asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now hold out hopes for the provision of some assistance towards travelling facilities for workers transferred to great distances from their homes?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 23rd October to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) to which I am not in a position to add.

Is it within my hon. Friend's recollection that the Minister of Labour made a promise that he was looking into this matter, and will he remind the Minister that he made that promise in this House?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the matter is still being looked into. It is full of difficulties, but it is constantly under review.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will inform the House of the result of his inquiries into the alleged privileged position occupied by conscientious objectors detailed by the tribunals for agricultural work as compared with other agricultural workers and, in particular, with men of the Armed Forces of the Crown temporarily employed in agriculture; and what steps are being taken to see that persons excused from military service on conscientious grounds are not in a privileged position as compared with men in the Armed Forces of the Crown?

The results of the inquiries about the case at Guildford to which my hon. Friend drew attention have been communicated to him since he put down this Question. They do not show that the conscientious objectors in that case were in a privileged position compared with other agricultural workers. As regards the matter generally, it is the duty of the Department to administer the provisions of the Act of Parliament, and coercive measures not authorised by Parliament could not be adopted even if they were thought likely to be of practical value.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the case referred to is only an example of the main question? Is he aware that an agricultural labourer or Pioneer has to work some eight hours a day or more, whereas the conscientious objector receives special privileges and works for only seven hours a day? Naturally there is very great annoyance in the matter, because the conscientious objector not only avoids military service but does less work than the ordinary agricultural worker.

All I can say is that an inquiry was made into this case and that on investigation it was found that the allegations were not substantiated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the New Zealand Government have made regulations with reference to conscientious objectors in order to secure that these persons are not placed in a better financial position than members of the Armed Forces, it being provided that any excess of income earned by them in the employment to which they are sent by the tribunal should be paid into a social security fund, and that any conscientious objectors refusing to comply with these conditions should be transferred to defaulters' detention camps for useful development work; and whether he will introduce similar measures here?

My right hon. Friend has no official information with regard to the arrangements in New Zealand, but inquiry is being made. The adoption of somewhat similar arrangements in this country has been considered and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of my right hon. Friend's reply of 6th February to the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. Harvey), in which he explained why he found it impracticable to proceed with them.

Is not the plan which has been adopted in New Zealand fair? Why should conscientious objectors exempted from military service be put in a better financial position than men in the Armed Forces?

Will my hon. Friend say whether the hon. Member is in a better position than members of the Forces?

Should not the men in the Armed Forces of this country be as well treated financially as members of the New Zealand Forces?

asked the Minister of Labour whom it is intended to make responsible for wages lost when, as in a recent Clydeside case, an employee is wrongly dismissed, wins his appeal under the machinery of the Essential Work Order and is reinstated after being unemployed for two weeks?

There is at present no power under the Essential Work Order to require payment by the employer of wages so lost. The question whether such power can or should be sought is at present being considered. I should add that the workman may have a right of action for wrongful dismissal quite apart from the Order.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that under this Order men have a right to receive payment of wages not as a charity but as a payment from their employers?

Although there are no powers, up to the present I know of no case where payment has been withheld.

Is it not putting a costly onus on the employee who finds he has been wrongfully dismissed to bring an action against his employer? Under the Essential Work Order ought not the position to be that the employer cannot dismiss the employee and the employee cannot leave his employment?

That is the position which has been borne out in practice, but there is no power under the Order.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Assistance Board is using Section 36 (1, c) of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, to throw off assistance many unemployed men who are fit for light work, whilst at the same time there appears in the South Wales Press an advertisement asking for 6,000 women for light benchwork; and whether he will offer these vacancies to the thousands of men who are still unemployed and are anxious to fill them?

I am informed by the Board that it is not their intention that any applicant should be ruled out of scope if he is in fact able to do light work. No person is ruled out as incapable of work until he has been examined by a doctor, and the man concerned has a right of appeal against the decision of the Board's officer. Moreover, if the man shows that, notwithstanding the medical opinion, he is in fact capable of holding a job for a reasonable period, he would be reinstated, if he again became unemployed. The work to which the Press advertisement relates, though light, demands nimbleness and dexterity, and is particularly suitable for women. Efforts are, however, continually being made by my officers in South Wales to find employment, both in this factory and elsewhere, for unemployed men who are fit only for light work.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that Assistance Board doctors have declared unfit for work men who have since the examination been put into work in ordnance factories?

asked the Minister of Labour why women beer bottlers are not protected under the Restriction of Employment Order who are not employed by beer-producing undertakings, but are doing the same work as women employed by such undertakings who are protected?

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the arrangement under which women registered under the Registration for Employment Order, 1941, who are engaged in beer production are not for the time being being called for selection interview. There is no intention to differentiate as between different kinds of undertakings, although I, am informed that there has been misunderstanding in respect of certain individual firms. Instructions have been issued placing these firms on the same footing as other firms.

Will that include bottlers who bottle beer from casks?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what schemes are already in existence and whether any new ones are contemplated for the training of personnel for British Restaurants and canteens?

On schemes already in existence for training canteen staff I would refer my hon. Friend to the first part of my reply to her Question on a similar subject of nth September. In addition my right hon. Friend is arranging, in co-operation with his right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Education, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Food to start training schemes for canteen cooks in certain selected technical colleges towards the end of this month. A leaflet on the training scheme is being prepared and I will send my hon. Friend copies as soon as they become available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 30,462 males on the live register on 15th September, 1941, classified by interviewing panels as unsuitable for ordinary industrial employment, were in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit or unemployment allowances?

The total of 30,462 men unemployed at 15th September, 1941, who had been classified as unsuitable for ordinary industrial employment, included 26,976 applicants for insurance benefit or unemployment allowances.

Do I understand that a number of these persons whom the Ministry do not think fit for work are in fact being paid unemployment benefits of one kind or another?

I could not say that. The number of those receiving benefits and allowances is not available.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the Assistance Board are trying to hide these people by making them paupers?

asked the Minister of Labour the reasons for the present number of persons registered as unemployed in Lancashire?

Unemployment is decreasing in Lancashire as in other parts of the country. On the general reasons why some unemployment continues, I would refer to the reply given on 21st October last to the hon. Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle). In Lancashire the workers made available by the closing of mills in the cotton industry are being rapidly absorbed into war industries or placed with nucleus firms. There are, however, women whose domestic circumstances are such that they cannot transfer to other areas where work is available or accept the shift work which is available in their own districts.

In the cotton mills there is a demand for labour. What is causing difficulty is that, on the one hand, there are some signing on for unemployment, and the mills at the same time are clamouring for more labour. Is it not possible to deal with that difficulty?

To a large extent it is being dealt with. Conditions in the cotton industry are such that it is not easily possible to transfer people who are used to one kind of work to another.

Is it not a fact that the concentration of the cotton industry proceeded at a pace out of proportion to the ability of the Ministry to absorb the labour?

No, I would not say that, except to this extent, that the concentration was compelled by force of circumstances and had to take place in such a way—and circumstances have since arisen which have created additional difficulties—as to make it impossible to absorb them all.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is a ware that Isabel Mary Margaret Donovan, Hillside, Kid-more End, Reading, a hairdresser's assistant, who was substituted for the working owner since he volunteered for the Royal Air Force has been served with a Notice of Direction, having been given only three weeks' deferment; whether compulsion is being resorted to in this case; whether he is aware that this girl has been threatened by his local officers with imprisonment for three months if she refuses to submit to his directions; and whether he will look into this case with a view to coming to some different arrangement?

Miss Donovan was first interviewed under the Registration for Employment Order on 19th June, and on 31st October she was given a direction under Defence Regulation 58A to work at an ordnance factory. She has appealed against this direction to the local appeal board and the appeal is pending. The printed form of Direction sets out the penalties for non-compliance but I have no reason to suppose that the Department's officers used threats such as are suggested.

Will my hon. Friend be good enough to instruct Employment Exchange officers to make it clear to the women what are their rights for deferment under the Regulations, and will he tell the officers that they must not use any threats or penalties?

When the large number of interviews are taken into account, I think it is unfair to cast any reflection with regard to the majority of cases which have been dealt with, especially in view of the comparatively small number of complaints that have been received.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in some cases his National Service officers are claiming that the Ministry have delegated to them complete arbitrary powers to order these girls to go to any part of the country to serve, and is he aware that it is not generally known these girls have any rights of appeal to arbitration courts?

I should want particulars of cases in which such assertions have been made before I should be prepared to admit that such powers were being taken by the officers. If such cases are brought to the notice of the Ministry, they will be inquired into.

Will the Minister consider a case of this kind which took place in Glasgow a fortnight ago if I submit it to him immediately after Questions?

Yes, but I should require the names, position and other information to be submitted with the case.

I can give my hon. Friend full particulars.

asked the Minister of Labour the reasons for the differences in the ages of reservation applicable to local authorities' staffs and to Civil Service staffs; and whether, in view of the increased work which local authorities are called upon to undertake in war-time, he will take steps to ensure that the services of key men at any rate may be retained by local authorities as otherwise these authorities will be unable to carry out the duties and responsibilities imposed upon them by Parliament?

Until 1st October last, the higher grades of whole-time officers of local authorities were reserved at age 25, and other grades at age 30; the ages of reservation then became 30 and 35 respectively. As regards the reservation of civil servants, I would remind my hon. Friend that an independent committee under Lord Kennet has been considering the position. The committee's interim report, which was published in August as a White Paper (Cmd. 6301), recommended that the age of reservation of the administrative, executive and analogous grades of civil servants should be raised from 25 to 30, and that of clerical and analogous grades from 30 to 35. These recommendations were accepted and will be put into force on 15th December. Regarding the second part of the Question, the position of whole-time officers of local authorities who, though unreserved, are engaged on work of urgent public importance is safeguarded by deferment arrangements administered by my Department in co-operation with the other Departments concerned.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many local authorities are in despair at the loss of their key men? Is it really in the public interest to take these men away at present?

No man is taken from a key post without consultation first taking place with the Ministry of Health or the Department.

Will the hon. Gentleman take care that, where women have been put in and trained to replace men. who have been taken, they will be given no inducement to leave, as they have in the past?

I could not make a promise of that kind. Circumstances are changing, and, as they change, the right to review the position in any undertaking must be reserved.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the eleventh and thirteenth recommendations of the Twenty-fifth Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure, what action he intends taking about the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies to these recommendations in the recently published Twenty-fifth Report of the Select Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the employers' organisations which are represented in the retail joint industrial councils; the approximate percentage of firms or individuals who own retail shops that are members of the employers' organisations so represented; whether he can give an assurance that all the employers' organisations represented in the councils have sought and received their members formal agreement to their participation in discussions for formulating retail wages schemes which would be taken into account by a National Arbitration Tribunal constituted under the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order of 18th July, 1940?

There are five councils concerned, and as the list of Associations is rather long, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to. the second and third parts of the Question, I would point out that these councils are voluntary bodies set up by the industries themselves, and the information asked for can only be obtained from the organisations concerned.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of employers in the retail trade repudiate the suggestion that they are represented either directly or indirectly on these joint industrial councils, and, what is more, that a large number of employers do not know that they exist?

I am not responsible for the shortcomings or the lack of knowledge of employers. In the main these are accepted as a national agreement by the organisations of both employers and employees.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the results to date of his recent appeal to workers who for various reasons have retired from the cotton industry to return to the mills; and whether he intends to send back to the industry some of those who, owing to the policy of concentration, are now engaged on munition production?

No, Sir. The campaign was launched only last week, and it is too early to ascertain its effect. The Answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Is it not essential that some of these workers should be withdrawn from munitions work and put back into the cotton industry? Is it not better to admit that a mistake was made and that too many were sent to munitions?

No, Sir. There are still sufficient workers who have gone back to their homes in Lancashire who can be induced to come out and join in the national effort, rather than that those who have been transferred to munitions should be withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers in the cotton industry are still unemployed as a result of the concentration of the industry?

I regret that these statistics are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that through the Abertillery Employment Exchange three ex-miners, employed on important war work were recently requested to accept employment in the mines in Staffordshire, employment unsuitable as the ages of these men varied from 55 to 57 years of age; and will he take steps to prevent men similarly situated from being put to such unnecessary inconvenience?

The requirement in these three cases was withdrawn as a result of medical reports. I regret any inconvenience to which the men were put and can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to avoid the transfer of men who are not physically fit for mining work. At the same time I could not accept the suggestion that men over 55 are necessarily unfit.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that there is an enormous difference between the mining of coal in South Wales and in the pits to which I refer? Men at that age are not capable of undertaking work in the deep mines in the North. Will he undertake to see that this manager is denied authority to put these men to unnecessary inconvenience?

I will undertake to inquire into that aspect of the question, which is different from the general question with regard to the age of 55.

Would it be possible for the Ministry to warn a man who is going to be required to go back to the mines, in order that, if he feels unfit, he may, before he loses the job he is working at, have an opportunity of proving his unfitness?

A warning is always given. I think the difficulty is that too much warning is given.

I can give instances where there has been no warning at all.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the tribunals set up to deal with the refusal of men to return to the coal industry have the necessary mining knowledge to deal with the refusal of men to return to certain specified jobs?

Appeals by miners against directions to return to the coalmining industry are heard by local appeal boards consisting of an independent chairman and two representatives of employers and workers respectively who may be assumed to have a practical knowledge of industry but not necessarily of the mining industry. It is not practicable to arrange that the members of the boards should themselves have technical experience in every industry with which they may be concerned, and technical evidence when necessary is best provided by means of witnesses.

Will my hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend consider whether it is possible, rather than sending a man back to a specific job, to send him back to the industry where he can take a job by arrangement between him and the management?

In the event of medical referees acting in this matter, have any instructions been given to them to search only for certain physical ailments; and is it not desirable that there should be miner members of these tribunals, because they know the nature of the work that the miner is expected to do?

It is always desirable in connection with boards dealing with a particular industry that somebody in connection with the industry should be on them, but these boards are so widespread that it is impossible to cover them all in the direction suggested. With regard to the other part of the Supplementary Question, I will have inquiries made.

Is any compensation given to men who are compelled to go back to the mines and lose their health in consequence?

I cannot say.

Do I understand that there is to be no representative of the miners on these boards, and is my hon. Friend aware that to compel older men who have been out of the pit for years to return is a serious matter and is as cruel as it is to send aged animals back?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Blackpool Corporation has a system in vogue whereby employees of that authority are engaged on the delivery of letters and circulars throughout its area; and is he taking steps to see that the labour engaged on such duties is withdrawn and put to work in furtherance of our war effort?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners are now receiving relief from the public assistance committee?

I regret that this information is not available. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, any assistance required by an old age pensioner in excess of his pension is now normally provided by way of a supplementary pension granted by the Assistance Board. The only forms of assistance now given to old age pensioners by public assistance committees are institutional relief, domiciliary medical relief and relief otherwise than in money given in cases of sudden or urgent necessity.

I take it that my right hon. Friend knows that there is a very large number of old age pensioners in receipt of public assistance?

I am not aware of that, and I should be pleased to know of any cases.

In view of the fact that supplementary pensions are reducing such cases, would it not be possible to ascertain the figures for which the hon. Member has asked?

I will have a look at it, but it would affect a number of different authorities, and I am reluctant to put more work on them at this time than I can help.

asked the Minister of Health whether the local medical officer of health can inspect cooking utensils and clothes used by old age pensioners and report upon them to the authorities granting supplementary pensions when so desired by the pensioners?

It is not part of the duties of a medical officer of health to inspect household cooking utensils and clothes in such cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider increasing widows' pensions, in view of the growing increase in the cost of living which bears hardly on widows, especially those with young children, who are forced, by circumstances, to rely on public assistance?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Garro Jones) on 18th November.

In view of the feeling in the country and in the House, could not legislation be introduced if it is necessary, as a short Bill could be passed through quickly?

It is not as simple as that, because it would affect the contributions to the pensions insurance schemes.

Cannot the Minister consider alternative ways of taking these people off the local rates and public assistance?

asked the Minister of Health why billeting officers in reception areas are instructed to stop the billeting allowances for the wives and children of men who are called up to serve in His Majesty's Forces, on the grounds that the men are considered to be living with their wives, when in fact they are not, while the wives and children of factory workers, earning high wages and living away from their wives, continue to receive them; and is he aware that, as a result of this discrimination against the wives of men in the Forces, many of them are returning with their children to the more dangerous areas from which they had been evacuated?

Billeting allowances are payable only to resident occupiers of houses and not to persons for whom they provide accommodation. These allowances are not withdrawn as suggested in the case of wives and children of men serving in His Majesty's Fortes, but in so far as the family has been relieved of home liabilities a contribution towards the cost of billeting has been recovered according to their means. I am not aware that this arrangement has resulted in the return of many of these people, but in any case I am now reviewing it in connection with the revised method of assessing war service grants.

Will my right hon. Friend withdraw Circular 2234, which instructs billeting officers to recover from wives of serving men the amount paid?

I cannot promise that, but as I have pointed out, the matter is being reviewed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will explain the machinery which exists for the recovery of contributions in payment of billeting costs; whether on a husband joining his wife or family in a reception area billeting allowances are ended; and, if so, the amount of the sum recovered and the number of cases in which allowances have terminated?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular (No. 2408) which deals with the question of recovery in the case he has in mind. The principle underlying the payment of billeting allowances in respect of evacuated women and children is that a family which is split by reason of evacuation should not have to pay two rents. When the father joins the family permanently, this position no longer obtains and the billeting allowance is then normally withdrawn. As the allowance ceases, no question of recovery arises. I regret that information is not available in regard to the points raised in the last part of the Question.

Are steps taken to prevent hardships in relation to these recoveries?

Yes, Sir.

Will the circular provide for care to be taken to meet the additional expense of living in another town?

If my hon. Friend would like further details of the arrangements, I will send him a copy of the circular issued as recently as 16th June.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the Government's views as to the probability of invasion, he has yet decided to have photographs or some other indication of identity attached to identity cards?

I know of no new considerations which affect the main conclusions set forth in the full statement by my predecessor circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of nth July, 1940. As stated therein, arrangements have been in force for the issue of photograph-bearing cards to certain classes of persons; and the extension of these arrangements in similar circumstances is constantly under review.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any report on the sleeping arrangements in the Northfleet tunnel shelters, which were inspected by the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security on 24th October last; and what changes are to be introduced as a result of this inspection?

The Regional Commissioner asked the local authority for a report on one of the tunnels on 25th October, and one of his officers is discussing the matter further with the authority tomorrow. The tunnel in question is not one which has been taken over by the local authority but is in fact used by a number of people for sleeping. I will inform my hon. Friend of the action taken as soon as I learn the result of the discussion.

In view of the fact that this Question arose out of an inspection which was made by the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security and that the Question was addressed to the Home Office, may I ask my right hon. Friend why he allowed it to be transferred to his Department?

We have been pressed frequently to make the largest possible delegation of powers to the Regional Commissioners. This is a power which has been delegated to the Regional Commissioners, for whose actions in the matter I am responsible, and therefore I have to answer the Question.

Are we to understand from that reply that there is no liaison between the Departments, and that when the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security inspects shelters no information is forwarded to his Department?

On the contrary, there is the closest consultation and co-operation and exchange of information. Whenever I note during my visits to the country any matter which affects the Ministry of Home Security I let them know, and similarly they let me know of anything affecting my side of the matter which has been brought to their attention, but the executive responsibility has been delegated to the Regional Commissioners.

Why are two Ministers doing the same job?

One Minister is concerned with the structure of the shelters and the other with the amenities, which are two different things.

asked the Minister of Health what facilities to attend church or chapel are available to evacuated schoolchildren where they are billeted at a coeducational school which, even at the request of parents, cannot undertake to see that their pupils attend a place of worship?

So far as I am aware, no evacuated schoolchildren are billeted at a co-educational school; but if my hon. Friend will let me know of any particular difficulty which he has in mind, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the appeal for 1,000,000 more married women to enlist in war work, he will consider immediately, in consultation with the Minister of Labour and the President of the Board of Education, drawing up a time-table for the opening of a sufficient number of war nurseries?

Action on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend is already being taken.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the speed with which these war nurseries are being opened, because I can assure him that a great many responsible people are not satisfied?

I certainly should not express complete satisfaction, and I would say that we shall want every kind of organisation—nursery schools, nursery classes, war-time nurseries and the aid of housewives as well, more particularly in certain special areas. We are carrying out a very large programme with great speed.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a good many local authorities think that there is far too much red tape and that if they are to get on quickly, greater latitude must be left to them?

I can assure the hon. Baronet that we shall use the clippers forcefully.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will examine the standard of nourishment, housing, physical training and working conditions of the nation, with a view to satisfying himself as to whether they are sufficient to promote adequate natural resistance to major and minor diseases?

I do not think that general inquiries of the kind outlined by my hon. Friend would usefully add to the continuous work of the Ministry of Health on the questions affecting health for which I am responsible, and to the close consultation with other Departments which takes place as required. As I was able to report to the House in a recent Debate on the Adjournment, the health of the nation and the resistance of the people to disease has up to now been good—even I can say unexpectedly good in view of the added risks brought about by wartime conditions. I have no doubt that this state of affairs is largely due to the improvements in social conditions, such as those referred to by my hon. Friend which successive Governments have been able to bring about since the first World War and our efforts to maintain and add to them will be sustained.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the post-war world a large supply of cheap nourishment would do more to increase the natural resistance of disease and thereby improve the national health than any other method he can devise?

I think that the recent actions of the Government have shown that that view is shared on this Bench.

In view of the depressing and reactionary statement in regard to the prospect of dear food held out by the Minister of Agriculture yesterday—

rose—

asked the Minister of Health the increase in the incidence of tuberculosis among women in the last 12 months as compared with the pre-war period; whether the increase is pronounced in any age-group; and whether he is taking any special measures to deal with the problem?

The latest available figures comparable with pre-war years are those for 1940, when mortality among women from all forms of tuberculosis showed an increase of 11 per cent. over 1939. The highest incidence was in the age group 20–24, where the increase was 18 per cent. I have arranged, with the co-operation of the Medical Research Council, for an expert investigation as to the possible causes of increase. Everything possible is being done to maintain the tuberculosis service.

When can we hope to get the Report of the right hon. Gentleman's Department which will include these figures?

We are preparing it as rapidly as we can.

asked the Minister of Health whether the agreements governing the export of foodstuffs destined for this country for other Dominions also maintain in the case of Eire; if not, what measures are taken to ensure the standards of purity of foodstuffs arriving in this country; and whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of such measures?

Official certificates given by the country of origin are not required in the case of meat and meat products coming from Eire, but all foodstuffs imported from that country as from other countries, are subject to inspection here. I am aware of certain instances in which these meat products have been unsatisfactory, and my Department and the Ministry of Food are giving special attention to the matter and are in communication with the Eire authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been considerable evidence of a great measure of evasion of these inspections?

I could not accept that general statement. I am aware that in a certain borough of which the hon. Member and I have knowledge the attention of the Council has been drawn by the Ministry of Food to this case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that the gardens which are now being derailinged in London will be taken over by the respective local authorities?

On a point of Order. Ought not this Question to be put in the English language?

I do not think that the removal of railings from these squares is in itself a sufficient reason for a change of ownership and control, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have particulars of any difficulties that have been brought to his notice I will consider them in consultation with my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of Supply.

Apart altogether from the de-railing, who will be responsible for the care of these gardens after the railings have been removed?

The responsibility will, of course, remain as it has been in the past, with those to whom they belong.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, passed by the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain, asking that medical benefit similar to that provided under the National Health Insurance Act, should be provided for all dependants of the men in the Armed Forces who were themselves insured persons, and that such benefit should be administered through existing machinery of the National Health Insurance Committee and should be on a non-contributory basis; and with what result?

Yes, Sir. This question has been under consideration from time to time by my predecessors and myself, and I think I cannot do better than refer my hon. Friend to the very full Answer which was given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Midlothian (Colonel Colville) on 23rd April, 1940, when he was Secretary of State for Scotland. I am sending a copy of this answer to my hon. Friend.

Will there be any hope of my getting an Answer if I put down a Question in a few days?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will look at the full Answer to which I have referred, and if he wants further information put down another Question or come and see me, when I shall be glad to go into the matter with him.

asked the Minister of Health whether the compilation of the results of the fifth valuation of approved societies is sufficiently advanced to enable the following information to be given and, if so, will he state the number of valuations, members, total surplus, average surplus per member and benefit funds of friendly societies, with and without branches, respectively: industrial assurance and collecting societies, trade unions and employers' provident funds, or such part of this information as is now available?

It is expected that a short report by the Government Actuary, incorporating such statistics of the results of the fifth valuation of approved societies as it is practicable to furnish in present circumstances, will be available early next year. I regret that in the meantime, I am unable to furnish the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman able to furnish any part of the information?

I would not say that, but it is best to have it in the fullest form in which we can give it, and we will do the best we can to make it ample.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of domestic water in the district of Great Sankey, near Warrington, resulting in empty cylinders with risk of explosion and failure of supply for sanitary purposes; whether he knows that this shortage has existed for almost two years and has been more severely felt during recent months with possible dangers to health; and whether he will take steps to increase the supply?

I am aware that there is a shortage in the domestic water supply, affecting between 20 and 30 houses in part of the district referred to. I am informed by the water undertakers concerned that steps are being taken to secure an adequate supply to these houses by the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken upon the Report sent to him last month by the Wiltshire Public Health Committee that the committee has been called upon to provide facilities for cases of vermin, scabies, venereal disease and advanced pulmonary tuberculosis among the imported labourers, especially from Ireland, for employment on Government contracts; and whether steps will be taken to ensure a strict medical examination before importation?

Local consultations have taken place with all concerned regarding medical arrangements at the labour camps referred to. The County Council's medical officer is giving valuable assistance and the necessary measures are in train. The point raised in the last part of the Question is being considered in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

Does my right hon. Friend realise the serious danger to health brought about by this state of things, and will he have steps taken to expedite the introduction of a really effective remedy?

No doubt my hon. Friend is aware that there is on the Table of the House an Order giving us further powers.

asked the Minister of Pensions what percentage of those drawing War Service Grants are receiving 100 per cent., 75 per cent., 50 per cent., 25 per cent. and lower, of the maximum permitted allowance?

I have no statistics on this point; and I fear they could not be compiled without an expenditure of time and labour which I could not authorise under present conditions.

Surely my hon. Friend knows exactly what allowances are being granted, and it would not entail much labour or occupy much time to count them all up?

We know what allowances are being granted, but the hon. Member is asking for them to be compiled into sets. Does he know that at the present time we are busy upon another very important job and that under present conditions it is utterly impossible to do what he asks?

How can the Ministry of Pensions estimate what funds they will want from the Treasury if they cannot say exactly what they are issuing?

We make a general estimate from the knowledge at our disposal.

Would not an office boy get out these figures in about two hours?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications for War Service Grants have been assessed and payment authorised on the new scales among those already drawing War Service Grant on the old scales; how many new applications have been received and what percentage of these has been assessed and payment authorised?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie). Up to last Tuesday night the number of new or revived claims received was 46,500; 32,500 of these had then been settled under the new conditions, grants being made in 85 per cent. of them.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether War Service Grants made to wives of men in the Armed Forces will be continued to their widows, in the event of the men becoming casualties, by being embodied in the pension allowances?

No, Sir. A War Service Grant is given to enable a man, through the agency of his wife, to meet commitments which by reason of his war service he is unable to meet. Different considerations apply when the man unfortunately becomes a casualty. A wife who is in receipt of a War Service Grant at the date of her husband's death continues to receive the grant for the period of 13 weeks, during which the Service Department pays allotment and family allowance.

Does my hon. Friend realise that, after 13 weeks, a war widow comes on to a very much lower scale of allowances? Is it possible for the Government and for this House to allow that position to continue, in view of the hardship which it entails?

That may be, but my hon. Friend knows that this scheme was not drawn up to meet such cases as that.

Does the wife of a soldier get more in War Service Grants than she would if she became a widow?

I should like to see that Question on the Paper.

I will furnish the Ministry with particular cases on this point.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether contractual obligations, incurred between the outbreak of war and the date of enlistment, will be fully met by the new allowances made to the dependants of Service personnel, in addition to the fixed allowances of 16s. per unit per week?

Paragraph 2 of Cmd. 6318 provides that the wife and children of a serving man are to be assured of a minimum maintenance standard after reasonable commitments have been met. The commitments referred to by the hon. Member, in so far as they are reasonable, would be admissible under the terms of this paragraph.

The date of contraction of the commitment is an important point. Cannot the Minister meet that part of my Question?

I have already indicated that in certain circumstances commitments entered into after the outbreak of war can be met.

asked the Minister of Pensions what alterations in the arrangements for the payment of War Service Grants to wives and dependants of Service men he proposes to make as a result of the Debate on 16th October?

I do not recollect anything in the Debate which affected the arrangements for the payment of war service grants; and no alteration has been made in those arrangements The form of application for a grant has been further simplified, and, as already announced, is now obtainable at any Post Office.

My right hon. Friend announced on that date that he was prepared to consider any proposals for the amendment of the White Paper, and I am asking my hon. Friend whether any decision has been taken.

If any proposal is put to my right hon. Friend, he will consider it.

Has he taken any steps to take into account any suggestions that were put forward in the Debate?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can now report on the conversations taking place between his Department and the Ministry of Labour?

I have had discussions with the Assistance Board, with a view to ensuring that, as far as possible, an award based on need made by one Department shall not involve the adjustment of a like award already in payment by the other Department. Several types of case may arise and the details are being worked out.

Thank you very much.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of his statement in the House on 1st May to the effect that the last word had not been said on civil compensation, he has now further considered the differentiation in the scales payable between men and women; and whether he has any statement to make?

I am not aware that any fresh arguments against the difference in the rates for men and women under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme have been produced in addition to those which I answered in the course of the Debate on 1st May, and I have no further statement to make on this subject.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he said during the Debate that that was not the last statement on Civil Defence pensions, and that what I want to know is when he is prepared to have the case re-opened?

I am aware that I did make that statement, and I stand by it. I am carefully examining all the arguments that were put forward and considering, in the light of my experience in handling this particular scheme, whether any amendments can be made or not. The hon. Lady is too impatient.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the latest Gallup Survey showed 84 per cent. in favour of this small but very reasonable change?

I do not take any notice at all of Gallups.

asked the Minister of Pensions, with reference to changes in family allowances, what the procedure for adjustment will be in cases of men serving in the Armed Forces who, whilst not getting more than 4s. a day, have voluntarily made an allotment larger than the minimum and who are still being debited with contributions greater than should now be necessary?

If a man whose rate of pay does not exceed 4s. a day is making a voluntary allotment in excess of the qualifying allotment laid down for Army cases as appropriate to his rate of pay, the excess amount will not be taken into account in assessing a War Service Grant, and the man may either allow his wife to receive the additional benefit or reserve it for himself by reducing his allotment to the qualifying amount.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the decision given in the Bristol County Court, that injury under the Personal Injuries Scheme does not include shock, unless accompanied by physical injury; and whether he proposes to take any action to remove this anomaly?

My attention had not been drawn to the decision referred to. As I have previously informed the House, compensation may be paid under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, where, as a result of enemy action, a person sustains concussion of the brain, whether there is visible injury or not, or where a person sustains nervous shock of a com-motional character associated with blast, burial among debris or some similar severe incident. In either case the patient must be medically certified as incapable of work.

Will my right hon. Friend refresh his memory by reading the Law Reports on this case and particularly the comments of the learned Judge, because, if he does, I think he will find that there has been an omission from the Personal Injuries Scheme which ought to be remedied?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the widow of a Service man without children is only in receipt of a 15s. per week pension, but when she receives her widow's pension under the contributory pensions scheme her Service pension drops to 5s. per week; and will he consider the matter from the standpoint of granting Service pensions irrespective of any pension under a contributory scheme?

A widow's pension under the Royal Warrant is granted irrespective of any right of claim under the Contributory Pensions Acts, but it is provided in those Acts that a widow shall not be entitled to receive a widow's contributory pension if she is in receipt of a widow's war pension.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility in these cases of making no deductions which reduce the widow's pension below the minimum of food and clothing as recently laid down?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that I make any reductions; I do nothing of the kind. I grant the pension under the pensions Warrant, and the question of the contributory widow's pension is dealt with under Section 14 of the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions (Emergency Provisons) Act, 1939. It has nothing to do with me.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that at any rate there is an anomaly created by this legislation, and is it not possible for Departments to act in collaboration to remedy such injustices?

I am too old a hand to be drawn by a Supplementary Question like that.

Is the Minister aware that whereas a soldier's wife with five children is provided with £2 16s. for food and clothing in addition to having her rent and other fixed commitments met, when she becomes a widow she receives only £2 12s. 3d., out of which she has to meet every commitment?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the variation of price-fixing principles as between the spending Departments is giving rise to avoidable difficulties of administration and to dissatisfaction as between Government contractors receiving unequal treatment from various contract branches; that the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their recent Reports have repeated proposals for unifying the control of price-fixing; and whether he will direct the production executive or the Treasury to consider these proposals?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not aware of any divergence between the spending Departments on the principles of price fixing, though uniform application of principles over a vast range of activities is not easy to accomplish. The recommendations of the Committee have been carefully considered, and the hon. Member will find the result in memoranda which the Committee have received and published. While Ministers have not accepted the particular recommendation under this head, steps are being taken to secure the greatest possible measure of uniformity both on the forms of contract and the determination of price.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if the Prime Minister has read the Report of the Select Committee, he must be aware of the divergencies of principle, because those are specified in the Report?

asked the Prime Minister whether, as an exemplification of our trust in God for victory and for the encouragement and strengthening of our people for the defeat of our enemies, he will consider the setting apart of five minutes at a fixed hour each day when the nation will call upon God in prayer for His assistance towards bringing the war to a speedy and successful issue?

No, Sir. We have already the one minute's silence in the broadcast at 9 o'clock each night.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he recognises that five minutes spent by the nation in prayer each day to Almighty God would hasten our war effort towards victory?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolution unanimously passed at a public meeting in Kirkcaldy on 22nd October and sent to him, naming Members of the Government whose influence is detrimental to our fight against Hitlerism; and whether his answer to the resolution can now be published?

The right hon. Member appears to be unaware of the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made in this House on 12th November.

Is the Minister not aware of the very strong feeling there is in the country in favour of clearing those particular people out of the Government— the men who were particularly associated with the Munich event—and will he not take action?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause a White Paper to be published, based upon official statements already made here and in other countries of the British Empire, showing in general outline, without disclosing details likely to be useful to the enemy, the magnitude of the war effort in ships, planes, guns, tanks and personnel of all three Services, made respectively by the Dominions, India and the Crown Colonies, and territories under the Colonial Office?

Any return of the kind suggested by my right hon. and Noble Friend would require to be very severely restricted in order to avoid conveying information of value to the enemy. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister does not think that the publication of a White Paper on the subject would serve any useful purpose.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while authoritative statements have been made in the Dominions and in India regarding the magnitude of their war effort, there is practically no reflection of those statements in the speeches of Ministers to the 41,000,000 people in this country; and is it not important that the world should know of the great contribution being made not only by the Dominions but by India and the Colonies?