asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a widespread desire on the part of suitable ex-Service men in reserved occupations to serve in the Fighting Services; and whether, as much of their work was done by women during the last war, consideration is being given to this proposal?

I am not aware of any widespread desire of this sort, but where such desire is expressed there are arrangements under which in many cases effect can be given to it.

Is the Minister aware that there is a widespread demand for this?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in the view of many experienced industrialists, it is time to consider the effect of three years continuous long hours on production; what steps are to be taken to deal with the problem; and will he arrange for all workpeople who have been in continuous employment since 1939, and have worked on an average of 52 hours a week or more, to have their hours restricted for a given period in order that they may recuperate and increase output?

The effects of long hours on production have been repeatedly considered, and the Government have made recommendations on the subject from time to time with good results. The Industrial Health Research Board have recently issued another report on the subject. Earlier reports of the kind have indicated that proper weekly rests and holidays are of the greatest importance. The views of the Government on Sunday work were published last November in the twenty-fifth report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, and the Government issued last month an announcement as to the taking of holidays in 1942. In these circumstances, I do not think that any special steps are necessary at the moment, and I am unable to accept the suggestion at the end of the Question; but the position will continue to be closely watched, and if my hon. Friend has in mind and will send me the name of any particular factory in which there is alleged to be excessive fatigue, I shall be glad to have inquiry made into the case.

Is there complete consultation between all Government Departments on this question?

Yes, the Production Executive went over the question with everybody time and time again.

In view of the comments made by the Committee on National Expenditure and the Medical Research Council on the amount of fatigue consequent upon the long hours, may I ask whether anything has been done by the Department to implement the recommendations which have been put forward?

We work through the Production Executive down to the contractors. The last report of the Industrial Health Board referred to optimum hours which, in fact, were rather longer than the hours which I myself as Minister thought ought to be the optimum hours.

Is it the policy of the Minister to insist upon those hours?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the chairman of the local education committee recently stated that many of the 17-yearOld Huddersfield boys who recently registered were working such long hours that they could not be recommended to join pre-Service units and that they suffered from exhaustion, mental and physical; and whether he will look into the matter?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this statement, and I am making inquiry about it.

Is the Minister aware that I sent him a cutting containing this information, and will he tell the House whether he is satisfied that the factory inspectorate are employed on the duties which they were intended to perform in this connection?

The factory inspectorate are employed on the duties which they were intended to perform, but, like every other Department of State, they have had far greater duties imposed upon them as well.

Is the Minister aware that this is the fourth week in succession that this question has been raised, and on each occasion he has said that it had not been brought to his notice? Is there not something wrong with the machinery? Is the Minister aware that yesterday figures were given that in Lon- don 400 young people between 17 and 18 are working above the permitted hours?

That was one of the reasons the Cabinet agreed to the registration of boys and girls, and this is the first time there has ever been an opportunity of finding out how boys and girls are actually being treated. I am getting the information as fast as I can. I wish it had been done before.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman have asked any mothers of children? They would have told him that boys of that age could not work the hours they are supposed to work. Any idiot could have told him that.

In view of the unsatisfactory answers that have been given, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Does not the Minister agree—

Notice has been given that this question is to be raised on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in the promotion of works councils he will do everything possible to ensure that there is included in their membership a sufficient number of technical and scientific personnel?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on this point to the hon. Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Wootton-Davies) on 5th March last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it was with his authority that the article advocating the elimination of private employment agents appeared in the official organ of the Ministry of Labour Staff Association?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that incapicitated persons in the Burnley area are being sent to their doctors and returned fit for light work and later are directed to work which they have to refuse as being beyond their capacity, with the result that benefit has been stopped; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

My hon. Friend kindly sent me some particulars but not sufficient to identify the cases. If he has further particulars, I would be glad if he would send them to me. In the meantime I am making inquiries.

Can the Minister say whether any instructions have been issued to his local officers with a view to their taking action which induces persons certified as fit for light work only to attempt work beyond their capacity?

I should like to have notice of that Question.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the extent to which English banks have been granted exemption from National Service for their female cashiers and machine operators; and whether the same conditions apply to Scottish banks?

Under an arrangement made in consultation with a committee representing the clearing house banks, female cashiers and machine operators who were so employed in such banks at the date of their registration will not, for the present, be withdrawn. There is no corresponding committee representing the other banks, and in the case of those banks, including the Scottish banks and the Bank of England, the arrangement is that they submit applications for the deferment of calling-up or retention of their female employees to the Treasury, who advise my Department upon the appropriate action to be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Government's policy in regard to public entertainment?

asked the Home Secretary when the Government propose to introduce regulations restricting the amount of horse-racing, dog-racing, boxing displays and other activities not considered in accord with the true spirit of determination of the people in this crisis?

The Government's war-time policy with regard to entertainments has been to permit them to continue on a restricted basis in the belief that, within reason, popular entertainments act as a lubricant rather than a brake on the war machine. Limitations on attendance have been imposed, and entertainments attracting large crowds, such as horse and dog racing and football matches have been mainly confined to days and times least likely to affect essential work. Special measures have also been taken to avoid additional burdens on transport services or the delay of workers going to or from their place of duty. All forms of public entertainment have been subject to immediate cessation should security circumstances require. The power to prohibit or restrict public entertainments has, in the past, been confined to imposing restrictions where they are necessary to minimise risk in consequence of war operations, but further appreciable restrictions have been obtained by agreement with the controlling bodies of the various entertainments concerned. I should like to express my appreciation of their helpful attitude. The Government are taking additional powers to provide control of public entertainments where needed to avoid interference with the national effort.

Horse-racing meetings have already been cut to about 20 per cent. of the pre-war figure, and it is proposed further to restrict horse racing to a few courses selected with a view to economy in the use of public transport. Greyhound racing will be restricted to one day a week for each track, and will be permitted only on Saturdays and public holidays. No new tracks will be allowed to be put into operation. Professional boxing shows have already been reduced to about 10 per cent. of the pre-war figure, and the question of further restrictions arises mainly in respect of large and spectacular events. Professional football has been largely confined to Saturdays, public holidays and local early closing days. Local competitions have been formed for area groups of clubs in order to avoid travelling. It is not proposed to apply any further restrictions at present. The same remark applies to theatres, cinemas and dancing. There remains the question of large accumulations of cars at sports functions which has undoubtedly been offensive to public feeling. My hon. Friend the Secretary for Petroleum will, I understand, be making a statement to-day which has an effective relationship to this aspect of the problem.

These restrictions represent an appreciable reduction in the amount of public recreation. In the exercise of their new powers the Government will not impose more restrictions than war requirements render expedient, but such requirements must obviously be the first consideration and there will be no hesitation to impose such further restrictions as may be needed in the interests of the war effort. On the other hand there is no intention of imposing needless hindrances to recreation or of carrying restrictions so far that total war unnecessarily becomes total misery.

Is the Minister also giving attention to the beastly blood sports of coursing and stag.hunting?

That is a new one on me.

Will my right hon. Friend say when mid-week greyhound racing will cease?

As soon as arrangements can be made, but obviously certain things have to be worked out. I am in consultation on the matter, and I hope there will not be very much delay in bringing out the new programme.

May I express appreciation of the statement made, and will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that those who have raised this subject have not had any desire to curtail the recreation of the workers? What has disturbed them are the people who flock in thousands to these places who are not workers but idlers.

Is it not a fact that a lot of people are trying to stop every form of sport which they do not happen to patronise themselves?

What provision is going to be made for recreation during the long summer evenings when people leave their ordinary work? Is there any reason why they should not be allowed to go to any entertainment they care for?

I think my answer covers that point.

Will the Minister bear in mind the desirability of curbing the masochistic tendencies of certain sections of public opinion?

Is the Minister aware that the country would be in a far better position to-day if these restrictions had come about 18 months or two years ago?

I have noted all these various points, and I will do my best in the course of my administration to reconcile the conflicting views which have been expressed.

In regard to the licence which has been recently granted to the Birtley track, may I ask whether that track will be allowed to be opened?

There was a licence granted by the local authority for a new greyhound-racing track in County Durham, and the hon. Member can be assured that I will not permit that track to function.

How many of the idle rich would go to this track?

asked the Prime Minister when the Government will introduce such regulations as may be necessary to prevent personal interests in property of any kind standing in the way of efficiency and swiftness of production?

The Government have already wide powers, but if the need were shown to exist for powers beyond those already possessed, the Government would have no hesitation in seeking them.

I put this Question down to the Lord Privy Seal. May I ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has read the speech made by the Lord Privy Seal in the House on 25th February, in which he said that action was to be taken?

Yes, Sir, I have read it.

Can we have an assurance that the national interest will always be given priority over the self-interests of capital and labour?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to direct all surplus part-time Civil Defence workers into the Home Guard; whether he can state the approximate numbers affected and when his instructions become effective?

Part-time Civil Defence workers agreed by the Civil Defence authorities to be surplus to requirements will be considered along with others for direction to enrol in the Home Guard in those areas where compulsory enrolment is necessary. I have issued instructions regarding the procedure to my local officers. I cannot give an estimate of the numbers likely to be affected.

When will these instructions become effective?

I cannot give the date, but I will look it up.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the letter from the hon. Member for West Fife in regard to police persecution of a supporter of the "Daily Worker"; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

I have caused inquiries to be made and am satisfied that there has been no persecution of the man referred to by the police. The inquiries made by the police were of a routine character and were not in any way the result of this man's activities in support of the "Daily Worker," of which the police had no knowledge.

What authority have the police for informing the managers of his place of employment and the people at his lodgings that this man is a Communist? Would it not be more sensible if the people would warn them that Tories were in the vicinity, whose policy has been responsible for all the disasters that have come upon the country?

asked the Home Secretary why part-time National Fire Service and air-raid precautions workers are excluded from the improved conditions in injury pay recently granted, in view of the fact that they do the same job; and what the estimated cost of their inclusion in the concession would be in each case?

The scale of payments made as of right to civilian members of the population who suffer injuries due to enemy action or in the performance of Civil Defence duties is laid down in the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme and does not distinguish between part-time and whole-time personnel. Where, however, the injured persons look to the State or to the local authority as their sole employer and main source of livelihood, the payments made under the scheme may be supplemented in certain circumstances because of that special relationship. Information is not available on which to frame estimates of extra costs that would be involved in the circumstances referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent case where a Miss Hercock refused to take employment as a wardmaid in a hospital, stating that she was a member of the International Bible Students' Association, otherwise "Jehovah's Witnesses," and had signed an unwritten covenant with Jehovah only to preach the Gospel; and whether steps will be taken to suppress this association, which is a national menace and is being used by a number of persons as a cloak for Fifth Column activities?

I have recently had under review the activities of this organisation, and while I think it would be an exaggeration to describe it as a cloak for Fifth Column activities, the potential dangers of a misuse of this organisation, at any rate in war-time cannot be overlooked. I have recently given instructions for the internment of certain aliens of enemy nationality who were reported to me as having taken an active part in the organisation, and I shall continue to keep a careful watch upon it, and shall not hesitate to take any further action which I may deem appropriate in the interests of national security.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great satisfaction will be given by his answer? Is he also aware that the magistrates who heard the case described the association as a national menace?

I am always interested to know of the remarks made by magistrates.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when any Government suppresses religious organisations, they always grow under persecution?

Is this a religious organisation?

asked the Home Secretary what comments he has received from the South-Eastern Regional Commissioner on the uneconomical aspects of the provisions of H.S.C. 256, which bear hardly upon the local authorities whose Civil Defence services are in a great measure voluntary, and who, because of this, find themselves denied grants-in-aid unless they are prepared to increase very largely the expenses of their Civil Defence, despite its efficiency and contentment; and will he modify H.S.C. 256?

I am making inquiries into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether the two Italians who were convicted at Marlborough Street Police Court, on 17th February, of obtaining meat illegally for their cafe in Frith Street, Soho, will be interned at the end of their sentence of imprisonment?

Yes, Sir, certainly. I hope that this will be a warning to others who may be tempted to engage in similar activities which are calculated to impede our war effort.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the letter from the Evacuation Subcommittee of the Mansfield Town Council respecting the standardisation of billeting allowances; and will he make a statement thereon?

Yes, Sir. Some of the payments mentioned in the letter are not billeting allowances but are subject to the agreement of the parties concerned. So far as billeting allowances are concerned, it will be appreciated that variations in the amounts paid for different classes of person normally reflect differences in the amount of accommodation and service which the householder is required to provide. I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on the allowances paid for evacuated children.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulty in securing billets owing to the anomalies existing in billeting allowances?

That concerns the whole range of Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the petition from the islanders of Bernera asking for Norman Macdonald to be exempted from service on the grounds that he has six brothers serving, and that if he is called up his mother's croft, which he cultivates, will go out of cultivation as he is the last son left; and what answer he proposes to give to the petition?

I understand that this petition has been addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, who alone has jurisdiction in the matter, since Mr. Macdonald has been enlisted into the Navy.

Is it not within the power of the Minister of Labour to say whether this man shall be called up or not, seeing that there is a widowed mother who already has six sons in the Service and that this is her ewe lamb who has been taken from her, with the result that the farm is denuded of all male labour, a state which the island is nearly in at this moment? Will not the Minister go into the matter?

I understand that Mr. Macdonald has been enlisted in the Navy. Once the enlistment notice is issued, the matter becomes one for the Service Minister concerned. I have no doubt that if the hon. Member puts a Question to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, he will deal with it.

As this is a very serious matter in the Outer Hebrides—

The hon. Member should put on the Paper a Question to the First Lord of the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Labour the physical or medical causes of the discharge of Eddie Phillips from the Royal Air Force; whether he is aware that this unfit ex-airman is now engaged in strenuous training for a championship fight on 16th March; and, so as to remove any misgiving in the public mind, will he ensure that this man's services are better utilised in some other form of military service?

I am informed that this man was discharged from the Royal Air Force on 30th May, 1941, as physically unfit for further Air Force service, and I understand that it is not the practice to disclose medical particulars of the reasons for discharge. I have no information as to his present activities. As I stated in the House on 9th December last in reply to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger), I do not propose to call up again for service men who have been discharged during the present war on medical grounds.

Is there not a weak link in these Royal Air Force medical tribunals which discharge a boxer who appears to be as physically fit as a Commando, while at the other end recruits are retained in the Service who are disabled, deformed, and partially blind, but who appear to do a useful job of work and do it with distinction?

Obviously, the medical boards which discharge men from the Services are not under my jurisdiction. I think this question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Air.

Will the Minister see to it that this man is not allowed to go into the ring if he is medically unfit?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have not established care committees for the schools under their charge; and what steps have been taken by the Board to induce them to do this, more especially in urban areas?

The organising of the follow-up work connected with the School Medical Service has always been left to the discretion of local education authorities. I have not statistics available to show which authorities have appointed care committees. If my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any case where the arrangements are not working satisfactorily, I will look into it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that neglect to use all the voluntary help that is available for care committees results, in such cases, in loss to the lives of the children and to the teachers?

If the hon. Member brings any case to my attention, I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Education on what grounds he has given approval to the Essex Education Committee's scheme by which young persons of 16 to 17 years of age, acting temporarily as teachers, will be paid £92 if male but only £87 if female?

The approval of the proposal to which the hon. Member refers was given as the result of a misunderstanding in my Department and has now been withdrawn.

Are we to understand from that that there is to be equality of payment between the sexes now?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have no boards of managers for their own provided schools, other than the education committee; and does the Board consider this arrangement satisfactory?

This is not a matter about which statistics are available, but if my hon. Friend will tell me of any case he has in mind I will consider it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some local authorities there is no member of the education committee who visits the schools regularly and there are no means of giving help to the teachers, such as would be rendered where there are effective school managers?

I am aware of that, but I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Section 30 of the Education Act, 1921.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in order to ensure a supply of teachers willing and competent to give religious instruction, he will make religious knowledge an optional subject and not merely an additional option in the course of training for the teachers' certificate?

Representations have already been made to me on this subject, and I am consulting the various interests concerned. I am not yet in a position to announce a decision.

asked the Minister of Health the increase in the number of panel patients per panel doctor in the Bournemouth area; and whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient doctors to deal with any sudden increase of illness in the district?

It would not be in the public interest to indicate the increases in the number of panel patients per working panel doctor in Bournemouth or elsewhere. I have no grounds for thinking that the medical personnel of Bournemouth has been unduly depleted as compared with other areas in relation to likely calls upon its services.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really mean to tell us that to give the number of panel patients per doctor in Bournemouth would be information of value to the enemy?

If I am asked to do it in relation to any part of the country, it would give very valuable information to the enemy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that while many hospitals are under-staffed at the present time others are sometimes overstaffed; and whether he will prepare a scheme by which nurses in military or other hospitals who are temporarily surplus to requirement could be loaned for services in hospitals where extra nursing service is needed?

I have already drawn the attention of hospital authorities to the desirability of arranging for the transfer of nurses to hospitals which may be understaffed, and my Regional Officers are making every effort to maintain a proper distribution.

Is it beyond the right hon. Gentleman's competence to arrange for a release?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many men have been discharged from the Army, Navy and Air Force through ill-health not considered due to their war service since 3rd September, 1939?

I regret that it would not be in the national interest to give this figure.

Have these men who have been discharged an adequate opportunity of appealing to an independent medical tribunal if they desire?

Yes, Sir.

Why is it that, when men are discharged owing to wounds received in action, their discharge papers are marked "Ceasing to fulfil Army physical requirements"? Is it feared that if their certificates are properly marked, it will encourage them to apply for pensions?

That is not a question for me at all.

Who has authority to say what goes down on the discharge papers?

The discharging authority.

Will they be properly instructed?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made against Stanley Pearce Smith, a machine-tool fitter, who was charged, with five others, at Manchester Assizes with conspiracy to steal machine tools; if he is aware that the man Smith had not made any Income Tax returns; and how he intends dealing with the matter?

The conditions of secrecy that govern the assessment of the Income Tax preclude me from furnishing any information regarding the liability of particular taxpayers. All I can say is that the Inland Revenue authorities may be relied upon to take note of any evidence that may reach them of cases in which liability to tax may be at stake.

I take it for granted that the Minister knows where the five men are and during the time they are where they are will enable them to complete their education?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that £30,000 worth of British labour has recently been used in salvaging gold alleged to be worth £2,000,000, but which is useless for the war effort; and whether he will take steps to prohibit the use of labour and materials on any kind of gold production operations, seeing that the Allies already have larger stocks than can be usefully utilised?

I am aware of the salvage of gold to which the hon. Member refers. It is certainly not useless for the war effort, and I regard this salvage operation as having rendered a valuable service. We have to pay for those essential imports which are not covered by Lend-Lease or the generous financial arrangement made by the Government of Canada. For this purpose exports have to be maintained, and gold is from many points of view a very advantageous export.

Is the Minister seriously telling this House that shipping space is being used to-day to transport gold across the seas to pay debts to our Dominions, and if that is not the case would not this gold have been as secure in its safe deposit at the bottom of the sea as it is upon land in New Zealand? May I have an answer to the first part of my Question, with reference to gold being transported across the sea?

The hon. Member ought to put that Question down.

The Question is here on the Paper.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that more than 500,000 British subjects are engaged in the perfectly useless pursuit of digging gold, and that even America is now awaking to the uselessness of this business?

I am aware of my hon. Friend's views on this matter.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on another occasion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the scheme for solving some of the present difficulties arising from the complicated form of Income Tax paid by wage-earners, of which particulars have been supplied to him; and whether, in view of the fact that the proposed scheme is intended to adjust present difficulties, and enables the wage-earner to pay Income Tax on current earnings, resulting in no loss to the Treasury, he will consider the scheme with a view to adopting some of its features in the forthcoming Finance Bill?

The whole subject of the deduction of Income Tax from wages is being examined, and various suggestions, including the one referred to by my hon. Friend, are receiving careful consideration. I cannot, however, anticipate my Budget statement on this matter.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of issuing cards or vouchers to these taxpayers, either monthly or quarterly, stating exactly the amount credited to them for post-war distribution?

That is a matter that is being examined.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the issue of something of the kind would remove present doubts and misgivings?

Surely there is some document which must be given to a man to enable him to know what will stand to his credit when the war is over?

That is another matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the stimulating effect it would have on people if he announced that there will be a change in the incidence of Income Tax on weekly wages to be collected out of earnings?

I could make a change with regard to other sections of the community, no doubt.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the work carried on by the East Suffolk Catchment Board on the mouth of the River Blyth, at Southwold Harbour, has resulted in hundreds of acres of valuable grazing marshes being now threatened with flooding by the sea; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware that erosion has taken place of the river embankments which protect the marshes to the west of Southwold Harbour. Certain remedial measures submitted to me by the East Suffolk Rivers Catchment Board have been approved for grant and will, I hope, be carried out at the earliest possible opportunity, allowing for the relative urgency of other items on the Board's war-time programme.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the present disastrous state of affairs is entirely due to his Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, altering the plans laid down by a most competent authority?

I cannot accept that statement.

In view of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Treasury and the Ministry of Food were present at the recent milk production talks between the National Farmers' Union and the Milk Marketing Board; and what progress had been made regarding the settlement of the new price adjustments and the earliest date that a Government announcement regarding milk production and distribution may be expected?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I am not in a position to name the date on which an announcement will be made on the matters referred to in the second part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture of how much land the West Suffolk War Agricultural Executive Committee has taken possession under Defence Regulation 62 (2); how much of that land is farmed by the committee or under its management and how much of it has been let to tenants; and whether any account of the cost of farming the land of which the committee is retaining possession is being kept and will be published, or whether this information will be made available to the public in any other form?

The area of which the West Suffolk War Agricultural Executive Committee has taken possession under Defence Regulation 51 (not Regulation 62) is 11,452 acres, of which 8,715 acres are farmed direct and 2,737 acres are let to tenants. Accounts of the cost of farming by executive committees are being kept and the question of publication will receive consideration at an appropriate time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the circumstances in which an applicant applied for a junior teaching post at Kingston, Jamaica, in November and was rejected; and to what extent the fact that he was a literary contributor to a newspaper influenced the decision?

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 4th March, the Governor of Jamaica has been asked for a report on this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the names and occupations of the five men, including a member of the Food Control Committee and a special constable, charged at Wealdstone, Middlesex, on Tuesday, 3rd March, in connection with a deal in a ton of sugar?

The names and occupations of the five men referred to are as follow: 1. Henry Albert Smith, baker and special constable; 2. Samuel John Briggs, tobacconist and confectioner; 3. Abraham Briggs, manager to Samuel John Briggs; 4. Mark Bloom, traveller in timber (at present unemployed); 5. George Priston, baker and trade member of the Willesden Food Control Committee.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the certainty of diminished foodstuffs for pigs and poultry in the coming winter, he will make compulsory on local authorities the collection of waste?

Directions have already been served on 96 local authorities requiring them to collect kitchen waste and send it to concentrator plants, and further directions will be served as and when concentrator plants become available. My right hon. Friend does not, however, at present propose to make collections compulsory on all local authorities, since this would not be justified in cases where outlets are not assured. In this matter, my right hon. Friend is advised by the Waste Food Board, which was set up by him in consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Ministers of Agriculture and Food. I should add that, in addition to the 96 local authorities now under direction, 437 collect kitchen waste for feeding their own pigs and for disposal to local pig clubs and pig keepers. There are also private collections in hundreds of other areas.

Has there been any change of policy since the announcement of the Minister of Food that he will diminish the amount of offals for pigs and poultry?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, as the weekly output of coal is still below the target figure and the industry is still short of the minimum man-power required, it is now intended to recruit from other less essential industries skilled miners to meet the same either permanently or for the spring or summer months only?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 10th March.

Would the Minister state the nature of that reply, and is he aware that collieries are idle in County Durham for lack of man-power?

I said in the answer I gave that we are discussing the matter at an early date.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he has taken to remedy the acute shortage of house coal at Willenhall, Staffordshire?

I am aware that house coal is in short supply in the Willenhall area. The house coal officer for the division has arranged for additional supplies to be allocated to the area, and every effort is being made to improve the local arrangements for equitable distribution.

Is my hon. Friend aware that promises of further house coal have been made in the past to Willenhall and have not been carried out, and will he see that my constituents receive the coal this time?

As far as possible; I have said so in my reply.

Are the conditions at Willenhall worse than anywhere else?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in order to increase the supply of home-produced motor fuel and to develop alternative sources for fats, he will consider the establishment in this country of a plant for the synthesis of oil from water-gas?

The possibility of erecting plants to work the Fisher-Tropsch process, to which I assume the Question refers, was carefully examined by a Committee under the chairmanship of Sir William Jowitt, early in 1940. Their conclusions are now being carefully reconsidered, together with all other possible means of reducing the use of imported oil.

Are we to understand that although a Committee considered this matter early in 1940, it is only now being considered?

Reconsidered.

That it is only now being reconsidered?

My hon. Friend must realise that the report can only be of use when all the essentials in the report are available. For this purpose four or five tons of coal are required to make one ton of oil.

Is the best use being made of creosote oil?

I hope so.