asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider arranging to make the telephone numbers of all central police stations 1212?

Arrangements are already made to give police stations a common telephone number, so far as practical considerations permit. My hon. Friend will probably remember that local police stations can be obtained, in any emergency, by merely asking the exchange operator for police.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telegrams handed in on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day are charged 6d. extra in England and Wales, whereas for Scotland 6d. extra is charged on Sundays only; and the reasons for this continued disparity?

The facts are as stated in the Question. There is no general observance of Good Friday and Christmas Day in Scotland and business is carried on very much as on an ordinary day. Telegraph business is accordingly transacted under the same conditions and hence at the same charges as on an ordinary day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any report on the illicit manufacture of a spirituous liquor and its sale in certain so-called night clubs; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The illicit manufacture of liquor is a matter for the Board of Customs and Excise, and I understand that there has been a recent prosecution for this offence and that the person concerned has been convicted. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police have no direct evidence of the sale of illicit spirits in night clubs in London, but a close watch is being kept on the situation.

asked the Minister of Health why the grant to firms providing air-raid shelters of approved design has been suspended; and what provision has been made to enforce regulations to secure adequate accommodation for employees engaged in industry?

I have been asked to reply. The statutory authority for the payment of grant in respect of air raid shelters at industrial premises, Section 22 of the Civil Defence Act, 1939, enabled grant to be paid only on shelters provided within the time limit laid down in the Section in areas specified under Section 12 of the Act. Further areas were specified in December, 1940, after the expiration of the time limit in Section 22, and by analogy with the above, arrangements were made for the payment of grant where the shelter was provided or planned within three months of the date of specification. As regards shelter provided or planned outside the time limit of the 30th September, 1939, or three months from the date of specification of area, if later, it was not considered that there was any case for proposing new legislation to Parliament authorising a general abandonment of time limits. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1941, which is applicable to shelter in industrial premises, enables an annual deduction to be made from a trader's profits for the purpose of assessing Income Tax, of a proportion of the net cost of shelter provided for the purposes of his trade, and this affords assistance analogous to grant under Section 22 of the Act of 1939. As regards the second part of the Question, I would draw attention to Section 16 of the Act of 1939, which enables the service of notices requiring the provision of adequate shelter accommodation to a prescribed standard.

asked the Minister of Health when the new scale of fees, referred to in Circular 2536, for sessional attendances at first-aid posts and mobile first-aid units, agreed between his Department and the Central Medical War Committee, was considered by the Central Medical War Committee; the names of the members of the committee and of the Government observers in attendance when the scale was considered; and what information was before the committee at the time?

As regards the first part of the Question, I am informed that the scale of fees referred to was considered, not by the Central Medical War Committee, but by a Sub-Committee appointed by that Committee for the purpose of conducting negotiations on the matter with representatives of my Department. The remaining parts of the Question therefore do not arise.

asked the Minister of Health the steps taken by his Department to ensure effective co-operation between the medical services in respect to the duties which they will be called upon to perform in case of invasion?

With a view to securing this co-operation, close liaison is maintained between medical officers of the Service Departments and my Department both at headquarters and in the regions.

asked the Minister of Health the steps taken by his Department to inform medical practitioners of the scheme by which, in emergency, the local medical officer of health may requisition their services for such work as he deems urgent; and whether such calls will necessarily take precedence of urgent duties of which such medical officers of health may be unaware?

I am advised that the arrangements under which the medical officers of health of scheme-making authorities may call on doctors who are available to reinforce the hospital and first aid post services and for other emergency duties are generally known amongst the profession locally, and that those selected in advance for certain duties are duly informed. The lists of available doctors are compiled in consultation with local medical war committees, who are aware of the official commitments of the doctors, and therefore the last part of the Question should not arise. If, however, my hon. Friend is referring in the last part of the Question to the needs of private patients, the position is that the Medical Officer of Health would not call on a doctor to assist in the services under his control if the doctor were actually engaged at the time on urgent private work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that, in case of invasion, medical practitioners are not required by the civil authorities to remain idle awaiting problematical calls to serve with mobile first-aid units, when their services may be urgently needed at other places?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the arrangements for calling upon practitioners not already attached to the Civil Defence services to serve with mobile first aid units in an emergency, I would point out that these arrangements only apply to such practitioners as are available at the time and that it is clearly laid down in the instructions that practitioners are not to be called upon unless there is a real and urgent need for their services, in order to avoid the danger of diverting them from other work where the need may be still greater. If my hon. Friend is referring to practitioners attached to mobile first aid units but not immediately required for duty with those units, it is within the discretion of the medical officer of health in charge to make use of their services in another capacity or to release them temporarily for other duties.

asked the Home Secretary the number of dog-racing meetings held each week throughout the country; the approximate estimate of attendance or the average thereof; the total amount of money passing in bets through the totalisator; the amount of paper used for race-card programmes; the amount subsequently collected at the meeting places; and the total number of motor-cars used by persons attending these meetings during the week?

Since June, 1940, dog racing has been restricted to one meeting a week on each track and I understand that the number of tracks is less than 150. The particulars required to answer the remainder of the Question are not available and, even where they could be obtained, would involve widespread inquiries which would not in present circumstances be justified.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the frequency of prosecutions against clubs and parties formed for drinking and gambling purposes, and of the demands thus made on the police force in connection therewith, he will introduce a short Bill, or make an Order imposing upon the person letting, leasing, or selling premises or rooms to be used as clubs or for parties, the responsibility, subject to penalties for failure to comply, for making the fullest inquiries and taking up references, before letting, leasing or selling such property?

I am most anxious that effective action shall be taken to check evasions of the licensing law and the law relating to gambling, and as regards certain types of drinking resorts the hands of the police have already been strengthened by Defence Regulations. Whether further amendments of the laws are desirable and practicable is a question of considerable difficulty on which I can only say at present that I am giving the matter close attention.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what chemicals are added to Canadian or other imported flour before export and what are the proportions of each such added ingredient; and whether the flour is chemically bleached either before or after arrival?

The only substance added to Canadian flour before export, under instructions from the Ministry of Food, is aneurin (synthetic, vitamin B1), which is added to bring the B1 content to a figure similar to that of fortified flour produced in this country. It is understood the position in regard to chemical improvers and bleachers in Canadian and other imported flour is similar to that of flour milled in the United Kingdom but no information is available as to the proportion of any added ingredient in individual consignments. Imported flour is not chemically bleached after arrival in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the cause of the delay in fortifying white bread with synthetic vitamin B1; and when all the supplies of white flour will be so fortified?

The scheme for fortifying white bread with synthetic vitamin B1 is being extended as rapidly as possible having regard to the supplies of aneurin, both home-produced and imported. There have been recent improvements in the rate of home-production but it is not at present possible to say when all white flour will be fortified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements have been made to ration, in the case of invasion, outlying hamlets which may be cut off from the distributing centres of the parishes in which they are situated by reason of enemy action or the failure of motor transport?

The national food stocks have been widely dispersed and adequate supplies of the more essential foodstuffs are maintained in each of the large number of zones into which the country has been divided for the purpose with the object of making each zone independent of outside sources of supply in the event of invasion. As a further measure of insurance reserve stocks of non-perishable foodstuffs have been or are being placed in the small towns, villages and hamlets in those parts of the country which are most likely to be the scene of active military operations. In the event of invasion these stocks, which are in the charge of local officers of the Ministry of Food, will be distributed to households which need them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the complaint of the Kirkcaldy Fish Friers' Association regarding the meagre supplies of fresh or unsalted fish now available at Scottish ports; and whether he will take steps to promote a general inquiry with a view to increasing the supply?

The complaint to which the right hon. Member refers has not reached my Department. The main factors responsible for the reduced supply of fresh fish at the present time are outside the control of the Government and no useful purpose would be served by holding an inquiry, though I will gladly consider any suggestions which my right hon. Friend may make.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that a special marmalade made for diabetics requires glycerine; and whether he will authorise the supply of glycerine for this purpose on the condition that the marmalade is supplied to diabetics only?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that a supply of marmalade or other preserves containing glycerine in place of sugar is not necessary for diabetics and that it is of no advantage to the diabetic to eat preserves specially prepared with glycerine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in Sutton-in-Ashfield, a British Restaurant has been opened next door to the premises of a fish-frier who has long traded on the spot, and that the restaurant has been supplied with new equipment, enabling them to sell fried fish in competition with the trader in question; and whether he proposes to investigate all cases of this kind with a view to fairer treatment of existing shopkeepers?

I am aware that a British Restaurant is being established in Sutton-in-Ashfield; it is not yet, however, in operation. I am informed that there is a dearth of catering establishments in this town, that a British Restaurant is necessary and will serve a very useful purpose, and that the premises chosen were the most suitable of those available. The equipment referred to in my hon. Friend's Question as capable of being used for frying fish was intended to be used for other purposes. In fact, the menus to be provided in the British Restaurant already approved by the authority, did not include fried fish and chips. My Noble Friend has recently given an undertaking to representatives of the catering industry that if in any area it is proposed to establish a British Restaurant and the local caterers consider it unnecessary their views will be fully taken into account before approval is given.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of qualified nurses, he will consider granting a further period of time in which nurses duly trained and certified by approved training schools, but who have not previously registered, can obtain their State registration?

I am advised that legislation would be required to enable nurses who failed to apply for registration as existing nurses within the period of two years ended May, 1925, which was allowed by the Rules of the General Nursing Council under the provisions of the Nurses' Registration Act, 1919, to be admitted to the Register without satisfying the conditions applicable in the case of other applicants for admission to the Register.

asked the Minister of Health why, in order to maintain the National Register of the Medical Profession, the Central Medical War Committee has not approached other medical organisations for information and advertised for information in medical journals other than the British Medical Journal?

As stated in replies which I gave to my hon. Friend on 18th November and 9th December, the Central Medical War Committee has approached other medical organisations for information required to maintain the national register and it makes use of such other channel to obtain information as it believes to be most effective.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the refusal to allow panel patients whose doctors have been called up for military service to transfer forthwith to any practitioner who has not agreed to the Protection of Practices Scheme, is involving increasing hardship as more and more practitioners are called up; and whether he will now take steps to restore the original regulations on this subject?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my predecessor on 30th January, 1941, in which he said that, in view of the very general participation of insurance practitioners in the Protection of Practices Schemes and the importance of safeguarding the interests of practitioners who have undertaken war service, he saw no sufficient reason for action on the lines indicated. I am not aware of any difficulties having arisen since that date which would necessitate any change in the schemes and regulations.

asked the Ministry of Health under what regulation the British Medical Association Protection of Practices Scheme, when operative in the many areas where there exist amended allocation and distribution schemes under the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Regulations, is permitted; and why insurance practitioners are not permitted to absent themselves from their practices for indefinite long periods on the same basis?

As my hon. Friend was informed on 11th March, 1940, the regulations in question are regulations 3 and 23 of the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Regulations, 1936, and regulation 15 of the same regulations as amended by the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Amendment Regulations (No. 4), 1939. As regards the second part of the Question I do not gather what my hon. Friend has in mind, but I would remind him that there are special considerations which apply only where a practitioner is absent from his practice on National Service.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the contracts between insurance committees and medical practitioners apply only to persons with the income limit of £250 per annum, he will introduce a new contract and consider whether medical practitioners shall then have the right to decline to enter into a new contract covering the extended income limit?

I am advised that as the form of contract between medical practitioners and insurance committees does not contain a reference to an income limit, it is not necessary to introduce a new contract. A practitioner is entitled to withdraw from the medical list of an insurance committee by giving the necessary notice.

asked the Minister of Health the amounts allocated by his Department to each item of service on the occasion of the court of inquiry or arbitration, when 9s. per insured person per annum as fixed, as the capitation fee payable to medical practitioners; and what is the present amount?

The insurance doctor's capitation fee was not precisely calculated by reference to a definite rate of payment for each item of service. I am accordingly unable to give the particulars asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that certain local education authorities are compelled to employ uncertificated teachers; and what advice he proposes to give on the policy of making these appointments permanent?

Owing to the need for curtailing during war-time the statistics asked for from local education authorities, my Department has not the usual details of the qualifications of teaching staffs of public elementary schools. His Majesty's Inspectors are consulted about new appointments, and advice was given to local education authorities on certain principles in respect of temporary appointments in paragraph 7 of Circular 1511, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is evidence that many naval ratings are suffering from diseases in which vitamin deficiency plays an important part; and whether, in view of the present impossibility of obtaining these vitamins from natural sources, he will make available, as is already done in the Army and the Royal Air Force, artificial products to replace them and enable medical and dental officers to prescribe them?

This question has been the subject of an inquiry. There is no evidence to support the suggestion that naval ratings suffer from diseases in which vitamin deficiency plays an important part. With regard to the second part of the Question, synthetic vitamins are available to medical officers on demand, and there is no restriction on their use when considered necessary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) what arrangements exist for the granting of leave, other than privilege or compassionate leave, to sailors between operations of a plastic nature at Park Prewitt Hospital, near Basingstoke; and whether such arrangements are proving satisfactory;(2) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists among soldiers, sailors and airmen at Park Prewitt Hospital, Basingstoke, due to their unequal treatment in respect of leave between operations of a plastic nature; and what steps he has taken, and proposes to take, in order to reach an agreed and uniform policy with the other two service departments concerned?

I am net aware of any dissatisfaction among naval patients in regard to the grant of leave from Park Prewitt Hospital. The leave granted to naval patients at this hospital is dependent upon, and restricted by, the period recommended by the plastic surgeon to elapse between each operation. The leave is not limited by any prescribed scale and is of varying periods. This practice has proved satisfactory, and I do not consider that any change is necessary.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will cause to be published, either as a White Paper or in pamphlet form, the speeches of the Prime Minister to the United States Congress and the Canadian Parliament; and whether, in collaboration with the President of the Board of Education, he will have copies distributed to all schools in the United Kingdom?

No, Sir. These speeches have been fully reported in the Press.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the danger of inflation in China, he will consider, in conjunction with the United States Government, some additional measure of financial assistance or credit to the authorities at Chungking?

His Majesty's Government are at present in consultation with the United States Government on this and cognate matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolution from the shop stewards of all departments in Elderslie dockyard, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, on the question of Income Tax and overtime; and what answer does he propose to make?

I would refer to my reply of 14th October to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) regarding the liability of overtime pay. I cannot accept the suggestion that overtime pay should not be treated as income for Income Tax purposes in the same way as ordinary pay.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many householders have already paid far more in war damage contributions than they are claiming in compensation for enemy action; and whether the Commission is empowered to take this fact into consideration in avoiding delay in settlement?

Although there is no direct relationship under Part I of the War Damage Act between the payment of contributions and the right to payments on account of war damage, the Board of Inland Revenue, as my right hon. Friend stated on,4th October last in reply to the hon. Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) are prepared under certain circumstances to allow an owner to defer payment of the contribution while he has claims outstanding with the War Damage Commission. It would not, be equitable, even if it were administratively possible, for the War Damage Commission to give priority to claims preferred by the many owners of property, who have paid more in contributions than the amount claimed by them in respect of war damage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the present financial situation, he will recommend that the salaries of Members of Parliament be reduced to £300 per annum, in accordance with the precedent of this House in 1931; and those of Ministers proportionately reduced, except in cases of hardship?

While I appreciate the motive which underlies my hon. Friend's Question. I should not in present circumstances, which are very different from those of 1931, feel justified in adopting his suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider asking Parliament for powers to take over the Bank of England and all joint stock banks for the period of the war so that deposits made to them by the public could be utilised immediately by the Government without having to spend time negotiating with the governors and directors of the banks?

No, Sir. No delay occurs, for there are no negotiations of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend. The amount of loans on Treasury deposit receipts from the banks is settled by the Treasury in consultation with the Bank of England. The amount of Treasury bills is similarly settled. The procedure is well established. Bank of England ways and means advances are required only to iron out day-to-day fluctuations in the Exchequer balances. In present conditions they are, in substance, automatic.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of the decease of the owner of Tax Reserve Certificates, these would be available under the conditions, as stated, for payment of the taxes as mentioned in the terms of the issue by his executors?

Yes, Sir. Where the owner of Tax Reserve Certificates dies the Certificates will, subject to the terms of issue, be accepted in payment of any such tax or contribution as is mentioned in the terms of issue which is payable by his executors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts borrowed during the current financial year by means of National War Bonds and Savings Bonds?

The amounts raised from 1st April, 1941, to 24th January, 1942, were as follows: by National War Bonds, £547,809,000 (of which £202,635,000 was by 2½ per cent. National War Bonds, 1949–51); and by 3 per cent. Savings Bonds, 1955–65, £384,108,000. I may remind the House that first interest payments will fall due on 1st February for the 2½ per cent. National War Bonds, 1949–51, and on 15th February for Series "A" of the 3 per cent. Savings Bonds, 1955–65, and for technical reasons it is necessary to decide whether, and if so how, those issues shall continue to be available. In view of the success of both issues, I have decided that, for the present, they should continue on offer on the same terms as now. For that purpose, National War Bonds issued after 31st January will be designated "A" Series with a first interest payment due on 1st August, 1942, on which date they will be amalgamated with the original issue. In the case of Savings Bonds, the "A" Series now on offer will be amalgamated with the original issue on 15th February, and Bonds issued after 14th February will be designated "B" Series. The first interest payment on the "B" Series will be due on 15th August, 1942, on which date the series will be amalgamated with the earlier issues.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the War Damage Commission have been directed by the Treasury to impound all invoices and receipts presented in support of claims arising out of damage to buildings caused by enemy action; whether he is aware that in one regional office of the War Damage Commission demands are made that all invoices and receipts in support of claims are required to be lodged permanently; that such action will prevent production of receipts required by the Inland Revenue when making assessment for Income Tax purposes; and whether he will reconsider this question?

The Commission normally retain receipted accounts and invoices as they are required for production to the Controller and Auditor-General as evidence that payments made out of moneys provided by Parliament have been properly disbursed. The number of cases in which such accounts would also be required by the claimant for production to the Inland Revenue is likely to be small, but I will arrange for the adoption in those cases of a procedure which will avoid unnecessary inconvenience to claimants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the staff canteen at His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes Office, 11 Inner Park Road, S.W.19, is providing lunches every day for 25 to 30 people on a gas-stove designed to cook for four people; whether his attention has been drawn to the correspondence which has been passing for eight months in efforts to get a more adequate stove installed; and whether, in view of the waste of official time involved by the present arrangements, he will give immediate instructions for the staff's request to be granted?

I understand that the existing stove is more than adequate to the standard hitherto recognised for what are known as "messing facilities" for staff in offices so circumstanced as is this Tax Office. The general question whether this standard can be improved is, I understand, under consideration; but for the moment my reply to the last part of the Question must be in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, since the provisions of Section 137 (4) of the Army Act preclude the possibility of compulsory stoppages from the pay of officers to make good damage done by them in requisitioned properties, while stoppages are made from the pay of soldiers to cover various matters, he will arrange for an early alteration of the law so that the taxpayer shall not have to meet claims for damage?

Compulsory stoppages may be made from the pay of an officer under 137 (4) of the Army Act to make good damage done by him in requisitioned properties, provided it can be proved that the damage was occasioned by any wrongful act or negligence on his part.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can arrange that all regimental funds are audited by qualified persons within the division, but not attached to the units to which the regimental funds belong?

The procedure for the auditing of regimental funds is laid down in King's Regulations and detailed instructions are issued for the guidance of officers concerned. The normal practice is for the proceedings of an audit board composed of officers of the unit concerned to be placed before the commander under whom the unit is serving after approval by the commanding officer. I do not consider there is any necessity to alter the existing procedure which has worked satisfactorily for many years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his reply, dated 7th May, 1940, that vaccination and inoculation are voluntary in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and that instructions to this effect had been sent to all concerned, he will take steps to prevent officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service telling recruits that all inoculations in the Auxiliary Territorial Service are compulsory?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars of any specific cases where these instructions are said to have been ignored I will be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the conditions obtaining at a signal school in Yorkshire, where Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel are housed in isolated, damp and unventilated Nissen huts without adequate sanitary arrangements; that male personnel were removed from these huts because of the high incidence of sickness among them; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs?

Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel of the signal school in question are not and never have been accommodated in huts. They are housed in a brick building which is centrally heated and has adequate sanitary arrangements. The statement that troops were moved out of the huts owing to the high incidence of sickness is also incorrect; the sick rate for the men while in occupation of these huts was in fact below the average for the Command.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it is the custom for officers joining certain regiments to be required, after the lapse of a few months, to make a substantial contribution towards the mess as an institution; whether this is in accordance with War Office policy; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this practice weighing heavily on officers without private means?

The customary joining contributions laid down in King's Regulations have been placed in abeyance for the duration of the war, but officers are required to pay ordinary mess subscriptions for the current maintenance and incidental expenses of their mess. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any case where an undue contribution appears to have been levied for this purpose, I will gladly have it investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists among sailors, soldiers and airmen at Park Prewitt Hospital, Basingstoke, due to their unequal treatment in respect of leave between operations of a plastic nature; and what steps he has taken, and proposes to take, in order to reach an agreed and uniform policy with the other two Service Departments concerned;(2) what arrangements exist for the granting of leave, other than privilege or compassionate leave, to soldiers between operations of a plastic nature at Park Prewitt Hospital, near Basingstoke; and whether such arrangements are proving satisfactory?

Soldiers at this hospital receive the normal period of seven days privilege leave four times a year if the soldier is fit to travel and the grant of such leave will not interfere with his progress to recovery. Experience has shown that any further leave beyond this is more likely to retard than to hasten their recovery. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction among soldiers in regard to these arrangements and no change in them is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether medical officers in the Army Medical Department and the Royal Army Medical Corps are provided with Red Cross brassards; and upon what occasion they are required to wear the same?

Brassards with the Geneva Cross are issued to all officers of the Army Medical Services in accordance with Article 21 of the International Convention for the Amelioration of the Conditions of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field. These brassards are required to be worn when serving in a theatre of active operations, and in connection with operational exercises when so ordered by a General Officer Commanding.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position of those who hold non-commissioned rank when reclassification is made of their medical category and they are placed in a higher medical grade?

A warrant officer or non-commissioned officer who is medically up-graded becomes available for posting to an appointment demanding the higher medical category, if required.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all members of the Armed Forces are subject to a medical examination before going overseas, and what standard of medical fitness is required for the passing of such medical examination?

Officers commanding units are responsible for ensuring that the medical classification of their units is at all times complete and up to date. Before mobilisation for overseas officers, nurses and other ranks who appear to be below the standard of fitness required for their unit are transferred to a unit where a lower standard of fitness is accepted or brought before a medical board. Between mobilisation and proceeding overseas weekly medical inspections are carried out to ensure freedom from infectious or contagious diseases. Only personnel of medical categories A and B are considered fit for overseas service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the water supplies of a certain place are carried through surface pipes in such manner that a single well-placed bomb might deprive it of its water supplies; and what steps have been taken to guard this particular pipe?

I am afraid that on the information given it is impossible to identify the pipes in question, but if my hon. Friend will let me have full particulars, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists at the Barlinnie, Glasgow, Military Detention Camp as a result of awards of punishment made by the commandant for trivial disciplinary offences; that in several cases non-commissioned officers who happened to be five to ten minutes late for duty were punished by being deprived of their entire week-ends off duty; and, having regard to the fact that the men have only a week-end off once a fortnight, will he take steps to prevent this kind of punishment?

Seven non-commissioned officers at Barlinnie Military Detention Camp forfeited one week-end's privilege leave for being late for duty. None were less than 20 minutes and one as much as 55 minutes late, and in most cases this was at least the third offence. I do not regard these as trivial offences, particularly as five of the non-commissioned officers concerned were prison officers who are expected to set an example.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his depointing Order regarding overalls, B.131, 18th November, 1941, does not by its specification include dentists' operating coats used in private practice, the existing pointing for which would absorb fully half of the total clothes coupons in a year; that this pointing system does not apply to dentists when operating at hospitals but only in private practice; and will he extend to private practitioners the concessions now granted to hospital staffs?

The Board of Trade has not yet received any evidence to show that the white overall jacket of cotton now available at two coupons is unsuitable for use by dentists, but my right hon. Friend is prepared to examine any authoritative advice on this Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the steps taken by the Price Regulation Committee for the North Midlands region to co-operate with all local authorities, trades councils and citizens' advice committees throughout the region to receive and deal with all complaints of speculation, profiteering and black-marketing and to assist in the enforcement of recent orders; and whether he will circularise other regional committees to suggest examination of these steps, with a view to a nation-wide drive against this form of traffic in goods?

Yes, Sir. At the suggestion of the chairman of the Central Price Regulation Committee several of the local price regulation committees have already made somewhat similar arrangements. I am however arranging for the attention of all the local committees to be drawn to this matter again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider making his recent Order in relation to the period for the location of retail businesses to include the period 3rd September to 25th October, 1941, so as to bring within it the cheap chain stores and bazaars who made use of the recent repeal of the patent medicines duties to stock their stores with large quantities of proprietary medicines which it had been hitherto unprofitable for them to sell and the proper use of which must be unknown to their assistants and their promiscuous sale a danger to the public health?

No, Sir. The basic period of the Location of Retail Businesses Order, 1941, was fixed after careful consideration of all the circumstances.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what steps are being taken to ensure that householders, who suffer much from the after-effects of enemy action, are not deprived of the services of small local builders, who are disappearing under the new official scheme, for the concentration of industry in the building trade?

There is no official scheme for the concentration of business in the building industry, nor am I aware that any substantial numbers of small local builders have gone out of business. In the registration in the autumn there were still 47,925 builders and contractors in existence, and 37,582 specialists, such as painters, glaziers, plumbers, etc. A new census is now being made. If any reduction has occurred since the autumn it is due to military service requirements and to the contraction, which is essential in the interests of the war effort, of all forms of building, public or private. A scheme to ensure the retention in every area of an adequate labour force for all essential repairs and maintenance work has been prepared, but will not be in operation for a little time. No scheme for contraction in the industry will be entered on, without the fullest and earliest discussion with the industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what steps he is taking with reference to the bombed-out householder who has supplied an accepted claim for compensation for repairs and who now finds that the Ministry has eliminated the small builder who undertook to carry out the work for the sum specified, and learns that the local authority is empowered to give the job to some other firm who may charge very much more, especially since it has no interest in working to someone else's estimate, while it will have the monopoly of the work?

The Minister of Works and Buildings has not eliminated any builders, although the contraction of private building work which is essential in the interests of the war effort may have caused some firms to go out of business. I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the hon. Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle), which deals with the same Question. Local authorities do not carry out work of repairs due to bomb damage if the owner of the property prefers to do the work himself. I am not aware that owners have in fact experienced difficulty in employing private contractors, but if the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any cases he has in mind I will have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the two subcommittees set up under the Imperial Prisoners of War Committee have yet begun to function; and if they are satisfied that the inspections of prisoners of war camps in the enemy-occupied countries by the International Red Cross are adequate to ensure the carrying out of the provisions of the Geneva Prisoners of War Convention, 1929;(2) whether the Imperial Prisoners of War Committee has yet begun to function; and if so, how many meetings have been held?

The Imperial Prisoners of War Committee and its two sub-committees are functioning entirely satisfactorily. Ten meetings have so far been held. I am satisfied that conditions prevailing in British prisoner of war camps under German or Italian control are being kept under close watch as a result of regular inspections by the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross Committee, and that where any breach of the Convention is observed a prompt protest is made to the enemy government concerned.