asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to how the estimated cost of £20,000,000, required to increase the minimum wage of farm labourers to £3 a week, will be met, whether by increased prices or by subsidy from the Exchequer?

I have been asked to reply. The Government have under close consideration the question what adjustments should be made following the recent increase in agricultural wages and hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is proposing to take to deal with the spread of bracken in North Wales?

Government grants towards the cost of approved schemes for the eradication of bracken have been available since April of last year. I am sending full particulars to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the names of any commons in respect of which application was made to his Department during 1941, or was outstanding on 31st December, 1940, under Section 194 of the Law of Property Act, 1925, to make an enclosure, specifying in each case whether a public inquiry has been held, the area of land sought to be enclosed, the purpose for which it was proposed to enclose the land, the area, if any, thrown into the common in lieu of the land enclosed, the result of the application, and the reason, in any case where consent has been given without an area being thrown into the common at least equal to the land enclosed, for not requiring that course to be followed?

The only application to my Department during 1941 under Section 194 of the Law of Property Act, 1925, was in respect of part of the common known as Abingdon Lane Down, East Ilsley, Berks. The area affected is approximately 1½ acres. The purpose of the enclosure is to provide access to water for cattle grazing on the adjoining downland where, in view of the ground level, there is difficulty in providing a supply. The matter is under consideration. No application was outstanding on 31st December, 1940.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give, by counties, a list showing the acreage of common lands and manorial wastes in rural parishes outside the Metropolitan area over which the owner of the soil of the common or waste has by deed given the public rights of air and exercise since the passing of the Law of Property Act, 1925, distinguishing between the acreage dealt with before 1941 and during that year; and a list of those counties in which no action has been taken?

No Deed of Declaration was deposited during the year 1941, so that the answer given to the hon. Member on 21st January, 1941, is still applicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much milk was produced in England and Wales in the years 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941; and how much was sold in liquid form in each year, with similar figures, if available, for the month of December in each year?

The information asked for as regards the years 1938 and 1939 is as follows:—

	1938	1939
	mil. gals.	mil. gals.
Total milk sales	1,077	1,123
Total liquid sales	757	760
Total Sales December	78	77
Liquid Sales December	64	63

Statistics relating to milk production and utilisation since the outbreak of war are not available for publication, but I would refer the hon. Member to an estimate of the milk supply situation which I gave in the House on the 19th November last in the course of the Debate on the Address.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the difficulty of obtaining threshing tackle and to avoid unfairness, he will not vary the price of marketed British wheat but will allow the maximum price to stand until about June?

It is necessary that the maximum possible quantity of homegrown wheat should be threshed and sold by the end of March, and that the whole crop should be threshed by the end of May in England and Wales and by the end of June in Scotland. I am therefore unable to agree that the incentive to market wheat by the end of March should be diminished. County War Agricultural Executive Committees have been instructed to give priority in the use of threshing tackle to growers of wheat, and it is hoped that all growers will have an opportunity to thresh a substantial part of their remaining stocks of wheat by the end of March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious effect on bee-keeping of the use of arsenic when spraying fruit trees, since honey is thereby lost; and whether either the spray can be mixed with some article repellant to bees, or advice given to beekeepers to ensure that bees are kept away from the vicinity of orchards?

I am aware of the danger to bees through the use of arsenical sprays on fruit trees, and advice both to beekeepers and to fruit growers as to the precautions which they should adopt is issued by my Department as widely as possible at the appropriate time each year. Experiments are in progress with a view to ascertaining the possibility of incorporating in arsenical sprays a repellant to bees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the numbers of cattle under his control, which have been compulsorily transferred to less well-stocked land; and on what financial basis these transfers are carried out?

The powers of compulsory agistment of livestock conferred by Defence Regulation 628A are delegated to County War Agricultural Executive Committees. Having regard to the large amount of vital food production work falling on them, these committees have not been called upon to make any returns of the cases in which the powers have been exercised. I am therefore not in a position to supply the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Health how many nurseries have been installed in Manchester and in Lancashire, respectively, for the young children of women war workers?

In Manchester, one war-time nursery is open and six others are proposed. In the rest of the county of Lancaster (including the county boroughs), 18 nurseries are open, a further 24 have been approved, and 16 more are under consideration by the authorities. Both in Manchester and in the rest of the county a large number of children under five attend nursery classes in public elementary schools.

asked the Minister of Health how many war nurseries are in existence in the London area?

There are 20 war-time day nurseries open in the London Region, 44 more nurseries have been approved but are not yet in operation, and a further 92 are in preparation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, in connection with Lord Reith's scrap-iron collection campaign, steps can be taken to clear immediately dumps which have existed untouched for many months, since otherwise the public will not be encouraged to make the necessary increased efforts; and whether, if particulars are given him, he will inquire into cases of dumps which have remained uncleared for long periods?

Arrangements are being made to clear all existing public dumps in the counties of Essex, Wiltshire and Cumberland, starting to-morrow, and to follow on in all other counties without delay. The county programmes will be given wide publicity and we shall be glad to receive information as to dumps in the counties affected. It will take at least six months to deal with the whole country.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he has considered the proposal made in the Thirty-seventh Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, with regard to the formation of a women's forestry service on the same lines as the Women's Land Army.

I have been asked to reply. This proposal is being actively considered in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, and it is hoped to reach a decision shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the letter from the Lewisham branch of the Electrical Trades Union, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, regarding Income Tax and wages; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

Yes, Sir. The correspondence shows that the branch in question wish to know why the goods which can now be supplied for sale to the public are limited in amount. The answer is that the need to devote so much of our man-power to manning and equipping the Defence Services and to spare all available ships to carry food and essential war materials means that much smaller quantities of goods can be made or imported for civilian use than in peace-time. Shortages in the supplies of such goods are therefore a direct and unavoidable result of the war effort.

asked the Minister of Labour how many prosecutions up to date have been instituted by his Department against workpeople for leaving their jobs without permission?

Up to 31st December, 7 persons had been prosecuted for leaving employment in undertakings scheduled under the Essential Work Orders without the permission of a National Service officer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, realising the importance of agricultural blacksmiths for repairing implements needed for the production of food, he will take steps to ensure that all blacksmiths registered as agricultural shall be required to return to the work on which they were engaged when registered?

The importance of agricultural blacksmiths for repairing implements needed for the production of food is fully realised by my Department. All demands for such workers are carefully considered and, if necessary, men who have formerly been employed as agricultural blacksmiths may be required to return to this work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the calling-up of women over 30 years of age has commenced; and, if so, for what groups?

The age groups at present proclaimed under the National Service Act as liable to be called up for the women's auxiliary services do not include women who had attained the age of 31 years or over on the date of the Proclamation, namely, 18th December, but the registration under the Registration for Employment Order of women over 30 has already been announced; the 1910 class registered on 6th December and the 1909 class will register on 24th January next. Further age groups will register thereafter at fortnightly intervals until 21st March next when the matter will be further reviewed. Selection interviews for the purpose of transferring such women to war industry will commence immediately after registration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his decision tot to call up for other war work, for the time being, women now doing Civil Defence work, applies only to whole-time paid workers or also to full-time volunteers?

The general arrangement, under which women serving in Civil Defence are not, for the time being, being called up for other war work, applies to those enrolled for whole-time paid service in the Local Authority General Services, the National Fire Service, and the Women's Auxiliary Police Corps, and to full-time volunteers filling vacancies in the paid establishment of these Services. (The "paid establishment" means the maximum number of whole-time personnel the local authority is authorised to employ in a service in a particular area.) The cases of full-time women volunteers doing other duties connected with Civil Defence are considered in the light of the duties undertaken, in consultation with the local authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered resolutions from old age pensioners' associations in Leyton, and other areas, requesting an increase in the basic scale of old age pensions in view of the increase in the cost of living; and whether he will now indicate at what percentage of increase in the cost of living he will consider improving that scale?

My right hon. Friend has considered the resolutions in question. It is the policy of the Government to meet the situation to which my hon. Friend refers, not by increasing the basic rate of old age pensions, but by the provision of supplementary pensions in cases of need. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 8th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds the medical policy of his Department recently has tended to regard diphtheria as the greatest menace to child-life, when for ages one to five years measles, whooping-cough and broncho-pneumonia are far more fatal than diphtheria; whether he is aware that this year whooping-cough has caused many more deaths in the 16 large burghs of Scotland than diphtheria; and whether steps will be taken to combat those diseases which statistics show to be the most deadly?

My right hon. Friend is aware that a large proportion of the deaths of children under five is due to measles, whooping-cough and bronchopneumonia, and medical research into the prevention and cure of these diseases is constantly going on. The reason for the steps recently taken to combat diphtheria by securing the immunisation of as many children as possible is that my right hon. Friend's medical advisers regard the efficacy of that measure as proved beyond reasonable doubt.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the necessity for the existence of 67 municipal clinics in Glasgow for the purpose of diphtheria immunisation, having regard to the fact that the average number of children attending them is 24 per day per clinic?

The clinics in Glasgow at which diphtheria immunisation is performed are also in use for other medical purposes, only one or two sessions weekly of 2-2½ hours being held at each clinic for immunisation. Sessions are held at 36 clinics in all and in a recent period of seven weeks the average attendance was 99 children per session.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that kitchen equipments for British Restaurants in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, promised a considerable time ago, are not yet delivered; and whether deliveries can now be expedited?

Kitchen equipment has been obtained through the Ministry for only one of the British Restaurants in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and this has been delivered. I understand however, that there has been some delay in the case of certain equipment which was ordered from manufacturers direct. I am making inquiries of the firms concerned with a view to expediting delivery.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the tonnage of fresh fish landed in this country in each of the last six weeks to date; and whether there is any means of tracing its distribution, in view of the fact that little of it reaches the fish friers who cater expressly for industrial districts?

It would not be in the national interest to publish statistics of fish landed in war time and I regret that I cannot give the figures required. Fish is allocated at the ports of landing to first-hand buyers who are mainly coastal merchants, but I have no details as to the quantities reaching fish friers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that some fish friers have had no fish since mid-December and that many are closing down as a result; whether, to provide this food for the populous districts, he will ascertain whether this is in part due to the fact that fish friers buy at the same prices as fishmongers and the wholesale fish market finds it more profitable to sell to the ordinary caterers; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

I understand that some fish friers have received little or no fish for several weeks. Where this has been due to inequitable distribution by the wholesaler and the facts have been given, my Department have been able to take appropriate action. I regret that there is not nearly enough fish being landed at present to meet retailers' and friers' requirements. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question a scheme for improving fish distribution is now being prepared with the object of remedying existing inequalities of supply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the quantity of fish available for sale in the following markets during the last week for which figures are available: Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield; and whether he is satisfied that this represents a fair distribution?

I regret that the information is not available. The figures required would not provide any guide as to fairness of distribution, which is made direct from the coast to retailers and fish friers as well as through markets. My Department is at present engaged in preparing a scheme calculated to secure as equitable a distribution of available fish supplies as is possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the percentage of the fresh salted cod bought from Iceland which the Ministry has already disposed of; and what was the original price per ton?

Sales during the 12 weeks ended 26th December, 1941, of Icelandic wet salted cod imported on the Ministry's account represented 40 per cent. of the quantity arrived in this country by that date, of which only 46 per cent. had then been prepared ready for sale. The purchase price for the bulk of the supply is £35 per metric ton f.o.b. Iceland.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will indicate the date, and the terms of the instruction, upon which the hospitals under his control have adopted national wheatmeal bread; and whether, before issuing this instruction, he ascertained that the loaf, the consumption of which at the hospitals is thus enforced, is prepared in accordance with the directions stipulated by the Medical Research Council?

No instructions have been given in this matter by my Department to any hospital, but certain recommendations were made to local authorities and to voluntary hospitals in the Emergency Hospital Scheme, in Circular 2407, mentioned by my hon. Friend in his Question of the 19th December. No independent analysis of the bread to be supplied to such hospitals was made by my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the difficulties in controlling the supplies of milk available to producer-retailers, as compared with ordinary distributors, especially in areas where the majority of milk retailers are producer-retailers; whether in such areas, frequently near some towns, the decision that in country districts the producer-retailer should not be entitled to receive a permit for condensed milk could be changed or amended, especially in those cases where producer-retailers on the borders of large towns supply all their milk to these towns, and yet are treated on the same footing as the country producer-retailer; whether supplies of condensed milk could be made available to all producer-retailers; and, if any change or amendment in the Milk Scheme in this way is intended, will an official departmental announcement be made and broadcasted?

As regards the first part of the Question, the milk supplies of producer-retailers are now controlled under the Milk Diversion Order in the same way as those of any other distributor. All producer-retailers must make a declaration stating their supply and sales of milk, and must dispose of any surplus over and above the quantity needed to meet the quantity shown on their certificate of requirements in accordance with directions made by or on behalf of the Minister. Producer-retailers in country districts have not so far been called upon to surrender any part of their liquid milk, and have not been entitled to supplies of evaporated milk. The extent to which any surpluses will be diverted will be determined in the light of an examination of the returns submitted under the Order mentioned. It will then be possible to consider how far supplies of evaporated milk might be made available to the producer-retailers affected. Full publicity will, of course, be given to any change.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether eggs are now a rationed commodity; and, if so, what is the allowance that each person may purchase?

Eggs are not a rationed commodity: therefore there is not any fixed allowance to which any person is entitled. Eggs are, however, distributed on a basis of customer registration as frequently as supplies will permit. Owing to the nature of the supplies and the perishability of the article, it is not possible to make allocations at stated periods, nor is it possible to make an allocation to all consumers throughout the country at the same tine. Under the priority scheme, certain consumers (children, some invalids, etc.) obtain four eggs do each allocation where the normal consumer obtains one.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether in those districts where the white loaf fortified with synthetic vitamin B 1 is supplied that loaf is distinguishable and, if so, by what means, from the unfortified supply; and whether, in all cases, the straight-run white-flour loaf without addition of any kind will remain available to those who prefer it?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise. The answer to the third part is in the negative. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement of the Government's intentions which was made on the 18th July, 1940, and the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach) on 11th November last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, why his Department are now proceeding with the second stage of emergency feeding arrangements by the provision of self-contained kitchens in the area of the Rochford, Essex, Council, in view of the fact that they are unnecessary as the regional commissioner has instructed that previous residents may return only under conditions which are extremely severe?

The self-contained kitchen or cooking depot referred to by my hon. Friend is being established in the Rochford area in pursuance of the policy of providing emergency feeding facilities in the hinterland of vulnerable towns. Under emergency conditions the depot would supply hot cooked food not only to the emergency meals centres but also, by arrangement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, to certain rest centres in the area. In addition to their function of providing hot meals under emergency conditions, the cooking depots which have been established by local authorities on behalf of the Ministry of Food are being used for day-to-day meals services, supplying hot cooked food in heat-retaining containers to British Restaurants and industrial and school canteens. I understand that the daily output of the Rochford Depot will be utilised in part for the feeding of school children in the area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, considering the importance of vitamins in modern medical treatment, he will remove his restrictions on the use of these products for pharmaceutical purposes?

There are no restrictions on the use of vitamins B1 and D for pharmaceutical purposes. Vitamin A is still available in reduced quantities for pharmaceutical purposes. It is not possible to increase the present supply owing to the large demands for this vitamin for the fortification of margarine. As regards vitamin C there is no restriction on the use of ascorbic acid for tablets and other "straight" preparations. There is, however, a voluntary restriction with the manufacturers whereby pharmaceutical manufacturers of proprietary brands of multi-vitamin preparations are allowed supplies of ascorbic acid on the basis of their average usage in the first five months of 1941 prior to the introduction of the vitamin C Control Order on 2nd June last. This restriction has been imposed by my noble Friend with the agreement of my Right Hon. Friend the Minister of Health, on the recommendation of the special Diets Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in order to relieve congestion in the shops and reduce the demands on traffic, he will issue coupons by which housewives can buy a monthly supply of non-perishable foodstuffs?

I do not know what foods my hon. Friend has in mind but four weeks' supplies of certain rationed foods may be purchased at any time during each specified four weekly period. These foods are canned foods under the points rationing scheme, tea, sugar, preserves and cheese.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the arrangements for the improvement in the canteen facilities for Chatham Dockyard apprentices have yet been put in hand; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

The apprentices in Chatham Dockyard share in the canteen accommodation provided for the work-people in general. New canteen accommodation for about 1,000 workpeople is now almost completed. This accommodation will afford relief in the men's canteens, where certain space is at present utilised by women. In addition, plans have been prepared for further new canteens with a view to bringing the total number of seats available at one time up to about one-quarter of the number of workpeople employed in the Yard. The work will be put in hand forthwith.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why it is that a naval officer who marries in America receives marriage allowance, while his messmate whose wife is evacuated to America is not entitled to this allowance?

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the recent announcement made in the House that monthly remittances of £10 for a wife and £3 for each child can now be made in respect of wives and children in Canada and the United States. The whole matter, of marriage allowances for officers whose families are in the United States and Canada is now under active consideration in the light of the altered circumstances to which I have referred. Meanwhile payment of marriage allowance to officers in the second category mentioned by my hon. Friend has been resumed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether steps are to be taken to ensure that both British officers and seamen serving in the Pacific have personal knowledge of enemy aircraft and submarine attack acquired by experience in other waters?

A considerable number of officers and men serving in the Pacific will have acquired personal experience in other waters of enemy methods of attack by aircraft and submarine, but it would not be possible to ensure that all have had this experience. My hon. Friend will appreciate, however, that offiecrs and men are trained in these matters in whatever theatre of war they are serving, and that any useful information gained by actual experience is promulgated throughout the Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is considering the construction either of pocket aircraft carriers or the conversion of merchantmen into pocket carriers?

Neither of the possibilities to which my hon. Friend refers has been overlooked.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings how many directors have been appointed since his Ministry was instituted; what were their several duties; how many of them are there to-day; how many have left, either temporarily or permanently, during the last four months; and how many are about to leave in the near future?

Eleven directors have been appointed in the Ministry of Works and Buildings since its creation, namely, of Bricks, Cement, Roofing and other Materials, Standardisation, Constructional Design, Labour Requirements and Plant, Building Programmes, Works, Emergency Works, Post-war Buildings., and Demolition and Recovery. Their duties are implied in their respective titles. Within the last four months the Director of Building Programmes has resigned, and the Director of Standardisation has temporarily relinquished that position, in both cases owing to the demands of their private businesses which are engaged on important war work. One further change will shortly take place.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number by which the personnel of his Department has been reduced since June, 1940?

Since 1st June, 1940, the staff of the Department of Overseas Trade has been reduced by 145.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his Ministry is collecting and co-ordinating up-to-date authentic information affecting scientific and aesthetic conditions of, and location of, population, industry, agriculture, transport, etc.; if so, who is in charge of this research; and how soon will it be ready for issue, in a clear and practical form, for the guidance of planners who will be responsible to local authorities for this section of war reconstruction?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend has initiated a programme of planning research on the matters which he within his sphere. In these matters information is being sought from numerous qualified bodies. This programme is under the general control of the staff appointed by my Noble Friend to assist him in carrying out the responsibilities for physical reconstruction entrusted to him. My Noble Friend is not yet in a position to say when, or in what form, the results of such research will be published.

asked the Home Secretary what is the interval of time between the detention of a person under Regulation 18B and the consideration of the case by the advisory committee?

All such cases are heard by the committee as soon as possible after the detainee has made objections against the Order to the committee, has been furnished by the chairman, in accordance with paragraph (5) of the Regulation, with particulars of the grounds of the Order, and has been allowed a reasonable time to consider these particulars. The interval varies in individual cases, but it does not now ordinarily exceed three weeks.

asked the Home Secretary how the cost of maintaining the Mosleys in Holloway gaol is made up?

The arrangement for certain married couples to be detained together in Holloway Prison does not involve any appreciable difference in the cost. The cost is approximately the same whether the husband is detained in one prison and the wife in another or both are in the same establishment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is considering the compulsory enrolment of women for fire-watching in those areas where volunteers cannot be obtained in sufficient numbers; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

Whilst my right hon. Friend would hope that generally the existing position will be maintained, under which fire prevention duties are undertaken by men assisted by women volunteers, there may be areas in which it may be necessary to require women to undertake them. When this is so, the assistance will be sought of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service in whom wide powers are now vested to direct persons to do part-time duty in any of the Civil Defence Services.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that the Manor House, Bury St. Edmunds, the largest house in the town, has been acquired for the Auxiliary Fire Service; what portions of it are to be the residence of the divisional fire officer and his family; how many rooms are being allotted to him; and for what purpose it is intended to use the remainder of the house;(2) the strength of the Auxiliary Fire Service in Bury St. Edmunds; and the numbers of men and women employed, respectively, in fire-fighting personnel and office staff?

The use of the building in question, now known as the court house, has been secured for the National Fire Service. It will be used for the headquarters of the Bury St. Edmunds Division of No. 13 Fire Force. The strength of this division is 133 whole-time men, 598 part-time men, 35 whole-time women and 23 part-time women; of these, 6 whole-time men and 16 whole-time women are employed on administrative duties at the divisional headquarters. I should perhaps explain that this division covers an area of about 1,012 square miles, in which there were previously 13 separate fire brigades, each with its own separate administration. The building affords office accommodation for the headquarters staff, and, in addition, three rooms with kitchen and bathroom, are allotted as living accommodation for the Divisional Officer and his family.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are taken to hold Press conferences at the Ministry, so that the public may be kept informed of the various measures for their welfare, in which they will have to co-operate in case of invasion?

Instruction and advice to the public about their conduct in invasion was embodied in the Government's leaflet "Beating the Invader" circulated to every household in the country last summer. Should there be any occasion for modifications of those aspects of this policy for which the Ministry of Home Security is responsible, every appropriate means, including Press conferences, would be adopted to bring them to the notice of the public.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of enemy air attacks, he has considered copying the American mobile bath, a specimen of which has been sent to this country by the British War Relief Society of America?

I have been asked to reply. A mobile bathing unit consisting of a vehicle with water-heating facilities, and baths for babies, the cost of which was generously met by the British War Relief Society, has been built in this country. This unit is operated by the British Red Cross Society. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that a large slumber of mobile cleansing units have been supplied to local authorities for certain civil defence duties which are suitable and available for bathing and washing purposes in emergencies after enemy attacks.

asked the Secretary of State for Air who are now the contractors at an aerodrome, the name of which has been sent to him; has his attention been called to the bad work done by and the bad condition of the tracks laid down by the late contractors; what it has cost to put this right; and what action has been taken?

The contractors at present engaged at this aerodrome are L. J. Speight and Partners, Ltd., of Thatcham, Berkshire. At a late stage in the course of the original constructional work there was a temporary shortage of material required for the perimeter track and material of a lower grade than that first specified was incorporated in parts of the track in order to avoid delay. This proved adequate until, for operational reasons, aircraft of a heavier type than had been contemplated were moved to the aerodrome. Some deterioration of the perimeter track, but not of the runways, then occurred. The repair work cost £6,000. The lower grade material was substituted with Air Ministry approval and no blame rests on the original contractors. If they had been still on the site when the defects became apparent the additional work would have been let to them. Speight and Partners were then undertaking other constructional work at the aerodrome and they were accordingly entrusted with the work.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any further statement to make as to the Royal Air Force increasing its bombing activities in Germany?

It remains our policy to strike Germany as hard and as often as we can. The degree and direction of our effort at any particular time necessarily depend, on various factors such as weather, the requirements of other theatres of war and the strategic situation generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the aerodrome on which four boys recently damaged certain Royal Air Force aeroplanes is the same aerodrome as the one on which two Nazi prisoners recently secured an aeroplane; and what disciplinary action has been taken to place the aerodrome or aerodromes in question under proper protection and to prevent such happenings?

Yes, Sir. The facts of this incident which occurred the day before that of the escaped prisoners are that the boys were observed in the vicinity of some dispersed aircraft and made off as soon as an airman approached them. In the meantime, they had done slight damage to an aircraft and had pilfered some first-aid equipment. The matter was reported to the civil police, the culprits were identified, and on proceedings being taken, were fined. Measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in future.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to say how it was possible for two German airmen who escaped from a North of England prison camp to obtain possession of a Royal Air Force aeroplane as a means of escape from this country; how did they gain access to the aerodrome; and is it customary to leave, in time of war, aeroplanes unguarded and in condition fit to take off?

The incident to which the hon. Member refers occurred on 24th November last. A Royal Air Force court of inquiry was ordered the next day. The report of proceedings reached the Air Ministry on 26th December and revealed these facts:The two prisoners-of-war gained access to an aerodrome operated on behalf of the Royal Air Force by a civilian concern, where Allied personnel were under training. The court could not establish exactly how and where entry was effected, but the two men succeeded in evading the Royal Air Force guard and the defence patrol on duty at the time. They then got into a training aircraft and were allowed to take off under the eyes of a civilian mechanic who mistook them for Allied personnel. His suspicions were aroused when he realised that neither was carrying a parachute, but by this time the aircraft had already taxied away and was taking off. He reported at once to the Station Commander, a general warning was thereupon issued to all Royal Air Force Stations and the aircraft was tracked by the Royal Observer Corps. When later it landed through lack of fuel, the prisoners were apprehended.The court of inquiry found that, while there was no evidence of individual negligence, the patrol system for guarding the aerodrome was inadequate and the procedure for authorising flights was not satisfactory. Measures have been taken to prevent recurrence of a similar incident at this or any other civil-operated aerodrome. The suggestion that the fugitives were given flying suits is unfounded.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether all members of the Royal Observer Corps are now fully equipped?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 10th December last, the issue of new pattern uniforms of the battledress type to members of the Royal Observer Corps will begin about the end of February. With regard to protective clothing, members at posts are fully equipped except in one area where the personal issue of stormcoats and gum boots is not yet completed. There is, however, a sufficient supply in this area for use by members actually on duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the number of members of the Royal Observer Corps up to the present who have sought deferment of call-up by applying for membership; and how many were refused?

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the category of part-time members of the Royal Observer Corps known as Bx members. These are unreserved men between the ages of 35 and 41 whose calling-up has been temporarily deferred. They number about 1,170. I cannot say how many applied to be placed in this catetory and were refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Aircraftman 2, K. J. Hollowell, who has recently completed a sentence of 28 days' detention as a conscientious objector is now under close arrest, and threatened with a further three months before being granted facilities to state his case before the Appeal Tribunal, under Section 13 of the National Services (Armed Forces) Act, 1939; and what steps he intends to take to prevent this victimisation?

This airman having obtained exemption as a conscientious objector then voluntarily joined the Royal Air Force, but after a short period of service refused to comply with orders and was sentenced to a summary punishment of 28 days' detention. On the expiry of that sentence he continued to refuse to obey orders, and is now awaiting trial by court-martial. As soon as the court-martial proceedings are concluded, the question of immediate reference of his case to the appellate tribunal will be considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that organisations in Wales which are doing work on the lines of the Entertainments National Service Association in England to entertain troops and to stimulate and keep up the morale of the people, are handicapped owing to the lack of petrol for transport purposes; and whether consideration will be given to this matter?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the organisations he has in mind, and of their transport difficulties, I shall be happy to look into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the numbers of road accidents during the year 1941, stating the number of deaths, the number of persons severely injured, and of those slightly injured?

The number of persons who died as a result of road accidents in Great Britain during 1941 was 9,169. During the nine months April to December, 1941, for which figures are available 36,069 persons were seriously injured and 110,455 slightly injured. Thé number of accidents cannot be stated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that some post offices are refusing to accept parcels with stuck-on labels; and what is the exact nature of the instructions issued on this point by his Department?

An instruction was issued to all post offices in November, 1941, that parcels or packets addressed by means of labels should not for the time being at any rate be refused because of a possible infringement of the Control of Paper (No. 36) Order, 1941. I am not aware of any post office having refused parcels with stuck-on labels, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any such cases, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to hand over the management of any further Government-built munitions works to private enterprise?

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been taken to change the scheme of management in state-owned ordnance and allied factories and establishments?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the considered policy of the Government to hand over factories, now owned or managed by Government Departments, to private management and control; and whether, as any such policy would be generally resented, both on the grounds of efficiency and of equity, he has any statement to make?

I have been asked to reply. I presume the hon. Members have in mind the discussions now proceeding with certain firms, in which they are being asked to launch and manage for an initial period certain new factories for the filling of ammunition on behalf of the Ministry of Supply. The factories will be known as Ordnance Factories. The firms will receive their actual expenses, without profit. These arrangements are being made to obtain the advantage of the assistance of the management and business organisation of the firms concerned in order to bring these factories into full production as quickly as possible. When this object has been achieved, the factories will be transferred to Royal Ordnance Factory management. The decision to invite this assistance was taken to deal with a specific problem of management, and does not represent any general change of policy. No similar arrangements are contemplated at present for other munitions factories.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that one ton of pulp produces five tons of paper; and why manufactured paper is imported instead of pulp?

One ton of pulp will produce about an equal quantity of paper. The importation of manufactured paper has been drastically reduced since the beginning of the war, and now consists only of newsprint and of specialised papers and boards for which manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom either does not exist or is inadequate to meet essential demands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there are any welfare officers employed in the Fiji Islands to look after the interest of the workers in the sugar industry; to what extent the workers' dwellings are adequate to house all the workers; and, if not, what steps are being taken to remedy the bad conditions of living in many places of employment?

The matter falls within the province of the Commissioner of Labour. According to my information, the housing of labour in almost all sugar areas reaches a good standard.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he proposes to enforce the new Regulation 56A (S.R. & O. 1941, No. 1596) without attempting to clear up his responsibility for dilapidations, work on which, under the order, it will be impossible to carry out, as failure to do so will drive many people into litigation?

If the hon. Member is referring to the obligations of a tenant under covenant to repair, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Morgan) on 10th December, from which it will be seen that such a tenant is not allowed to carry out repairs in any case in which a licence to carry out the work is refused under Defence Regulation 56A. The consequent adjustment of rights as between landlord and tenant is a matter for agreement between the parties or, failing that, in the event of recourse being made to the courts, falls to be determined by the operation of the existing general law.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, under the new regulations governing the outlay on repairs, it is proposed to deal in any way with responsibility for executing dilapidations; and, if not, how this issue will be adjusted between landlords and tenants?

The execution of building work for the purpose of making good dilapidations, if it involves expenditure in excess of the prescribed limit, will be unlawful in the absence of a licence, and as a result of the operation of the general law a tenant in such a case cannot be compelled under a covenant to repair to carry out any work in respect of which a licence has been refused.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether his Department undertakes to make good, subject to labour and materials being available, damage to walls caused by the removal of railings; and whether, in that case, he can define the exact meaning of such damage?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The extent of making good depends upon the type of wall or structure to which the railings were attached, but generally speaking the intention is to leave in a safe and weatherproof condition. Owing to the defective condition of some dwarf walls it may be necessary to demolish part of them after the removal of the railings, especially those with iron copings, as an alternative to rebuilding, but a few courses will be rebedded as local conditions require to form an effective curb.

asked the Minister of Health what was the diphtheria death rate, per million, at ages under 15 years in 1938, 1939, and 1940?

The number of deaths from diphtheria per million children under 15 years of age was 306 in 1938, 227 in 1939, and 265 in 1940.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to deal with the possible spread to this country of the epidemic of typhoid which has broken out in certain parts of Eastern Europe?

Precautions against typhoid are part of the normal public health services, but they have been supplemented by arrangements which will enable any local authority to carry out immediate large-scale inoculation whenever, in the opinion of the medical officer of health, circumstances make this advisable. I may also inform my hon. Friend that special precautions have been taken against the possible spread to this country from the Continent of louse-borne typhus fever, and I am sending him a copy of a circular on this subject issued to all local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the results of investigations carried out by the medical officer of health to the Post Office, in connection with quarantine rules in respect of infectious diseases, which prove that the existing rules of quarantine involve unnecessary idleness, and therefore impose a needless loss of healthy man-power; and whether he will take steps to bring these conclusions to the notice of industry and to all medical officers of health?

Yes, Sir; the conclusions referred to are in general accord with the advice which my Department has given for years past when guidance on the subject has been sought. My medical advisers and those of the Board of Education have recently given the matter further consideration, and I hope that very shortly the two Departments will issue to local education authorities a schedule recommending revised periods of exclusion from school of patients suffering from infectious disease or their contacts. As regards industry, I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether consideration will be given to increasing the subsistence allowance granted to Home Guards to bring it in line with moneys given to other part-time voluntary services?

The rates of subsistence allowance for the Home Guard have been revised, and the new rates will be announced shortly. In the revision account has been taken of the rates paid to other part-time voluntary services.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to make any special provisions for the physical and moral welfare of youths who are now being accepted in the Home Guard under the National Service Acts?

No special arrangements are made for the physical and moral welfare of the Home Guard as a whole, but Home Guard duties have generally been found to have a beneficial effect on the health of those youths who join. Special attention is paid to the physical and moral welfare of the youths between 16 and 17 who are being advised to join the Army Cadets, officers and instructors being carefully selected from this point of view.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken to improve local transport arrangements for the Home Guard; and whether periodic reports on their efficiency are sent to headquarters?

Local transport for the Home Guard is normally provided by the Royal Army Service Corps, but where Royal Army Service Corps, vehicles are not available the responsibility for providing transport may be delegated to Territorial Army Associations or Home Guard units may be authorised to hire locally. Periodical inspections are made to check the efficiency of these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in the North of England, members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are compelled to sleep two in a bed, and as many as eight in a small bedroom; and whether steps are being taken to remedy these disabilities?

I have had investigations made in the case of the single billet to which I understand my hon. Friend refers. The allegation is completely unfounded. Only two auxiliaries are sleeping in the house in question and each has a separate room and a separate bed.

asked the Secretary of State for War how the outfit allowance for officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service compares with that for Army officers of the same rank; and whether he can give details of expenditure in each case?

Officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service receive an outfit allowance of £40 to cover the clothing they need, including two suits of service dress. Army officers receive either £35 or £45 according to whether they require one suit of service dress and one suit of battle dress or two suits of service dress. These allowances do not vary with rank. The clothing required by Auxiliary Territorial Service officers can be bought for approximately £37 exclusive of Purchase Tax, and that of Army officers for £42 exclusive of Purchase Tax where two suits of service dress are required.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether full preparations are being made to anticipate the possibility of Germany, as she did in the case of tanks, copying on a mass scale our successful demonstration of combined landing operations on the Island of Vaagso?

Preparations have been made to deal with any combined landing operation that enemy air and naval forces seem likely to be able to cover. These preparations are continuously under review and are brought up to date as required.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the extent of war material, particularly of oil left undestroyed, on the Kowloon peninsula on its abandonment by British forces?

All war material was so far as possible destroyed before British troops were withdrawn from the Kowloon peninsula. In particular, extensive demolitions were carried out at the Kowloon dockyard and at Kai Tak Royal Air Force station. It was unfortunately impossible to destroy one oil installation owing to its proximity to a large civil hospital; but all the rest were destroyed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what modification has been made, or is proposed to be made, in the practice of the withholding of family allowances to officers on the grounds that the family resides outside the sterling area, in view of the concession announced on 9th January?

asked the Secretary of State for War as sterling can be transferred to America for the support of evacuated children, will officers whose children have been evacuated to America and who have been deprived of allowances for them now be paid these allowances; and will the arrangement be retrospective?

In the case of those who are permitted to make remittances, allowances will be admissible as from 1st January, 1942, provided that remittances are made to the extent of the allowances or the maximum limit of remittance whichever is the less.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered disparities arising from the present method of paying dependants' allowances to the families of Indian soldiers serving in this country; and whether a new scale and system will be introduced to avoid families of men of the same rank receiving different allowances because they joined the Forces at different times?

The current rates of family allowances for Indians enlisting in this country whose families are resident in India were laid down in 1940 after full consideration of all the circumstances. In accordance with the normal practice, men who had enlisted before the introduction of these rates were allowed to continue to receive the benefit of the conditions under which they enlisted. It is not proposed to introduce a new scale.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider raising from Grade C to Grade A bakers in the Royal Army Service Corps whose work is not only skilled but laborious?

The question of the grouping of bakers in the Royal Army Service Corps is at present under consideration. I should perhaps add that the amount of manual labour involved is not relevant to the grouping assigned to Army trades, which is determined by the degree of technical skill and knowledge called for.

Kerr asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the biological method of camouflage known as dazzle is particularly effective under jungle conditions; and whether he can assure the House that this mode of protection is being extended to all tanks in service under such conditions?

I am aware that "dazzle" camouflage can be particularly effective under jungle conditions and full attention has been paid to it in the teaching of and instructions to Army camouflage officers. This method is applied to tanks operating in jungle areas wherever conditions are suitable.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consult the appropriate authorities for an improvement in the rates of dependants' allowances to Jewish Palestinians serving in the Army, and for arrangements for pensions to soldiers discharged from the Army as physically unfit for further service?

I have been asked to reply. The rates of family allowance in Palestine were fixed having regard to all the circumstances in relation to rates elsewhere and have been increased from time to time as the home rates have been increased. I am, however, looking into the question whether any special action is necessary. Dependants' allowance is not admissible for dependants in areas abroad where the soldier is not liable to be conscribed. Awards to soldiers of Palestinian units (and their dependants in the event of death) who are discharged or die on account of a disability attributable to their service, are admissible at roughly two-thirds British rates, and arrangements are in force for provisional payments to be put in issue pending reference of such cases home for determination of the substantive award.

asked the Secretary of State for War what the present billeting allowances for soldiers are, the menu for each meal, and the cash allowance for the same?

As regards billeting rates I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Rhondda (Mr. Mainwaring) on the 19th November, 1941. The billetor is required under the Army Act to provide soldiers with breakfast, hot dinner, tea and supper on each day, such meals to consist of or to be substantially equivalent to the following quantities of food and drink for each soldier:—

(a) for breakfast, five ounces of bread, one ounce of butter, one pint of tea with milk and sugar, four ounces of bacon, one ounce of marmalade;

(b) For hot dinner, ten ounces of meat, three ounces of bread, ten ounces of potatoes, eight ounces of other vegetables, four ounces of pudding;

(c) For tea, four ounces of bread, half an ounce of margarine, one pint of tea with milk and sugar, two ounces of jam;

(d) For supper, three ounces of bread, one pint of tea with milk and sugar, four ounces of meat.

In practice, the quantities of nationally rationed articles of food (e.g., meat, bacon) supplied will be limited to those allowed by the soldier's ration card, and the balance necessary to give a reasonable standard of feeding may be made up by other foodstuffs. Similarly, suitable substitutes may be provided for any other items of the scale which may be unobtainable or prohibitive in price.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the importance of post-war trade of a knowledge of Spanish, he can state the number of schools in the London area in which this language is taught on practical lines?

According to my information, which extends only to schools under the Board's jurisdiction, instruction in Spanish is being given in the administrative County of London in 39 part-time classes organised under the Regulations for Further Education. One secondary school at present evactuated from the county is providing instruction in the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour how many claimants for unemployment assistance have been declared to be out of scope under Section 36 (1) of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, in the Welsh regional area, up to the latest most convenient date?

I am informed by the Assistance Board that during the 12 months ending 28th November, 1941, some 66,000 applications for Unemployment Assistance or payments under the Prevention and Relief of Distress Scheme were made in Wales, and in 3,969 cases the applicant was found not to satisfy one or other of the conditions laid down by Section 36 (1) of the Act (as extended by the Regulations made under the Emergency Powers Act). During the same period 3,194 applicants to whom allowances were being paid ceased to fulfil all the necessary conditions and the allowance was accordingly withdrawn. Separate figures for Unemployment Assistance and Prevention and Relief of Distress are not available. During the same period there were 390 appeals against the decision of the Board's officer declaring an applicant to be out of scope and in 93 of these the decision was reversed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make any statement with regard to the position of Thailand as a factor or agent in the war?

Pending the conclusion of discussions which are still in progress with other interested Governments, I have nothing to add to the statement which I made to my hon. and gallant Friend on 18th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the recent massacre of Norwegian hostages at Stavanger; and whether he will consider broadcasting a request to all Norwegians to record the names of German officers who authorise and execute these murders so that after the war they can be dealt with by the Allies?

I understand that 11 Norwegians were executed at Stavanger on 29th December, having been condemned by a German military court for alleged espionage, sabotage or concealment of firearms. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Allied Governments' declaration of 13th January. In view of this declaration it does not appear necessary for me to arrange such a broadcast.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which are the Protecting Powers for prisoners of war in Germany, Italy, Japan and other enemy countries; and whether the arrangements are working satisfactorily?

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 8th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Chistlehurst (Sir W. Smithers). As regards the last part, I fear I cannot say that arrangements are yet working satisfactorily as regards Japan, since the Japanese Government have not yet replied to a request for an assurance that they will observe the terms of the Prisoners of War Convention. In Germany and Italy and in German- and Italian-occupied territory the Swiss Government have been accorded facilities similar to those previously granted to the United States Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the terms of the declaration signed recently in the United States of America by the representatives of 26 States, and also give the names of the States; and what arrangements have been made for further signatures?

The terms of the Declaration by United Nations signed at Washington on 1st January are as follow:

"A joint declaration by the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa, Yugoslavia:

The Governments signatory hereto having subscribed to a common programme of purposes and principles embodied in the joint declaration of the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dated 14th August, 1941, known as the Atlantic Charter, being convinced that complete victory over their enemies is essential to defend life, liberty, independence and religious freedom and to preserve human rights and justice in their own lands as well as in other lands and that they are now engaged in a common struggle against savage and brutal forces seeking to subjugate the world, declare:

(1) Each Government pledges itself to employ its full resources military or economic against those members of the Tripartite Pact and its adherents with which such Government is at war.

(2) Each Government pledges itself to co-operate with the Governments signatory hereto and not to make a separate Armistice or Peace with the enemies.

The foregoing declaration may be adhered to by other nations which are or which may be rendering material assistance and contributions in the struggle for victory over Hitlerism."

As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the concluding sentence of the declaration. The following statement was also issued by the United States Government on 6th January:

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will arrange for the lift attendants at India House to be paid war bonus; and make the payments retrospective?

The lift attendants in question are employees of the High Commissioner for India. It is understood that the question of the revision of their pay is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, for each year, from 1924 to 1941, the amount spent on the base at Singapore; and what is the total expenditure upon that base?

Details of expenditure on such schemes by the Service Departments have in the public interest not been given since the publication of the accounts for the financial year 1937. This consideration precludes the giving of information as to the expenditure on the base at Singapore after this date, but expenditure by the three Service Departments in the preceding financial years was as follows:

Financial Year.	Expenditure.
	£
1924	12,000
1925	118,000
1926	163,000
1927	340,000
1928	421,000
1929	863,000
1930	666,000
1931	873,000
1932	964,000
1933	917,000
1934	1,457,000
1935	1,804,000
1936	1,830,000
1937	2,189,000
Total	£12,617,000

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can make any statement on the position of the assessments of manual workers now liable for the first time to Income Tax?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 8th January to the hon. Member for Central Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability in the forthcoming Budget of making arrangements by which the earnings of husband and wife below a certain aggregate sum shall not to be added together for the purposes of Income Tax?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the difficulty under the new Income Tax arrangement on the joint assessment of man and wife where both are working, he will consider the abolition of this assessment; what the loss in revenue thereby would be; and to what extent it is estimated this would be compensated by gain in incentive?

The figures asked for, I regret to say, are not available. On the general question my hon. Friends will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider helping those who have suffered loss through enemy action and are entitled to compensation after the war by allowing them to deduct from Income Tax the whole or part of such compensation in order to make good losses actually suffered?

I regret that I could not adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. It is, however, the practice of the Inland Revenue Department to give careful and sympathetic consideration to any proposals for extension of the time for payment of tax, in a case in which, because of losses arising from the war, a taxpayer is unable to meet his tax liability as it falls due.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedure is to be followed by taxpayers who, having received notice of the amounts to be deducted from their future weekly pay, are now being called up, and being remunerated at a rate which no longer attracts taxation and precludes the possibility of payment by lump sums?

I am informed that in the circumstances envisaged by my hon. Friend the tax would be allowed to stand over if the collector was aware that the taxpayer had been called up and was satisfied that the tax could not be paid without hardship.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolution from the Fife, Clackmannan and Kinross Miners' Union, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, demanding the exemption of all wages paid on overtime from Income Tax payment; and what steps does he intend to take in view of the many representations which have been made on this matter?

I received a copy of the resolutions in question and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on 14th October last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are large numbers of cases where, because of the added Income Tax burden, wives doing war work are very little, if at all, better off than if they stayed at home; and whether, to remove this hardship and to encourage married women taking up work of national importance, he will consider, between now and the next Budget, assessing married couples separately?

I note my hon. Friend's suggestion, but he will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any commission is payable to bankers, or others, on investments made in bonds issued for the purpose of payment of Income Tax or Surtax; and, if so, what is the rate payable?

No commission is payable in respect of the issue of Tax Reserve Certificates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the uncertainty among taxpayers who are liable to Excess Profits Tax by the fear that in subscribing to the new Tax Reserve Certificates they may be prejudiced; that the notes explaining the prospectus are vague and taxpayers are therefore deterred from taking up certificates to some extent; and will he state that all subscriptions made to the new Tax Reserve Certificates will be treated as capital for Excess Profits Tax purposes, or else define precisely the circumstances in which these Tax Reserve Certificates will be treated as capital for Excess Profits Tax purposes?

I am aware that some doubt has been expressed in this matter. No taxpayer will be prejudiced by taking up tax certificates for the purpose of paying his tax bills. The position is that so much of the principal of a tax certificate as is accepted in payment of tax or contribution payable in respect of the profits or property of a business will be treated as an asset ranking as capital employed in the business. The amount applied in payment of tax or contribution will of course fall to be deducted in computing capital at the date laid down in paragraph 2 of Part II of the Seventh Schedule to the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the investigations into the social and economic aspects of family allowance; whether an interim or final Report is to be expected shortly; and whether consideration has been given to the proposal to provide such allowances in the form of coupons for specific quantities of basic foodstuffs and clothing for children?

Considerable progress has been made with the investigation which I have undertaken, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject. As regards the last part of the Question, my investigation has been primarily concerned with cash allowances, but I appreciate that in present conditions the problem may be less one of cash than of ensuring that adequate supplies are available for children. The Government have taken a number of practical measures to this end, and the position in this respect will continue to be watched with a view to such action as the circumstances may require.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that so many people, more especially women and the smaller investors, prefer National Savings Certificates to any other form of savings, he will reconsider his previous decision and will now investigate the possibility of allowing individuals to increase their maximum holding of Savings Certificates from 500 to 1,000 certificates, provided the second 500 certificates are liable to Income Tax?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider some further issue of National Savings Certificates at a lower rate of interest for those who have already taken up their quota in order to bring into the war effort funds lying idle at present?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any further statement on the question of extending the limit of individual holdings in War Savings Certificates and Defence Bonds, and the aggregate annual deposit in Post Office savings?

I have carefully considered these matters. I do not at present see sufficient ground, in view of the alternative methods of investment available, for increasing the maximum holding of Defence Bonds or the maximum annual deposit in the Savings Banks. The sug- gestion for extending the limit for National Savings Certificates or for the issue of a special new series of those certificates has been the subject of a good deal of consideration. Savings Certificates were designed to be, and no doubt are, specially attractive, but on the evidence before me I do not think that the existing limit is hampering savings by the small investor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to increase the maximum number of War Savings Certificates and the maximum amount of Defence Bonds which can be held by any one person?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for King's Norton (Major Peto).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he realises the way in which the present administration of Excess Profit Taxes may prevent any expansion of a limited company registered after 1939, so restricting production at present and export opportunities for the future; and will he consider modifications where this can actually be proved?

I would point out to my hon. Friend that a company of the kind to which he refers has normally a standard representing a percentage of 8 or 10 per cent. on the capital whether borrowed or owned that is employed in the business, and any growth of capital in respect of expansion of business activity will be entitled to a similar percentage as an addition to the capital. I am not aware of any matter of administration which would prejudice expansion, but I shall be happy to inquire into any case that my hon. Friend has in mind if he will let me have particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that individuals and firms upon whom fines have been imposed in respect of the offence commonly known as black-marketing, are not deducting such fines as expenses of carrying on their business in determining their liability to Excess Profits Tax; and whether he will take the necessary step to prevent such deductions being made?

Fines imposed upon a trader in respect of "black market" offences are not allowable as expenses in computing the trader's profits for taxation purposes. My hon. Friend can rest assured that if any trader seeks to claim a deduction for such items his claim will be resisted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount, on the latest available basis, spent annually in beer, wines, spirits and tobacco, respectively?

Official statistics are not available for close estimates. So far as it is possible to calculate on the basis of such information as is available, it is thought that the expenditure in the year ended September, 1941, was of the order of £300,000,000 for beer, £25,000,000 for wines, £90,000,000 for spirits, and £300,000,000 for tobacco.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that 14-gallon casks of wine, described as rich tawny port, are being sold by ready-money transactions in a Southwestern district in London by an off-licence wine and spirit retailer at £100 per cask; whether such transactions will be properly checked by the Treasury inspectors; and appropriate taxation levied on the seller?

I have no knowledge of the transaction in question, but if my hon. Friend will let me have the name and address of the trader, with any other information in his possession, I will cause full inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased cost of living he will consider an increase in the pension of retired teachers who are now outside the Burnham scales and who come directly under the Treasury?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to teachers who were pensioned under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1898–1914. Provision has already been made for the increase of such pensions under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920 and 1924. His Majesty's Government do not feel able to introduce legislation for the purpose of increasing them still further. These particular pensioners cannot, of course, be dealt with in isolation from other classes of pensioner.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Purchase Tax is being collected on the re-treading of tyres that have already paid the same tax on the original sale; and will he take steps to see that the same tyre does not pay the same tax twice over?

It is proposed shortly to ask the House to approve an Order exempting all tyres from the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been received in contributions by the War Damage Commission; and how much has been spent by them?

The answer to the first part of the Question is that the amount received to date is approximately £32,600,000. As regards the second part of the Question, I have previously stated that it is not regarded as in the public interest to give particulars of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of each £1 revenue received during 1941 was provided on the basis of revenue, overseas sources, personal savings, and corporation savings?

I regret that the data required to answer my hon. Friend's Question are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the remittances allowed for overseas evacuees are insufficient to meet out-of-pocket expenses incurred by their Canadian and American hosts; and whether, in view of the change in the currency situation since the passage of the Lease-Lend Act, he will extend the concessions on a reasonably generous scale, and also have regard to the expenses incurred by overseas hosts up to the end of 1941?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the people concerned left this country with an undertaking that they would be maintained by friends or relatives abroad, and in the great majority of cases, an undertaking was signed not to ask for any remittances to be made for their benefit. The concession which I announced was intended, therefore, not to provide for maintenance but only to diminish some of the calls made on the hosts who so generously offered hospitality, by allowing moderate sums towards out-of-pocket expenses. I am, therefore, not prepared to increase the scale of remittances or to make them retrospective.