asked the Minister of Labour whether he will obtain reports from time to time on the success of production inquiry committees in bringing about an increase in production?

I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate that the subject matter of his Question is not one on which formal reports can be of substantial value. The essence of the success of joint consultative bodies lies in the spirit which animates them, and the result, as measured in terms of increased co-operation, cannot be detailed in a report.

asked the Minister of Labour, to what extent the Irish workers brought to this country to work on aerodromes, and for other employment, come from Northern Ireland and Eire, respectively; and what efforts have been made to ensure their medical inspection before departure from Belfast, Dublin and other ports?

I regret that I cannot give the information asked for in the first part of the Question. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 4th December by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. Wakefield).

Does my right hon. Friend realise what a serious position is created when we in Wiltshire have to put up with these diseased labourers and have no means of redress?

What kind of labourers?

Irish labourers, coming for aerodrome and other work. We find they are filling up our hospitals.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the successful results of the Humm-Wadsworth tests, as practised at the Lockheed and other plants in the United States of America, with a view to examining the workers for their particular vocational and temperamental aptitudes, particulars of which have been sent to him; and whether he will take steps to build up a similar system here?

In the particulars which my hon. Friend was good enough to send me this system is described as a test of temperament, and I gather that the first of the questions which it puts to candidates for employment is, "Do you prefer bright or conservative colours?" I am advised that the development of temperamental tests in this country is still at an experimental stage and that I should not be justified in urging the adoption of such tests at the present time.

Is it the case that the hon. Member who has put the Question prefers blue to any other colour?

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for making a joke of my Question, might I ask whether he is aware that the Lockheed works have found these tests most successful and that the United States Government is not a particularly conservative Government?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of small firms do not provide canteen arrangements for their employees; and will he have inquiry made to see if this could be remedied as it would lead to greater satisfaction among the workers?

The Government policy in this matter is indicated on page 20 of the Twenty-fifth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, to which I would refer my hon. Friend. Canteens might well be provided, and, if necessary, required at some small factories in exceptional circumstances, but to do this on a widespread scale would involve far more labour, materials and equipment than is available for the purpose, and would be less favourable to other workers in the vicinity than the policy of developing feeding facilities on a locality rather than on a factory basis.

The trouble is that in these small places the employees are not getting the same amount of food as in the bigger places. Cannot something be done to bring about an equalisation of rations?

I would prefer that my hon. Friend should give me particulars of any case and I would take it up with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food in order to see whether a British Restaurant in the vicinity could do the catering better.

I will do that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the methods taken to place trainess in suitable positions after they have completed a full course at a training centre and been passed out as satisfactory?

To the greatest extent possible, arrangements are made beforehand with the prospective employer, and the training is adjusted to the particular operations which the trainees will have to perform. Where this cannot be arranged the placing machinery of the employment exchanges is used.

Is there any redress for a person who has been trained and who is not satisfied with the duties to which he is allotted? Can he have a change?

I would like notice of that Question.

Is that a conservative operation?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is permissible for National Service officers to classify late ness and absenteeism as serious misconduct under the Essential Work Order without having first spoken to the men in question?

No, Sir. The Essential Work Orders do not take away the employers' right to discharge a worker for serious misconduct, and the National Service officer has no jurisdiction in such a case unless the worker has successfully appealed to an appeal board. If alleged lateness or absenteeism is reported to the National Service officer, he is required to supply the worker with a copy of the particulars given by the employer.

asked the Minister of Health why, in view of the Government's policy of properly caring for young children whose mothers volunteered for war work, it is stated in Circular 2535, dated 5th December, that it is hoped that most of the women concerned will be able to make private arrangements with friends and relatives for the care of their children; and why it is suggested that the local authorities should make arrangements for the care of children only in cases where private unsupervised arrangements can not be made?

The policy of the Government is to make use of all methods which are suit able to the needs of the children. The provision of war-time nurseries is an important method. They are being set up as quickly as labour and materials permit, and we shall provide as many as are needed, in the light of the estimates for each area made by the Department of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, and taking account not only of present but of future requirements. A number of mothers prefer to make their own arrangements with relatives and friends, and the local authorities are therefore providing first for children for whom no other adequate provision exists.

Is the Minister aware that the private unsupervised arrangements are unsatisfactory, that they break down on the slightest pretext, and are responsible for a great amount of absenteeism among women engaged in war work?

If the hon. Lady has details of a particular case I shall be glad to have them. The fact is that we may pro vide the nurseries, but it is the mothers who decide whether they shall use them or not.

Is the policy of the Government in favour of war nurseries rather than minders?

It is clear that the policy of the Government is in favour of war nurseries, but the Government also recognise that, as the demand for the labour of married women develops, we shall want all methods to be used.

In view of the doubts and criticisms in all parts of the country regarding the circular referred to in the Question, will the Minister arrange for a Debate at an early date so that we may re-examine the whole problem and reassure the nation that we will not do anything damaging, if we can help it?

That is not a matter for me.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the number of wartime nurseries in existence and the number of children accommodated in those already in operation, and the number of wartime nurseries and the number of children to be accommodated in them, which have been sanctioned but are not yet in operation, in the following places: municipal and county boroughs in the county of Middlesex, municipal and county boroughs in the county of Kent, Reading, Oxford, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Bridgwater, Bedford, Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Northants County Council, Grantham, Doncaster, Leeds, York, Liverpool, Wigan, Crewe and Newcastle-upon-Tyne;

(2) whether he will give the list of places to which the Ministry of Health Circular No. 2535 has been sent for action?

It would not be in the public interest to publish these figures, in view of their connection with the location of war industry. I am having a map prepared in the Ministry which I shall be glad to give hon. Members who are interested an opportunity of seeing.

asked the Minister of Health how many regional nursery advisers have been appointed; what are their functions; and what are their relations to local education authorities?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the regional advisers on child care whom I have appointed in consultation with the President of the Board of Education. They will be concerned with the development of measures to be taken by Maternity and Child Welfare Authorities and local education authorities for the care of the children of women in employment and will work in collaboration with my regional staffs and His Majesty's inspectors of schools.

If this is done in collaboration with the President of the Board of Education, will my right hon. Friend see that directors of education are notified of this?

That will be arranged.

Can my right hon. Friend give some indication of the qualifications of these advisers?

I will consider making a public statement about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether consideration has been given to the position of the mining industry in the light of the new situation; have all the Government Departments concerned been consulted; and will he issue instructions for a number of miners, where convenient, to be temporarily released from service in the Armed Forces?

The whole coal situation, both as regards consumption and production, is being regularly reviewed by the appropriate authorities and in that connection consideration is of course given to the question of man-power, including that of a temporary release of ex-miners from the Armed Forces. Hitherto it has not been considered necessary to take this rather serious step in order to maintain essential coal production, but the man power situation generally is now being examined afresh.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that all those engaged in the mining industry have made a great effort to bring about the maximum production, and that now they are of the opinion that they have reached the peak of production with the number of men in the industry?

All those considerations will be borne in mind. We are keeping in very close touch with all those engaged in the industry.

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that we shall never get the maximum production of coal while the mine-owners keep the industry on a county basis, and will not the Government take steps to set up a national board and treat the industry nationally?

asked the Minister of Labour in how many cases has any action been taken in regard to members of medical boards who have made serious mistakes in passing unfit men as Grade I for the Services?

The decision as to grading is taken by the medical board and not by an individual doctor. There have, how ever, been eight cases in which the appointments of chairman and members of medical boards were terminated on account of unsuitability or inefficiency: in some other cases, in which appointments were not continued, relative in efficiency or unsuitability was one of the reasons, but I could not give any precise figures under this head. I should add that the Medical Advisory Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Horder, which assists the Department in making the arrangements for medical examination, have given it as their opinion that the proportion of men who are passed by the boards as fit for service, and found later to be unfit, is small.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is issuing any special instructions to the medical boards to guide them in the classification of men in the 40 to 50 age group for military service; and the nature of the instructions?

Such men are not at present being called up, and when they are, they will be posted only to static and sedentary duties. The existing classification is made on medical grounds, and, while I think it unlikely that any modification need be made in the present medical code in order to enable men over 40 to be properly posted, I am in touch with my Medical Advisory Committee on the whole subject.

Does not X-ray examination of recruits eliminate people who are unfit for service but are not ordinarily discovered, as such, by the recruiting boards?

I have been pursuing that subject, but, as I have explained before, it is really a question of equipment.

Is it not the case that that equipment is now coming forward in considerable quantity and can be supplied?

Will my right hon. Friend, in consulting with his medical officers, bear in mind that a fairly large percentage of recruits are unfit because of industrial diseases or industrial accidents?

Yes, Sir; it will be borne in mind. The medical examination that is being carried out at present reveals a lot of what might be called preventable ill ness, that is, illness which might be pre vented by slight changes in the designing of machinery and the form of occupations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the anxiety aroused in connection with the future work of the universities, in view of the latest changes in the regulations as to the calling-up of students; and whether he has been able to make provision for the continuance of at least a short course of university study, under appropriate conditions, for honours students in the faculty of arts?

I understand that the anxiety to which my hon. Friend refers relates to the position of young men who wish to enter a University as students in the faculty of arts next October. I recognise the importance of announcing a decision at an early date, and I am in consultation with my colleagues in the Service Departments and others concerned with regard to the matter.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the university Members on this matter, which affects the whole future of the universities?

Including the university Member from Northern Ireland?

I am in constant touch with the universities on this matter, but, on the question of training men for special privileged positions as officers, I have also to bear in mind the position of many men in the Army who are studying to become officers from the rank and file.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will make clear the exact position as to the calling-up of teachers and the return to the schools of those already in the Services?

The policy decided upon in present circumstances is that teachers over 35 in recognised schools are not to be called up, and those under 35 whose calling-up has been deferred will have their deferments continued. It is another matter, however, where teachers are already in the Services. The criterion for deciding whether the Board can support any application for such teachers to return to the schools is that their services are essential for work in the schools and directly related to the national war effort.

Can the Minister say whether public schools are recognised schools for these purposes?

The position of schools not recognised by the Board is set out in Paragraph 5 of Circular 1574.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to counteract the widespread impression among those in or about to join the Forces that their chances of obtaining commissions will be impaired if they do not possess private means, and that with out private means they may be unable to meet their liabilities as commissioned officers; whether commanding officers or boards concerned with recommending men or women in the Services for commissions are permitted to make inquiries as to their financial position, or to discourage them from seeking commissions if they lack means of supplementing their Service pay; and whether my instructions on the subject have been issued to those concerned with recommendations for commissions?

The sole test in selecting men for commissions is their suitability from the military aspect and no regard whatever is paid to candidates' financial standing. Selection Boards have therefore no occasion to inquire into the private means of candidates, and I have no reason to believe that the impression referred to by my hon. Friend is prevalent in the Forces. The large number of candidates coming forward for temporary commissions supports this view.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable evidence to the contrary? Will he give an assurance that commanding officers will be made to understand that it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government that anybody should be deterred from seeking, or impeded in receiving, a commission by their poverty?

I think the answer I have given sufficiently meets the point, but if the hon. Lady has any specific instances, perhaps she will bring them to the notice of the Ministers in charge of the respective Departments.

Does not the question turn upon the completely in adequate pay of the subaltern officer; and is it not a fact that many warrant officers and senior N.C.O.s refuse to take com missions because the subaltern's pay is so inadequate?

Is the right hon. Gentle man not aware that in certain of the Guards' regiments subalterns have to show that they have at least £100 a year, independent of their pay, in order to be admitted?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Selection Boards are asking candidates for commissions what is the position of their fathers? Does he not think that that is a wholly irrelevant question, and will he put a stop to it?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for India what representative from India it is proposed to appoint to the newly formed Empire War Directorate?

His Majesty's Government are anxious that India should be afforded the same opportunity as the Dominions of being represented at the War Cabinet and on the Pacific War Council for the purposes of formulation and direction of policy for the prosecution of the war. They have accordingly invited the Government of India to arrange for such representation if they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the names, ranks and qualifications of the Indian representatives on the Defence Committee and General Staff?

The organisation of the Defence Committee is flexible, Ministers and their advisers being invited to attend as necessary. Accordingly, the Secretary of State for India, accompanied by the Military Secretary of the India Office (who is a Major-General in the Indian Army), attends the Committee whenever matters affecting Indian interests are under discussion. The Indian Army is represented both in the General Staff of the War Office and in the military side of the War Cabinet Secretariat.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the Indian representative will have equal status with the Dominion representative?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, with the expansion of Indian war-time industry, Indian trade unions have been consulted with a view both to securing proper wage standards and conditions and also to promoting effective trade union organisation?

I will convey the hon. Member's inquiry to the Government of India.

Can the right: hon. Gentleman say whether any action along these lines has already been taken? Is it necessary to convey this inquiry? Surely, the right hon. Gentleman has some information regarding present and past action?

The hon. Member will appreciate that the trades union organisation is not nearly so powerfully developed in India as it is here, and, therefore, negotiations in these matters mostly assume a local aspect and would not necessarily come to my notice.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is most desirable that trade union activity should be developed by every means in our power?

I have never discouraged it; on the contrary I have encouraged it.

asked the Home Secretary why the members of the rescue services at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston have had their overalls withdrawn; and will be have these restored to them as they are essential for work on damaged sites?

Battledress has been authorised for the Civil Defence Rescue Service as being the most appropriate uniform for all that Service's active duty, and where it has been issued it must be worn for all work, and not reserved for parade purposes. Local authorities have been instructed that overalls must be withdrawn from personal issue when battledress is issued, though a small proportion may be retained at depots for duties in the depot. There are many urgent uses to which overalls so with drawn will be put, and for which the supply position does not warrant the provision of new overalls. New instructions on this subject are about to be issued to local authorities.

Would the Minister consider what must be the condition of a navy blue serge battledress after the wearer has been working on a bomb-damaged site for some hours? Obviously overalls are very necessary.

This point has been considered but the men have been provided with stout working dress and it would be a pity if the Rescue Services could not have the same smart uniform as other Services.

Is it not more important to be warm?

These clothes are warmer than the others.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that full-time serving inspectors and sergeants of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary are only receiving the same rate of pay as ordinary special constables; and whether, in the interests of efficiency and improved discipline; he will take steps to remedy this anomaly?

While I appreciate fully the work of these officers, I think my hon. Friend's Question is based on some misapprehension of their position. Whole-time sergeants in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary are performing the duties of constables, and there would be no ground for granting them a higher rate of pay. As regards the inspectors, I would point out that when they under took to serve whole-time they were aware that there was a flat rate of pay for all whole-time special constables.

Is the Minister aware of the serious sense of grievance to which this position has given rise, and the detrimental effect it is having on the discipline of the Forces? Will he take some steps to bring the special constabulary into line with the regular officers in this matter?

I admit that on the face of it it does look anomalous. These men were enrolled on that condition. More over, with the transfer from a peace time basis to a war-time basis the responsibility falls on the officers of the regular police.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that full-time serving inspectors of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary are still classed as part-time officers for the purpose of the issue of uniforms, and still receive the same cheap quality cloth which was issued to them for their normal peace-time duties; and whether, in view of the unsuitability of these uniforms for full-time duties, he will take steps to remedy this at an early date?

I am informed by the Commissioner that, while the uniforms issued to these full-time inspectors are of the same quality as those issued to part-time inspectors, the full-time inspectors are provided with two uniforms, while a part-time inspector has one only. I cannot on the information before me accept the suggestion that the uniforms are unsuitable for their purposes.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that per sons released from detention under Regulation 18B, with the endorsement on their identity cards, by order of the Secretary of State, the holder of this card must not be in an aliens protected area, are thereby hindered from obtaining employment; and whether he will take any necessary steps to facilitate the employment of released persons?

I am fully in agreement with my hon. Friend's view that it is desirable that persons released from detention under Defence Regulation 18B should not be prevented from obtaining suitable employment, and, as I explained in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on the 4th December, I have arranged for such endorsements to be removed from the identity cards except in a few special cases where the endorsement is required to provide means of securing compliance with the restrictions imposed. It is obviously necessary that the police in an aliens protected area should be able to ascertain by inspection of the identity card whether a person has been prohibited from entering the area, and in the circumstances I regret that it is not possible to dispense with the endorsement of this restriction on the identity card.

Are we to understand from the Minister that his Department, in their general method of dealing with these cases, will do what is possible to facilitate such persons obtaining employment?

The Question on the Paper is about the endorsement of identity cards and I think the answer I have given does show that we are sympathetic about it. No doubt the hon. Gentleman is very keen about this matter. So am I, but I also must be keen about tilt security of the State and I hope he will keep that in mind.

Upon whom rests responsibility for deciding whether an endorsement should be made?

Guidance is issued on the matter by the Home Office. I rather think it would rest with the local police but I am not sure.

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the information upon which Mr. Ben Greene was arrested and detained was given on oath; whether at the inquiries before the Advisory Committee any information was given on oath and whether Mr. Greene was legally represented; and whether the information and witnesses were subjected to cross-examination?

In matters affecting national security it is incumbent on the Secretary of State to take appropriate action on information which he believes to be reliable whether or not that information is given on oath. In the case of Mr. Greene the information was obtained from various sources but none of it was given on oath. Mr. Greene's solicitor appeared before the Advisory Committee to make certain representations and give certain information, but it is not the general practice of the Committee to allow persons appearing before them to be represented by counsel or solicitors. Advisory Committees are not courts of law and they are not empowered to administer oaths. The examinations of witnesses are not conducted by advocates for one side or another but by the Committee itself, which has the duty of eliciting all the relevant facts on whichever side they tell, and I am satisfied from reading the transcripts of their proceedings that the Committee spare no pains in subjecting to close and searching examination the in formation submitted to them and the wit nesses who appear before them.

Does the Minister in his quasi-judicial capacity consider it satisfactory that a British subject should be kept in prison for 19 to 20 months on information which has been proved to be false and which was unsworn? Can he say whether the informer will be prosecuted for perjury under the Regulations and whether the principal informer, who is an enemy alien, has received any payment from the security services?

I am afraid the hon. and gallant Gentleman has been misled by inaccurate propaganda. I am sure that the premises upon which his Supplementary Question is based are not well founded.

Where is is established that perjury has been committed by a witness in these circumstances is there any remedy?

I am not sure that that is an accurate description of what happened—

I am not suggesting it was. I merely asked a general question.

I can assure the House that if, in the course of administration, any imperfections are brought to my notice they are promptly removed.

Would the Minister grant a public inquiry in this case?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in collaboration with the Secretary of State for War, he will encourage members of the Civil Defence Services to receive weapon training and Home Guards to receive Civil Defence training in areas in which it is practicable and advisable?

I am happy to announce that, following discussions between the various Departments interested and after consultation between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War and myself, an arrangement has recently been reached on the following lines. In districts where the Home Guard needs men, Civil Defence workers who can be spared will be permitted to enrol in the Home Guard under conditions enabling them to continue in the Civil Defence Services but to receive Home Guard training, on the understanding that when the Home Guard musters on a threat of invasion they will only be called upon for military duty if fighting is imminent in the neighbourhood, or if, in the opinion of the Civil Defence authority, they can be spared from their Civil Defence duties. The arrangement will apply to unpaid part-time members of all branches of the Civil Defence general services except the ambulance and first-aid post services, but the extent to which it will operate in any particular area will depend on local circumstances. It will not apply to whole-time members of the Services. The scheme will apply also to part-time members of the National Fire Service in certain areas, but it is unlikely that many men can be spared from this Service. The Civil Defence part-time establishments will also be examined to see whether any men can be released outright, and a similar scrutiny is to be made in the Special Constabulary, to whom the general scheme does not apply. Men so released will retain no Civil Defence or police liabilities and so will become available for immediate recruitment to the Home Guard.

The War Office is arranging that the Home Guard, under their own officers, where, in the opinion of the military commander such a course is necessary and practicable without undue interference with Home Guard training and duties, shall assist in general Civil Defence and fire prevention duties. They will co-operate under the present quiet conditions as well as during and after heavy raids, subject to the requirements of their primary military role. I am glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the great assistance which the Home Guard have already rendered to the civil authorities, and I am confident that the arrangements I have outlined above will be to the mutual benefit of both Services.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the statement, which I can assure him will be appreciated, will he say whether this training will include training in "scorched earth" methods?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question which, of course, affects the responsibility of the War Office.

Will this training be at the option of the individual?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will exempt from the special war-time restrictions imposed on all aliens since the outbreak of war the nationals of those states which are fighting with us in the present struggle?

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I feel that it would be appropriate to grant a privileged position in the matter of these restrictions to the nationals in this country of the States which are fighting with us against the Axis for the freedom of the world. The present position is that members of the Allied Civil Administrations and their Armed Forces in this country have been exempted from the restrictions in question. As regards the general body of civilians belonging to these nationalities, the policy hitherto has been to grant to them freely on application individual exemptions from the special war-time restrictions which impose limitations on their freedom of movement and on their possession of certain articles, such as bicycles and motor-cars. I have now decided to reverse this policy and to grant to nationals of the States at war with the Axis a wide measure of exemption from the war-time restrictions imposed on foreigners, while reserving my power to re-impose restrictions in exceptional cases where I am satisfied that it is necessary to do so in the interests of national security.

The necessary amending Orders are being drafted and will be published as soon as possible. The principal effect will be to exempt nationals of the States in question from the provisions of the curfew and from the restrictions on the possession of certain articles, and to give them the same freedom of movement as is enjoyed by persons of British nationality subject, in the case of the Aliens Protected Areas, to a requirement (which is necessary for purposes of administration) that they should notify to the appropriate police authorities any journeys which they may make into such areas. I am sure that the House will fully approve of these new arrangements as a fitting recognition of the special relationship in which we stand to those countries which are associated with us in the struggle against the common enemy.

Will the decision my right hon. Friend has announced, which I am sure will give very widespread satisfaction, be made operative as quickly as possible, and will the Minister take steps to make it as widely known as possible?

Yes, Sir, as, I informed my hon. Friend, there are certain amending Orders to be made, and I will make them as rapidly as administrative arrangements permit. I can only rely on the Press and the B.B.C. to give the statement the fullest possible publicity, so that those concerned will be aware of the concessions granted.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these new provisions will apply to the Free French, and whether he has considered that matter?

No, Sir, they, of course, come under the civil and military services of General de Gaulle. They have already had considerable privileges. I think it right to restrict these concessions to the nationals of states actually at war with the Axis.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to com bat the increased incidence of tuberculosis; and, in particular, what steps are being taken to prevent an increase of tuberculosis among women engaged in war production?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on this subject on 20th November last. The most important factors in preventive action are the maintenance of as high a level of hygiene and nutrition as possible. The public health authorities and the Ministries concerned are taking all possible steps. The investigation which the Medical Re search Council is making as to the possible causes of increase in tuberculosis is a necessary preliminary to the adoption of any special measures for dealing with the problem. In the meantime facilities for early diagnosis and treatment are being maintained at as high a level of efficiency as war-time conditions permit.

Has there been any in crease in the accommodation in sanatoria?

That was done immediately we got the first signs, and we shall, as far as possible, meet the extra demands.

Do the officials of my right hon. Friend's Department co-operate with the medical department of the Ministry of Supply for the purpose of seeing that emergency measures are taken in the factories themselves?

We are in constant touch.

Are efforts made to supply staff in those sanatoria where, at the present time, the staff is seriously depleted?

That is a different question.

asked the Minister of Health what persons are covered by the term "priority classes for hospital treatment," under the Emergency Medical Service; and whether, having regard to the strain imposed upon men and women engaged in war production, he will extend the provisions now limited to the priority class to men and women so engaged?

There are various classes of patients included in the emergency hospital scheme, comprising members of His Majesty's Forces, air raid casualties, Civil Defence workers injured on duty and other classes, a list of which I will send my hon. Friend, But the arrangements are designed to avoid interference with the admission to hospital of other persons in need of in-patient treatment. There should be no priority for admission to hospital other than that indicated by the medical needs of the patient. As regards workers engaged on war production, my hon. Friend will see from the list that those who have been transferred from their home areas are already included in the scheme, as also are those sustaining fractures, whether they are in their home areas or not. Other war workers remaining at home should have access to their normal hospital facilities and, if these are subjected to undue pressure owing to war conditions, arrangements are made under the Emergency Scheme to transfer patients to other suitable hospitals, so that those requiring treatment may not be debarred from it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the Income Tax procedure adopted for salaried individuals is unsuitable for the large number of wage earners now brought within the scope of the Income Tax laws, he will devise less cumbrous methods for collection of tax from weekly wage-earners?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's statement. The present method of collection is in the interest of the wage earners. I am, however, keeping the matter under careful review.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a system which in many cases calls for the assistance of trained accountants in preparing the returns is not a suitable scheme for weekly wages?

I am glad to say that most of this work is being done by the employers, and I have not had criticisms or complaints in that connection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of commission paid to banks on the issue of war bonds since the declaration of war; and the amount of commission paid to banks on dollar and sterling stocks requisitioned during the same period?

Commission paid to banks since the outbreak of war on all forms of War Loan (including National Savings Certificates and 3 per cent. Defence Bonds) amounts to £1,358,000 of which commission on the three series of 2½ per cent. National War Bonds amounts to £740,000. These figures relate to subscriptions of £m.1,180 and £m.592 respectively. The total commission paid in respect of the requisitioning of dollar and sterling securities amounts to £405,000 but I am afraid that it is not possible without a disproportionate amount of labour to say how much of this was paid to banks and how much to stockbrokers.