asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of young women were recently dismissed their employment at a certain factory; why was the reason for their discharge given as not obtaining the standard required in the work for which they have been selected; and will he take steps to inform the company that such an inaccurate statement constitutes a poor testimonial to the young women's capacities, which they resent, and that it should not be repeated in other similar cases?

I am informed that the reason given for these discharges was in some cases that on account of reorganisation the employee was surplus to requirements and in others that she had not attained the standard required in the work for which she was selected. There was in every case a right of appeal to a local Appeal Board. Every possible step is being taken to find employment elsewhere for the discharged workers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in instances where the girls had undertaken a course of training for 10 weeks and had been passed out as being fit for such work, their dismissal forms contained a statement that they had not attained that standard, and if it was true that the company did not require them, why was it not stated that their services were surplus to requirements? Will my right hon. Friend inform the company that, in putting on the dig missal forms a false statement that the girls were incapable of undertaking the work for which they had been selected, it was doing a disservice to these young women?

I was not aware of the point raised by my hon. Friend, but I will pursue the matter further.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a full statement on the policy of works councils and explain the machinery that is to enable them to function?

I am constantly promoting works councils. The latest example is the scheme now approaching completion in regard to the Government Ordnance factories which was arrived at in consultation between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, the trade unions and my Department. As regards the subject in general, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 29th January to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander).

Is it the intention of my right hon Friend to have these works councils instituted throughout industry, and, if so, will he ask the Government and all representative interests to use their influence in order that the machinery may be got ready to function as quickly as possible and as efficiently as possible?

It is my policy to promote them everywhere, but I would like to make it clear that I am adverse to setting up separate committees in works for separate purposes. There is a great deal of confused talk about production committees. I believe in works councils.

In the case of new factories, will the Minister take care that the committee which is originally appointed is regarded as provisional, because until the workpeople get to know one another, they are not always in a position to select the most suitable representatives?

In the scheme promoted for Royal Ordnance factories, which has not been finally settled, we have laid it down that men serving on a committee should have been in the works one year.

Will the Minister consider the problem of Royal Ordnance factories which are just beginning, and where provisional committees will be needed in the early stages?

We are doing that.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration the method of organisation in the printing trades with regard to workshop committees, where each departmental organisation is federated in one workshop and attached, through the branch secretary, to the trade union?

When the Royal Ordnance factories scheme is complete and finally settled, perhaps the best thing for me to do would be to let hon. Members have a copy of it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the hours of work for young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 in the pottery industry were increased with his approval?

In connection with arrangements for releasing pottery workers for other urgent work, particularly in Government factories, I was advised that with the reduced numbers the necessary pottery output could not be maintained unless weekly working hours were increased, and, further, unless young persons under 16 were allowed to work beyond the weekly limit of 48 hours previously applying to them. In accordance with proposals made to me on behalf both of the employers and the workers concerned, I made an Order which among other things authorised the employment of young persons under 16 in a pottery factory for hours in excess of 48 but not in excess of 53, subject to permission being obtained in each case from the District Inspector of Factories. While I regret the necessity for this action, there was, in my opinion, no alternative consistent with my public duty. I propose to keep a close watch on the matter and to review the position in three months' time.

Does the Minister realise that that argument has been used before for extending the hours of labour for young persons between 14 and 16 years of age, and that it is directly opposed to the Government's policy and the policy of the Board of Education, which is to try and release young people so that they can join cadet units and go to evening classes? Does the Minister expect them to do this after they have worked a 10 hours' day? Will he review the matter?

I have already announced that it will be reviewed after three months. I had to consider the position which arose because of the opening of certain factories making urgent munitions required by the troops; billets and other facilities were very short in the area, and I had to get the release quickly of a large number of people and to make improvised arrangements for the purpose. I am now filling the requirements by bringing in other people from outside. I hope to be in a position in a very short time to withdraw the Order and restore the position.

Can the Minister say what will be the gross number of extra hours worked by these young people now that the Order is in operation?

I cannot give a precise answer.

Did the Minister say that the trade unions agreed to this?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the death rate from silicosis in the pottery factories, in which he has approved the increase of hours of work for young persons under 16 years of age to 53 a week?

For the three years 1938 to 1940 the average number of deaths from fibrosis of the lung {including silicosis) among persons who had been employed in the pottery industry was approximately 52, and the average age at death was between 59 and 60. I am advised that silicosis usually takes many years to develop and that the deaths now occurring are largely attributable to conditions which prevailed in the industry long ago, before the regulations were strengthened and various improvements made.

Do not increased hours of work mean an increase in danger?

I think that the way to treat silicosis is to make industrial conditions such that it cannot arise.

My right hon. Friend has given figures for three years; can he say whether there has been an annual increase or an annual decline?

I have not got that information.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, under Section 99 of the Factories Act, 1937, examining surgeons are taking in respect of young persons under 16 years of age employed for 53 hours in pottery factories?

This Section requires young persons under 16, on entering employment in a factory, to be examined by the examining surgeon as to their fitness for that employment. It does not require a further examination if the hours of work are changed. As stated in my reply to a previous Question, the inspectorate will, however, keep a special watch on the employment of young persons under 16 in potteries for more than 48 hours a week, and the position will be reviewed in three months' time.

What percentage of young people are rejected for this kind of work?

I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate the measures that have been adopted by his Department to secure, without loss of time, the employment of skilled technicians and persons trained in applied science and engineering to appropriate posts in the Defence Services, and thus obviate complaints of waste of skilled man-power?

The primary responsibility for making proper use of skilled personnel rests upon the authority in control of the particular Service. An inquiry into the use of skilled men in the Forces has been made by the Committee whose Report was published yesterday, and the same Committee have also carried out a similar inquiry with regard to the Commissioned ranks.

Will the Minister do everything in his power to see that persons recruited having special skill and scientific training are allocated as far as possible to services in which they can be useful?

That question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that refugees received in this country, for example, the evacuees from Gibraltar, are provided with full-time employment contributory to the war effort?

In so far as the Question relates to foreign refugees, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 27th November last to a Question asked by the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie). I understand that more than 85 per cent. of the foreign refugees from enemy occupied countries are now in full-time employment. All cases of British refugees from Gibraltar still remaining unemployed are being scrutinised by my Department in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the wardens of the hostels in which the refugees are billeted. The majority of the able-bodied men are already working.

Is the Minister aware that in the case of refugees from Gibraltar, large numbers of them are wandering around Kensington and other parts of London, without having any employment; and will he remedy that position as quickly as possible?

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the chief obstacle to the full employment of refugees, especially foreigners, is not any unwillingness on their part to work, but a prejudice against refugees which, unfortunately, is fostered in this House by some hon. Members?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the position is not wholly satisfactory with regard to refugees, and will he look into the matter?

I think the fact that 85 per cent. of refugees from enemy occupied countries are in full work—and not in separate works, but associated with British workers in British works—is the best answer to the hon. Lady's question about prejudice against them. It is a great tribute to everybody concerned. There are difficulties, which I do not want to enumerate, with regard to evacuees from Gibraltar, but we are trying to overcome those difficulties.

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to be able to offer definite schemes of part-time employment for Civil Defence workers, both during the on duty and off duty periods; and to what extent Government offices and establishments in London are prepared to make use of part-time labour generally?

Some action has already been taken to make the services of Civil Defence personnel available for other work—when this is practicable—and I am discussing with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security the question of extending these arrangements. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has advised Government Departments generally of the need to make the fullest use of part-time labour, particularly for the substitution of women being withdrawn for war service. It is too early yet to estimate full results, but part-time working has already been successfully introduced in one or two Departments including my own.

Will the Minister hasten these discussions with the Ministry of Home Security? Is he aware that I have received a deputation this morning from Civil Defence workers who are only too anxious to give greater service and are tired of their inactivity?

I can assure my hon. Friend that no one moves with greater speed than I do.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that in disclosures concerning black-marketing, gaming, club-running and boot-legging a number of male persons of military and National Service ages are from time to time involved, whose identities are known, and whose particulars are at hand or readily discoverable; and whether, in view of the public exasperation there is at this type of traffic by such persons, he will take immediate steps for their mobilisation for appropriate service forthwith, and deal similarly with all such future cases?

My Department takes up at once all cases of this kind of which they can obtain particulars. It should not be assumed, however, that the persons concerned are all liable to be called up for military service or are otherwise evading their National Service obligations. On the contrary, the cases so far investigated have not produced any instances of evasion.

While I appreciate, of course, that my right hon. Friend cannot make public all the machinery, will he consider detailing some officer of his Department whose special concern it should be to look into these cases as soon as they come about?

I cannot detail special officers, but I will follow up every case I can.

asked the Minister of Health whether the calling-up of civil doctors has increased the average number of panel patients per panel doctor; and, if so, to what extent?

Yes, Sir. The calling-up of civil doctors has increased the average number of panel patients per working panel doctor, but in View of the connection with call-up statistics, it would not be in the public interest to indicate the extent of this increase.

Does it not indicate that a serious state of affairs may arise in regard to the health of the civil population which will hold up production and our war effort?

There is a difficult situation as regards medical man-power, and that is why the Committee is sitting under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Dominions to determine priorities as between Service and civil needs.

Is it not a fact that the general conditions of health during war-time are higher than during times of peace?

That is a rather wide and sweeping statement.

asked the Minister of Health how many doctors have been released from the Services to continue civilian practice under the system described on 5th February?

I have not the complete figures for the whole time this system has been in operation, but during the last four months the Central Medical War Committee has recommended the release of 36 doctors from the Services to private practice. The release of all these doctors has not yet been actually effected, but in only four cases have the Service Departments found it impossible to release them.

Does this not show that a very unsatisfactory state of affairs has arisen, and would it not be much better if the Services called up doctors for a short period of training and then released them?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend's Supplementary Question oversimplifies this problem.

Is it not a fact that there are large numbers of very eminent alien doctors in this country who could be usefully employed?

If my hon. Friend will look at the answer I gave a week or two ago, he will see that they are being employed.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced in the Chepping Wycombe reception area in finding householders who are able financially to provide full board and lodging for evacuated boys of the Chiswick County School and the Shoreditch Technical Institute for a payment of 12s. 6d. per week for boys of 15 years of age and of 15s. for boys of 16 and 17 years of age; and whether he will see his way to increase these allowances?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement with regard to billeting allowances in the near future.

When will the statement be made?

Very soon.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of the Croydon Borough Council at which strong criticism was expressed by certain members with regard to the arrangements proposed by his Department in connection with the billeting of Croydon infant schools at Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire; whether he is satisfied that these criticism are not justified; and what action he intends to take to refute them and allay anxiety?

My attention has been called to Press reports of these proceedings in which an entirely unwarranted attack was made on the owner of Waddesdon Manor who has, since the commencement of the war, provided accommodation and services there for 100 children under five and their nursing staff. The arrangements now proposed were suggested by my Department and the proposed payment was fixed by the District Valuer. At no time has any profit accrued to the owner, who placed himself unreservedly in the hands of the Ministry of Health both as regards the original and the proposed arrangements; and we are grateful for his generosity. I shall be communicating with the Croydon Borough Council and shall ask them to give to the facts the same publicity as attended the proceedings to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give further encouragement to property owners who are anxious to be of service to the State?

I shall be very glad to do so, and I should certainly deprecate sensational statements, which are quite often unfair.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered a communication from the Shirley and District Allotment Association urging that Civil Defence duties and training should not be permitted unduly to interfere with work on their allotments by Civil Defence personnel; and whether he will make a statement?

The communication in question is prompted by recent measures to restrict resignations of part-time members of the Civil Defence services, but I see no reason to anticipate that these measures need entail undue interference with the cultivating of allotments. The recognised standard of compulsory duty is a maximum of 48 hours in each period of four weeks, and authorities have been instructed, in fixing hours and times of duty, that full regard should continue to be paid to the employment and other day-to-day obligations of members of the Services.

asked the Home Secretary whether Admiral Sir Barry Domvile, who has been imprisoned for 19 months, is detained under the Acts Prejudicial Section of the Defence Regulations; and whether he will allow this officer, who has rendered 44 years of distinguished service to the country, an opportunity to prove his innocence of acts of sabotage, attempts to get secret information, and seeking to make contact with the enemy, particulars in support of which have never been furnished to him or the Advisory Committee?

Particulars of the reasons for which a detention order was made against Admiral Sir Barry Domvile were communicated to him by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, and he was given every opportunity at the hearing of his case before the Committee to deal with all the matters alleged against him. In the Debate on 26th November on Regulation 18B I gave a general account of the main types of cases where detention orders have been made against persons believed to have been concerned in acts prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the realm, and I gather that my hon. and gallant Friend is suggesting that if any person is detained on the ground of acts prejudicial, his acts can only be of the types mentioned in this general account. This was not of course my meaning and I was not attempting to give an exhaustive summary of every type of act which may be the basis of a detention order under this provision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I had two long talks with this elderly officer and that, judged by every unbiased standard, he now appears to be treated most unjustly? May I beg the right hon. Gentleman to give an opportunity to this officer to reopen his case and make his innocence clear? Does the right hon. Gentleman really suggest that this officer is a danger to the State?

rose—

We must get on with the Questions.

I respectfully desire to ask you, Sir, whether a question such as that which has just been asked, which concerns a distinguished officer who has served his country, should not receive a reply from the Home Secretary?

The right hon. Gentleman has answered the Question on the Paper.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons, previously confined under Regulation 18n, released during the last three months?

The number released in the three months ending 31st January last is 76.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind that it is perfectly logical for many of these people who were interned after evidence of propaganda against this country was given now to make representations to gullible witnesses that they had repented, and will he keep in mind that they may be very dangerous should this country be faced with a crisis?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the last point is taken care of and that the other aspect he has mentioned is among the considerations which I take into account when deciding on the question of release.

With regard to those who have been freed during the past three months, has full consideration been given to the acts in which they indulged before they were interned?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether a revision of the regulations governing friendly aliens is contemplated in the near future?

I would refer to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Park Division of Sheffield (Mr. Lathan) on 12th February. The amending orders will be issued in the course of a few days.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that obsolete forms of Treasury control are an obstacle to war production; and whether he will move to appoint a committee to carry out an immediate investigation and to report to this House with a view to bringing the Treasury relationship to production Departments in line with present requirements?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister does not accept the statement made in the first part of the Question and sees no need for an inquiry. The organisation of the Treasury has, of course, been modified to meet the demands of war-time conditions. Special arrangements have been made with the War Departments whereby, within limits agreed with the Treasury, they have wide delegated powers to incur expenditure without reference to the Treasury. Moreover, where matters have to be referred to the Treasury, arrangements have been made for the substitution of informal discussion for official correspondence in order that decision may be reached with the maximum possible speed. There is every reason to believe that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.

Is the Minister aware that that statement is very misleading, and that there is a great volume of evidence that there are serious delays in production arising from the method known as "awaiting Treasury approval"; and is he also aware that in the case of certain dockyards this is affecting work to the value of more than £20,000,000?

If the hon. Member has any cases, I hope that he will bring them to my notice.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will not be a little more serious about this question? It is not easy for me to do what he asks, because there is such a large volume of information. Will he consult with the Chairman of the Committee on National Expenditure and ask him to look into the point?

I will ask my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider that point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state at the nearest convenient date the proportion of the national revenue for a 12 months period expended upon war effort; and whether he hay any information as to the approximate estimated figures for the United States of America?

During the 12 months ended 31st December, 1941, over 50 per cent. of the estimated national income of this country was expended upon the war effort. As the United States became a belligerent Power only a very short time ago; it is not possible to make any useful comparison, comparable figures not being available.

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Minister of Information to take steps to make this result far more widely known to our Allies throughout the world?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now any statement to hake in regard to a general wage and price control policy?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the previous statements that have been made on 20th November and 18th December last on behalf of the Government and the contents of the White Paper of July, 1941.

Will my right hon. Friend not only bear in mind the stabilisation of the currency but also the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are still outside the scope of any trade and wage agreements?

Will the rig at hon. Gentleman consider the recent action of the Australian Government in this matter?

I should not like to comment upon the action of one of the Dominions Governments.

It is not question of comment.

I have no information on that subject except that which is contained in newspaper reports.

You may learn even from the newspapers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of those married women whose entry into industry has so steeply raised the assessment on the husband's income, and, in view of the fact that the joint assessment to taxation for married women is based previous to the Married Women's Property Act, he will provide that married women shall be taxed as individuals?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to say what steps he proposes to take to even out the Income Tax on workmen's wages where present tax is assessed on higher wages than they are now earning?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardships imposed upon industrial workers by the present method of deducting Income Tax from wages; and whether he is prepared to consider any amendment of the present scheme?

I have had these matters under careful review, and hope to deal with them in my Budget statement.

In view of the importance of this subject and its possible effects upon our war effort, will the right hon. Gentleman give really serious consideration to it between now and the Budget?

Yes, Sir, I have just said so, although I cannot accept all that the hon. Gentleman says in his Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a great deal of hardship arises from taxing workmen's incomes upon assessments made when their incomes were very much higher?

That is one side of the shatter. The other side of the position is that unless we adopt some method of that kind, they will not get full advantage of all the allowances to which they are entitled under Income Tax legislation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the time-lag in the notification of amended assessments to employers?

Certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether workers who live at some distance from their place of employment, may claim an allowance against their Income Tax liability equal to the amount of their travelling expenses?

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to Section 23 of the Finance Act, 1941, which made special provision for an allowance to manual wage-earners in respect of additional travelling expenses, incurred by reason of a change, through war circumstances, in the wage-earner's place of work or residence. The allowance falls To be made only where an increase in the travelling expenses is incurred.

Does this allowance cover the whole of the increase?

When the Minister is revising the matter will he take into consideration the non-manual workers?

Yes, Sir, within the Section I have referred to.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the recent petrol price increase will have to be borne almost entirely by the Government; and what steps he is taking to implement the declared policy of the Government to stabilise prices?

I am advised that the assumption in the first part of the hon. Member's Question is incorrect. As regards the second part, I would refer him to the answer which I gave to him last Tuesday.

Is it not a fact that more petrol is being used for business purposes?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement relating to prices of agricultural products consequent upon the recent increase in wages costs?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the revised list of agricultural prices has now been fixed; and whether the increased cost will fall on the Treasury or on the consumer directly?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statement to make about the proposed increased prices to agricultural producers?

I regret that I have nothing to add at the moment to the reply given to Questions by my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) and Sudbury (Colonel Burton) on 12th February, but I hope to be able to make an announcement during the course of the next few days.

Will my right hon. Friend bring home to the Treasury the disastrous consequences of this wholly unnecessary delay?

I cannot accept the suggestion that the delay has been wholly unnecessary. I have often told hon. Members that there is a singular lack of statistics for the agricultural industry, and as a result it is possible to hold perfectly honest and sincere opinions about costings which differ widely from each other, and the task of reconciling these calls for patience and statesmanship and requires time. That is what we are engaged upon at the present time.