asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the establishment of an appeals tribunal, to which dispossessed farmers could appeal; and whether he will enable such a body to operate without delay?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on nth September last to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that Guardsman T. C. Emmington was not permitted to state his case before the Cambridgeshire War Agricultural Executive Committee, either in person or by his solicitor, and that such committee at the time of its decisions was not aware of correspondence from its officials and expert advisers; and will he see that in all future cases a farmer shall have the opportunity of being heard before a county war agricultural committee, and the whole of the facts placed before such committee by the farmer concerned or his legal representative;(2) what are the agricultural grounds upon which he does not feel justified in recommending release from the Army of Guardsman T. C. Emmington, now serving as a batman, who gave up farming in Huntingdonshire and took another farm in Cambridgeshire, having previously been granted indefinite release whilst farming in Huntingdonshire?

I take all relevant facts into account in deciding whether or not to recommend the release of a soldier from the Army on agricultural grounds, but oral evidence is not usually necessary in such cases. With regard to the case of Guardsman T. C. Emmington I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 25th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many agricultural films have been issued by his Department; and whether they are distributed free to all appropriate cinemas?

I have been asked to reply. Three films, "New Acres," "Mr. Borland Thinks Again," and "Dig for Victory," have been produced as five-minute films and distributed free to all cinemas throughout the country, for exhibition in their normal programmes. Four instructional films for gardeners and allotment holders—"How to Dig," "Sowing and Planting," "Cultivation," and "Harvesting and Storing"—have been shown, at the appropriate seasons, to audiences throughout the country by means of the Ministry's travelling film units, and by the loan of copies from the Central Film Library. Two instructional films for farmers—"Kill that Rat" and "Silage"—have been shown, by the same means, to specialised audiences. Two further films—"Thatching" and "Backyard Poultry"—are now in production.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the physical standard laid down by his Department for ex-miners who are directed to return to the pits; how does this compare with the standard for men who are conscripted for His Majesty's Forces; how many ex-miners are, on the average, passed as physically fit per hour by the doctor; what is the comparison between these figures and those dealt with by medical boards who examine men for the Forces; and what are the fees paid to doctors in each case?

The physical standard laid down for ex-miners returning to the pits for underground work is that examiners should be satisfied that a man's general physique is such as to enable him to undertake work at or near the coal face; examiners are asked to give special attention to cases where valvular disease of the heart may be suspected. Men are to be rejected if found to be suffering from any disease of the following classes:

(1) All forms of tubercular disease.

(2) All cases of uncontrollable hernia.

These instructions were issued after consultation with the medical inspection staff of the Mines Department and after consideration of the parallel conditions laid down for other cases of special recruitment. I regret that I have no information as to the number of men who are on an average passed as physically fit per hour. Doctors are paid a fee of 5s. for each man examined. Members of medical boards examining men under the National Service Acts are paid at the rate of two guineas a session for the first five sessions in a week and one and a half guineas for any subsequent sessions in the week. The chairman receives an additional half guinea. About 25 men are examined at a session, which normally lasts for two and a half hours.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the credentials of all the candidates on the Central Register and Supplementary Register have now been thoroughly examined; and whether there is much likelihood of further employment through that agency?

No person is placed on the Central or Supplementary Register unless he or she appears prima facie to possess the necessary qualifications but my hon. Friend will appreciate that in a certain number of cases prospective employers may not be prepared to engage particular candidates owing to their advanced age or other disabilities. At present about 1,200 vacancies each month are filled from these registers and I see no reason why this should not continue. The number of persons on the two registers known to be unemployed is under 11,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any report from any of the factory inspectors that Section 44 of the Factories Act, 1937, is not being carried out?

I have no report of any widespread failure to comply with the Section, and I should not expect inspectors to report isolated failures to headquarters. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will have them investigated.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the grounds upon which able-bodied but indigent foreigners, seeking asylum in this country without giving service to the State whose hospitality they receive, are maintained at the expense of the British taxpayer?

For most of the nationalities concerned, there are no funds other than British funds available for the assistance of able-bodied foreigners who have been granted asylum in this country and for whom, for various reasons and through no fault of their own, it has not yet been possible to find employment. Adequate steps are taken to see that assistance is granted only where it is fully justified, and I am glad to be able to say that the number receiving assistance is being steadily reduced. At least 85 per cent. of the refugees between the ages of 16 and 65 in the case of men, and 16 to 50 in the case of women, are already performing useful service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of proof gallons of spirits, distinguishing home-made and imported, retained for consumption in Great Britain for the years ended 31st December, 1939 and 1940, respectively?

Year ended.	Malt.	Un-malted Corn.	Rice and Maize	Sugar including its Equivalents.	Hops.	Preparation of Hops.	Hop substitutes.	Beer produced.
	cwts.	cwts.	cwts.	cwts.	cwts.	cwts.	cwts.	Bulk Barrels.
30th September, 1939.	9,884,876	9,910	734,771	1,986,485	285,715	113	13	25,691,324
30th September, 1940.	9,857,870	7,9	363,588	1,532,779	265,512	132	108	24,925,752

The particulars required in respect of spirits are:

Year ended.			Malt.	Un-malted Grain.	Molasses.	Spirits distilled.
			cwts.	cwts.	cwts.	Proof Gallons.
30th September, 1939	…	…	2,184,822	2,156,275	7,219,510	81,664,281
30th September, 1940	…	…	1,238,196	534,283	6,761,322	61,059,592

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated profits of the brewing trade as returned to the Income Tax authorities for the financial years 1938–39 and 1939–40, respectively?

The profits of brewing concerns for accounting years ending in the Income Tax years 1938–39 and 1939–40 are estimated at £31,500,000 and £34,000,000 respectively after allowance

The approximate number of proof gallons of duty paid spirits retained for home consumption in Great Britain in the calendar years ended 31st December, 1939, and 31st December, 1940, were: —

	1939	1940
Imported Spirits	1,304,000	2,094,000
Home-made Spirits	9,194,000	7,224,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt, unmalted corn, rice and maize, sugar glucose, &c., and hops used in brewing, during the brewing years ended 30th September, 1939 and 1940; and the quantities of malt, unmalted grain and molasses used in distilling during the same years, together with the number of bulk barrels brewed and proof gallons of spirits distilled during each of the same two years?

The particulars required in respect of beer are:—for wear and tear of plant and machinery but before making any allowance for National Defence Contribution. These figures include profits arising from trade ancillary to the main business.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the provision permitting retailers to exchange 490 coupons for vouchers entitling them to supplies to the value of 500 coupons is felt as a grave injustice by small traders, who are unable to acquire the requisite number of coupons within the prescribed period; whether he will consider amending the system so that vouchers to the value of 100 coupons may be obtainable in exchange for 98 coupons; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the quotas allotted to suppliers shall be distributed fairly between large and small buyers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolver-hampton (Mr. Mander), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the members of the new Reconstruction Section of the Board of Trade set up to assist Mr. Henry Clay and Sir Charles Innes; and what salaries are paid to them?

The staff engaged whole time in the Reconstruction Section consists at present of one temporary principal and one temporary assistant, paid at the usual Service rates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the use of coal-gas, as an alternative fuel for motor-vehicles, is being impeded by the refusal of the Board of Trade to issue coupons for fabric for the manufacture of gas-bags; and can he make any statement about the matter?

In view of the limited amount of cotton available for civilian purposes, I do not think it desirable to give any special facilities to allow firms to obtain cotton fabric for making gas-bags for private motor cars. Under the rationing scheme local authorities, and firms making these bags for them, can obtain fabric without coupons, and I am also prepared to allow the supply of this fabric without coupons to firms who can furnish evidence that they are making gas-bags for other essential transport services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken to alleviate the suffering and privation at present being borne by the natives living on the Labrador coast?

I would assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the situation to which his Question draws attention. The Governor of Newfoundland reports that the supplies were shipped to Labrador before the close of the navigation season and that these will be issued at the joint discretion of the local missionaries and members of the Newfoundland Ranger Force. The supplies include ammunition required for game purposes, and the Game Law has been relaxed in the special interests of the natives. Special supplies have also been sent for the child welfare clinics conducted by the missionaries. The local government officials have been fully authorised to deal with emergency conditions and are doing everything possible, in co-operation with the missionaries, to prevent and relieve distress.

asked the Home Secretary how many officers of the prison service have been awarded periods of special probation during the last two years; what additional punishment was given in each case; how many officers were transferred from one establishment to another in connection with the special probation; and in how many cases was the officer permitted to be represented by his union at the inquiry?

Since 1st November, 1939, 24 prison officers out of staff, which has varied between 1,600 and over 2,000, have been awarded periods of special probation. In six cases no additional punishment was given; in 7 cases the officer was reprimanded, and in 10 cases severely reprimanded; and in one case the officer was removed from a special post and reverted to discipline duty. Three of these officers were transferred to other establishments. As regards the last part of the Question, it must be remembered that this is a disciplined service, and while a prison officer is always permitted at a disciplinary inquiry to have present as a "friend" an officer who is serving with him, I could not agree that any other person should attend for the purpose of acting as representative of the officer or of any association.

asked the Secretary of State for War the object and present circulation of the fortnightly periodical entitled alternatively "War" and "Current Affairs," published by the Army Bureau on Current Affairs; and whether he will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House?

The bulletins known as "War" and "Current Affairs" are designed to provide regimental officers with material on which to base talks to their men on important issues of the day. The bulletins are issued to officers, and in addition "Current Affairs'' is supplied on a limited scale to civilian lecturers working under the Army educational sceme. I shall be glad to arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what circumstances, when husbands and wives are serving in the Army and Auxiliary Territorial Service, arrangements are made for them to serve in the same locality?

Every effort is made to meet the wishes of individual soldiers or auxiliaries in this matter. My hon. and gallant Friend will, however, appreciate that military requirements may not always permit such an arrangement, and each case must therefore be dealt with on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that wives of Service men hesitate to evacuate from the London area because the London area allowance is then stopped; and whether he will arrange that within, say, 50 miles of London such extra allowance be granted for six months?

I am afraid that there is nothing that I can add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 18th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present policy of the Army Council in regard to the disposal of horses and transport animate which become surplus to military requirements while abroad?

The policy to be followed in regard to the disposal overseas of surplus Army horses and transport animals has been under consideration by the Army Council. It has been decided that all Army horses and transport animals which are taken overseas from this country shall, if they become surplus to military requirements, be either brought back to the United Kingdom or destroyed under military supervision, and that animals acquired abroad shall in similar circumstances as far as practicable be resold in the same area in which they were bought.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how many canteens for women serving under the control of the War Office are there in which intoxicants are supplied; and whether any regulations concerning such supply, made by the Home Secretary or the Scottish Secretary, apply to these canteens?

So far as I am aware, the only canteens for women serving under the control of the War Office are Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes or regimental canteens, which may be used by members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. These canteens are subject to military regulations, one of which is that the sale of alcoholic beverages other than beer is, prohibited. The provisions of Defence Regulation 60AA do not apply to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, since Lord Gort's Dispatches give the number of British and Allied troops evacuated from Dunkirk as 224,563 and 112,564, respectively, and the Air Ministry's Bomber Command and Masefield's "Nine Days Wonder" give 193,568 and 123,095, respectively, he will now issue the correct figures; and whether such figures will alter the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Widnes on 15th May last?

The figures quoted in Lord Gort's despatches for troops embarked at Dunkirk and the beaches are 224,585 British and 112,546 Allied troops. These were based on information supplied by the War Office. According to the latest figures at present available the number of troops evacuated from north of the Somme to the United Kingdom from 20th May to 4th June, 1940, when organised evacuation ceased, was 224,318 British and 112,107 Allied. These figures are slightly less than those quoted in Lord Gort's despatches, but my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that a detailed check of every individual was impracticable in the circumstances prevailing at the time. As regards the second part of the Question, the figure of 384,000 given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 15th May, 1941, referred to British troops evacuated from all parts of France, including the area south of the Somme.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to soldiers who are prisoners of war having to wear the old garments of officers, who are given all new towels, pyjamas, etc., when supplied by the Red Cross?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, since goat-flesh is now controlled in price, arrangements exist for the humane slaughtering of these animals?

I have been asked to reply. The Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933, applies to the slaughtering of goats and kids in slaughterhouses within the area of any local authority unless the authority concerned has passed a resolution exempting these animals from the operation of the Act. The information available to me is to the effect that this power has rarely, if ever, been exercised.

asked the Minister of Health what considerations have prevented his approval of the town and country planning scheme put forward by the Uckfield Rural District Council; and whether he. will consult with the Minister of Works and Buildings to urge his committee to realise the importance of the proposals in this planning scheme in particular, and other schemes submitted or approved in general?

It has, unfortunately, been necessary to suspend formal action in regard to the approval of planning schemes during the war, save in a few exceptional cases, first because many landowners and other persons interested in these schemes, by reason of absence on military service or for other reasons connected with the war, are not in a position at the present time to give their attention to the matter, and secondly, because many of the officers of my Department and of the local authorities who are normally engaged on planning work have, up to the present, had to be employed on work more directly related to the prosecution of the war. As regards the last part of the Question, local authorities are encouraged to carry out any informal preparatory work in relation to their planning schemes which may be practicable in existing conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the preparation of a list of war criminals and in deciding under what procedure they should be dealt with after the war?

I have nothing at present to add to the reply given on 23rd October to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recommendation to local authorities and hospitals, generally, contained in Circular 2323, that British doctors on their staffs may be released and foreign practitioners employed in their stead, he will give an undertaking that after the war the British doctors will be reinstated?

The position of the British doctors referred to is safeguarded by the fact that the Defence Regulation under which practitioners with foreign qualifications are registered in the Medical Register will cease to operate when the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, expires after the war.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many members of the Civil Nursing Reserve have not yet been issued with outdoor uniform; and whether, with a view to relieving such members of the considerable expense of purchasing such necessary attire, he will take steps to arrange for such issue to be made forthwith?

There have been difficulties of supply. Everything possible has been done to overcome them. I expect that the few outstanding requisitions will be met before long.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that panel practitioners have not received any increase in remuneration during the first two and a quarter years of war; that the proposed increase at the rate of 9d. per annum, the first instalment which, 2½d., is payable on 2nd April, 1942, is inadequate to meet the increased expenses of practice, the higher cost of living, and the loss of private patients in receipt of incomes of £225 to £420 per annum; and whether he will make the increase more nearly approximate to the 2s. asked for by the medical profession?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the Question. The increase in the capitation fee, which has been agreed with the representatives of the profession, will operate from the beginning of next year. This increase is not. intended to compensate doctors for the increase in the cost of living since other classes of persons earning similar incomes do not receive any bonus on this account. I am satisfied, however, that it provides adequately for the other two matters mentioned in the Question and I am not prepared to grant any further increase under present conditions.