asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that Margaret Steele and Jean Steele, 24, McLean Street, Lochside, Ayr, were sent to Birmingham on 6th January, 1941; that when they arrived in Birmingham the officials had no knowledge of their arrival; that they were ultimately sent to a certain works, of which he has been informed, where they attended for eight days, were asked to do no work, received no training, and had to wire their parents for their fare home; and whether he has any explanation to offer regarding this matter;

(2) whether he is aware that Margaret Steele and Jean Steele, of 24, McLean Street, Ayr, directed to Birmingham, were sent to lodge in a house at 27, Stock-field Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, where there was neither light nor heat; that they could only sit in a kitchen with only one chair; that the only food provided was bread and margarine; and whether he will take steps to prevent this treatment of Scots girls?

I have have inquiry and can find no substantial ground for the allegations. So far from being unexpected, they were met on arrival, paid the travelling allowance of 10s. and given sandwiches and coffee. They were then taken to the firm's premises where they had a mid-day meal. They were found lodgings by the firm in a decent working-class home and I have satisfied myself that the allegations with regard to the accommodation and food are unfounded, though it is true that the ordinary living-room except at week- ends was the kitchen. They were offered other lodgings within two or three days but preferred to move to lodgings which they had found for themselves. In accordance with the usual practice of the firm, they were placed in a training section and were engaged there for full-time, except on one occasion when they left early at their own request. At the end of a week they again left early to collect their settling-in allowance of 24s. 6d. from the Exchange and then returned to Scotland without giving any notice to the firm. They did not apply for any part of their wages to be advanced to them. Having regard to these facts, I cannot regard these girls as having made a proper effort to play their part and I regret that having accepted the settling-in allowance they should have felt under so little obligation to stick to their job.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Answer he has given is entirely incorrect, that the facts stated in my Question are substantially correct, and that these girls have a grievance? Is my right hon. Friend prepared to have the house to which the girls were sent inspected?

I have made very full inquiries, and the place has been inspected by my officers, whose reports I accept.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these girls have excellent characters and that their previous employers have given them characters of high standing, and will he have the girls interviewed by other officers in order to get the girls' side of the story as that story is as honest as the Minister's statement, and the two do not tally?

I have not reflected on the honesty or character of the girls. They are back at work in the neighbouring district now, and are quite contented. One must expect that with girls of this age, as indeed with boys of this age, these events may sometimes occur.

Is the Minister aware that all hon. Members are getting similar complaints, and that I have received a deputation of girls from the same area, with exactly the same grievance, and will he arrange for a committee of Members of the House to visit the area and make inquiries into the conditions?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since the Question was put down, I have received at least 20 communications with complaints of the same character; and is he prepared to investigate the matter thoroughly and let us have his opinion?

I have one of the most effective welfare organisations that has ever been established in any State, and I am quite satisfied that, although there are bound to be complaints and irritation when one is transferring people about the country, the steps I have taken to look after these people are adequate.

Owing to the totally inadequate, unsatisfactory, and evasive nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a communication from the Solihull Urban District Council with regard to the slow progress made by the appointed Military Service (Hardship) Committee in the hearing of applications for exemption from fire-watching; and whether he will set up local tribunals for smaller areas to expedite decisions?

I have not received any communication from the Urban District Council of Solihull on the subject. I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour who is the authority in each industrial area for dealing with special difficulties of production; and what is the nature of his authority?

The Departments concerned with production are represented in the Regions by officers, whose duties include that of dealing, each in his own sphere, with any difficulties that may arise. These officers can readily consult the headquarters specialists of their own Departments and also consult one another, as may be needed. In appropriate cases help can be given by the Production Executive Regional Boards, which include in their membership the senior Regional Officers of all the Departments concerned, together with representatives of both sides of industry.

Am I to take it that there is not anybody in these Regions with authority, and that, however estimable the representatives may be, they do not have the necessary power to co-ordinate the highly varied activities of factories and works in each given Region, and that these things have to come back to London?

That is so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in deciding upon the inclusion in, or exclusion from, the Schedule provided by the Essential Work (General Provisions) Order, 1941, of a motor-vehicle repair undertaking, he has due regard to the potential requirements for maintenance of mechanical transport as well as to the existing requirements; whether, before a decision is arrived at, the undertaking, its premises and its work in hand, are inspected and, if so, by whom; whether there is any right of representation on behalf of a motor-vehicle repairer on an application for inclusion in the Schedule, and, if so, to whom; whether there is any right of appeal by an aggrieved motor-vehicle repairer from an adverse decision by his Ministry, and, it so, to whom?

In deciding whether a motor-vehicle repair undertaking should be Scheduled under the Essential Work Order my Department acts in consultation with the Ministry of War Transport. Undertakings which wish to be Scheduled may make application to the Regional Transport Commissioner. Due regard is had to the present and potential importance of the undertaking, and, if necessary, it is inspected by the Ministry of War Transport. There is no formal right of appeal against a decision not to Schedule, but my noble Friend and I are prepared to consider representations from an aggrieved undertaking.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that partially disabled men employed on such jobs as checking gas-meters, &c., are in some cases being replaced by young women; and whether, in view of the demand of the services of all available woman-power, he will give instructions that this practice should cease as far as possible?

I am not aware that this is so, but if the honourable and gallant Member will let me have particulars of any such cases, I will inquire into them. The question of the employment of young women by gas undertakings has been discussed with representatives of the gas industry, and arrangements have recently been agreed for the release for war work of young women employed on certain work, including meter reading and collection.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now state when the Second Report of the Beveridge Committee on Skilled Men in the Services will be published?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now say when it is proposed to publish the Report of the Beveridge Committee; and what action has been taken since the Report was issued in October last?

I am not at present in a position to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir I Albery) on 8th January, 1942.

I do not know whether my right hon. Friend himself is responsible, but why has it taken the Departments concerned three months to arrive at decisions on the Report of this very important Committee?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the idea is getting about that no real effort is being made to expedite publication of the Report?

I can assure hon. Members that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in conjunction with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War, is dealing with the points in the Report affecting the defence organisation.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind especially, with a view to making representations to the necessary quarters, that there are men of low military grade who are unsuited for military duties, but are nevertheless skilled workmen and very much wanted in productive industry?

Is it not urgently desirable that the Prime Minister should have some colleague in his Cabinet who can decide these things for him?

Does not this prove that the Prime Minister cannot be Prime Minister and Minister of Defence at one time?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he personally sanctions the institution of legal proceedings, in any instance, against workpeople who violate any law or regulation administered by his Department; and, if not, will he explain the procedure adopted in these cases?

In accordance with ordinary Departmental procedure, sanction for the institution of legal proceedings must be and is devolved upon responsible officials for whose actions I, as Minister, am accountable. Any particular case or class of case is brought to my personal notice if its nature or circumstances make this desirable. The actual institution of proceedings is subject in all cases to legal advice as to the sufficiency of the evidence available.

Would the Minister personally institute proceedings in the case of a constituent of mine, an ex-miner, who is now in gaol for two months because he refused to go back to the pit?

I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution from the Barr and Strouds, Anniesland, Shop stewards committee, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, on the question of the deletion of the misconduct clause of the Essential Work Order; and what steps is he proposing to take?

The copy of this resolution, which I have had, was sent to me by the shop stewards' committee. A reply has been sent stating that I am not prepared to deprive the employer of his right to dismiss for serious misconduct, but that the Essential Work (General Provisions) Order is being amended so as to provide that arrears of wages are to be paid to a worker dismissed on the ground of serious misconduct if he appeals successfully to an appeal board and the National Service officer directs the employer to re-instate him.

Is the Minister aware that this particular clause is being used by employers on the slightest pretext to get rid of men whom they consider undesirable, and will he tell us why there are always penalising clauses against employees, but not against employers?

The number of cases of misconduct happens to be very few. I would point out that this is the first time I have ever known where in industry a right of legal appeal against dismissal has been established. It has been freely used by workmen up and down the country, and it is appreciated by them. As I have stated in my reply, I have carried it a stage further, so that when the appeal is won the employer is liable for wrongful dismissal and for payment of wages. What more could be done?

rose—

I must point out that there are 102 Questions standing on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of setting up production committees with a view to giving the employees an opportunity to put forward their suggestions for increased output and more economic production in all factories engaged on war work, with the exception of those where a representative works council exists at the present time, and whether he will override any obstruction encountered?

As I have frequently said in the House in reply to Questions and otherwise, the Government are anxious that the maximum opportunity shall be afforded for joint consultation by constitutional methods between managements and workers on all matters of common interest, including production problems. I am giving continuous attention to this question, and the regional boards also have the matter prominently before them. In order that the greatest value should be obtained from such consultation, it is important that any machinery set up for this purpose should be developed by mutual agreement and should be so constituted as not to impair the general responsibility resting with the executives of the trade unions and employers' organisations.

Does not the Minister think that it is time to abandon the old laisser faire attitude and to give the workers by law the right to participate in the control of industry?

I welcome this evidence. I wish to make it perfectly clear that I am not prepared to promote a system which takes away from the executives of trade unions their responsibility or control over people who are assumed to be represented.

In what percentage of factories have these committees been set up?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour how many have gone through the training centres since the war started; what was the period when the greatest number were in training; how many are in training now; and how many centres are in operation now?

There are at present in operation 35 Government training centres. It would not be in the national interest to publish the rest of the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

Have these training centres been a success, and have those who have passed through them been found suitable employment?

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that at the present time he is passing trainees who, because of their military age, will not be employed?

Has the Minister closed, or does he intend closing, any of these training centres, and, if so, will he state the reason?

Yes, Sir. I have closed some, and I intend closing others, because the number of recruits, owing to the shortage of man-power, is obviously drying up, and because the facilities which have been created within the works for training have been extended. Wherever I can I give preference for training in works as against training in centres.

Can I have an answer to my Question? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when men leave the training centres they cannot get employment? Is he aware that I have sent cases to his regional office at Edinburgh?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the copy of the advertisement appearing in a Yorkshire newspaper, sent to him by the hon. Member for Central Bradford, requiring an experienced housemaid, able to do a little waiting, not likely to be called up, family one, maids five; and whether he will direct the attention of his Bradford officers to this advertisement with a view to a better utilisation of women workers in this case?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulties amongst key-men employed in engineering works and paid on a weekly basis, with regard to uncertainty as to their terms of employment, in particular, payment for overtime and stoppage for sickness; and will he consider instructing employers to give weekly servants a clear statement in writing of the terms of their employment?

I am not aware of any difficulties arising out of uncertainty as to terms of employment in the engineering industry. Wages and conditions of service in this industry are the subject of agreements between the organised employers and the trade unions, and any difficulties which may arise are matters for settlement by the parties concerned in accordance with the recognised procedure in the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the influence which is exerted on the working of overtime in the cotton mills by the difficulties of shopping; and whether he will consult with the Home Office with a view to evolving some better scheme than now exists for meeting both national and individual requirements in this respect?

I am not aware of the specific difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers, although the officers, of my Department are in constant touch with this problem. If he will let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I will look into it.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he has received any reports of the suggested conferences between his local officers, the Ministry of Food, employers of labour and other interested parties, and will he emphasise still more fully the urgency of satisfactory arrangements being made to remove these great difficulties encountered by the working women in their shopping?

I have arranged for constant conferences to go on in the different regions of the country in connection with this shopping problem. The problem varies from town to town and from district to district, and I have to make the arrangements flexible.

Have any plans resulted from these conferences which can be applied in general?

No, Sir, I am afraid they cannot be applied in general, because the conditions differ so much. The cotton trade at the moment have agreed to work certain overtimes and the result of that agreement makes an immediate adjustment of shopping arrangements.

Will the Minister take care in handling this problem to see that, in trying to assist workers in other occupations, shop assistants are not required to work long hours?

The conference is between representatives of the district councils, and unions are represented on the new machinery which I have set up all over the country.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Treasury has made a special grant to fishery boards to enable them to maintain their river bailiffs; and whether, in view of the nation-wide recreation of fishing, he will reserve as far as possible the 250 water bailiffs in England and Wales and thereby control river pollution, which war-time industry tends seriously to increase?

If and when any of the water bailiffs in question become liable to be called up, it will be open to the Fishery Board concerned to apply for the deferment of their calling up. Such men would not in any case be called up without reference to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any application for such reservation; and does he realise that these rivers which afford recreation for hundreds of thousands of people in this country are a national asset notwithstanding that it is war-time?

I have had no representations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many B and C class aliens there are now in Canada; and when and why it is proposed to bring any of them back to the United Kingdom?

Approximately 1,200 Germans and Austrians in Category B or C are interned in Canada. The release of about 300 of these has already been authorised to take effect on their departure from Canada and they will be given an opportunity of returning to this country as and when shipping accommodation is available. The Canadian Government agreed to accept these people as internees, and not as immigrants. Consequently in the cases of those who are eligible for release, return to this country is a necessary preliminary to release.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that consequent upon America becoming directly involved in the war many British subjects who were sent across the Atlantic have a legitimate reason for desiring to return? May we have an assurance that they will have a preference over these aliens whom the Government are anyhow pledged to move on from this country at the conclusion of the war?

My Department is not primarily concerned with transport facilities or the allocation of priorities. In any case the internees who will be returned to this country will be returned only as and when shipping accommodation is available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men are very valuable, and, if Canada is foolish enough not to make full use of them in the war effort, the sooner they are returned the better?

asked the Home Secretary if adequate machinery exists for pooling the knowledge and experience of fire-fighting between the firefighting services of the Powers allied against the totalitarian states and for the exchange of ideas in relation to fire-raising in enemy territory?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regard the second part, arrangements are already in train for a full and free exchange of information on military subjects between the United Nations.

May we take it that machinery already exists for consultation between ourselves and other States in regard to this problem?

I think there are adequate facilities already. But they are being developed, for I am very anxious that my Department should place our exceptional experience at the disposal of any of the United Nations which may become involved in this kind of warfare.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to ensure that the inquiry he has ordered into the dispute between the Beddington and Wallington Borough Council and members of fire-fighting parties, whom the council is alleged to have treated in a manner contrary to Fire Prevention Bulletin No. 3, shall be held without further delay; and that the aggrieved persons shall have an opportunity to be heard at the inquiry?

I have seen a report on this case, and do not consider it necessary to hold any formal inquiry. In enrolling members of fire parties not otherwise entitled to exemption who, before the date of the application of the Compulsory Enrolment (Civil Defence Duties) Order, 1941, to the area in which they live, had not given a definite undertaking to perform fire prevention duties for 48 hours a month, the local authority is acting on my advice, conveyed through the Regional Commissioners. I understand, however, that the local authority has, as requested in Fire Prevention Bulletin No. 3, informed representatives of the parties in question that it is the intention of the council to interfere as little as possible with existing parties, even though their members are not entitled to exemption under the Compulsory Enrolment Order. I have, however, asked my Regional Officer to see the complainants and to explain the position to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his own private secretary and the Regional Officer in London have informed the complainants that he has ordered an inquiry and that they are waiting for it to be held? Is he also aware that the local authorities, instead of following the right hon. Gentleman's advice to interfere as little as possible, have interfered as much as possible?

I indicated in my answer that certain inquiries were being made but that I did not think it right to hold a formal inquiry. On the other point, my information is that the local authority is exceedingly reasonable. I very much appreciate the fine work that voluntary fire watchers have done, but, although I am anxious that they shall not be disturbed more than is necessary, I must be in a position to mobilise them wherever it may be needed within reason.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at any rate make sure that the complainants are given an early and full hearing by the gentleman who made the informal inquiry?

I will certainly do my best in that respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many women in the National Fire Service have no overcoats; and whether he will take steps to provide these coats immediately?

Yes, Sir. It has been decided that an overcoat should be included in the standard uniform provided for women in the National Fire Service. That decision, however, coincided with the steps taken relatively recently to augment the number of women in the Service while at the same time there are increasing difficulties in obtaining supplies so that, although the necessary contracts were placed some time ago, the best hope which I can extend is that deliveries will start to come through during March. I might add that the vast majority of women in the Fire Service are, and will be, employed indoors.

Will it be possible during cold or rainy weather for the women to put ordinary overcoats over their uniforms when going to work? Otherwise, they will have to sit in their offices in clothes which are drenched.

I will consider that point. I have given instructions that the first women to have overcoats are those employed outside.

Will the overcoats have the badges of rank on them so that the necessary saluting may be carried out?

My hon. and gallant Friend will be glad to know that we are doing our best to follow naval practice in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the name of the single person on whose evidence Mr. Benjamin Greene, late justice of the peace, was detained under Regulation 18B; and whether any other persons are detained on evidence provided from the same person?

As, I stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Cleveland (Commander Bower), on 22nd January, Mr. Greene was not detained on the evidence of a single person. It would be contrary to the public interest to publish the names of persons who give confidential information. There are no other persons detained on the basis of information provided by the person to whom my hon. Friend refers.

Was not the evidence laid by this one man the main evidence on which Mr. Greene was detained, and is it not true that the person who laid the evidence subsequently admitted that it was untrue? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take proceedings for laying false evidence?

I answered that point last week. The evidence he gave was not the sole evidence on which Mr. Greene was detained by an Order made by my predecessor. I have read the papers, and I should not regard his evidence as necessarily being the evidence which solely determined the detention. There were, and there remain, other allegations against Mr. Greene of hostile association which were not in themselves unimportant.

Was not the whole of the evidence before the Advisory Committee, and were they not satisfied that none of the substantial evidence was true? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to take any proceedings against this man for laying false evidence?

No, Sir, and, as I said last week, I do not think that arises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the reinstatement of this man as a magistrate?

asked the Home Secretary whether, when ordering the detention of Squadron-Leader Rutland, under Regulation 18B, by reason of alleged hostile associations, he took into account the useful services recently rendered by this officer, about which information has been supplied to his Department?

I have taken all relevant factors into consideration.

Is it not a fact that this very gallant officer, who much distinguished himself in the last war, was given special facilities to fly back from Washington in order to reveal the fact that he had associations with prominent Japanese individuals, in the hope that this information might be valuable to the authorities here? Why should he be put away for having hostile associations which he came over specially to declare?

I cannot accept the implications of the statement made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. Very important considerations are involved in the case, and it is undesirable that he or I should go further into the particulars.

asked the Home Secretary how many copies of the pamplet entitled "Physical Recreation for Civil Defence Workers" have been printed; and to whom they have been circulated?

The Central Committee of the Civil Defence Comforts Fund, which is responsible for the promotion of activities such as those dealt with in this pamphlet, and for that purpose administers funds placed at its disposal by private benefaction, arranged for the preparation of the pamphlet, at no cost to public funds. 50,000 copies have been printed for distribution to the Civil Defence Services, including the National Fire Service, and the Police.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a misuse of paper? This is a typical quotation from the pamphlet:

"Given good facilities and the necessary equipment, cricket will probably be popular this summer."

I am not competent to express an opinion on that point, but we did take the advice of very expert people, and I think the House will agree that it is desirable for us to consider the welfare of the Civil Defence personnel and to do all we can to secure their physical efficiency for their work when they are called into action.

asked the Home Secretary whether the biologist responsible for the application of the biological principles of counter-shading and dazzle to war camouflage was invited to serve on the Advisory Committee on Camouflage set up in August, 1939, or on any of its successors, or to appear before the committee to substantiate his allegations regarding the mismanagement of his directions as circulated to the Fleet in 1914; and, if not, why not?

No, Sir. These principles are well understood, and it has not been thought necessary to call on the biologist referred to. If, however, he desires to make representations to the Committee, they will receive careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in some Civil Defence services women are required to go on duty for two 24-hour shifts per week, including sleeping time, and that is treated as a full week's work; and will he arrange for this wasteful use of woman-power to be brought to an end?

I am not aware of anything corresponding to a general practice to this effect; indeed, in the National Fire Service and in the local authority Civil Defence services generally a more exacting system of working hours for whole-time women personnel has obtained. I am, therefore, looking into the question of making further economies in woman-power by putting a stop to arrangements of the kind to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the real trouble is not the 24-hour shift, but the fact that when he has laid down 48 hours per week as a minimum some local authorities are interpreting that as a maximum, which means that in order to keep a post requiring four women staffed day and night throughout the week 14 women have to be mobilised?

That is one of the points I am keeping in mind.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the women in some of these services suffer very much from enforced idleness and boredom during their hours of duty, and is it not desirable even with their present hours and essential if those hours are extended that they should be enabled to do munitions or other useful work during their hours of duty?

Unnecessary boredom is to be deprecated, and I can assure my hon. Friend that I will do my best to prevent it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider withdrawing the order by which personnel of the National Fire Service have to salute their officers?

No, Sir. Saluting of senior officers was an established practice in many of the old fire brigades. There was, however, much diversity of procedure, and now that the National Fire Service has been instituted it is essential to establish a recognised and standard practice. That is the object of the recent Instruction. The original Instruction has been amended in one particular, but, apart from that, I am satisfied that the general Instruction on the subject is necessary and should stand.

Is the saluting confined to formal parades, or is it necessary for the personnel to salute whenever they meet a senior officer on or off duty?

It is when on duty. They are not required to salute when off duty. The practice follows that adopted by the old fire brigades in many parts of the country, including, I may say, the Fire Brigade of the London County Council when it was under the Council. I do not remember that my hon. Friend, when he and I were acting closely together—off and on—on the London County Council, ever protested against saluting by London firemen.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that some of the alterations which he has introduced in the saluting procedure have aroused great hostility, and in fact he has withdrawn some of them? I was anxious to know whether there were any other alterations which he has introduced which are equally unpopular.

My hon. Friend asked me to abolish saluting, and I do not propose to do it. I propose to follow his admirable example, and mine, on the London County Council. I have not received any communication from my hon. Friend objecting to the police courteously saluting him when, as a Member of Parliament, he arrives at the House of Commons.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is giving consideration to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Private Schools in relation to any plans for postwar education?

The Board are now examining the views and recommendations of many sections of opinion. My hon. Friend may be sure that the report to which he refers will not be lost sight of.

asked the President of the Board of Education why sanction is refused for providing paid staff for play centres in reception areas?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the organised leisure-time activities for evacuated children under the supervision of evacuated teachers on the lines suggested in the Board's Circulars 1474 and 1554. This work is a natural and normal function of the evacuated teacher and is generally accepted by teachers as such. I am not aware of any unwillingness of evacuated teachers to give their services for this work.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, play centres for munition workers get 100 per cent. grant from the Ministry of Labour, that play centres primarily for local children get 50 per cent. from his own Department, and that play centres for evacuated children get 100 per cent. from the Ministry of Health, and they cannot provide teachers; and as this is the peak age for juvenile delinquency, would it not be as well to encourage the complete provision of play centres for evacuated children?

The Question which I was asked concerned remuneration of the staff, and I have given the information in regard to the play centres to which the Question referred. I agree that there is a difference between them and the centres organised for war workers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into that question?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education what regional organisation the Board had set up to deal with difficulties arising in the event of invasion?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a memorandum on the subject recently sent by my Department to local authorities and educational institutions.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any report will be issued respecting the incidence of youth registration; what instructions, guidance or recommendations have been issued to local authorities respecting the direction of young people into suitable organisations; and whether any financial assistance for these organisations is subject entirely to the discretion of local authorities?

Guidance on the arrangements for following up the forthcoming registration of young people in the 16–18 age-group has been given in Circular 1577 and Administrative Memorandum No. 346, copies of which I am sending the hon. Member. As will be seen from paragraph 16 of the Circular, I am asking local education authorities to submit a simple statistical return of the action taken by them, and I will consider whether some report can be framed on the information so received. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Administrative Memorandum No. 256 which will give him the information he desires about the last part of his Question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is a certain amount of misunderstanding and confusion in the public mind, and can he say whether an opportunity will be given very shortly for a Debate upon this matter in the House?

I am taking an early opportunity of giving a little more information on the subject, which I agree is very important. The arrangement of the Business of the House is not a matter for me, but I am always available to assist the hon. Member in what he has in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman find out whether an arrangement could be made for us to discuss this matter, seeing that it wan to be discussed at one time but that, unfortunately, it was not reached on that occasion?

I am aware of that

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in co-operation with county councils, agricultural committees and the Forestry Commissioners, he will encourage the placing of bee colonies in suitable areas under their control, to be tended by their own employees or, alternatively, invite voluntary help to tend the bee colonies, in order to increase the honey supply and extend fertilisation of fodder, fruit and vegetable crops?

I regret that in view of existing circumstances my hon. Friend's suggestion is not practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will investigate the case of Mr. Lund, of Throstle Field Farm, Thornton, East Yorkshire, who has been given notice to quit by the East Riding War Agricultural Committee, as this farm of 89 acres, of heather land of poor quality, was bought for £700 about 23 years ago by Mr. Lund, has been farmed by Mr. Lund, who is 85 years of age, for 43 years, and as he has offered the land rent free, provided he may be allowed to live in his old age in his own house?

This case has already been fully investigated. The present owner-occupier of the farm is incapable, through age and other circumstances, of farming it properly, and the War Agricultural Executive Committee, after giving him ample opportunity either to sell or to let the farm to a competent person, have been obliged to take possession. My consent, which is necessary, has been given. I am informed that it would be impossible for the committee to let the farm to a satisfactory tenant without the use of the farmhouse and buildings, and I am afraid, therefore, that the suggestion in the last part of the Question cannot be adopted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this old man of 85 has offered everything he possesses in order that he may live and die in his own house, and could not a little sympathy be shown to him?

Every sympathy has already been shown, and every attempt has been made by the committee to reach a compromise. The task imposed upon the committee is to see that land is properly farmed and food is produced, and, although I am very sorry for the old man, if the land cannot be farmed without the house and buildings, I must have the house and buildings.

If the right hon. Gentleman turns this old man out of his house, is it not the responsibility of his Department to find somewhere for him to live?

No, Sir. My Department is in the same position as other Government Departments, like the Air Ministry or the War Office or the Ministry of Supply. If land has to be requisitioned or houses taken over, our task is to see that proper compensation is given.

Would it not be possible for neighbouring farmers to farm this land or for it to be farmed direct by the county war agricultural committee?

Obviously both those are possible solutions, and both those avenues have been explored, but in this case it has been found impossible to farm the land without the house and buildings.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this case on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the wheat which has been ground and threshed and is now stored on many farms throughout the country, he will confer with the Minister of Food with a view to acquainting farmers as to where they can dispose of this wheat; and whether he will make a statement in connection with the practice of the classification of wheat as being millable or unmillable, in view of the uncertainty which prevails throughout the country on these matters?

Growers of wheat must offer it for sale to approved buyers. I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend and instructions have been issued to approved buyers regarding the disposal to more distant mills of wheat surplus to local milling capacity. At the same time millers in areas where surpluses exist have been instructed to increase the percentage of home-grown wheat used in their grists. With regard to the second part of the Question, wheat may be sold as millable, potentially millable or nonmillable. Definitions of these categories and the provisions governing the disposal of wheat are given in the Home Grown Wheat (Control and Prices) Order. Disputes regarding the classification of wheat are to be referred for decision to the Local Wheat Committee in whose area the wheat is situate, and I would suggest that any farmer who is in doubt as to his position under the Order should seek the advice of the Secretary of his Local Wheat Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the long-term agricultural policy which the Government have under consideration, he will now give an assurance that they will adopt, as a definite basis for the development of this long-term policy, that the home producers of the United Kingdom should be allowed to produce the maximum output from the land that they have done during the war for a stated period of years after the war, with a guaranteed home market, both as to quantity and price, with a view to enabling, at a later date, the allocation to the importing countries to be determined?

I am unable to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 11th September.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that nothing can be done to secure the future of the agricultural producer until the point which has been raised in this Question is settled? Surely there is no need for such delay over this matter. No real attempt Las been made to tackle the long-term problem, and the country is getting more and more aware of it.

A large number of considerations are involved in a long-term policy, and we are in that endeavouring to tackle the problem.

This is the first thing that should be tackled, and there is no reason why there should be further delay. I shall raise this matter over and over again.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider increasing the poultry feeding-stuffs rations of the larger producers, having regard to the fact that this will result in more eggs flowing into the national pool to meet the ration?

I regret that owing to the shortage of feeding-stuffs I cannot contemplate any increase in poultry rations.

Is it not possible for the Minister to utilise more of the waste which is collected, so as to increase the supply of feeding-stuffs without making increasing demands upon our shipping?

It is being used for poultry or pigs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the fullest efforts are being made to see that all the waste is collected?

Active steps have been taken for some time to urge and to help local authorities to set up plants to deal with all this waste and considerable progress is being made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how Scottish opinion and experience are obtained in respect of veterinary diseases; and what connection is maintained with the Scottish Department of Agriculture with regard to research?

As the answer is somewhat long I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Minister say whether this matter is proceeding satisfactorily, and whether he is satisfied that an English Minister can possibly do adequate justice to a Scottish problem?

Oh, yes, I have no doubt at all about that.