asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will inquire into the sending of unemployed persons from the Rhymney Valley to a certain factory who, on arrival at the factory, had to wait many hours for interview and were told that they were not wanted; whether he will inquire into the general conditions under which labour is requisitioned at this factory and the conditions under which interviews and examinations are conducted?

The incident to which my hon. Friend refers in the first part of the Question, concerns eight men from the Rhymney Valley who, on 19th January, unfortunately had to wait two hours for medical examination, because the medical officer had been summoned urgently to an accident some miles away. As the officer had not returned at the end of two hours the men were asked to return on 22nd January, when they were examined and commenced work. Arrangements have been made to ensure in future that even if a similar call for medical help should occur, there will nevertheless be a doctor available to examine applicants on days when fresh staff is being entered. As regards the second part of the Question, applicants for employment are brought to the factory by special buses. Those coming from the greatest distance arrive between noon and 1 p.m. and they are interviewed on arrival as to suitability. Selected candidates are then examined by the medical officer. The interviews are carried out in a heated building where seating accommodation is provided, and the medical examination is carried out at the factory hospital which is situated only 100 yards from the interviewing office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the regulations governing the employment of women between 20 and 30 years of age, he will state the position both of employers and would-be employees who contemplate either the offer or the application for work by direct approach to each other and not through any agency at all?

When the Employment of Women (Control of Engagement) Order comes into force on 16th February, employers will in general be precluded from directly offering employment to women between the ages of 20 and 30 inclusive, and women between those ages will be precluded from obtaining employment by direct approach to an employer, unless the woman holds a permit from the Ministry of Labour and National Service to obtain her employment otherwise than through a Local Office of the Ministry or an approved agency. The Order does not apply to a woman who has living with her a child of hers under the age of 14 or who is a blind person. Furthermore the Order does not apply to engagements in a number of employments the principal of which are agriculture, horticulture, forestry, employment as a professional nurse for the sick, as a midwife or as a teacher at a university or recognised school.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any pressure is brought to bear on employing agencies, especially those who are in touch with expert secretarial workers, not to supply any private interests with workers until the Department's requirements are met?

No, Sir. Not hitherto. I should point out however that under the Control of Engagement Order recently made with regard to women aged 20 to 30 approved agencies will be required in the case of women between these ages to act in accordance with the Department's directions. The agencies to be approved will in general be limited to those which specialise in the placing of workers with recognised professional or technical qualifications and whose assistance is necessary to ensure that such workers are placed to the best advantage in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will define the position of those firms who, undertaking to replace a man who has been called up, now find that the first and second substitutes for the original man thus called up are equally, in view of woman conscription, now being summoned to the Colours; and whether the undertaking to replace the called-up worker only holds good with regard to the original man, or to all three of them?

Sub-section (1) of Section 14 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, requires employers to reinstate persons called up for service. No distinction is made in the Act between original and subsequent holders of a post, but the proviso to the Sub-section safeguards an employer against being required to reinstate a former employee when, owing to a change of circumstances, reinstatement is not reasonably practicable. The interpretation of these provisions is a matter for the Courts, and my hon. Friend will appreciate that I am therefore unable to do more than draw attention to the statutory provisions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider taking steps, in consultation with the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Food, to refer to the various man-power boards the persons known to be associated with what is known as the black market in commodities and foodstuffs, with a view to ascertaining the liability to National Service of those persons and arranging accordingly in proper cases?

I have already made arrangements with my right hon. Friends to examine closely the position under the National Service Acts of any persons who may be known to be associated with what is commonly called the black market.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many workers who require bottled beer for dinner are prevented by their work from fetching it during legal delivery hours, and cannot get it delivered owing to the shortage of labour; and whether he will extend delivery hours?

The permitted hours for the off-sale of liquor appear generally adequate, and I have received no previous representations as to any grievance on the part of workers in this respect. The information before me does not suggest that there is a case at the present time for proposing the amendment of the Licensing Act which would be necessary to give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health the number of day nurseries that have been established in the Tyne and Wearside areas for the children of mothers engaged in war work?

At the end of December five war-time nurseries had been approved with accommodation for 360 children, and nine more were in preparation in the area to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of labour and the Government's desire that people should produce as much food as possible, he will take steps to rescind, for the duration of the war, the regulation by which an employer is forced to pay National Health Insurance contributions for an employee who, being over age, can in no way benefit from them?

I have no evidence that the statutory provision which requires an employer to pay his share of the normal Health and Pensions contribution in respect of men who have reached age 65 and women who have reached 60 militates against the employment of such elderly persons at the present time. While the main object of the provision, which was included in the Statute at the inception of the contributory pensions scheme, was to remove any possible inducement to employers to give preference for employment to any particular class of person, it also enables certain persons who enter insurance late in life to qualify for contributory old age pension after they reach the normal pension age. It would clearly not be practicable to distinguish between these cases and those in which no benefit is derived by employees from the contributions so paid in respect of them and I am accordingly not prepared to propose the amendment of the law suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the large quantities of crockery, linen, knives, forks, spoons and other effects, that were stored when hotels were taken over for Government purposes; and now, as such things are urgently needed, will he take steps to make these stores immediately available and so relieve existing pressure and ensure work for the Potteries and other industrial areas in replacing them, when peace is restored?

I will certainly examine, in consultation with my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and Buildings, the suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the extent to which quotas are being bought and sold in the commercial world?

The following figures show the amounts of quota whose transfer has been authorised by the Board of Trade during December and from 1st to 27th January:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fraud on the public regarding worthless electric batteries; and whether he will inquire into the same and stop this fraud?

I have no information beyond statements which have recently appeared in the Press. If my hon. Friend will let me know what kind of battery he has in mind and will let me have particulars of sales of faulty batteries which have been brought to his notice, I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing regulations under which firms engaged in the black market, and convicted as such, will have their trade licence cancelled instead of being fined as at present?

I am not clear what form of licence my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but if he will let me know I will communicate with him further.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now able to state the reasons why a pension has been refused to the wife of ex-Private H. S. Giles, Ref. B.10/M2/5740, who is now in the Whittingham Mental Hospital?

As I have explained by letter to the hon. Member I am unable to certify that the disability, manic depressive psychosis, from which ex-Private Giles is suffering is either attributable to or aggravated by war service. In these circumstances I am unable to award a pension in his case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in a firm in which some 10,000 employees and the firm are contributing to a benevolent fund and where the weekly grants to the dependants of men serving in the forces average 7s. 2d. per week, pensionable amounts are in consequence of these grants being reduced; that there is keen resentment of the contributors at what they regard as the imposition of a means test, and that if this practice is continued it is likely to have a serious effect upon the continuance of the benevolent fund; and whether, generally throughout the country, such voluntary contributory funds are treated in a similar manner as in this case?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the practice followed in connection with the assessment of war service grants. Claims for such grants are made on the ground of financial difficulty due to undertaking service. The question whether financial difficulty exists is one of fact which can be determined only by comparing the income enjoyed before service with the regular income derived from all sources during service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange for the interim reports of the committee set up to make recommendations for the reorganisation of his Department to be placed in the Library of the House?

The Committee was appointed by me to examine the organisation and procedure of the Ministry and to advise me whether it considered any changes in the administration to be desirable. It has submitted a number of interim reports which have contained much valuable advice and effect has been, or is being, given to a substantial proportion of their recommendations. I do not, however, regard it as necessary to place in the Library of the House copies of the reports it has made for my information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of deer forests in each county surveyed by the Land Court on his remit to them; what were the total numbers of sheep and cattle, respectively, recommended by the Land Court as capable of being carried under war-time conditions on these respective deer forests; what steps have been taken to have these recommendations carried out; and with what results?

The following table gives the figures asked for:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will secure the amendment of the Defence Regulations relating to the requisitioning of agricultural land in order to ensure that contractors shall not enter upon land, possibly damaging the same, before requisitioning notices are served, and that contractors shall not damage land and crops adjacent to the requisitioned land?

It is understood that any action of the kind referred to in my hon. Friend's Question would be contrary to instructions laid down by the Services and other Departments, and the enactment of a further Defence Regulation would not seem to be necessary and would not effectively prevent the possibilty of damage to crops from the causes mentioned. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any cases known to her where such damage has occurred, I will take the matter up with the Department concerned in order that steps may be taken to deal with the offenders and to prevent any repetition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a statement relative to the guaranteed prices to be fixed for wheat and other agricultural products, having regard to the fixation of agricultural workers' wages?

This matter is still under active consideration and I hope that a statement can be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Africulture whether he is aware that many dairy farmers do not make as much profit a week as the wages they pay to any one of their workers, under the £3 a week minimum scheme; and whether he will investigate the possibility of increasing the price of milk to enable such farmers to earn a decent livelihood?

I appreciate that in a large industry such as that of dairy farming the returns obtainable by individual producers vary widely, but I am satisfied that the present prices for milk have been fixed on a basis which allows a reasonable return to producers, having regard to the increased costs of production since the war. The question of the further increase to be made in these prices in respect of the recent alteration in the minimum agricultural wage is under consideration, and an announcement will be made very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of his appeal to farmers to increase the cultivation of sugar-beet, he is taking into account the dissatisfaction of the farmers with the price fixed?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on 22nd January to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is now possible for recruits of the Land Army to be supplied with the regulation oilskins so necessary at this time of the year?

I have been asked to reply. Owing to manufacturing difficulties there has been some delay in the issue of oilskins to newly enrolled Land Army volunteers. Deliveries from manufacturers are now, however, coming through and distribution is being made as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to explain the terms and conditions under which Italian prisoners of war can be employed on farms in this country, especially on the following points: who bears the cost of transport to and from work if the men come from a camp; what are the conditions as regards lodging at farms: are rations provided by the military authorities; under whose control are the men; and who is responsible for their movements?

Italian prisoners of war may be employed in gangs from the prisoner of war camps or individually from certain hostels or to live in on farms. A farmer wishing to employ prisoners under either scheme must apply-to his county war agricultural executive committee, and for the present, prisoners will be available only in the vicinity of the camps or hostels. The prisoners at camps are intended mainly for employment on gang work. Those at the hostels are mainly for individual employment. Where prisoners work from a camp the farmer is required to pay the Executive Committee for their services at the rate of 1s. per hour (1s. 3d. per hour for overtime) unless a contract rate has been fixed for the job. The Executive Committee is authorised to bear the reasonable cost of transport of prisoners from the camp to the farm. The conditions governing the employment of prisoners living in on farms and in hostels are set out in Leaflets P.W.1 and P.W.2, copies of which I am sending to my hon Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether prefabricated huts for the use of youth organisations will be allotted to such organisations for use where they find units are in urgent need of them, or to the local authorities for use in the discretion of such authorities?

A supply of pre-fabricated huts has been made available for use for Youth Service purposes, and these huts are allocated, both to local education authorities and to voluntary organisations, to meet urgent cases of need, where no existing buildings can be utilised.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, where facilities exist, he will encourage the establishment of a youth centre so that various organisations serving young people may co-operate and co-ordinate their activities?

Every encouragement is being given by my Department to the establishment of youth centres wherever this is practicable under war-time conditions, and I believe that it is a not uncommon practice amongst local education authorities to offer the use of facilities in such youth centres to youth organisations in the vicinity.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has considered a resolution from an influential committee in Nottingham asking that food should be supplied, under suitable conditions, to Greece; and whether His Majesty's Government have arrived at any decision on this matter?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has considered this resolution. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 27th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Sir A. Gridley).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in any areas invaded, tradesmens' vans are to be immobilised; and whether the Regional Commissioners have been instructed accordingly?

The preparations against invasion include plans for the immobilisation of motor vehicles. Regional Commissioners are fully informed of these plans; but it would not be in the national interest to publish in advance detailed information about the stages in which immobilisation would be applied to different areas and categories of vehicle.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has been informed of the criticisms concerning the air-raid precautions arrangements in Glasgow respecting the lavish expenditure in decorations as compared with the provision of medical equipment; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made?

I am not aware of any grounds for criticism of expenditure on the decoration of premises used for Civil Defence purposes in Glasgow. The provision of medical equipment is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland. I am informed, however, that the medical equipment in Glasgow conforms to the general standard in Scotland, which is the same as that in England.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the redecoration of air-raid precautions centres in Glasgow, now being undertaken, is necessary, as they were prepared and decorated two years ago?

I am informed that there are in all 38 centres, of which only a small number were completely redecorated two years ago, and that it is now proposed to redecorate 5 wholly and 17 partially. The work in most cases consists only of giving certain rooms a coating of distemper. The local authority, who are responsible in this matter, consider this necessary both in the interest of the Civil Defence volunteers and also to meet the requirements of the normal maintenance of the buildings, and I have no reason to question their decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inadequate accommodation and sanitary arrangements provided for the Auxiliary Fire Service at Reigate whilst on duty; and whether he will take steps to improve these conditions?

I am aware of the inadequacy of some of the accommodation provided by local authorities for the Auxiliary Fire Service but, particularly since-the institution of the National Fire Service. Regional Commissioners have been making special efforts to bring the accommodation and amenities up to a reasonable standard. The rate of progress is much slower than I could have wished because of the shortage of materials and labour, but arrangements have recently been made for the large supplies of prefabricated huts to be made available and these should make a substantial contribution towards meeting deficiencies. I understand that the main station at Reigate is amongst those marked down by the Regional Commissioner for early attention.

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to ensure that the number of fire-fighters in evacuated coastal towns, such as Ramsgate and Margate, are sufficient to deal with the extensive conflagrations which might be caused by deliberate enemy attack; and what steps have been taken to guide the exodus of the remaining inhabitants if their homes should be burnt down?

The special position of these towns has been taken into account in the allocation of the available man-power to the National Fire Service. As regards the second part of the Question, persons bombed out of their homes and having nowhere to go would be guided by police and wardens to the rest centres.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to make proposals to increase the allowances to evacuees?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to announce an increase in billeting allowances, as a promise was made to consider the appeal made by the hon. Member for Abertillery on 9th June last year, when this matter was raised on the Adjournment?

I shall be in a position to make a statement on billeting allowances in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at least two of the shelter medical officers employed and under contract for medical service at Liverpool Street Station Underground shelter live away from the district, one in Kilburn and one in a southern suburb; on what grounds were such medical appointments made, and why badly hit medical practitioners in the surrounding and nearby districts were, and are not now, employed for this work; whether those appointed attend regularly or only when the alarm is sounded; and what remuneration is attached to these appointments?

These appointments were made by the City Corporation as the responsible shelter authority. The corporation had represented that there were no medical practitioners normally resident in the City who were willing and able to take on the work. The corporation were therefore authorised to appoint four full-time shelter medical officers at a salary of £500 a year each. The officers come on duty at the beginning of the black-out, visit each of the large public shelters, and remain on duty at the City Control Centre all night.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from respiratory tuberculosis and other forms of tuberculosis among males and among females, in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively, for the quarters ended 30th June, 1939, 1940 and 1941?

I append the numbers for England and Wales. Questions as to tuberculosis mortality in Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered representations from the town clerk of Liverpool, on behalf of the Liverpool City Council, urging a revision of the rules of the General Nursing Council to enable nurses to take their final examinations in children's diseases and fevers at the ages of 20 and 19, respectively; and whether, in view of the serious shortage of student nurses in children's and infectious hospitals, he will take steps to lower the age by one year, if only as a war-time measure, so that students may take their final examinations in children's diseases and fevers one year earlier than now laid down?

I have received the representations referred to from the town clerk of Liverpool and I am asking for the observations of the General Nursing Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to consider an increase in the pension now payable in the case of widows?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend, the Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) on 22nd January.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what complaints have reached his Department as to the conditions existing in the mental hospital, Severalls, near Colchester, Essex; how many changes of medical officers have taken place there recently, and on what grounds; why the medical officer recently insisted on a notice calling a trade union meeting being taken down from the notice board; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the administration of this institution recently;(2) why the late matron of the mental hospital, Severalls, near Colchester, Essex, who was awarded a decoration for good nursing work, resigned her position as matron of this institution; and whether he is satisfied with existing conditions in that institution?

I am making inquiries and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health how many rural district councils now have, either as individual councils or jointly with other councils, whole-time medical and sanitary officers?

The numbers of rural district councils in England and Wales who, either as individual councils or jointly with other councils, have whole time medical officers of health and sanitary inspectors respectively are 259 and 464.

asked the Minister of Health how many sewerage schemes were in operation by rural district councils at the outbreak of war; and how many more were known to be in preparation?

It is estimated that before the war water carriage sewerage and sewage disposal arrangements provided by the local authority were in operation in about 6,000 rural parishes covering about 75 per cent. of the rural population. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts under the direction of county councils and rural district councils, respectively?

The numbers are 14,908 and 7,008 respectively. Work is in progress on another 869.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association is still functioning; and what is its relationship with the Central War Committee?

The Central Emergency Committee ceased to function shortly after the outbreak of war when the Central Medical War Committee was constituted.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the presently increased remuneration for medical practitioners has caused great dissatisfaction; that the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association repudiate that they ever agreed to such acceptance; and, as the medical profession were not consulted before changes were made, if he will now afford them such right?

Before the capitation fee was increased I discussed the matter on more than one occasion with representatives of the Insurance Acts Committee. The committee referred my offer to a special conference of representatives of local medical and panel committees which was held on the 31st July, 1941. The conference passed a resolution accepting the offer, without prejudice to the claim for an increase of the basic fee of 9s. and to the claim to a cost of living increase when such an increase is given to comparable sections of the community. In these circumstances I do not see any necessity for further consultation with the medical profession in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some cases of tuberculosis are not being treated by local authorities owing to shortage of staff; and what action he is taking to meet these circumstances?

I am aware that some sanatoria have difficulty in securing adequate nursing and domestic staffs and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular that I sent recently to tuberculosis local authorities. The question of domestic staff in hospitals generally I have under constant consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists amongst farmers in regard to the operations of the National Vegetable Marketing Company; on what date representations on the subject made to the Minister by the National Farmers' Union were considered at a full meeting of the board of the company; and whether it is his intention to publish figures showing the cost to the taxpayer and the consumer of the company's handling of the onion crop?

I am, of course, aware of the representations made by the National Farmers' Union in regard to the operations of the National Vegetable Marketing Company. These representations have been considered in consultation with the Ministry's representatives on the board of this Company, and a communication on the subject will be sent to the National Farmers' Union shortly. With regard to the last of my hon. Friend's Question, it is not intended to publish the figures referred to at present for the reasons stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Jackson) on 21st January last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the terms recommended to local authorities for letting the premises of British Restaurants for social and similar functions in the evening; and whether, in view of competition with established local premises of a similar nature, it is proposed to charge letting fees on a strictly business basis?

So far as I am aware, few applications have been made for the use of British Restaurants for purposes such as my hon. Friend mentions. No general instructions have been issued to local authorities on the subject, but I see no objection to the letting of British Restaurants for evening functions subject to the conditions that the normal activities of the British Restaurants are not interfered with and a charge is made for the use of the premises on an ordinary commercial basis. I am in full sympathy with the view that there should be no unfair competition with privately owned premises which might otherwise be used for the purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will publish the instructions to millers which governs the constitution of wheatmeal flour; whether these instructions supersede the directions contained in the Statutory Order of August, 1941, on the same subject; whether breach of these instructions is a penal offence; and, if so, how many prosecutions for such breach have been instituted, with their date, place and result?

My Noble Friend does not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the publication of these instructions, the nature of which was indicated in a reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 18th December last. The instructions are supplementary to the requirements relating to National Wheatmeal in the Flour (Control & Prices) Order, 1941. As regards the third part of the Question, my hon. Friend has already been informed in the reply I gave to his Question on 25th November last that my Noble Friend has the necessary powers to secure compliance with the instructions. No prosecutions have been instituted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what changes have been made in the Non-Ferrous Metal Control; and will he give the names of the controllers and the amount paid to them?

The Non-Ferrous Metal Control has recently been extended to deal with a number of additional metals, including tin, antimony, cadmium, manganese metal and nickel, and also to supervise die casting capacity. The Joint Controllers of Non-Ferrous Metals are Mr. J. C. Budd and Mr. William Mure, whose remuneration is included in the fee paid to the British Metal Corporation for operating the Control.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, what he intends to do with the quantities of scrap rubber which the scrap rubber salvage campaign has as its object, in view of the fact that there is not sufficient reclaiming plant in the country to deal with the scrap readily accessible?

Reclaiming plant in this country is being extended, and provision is being made for storing for the future such accumulations as cannot be used as they are collected.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that the Ministry of Home Security have stressed the undesirability of large stocks of scrap rubber, and have taken effective steps, in some' instances, to have them dispersed; and whether his Ministry is carrying out the same policy?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, the number of cement bags that are not sent back to the cement mills each year; and if he will make a statement about what he intends doing to prevent bag wastage?

According to the information available, approximately 20 per cent. of paper bags and jute sacks used for cement are not returned. With every delivery of cement instructions are given for the return of the containers and manufacturers, merchants, contractors and local authorities have been reminded of the importance of salvaging cement containers. I am considering what further steps may be necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport on what principles it has been decided to cancel or retain feeding facilities on passenger trains?

Restaurant and kitchen cars have, in the main been withdrawn to enable the seating capacity of heavily loaded trains to be increased to the maximum; but, in some cases, withdrawal has been due to shortage of staff.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that in the changed circumstances many British women and children evacuated to the United States of America and Canada have now valid reasons, such as the obligations now developing upon their hosts, for wishing to return to the United Kingdom; and whether he will give an assurance that all such persons shall be given priority in the matter of passage facilities over all aliens who were sent from the United Kingdom for internment?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has found it possible to arrange any better facilities for the return to this country of women or children evacuated to the United States of America or Canada?

It is not possible to give so general an assurance but after representations had been made to me by my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Miss Cazalet), arrangements were made some months ago for a small number of berths to be specially allocated every month for women and children who have been evacuated to the United States of America and Canada and now wish to return to the United Kingdom. So far as I know this arrangement is proving sufficient.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing danger of enemy action in the West Indian Islands, adequate provision is being made for air-raid and other forms of defence?

The defence arrangements of the Colonies referred to are already under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken to secure for this country the place formerly held by France in South America, and particularly Argentina, in the matter especially of culture and the visits of tourists?

The British Council have made and are continuing to make every effort to propagate the knowledge of British culture in all parts of South America, including the Argentine. As regards the visits of tourists, war conditions the world over preclude any idea of tourist travel for the time being.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the scorched earth policy was carried out at Hong Kong; and, in particular, whether all material of military value, including the shipyards, the forts and batteries, and the buildings of Victoria City were destroyed?

As regards the Hong Kong mainland I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 20th January, 1942. A report was received just before the surrender of the colony that all necessary demolitions had been carried out on the island, but no details are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the difficulties experienced at Penang in securing the assistance of the civil authorities in the work of carrying out a scorched earth policy; and how many of the inhabitants, apart from the European population, were evacuated?

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss) on 27th January. As regards the second part the number of non-European inhabitants evacuated was small, but exact figures are not known. According to my information there was no general desire on the part of the Asiatic population to leave the island.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant compensation for loss of earnings to members of the Home Guard attending approved courses of instruction?

Members of the Home Guard serve without pay and the policy is that except in emergency, when compensation for loss of earnings is provided, their military duties should be so arranged as not to interfere with their civil employment. Compensation is not admissible in respect of attendance at courses of instruction. The common practice is, therefore, to hold courses locally and at week-ends to avoid loss of working time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet reached any decision with regard to the status and pay of recruiting officers?

It is not intended to change the status of recruiting officers, but it has been decided to increase their pay, from £300 to £350 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the delay in carrying out the Government's decision to permit remittances to evacuated children and their mothers in the United States of America and Canada; and whether he will take steps to ensure the release of those moneys?

The preparation of the necessary administrative machinery is a somewhat complicated process and is being effected as rapidly as possible. It is hoped to issue an Army Council instruction putting the scheme into operation in the very near future.

asked the Secretary of Stale for War whether his Department has received any records of the performances of colonial troops of non-European origin during the present war; and whether such records will be published, or other publicity given to their endurance, courage and quality in the campaigns in which they have been engaged?

Several brigades from Nigeria, the Gold Coast and the East African dependencies did excellent service throughout the Abyssinian campaign. Their achievements and those of the Sudan Defence Force are reported in a booklet on the campaign in East Africa which will soon be published. A number of colonial soldiers of non-European origin have been decorated for gallantry in the field.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the amount received to date in respect of War Damage Contributions is £32,600,000, he can state the approximate due balance which has not yet been received?

The total balance of the first instalment of the War Damage Contribution which is still outstanding about £6,500,000, but a proportion of this relates to the contributions in respect of properties damaged by enemy action, collection of which is suspended in accordance with the provisions of Section 33 of the War Damage Act, 1941.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Bank of England may sell securities, held in its banking department, wits out first obtaining the approval of the Treasury?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement as to the intention of the Government to make advances to the wives and families, not merely of serving men, but of civilians of al types who have been taken prisoners in different parts of the Far East, or who cannot, owing to enemy action, send home the usual remittances with the object of enabling them to carry on until more or less normal conditions can be arranged?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 20th January.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, in order that the Betteshanger Colliery may be brought into production again?

I have visited the colliery in company with the Secretary of the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain and have met both parties to the dispute in negotiations for settlement. I am glad to say that work has been resumed on terms agreed between the parties.