asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared, in view of the representation made to his Department and the dissatisfaction that exists amongst various voluntary organisations whose members knit woollen articles for members of His Majesty's Forces, to revert to the practice of allowing these bodies to obtain wool coupon-free from the firms they choose; and distribute the articles made as they deem appropriate?

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. Permission for voluntary organisations wishing to knit for members of His Majesty's Forces to obtain coupon-free wool and distribute the comforts at their discretion would involve unfair distribution and waste of wool.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that there will be a considerable decrease in the number of these articles unless he agrees to revert to the old practice; and what is there to encourage an individual in area "A" to knit these articles if they are distributed in area "B" where no such articles are being produced at all?

I am afraid that if we dispersed the wool and did not distribute it through these organisations which arrange it carefully for us, we should have a lot of people accepting wool and perhaps using it for other purposes.

That does not meet the point I have in mind. Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman expect persons, say in Wales, to knit articles and allow them to be distributed in areas where no knitting at all has been done? I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give favourable consideration to a scheme whereby for a period of 12 months persons with a gross income of £1,000 a year and upwards shall receive no clothing coupons, thereby both economising in the consumption of clothing and applying more strictly the principle of equality of sacrifice?

No, Sir. The object of the Clothing Ration Scheme is to provide fair shares of available supplies for all consumers irrespective of income, and I see no reason to depart from this principle.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend feel that people who have either existing wardrobes or can buy second-hand clothes should be obliged to wear out their existing stocks before they use clothing coupons?

I should like to see people who have existing wardrobes not using their coupons, but that is no reason why one should say that everybody who has an income of over £1,000 a year must necessarily have a sufficient wardrobe.

Would not the logical application of this principle be to compel all people with gross incomes of over £5,000 a year to go naked?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, arising out of the Second Interim Report issued by the Retail Trade Committee of the Board of Trade, which has now been published, and the proposal whereby the committee are to tour the country to meet the retailers locally, and as the cost of this work is to be borne by the Government, he will give some particulars of the plan and give an assurance that no undue persuasion will be brought to bear on the independent retailers in the rural districts with the object of obtaining their consent to a scheme of absorption or compensation?

The setting-up of this committee by one of my predecessors was, I believe, generally welcome, and I think that it is best to allow the committee to carry out their difficult task in the way they deem best.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the extension of this compensation idea must inevitably lead to control being in very few hands, and does he realise the danger of having control in a very few hands; and may I pay a warm tribute to his predecessor, who did so much to try and get this matter in the right perspective?

In dealing with these retailers, the fact which we really have to face is that, unfortunately, they will, by and large, only get about 25 per cent. of the stocks to sell that they previously had, and something, I am afraid, will have to be done.

But should the large interests be allowed to dominate the small?

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the small traders are being driven out of business altogether?

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare why 500 tons of soap were allowed to be sold, in December, to Spain by British firms at a time when shortage of soap here was about to make rationing necessary?

I have been asked to reply. No licences have been granted for exports of soap to Spain for some months, but if my hon. Friend has any information he would like me to consider I will be glad to do so if he will send me particulars.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the reports in the American Press of a quantity of soap being sent from this country to Spain?

As I have said, no licences have been issued for the export of soap to Spain for several months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will terminate the arrangement whereby large Government stocks are now insured by private insurance companies, in view of the fact that America's entry into the war has invalidated the agreement which was held to justify the departure from pre-war practice?

I have been asked to reply. In my view the reasons for this arrangement are not affected by America's entry into the war, and I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that it should be terminated.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend tell us any way in which the public gains by this expenditure of money, time and effort?

It gains because it keeps in being these large insurance companies which mean so much to us in invisible exports.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information about the 60,000 coupons forged by Jack Coen, of Cotswauld Terrace, Salford, and seven others charged at Manchester police court, on Saturday, 7th February, with stealing the coupons; and whether Coen had printing machines at his house?

The defendants have been charged with being in possession of documents so closely resembling clothing coupons as to be likely to deceive and have been remanded. The case is therefore still sub judice.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will consider allowing further supplies of foodstuffs adequate for the necessity to be exported to and distributed amongst our Greek Allies?

The question of further relief for Greece is being considered by His Majesty's Government, but I cannot at present add anything to my statement of 27th January.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 25,000 tons of food monthly is a minimum amount of foodstuffs to be distributed to these gallant and heroic people, who are reported to be dying off at the rate of 500 a day in Athens, and can he not devise some method whereby this amount of food could be increased?

We are most anxious to do whatever we can consistently with maintaining pressure upon the enemy and making sure that food intended for our gallant Allies is not taken by those against whom we are fighting in this war. In spite of representations made through the International Red Cross, I am sorry to say we have not yet received safe conduct from the two enemy Powers for the first shipment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, even were our enemies to seize this amount, it would be infinitesimal for the requirements of Germany, and would it not be wise to take the risk of shipment?

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether, in reference to cargoes to and from the United States of America, he has been able to arrange a simplification of the navicerts system?

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has any further statement to make in regard to co-ordination of effort in economic warfare between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America?

I am glad to say that the United States Embassy in London is now directly represented, not only on our Black List Committee, but also on our Blockade Committee, which now combines the functions of the former Contraband and Enemy Export Committees. His Majesty's Embassy in Washington is now similarly represented on the appropriate United States Economic Warfare Committees.

As regards the Financial Blockade, there has been the fullest co-operation between our two Governments ever since the issue of the United States Freezing Regulations last July, and such co-operation has become even closer since the United States entry into the war.

No change is contemplated in the Navicert system except for United States exports to destinations in the Navicert area. Cargoes sent to the United States from within the Navicert area must still be covered by a Certificate of Origin or Export Pass, and every ship must still obtain a Ship Navicert at its last port of call before leaving the area.

But as regards cargoes originating in the United States and consigned to any destination within the Navicert area, navicerts will not be required in future. The necessary control will be secured through the United States export licensing system. Ship navicerts will no longer be issued at United States ports, but masters must obtain a certificate, which will be issued on similar conditions, from the United States Collector of Customs. This new arrangement will serve the same purpose as the Navicert system, namely, to prevent cargoes from reaching undesirable or suspect consignees, and to keep the imports of neutral countries in the Navicert area within the permitted quotas. These quotas will be jointly determined and administered in London through the Blockade Committee, on which, as I have said, the United States Government now has full representation. The United States Board of Economic Warfare will issue United States export licences. In the case of exports to destinations within the Navicert area the Board will, before issuing licences, consult my Ministry, who will advise on quotas and the reliability of consignees. The United States Government are sending additional representatives to London to assist the Ambassador in dealing with Economic Warfare matters. I should like to say how much I welcome this latest development in the collaboration of our two Governments, which now covers the whole field of Economic Warfare.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the satisfactory answer, may I inquire whether, either directly or in conjunction with the United States, he is going to make representations with a view to improving the navicerts systems in the South American Republics?

We have naturally kept that under review though I would not admit that it is markedly unsatisfactory.

Does the Minister mean that no more American cargoes will be despatched to the Vichy Government?

No Sir, it has no direct bearing on that very important question.

Has the Minister nothing to say about the despatch of shipments to the Vichy Government?

I shall have something to say if my hon. Friend puts down a Question in the ordinary way. I am answering the Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has any official information about deaths from starvation in German-controlled Europe?

As I stated last week, the worst conditions in German-controlled Europe prevail in Greece, in some parts of Poland, and in occupied Russia. While I should not be prepared to say what proportion of the death rate is due to lack of food, there can be no doubt that deaths from starvation are occurring in these territories. In other occupied countries, reports do not indicate any deaths directly attributable to food shortage, though in Belgium and Occupied France, some part of the increase in the mortality of certain diseases, notably pneumonia, is probably due to insufficient nutrition. In Norway, the Netherlands and Czechoslovakia the diet, though well below pre-war standards, has not been so inadequate as to cause any marked increase in the death-rate.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many special trains were used to convey officers of South-Eastern Command to a lecture at the Savoy Cinema, Brighton, on 31st January; what was the approximate cost to the public, including trains, petrol for cars, officers detention allowances, hire of cinema, etc.; and whether, as nothing was said that could not have been conveyed to the officers concerned, in writing, he will give instructions that transport facilities are not wasted in future?

Six special trains were used to bring officers to this lecture, and the total expenses incurred were approximately £3,000. It is not the case that nothing was said that could not have been conveyed to the officers in writing, and in view of the special circumstances of this lecture I cannot agree that transport facilities were wasted.

Am I to understand that my right hon. and gallant Friend agrees to the policy at the present stage of withdrawing no fewer than 3,000 officers from their units in a vitally important defence area and congregating them in one hall in a very vulnerable town?

The number of officers brought to the lecture by special trains was about 1,466. The lecture was such that I think it was well justified for these officers to go there and hear personally from the General of his recent experiences and the lessons to be learned from them.

Would it not have been possible for the lecture to have been given at several different times at several different places?

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist for supplying or replacing spectacles to men serving abroad; and whether he is aware that complaints have come to hand regretting non-delivery of such necessary help covering many months?

In theatres of war where adequate trade facilities do not exist for the supply and replacement of spectacles for soldiers, military optical centres have been established with all the necessary equipment. Some delay in the supply of frames and lenses has occurred in the past owing to enemy action, but ample stocks have now either reached their destinations or are on their way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the cases of ex-Service men who have served overseas during the present conflict and subsequently been discharged on medical grounds, who are receiving white feathers as, not being in receipt of a pension, they have no distinguishing badge to wear with civilian clothes and, in particular, the case of ex-Driver A. V. Burtenshaw, late Royal Army Service Corps, a shoemaker, who was discharged for heart trouble after Dunkirk and has received a number of such emblems, which is having a serious effect on his means of livelihood; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to issue the "Services Rendered" badge to those ex-Service men who, although not physically fit, volunteered and were accepted for service overseas and subsequently discharged on medical grounds?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the decision not to award silver badges for services rendered to personnel who have been invalided from the Army since September, 1939, but whose disability is not attributable; and whether he will make it clear that the issue of such a badge does not, in itself, involve a liability on the Government to grant a pension?

Mr. Burtenshaw's disability was considered to be constitutional and not connected in any way with his military service. He is therefore not eligible for the Kin's Badge under the existing rules. I do not consider that any alteration in these rules is desirable. Everybody is now liable to be compelled to undertake some form of national service and I think the badge should be kept as a special distinction for those who have suffered as a result of a disability which is directly due to their military service.

Is the Minister not aware that there is another class which has also suffered, and doubly suffered, because they have not been given a pension? Is it not a small thing to grant such a distinction like this to those who have served their country?

Everybody is serving his country in some way.

Is the Minister's decision in this matter irrevocable?

I see no reason to alter it.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British Red Cross Society is responsible to the War Office for tracing wounded and missing in hospitals, or whether the War Office has any machinery of its own to deal with this matter?

The duty of tracing missing military personal is the responsibility of the War Office. Full details of the Army organisation by which this function is performed are contained in the answer given to my hon. Friend on 19th December last. A panel of voluntary workers organised by the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society carries out inquiries among patients in military hospitals in this country with a view to collecting information about missing men with whom the patients may have been in contact in the field. This work, for which we are most grateful, is done at the request of the War Office, to whom reports are rendered.

Is it not the case that the War Office have handed over this work to the British Red Cross Society, who are doing it very badly? Is it not, therefore, the responsibility of the War Office to see that the work is done properly?

I am not aware that it is being done poorly. As I have said, we have our own organisation to deal with this matter, which is supplemented by voluntary work.

Is it not the case that the officer responsible for this work resigned?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Lance-Corporal Willis, who was discharged from the Army with a high character, made an application to join the Home Guard; that he was visited by two members of the Criminal Investigation Department, who warned him against making such application; on whose responsibility this visit was made; and why ex-Lance-Corporal Willis and ex-Corporal Mick Bennett, also discharged from the Army with a high character, were refused admission to the Home Guard?

I have no information about the visit alleged to have been made by two members of the Criminal Investigation Department to Mr. E. H. Willis. As the hon. Member is aware, full inquiries have been made into the cases of both Mr. Willis and Mr. Bennett. I am satisfied that the decision not to accept their application to join the Home Guard was taken in the best interests of the service.

Is it not the case that there has been no complaint against the character of either of these men, and that the only reason for their dismissal and the refusal to take them into the Home Guard is prejudice on the part of some of the reactionaries at the War Office, who are more concerned with political servility than they are with military efficiency?

I do not accept that for a moment. The Army must reserve the right to refuse to accept the services of men whom they do not consider to be suitable for the Army.

Is it not the case—

rose—

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply and the conduct of the military chiefs, I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the rates of gratuity granted to officers and other ranks at the termination of the Great War, 1914–18?

As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether punishment by confinement to barracks or detention for short periods automatically deprives a soldier of privilege leave?

No, Sir.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend know that in some units commanding officers are depriving men of their privilege leave because the men have been sentenced to some short term of confinement to barracks?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of such cases so that I can look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the Ministry of National Service to be notified of the qualifications of all officers reverting to unemployment, in order that they may be informed of opportunities of further National Service, if possible, before they leave the Army?

When it is decided to revert an officer to unemployment he is advised to get in touch with the Central Register or the Supplementary Register of the Ministry of Labour and National Service in order that he may obtain information as to the opportunities for further National Service. It has been decided, however, to arrange that in future full particulars of all officers who are relegated to unemployment or relinquish their commissions stall be notified to the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made with the Board of Education and local youth committees, in view of the forthcoming interviews with boys desirous of joining Army cadet units?

The secretaries of all County Cadet Committees and officers commanding Cadet units have been given the addresses of their local education authorities, and have been instructed to get in touch with those authorities, in order that information about the Cadet Force may be given to boys when they are interviewed. The Board of Education has similarly arranged to notify to the local education authorities the names and addresses of the local cadet authorities who can supply information about the Cadet Force.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that the information which has been given is carried out, as the boys are being interviewed this week, and it is very important not to raise hopes unless the arrangements for fulfilling them are absolutely clear and adequate?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether pensions to officers' widows are now awarded on the basis of the full rank of the husband who was serving in a lower rank when he lost his life; and in how many cases pensions have been awarded, since the outbreak of war, to widows of such deceased officers?

I have been asked to reply. In the case of an officer who loses his life during, and as a result of, service in the present war, any award to the widow under the war pensions code will be based on the substantive or war substantive rank the officer held, provided that if, on the date he was killed, he held higher paid temporary or paid acting rank, the award may be determined by such higher rank. In the case of a retired officer reemployed, the award is determined by the rank in which he was employed, or by the rank appropriate to the appointment in which he was employed, on the date he was killed. As regards the second part of the Question, I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

Is there not a distinction between officers of high rank who may be serving as volunteers in the Home Guard, and those who are recalled for service and who may be serving in a rank junior to that which they had previously attained?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put that Question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether awards, other than those of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross, can be made posthumously?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to awards to military personnel. The other awards of this nature are the Indian Order of Merit and the Albert Medal.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say why there should be a distinction between certain awards which are given posthumously and other awards which are not given posthumously?

No, Sir. I have given the facts.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman look into the matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the urgent need for nurses in many hospitals in the country, it is intended to direct fully-qualified married nurses without children to take up this form of employment?

In the case of married nurses, as of other married women, proper account must be taken of their domestic responsibilities. Subject to such responsibilities, I feel sure that married nurses in general are prepared to make their services available but, if necessary, my right hon. Friend would be prepared in appropriate cases to issue directions.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a very serious situation now prevails in regard to the shortage of nurses? While it is true that some in the category I have mentioned have volunteered is he aware that there are large numbers declining to volunteer, and, in view of the urgency, cannot the directions be given as suggested?

That is not the responsibility of my Department.

Would it not be much better to see that the conditions of employment are first made more attractive?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the shortage of domestic workers in hospitals still persists; that numbers of those who perform these duties for a time, move off into other occupations with the result that skilled nursing staff are increasingly being called upon to carry out domestic duties; and whether, in view of these facts, he will apply the Essential Work Order to domestic staffs in hospitals?

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 22nd January to my hon. Friend.

Can I have some idea as to what that reply was?

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to make provision for the care of the young children of women war-workers while the mothers are at work; what progress has been made, to 31st January, 1942, in the establishment of war-time nurseries in England and Wales; whether he is satisfied with the nature and extent of the arrangements made for these nurseries by the maternity and child welfare authorities in the key districts; and, if not, what further steps he will take with a view to meeting the needs of the situation?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in the Debate on the Adjournment on 5th February last by my right hon. Friend.

Could we not have the information to bring the matter up to date?

The figures given on 5th February are the last figures. If the hon. Gentleman looks at the record of the Debate he will see them set out.

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that the figures are most unsatisfactory?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the widespread feeling among working people that registration of the post-war credit is too indefinite and gives to the individual no proprietary interest in the future; and will he consider the advisability, in his forthcoming Budget, of giving the postwar credit more tangible form either by the issue of a special credit bond to be held by each individual or some other means of savings receipt?

Section 7 of the Finance Act, 1941, makes definite provision for the allowance of post-war credit and there should be no doubt in the mind of anyone that the provisions of the law will be implemented. I have been aware, however, of the necessity for bringing this home to taxpayers generally, and steps have been taken to that end by broadcasting and otherwise. Moreover, it is proposed to issue to every taxpayer a statement showing the amount of the credit to which he is entitled for each year, and this individual notification will be issued showing the credit for the current year 1941–42 as soon as the assessment for the year is complete and the amount of the credit has been computed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of increasing the size of the post-war credit in relation to earnings above a certain level of overtime work?

If I said anything about that, I should be anticipating my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increasing tendency to arrange for post-war credits to be made available to a large proportion of the population, including Income Tax payers and Service personnel, he has any special plans for ensuring that the value of these credits will not be prejudiced by further substantial reduction in the purchasing power of the pound?

It is an essential feature of the Government's policy to take all possible steps to restrict inflation and to maintain the purchasing power of the pound. This, as my hon. and gallant Friend rightly suggests, has an important bearing on the system of post-war credits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is quite incorrect? The Government are making the increase, and the Government alone are responsible for the inflation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the necessity under which new companies are laid in order to maintain or increase output constantly to increase their bank overdrafts, the 8 or 10 per cent. upon their working capital at present allowed being no substitute for the reserves at the disposal of well-established older firms; and will he receive a deputation on this subject?

I do not consider that the percentages of 8 or 10 per cent. are inadequate as representing a measure of return on capital for Excess Profits Tax purposes. As I explained to my hon. Friend in reply to his Question of 20th January, this percentage allowed on the capital employed in a business whether the capital is borrowed or owned. I would also point out that special provisions have been enacted under which relief is allowable for both Income Tax and Excess Profits Tax purposes in respect of exceptional depreciation of buildings, plant or machinery provided since the beginning of 1937. I shall be pleased to consider any particular cases that my hon. Friend may desire to bring to my notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to see that black market profiteers who are known to have made large sums of money shall be made to pay their due share of Income Tax, Surtax and Excess Profits Tax, in view of the Government policy that no manufacturer or trader should become richer by reason of the war?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that all possible steps are and will be taken to secure the proper assessment and payment of taxes to which he refers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the United States gangsters are given long terms of imprisonment for tax evasion, and will he take similar action in this country as a means of tackling this problem?

There is another Question on that.

What policy is the right hon. Gentleman adopting to eliminate this foul practice of ready cash trading, which eliminates all records of bookkeeping transactions?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that an extensive business is being conducted at auction rooms and sales of precious stones, jewellery and other articles of value, which are paid for in notes, thus seriously interfering with legitimate business and evading taxation; and will he cause inquiries to be made among the auctioneers in London, in particular, and elsewhere, for a list of the names of these people who have habitually attended such auction sales and purchased quantities of valuable materials for which they have paid in notes;

(2) whether he is aware of the injustice which is being done among certain branches of business and industry due to the increasing volume of business whirl is being conducted on a cash basis with a view to evading taxation; and will he take all possible steps to prevent a continuance of this and, in particular, make it compulsory for all goods purchased for an amount exceeding, say, £50 to be paid for by cheque?

As regards the suggestion that payment by cheque should be made compulsory in the case of purchases exceeding a given amount, I do not think collusion would be avoided and it would be difficult to make such legislation effective.