asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the fact that changes of address may prevent the call-up of persons liable for service under their age groups; and what steps are being taken to prevent such evasion?

All persons registered under the National Service Acts are required to notify changes of address to this Ministry and are liable to penalties for not doing so. It would not be advisable to describe in detail the measures taken to trace persons liable for military service who have failed to notify changes of address, but such cases are closely followed up and where necessary I have the active assistance of the national registration authorities and the police.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give an estimate of the number of fully equipped and trained part-time personnel in the National Fire Service who will be called up; and how these men will be replaced?

No estimate can at present be given of the number of part-time firemen who may become available for military service in the near future. In the case of key men in the National Fire Service, as in the case of key men in other Civil Defence Services, who cannot be replaced immediately, their part-time Civil Defence duty will be taken into account when applications for the deferment of their calling up are being considered. As regards replacements, use will, if necessary, be made of the power to direct persons to join this Service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give instructions that when factory inspectors visit works they shall consult the workpeople's representatives; and that when an accident happens evidence shall be taken from as many as possible?

Factory inspectors, in the performance of their duties, already make it a point to maintain close contact with workpeople's representatives and consultation takes place both with them and with workers themselves whenever it is necessary. When an accident occurs, it is the practice to take statements from all those whose evidence is material. If my hon. Friend has any special case in mind where he feels that appropriate consultation did not take place, perhaps he will send me particulars and I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that ex-miners who have been directed back to the coal industry and have failed to perform the duties assigned to them, on returning to the industry or factory they left have been refused the jobs they had and have been asked to accept work at a lower wage; and whether he is prepared to take such action as will prevent the continuance of such a practice?

My hon. Friend has brought one such case to my notice in which the man concerned unsuccessfully contested on medical grounds a direction to return to coal-mining and then fell sick for about six weeks. He had not entered on coal-mining employment, and when he recovered from his illness was found to be medically unfit for it. I am communicating with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply with regard to the question of his re-instatement at the Royal Ordnance Factory.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the difficulty of retaining members of the domestic staffs at various hospitals in the kingdom, it is intended to apply to these the Essential Work Order?

After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, I am not satisfied that this would in present circumstances be an appropriate method of achieving the object in view. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) on 8th January.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to set up joint production committees in factories in the Midland region, with a view to giving the employees an opportunity to put forward their suggestions for increased output and more economic production, as recommended three months ago by the Midland Regional Production Executive Board?

In October last year the Midland Regional Board recommended to engineering firms in their Region that Joint Production Inquiry Committees should be set up wherever a desire for such committees was expressed or it was felt that they could usefully function. The purpose of these committees would be to provide for an exchange of views between representatives of management and work-people on points of mutual interest affecting output. The actual setting up of committees is a matter for voluntary arrangement between managements and workpeople or their representatives.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his regulations permit a retailer, who holds certain tinned goods upon his premises to refuse to supply them to an intending purchaser under the points rationing scheme?

There is (apart from the law of contract) no legal obligation upon a retailer to sell points rationed food against his will; but in the interests of the equitable distribution of such foods retailers have been advised that while they may restrict the amount of any one points rationed food which they are prepared to sell to any individual customer, it is illegal to make the supply of one article a condition of the supply of others.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why his Department do not anticipate that British Restaurants will be continued after the war?

The main function of the Ministry of Food is to see that the people of this country are adequately fed. For this purpose my Noble Friend has been given wide powers under the Defence Regulations. In the exercise of these powers he has brought a large number of British Restaurants into existence. It will be for Parliament at the time to decide which, if any, of the existing activities of the Ministry of Food should continue when the present temporary powers expire. In the meantime my Noble Friend sees no reason to anticipate the decision which may be reached at that time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the case at the Liverpool Quarter Session, against a Ministry of Food supervisor, who was charged with other persons with stealing 2,153 carcases of lamb from five ships that arrived in Liverpool; whether he has seen the statement made by the Recorder about the case; and what action has he taken to prevent similar frauds?

The time available since my hon. Friend put down his Question has not been sufficient to enable me to make the necessary inquiries. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have received a report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied as to the genuineness of the alleged demand for wet salted cod-fish in Scotland; whether he can state the quantity of cod-fish imported to date since 1st December last; and what proportion of the fish was taken by hotels, by restaurants and catering establishments, and by fish friers, respectively?

The weekly quantities of wet salted cod distributed to Scottish wholesale fish merchants showed some falling off in December, but there were large increases in the weeks ended 9th and 16th January. I have no reason to think that the figures do not reflect an increased demand from consumers. In reply to the second part of my hon. Friend's Question it is not in the national interests in war time to publish particulars of imports arriving in this country. I have no information to enable me to answer the last part of the Question.

asked the Attorney-General whether, with a view to the suppression of the offence commonly known as black-marketing and in order that more adequate penalties may be inflicted in the case of persons or firms found guilty of a second or subsequent offence, he will take steps to ensure that in such cases proceedings shall be taken by indictment and not by way of summary procedure?

I have been asked to reply. I am well aware of the importance of this class of case and of proceeding by way of indictment in serious cases. I have issued instructions recently to the appropriate officers of the Ministry who deal with these prosecutions as to the importance of the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the sale of 50,000 fowls by the United Kosher Poulterers Company at a price of 1s. per bird over the proper price; whether he is aware that three other men were charged, on Tuesday, 13th January, at the Thames Police Court with conspiring to enable the Kosher Company to sell poultry over the maximum price; and what action has he taken to prevent a repetition of this offence?

The United Kosher Poulterers Company were convicted on the following charges:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that application by non-statutory electricity suppliers to the Electriciy Commissioners for electricity supply orders to provide current in districts where the authorised suppliers fail to carry out the powers granted to them are, in some cases, ignored by the commissioners, consequently districts are denied the service which would be forthcoming; and will he take steps to remedy this state of things so that rural districts are not denied the desired convenience?

No, Sir. The Electricity Commissioners inform me that no application by a non-statutory electricity supplier for an electricity supply order has been made to them since the outbreak of war.

asked the Home Secretary, approximately, the number of motor-cars present at the National Hunt meetings at Worcester and Wetherby on Saturday, 10th January?

The number of cars in the racecourse car park at Worcester on 10th January was, I am informed, 148. The Worcester meeting was held at a course near the town and some of the cars parked in public car parks in the town may have conveyed passengers to the racecourse. At the Wetherby meeting the number of cars was, I am informed, approximately 550.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the entry of the United States of America into the war and the consequent close association between our two countries, he will relax the restrictions under the Defence Regulations placed upon American citizens in Great Britain and free them from the necessity of complying with any curfew?

The restrictions in question are part of the general scheme of alien control and apply to all persons who are not British subjects whatever may be their nationality. Exemptions from these restrictions are freely granted by chief officers of police in any case where there is a presumption that the applicant's sympathies are with this country, but I am looking into the question whether any modifications of the existing arrangements are feasible.

asked the Home Secretary how much money has been spent on the Civil Defence organisation during the year 1941, showing separately the cost of pay and allowances for the various grades of Civil Defence, including the National Fire Service; the amount spent on uniforms; the cost of other equipment supplied, including pumps; the cost, so far, of requisitioning houses; how much has been paid in compensation for sickness, illness and accident; and, if possible, separating the figures for the services in purely rural areas, including urban district councils, from expenditure in county boroughs and, other cities?

Most of the expenditure on the services referred to by my hon. Friend is incurred by the local authorities on a grant or reimbursement basis and returns of such expenditure for the year 1941–42 will not be available for some months. Certain particulars of the expenditure which it was estimated would be incurred by the Ministry of Home Security on the Civil Defence Services in 1941–42 are, however, set out on pages 32 to 41 of the printed Estimate of the Votes of Credit (Cmd. 6279). As indicated in paragraph 1 of the prefatory Note to that document, the statement is confined to such particulars in regard to the various services as could be given consistently with public policy. Since those estimates were framed the National Fire Service has been set up and it is estimated that this will involve a transfer of a charge from the rate funds to the Exchequer of approximately £2,000,000 per annum.

asked the Home Secretary how much of his time, approximately, was occupied, during the month of October, in examining the 30 cases for detention and release under Regulation 18B, in which he followed the advice of the Advisory Committee, and similar information in regard to the two cases in which he did not follow such advice; and how many advisory committees are there in connection with Regulation 18B?

I do not keep a time-sheet recording the amount of time I spend on each paper with which I deal. I can assure my hon. Friend that each of the cases to which he refers received my close personal consideration and that I gave to each whatever time was required to enable me to get a proper knowledge of the relevant facts and considerations before I gave my decision. There are four advisory committees appointed under the Regulation, two in England—one of which can, if necessary, sit in three panels—and two in Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary the reasons for the recent detention under Regulation 18B of Squadron Leader Rutland, late of the Royal Naval Air Service?

The grounds for the order are that he is of hostile associations and that by reason thereof it is necessary to exercise control over him.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons released from detention under Regulation 18B during the month of December, 1941, stating also how many of the number had then been under detention for a period of 12 months and over?

Thirty-four persons were released in December, 1941, of whom 31 had been detained for a period of 12 months and over.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that seven Germans, transferred from this country to internment in Canada, all of whom are anti-Nazi and are recognised by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom as having the status of refugees from Nazi oppression, had their status altered to that of prisoners of war by a minor official; whether, having regard to the serious consequences ensuing from such a change, he will take steps to ensure that no such change is made in future without his consent; whether he is aware that these men were placed in a camp consisting wholly of Italians of whom the majority were Fascists, and virtually all were hostile both to this country and to the men in question; and whether he will take steps to see that such misplacements do not occur again?

The suggestions made in this Question are mistaken. Seven Germans (of whom three had been interned in this country for individual reasons prior to general internment and were in Category A) were transferred by the Canadian authorities for disciplinary reasons from one civilian internment camp to another civilian internment camp. These transfers were effected by an order of the Secretary of State at Ottawa, and there is no foundation for the suggestion that the transfers had the effect of altering the status of these persons to that of prisoners of war. As the hon. and learned Member has already been informed, the facts with regard to the camp to which they were transferred are not as stated in his Question. I cannot accept the suggestion that the steps taken by the Canadian authorities involved "misplacements" or that any action on my part is called for. The transfers took place in September last. Since that date three of the seven men have been sent back to this country, and the remaining four have, I am informed, rejoined or will shortly rejoin the camp from which they were temporarily removed.

asked the Minister of Health how many children under 14 years of age sleep in tube shelters; and how many war-time nurseries have been established in London since the issue of the joint circular from his Department and the Board of Education, on 5th December 1941?

On the night of 19th January, 1942, there were 398 children under 14 sleeping in tube stations used for traffic and 183 in other tube shelters. On 30th November there were 14 wartime nurseries for children under five in operation in the London Region and 34 others approved. On 31st December there were 20 nurseries in operation and 44 others approved. On the same dates 86 and 92 nurseries respectively were in an earlier stage of preparation.

asked the Home Secretary whether proceedings will be taken against the person or persons upon whose evidence Mr. Ben Greene was defamed under Regulation 18B?

Mr. Greene was not detained on the evidence of a single person. There was undisputed information derived from various sources that he had hostile associations; and these associations were of such a character that it was necessary to exercise some control over him. Even at this date his release from detention has been made subject to conditions imposed for this purpose. The information however included certain allegations which rested largely on information given by a single person. After considering the recent report by the Advisory Committee I came to the conclusion that these particular allegations should be regarded as withdrawn, and I have caused Mr. Greene to be informed accordingly. The fact that certain information may be regarded as unsubstantiated does not indicate that the informant has committed a criminal offence for which proceedings can be taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that insurance companies, when making payments to injured workmen, take receipts for the payments as having been made under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; that these receipts are often signed by the workmen in ignorance of the fact that by so doing they are barring a common law claim; whether he has read the observations of the Master of the Rolls and of Lord Justice Goddard in the recent case of Deane v. H. F. Edwards and Company; and whether he will take action, either legislative, as indicated by the Court of Appeal in that case, or otherwise, to protect the legal rights of injured workmen?

My attention has been drawn to this case. I have no doubt that the observations made by the Court of Appeal will have been duly noted by the employers and insurance companies, but I am proposing to confer with the employers and companies, with a view to coming to some arrangement to meet the difficulty which arose in this case.

asked the Home Secretary how many boys have escaped from Borstal in the last three months; how many have been recaptured; and whether he is satisfied that the staff is adequate for the purpose of supervision?

During the last three months of 1941, 46 of the youths at this institution made escapes. All but one were recaptured. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows it is the object of Borstal training to teach lads habits of work and self-discipline, and this object would be defeated if these institutions were given the security of prisons. At this institution the inmates are mainly employed in the cultivation of farm land outside the institution itself. I am very anxious that proper measures shall be taken to check these escapes, which cause considerable trouble especially to the police of the neighbourhood. I do not think that the problem can be solved by any additions to the staff which it would be practicable to provide, but I am having the position carefully examined for the purpose of seeing what further security measures can be taken.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Recorders; the method of appointment and the salaries they receive; and whether they are allowed to carry on with private legal work in the law courts during their term of office.

Apart from the City of London, where the Recorder occupies a special position, there are 115 Recorders acting for the 117 cities and boroughs in England and Wales which have separate courts of quarter sessions. They are appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Home Secretary. Their salaries, which are fixed by the local authorities and paid from local funds, vary widely, the lowest being £20 and the highest £840 per annum. They are free to carry on private legal practice during their term of office.

asked the Home Secretary why, when Prisons Standing Order 535 (e) provides that male prisoners who have previously escaped are to have a light in their cells at night unless the governor directs otherwise, instructions were given that a light was not to be maintained in the cell of S. H. Thurston at the time of his escape from Dartmoor, in view of his previous record; how the provision that patrols are to inspect prisoners with escape records at frequent intervals was carried out in the case of Thurston by the night patrols at Dartmoor in view of the fact his cell was not illuminated and the patrols have a sealed packet containing a key, the seal of which must only be broken in case of serious emergency; and whether he will review the punishments inflicted on subordinate officers at Dartmoor Prison?

No instructions were given that a light was not to be maintained in the prisoner's cell at night, and I do not understand what is the basis or significance of my hon. Friend's suggestion. It was clearly established that the prisoner's escape was not effected until after the day staff had come on duty in the morning, and no suggestion has been made that the night staff failed to exercise proper supervision.

asked the Home Secretary what was the source of the inaccurate information conveyed to the magistrate at the London South Western police court concerning the treatment of a girl, whereby he was misdirected to criticise the absence and misbehavior of the East Sussex County Council?

I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for giving me an opportunity to explain that the East Sussex County Council had no responsibility at all for this matter, and to express my regret for the mistake. When the girl ran away from her situation and the Metropolitan Women Police took charge of her, it was ascertained that she had been in a poor law school and telephone inquiries were made of the school. By some misunderstanding the officer making these inquiries got the impression that the East Sussex County Council was responsible for the school. It was subsequently found that the East Sussex County Council had no responsibility for the school or for the girl. The error has been explained to the magistrate, who has publicly exonerated the County Council, and the Commissioner of Police has sent to the Council a letter of regret and apology. The poor law school in which the girl had been brought up was one for which the Brighton Public Assistance Committee is responsible; but after the girl had left this school and she was no longer subject to the control of this Committee, the situation, which turned out to be so unsatisfactory, was, I understand, chosen for the girl by her mother. The juvenile court has now made an order for the girl's care and protection. She has been placed with a foster parent and employment found for her.

asked the Home Secretary what decision has been come to regarding the recommendations of the committee on police widows' pensions?

The necessary consultations with the interested parties have not yet been concluded and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that at a recent race meeting at Cheltenham, under National Hunt Rules, there were 64 runners, and that the grand total investment of the totalisator was £17,000, he will issue an order prohibiting all betting transactions as inconsistent with the Prime Minister's appeal for total war effort?

Whatever arguments there may be for amendment of the laws relating to betting, I do not think that the war powers conferred on the Government could properly be used to effect the changes desired by my hon. Friend. As regards the number of horses running at the race meeting to which he refers, the reduced opportunities for racing have, as I explained on 27th November, resulted in an increase in the number of entries at individual meetings.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the difficulties experienced by licensing justices in dealing with applications for the renewal of licences of premises which have been destroyed or seriously damaged by enemy action, and cannot under wartime conditions be so restored as to enable business to be carried on therein; and whether legislation will be introduced, as was done in the last war, to enable these licences to be left in existence until the replacement of the premises may become practicable?

Yes, Sir. I have received representations from the Magistrates' Association and the Brewers' Society on the subject and the whole matter has been receiving careful consideration. It is recognised that it would not be right in the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend to allow the licences in these cases to lapse, and as it seems clear that an amendment of the law is required to ensure that they are kept alive, it is the intention of the Government to introduce the necessary legislation. It must be understood that the preservation of these licences under war conditions will not affect the question of replacement of premises when these conditions cease to operate. The question must be considered, when the time arises, in relation to town planning and other post-war reconstruction schemes. I am glad to say that I have received from the council of the Brewers' Society a resolu- tion recognising that in the interests both of the public and the trade replacement of licensed houses in extensively damaged districts should be determined in accordance with considered schemes of reconstruction, with a view to redistribution and reduction of licences in the light of local circumstances and in harmony with approved plans of redevelopment in reconstruction areas. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is considering the position in Scotland where special provisions may have to be made to meet Scottish conditions.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the strictures passed on the chief constable of Warwickshire by a solicitor and by the borough justices of Warwick in the course of certain proceedings brought by the chief constable against a member of his force; whether he has made inquiry into the allegations as to the method of the administration of discipline by the chief constable of Warwickshire; what action he proposes to take in the matter; and what steps he proposes to take with regard to the representations made by the Warwickshire Standing Joint Committee for an amendment of the law to allow a right of appeal to members of county police forces against disciplinary awards of a county chief constable?

In view of these public criticisms, I decided to hold an inquiry locally into the allegations which had been made about the administration of discipline in the Warwickshire County police force and, for this purpose, I appointed a Committee of Inquiry, consisting of officials who were experienced in the administration of discipline in a civilian organisation. The committee held an exhaustive inquiry into these allegations and heard evidence of past and present members of the police force who had complaints to make against the chief constable, or his method of administering discipline. The committee also, of course, heard the chief constable and the evidence of witnesses who volunteered to give evidence on his behalf. All the parties concerned, namely the borough justices who made the allegations, the clerk of the standing joint committee representing that committee who attended the inquiry, and the chief constable himself, expressed their satisfaction at the close of the inquiry with the procedure adopted by the committee, and stated that the witnesses had had the fullest opportunity of putting their case before the committee, and that the hearing had been completely impartial.The committee came to the conlcusion that there was no foundation for the allegation that the discipline in this force is a discipline created by fear or a discipline of the character exacted under a Gestapo system. The borough justices informed the committee that, while the allegations made by them were made in good faith, they were not made on the justices' own knowledge, but were based on ex-parte statements made to them by former members of the force, whose evidence was heard by the committee at the invitation of the borough justices. While the committee could not endorse the strictures of the borough justices, thinking them exaggerated, and, indeed, unfair, they were convinced that the chief constable was unduly severe in some of his punishments, although they were satisfied that he had been influenced neither by any spirit of vindictiveness nor by unjust motives but by the feeling that in those instances the defaulter was prevaricating or was insubordinate to his superior officers. The committee found upon an analysis of statistics from 12 comparable counties that, whereas in Warwickshire during the period from March, 1929 to October, 1941, 797 police officers were charged with disciplinary offences, in the other 12 counties taken together only 1,627 were charged, though in Warwickshire a high percentage (about one-third) of the alleged defaulters were found not guilty. The number dismissed in Warwickshire was 32 as against a total of 59 in the other 12 counties, and in Warwickshire four times as many men were dismissed as in any one of the other counties. The number of men required to resign in Warwickshire was 10 as compared with an average of 8 for the other 12 counties. As regards reduction in rank, there were 14 in Warwickshire as compared with 23 for all the other 12 counties, while the reductions in rank in Warwickshire were nearly three times as high as the number in any of the other county forces. The committee also found that the manner of the chief constable towards his subordi- nates in the course of disciplinary inquiries was at times so excitable as to suggest that he had lost his temper, but that the allegation of improper treatment of alleged defaulters was an exaggeration of what actually occurred in the course of the proceedings.The standing joint committee of Warwickshire have accepted the findings of the Committee of Inquiry as a fair summing up of the evidence submitted by the witnesses, and have decided that they would not be justified, as the responsible police authority, in taking any disciplinary action against the chief constable. I have discussed the position fully both with representatives of the standing joint committee and with the chief constable himself. While I am most anxious to ensure the maintenance of a proper standard of discipline in all police forces—and I am sure that the House will agree with me in this—I am satisfied that the conclusions reached by the Committee of Inquiry are right. The inquiry has served a useful purpose, and I have every reason to hope that nothing but good will come of it. The chief constable who, I am satisfied, is a public servant with a high sense of duty, and has been unsparing in his efforts to increase the efficiency and to promote the welfare of members of his force, informed me that he accepted the findings of the committee and their implications, and that he would be guided in his future disciplinary decisions by the considerations to which I- is attention was called by the Committee of Inquiry. With regard to the representations of the Warwickshire standing joint committee for an amendment of the existing law to allow a right of appeal to members of county police forces against disciplinary awards of a chief constable, these are at present receiving consideration but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the prospects of legislation on this controversial question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the case that came before the court at Bow Street when charges were make against Jack Leibovitch, restaurant proprietor of Paramount Court, and 37 other men charged with using the house for playing chemin-de-fer and faro for big stakes; whether he has considered the statement made by Superintendent Cole about the matter; and what steps he is taking to suppress houses of this nature?

Since the reply given about this case on 16th December, the case against three principals has been heard. One, who was fined £500 with £21 costs, has given notice of appeal. The second was fined £50 with £21 costs. The case against the third was dismissed. I am aware of the information given to the court in this case, and I entirely agree with my hon. Friend as to the desirability of effective action against such establishments. Unlawful gaming receives constant attention from the police, and action is taken—as in this case—whenever the necessary evidence can be obtained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will consider opening for public use the private road in Palace Mansions from Bayswater to Kensington, in view of the possibilities of emergencies that might arise during the war as well as for the saving of petrol?

No, Sir. I see no need to take the course proposed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that, on 23rd December, 18 of the available sleeping-berths on the night train from King's Cross to Edinburgh were taken by Government priorities, the remaining two being booked in October, and that the wife of a Royal Air Force Dominion pilot, whose health needed special consideration, was unable to obtain accommodation, resulting in unnecessary hardship; why there is no provision made for such circumstances in the system of Government priority control; and whether he will take immediate steps to arrange for this provision?

In addition to the 20 first-class berths, of which 18 were reserved for persons travelling on urgent Government business, there were 53 third class berths on the train, all but three of which were available for allocation by the railway companies to the general public. I regret any inconvenience which may have been suffered by the lady in question, but I am afraid that I cannot undertake to extend the arrangements for reservations by the Government to persons travelling for private purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can make any statement on the reception of his pooling of trade transport scheme; the form it is eventually to take after consideration by trades' representatives; the areas to which it will he applied; and the date on which it will be brought into operation?

There is every indication that retailers will co-operate wholeheartedly in the Government's proposals for economy in retail deliveries. The schemes may vary from place to place as we intend traders to work out the form of organisation best suited to the local conditions. Schemes will be made, wherever practicable, throughout the country and will be brought into operation as soon as ready.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that no provision has so far been made for any refresher courses for sea-going officers; will he at once set up such refresher courses and approach the Army authorities, with a view to arranging for men holding Board of Trade certificates, at present in the Army, to be transferred to such refresher courses?

I am aware that no refresher courses for sea-going officers have yet taken place, nor do we intend to start any until it becomes necessary. There are sufficient Merchant Navy officers with recent experience at sea available when required without drawing on men who would need either to be given a course or to be withdrawn from the Army.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the per- centage of children passing the school certificate examination in connection with the years 1940 and 1941, respectively, has increased over the percentage passing in 1939; whether he is aware of the numerous cases of children who obtained a number of credits in the year 1940 in various subjects and yet were failed in their examination; and whether he can give some explanation regarding these matters?

The percentage of passes in the School Certificate Examinations in the years 1940 and 1941 showed an increase of 2 and 3 per cent. respectively over the comparable figure for 1939. The increase has been due to a variety of causes, among which may be mentioned the new regulations for the School Certificate adopted in 1939 and the special concessions made in some cases to schools suffering from the results of evacuation and war conditions generally. I have no figures showing the number of pupils in 1940 who obtained credits in individual subjects without passing the examination as a whole, but I have no reason to suppose that the number was greater than in previous years.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the proposal to establish an automobile industry in India under American auspices and funded by American capital, he is prepared to reconsider his decision not to consent to consider the establishment of such an industry under Indian auspices as a war effort, and to permit the necessary dollar exchange facilities and grant of priorities?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the plant which the United States authorities are to establish and operate in India on a lend-lease basis. The purpose of this is solely to enable supplies from America to ourselves and Russia to be effectively used, and the manufacture of trucks, as distinct from their assembly and repair, is not in view. Thus in no sense can it be regarded as amounting to the establishment of an automobile industry, and it has no bearing on the matter referred to in the latter part of the Question. There are, of course, already several assembly plants in India.

asked the Secretary of State for Burma whether he has any statement to make concerning the detention of U Saw, Prime Minister of Burma?

I have nothing to add to the statement issued last Monday.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he has considered the copy which has been sent to him of an advertisement in the "Liverpool Daily Post" of 8th January in which the advertiser sought the services of a chauffeur to maintain four motor cars in private service; and will he investigate the needs of this advertiser for the use of four motor cars at a time when economy in the use of petrol is a vital national necessity?

I have ascertained that the four cars belong to four different persons. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether the railings in front of the British Museum are to be removed for scrap?

No, Sir. These railings are in the "necessity" category.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he is now in a position to give any information in regard to the evidence of a builder's hodman, in the Southend police court on the 12th October last, that he had been earning an average weekly wage of £12 on an Admiralty building contract job?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to have the opportunity of exploding this myth. The man was engaged on an Admiralty contract in Lincolnshire from 15th August to 29th August inclusive. He worked 15 days including two Sundays for which double the normal rate is paid. The total wages drawn by him were £17 17s. 9d. excluding lodging allowance at the rate of 3s. 6d. a night payable by the Ministry of Labour. Part of these wages were, however, found by the Admiralty check to be incorrect, and the total amount allowed to the contractor by the Admiralty was £14 os. 6d. for 15 days, which amounts to considerably less than the man claimed he had received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision the Government proposes to make for compensation for war damage to property in Malaya?

There is no legislation in force in Malaya on the lines of the United Kingdom War Damage Act, and it would be clearly impracticable to introduce it in the present situation. I can only say that my hon. Friend's Question touches upon a most complex problem which is receiving earnest consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that Mr. F. D. Ascoli, the Deputy Rubber Controller, has been responsible for the policy of the Rubber Control Board in recent months during the frequent absence of Sir Walrond Sinclair; and whether he will replace this official by someone to whose interests the extension of rubber reclaiming plant is not inimical?

No, Sir. I am satisfied that there is no foundation for the suggestion in the second part of the Question. I should add that Sir Walrond Sinclair's absence was due to a visit to the United States, which he undertook on behalf of the Ministry of Supply in connection with rubber matters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply the number of cases in which Government factories have been handed over to management by private companies?

The management of a Royal Ordnance Factory was entrusted to a private company in August last year. In addition, negotiations are proceeding regarding the management of certain new factories not yet in production. As I explained in reply to Questions on 20th and 21st January, certain private organisations have agreed to assist us in launching these factories. When this object has been achieved, the factories will be transferred to Royal Ordnance Factory management.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he will undertake that no facilities for the installation of rubber reclaiming plant will be granted to any consumers of this material, such as the big rubber manufacturers, before the rubber reclamation industry has been approached to satisfy the country's war-time needs?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to Questions on this subject yesterday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he will consider the appointment of some responsible person to see that books and magazines will not be pulped for salvage when they are in good condition and suitable for reading by the Forces, as the campaign for indiscriminate pulping of books and magazines is doing harm to the collections that are being made for sick and wounded at home and overseas, such as that of the British Red Cross and Order of St. John, which has collected and distributed over a million books and magazines since the beginning of the war?

I fully appreciate the point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend. We now have under consideration a scheme which, while appealing to owners of books to give them up for salvage, would provide for the selection by competent persons of such books and magazines as are suitable for reading by the Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War the areas in which compulsion to join the Home Guard has been or will be enforced?

The areas in which compulsion to join the Home Guard will be applied have not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether factory workers who are encouraged to join the Home Guard, would, in case of invasion, be called up, and compelled to leave their important work in the factories; and whether, since the output of munitions will in any case continue to be essential, he will reconsider his decision not to introduce additional facilities for training these men in the use of rifles and machine-guns, so that, if need arose, they could at least defend their own places of work and homes?

Home Guards will be divided into two categories, those who will be available immediately on mustering and those who by reason of the importance of their civil duties will not. The latter will be required either to report within 48 hours for duty or to remain at work as long as possible, and in deciding this, full account will be taken of each man's individual position and the views of employers. Most vital factories are now working on a shift basis and for emergency the approved method of defence is to integrate the working shift and the shift on Home Guard duty by mutual arrangement, so as to produce a continuous defence service. As regards the second part of the Question, it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to arm civilians. The arrangements I have just outlined should enable full use to be made of the fighting material available among factory workers within the framework of the Home Guard. Those factory workers who have time to spare from their vital work are encouraged to undertake military training and duty in the Home Guard. I am sure the House will agree that this is the best way to give factories local security with least disturbance of their vital productive activities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Home Guard and the Army wil be considered as one organisation with one commander; and whether there has been any consultation with the officer commanding-in-chief the South-Eastern Command about the matter?

The Home Guard is part of the Armed Forces of the Crown and is like the Regular Army under the command of the general officer commanding-in-chief the Command concerned, who is in turn under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces. The South-Eastern Command is in exactly the same position in this respect as other commands.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the anomaly in the matter of officers' pensions caused when, in the Royal Warrant of August, 1938, giving increased retired pay to officers, it was not made retrospective, consequently officers retiring before the date of the Royal Warrant are drawing less retired pay than officers of the same rank and length of service who retired after August, 1938; and will he take steps to remedy this distinction?

It is the normal practice when introducing a new code of service retired pay not to apply it to officers who have already retired and I see no reason to make any exception to that practice in this instance.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the equivalent rank in the Royal Air Force to commandant of the Royal Air Force Regiment; what rank badges will be worn by the holder of this appointment; and what pay and allowances he will receive?

The designation "Commandant of the Royal Air Force Regiment" is the title of the appointment and not a rank. The present holder of the appointment is an Army officer of the rank of major-general and he will wear the badges, and receive the pay and allowances of his Army rank. The equivalent rank in the Royal Air Force is Air Vice-Marshal.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the charge brought in court against four small boys who damaged two aeroplanes and stole a first-aid outfit from another aeroplane in a North-west aerodrome recently; and whether he has any statement to make on the protection of our aerodromes that will make such incidents impossible?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Rusholme (Mr. Radford).

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that experience has shown that very few men above the age of 27 succeed in passing their pilot's courses, he proposes to amend the advertisement in which the Air Ministry appeal for volunteers for pilot's duties up to the age of 31?

The evidence available in my Department does not support the statement in the first part the Question. Although pupils over the age of 27 take rather longer to train than younger men and wastage under training is somewhat higher, the age groups between 27 and 31 contribute materially to our pilot resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many accounts of British nationals who were resident in the United kingdom at the beginning of the war and are now outside the sterling area have been blocked under the amendment to the Defence (Finance) Regulations of 11th November 1941, and the amount of money involved in each case?

The examination of several cases is approaching completion, and a number of others are under inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, in connection with the printing of Income Tax forms for 1942–43, the discontinuance of the practice of printing on the forms the name and address of the 700 different inspectors of taxes in view of the delay in printing thus caused and the consequent inconvenience; and whether he will now arrange to have all forms printed to a standard pattern, leaving the address of the local office to be stamped on at the time of issue?

To stamp each form by hand with particulars, as suggested, instead of having them printed would, I think, clearly be uneconomical and I am not, therefore, disposed to make any change in the practice in this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority in the War Damage Act, or otherwise, the War Damage Commission, in their latest leaflet just issued, are threatening bombed residents with the loss of compensation if a certain form, about which thousands of sufferers know nothing, is not returned within 30 days of the completion of the repairs, although many of these have been carried out months ago?

Regulations made by the Treasury under Section 10 of the War Damage Act require that a claim for a cost of works or temporary works payment shall be made on a form, to be supplied by the Commission, within 30 days of the completion of the work or of the receipt of the form, whichever is the later. The claim form used when there was a probability that the works would have been completed before the receipt of the form (Form C.2.V) provided for the return of the form within 30 days of its receipt or of the completion of the works, whichever was the later. The Commission's arrangements are now such that the Form C.2. should usually be received by the claimant, if he complies with the regulations as to the notification of the damage, before the repairs are likely to have been completed. The pamphlet referred to has only just been produced and is only issued by the Commission to claimants, at the same time as the Form C.2. Its purpose is to give to claimants as simple an explanation as possible of the procedure to be followed in making a claim, and if there are cases where the Form C. 2 cannot be returned within 30 days of the completion of the work, but is returned within 30 days of the receipt of the form, the claim would, of course, be accepted. In addition, the Commission have a statutory discretion to extend the prescribed periods, which I am satisfied they will use in an equitable manner.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to say when he will make a statement to the House of Commons on the working of the supplementary old age pensions.

I understand from the Assistance Board that their report on the first six months' administration of the Determination of Needs Act is likely to be completed in the course of the next few days. I hope, therefore, that a statement on the subject will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of information whether, in view of the importance of Chinese participation in the war, he will investigate the possibility of cheapening the Press rate for cables between London and Chungking?

Yes, Sir. The Chairman of Cable & Wireless Limited informs me that his company is in communication with the Chinese administration on the subject.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider publishing in compact form, for public distribution and circulation in this country, the salient passages from Mr. Molotov's memorandum on German atrocities in Russia, as well as passages from the report on German methods in Poland prepared by the Polish Ministry of Information?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is already considering this question and hopes to be able to meet the public demand in some suitable form.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that sugar-beet growers are greatly dissatisfied with the 1941 price of sugar-beet; and whether he proposes to guarantee an increase for 1942 to ensure full and willing cultivation?

I am aware of the difficulties attaching to sugar -beet cultivation under war conditions and that some dissatisfaction has been expressed with regard to the 1941 contract price. Growers are offered a substantially increased contract price for 1942, which I hope will ensure the full cultivation of the larger acreage required in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement on the negotiations with the farming interests for the fixing of reasonably remunerative prices for farm produce?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a Question on this subject put by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on 20th January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the position of a small poultry-keeper wishing to obtain an allocation of chicken food to enable him to rear young pullets to replace the hens he already has; and whether, for general guidance, he can make a statement on the whole subject?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a Press notice recently issued on this subject. As therein stated, an allowance of chicken food, proportionate to the number of poultry kept before the war, is being issued to all poultry keepers receiving their poultry rations from county war committees. This allowance is being spread over the period January to April. No special chick rearing allowances are being granted to poultry keepers receiving rations through the Domestic Poultry Keepers' Council since they are expected to obtain their replacements by the purchase of pullets. Special arrangements have been made to enable poultry breeders to produce pullets for sale to domestic poultry keepers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has notified the different authorities concerned that no more animal feeding-stuffs will be imported in the next six months; and whether cultivators will be permitted to retain, if they wish, more of the animal feeding-stuffs they produce than they are at present allowed to keep?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative, but I have on numerous occasions stated that farmers should lay their plans on the assumption that there can be no reliance upon the importation of any feeding-stuffs as such. As regards the second part of the Question, with the exception of mill-able wheat and potatoes suitable for human consumption, which must be sold off the farm, there is at present no restriction on the retention by the grower of any feeding-stuffs that he has produced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the importance to ourselves, and to other countries, of the maintenance of our pedigree stock, it is proposed to allot them special rations of feeding-stuffs in the winter of 1942–43?

Scales of rations for the various classes of livestock for next winter have not yet been fixed, and will have to be determined in due course in the light of the supply situation. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the importance to the nation of the preservation of pedigree stock will not be overlooked.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the large poultry raisers are selling pullets at a price prohibitive in the case of small poultry-keepers; whether there is any control price for such pullets; and, if not, whether he will consider introducing one?

I have been asked to reply. The Domestic Poultry-Keepers' Council have made arrangements for accredited and approved poultry breeders to receive additional rations of feeding-stuffs for the purpose of rearing pullets for sale to domestic poultry-keepers to meet their replacement needs during the coming season. The scheme has recently been extended to allow participation by experienced rearers who have suitable facilities for rearing chicks. The Domestic Poultry-Keepers' Council discussed the proposals with representatives of the poultry breeding industry, who undertook as a condition of the scheme to recommend all their members to observe the schedule of maximum prices. These prices are:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the silage carried out by farmers during 1941 is answering satisfactorily?

It is early yet for any very full information to be available on the results of the feeding of silage this season, From such reports as I have received, however, I am satisfied that the silage that was made last year has proved a valuable contribution to the supplies of feeding-stuffs for many farmers throughout the country this winter.