asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the representations made by the Civil Service Clerical Association to the effect that men and women in the Civil Service have insufficient work to do, but that recruitment continues; and why the offer of co-operation by the union to effect a more economical use of the staff in the national interest has been neglected?

No offer of co-operation by the Civil Service Clerical Association or any other staff association has been neglected. On the contrary, the Treasury and Departments would welcome any suggestions made by staff associations in this matter, and would give them immediate consideration. I am not aware of what cases are referred to in the first part of the Question. I append a general statement as to the steps which have been taken to conserve man- and woman-power in the Civil Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) upon what grounds it has been decided that officers in the War Department Lands Branch should draw pay at Civil Service rates, though they hold the King's Commission and are subject to military law, while other officers in kindred branches of the Services, but with less technical qualifications, draw staff pay and allowances at military rates; and will he take steps to remove the dissatisfaction felt by officers in this branch at the discrepancy between their net emoluments and conditions of service, particularly with regard to tax free allowances and prospects of promotion and leave and those of other officers of the same rank in other technical or semi-technical branches who do not hold professional qualifications;(2) whether any obstacle will be placed in the way of officers in the War Department Lands Branch, whose terms of service approximate to those of the Civil Service, giving one month's notice at the end of the war in order to take up immediate professional work for which they are qualified, and for which there is likely to be an urgent demand; and what arrangements he has in mind for carrying on the work of the Lands Branch arising out of war-time occupation of heritable property?

Officers of the Lands Branch are employed mainly in dealing with civilians on civilian matters. Their pay and general conditions of service are determined in the light of those prevailing in comparable employments outside the Government service and in other Departments, including the other Service Departments. Their agreements provide for one month's notice on either side. There is no reason to anticipate difficulties in retain- ing or obtaining suitable staff to carry on the work of the Lands Branch after the war.. Since these officers have to work side by side with military officers and their duties take them into all establishments and areas, it was found convenient, after trial, to give them commissions, on the understanding that these would not carry military pay or allowances. The nature of their work remained the same.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of overtime paid in the Ministries of Works and Buildings, Food, Agriculture, Information and War Transport, in the India Office, the Home Office, the Post Office, the Board of Education and the Board of Trade, respectively, during the last month for which figures are available; what steps are now taken to ensure that no overtime has been paid until the worker has fully worked 100 per cent, during his ordinary time; and how does the present system compare with the peace-time one of checking overtime?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on the 17th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the National Savings Commission cannot arrange any priority in the purchase of tyres for motor-cars used by their officers for official duties; and what steps he is taking to prevent the impossibility of obtaining tyres from impeding the savings organisation.

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the committee considering applications for deferment from national or military service from Entertainments National Service Association is concerned only with those exclusively employed by that organisation or whether part-time or occasional employment by Entertainments National Service Associa- tion qualifies for recommendation by that committee; and what is the minimum age limit?

The committee normally advises the Department only on applications for deferment of calling up of whole-time employees of the Entertainments National Service Association. According to my information, there have been very few cases in which the committee has recommended deferment of calling up of men not exclusively employed by that organisation. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, deferment is not granted to men employed by the Association who are under 30 years of age.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed on the dog-racing tracks in the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs; whether any of them are skilled craftsmen; and how many of them are of military age?

I regret that these figures are not available.

asked the Prime Minister the number of casualties in dead, wounded and missing, distinguishing between the Armed Forces and civilians, which had been sustained by the British Empire from the outbreak of war until the 31st December, 1941?

The figures of casualties in dead, wounded, missing and prisoners of war sustained by the Armed Forces of the British Empire from the outbreak of war until 2nd September, 1941, have been collected in response to previous requests, and will shortly be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT. AS regards civilian casualties, I am inquiring whether figures on the same basis are available and whether the other Governments concerned agree to their publication.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the three women's auxiliary services are efficiently utilising the women allocated to them; whether he will satisfy himself on this point before drafting further women to the Auxiliary Territorial Service, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, or Women's Royal Naval Service; and whether he will state the number of women retained in depots for want of employment elsewhere?

The efficient use of women allocated to the Women's Auxiliary Services is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friends the Service Ministers, and I am not aware of any evidence which would justify me in intervening in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the Service Ministers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of women who have completed their technical training in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and are retained in the three principal Women's Auxiliary Air Force depots for want of employment at stations or otherwise?

The number of airwomen at the three principal Women's Auxiliary Air Force depots who have completed their technical training and are available for immediate posting is less than 100.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of women who have successfully passed the Air Ministry Selection Board for commissioned rank, but who are retained as aircraftwomen in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force depots for want of employment: and whether he will take immediate steps to see that this high-class labour is promptly employed in suitable work?

The number of airwomen at Women's Auxiliary Air Force depots who have been accepted for commissions and are awaiting appointment is twenty-five. It is not anticipated that their appointment will be unduly delayed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that the leave petrol issue, now made to operational crews, will be continued?

I am giving consideration to this matter in consultation with my hon. Friend the Secretary for Petroleum.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the increase in juvenile offenders for whom there is now no accommodation in existing institutions, he will appoint a committee to consider and advise him of any alterations in the law or method of dealing with juvenile offenders, especially during the period of the present war, or consider drafting these young offenders during the present emergency into the services, voluntary or otherwise, and thus be subject to discipline and control and in this way find an outlet for their activities?

The lack of accommodation in institutions, to which my hon. Friend specially refers, is due mainly to the absence of suitable premises and the difficulty of building under war conditions, but I am glad to say that the position is now more satisfactory. Many new approved schools have been opened, or are in process of being opened, and I hope that the number of those awaiting vacancies will soon be substantially reduced. The increase in the number of juvenile offenders since the war began, as pointed out in the joint memorandum issued in June, 1941, by the then President of the Board of Education and myself, is due mainly to social disturbances and other war conditions and the most hopeful means of counteracting these influences would appear to lie in constructive measures. The Government is fully aware of the value of giving older boys and girls some opportunity of service to their country and every means of doing so is continually under consideration. The measures taken by the Board of Education to organise and develop the Youth Service, on the lines described in the memorandum already referred to, continue to yield good results and they are being greatly strengthened by the decision that boys and girls between 16 and 18 are to register with the object of bringing them within the influence of the various youth organisations whether Cadets, A.T.S., Home Guards or civilian organisations, and particularly of employing their spare time on training in service for the nation. Arrangements are already in existence for maintaining close contact between my Department, the Board of Education, the local education authorities and the voluntary organisations for the purpose of developing measures for dealing with this problem, and I do not think that the appointment of another committee at the present time would be the most helpful or speedy method of securing progress.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that a certain section of the London and North Eastern Railway is not used to its fullest capacity; that there is machinery available for more effective production; and whether he will be prepared to consult with the members of the borough, in conjunction with the trade union representatives, in order that these workshops may be more useful in the national effort?

I am informed that the manufacturing capacity not fully utilised at the workshop in question is mainly wood-working capacity, of which there is, under present conditions, a surplus in this country. The possibility of making further use of this and other railway workshops for munitions production, with due regard to the need for railway maintenance work, is having the attention of the Departments concerned. My Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport and my right hon. Friend would always welcome specific suggestions to this end.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the shortage of paper and the labour necessary after the throwing of confetti at marriage ceremonies, he will prohibit this custom?

I have been asked to reply. The production of confetti has been prohibited since May, 1940, but I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what consideration is being given to the more effective organisation and use of men with mechanical and electrical skill in the Army; and whether any reorganisation will be effected?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement I made in the House on this subject on firth March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions for the more frequent appearance of military bands in public, in view of their stimulating effect on the public spirit?

Instructions have already been issued that bands are to play as much as possible, but since most of the units to which they belong are stationed away from the large towns, their public appearances are to some extent limited by transport and petrol restrictions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of Polish officers who have volunteered for service with the British Army; and how many have been accepted?

Approximately 700 Polish officers have applied for transfer to the British Army. Of those who possess the necessary qualifications, the Polish authorities have been able to release 250.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what branches of the fighting units under the War Office will not enrol British citizens one of whose parents was British-born?

A British subject, one of whose parents had previously possessed enemy nationality and had not become a naturalised British subject before the child's birth, is not normally accepted for service in the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, or certain branches of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what rank an officer must attain before he has a private secretary attached to him and is issued with a typewriter, respectively?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the point made by him in the Debate on the Report stage of the Army Estimates. Under the scheme recently announced, it is proposed to afford relief to commanders and senior staff officers by providing them with secretarial assistance in the shape of "staff secretaries." This scheme is at present experimental, and will be tried out for certain higher appointments including a number of 1st grade staff appointments in selected formations. Typewriters are normally allotted not to officers personally but to offices, formations or units in proportion to their needs.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the publicity afforded to the proposals to comb out officers over the age of 45, he will make it clear in what way these proposals differ from the procedure already in practice whereby reports as to the suitability of an officer for employment in any branch of the Army can be made on Army Forms B. 194E or B. 194F?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement I made in the House on nth March last in regard to this review of officers. The purpose of the review is to obtain reports on every single officer in the prescribed category, with a recommendation for retention, transfer or relegation to unemployment. Army Form B. 194F is only appropriate for recommendations for transfer. The use of Army Form B. 194E is confined to adverse reports and will continue to be used exclusively for this purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the fact that 80 per cent. of the recruits for the Armed Forces require dental treatment; and what special arrangements have been made to meet these circumstances?

I am aware that at least 80 per cent. of recruits to the Army need dental treatment on enlistment. Full provision has been made for it by the expansion of the Army Dental Corps and the provision of extra Army dental centres and laboratories and mobile dental units.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information about the new treatment for wounds discovered by a doctor of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem; and whether it is to be adopted generally throughout military hospitals in the treatment of wounds?

This work has not yet passed the experimental stage and there can therefore be no question at present of adopting its results generally. Steps have however been taken to give the doctor referred to assistance in his experiments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether recruits attesting for service are informed that they can state their religious beliefs as agnostic or rationalist; and whether he will take steps to see that persons in these categories suffer no disability?

A notice which says that every recruit is entitled to be classified for religion in the Army in accordance with his own declaration on the subject is displayed in every recruiting office. In accordance with this a recruit may declare himself a rationalist or agnostic and will not suffer for so doing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the appointment of officers to assist Press military correspondents serving with the British forces overseas; and whether military spokesmen, appointed by the military headquarters of the Army concerned, have any special duties in relation to newspaper correspondents, either as regards censorship or in any other way?

The conducting officers who accompany accredited war correspondents in a theatre of war are appointed by the Director of Public Relations, War Office. There is no such appointment as "military spokesman," but officers holding staff appointments on the staff of a General Headquarters are detailed, as one of their duties, to address correspondents on the military situation. These officers are not themselves concerned with the censorship of matter subsequently written by correspondents which passes through the ordinary censorship channels.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether storemen employed on regimental duties in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps are to be de-rated, with a consequent loss of tradesmen's rates of pay?

A general duty section has recently been introduced into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps to carry out regimental duties, and it will be paid at normal (non-tradesmen's) rates, but so far as I am aware no existing storemen entitled to tradesmen's rates are being compulsorily dis-rated as a result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will make representations to the German Government to allow the magazine, "Prisoners of War News," issued by the Scottish Branch, British Red Cross Society, to be distributed to Scottish prisoners of war?

This is not a matter which could suitably be made the subject of representation through the Protecting Power. I am therefore suggesting to the British Red Cross Society that they should communicate their request to the German authorities through the International Red Cross Committee.

asked the Minister of Health the number of illegitimate births in England, Wales, Scotland and London, respectively, for the years 1939 and 1941?

The number of illegitimate births in England, Wales and London, respectively, for the years 1939 and 1941, is as follows:

			1939.	1941.
England	…	…	24,540	28,740
Wales	…	…	1,402	1,713
London	…	…	3,105	1,931

Questions as to the number of illegitimate births in Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the sum total of fees, or charges paid, or credited to the firm of Messrs. T. P. Bennett and Son, for or during the year 1941 from all Departments of State?

The total fees paid to this firm for the calendar year 1941 amounted to £36,102.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can yet make a statement on the working of the zonal distribution of fish?

No, Sir. I am not at present in a position either to make a statement or to say upon what date such a statement could be made. A scheme for the zonal distribution is in active preparation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many licences have been revoked since the war for selling fake food substitutes?

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind licences issued under the Food Substitutes (Control) Order, 1941. Under this Order, which came into force on 27th October, 1941, it is an offence to manufacture a food substitute except under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted by the Minister. Each applicant for a licence is required to disclose the composition of his product and no licences have been issued in respect of any food substitute of the kind described in the Question. There is reason to think, however, that the making of the Order brought to an end the manufacture of a considerable number of products which would not have complied with the Ministry's requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the prices charged for food in British Restaurants, reckoning at retail prices for the food supplied and allowing a reasonable sum for overhead expenses and costs of cooking, show a profit of over 100 per cent.; and what steps he is taking to see that the saving in costs by reason of voluntary help is passed on for the benefit of the consumer?

British Restaurants are established by local authorities with the aid of the Ministry of Food on the understanding that they shall be conducted on a fully self-supporting basis, and provided that every effort has been made to observe this condition the Ministry has undertaken to reimburse any approved operating deficiency in the event of a loss being unavoidably incurred. The price of meals served is fixed by the local authority after taking into account the cost of the food and its preparation, overhead expenses and a small margin for contingencies so that any saving in costs resulting from voluntary help is auomatically reflected in the price charged. Local authorities are required to render periodical accounts to the Ministry, where the operating costs and charges are examined to ensure that the Restaurants are being conducted economically and in conformity with the financial principles laid down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what percentage of fat sheep graded in Scotland during the months of December, January and February, 1941–42, were sent to England for slaughter; and how do they compare with the figures for the corresponding months of 1940–41?

The percentage of the fat sheep purchased by the Ministry of Food in Scotland which were sent to England for slaughter during December, January and February, 1941–42, and 1940–41, were as follows:—

		1941–42.	1940–41.
December	…	5·8	3·0
January	…	16·9	5·3
February	…	11·3	10·5

But the total number of sheep, both alive and as carcases, sent to England form Scotland during the same three months was much less in 1941–42 than in 1940–41.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice of the War Damage Commission, when temporary repairs are necessary, due to enemy action and such works are executed by the owner, to make payment in respect of labour and material?

Where a claim for a temporary works or cost of works payment covers works carried out by the claimant himself, the Commission pays the cost of the materials and, provided he shows that he lost earnings as a result of doing the works himself, such sum on account of his labour as is reasonable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the waste of electricity taking place in the lighting arrangements adopted by automatic machine saloons, which are usually kept illuminated during daylight hours; and if he will take steps to put a strict limit on the number of lamps to be used?

I am considering the question of restricting lighting arrangements in commercial establishments generally, and I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for his suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the continued shortage of rubber footwear for children; and whether he will make arrangements for larger imports of the manufacture in this country of an increased proportion of children's rubber footwear?

I regret that available rubber supplies do not permit the maintenance of home production of rubber footwear for children at the former level. Nor can we now expect further shipments from overseas. I hope, however, to arrange for the production of a certain quantity in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to secure an increase in the proportion of boys' boots manufactured, with a view to mitigating the present shortage?

The production of boys' boots and shoes has been increased in the last year and is now near the peace-time level. This should satisfy any reasonable demand. It is not possible to spare labour and raw materials to increase production further.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of inspections that took place in the coalmines of Great Britain for the year 1941 on behalf of the workmen, namely, periodical inspections under Section 16, Coal Mines Act, 1911, and compulsory partial inspections scheme agreed to by the Mining Association of Great Britain and the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain, respectively; and if he will give the same information in regard to the county of Durham?

During last year 5,689 inspections were made at 520 mines by representatives of the workmen under Section 16 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and copies of their reports were furnished to the divisional inspectors. These totals include 1,765 inspections at 129 mines in the county of Durham. Other inspections on behalf of the workmen were made under the agreement of March, 1941, between the Mining Association and the Mineworkers' Federation. These were reported to the divisional inspector in some cases but not in all, and I am unable, therefore, to give the figures.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the percentage of sickness, accident and voluntary absenteeism in the Frickley, Grimthorpe and Hatfield pits for May, 1941, September, 1941, and January, 1942;(2) The figures for sickness, accident and voluntary absenteeism of coal-face workers, other underground workers and surface workers in the South Yorkshire coalfield for the month of January, 1942?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to give statistics of the type asked for. In any case, it is not practicable, within the limits of Question and answer, to present a true picture.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now follow up the Prime Minister's favourable reply on an earlier occasion by naming one of the new battleships after Admiral Blake?

As a Somerset man, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see the name "Blake" given to one of our new ships. It has not been found possible, however, to give this name to one of our new battleships which have already been named. The question of naming another ship after Admiral Blake will not be lost sight of.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has approved the arrangement between insurance practitioners under the British Medical Association protection of practices schemes, in view of the fact that they are an infringement of the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Regulations, 1936?

As my hon. Friend has been informed on other occasions the Regulations of 1936 have been amended so as to empower Insurance Committees to give effect to the arrangements embodied in the British Medical Association's scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can arrange for an additional number of Italian prisoners of war to be allotted to the Leicestershire and Rutland Prisoners of War Camp for agricultural work in those counties?

I have been asked to reply. When it is possible to bring further Italian prisoners of war to this country for agricultural work, it is intended that some of them shall be available in Leicester and Rutland.