asked the Secretary of State for War what fresh instructions have been issued with regard to the playing of the National Anthem?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, King's Regulations provide that the first six bars of the National Anthem should normally be played pianissimo. Approval has now been given for these bars to be played fortissimo when circumstances make this desirable.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend say how the change over from fortissimo to pianissimo originally came to be made, and is this not a very excellent and a commonsense amendment?

Does this mean that the Government are at last waking up?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance to the House, that every care is being taken to safeguard the physical, moral and spiritual welfare of the women in the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

Yes, Sir. The comprehensive system of welfare services administered by the Director-General of Welfare extends to all units of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Moreover, in addition to the general expenditure on Welfare and education in which the Auxiliary Territorial Service have their full share, funds have been specially allocated to providing extra comforts and conveniences for Auxiliary Territorial Service quarters. Lectures on moral welfare and hygiene are given to Auxiliary Territorial Service officers, and it is impressed on them that their first duty is the care and well-being of the women under their command.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that this answer will do a great deal to silence ignorant criti cism and to comfort anxious parents?

Will the officers of the A.T.S. look after the comfort of the personnel?

Yes, Sir.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend not think that it would be a little more practical to see that the A.T.S. do not have wet canteens, which is worrying the mothers far more than the question of giving lectures? [Interruption.] I can only tell my right hon. and gallant Friend that I am speaking for many of the mothers.

Is the Minister satisfied with the number of welfare officers, and are the welfare officers who are appointed drawn from those who have had previous experience?

I have had no complaints as to numbers or the experience of welfare officers.

Are there any real grounds for these insinuations about the moral welfare of these young women, and is it not a fact, and has it not been truly said, that when vices leave us we think we have reformed?

There is absolutely no foundation whatsoever for this whispering campaign, which I regret very much indeed, as they are a fine body of women who are doing a fine job of work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make any further statement on the practicability of establishing a system of immobile units in the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

This proposal has been re-examined, but it has been decided that any advantages that it may possess are outweighed by the difficulties referred to in the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 14th October. Every effort will, however, be made to post Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel to the vicinity of their homes so far as military requirements permit.

If any further evidence is produced, will the Secretary of State investigate it?

Will applications receive consideration on domestic grounds for those already in the A.T.S.?

We always do our best.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recognise that the women of the A.T.S. think with pride not only of the A.T.S. but of the military command to which they are attached, and that is a sentiment that should be encouraged because it is easier to be attached to a particular Army unit than to the whole body?

I am aware of all that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Auxiliary Territorial Service girls at the training centres need 100 male noncommissioned officers and men for each 1,000 women; and whether, in view of the efforts to increase the strength of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and with the object of using man-power elsewhere, he proposes to dispense with the services of most of these male supervising officers and replace them with efficient women?

A male cadre was provided for each Auxiliary Territorial Service training centre, in order to assist in the administrative control and training of Auxiliary Territorial Service recruits and, in particular, to provide instruction and supervision for the Auxiliary Territorial Service officers and other ranks selected as potential permanent staffs at these centres. It was never the intention to retain the male instructional cadres indefinitely, and they will be gradually withdrawn as soon as circumstances permit. The process of withdrawal will begin early in 1942.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that the proportion of males to females, one to 10, is rather too heavy, in view of the fact that the A.T.S. was designed to relieve men for the Services?

What is the purpose of these male cadres? Is it to teach girls how to march and salute?

It is to render general assistance at the beginning of this process.

asked the Secretary of State for War upon what dates the illegal detention from 10th August to 19th August of a private of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps was reported to the Aldershot Command and to the War Office, respectively; and upon what date this soldier's account was credited with pay and allowances for the period of his illegal detention?

The soldier in question was found guilty by court-martial on two charges, first, that he failed to ensure that £1 10s. was handed over to unit accounts, and, secondly, that he fraudulently converted to his own use a sum of approximately £12 belonging to the soldiers' canteen. He was sentenced to reduction to the ranks and six months' detention. The conviction on the first and lesser charge was subsequently quashed, and four months of the detention award was remitted. The soldier should therefore have been released on 10th August. Unfortunately there was some delay in communicating this decision to the officer commanding the detention barracks, with the result that the man was not released until 19th August. His pay was resumed with effect from that date. The fact that owing to an oversight on the part of the unit he had not been credited with the pay due to him during his last 10 days of detention was first brought to the notice of the War Office by my hon. Friend's Question. Instructions were issued forthwith that the soldier's account should be credited with the arrears of pay due together with an additional ex-gratia payment of £5 compensation in respect of the period of unauthorised detention.

While I thank my right hon. and gallant Friend for his reply, will he state whether cases of illegal detention are automatically reported to the War Office, and is he quite satisfied that there was no attempt to hush up this case locally?

No, Sir, there was no attempt whatsoever to hush up this case locally. In answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would point out that illegal detention should not, of course, take place.

When illegal detention is discovered to have taken place, should it not be automatically reported to the War Office?

I am not sure about automatically, but it should come to our attention. In this case a series of mishaps has taken place.

Who assesses the compensation of £5 for 10 days' illegal imprisonment?

I said it was an ex-gratia payment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers in medical category C can be discharged to take up civil occupations, in view of their uncertain value to the Army under active service conditions?

Many soldiers of medical category C are at present performing useful service in the Army by freeing men of higher categories for more active duties, and in view of the present manpower situation, I could not agree to automatic discharge in all such cases. Where, however, application is made for the release of an individual for work of national importance, the soldier's medical category is naturally taken into account in deciding whether release should be authorised.

Does that Answer imply that where a man has been doing really valuable service as a civilian before he was called up, and has been graded in category C when he joined the Forces and is doing a comparatively insignificant job, there is no possibility of releasing him to carry on with his civilian duties?

I do not accept the term "comparatively insignificant job."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the young men in the lowest age group, now to be called up, are to be segregated for purpose of training in young soldiers' battalions, or whether they are to join infantry training centres?

The young men in question will be sent to training establishments of the various arms. The intention is that they will there join young soldier companies, and after their preliminary training will be posted to young soldier battalions. For the first year of their service, therefore, they will be segregated from men in the higher age groups.

Will the Minister give more consideration to the training pro- gramme of these young men who in the past have been segregated to guard vulnerable points and other such boring duties? Will he not take into account the fact that these young men are very keen and wish to have proper training?

Yes, Sir, I am very well aware of that.

Will the Minister take into account the danger of giving these young soldiers far too heavy work, as was the case in the last war? Will he look into this matter very carefully, as a very large number of boys of 18 years of age who served in the last war suffered from valvular disease of the heart as a result of their heavy training?

Most certainly that matter will be watched, but we have had some experience since the last war in the training of young soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, Owing to long delays in the execution of contracts, many anti-aircraft battery sites in the West of Scotland lack adequate water supplies, lighting and sanitary arrangements; that these delays are largely due to the system of placing contracts for hutments, battery sites, etc., with civilian contractors, and to the fact that as War Office contracts insist on only 60 hours overtime, whilst no limit of overtime is stated by other Government Departments or by local authorities, contract labour fights shy of War Office contracts: and whether, in view of the fact that, in many instances, the men are living under unsatisfactory and unhealthy conditions, he. will take steps to improve the position?

I am aware that there have been delays in the execution of contracts in the West of Scotland. These delays, however, are due to the general shortage of labour and materials and not to the system of placing contracts with civilian contractors. The limitation of hours of work to 60 a week is in accordance with Government policy, and there is an arrangement with local authorities On similar lines. As regards the last part of the Question, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every effort is being made to improve the position.

Is the Minister aware that there are firms in the West of Scotland which complain that they are not obtaining a sufficient number of Government contracts?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War, what is now the average age of a commander of an infantry division in the British Army; and whether he has any information as to the average age of such a commander in the Russian, German and Japanese armies, respectively?

The average age of an infantry divisional commander in the British Army is 48½. The estimated average age of German and Japanese infantry divisional commanders is 54 in each case. Very little information is-available with regard to the ages of Russian divisional commanders, but it is not thought that any are over 45.

asked the Secretary of State for War the result of his inquiries into the wage conditions of the auxiliary constabulary employed at Royal Ordnance Factories.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this question, which involves a number of difficult considerations. It is hoped that a decision will be reached shortly.

What does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman mean by "shortly"?

I am afraid I cannot be more precise. I recognise that there has been considerable delay, but a number of difficult considerations are involved.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is very serious discontent among various auxiliary policemen at not getting what they regard as a fair practical Wage?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the handicap of farmers in North Argyll owing to the preservation of peacetime restrictions on the use of the road section of Connel Ferry Bridge; and whether, in view of the Government's policy that the agricultural industry is as important to the country as the Armed Forces, he will take steps to have these restrictions removed for the duration of the war?

I am aware that certain peace-time restrictions on the use of Connel Ferry Bridge still remain, although a number have been removed since the beginning of the war. My right hon. Friend is, however, in consultation with the Minister of War Transport as to the possibility of further improvements of facilities, in so far as this may be consistent with the safety of the bridge.

Will the hon. Gentleman remind his right hon. Friend that the traffic which used that bridge has now to make a detour of 100 miles, in these days of petrol shortage? Will he bear that in mind when discussing that with the Minister of War Transport and see that there are no restrictions beyond safety restrictions?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that we are aware of the difficulties connected with transport as far as the Connel Ferry Bridge area is concerned, and we are keeping all these facts in mind in the consultations that we are having with the Minister of Transport, who is directly responsible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Ministry of War Transport says there is no need for removing these restrictions and that it is a scandalous waste of time and petrol? There is nothing needed except to put up a notice limiting it to vehicles under a certain weight.

I am not aware of the difficulties mentioned. Already some of the restrictions have been removed which operated in peace-time, and we are in consultation with the Minister of War Transport with a view to getting still further restrictions removed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister of Transport said that the present practice is being maintained in order to provide profits?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary for Mines why the normal sources of supply of house-coal to certain districts in the county of Linlithgow were stopped without warning and without alternative supplies being made available from other sources; whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this position and to prevent its recurrence?

It has been necessary recently to reorganise house-coal supplies in Scotland on a more systematic basis in the interests of transport economy, and I regret that some temporary difficulty in the county of Linlithgow should have resulted from this. Steps have already been taken to remedy the position which, I am assured, is now satisfactory.

Will my hon. Friend take into account the fact that an actual mistake was made here, and will he try to exercise through his Department greater supervision, in order that such mistakes may not be made by men acting without consultation with those most concerned?

I am not quite sure whether a mistake was made but I am sure my Department will put right such mistakes when brought to their attention.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a little time ago he issued instructions that people should stock as much coal as they could, and now it is. reported that he has ordered an examination to find out how much they have in their cellars?

It is not the intention to regard stocking as unwise. My hon. Friend need not be unduly alarmed about the announcement in the papers to-day.

Adams asked the Minister of Labour what steps he. proposes to take to ensure that persons detained under Regulation 18B who, before detention, were entitled to unemployment benefits, shall not, owing to their inability to make contributions to the Insurance Fund during internment, be denied their claims to such benefit upon release?

I am not at present satisfied that there is a good case for making any alteration in the law on this point, but if my hon. Friend will let me have further information as to why he thinks any change is justified, I will look into the matter further.

As these persons have not been sentenced by a court of law, does not my hon. Friend agree that they should not thus be deprived of their civil rights?

The whole question is bristling with difficulties as far as the law is concerned, and unless there is some very good reason forthcoming it would be difficult to justify an alteration.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to ensure that persons detained under Regulation 18B who, before detention were entitled to National Health Insurance benefits, shall not, owing to their inability to make contributions to the Insurance Fund during internment, be denied their claims to such benefits upon release?

Regulations will shortly be made under powers conferred by Section 8 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1941, by which such persons will be given an opportunity to safeguard their health insurance and contributory pensions rights by paying, within a reasonable period after their release, contributions at a reduced rate for the period of their detention. The reduced rate of contribution payable in these circumstances makes due allowance for the fact that such persons are not in a position to obtain health insurance benefits during their detention.

Will the Ministry facilitate their re-employment, in order that they may make those contributions?

I am afraid that that is another point.

I take it that the hon. Lady will see that, when these people come out of detention, as they will not have a job to go to, there will be a lapse of time before they fall properly into arrear?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the provisions in the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Act, 1923, for the prevention of sale to young persons under 18 years of age will be made to apply in the regulations controlling the supply of liquor in canteens which are opened under Regulation 60AA; and whether he will insist on providing young people employed at places of work where liquor canteens are established, with separate well-appointed canteens in which meals and non-alcoholic beverages can be obtained?

Steps are already being taken to see that special attention is paid in the running of these canteens to the interests of young people. Any arrangement which would facilitate drinking by young people would be entirely contrary to the purposes of the scheme, and the question of inserting in the authorisations, any necessary or appropriate conditions regarding persons under the age of 18 will be kept in mind. I do not know how far it may be practicable to establish separate canteens for young people, but I will confer with the Departments concerned on this point.

When will my hon. Friend publish this scheme, so that people can see it?

The Noble Lady will be aware that full statements have been made in the House, in answer to Questions, by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland. The conditions laid down are so stringent that I think everybody is satisfied with them.

Does my hon. Friend really think that people are satisfied, and does he not realise that unless he makes some absolute rule, the young people, if they have only wet canteens, will ten to one take what they ought not to and break the rule of the company?

Did not the Home Secretary say he would publish a full statement of what was intended by this Order? That was four weeks ago, and we have not seen it yet.

If my hon. Friend had studied the OFFICIAL REPORT, he would have seen the statement for which he asks.

asked the Home Secretary whether the instructions to the civilian population in this country, in case of invasion, were compiled before the Germans shot civilians, men, women and children, without regard to age, when retreating from Rostov; and whether the civilian population will now be advised that, as they will be faced with unavoidable destruction, they should sell their lives as dearly as possible?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister to a Question he put on 3rd December.

Are the Government satisfied that the pamphlet which has been issued is adequate for the situation, and, summarised, does not that pamphlet simply say that we should do nothing?

I do not think that that is so, but in any case there is no point in giving our plans away so far in advance.

Cannot we give some training to the civil population?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange for the Royal Air Force in all non-operational flights in this country to report on any buildings defectively camouflaged to the Regional Commissioner or Minister of Home Security?

Observation for the purpose of camouflage cannot be undertaken casually. At present the R.A.F. cooperate in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend by providing flying facilities for expert observation in close and constant contact with the Director of Camouflage. These arrangements are at present being extended.

Does my hon. Friend realise that in ordinary flights the air officers often find that the buildings which they are most able to see are those that are supposed to have been camouflaged and are wrongly camouflaged? Surely that information could be made useful?

This is a matter of observation, and casual observations of the character mentioned really could not be taken into account.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is satisfied with the present position regarding special passes issued to Government servants and others engaged on war work; and whether in particular he will consider insisting on a greater standardisation of passes, and that passes should only be valid for a stated definite period so that a periodical check up might be made in the interests of national security?

I have no reason to suppose that the pass system is not working satisfactorily. The circumstances of Departments vary considerably from the point of view of security, and for that reason I do not think that a standard form of pass is desirable. I understand that in many Departments the period of validity is limited.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are at least a dozen kinds of passes and that so long as the present system is in operation it is very difficult to ensure absolute security in the issue and control of passes?

I do not think I can accept that statement, and I do not think it is sensible to say that the security provisions should necessarily be the same at the Admiralty and the Tithe Redemption Commission.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of nurses and domestic staffs in hospital, he is prepared to recognise such service as a form of National Service?

Yes, Sir; I recognise service on the nursing and domestic staffs of hospitals as one of the most important forms of National Service. It is included in the short list of vital war work for women for which women registered under the Registration for Employment Order are required.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many hospitals are short of domestic staff? Is it not a corollary of this Order that the Minister will now be able to direct women with experience of domestic service to these hospitals, as he is able to do into the Armed Forces?

I should require notice of that Question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the women who are being sent now are daily workers, who arrive at 8 o'clock and leave at 5; consequently there is no one to take charge of the early or late work?

Hospitals, like all other institutions and industrial organisations, are having to do the best they can with the material available.

With the best will in the world, how can they wait till 8 o'clock to give all the patients their breakfast?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are institutions of this character which have no cook at all? The matron of one hospital, to my own knowledge, on Sunday last had not only to look after the dressing of the patients but to cook dinners for 14 people.

Before the Department considers compelling anyone to work at a hospital, will the hon. Gentleman do his best to see that the remuneration of the lower-paid staffs is improved?

I will consider all the suggestions that have been made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give information in connection with the 12 men charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, etc., which was heard at a North-West police court on Tuesday, 9th December?

I have been unable to trace the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will send me further particulars, I will have inquiry made.

Does not the hon. Gentleman get all these paper cuttings sent to him?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the police raid on the premises in Denman Street, W., the owners being charged at the Bow Street Police Court on 10th December with keeping the premises as a common gaming-house; how many names were taken by the police and how many times the same premises have been raided by the police within 11 days?

Thirty-seven persons, two principals and 35 frequenters, were charged. Thirty frequenters were bound over. The remainder, who had been bound over as a result of the previous raid on 28th November, forfeited their recognisances and were again bound over. The two principals were remanded for consideration of the question of summoning another principal, who was not present at the time of the raid.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why the farmer receives only 5s. 6d. per cwt., unwashed, and 6s. per cwt., washed, for carrots, while the retail price to the consumer is 18s. 8d. per cwt. and 23s. 4d. per cwt.; into whose pockets does the difference go; and whether, as this is a case of profiteering on the part of some intermediary, he will consider giving to the farmer a larger return for this produce?

The producer prices quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend were correct in November, but the prices in December are 5s. 9d. unwashed and 6s. 3d. washed. The current retail prices as shown by returns collected by my Department are generally speaking lower than those quoted in the Question. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 10th December.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that this time last year the farmer received 10s. a cwt. for his carrots and that the price to the consumer was the same as it is to-day, namely, 2d. and 2½d. a pound? Who receives the difference, and is this a typical example of Government marketing?

My hon. and gallant Friend quoted the prices of 2d. and 2½d., which, of course, are not the prices throughout the country. The average price is 2d., and, if anything, slightly less, and in many cases it is 1½d. I would add that the price is progressively increasing, and that in January it will be 6s. 6d. and in February 7s. The margins between grower and consumer are very little different from what they were before the war.

Why does it cost 6d. per cwt. to wash carrots wholesale and 4s. 8d. to wash them retail?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the proposed subsidy of 7s. 6d. per head for Scottish hill sheep is to be made applicable to hill sheep in Wales and England?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a Press notice, issued on 9th December, which sets out the conditions under which the subsidy of 7s. 6d. per ewe will be payable in respect of flocks of hill sheep in England and Wales during the coming year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any units of the German fleet have been engaged with Japan in recent actions in the Pacific and the Far East; and whether he has any information to give as to the exact cause of the sinking of H.M.A.S. "Sydney"?

No information is available in the Admiralty to support the suggestion in the first part of the Question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the suggestion made in some organs of the Press that the "Sydney" was sunk by a Japanese man-of-war three weeks before war was declared?

Suggestions in the Press are often valuable, but in this case we rely upon official information. With regard to the suggestion about this Australian ship, it is always necessary before we make any statement or issue any information that we should consult the Australian Government.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information at all as to the cause of the sinking of the "Sydney"?

I have nothing to add to what I have already said.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make to the House about the gallant conduct of the commander of a British gun-boat in Shanghai in face of a surprise attack by superior Japanese naval forces?

I regret that I am unable to add to the information already published in the Press regarding this action. These reports show that the gallantry with which the Commanding Officer and ship's company of H.M.S. "Peterel" fought their ship in the face of overwhelming odds, was fully in accordance with the traditions of the Royal Navy.

asked the Prime Minister whether, at the time of the sinking of H.M.S. "Prince of Wales" and "Repulse," these ships had an adequate sea or land-based fighter escort?

Sir Archibald Southby asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a further statement regarding the circumstances of the loss of H.M.S. "Prince of Wales" and "Repulse"?

I regret that I am unable at present to add anything to the statements already made by the Prime Minister on this subject.

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that in future our great capital ships will not be hazarded in battle without adequate air protection?

Did the responsible Naval Staff at the Admiralty advise that these two ships should go out accompanied by an aircraft carrier, and, if so, who over-rode their expert advice?

That is a hypothetical question. I have stated already that I cannot add anything to the statement given by the Prime Minister. I have no further information.

Will an opportunity arise to have this matter discussed in Public or in Secret Session?

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await a statement which I have to make on the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of their reduced functions, he will consider the suppression of the Ministry of Economic Warfare and the Department of Overseas Trade; and the transference of their remaining duties to other Departments of State?

No, Sir.

Having regard to the fact that nearly every country in the world is now a belligerent and that there are few people to conduct any economic warfare against, why retain a large Department to do a non-existent job?

While there have been developments which have curtailed to some extent the scope of the Department, there is still a good deal of work to be done.

As the main activity of the Government is to reduce the export trade, why have a Department to promote it?

asked the Prime Minister whether any organisation has been set up to co-ordinate strategic and tactical plans for the most effective conduct of the war by all the major Allied Powers?

All necessary steps have been or are being taken to concert the military plans of the major Allied Powers. It would not be helpful to the objects which the hon. Member has in mind to have a detailed discussion at the present time in public. Statements will, however, be made from time to time to Parliament of the progress achieved in the co-ordination of the Allied effort.

Would it not be desirable to have an early statement on the matter, as an impression is growing up that our policy is what the Prime Minister would term a one-by-one policy?

I am sure that my hon. Friend will correct that impression, but I will convey the point to the Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister which Service Department was responsible for the defence of the aerodromes that have been captured by the Japanese in Malaya?

The Army is responsible for the defence of aerodromes in Malaya.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any change since our experiences in Crete and, if so, what change has been made?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of that Question?

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the name and the age of the secretary of the Industrial Health Research Board and what other appointments he holds; how many full-time investigators there are on the staff of the Board; how many possess medical qualifications; and what are their names and qualifications?

The Secretary of the Industrial Health Research Board is Sir David Munro, who is 63 years of age. He is at present giving part of his time to the Ministry of Supply as Chief Medical Adviser, but in, view of that a senior member of the Board's investigating staff is acting as joint secretary. There are 13 full-time investigators, whose names and qualifications I shall circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. None of these is medically qualified.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this important post ought to be a full-time job, especially in view of the fact that it was so during the last war?

Normally it is a full-time job, but, as I have explained, Sir David Munro is giving much needed help in the Ministry of Supply, and so far as his time is not available to the Industrial Health Research Board, the gap is filled by the temporary appointment of a senior member of the staff.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the grave dismay with which the public have received the report of the British Medical Association that not fewer than 32,000,000 weeks are lost each year by industrial workers through preventible illnesses?

I must point out that the Industrial Health Research Board is not primarily concerned with industrial disease, but with such matters as industrial fatigue and the like.

Exactly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain in what form the amount of the portion of tax for refund after the war credited to the individual taxpayer is made known to the worker; and how soon such information will be broadcast?

A formal notice of the amount of his post-war credit for the year 1941–42 will be sent to each taxpayer as soon as possible after the amount of the credit has been ascertained. It will be appreciated, however, that in the case of income from employments payment of the tax itself is not completed until a considerable time after the end of the year of assessment. In the meantime an explanatory leaflet is being issued with every notice of assessment which will enable the taxpayer to make a rough calculation of the amount of the credit which will become due to him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a broadcast or having a broadcast made at an early date to explain this matter, because there is much scepticism among workers that this is a promise which will never be fulfilled?

Yes, Sir. I will certainly consider that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of taxes recovered by court proceedings, or otherwise, from Purchase Tax evaders since the introduction of the Purchase Tax; and what is the number of prosecutions to the nearest convenient date.

By 9th December there had been 93 Purchase Tax prosecutions, of which 29 related to the more serious aspects of evasion and fraud, and 64 for failure to make returns by the due date. These 29 cases involved nearly £40,000 in tax and cost the offenders in fines alone over £12,000. In addition, nine of the offenders were sent to prison for from three to eighteen months. About 300 other special cases have been dealt with otherwise than by prosecution, resulting in the recovery of nearly £150,000. This, of course, is in addition to the day-to-day treatment of a large number of cases relating to late payment of tax and the like, involving considerable sums of money.

In view of the large amounts involved, will my right hon. Friend see that the section of his staff which is dealing with this matter is kept up to full strength?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered a letter sent to him by a conference of shipbuilding workers, held in Glasgow, and representing shipyards in Scotland and the North of England, calling for an exemption of overtime from Income Tax; and what steps does he intend to take?

I have received a communication on the subject to which my hon. Friend refers; and I would refer him to the reply I gave on the subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on 14th October last.

Will not the Chancellor of the Exchequer reconsider this matter, in view of the very harmful effect that this system is bound to have?

May I ask since when it is that the Communist party has been against taxing incomes?

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer remember that these men have been asked to make an extra effort and to give of their best in this emergency? They are not thieving money like the bunch on the other side.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the costly advertising in national newspapers of goods which cannot be supplied during war-time; that this expenditure deprives the nation, in many cases, of large amounts which otherwise would be available for taxation; and whether he will take steps to prevent the advertising of goods which cannot be supplied and / or to prevent advertising the object of which is, in fact, to evade taxation?

In so far as my hon. Friend raises the question of taxation, I would refer him to the reply I gave on 25th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry). The other aspects of the question are matters for my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Supply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of what appears to be systematic evasion by very expensive advertisements of articles which cannot possibly be supplied during the period of the war, and cannot something be done in order to stop that sort of evasion?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will bring his cases to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles his conflicting policies in this matter?

Is not this one of the most flagrant examples of the gross waste of necessary raw materials?

My hon. Friend knows that as regards taxation I have certain powers to regulate this matter.

Why not use them?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many parcels forwarded to this country have been confiscated by the Customs and Excise officials owing to their being overweight; and what happens to all such parcels when confiscated.

As regards the first part of the Question, it would not be possible to ascertain the number of overweight parcels without extensive inquiries which I do not think would be justified. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on 30th September last to the hon. Member for Walton (Mr. Purbrick).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why it has been decided that the tag labels used in collecting farmers' milk and in sending milk from the creameries to customers are now subject to Purchase Tax from which they have been hitherto free; whether he is aware of the extra cost thereby entailed; and whether he will consider the serious effect of this policy on the production price of milk?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to labels attached to milk churns and containing the name of the consignee. These labels have been liable to Purchase Tax since the commencement of the tax. There is no reason to believe that the amount of tax involved has any material effect on the production price of milk.

Is it not a fact that up to quite recently anything used in the packing or despatch of food, including milk, was free of this tax, and in view of the large number of labels that have to be used, is not this certain to result in an increase in the price of milk in the very near future?

These labels have been liable to tax ever since this tax has been in operation. As regards the cost, I am informed that the tax charged, including the printing, does not come to so much as 4s. per 1,000, and that it is much less in the case of labels printed in large quantities, and that does not seem to make it very likely to affect the price of milk.

Suppose we stopped advertisements. That would help.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the shortage of labour and materials, he is satisfied that the erection of a special building on Hampton's site in Trafalgar Square for the War Savings Campaign is necessary; and what steps were taken to try and secure suitable existing accommodation?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. War Savings efforts in Central London tend to radiate from Trafalgar Square, and the simple structure which is being erected will be of particular value as a propaganda and selling centre for the War Savings Campaign. No similar accommodation is available in the Square. I may add that this most valuable publicity site and the structure which is being erected on it have been given free of all cost to the National Savings Committee by Messrs. Hamptons for the duration of the War.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications made for supplementary pensions in the County Borough of West Ham; the number granted and the average amount; the number of appeals against the determination; and the number of successful appeals?

The information available is as follows: In the Assistance Board's administrative areas of West Ham I and II, which cover the County Borough of West Ham, supplementary pensions were being paid at the end of November, 1941, to or in respect of approximately 4,700 old age pensioners, including widow pensioners who have attained the age of 60. During November, fresh or repeat applications were received at the rate of about 50 a week, on which on the average about 45 supplementary pensions were granted, the remainder being rejected or withdrawn. During November, three appeals against the determinations made by the board's officers were lodged, and the determination was confirmed in every case. Information regarding the weekly amounts payable at particular offices is not available.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that minimum wage laws have now been enacted in 40 Colonies, but that only in nine are any minimum wages actually in force; and whether, as the absence of such minimum standards is the cause of depressed living conditions, steps will be taken to encourage the implementing of minimum wage laws?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend is aware of the position as stated in the first part of the Question. He is, however, anxious that wherever possible the payment of adequate wages should be arranged by amicable agreement between the parties, without it becoming necessary to have recourse to the powers conferred by the minimum wage legislation. Every encouragement is being given by the Colonial Governments to the promotion of such collective bargaining, and in a very large number of cases adjustments of wages to meet fluctuations in the cost of living have been arranged without intervention on the part of the Government since the outbreak of war.

In view of the fact that in many Colonies no such organisation exists, surely, as the Minister has again and again recommended Governors to pursue a certain course, he might recommend in this case the establishment of minimum scales of wages?

In many Colonies there are no, or only small, industrial undertakings. If my hon. Friend will look into the matter further, he will see what is being done in most of the Colonies.

Is the Minister not aware that in many Colonies the promotion of bodies designed to secure collective bargaining is in itself an act of sedition involving very heavy penalties? How can any Governor promote collective bargaining while legislation of that kind exists?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. There are few Colonies to which that criticism applies. There are some, but we are endeavouring to deal with that matter.

Would my hon. Friend keep that point in mind, because many of our Colonies are purely agricultural and no industrial organisation is possible in them?

The liability to implement minimum wage legislation is being impressed upon all Colonial Governors who have not yet implemented it.