaughterhouses are now operating in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively; and whether they are operating satisfactorily, both financially and economically?

The approximate number of slaughter-houses which are being employed by my Department is as follows: England 565, Scotland 140, Wales 74. In view of the need for economy in transport, consideration is being given at the present time to the incidence of the slaughtering load at a number of slaughter-houses at present in use. Subject to this, I am satisfied that the slaughter-houses employed by the Ministry are, generally speaking, operating satisfactorily both from an economic and financial point of view.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now give the date when the system of individual reservation will operate instead of the present bulk reservation; and what steps he proposes to take to review the cases of persons not formerly in reserved categories who have obtained civilian employment in decentralised Government offices and who have been reserved thereby?

It is anticipated that a statement on this subject will be made at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of his announcement that it is not his intention to call upon young women engaged in food distribution for transference to other occupations, he will say if this definition of food distribution includes the fried-fish industry?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women in the Civil Defence, military and voluntary services?

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the warning of the chairman of the Hospitals Association that some hospitals will have to close down if their staffs are further denuded through his instructions; and whether he will take steps to avert this?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone) on 9th October, from which he will see that close touch is being kept with my right hon. Friend on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the evidence in favour of one day's rest in seven provided by the 1940 Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories, and the declarations of Sir F. Leggatt, the British delegate at the International Labour Office Conference in New York to a similar effect, he will discourage the practice of calling upon those employed in industry to work seven days per week?

All Government Departments agree that seven-day working should be restricted to a minimum. There must however be occasionally essential repair work or production arrangements designed to meet a special emergency which involve temporary seven-day working for certain individuals. In addition, it may be found right in certain cases during the winter months, in order to take advantage of daylight, to spread the working week over seven days instead of six.

asked the Minister of Labour how many women have now been registered, interviewed and posted, respectively, under the Registration for Employment Order (1941), made under Defence Regulation 58A?

The number of women who have registered with their age groups to 25th October, 1941, is 2,450,000. The number of interviews according to the latest return is 633,000. It would not be in the national interest to publish the other information asked for.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the number of young women available for munition work or the services who have registered in their age groups but are still waiting to be interviewed owing to the pressure of this and other work put on to the staff of Employment Exchanges, he will consider the advisability of utilising the services of older women to do the necessary interviewing who are capable and willing to do the work voluntarily, and thus help to expedite the placing of the young women in positions for which they are suited?

The women staff in the managerial or supervisory grades at the Employment Exchanges has already been greatly increased but I shall not hesitate to increase it further if necessary. I would point out that there is no advantage in interviewing women already engaged on important work, who constitute a large proportion of those registered, and I may say that good progress has been made in interviewing those who are prima facie available for transfer?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now satisfied that lines of demarcation between different grades of labour which have heretofore hindered production and impeded the constant expansion of output are eliminated from the national war effort; and whether he is receiving full support of employers and trade unions in his appeal for 30 to 40 per cent. increase in supplies of munitions of war?

Employers and trade unions are in general co-operating wholeheartedly in all the measures necessary for increasing war production; but there are inevitably difficulties and impediments from time to time which prevent me from being completely satisfied.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is promoting special effort to bring to the notice of the management and workpeople in factories and workshops engaged upon munitions production the grave situation revealed in Lord Gort's Despatches on shortage of weapons, supplies and equipment for the Fighting Services; and whether a continuous emphatic appeal is being maintained for the increased 40 per cent. output demanded by the Minister of Labour?

I have been asked to reply. My colleagues in charge of the Production Departments, the Minister of Information and I co-operate regularly in measures to ensure that the facts of the war situation shall be put before those engaged in productive industry, both managements and workpeople; our aim is that they may be helped and encouraged to play their part in securing the maximum output of munitions. We have no reason to believe that the public generally are not already fully aware of the references in Lord Gort's despatches to shortages in the supply of munitions, and we do not, in the circumstances, con- sider that any useful purpose would be served at this date by giving them any additional publicity.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what progress has been made in the preparation of the statutory list of traders in association with the Government of the United States of America?

Additions to the British Statutory List under the Trading with the Enemy Act are made at frequent intervals. If any name appears on the American Proclaimed List, which is not already on the British Statutory List, the evidence in our possession is immediately re-examined at the Ministry of Economic Warfare. In consequence, the great majority of names on the Proclaimed List now appear on our own Statutory List, and there will be very few remaining exceptions when the next monthly order is published. A very large proportion of the names on the British Statutory List are also on the United States Proclaimed List.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will make a statement on the activities of the Institute of the British Council at Madrid; how far the institute is in contact with universities and colleges in Spain; and if the work of the institute is supported by the broadcasts in Spanish of the British Broadcasting Corporation?

I have been asked to reply. The British Institute in Madrid was opened in August, 1940, and is primarily intended to be a centre for the study of the English language. Amongst its activities, which are purely cultural, may be mentioned classes for students, including Spanish teachers of English, and a school for young children. In addition, the institute possesses a library and organises lectures and concerts of English music. I am confident that the institute is establishing contacts in all circles interested in its cultural activities. As regards the last part of the Question, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the British Council are engaged in rather different fields of activity, but I have no reason to suppose that their work is not mutually helpful in promoting closer cultural relations between this country and Spain.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will make a statement on the programme and educational activities of the British Institute at Lisbon?

I have been asked to reply. The activities of the British Institute in Lisbon are purely cultural. It serves as a centre for the study of the English language, for the dissemination of British culture and ideas by means of lectures, concerts and cinema performances, and as a social centre where Portuguese and British can meet. By the end of 1940 nearly 1,000 Portuguese students were learning English at the Institute and many others had to be refused admittance owing to lack of space.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what requests he has received from the Government of Afghanistan for advice on supplies and financial assistance for schemes of transport and general economic development in that country; and whether he will favourably consider such proposals?

No requests of this kind have been received from the Afghan Government in recent months. If any such proposals were put forward by the Afghan Government His Majesty's Government would be prepared to give them sympathetic consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Portuguese Government on the grant of an air-plane base in Portuguese Timor to the Japanese Government?

The hon. Member is no doubt referring to the agreement between the Portuguese and Japanese Governments, the text of which was recently published, and which provides not for the grant of an air base but for the establishment of a regular commercial air service between the mandated island of Palao and Portuguese Timor. I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the disturbances in the Copperbelt in Northern Rhodesia; whether educational facilities in the Copperbelt are being extended; whether steps are being taken to complete an African cost-of-living index; whether the bonuses given during the strike are being reviewed in the light of the information obtained; and whether additional labour officers have been appointed for the copper mines?

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the statement issued by the Government of Northern Rhodesia on the recommendations of the Copperbelt Commission. This statement, copies of which were laid in the Library of the House in February last, showed that the majority of the recommendations were accepted by Government, that some had already been implemented and that action to give effect to the remainder was in train. As regards the extension of educational facilities in the Copper-belt, I would invite reference to the reply given on the nth December, 1940, to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones), in which it was stated that the sum of £14,000 was being spent on school buildings in 1941 and that a further sum of £5,000 was also being provided for medical welfare work in the Copperbelt in addition to the amount (£9,500) that was already being expended there. It was expected by the Government that during the present year accommodation for 5,000 pupils would be completed and that the necessary teaching staff would be available. The statement also indicated that the Government of Northern Rhodesia were taking the necessary steps for the compilation of a cost-of-living index with a view to the periodic revision of the special war cost-of-living allowance. A second labour officer was appointed to the Copperbelt during the past summer. The "Elder" system has been reviewed in consultation with representatives of the mining companies, with the result that the system has now been accepted at all the mines. At Nkana and Nchanga the Elders will be assisted in their duties by boss boys. The new arrangements provide for collaboration with the labour officers and with the district commissioners. Arrangements have also been made for the Elders (now called tribal representatives) and the boss boys to nominate members from among their number to sit on the native urban councils. The working of the new scheme will be carefully studied with a view to effecting such improvements as may be dictated by experience.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the decision of the Governor of Jamaica as to the continued detention or release of the internees whose examination has now been completed by the new committee?

Of the 17 persons who have been detained under the Jamaica Defence Regulation equivalent to the United Kingdom Regulation 18B, four were entitled to have their cases examined by the new committee. The committee has completed its review of these cases and recommended the release of two of these persons and the Governor has accepted their recommendation. Of the remaining 13, five have already been released after review of their cases by the Governor, and the remaining eight have now been informed that they may have their cases considered by the new committee if they so desire.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what is the present constitutional position in Ceylon; whether any ordinances or amendments to the Constitution have increased the powers of the Government; whether any portion of the Constitution has been suspended; and what ordinances have been promulgated?

An Order in Council was enacted last year to enable the life of the present State Council to be extended up to a maximum period of two years from January, 1941. This has been the only recent enactment having any important bearing on the Constitution. Its object was to provide further time for consideration of the whole position. The following statement was issued, both in Ceylon and in this country, on 28th October, 1941:

"His Majesty's Government have had under further consideration the question of constitutional reform in Ceylon. The urgency and importance of the reform of the Constitution are fully recognised by His Majesty's Government, but before taking decisions upon the present proposals for reform, concerning which there has been so little unanimity, but which are of such importance to the well-being of Ceylon, His Majesty's Government would desire that the position should be further examined and made the subject of further consultation by means of a commission or conference. This cannot be arranged under war conditions, but the matter will be taken up with the least possible delay after the war."

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what evidences there have been of discontent among the workers in Ceylon plantations in recent months resulting in conflicts either with the employers or with the authorities; whether such conflicts have resulted in injuries or deaths to those concerned; and whether he will call for a full report on the position?

Apart from one isolated act of an assault on a superintendent, no disturbances of the kind referred to have recently been reported. There is evidence of a general desire on the part both of managements and workers to discuss and settle points of difference. The Governor keeps the Colonial Office regularly informed on the labour position, and in these circumstances there seems no reason to call for any further special report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a letter from the Evacuation Representation Committee, Kowloon, Hong Kong, about the return of the women and children who were compulsorily evacuated from Hong Kong over a year ago and what steps he is taking in the matter?

My Noble Friend received the letter to which my hon. Friend refers from the late Governor of Hong Kong, and has sent a reply to it. Following is the text of the reply:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what approximately is the route of the proposed new all-weather trunk road from Kenya to Southern Rhodesia; whether it will link up with the main trunk road south via Nyassaland as an alternative route; what is the schedule of dates for the completion of each section; what is the estimated cost of the whole undertaking and whether this provides for the requisite number of bridges; whether all the Colonies through whose territories the new road will pass are co-operating in the task of construction; and whether, in view of its urgency, special arrangements are being made to speed up the work of construction?

I understand that specific instructions have been given to the military authorities in East Africa to improve strategic roads through Northern Rhodesia, Tanganyika and Kenya towards the north and expenditure of at least £355,000 is being incurred. The Public Works Departments of the three territories are co-operating to the full and in places are in executive charge. The work is going forward as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the accelerating demand for currency, and after consideration of such factors as increased war production on the one hand and the effects of rationing on the other, he is satisfied that there is not considerable hoarding of currency?

It is, of course, difficult to say with confidence what are the main causes of the continuing increase in the public demand for currency, but it seems likely that a certain amount of current savings is being accumulated in the form of bank notes. I would appeal to all who are holding notes in that way to deposit them in a savings bank or other bank, where the money will be readily available in case of need. By that means they will not only avoid any risk of the destruction or loss of the notes, but they will also be helping to finance the war effort.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total, in money, of registered claims under Part I of the War Damage Act; how much of that total represents the City of London; and how much to date has been paid out in complete satisfaction of claims and on account of claims?

The information asked for is not in the main available, nor is it in the public interest to give particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of the first contribution assessment under Part I of the War Damage Act; what is the total amount that has been received; how much is unpaid; and what course does the Government propose to pursue in order to recover arrears of contributions and when?

The assessments of the first instalment of the War Damage Contribution amount to about £39,500,000, of which about £28,000,000 has been received and £11,500,000 unpaid. Part of the latter amount will be recovered by deduction from "value payments" to be made after the war, and a further part is not recoverable so long as the Inland Revenue Department is satisfied that by reason of war damage properties are unfit for their normal use. As regards the last part of the Question, the ordinary procedure for recovery of arrears of Income Tax will in general be followed for recovery of arrears of the Contribution.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is intended that all biological products used for medical and veterinary purposes should be exempted from Purchase Tax; why such items as tuberculin, Johnin and B. Coli anti-serum used solely for veterinary purposes were not referred to in Statutory Rules and Orders No. 1390, 1941; and whether he can put this matter right at an early opportunity?

The exemption was intentionally confined to certain medicines and drugs of a specially costly character which are considered essential for the treatment of disease and, in the case of veterinary preparations, for the treatment of serious diseases of livestock of economic importance. Diagnostic reagents are not regarded as taxable medicines and it was accordingly unnecessary to exempt substances such as those mentioned in the second part of the Question which are prepared for such use.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many licences for the sale of tobacco have been granted since the outbreak of war to vendors who previously did not undertake the sale of tobacco; and how many of these newly-granted licences were to chain stores?

I regret that the figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether compensation can be given to owners of property near aerodromes whose tenants have had to vacate by police direction?

If by "police direction" my hon. Friend means it to be inferred that compulsion was employed, I am advised that that is not correct, but that during a certain period of last year people were advised to leave the vicinity of some aerodromes. No compensation is available from public funds in such cases but person who acted upon such advice have the benefit of paragraph 6 (i, b) of the Defence (Evacuated Areas) Regulations, which was devised with their case in mind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether he will take steps to ensure that refugees from enemy-occupied countries working in industry in this country are subject to British Income Tax and share the burden of taxation equally with the people of this country?

The provisions of the Income Tax Acts are applied in the ordinary course to refugees working in industry in this country. The returns of employees' wages made by employers to the Inland Revenue are required to include the wages of such persons and the scheme of deduction of Income Tax from wages is applied in their case as in the case of other employees.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now given further consideration to the inclusion in assessments for Income Tax purposes of payments made to members of the Observer Corps which they were led to believe were to be regarded as out-of-pocket expenses; and what decision has been reached?

I have considered this matter further, but I regret that I cannot vary the terms of the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 30th September last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reason for the discrepancy in subsistence rates paid for night-duty work to fire-watchers, Home Guard and special constables, ranging from 3s. in the case of fire-watchers, 1s. 6d. for Home Guards and nothing for special constables?

The rates of subsistence allowance for the Home Guard, together with those of part-time unpaid members of the Civil Defence General Services, including fire guards enrolled by local authorities, are under review. The provision for special constables is a matter for the police authorities concerned, who have power to pay either out-of-pocket expenses or an allowance in lieu.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, during the period of the war, granting to men aged 70 the old age pension though they are still working and receiving from their work more than the statutory limit of £49 17s. 6d. per annum?

I do not think the proposal of my hon. Friend is called for in present circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the figures, to the latest convenient date, of refugees still in internment in Great Britain, Canada and Australia, stating in each case the numbers who have been classified in category A, B or C?

The answer can most conveniently be given in the form of a tabular statement as it contains numerous groups of figures showing the number of Germans, Austrians and Italians interned in each of the countries named and their classifications. It is not practicable to subdivide each of the groups shown in the tabular statement into refugees and non-refugees.The following Table shows the numbers of civilians of enemy nationality interned in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia respectively whose releases have not been authorised, and their classifications, according to the latest available statistics.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the delay of several weeks which occurs between the hearing of cases of detainees under Regulation I8B before the Advisory Committee, and the notification to such persons of the final decision in their cases; and whether, in view of the small number of cases now involved, it would be possible to expedite the procedure?

I fully recognise the desirability of reaching and announcing decisions in these cases with the minimum of delay, but there are some cases in which after the receipt of a report from the Advisory Committee further inquiry is necessary. While I am anxious to give early decisions, there are cases in which it would be wrong for me to come to a decision too hastily but I can assure my lion. Friend that every effort is made to secure that there is no avoidable delay in these cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether a more suitable place of internment can be found for those detained under Regulation I8B than a convict prison, which is without aid-raid shelters; and whether he will arrange their transfer as soon as possible?

Most of the persons detained under Regulation I8B are now in a camp in the Isle of Man, but there are some, including among others the leaders of the British Union of Fascists and those whose transfer to prison from the Isle of Man I recently ordered as persons likely to cause trouble in the camp, for whom for various reasons suitable accommodation cannot be provided elsewhere than in prison establishments.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the putting out of lights for political internees in Brixton Prison at 9 o'clock and, as this constitutes a form of punishment and is contrary to Defence Regulation issued in Cmd. Paper 6162, stating that conditions will be as little as possible oppressive, he will direct the governor there to act in this respect as do the governors of Holloway Prison and the military at Peel?

It has already been arranged that lights will left on in the cells of persons detained under Defence Regulation I8B in Brixton Prison until 10 p.m.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the delay in the delivery of letters from the I8B internees in the Isle of Man due to a regulation that open letters handed in at the camp must be sent to Liverpool for censorship; that such a letter, handed in on 17th July addressed to a Mr. Echlin, was sent to Liverpool and not returned to the camp until 16th August, so that, although Mr. Echlin was there until the 19th, it did not reach him until 18th September at Brixton, being then surcharged 5d. postage; and if the experienced military authorities can, in future, censor such letters instead of prison warders?

All letters addressed to persons detained in the Isle of Man are examined by the censorship authorities at Liverpool and not by prison officers. Some time ago I gave special attention to the question of doing all that is practicable to minimise delay, and I am assured that this arrangement does not involve any undue delay in their delivery. Inquiries have been made, but it is not possible from the available records to confirm the statements made in the Question as to the delay which is said to have occurred in the delivery of this letter. There is no record of the receipt at Brixton Prison of any letter for Mr. Echlin upon which a postal surcharge had to be paid, and my information is that a letter handed in on 17th July upon which a postal surcharge of 5d. had to be paid was received by him in the Isle of Man at some date before he left the camp on 19th August.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give favourable consideration to releasing the few British women still detained in Holloway Prison, under Defence Regulation I8B, either on parole qr with police restrictions?

The cases of these women, like all cases of persons detained under Defence Regulation I8B, are subject to regular review, and the question whether release can be authorised is considered in the light of all the circumstances of each individual case.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the number of prosecutions and convictions, respectively, for neglect or cruelty against persons charged with the reception and care of evacuees?

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

asked the Home Secretary whether a member of the fire brigade disabled in fire fighting to such an extent that at the end of 13 weeks he is discharged, receives only a civilian's injury pension; and whether he will inquire into the numbers of those who are forced to apply for public assistance?

As in the Civil Defence services generally, a fireman, other than a professional fireman, who is disabled in the course of duty, may claim an injury allowance under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. This allowance is supplemented to the amount of full pay for a maximum of 13 weeks. If, after the expiration of 13 weeks from the date of the injury, a fireman finds himself in need, it is open to him to apply to the Assistance Board for an allowance under the Unemployment Assistance (Prevention and Relief of Distress) Regulations, as an alternative to the injury allowance. The injury allowance may be continued for 26 weeks., after which a claim may be made under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme for a pension in respect of any permanent disability resulting from the injury. I think there must be some confusion between the Assistance Board which operates nationally and the local public assistance authority. In any case: I have no particulars as to any aid given by the public assistance authority to disabled firemen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many trains from Paddington and from Waterloo Stations to Reading run per weekday; and how many of them carry first-class passengers and, if possible, the number of such passengers by each route?

From Paddington, 35 trains run per week-day to Reading. Of these, 22 which proceed to destinations beyond Reading carry first-class passengers. The average daily number of such passengers is 972. From Waterloo, 23 trains run to Reading daily; on all these there is first-class accommodation. On the 24th October when a count was taken 152 first-class passengers travelled to destinations on this route.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the Southern Railway is advertising cheap fares and reserved accommodation for parties and special trains and fares for large parties, and is offering to supply suggestions for tour outings and collecting cards for outing subscriptions; and whether, in view of the need for conserving fuel, this practice has his approval?

The notice to which my hon. Friend refers is out of date, and is taken out of carriages as they go into depots for servicing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Trans- port whether he will give a list of cases in which railway warrants are issued free to others than civil servants on duty and members of the Fighting Services?

A considerable number of Government Departments or organisations and various local authorities issue warrants or bulk travel vouchers which can be exchanged for rail tickets without payment at the time of booking. I have no complete information about the persons to whom warrants or vouchers are issued, as such issues are matters for the various Departments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the resignation of the Director of Civilian Clothing; whether he still remains a member of the Retail Shops Committee; and whether the appointment was, or will be in future, a full-time office?

Mr. Metford Watkins resigned his position at the Board of Trade as Director-General of Civilian Clothing for private reasons. He resigned from the Retail Trade Committee some weeks ago. The question of a further appointment is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state approximately the date when it is expected the inquiry of the Retail Trade Committee will be completed?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on the 21st October. I cannot say when the inquiries necessitated by the Committee's wide terms of reference will be completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for transferring the Export Licensing Section of the Cotton Control from the direct administration of the Ministry of Supply to that of the Cotton Board; and whether, when this decision was taken, the views expressed by the Committee of Public Accounts in their Report of 30th July regarding the desirability of direct Government control in this area were given full consideration?

Export licences are issued by the Board of Trade, and this direct responsibility has not been affected by the change referred to in the Question. In many trades the Board have to consult other Departments before issuing export licences, and in the case of cotton yarn the Cotton Controller had to be consulted about the availability of supplies. For the convenience of the trade it was arranged for applications to be sent direct by exporters to the Controller's office in Manchester, where they were examined and forwarded with his recommendations to the Export Licensing Department of the Board of Trade. Subsequently it became necessary to allocate a definite amount of cotton to the export trade and to extend export licensing control to piece goods. The interest of the Cotton Controller, who had previously to scrutinise licence applications from the point of view of safeguarding supplies, largely disappeared with the introduction of the system of allocating a definite amount of cotton to the export trade and of dividing it among the different markets in accordance with the Government's selective export policy.The equitable distribution among traders of these limited amounts is a matter on which the Board of Trade naturally desire the advice of the trade, and for this reason it was arranged that applications for export licences should be made to the Cotton Board, who forward them with their recommendations to the Export Licensing Department of the Board of Trade, by whom the licences are issued. I assume that in the last part of his Question, my hon. Friend has in mind paragraphs 3–5 of the report of the Public Accounts Committee. It will be seen that the arrangements outlined above are not comparable with those referred to therein. The Manchester staff, whether employed by the Cotton Controller or by the Cotton Board, have not issued export licences, this work having been performed throughout by the Board of Trade, and the present arrangements do not in any way conflict with the Committee's views.

asked the Home Secretary whether permission has now been granted to the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) to visit Ireland?

As I indicated in the Debate on 21st October I should have been prepared to give further consideration to this request if Mr. Cahir Healy expressed to me a wish that the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) should go to Ireland for the purpose of ascertaining matters material to Mr. Healy's case. My reason for this was the great importance of the principle that not only shall proper facilities be given to any person who is detained under Defence Regulation I8B to defend himself, but that it shall be made manifest that this is the policy on which that Regulation is administered, and that every effort will be made to. avoid hindering or appearing to hinder a person so detained from obtaining material which he claims to be relevant to his defence. As Mr. Healy has expressed to me no such wish, I regret that on the information at present before me as to the proposed visit I can find no grounds on which I should be justified in authorising a travel permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has given further consideration to the proposal to purchase, on behalf of the State all store cattle coming from Ireland, for ultimate distribution by the State to livestock marts throughout Scotland and thereafter purchase in the usual manner by farmers, or what other method does he intend to adopt to prevent excessive profits arising out of the keen demand for, and the short supply of, store cattle going to a few Irish cattle dealers?

Whatever may be the merits of a permanent State Purchase Organisation for the acquisition and distribution of livestock imports, the creation of such an Organisation to meet a purely temporary situation would not, in my opinion, be justified, even if there were time to carry through the necessary negotiations. I may add that prices of two-year-old cattle have fallen by about 10 per cent. in Scottish markets since the decision to permit the resumption of Irish store imports was announced on the 14th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the personnel and terms of reference of the committee appointed to inquire into hydroelectric development in Scotland?

The committee consists of Lord Cooper (Lord Justice Clerk) (Chairman), Lord Weir, Mr. Neil Beaton, Mr. John A. Cameron, and Mr. James Williamson. Mr. M. R. McLarty, Advocate, will act as Secretary. The terms of reference are:

"To consider (a) the practicability and desirability of further developments in the use of water power resources for the generation of electricity, and (b) by what type of authority or body such developments, if any, should be undertaken and under what conditions, having due regard to the general interests of the local population and to considerations of amenity, and to report."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what progress is being made with the wearing tests arranged in the spring by his Department on Army leather boots, after the treatment given them to extend their life as suggested in the Eleventh Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure?

The War Office have been asked to obtain an interim report on the progress of the trials. I understand this report was recently received and is now under consideration by the War Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that a number of periodicals continue to appear and consume paper in advertising unobtainable commodities; and what steps he proposes to take to put an end to this waste?

The consumption of paper by periodicals is limited to about one-fifth of their pre-war consumption, and it is not considered practicable to censor in detail the advertising which this limited quantity of paper allows.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he has examined the eight-page circular issued by a share-pushing company now resident in Devon, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether, in view of the shortage of paper for the printing of reputable books and periodicals, he will take steps to prohibit such publications as this?

This is an old-established periodical, which has up to the present been published on a reduced scale by means of its pre-war stock of paper. I should hesitate to undertake a censorship of periodicals; but I am inquiring whether this publication is affected by the prohibition of the free distribution of advertising circulars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he will devise a scheme, other than through a general restriction on the paper allowed to printing firms, to prevent wastage of paper and print on sale catalogues which have no other object than to stimulate unnecessary consumption or to divert purchasers from one retail establishment to another?

Yes. An Order has now been made prohibiting the free distribution to the public of advertising circulars relating to the sale of goods.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he has considered the protest by the Council of the Cotton Trade Merchants' Association against Cotton Control Industry, No. 25 Order, 1941, a copy of which has been sent to him, which requires all contracts more than 12 months old in the cotton trade to be cancelled; and whether he can do anything to meet the wishes of the association in this matter?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he will consider an appropriate amendment of the Control of the Cotton Industry (No. 25) Order, 1941, to prevent the harm to our commerce and to the sanctity of contracts, on which the commercial reputation of this country has been built, caused by compelling traders to default on their contracts without even requiring the party benefiting from the enforced cancellation of a contract, to make any indemnity to the other party for the loss occasioned by such cancellation?

The object of the Order was to free for essential uses cotton hitherto reserved by spinners against old contracts not capable in present circumstances of being completed owing to the necessity of applying the limited output possible during the war to essential needs only. I cannot see my way to provide by order for compensation for the cancellation of such contracts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply how many persons of all grades are engaged in the various sections of the Cotton Control; and what are the salaries of the Controller, the Deputy Controller and their principal assistants?

The total number of persons of all grades employed in the Cotton Control is 453. The Controller is paid no salary by the Ministry of Supply, but continues to receive his salary as a member of the Import Duties Advisory Committee. The salary of the Deputy Controller is £1,200 per annum. The salary of Assistant Controllers, of whom there are seven, is fixed at £1,000 per annum, but one is unpaid, and one, who devotes part of his time to the Cotton Board, receives only two-thirds of the Control salary.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in agreement with our Allies, he will make it a condition of peace terms that all war-time transactions securing for the Axis Powers the control of industries in occupied countries will be declared null and void?

I understand that the Allied Governments in London, who are primarily concerned, already have this question under consideration and my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that it will not be overlooked when the terms of peace come to be decided.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what contracts he has with each of the following companies; Macleans, Limited, the County Perfumery Company, Limited, Veno Drug Company, Limited, and Pritchard and Constance, Limited; whether any other firms were invited to tender for these contracts before their completion; and what has been the annual expenditure during the past three years in respect of these contracts?

No Government Department has a contract with any of these companies for the supply of their proprietary articles. Some of them have contracts for the manufacture of articles required for war purposes to the specification of the Government, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the precise articles manufactured or the amounts of the contracts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent he consults members of the Civil Service staffs, other than the heads of Departments, to ascertain their views on the simplification of Civil Service methods?

Departments have instructions to make full use of the Whitley machinery so that the knowledge and experience of the staff are brought to bear on the problems of Departmental procedure.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the rates charged, respectively, for billeting different grades of the Inland Revenue Department throughout the country?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the payment made to householders upon whom Inland Revenue officers, who have been evacuated by the Department, have been billeted. That payment is 21s. od. a week for accommodation and two meals a day and is the same for all evacuated Civil Servants, irrespective of grade.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that when a woman in the censorship Department falls temporarily ill before she has completed her first six months' work with the Ministry, she receives no pay for the period of her absence; and, in view of the hardship caused to the women involved, particularly under present conditions, he will take steps to alter this practice?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, if the officer to whom the hon. Member refers is a censorship examiner. The sick leave privileges of civil servants are governed by general Treasury regulations, not by Departmental rules.

asked the Minister of Health, what are the difficulties of extending the provisions of the Determination of Needs Act to the practice of public assistance authorities; what differences at present exist; and if he is aware that an important Scottish authority has recently applied the provisions of the Determination of Needs Act in its administration of public assistance?

The difficulties arise in the main from the fact that the two codes are framed on different principles. The chief characteristics of the Poor Law which distinguish it from the Determination of Needs Act are the duty of the authority granting relief to take into account any benefit which the applicant may receive as a member of a household, and the obligation of certain relatives to relieve and maintain a poor person. I am aware of the decision of the Scottish Authority referred to, but any question relating to it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in ascertaining from local authorities to what extent notification of diphtheria has occurred among children under 15 years of age, who had been immunised, he will also ascertain the numbers immunised in each locality at the time when the cases of diphtheria occurred?

I should not feel justified at the present time in asking local authorities to undertake the additional work that would be required to provide the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether the committee appointed under the chairmanship of Lord Rushcliffe will consider the scales of salaries and emoluments of masters and matrons of institutions, and nurses, male and female, who are not State-registered?

The present terms of reference to the committee extend only to the salaries and emoluments of nurses who are either State-registered or in training with a view to State registration, including any members of the staff of public assistance institutions covered by this definition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what steps are taken to provide firms of building contractors with new work when contracts are about finished; and whether any effort is made to keep the men employed together, preferably with the same employer, to prevent them drifting into other work not connected with the building industry where their usefulness as building workers is wasted or not utilised?

The placing of contracts does not rest with the Ministry of Works and Buildings, except in so far as concerns works actually being carried out by the Ministry. I can say that it is the practice of the Ministry, in letting new contracts, to take into account how contractors are placed in regard to completing existing works. But I have to remind my hon. Friend that it is also the Ministry's practice to place contracts, so far as is practicable, by competitive tender. The Restriction on Engagement Order and the Essential Work Order are designed to keep building labour from drifting on to other and less essential work; and steps are being taken to secure still more effective control over the movement of building labour. But it is not considered by the Ministry, or by the industry itself, to be desirable that building labour should be individually ear-marked for or frozen to particular employers. It is part of the pool from which the requirements of all contractors engaged on essential work are to be met.

asked the Minister of Information whether he can arrange for copies of all broadcasts made to enemy and occupied countries to be placed in the Library or, alternatively, to be sold to the public in a convenient form?

No, Sir, these broadcasts cover some 175,000 words daily and I do not consider that the number of people who would read this considerable volume of material would justify its reproduction in full. I am not prepared to arrange for the routine supply of all this material to the Library; but the B.B.C. will supply the text of any particular broadcast to any Member on request.

asked the Minister of Information whether any experimentation with television has been carried out since the war?

I am advised that no experiments with the transmission of television pictures have been carried out by the B.B.C. since the war.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in a registered letter posted in Eire, on 25th August, and addressed to Mr. Cahir Healy, M.P., and not delivered to him in Brixton Prison until 24th September, having been delayed in the Censor's office by examiner No. 5087; and whether he will see that this does not happen again?

This letter was received in the Prisoners of War Department on 2nd September and was released on 22nd September. The delay was due to the necessity of referring it to another Government Department. Efforts are being made to reduce the delay in such cases in the future.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will inform the House of the measures in process to convey to the people of the Argentine the truth of the war situation from day to day, in order to counteract the mendacity of German propaganda in that Republic?

Reuters, the Agence FranÇaise Indépendante and British official wireless supply a copious service of news which is extensively published, while the B.B.C. broadcasts to South America in Spanish contain two news bulletins daily. Further measures are taken locally under the guidance of His Majesty's Em- bassy in Buenos Aires, and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that they are adequate.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that none of the news bulletins of the British Broadcasting Corporation contained any reference to the judgment of the House of Lords in the case Rex v. Liversidge; and whether he will take steps to ensure that, in future, cases of great importance to the general public are suitably reported?

The B.B.C. news bulletin did not refer to this judgment because, in. the opinion of the editor, it was not possible to give an adequate explanation of its significance in the compressed form necessary to an item of a news bulletin. Subject to any unavoidable difficulty of this sort, my right hon. Friend is prepared to do what my hon. and gallant Friend asks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government have taken to lift the embargo on Irish store cattle coming into this country; and whether he is aware that many markets in the country have been badly handicapped through the embargo?

I am aware that the embargo which it has been necessary on disease grounds to maintain for some months past on the entry of Irish cattle into this country has inevitably created difficulties. I am glad to say, however, that in view of the improvement in the disease situation in Eire, imports of store cattle were resumed from 27th October, subject to certain safeguards against the possibility of introducing infection. In the interests of meat supply only the more forward animals are being admitted for the present and a substantial proportion of the available shipping space will be needed for bringing in fat cattle for immediate slaughter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that fat cattle and sheep have been scarce at grading centres, mainly owing to the ban on imports of Irish livestock, which are normally used by North Country farmers as they can be brought forward as prime beef in three months or less, whereas it takes a much longer time to fatten animals reared in this country, which are often graded at 6 cwt., against an average of 10 cwt. that the Irish stores are turned into; and whether, under these circumstances and the need for increasing meat supplies, immediate attention will be given to this matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) to-day, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will revise the rationing scheme for horses so as to ensure that every owner of a horse shall, like the owner of a motor-car, be entitled to a small basic ration for his animals?

No, Sir; owners of horses in common with owners of other livestock are expected to grow the feeding stuffs they need, and the small supplies of feeding stuffs available for horses under the rationing scheme must be confined to those performing useful work, where the owner has been unable to make adequate provision from his own resources.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any readjustment of poultry rations between the winter and summer periods will be enforced in order to provide large quantities during the main chick-rearing season?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to his similar Question on 14th October. An announcement will be made without delay if it is found practicable to make the adjustment suggested.