asked the Secretary for Mines when the Coal Commission will issue a report of their work since the establishment of the commission; and showing what is now the position in regard to mining royalty rents?

The reports of the Coal Commission for the years 1938 and 1939 were laid before Parliament in accordance with Section 57 (b) of the Coal Act, 1938. They were printed and published by order of this House (H.C. 122–1940). The report for 1940 was presented to Parliament in September, 1941, but, owing to wartime restrictions, was not printed. The report for 1941 is likely to be presented during the next few weeks. The position in regard to mining royalty rents is that they are payable to the private royalty owners until they pass to the Coal Commission on the 1st July, 1942, as provided for by the Act.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement with regard to the extent to which the Government coal-dumps in Birmingham are now being drawn upon in order to relieve the shortage of household coal?

The Adderley Street dump in Birmingham is being drawn upon to the extent of approximately 100 tons daily. The supply position in Birmingham is improving.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of local fuel overseers; the cost of their salaries or honoraria; and the cost for rent, staff, etc., per annum.

There are at present approximately 1,650 local fuel overseers, of whom some act in an entirely voluntary capacity without salary or honorarium. Claims from local authorities for the repayment of expenses incurred in the administration of the Fuel and Lighting Orders are made quarterly in arrear and there is generally a considerable delay in the presentation of the claims. Repayment to local authorities during the financial year ended 31st March, 1941, was as follows:—

asked the Secretary for Petroleum what are the factors which recently necessitated an increase in the price of petrol of 1d. per gallon?

The factors are an increase in f.o.b. costs and ocean freights.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will give an undertaking that consumers of gas and electricity who economise forthwith in their consumption of fuel will not be penalised under the proposed rationing scheme by finding that their allotted quota is based on their reduced consumption during the present months;(2) whether he is aware that, in view of the proposed scheme for rationing electricity and gas, many persons are now using as much as possible in order to qualify for the maximum ration; and whether he will make some announcement to discourage this unnecessary waste?

My right hon. Friend will do his best to ensure that consumers who economise forthwith in the use of gas and electricity will not be penalised in the rationing scheme on that account, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that, if there are unpatriotic consumers who are wasting gas and electricity in the hope of qualifying for a larger ration, they shall not benefit thereby.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the organisation set up in his Department to regulate prices of commodities is adequate for its purpose; and whether anything further can be done to limit the disquieting rise in price of various commodities in ordinary domestic use?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given yesterday to similar Questions on this matter, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consult with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Minister of Labour as to the desirability of inviting agricultural workers in the West Indian Colonies to come to Great Britain for work on the land for the duration of the war?

I understand that the question of bringing over labour from the West Indies for civilian work is at present receiving consideration by the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Minister of Labour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics which show by what percentage each county has increased its output of the main agricultural products during the past two years; and, if so, whether he will arrange for the publication of such statistics in order to encourage the competitive spirit?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to publish statistics of agricultural production. Moreover to publish the percentage increase in output for different counties would be misleading on account of the inherent differences in local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Fighting Services, munitions works and many Government Departments are now working a seven-day week in the interests of the war, he will arrange for agriculture equally to be operated on a seven-day week basis with the necessary additional labour supplied by part-time voluntary workers?

I am sure farmers and farm workers will not hesitate to work all possible hours in their vital tasks of food production, but they clearly need regular rest days and, moreover, although part-time workers are giving valuable assistance in many parts of the country—particularly during seasonal pressure—the number of persons free to give such help regularly is much too small to enable farms as a whole to be run on a seven-day basis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries whether he is satisfied that adequate steps have been taken to increase the catch of elvers from the River Severn; and whether he will consider taking further action in view of the excellent food now going to waste?

My efforts to increase supplies of eels or elvers for food are being mainly concentrated on the catching of mature eels, of which large quantities are available in our various inland waters. I assume that the local practice on the Severn of taking elvers for food in the spring is being followed this season. It can at best, however, make only a trifling addition to our food supply, and is bound to be adversely affected this year by the limited supply of labour and hampering effect of black-out restrictions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the amount of fish landed in the North of England during the last six months and its distribution, seeing that householders are unable to get any?

It is not in the national interests to disclose in war-time the quantities of food arriving in this country but fish landings during the past winter months have been exceptionally small owing to unusually bad weather conditions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what extent the total supplies of feeding-stuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry, will be diminished as a result of the decision to introduce the national wholemeal loaf for home consumption?

It is not in the national interest that details of the supplies of feeding stuffs should be disclosed. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his Question on 18th March that the supplies of feeding stuffs available will be sufficient to maintain, until the end of August, the scale of rations allowed to livestock.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state the source from which a gaming house, kept by Celeste Quattromini, at Great Newport Street, West, secured the supplies of food found on the premises on a police inspection; and whether he is taking any steps in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The matter is being investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the present position of the Scientific Food Committee which was described in the Debate on 18th July, 1940, as advising the Minister on measures dealing with bread; and whether this committee has been superseded in this respect by his scientific advisers?

I have been asked to reply. The function.- of the Scientific Food Committee have not been amended. The answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the discontent caused by a widespread belief that people who can afford meals at expensive hotels or restaurants can obtain rationed foods without limit, thereby reducing the amount of these foods available for everyone else; and whether he will prohibit the serving of eggs or rationed meat in meals costing over a certain price, as no other measure or statement will suffice to remove this belief?

There is no ground for any belief such as is referred to by my hon. Friend. Hotels and restaurants like other commercial catering establishments obtain supplies of rationed foods on a strictly limited basis. The total quantity of rationed food consumed in such hotels and restaurants is too small to have any effect on the domestic ration of meat or any other commodity. Restaurants obtain no supply of shell eggs, and hotels obtain these only on the basis of the number of residents. I see no reason to prohibit tie service of eggs and rationed meat in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the prices realised at the auction of wines and spirits conducted by W. and T. Restell on the 25th, 26th and 27th February, 1942; and to the fact that some of these wines were being disposed of on the instruction of a Government Department, namely, the Admiralty Marshal, and that some of the prices realised range from four to eight times the pre-war price; and whether he will take steps to impose maximum prices on wines and spirits sold by auction, and consult with the Attorney-General with a view to restraining the Admiralty Marshal from assisting in building up a black market?

My Noble Friend is at present considering the whole question of the sale and distribution of wines and spirits including their sale by auction, but I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject at present. As regards the second part of the Question I would remind my hon. Friend that the Admiralty Marshal is not responsible to any Government Department but is an executive officer of the court. I am informed, however, that it is his intention to arrange for the sale by private treaty of any wines and spirits which may in future be seized as prize.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that men are being tried by Czech courts-martial for offences alleged to have been committed at dates prior to the passing of the Allied Armies Act, 1940, usually for offences committed in France; and what steps he is taking in the matter, in view of the assurance given by him on 21st August, 1940, that legislation cannot have retrospective effect unless this is provided for in the Act?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information as to the dates of the alleged commission of offences tried by Czecho-Slovak courts-martial, but I am causing inquiries to be made on this point. Some offences, such as desertion, are continuing offences and the date of the passage of the Allied Forces Act, 1940, to which, I presume, my hon. Friend refers, is accordingly not the sole criterion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made against George Cull, for stealing 460,000 cigarettes and two motor cars, at the Southampton Police Court on Saturday, 14th March; whether any other men were charged; who bought the cigarettes and the two motor cars; and what action he intends taking?

George Cull and another man have been charged with stealing two consignments of cigarettes and two motor cars, and have been committed for trial at the Southampton borough quarter sessions which are due to be held at the end of this month. The matter is still sub judice, and I am therefore not in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the daily war expenditure is much higher than is justified by the results, since the practice of paying contractors cost plus 10 per cent. for Government work leads to contractors paying wages out of all proportion to the pay in the Services, and encourages them to keep the work going as long as possible; and, in the interests of economy, will he now put a stop to this form of contract?

I dealt with this subject in some detail on the Report of the Vote of Credit on 1st October last. It is a misapprehension to suppose that many Government contracts are on the basis of allowing a contractor a percentage of his costs by way of profit, thus giving him an inducement to swell his costs. Such contracts are quite rare, being practically confined to small urgent building jobs when it is not possible to define the scope of the work in advance. I agree that their widespread adoption would be open to great objection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider abolishing the use of National Health Insurance and Unemployment stamps in order to economise in labour and paper?

The purpose of the insurance stamp, like that of the postage stamp, is to provide the necessary proof that the payment due has actually been made. I am advised that there is no more economical method by which this could be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the reduced petrol ration will lower the possible mileage of private motor-cars, he intends to make a corresponding reduction in the cost of licences?

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much timber was used in building the mock battleship in Trafalgar Square in connection with the Warship Week; how many men were employed and the total cost of same?

Of the 15,000 feet of "three by one" timber used, 8,000 feet was old material lent from store by the contractors while at least 5,600 feet of the remainder will also be available for further use. Twenty-two men were employed at various times and for various periods. The total cost is £672 12s.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to introduce the Allied Forces Bill giving to foreign Governments established in this country the power to conscript their nationals?

Considerable progress has been made in preparing legislation upon the complicated question of the military conscription of Allied nationals whose Governments are in this country, and there has been consultation with the Governments concerned. I hope that it will be possible to introduce a Bill after Easter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the percentage of recruits in West Africa and the West Indies who were rejected on medical grounds; what percentage of those accepted into the Forces had to receive medical or dental treatment; what were the main defects and complaints; and whether comparative records can be given of the weight and health of the men on recruitment and six and 12 months later?

The information requested by my hon. Friend is not available here. The local authorities, military or civil, are being consulted, and on the receipt of their replies, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Wages Board, recently set up in Kingston, Jamaica, is taking active steps to remove the anomalies between the stationary wages and the rising cost of living, concerning which there is much public discontent?

The Governor of Jamaica has now received the reports of the Wages Board and the Prices Board, both of which contain recommendations for meeting the problem of the rising cost of living, and is already taking action in the light of these reports.

asked 1he Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many London postal superintending officers are willing to be transferred to other Departments to assist in the war effort; and whether he will invite applications for potential vacancies from among these officers?

Yes, Sir. I have continuously under consideration the question of employing such of the higher officers, both of the London on and the Provincial postal service, as can be spared for positions in other Government Departments where their experience would be helpful to the war effort. Specific vacancies are brought under the notice of the staff from time to time, but they have not hitherto been sufficiently numerous to justify the formation of a pool of officers willing to be transferred.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of overtime paid in his Department for the last month for which figures are available; and has any improvement been math in the peacetime system of checking overtime to ensure that the worker has worked 100 per cent. in his ordinary time before working overtime?

During the four weeks ended 31st January last approximately £265,000 was paid for overtime worked in the Post Office, excluding payments made for routine Sunday attendances to provide for postal and telecommunication services on that day, that is roughly 5s. a head per week when spread over 260,000 members of overtime classes in the Post Office. All overtime has to be certified by a responsible a higher official, and I am satisfied that overtime is not authorised unless the officers concerned have first performed their ordinary duty in full.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the case of correspondence addressed to Army Post Office 1625 and paid for at air-mail rates, delivery by air-mail is guaranteed; and, if not, will the difference between air-mail and ordinary postage be refunded to the sender?

The Army Postal Service is not in a position to guarantee that correspondence addressed to an Army Post Office number will be despatched by air mail in all cases, since no air mail service may be in operation; but such correspondence, if appropriately prepaid, is forwarded by air mail whenever possible. It is the practice to arrange to refund the difference between the air and the ordinary postage rate, on production of the cover, in any case where a letter has been prepaid for, but has not received, air transmission. I appreciate that this procedure is somewhat cumbersome and I propose to consider in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, whether it is not possible to devise a system which, while complying with security requirements, is simple of operation.

asked the Minister of Supply what authority is responsible for the collection of salvage in the London docks; when the last survey of available salvage in this area was made; and if the present position is considered satisfactory?

The clearance from warehouses, sheds, canteens, etc., in the London docks of day-to-day arisings such as waste paper, kitchen waste, rope and scrap iron and steel, is the responsibility of the Port of London Authority who have made running contracts for the purpose. The local authority for the district concerned arranges for the clearance of salvable waste from ships on being notified by the Port of London Authority that the material is ready for collection. Sir Warren Fisher, the Special Commissioner in the London Region, has, since the beginning of December, 1941, been responsible for making the goods in warehouses damaged by enemy action accessible to the Departments interested and for disposing of the building materials recovered therefrom. It has not been thought necessary to make a general survey as the salvage is collected promptly as and when occasion arises.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to make any further announcement about the appointment of a committee to consider and report upon the training of teachers and youth leaders?

Yes, Sir, I have now appointed a Committee to investigate the present sources of supply and the methods of recruitment and training of teachers and youth leaders and to report what principles should guide the Board in these matters in the future. I am happy to say that Dr. A. D. McNair, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, has consented to be Chairman of the Committee. The Chairman will have power to co-opt other persons to serve on any sub-committee, particularly in regard to the training of youth leaders, as the committee may decide to appoint.The names of the Committee are:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings when it is proposed to repair the damage done to property in residential roads in the borough of Tottenham during the collection of railings campaign?

The work of repair in Tottenham is now in hand.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether arrangements can be made for the Scientific Advisory Council and the Engineering Advisory Committee to issue annual or periodic reports to Parliament so that Members may be aware of what has been achieved by these bodies and what problems still await solution?

No, Sir. The work of these two committees, like that of other committees of the War Cabinet, is secret.

asked the Secretary of State for War why chief recruiting officers were not granted an increase in pay similar to that granted to recruiting officers?

The pay of recruiting officers was increased in consequence of a decision that retired officers, re-employed on a fixed salary, under the terms of the Pay Warrant of 1940, should get a minimum rate of £350 a year. Officers drawing salaries in excess of that figure were not affected by this change.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether steps will be taken to supply buttons which do not need polishing on the greatcoats of the Army and the Home Guard in order to save brushes and polishing material?

Plastic buttons will take the place of brass buttons in all future supplies of greatcoats. These will be issued when the existing stocks of greatcoats with brass buttons have been exhausted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in all discussions on the subject of increasing the numbers in the Home Guard by conscription, due consideration will be given to the question of the advisability of training rather than putting emphasis on the difficulty of providing arms?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how much petrol was stolen from Army stores; and how much petrol had to be written off unaccounted for in the year ended 31st December, 1941?

The figures are not available,- but the amount involved in relation to the total consumption is certainly very small indeed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the waste of petrol involved in taking cooked meals round to outlying posts in large Army lorries; and whether arrangements can be made to make such units more independent?

The use of unnecessarily large vehicles for carrying small loads is already forbidden and if my hon. Friend can give particulars of such use I shall be glad to look into them. I am at present looking into the centralised cooking system by which small detached units are now fed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that vehicles and ether objects of military importance are still to be seen which, although painted in two colours, are devoid of the violent contrast in tone upon which the effectiveness of this type of camouflage, except at short distances, depends; that certain foreign Powers are making use of this originally British type of camouflage correctly carried out; and whether, if in the public interest, he is prepared to make a statement?

The principles to which my hon. Friend refers are well understood and fully applied under appropriate conditions. It would not, however, be in the public interest to make any precise statement about the methods of camouflage employed in the British Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is with his knowledge and concurrence that the Board of Trade refuses to issue coupons to enable non-commissioned officers and men of the Services to obtain pyjamas; and whether the embargo applies to all ranks now issued with coupons?

No coupons are issued to other ranks, to whom all articles of clothing, which are considered essential, are provided direct from Army stores. Officers, to whom no free issue is made, are supplied with coupons with which to buy the articles of clothing they require.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of a graduate of London University, details of which have been sent to him, and which reveal a wasteful use of special technical knowledge and experience in a branch of science in which demand for men so qualified is particularly urgent, with a view to improving the use of man-power in this respect?

This man was called up in error and the appropriate authority has been asked to recommend whether he should be released to civilian work of national importance. When their decision is received I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the cost of maintaining a Service cadet at Oxford and at Cambridge under the scheme of university short-courses; and, in view of the earlier call-up, what justification there now is for this scheme?

The cost of keeping a cadet at the University for the six months' course is £86 8s. It is difficult to find from the ranks enough men qualified to meet the very heavy demand for technical officers, and these courses provide a means of completing their training more quickly and at an earlier age than would otherwise be possible. The courses are open to students of all secondary schools. By using the facilities existing at the Universities we avoid having to set up a special establishment on the lines of the peace-time Royal Military Academy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has later information of conditions in the prisoners of war camp at Sulmona in Italy, especially as regards heating, accommodation and the receipt of parcels?

The latest report upon this camp shows a marked improvement in heating and accommodation. A full supply of food parcels was despatched from Geneva in January.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the number of recent prosecutions against managers and others associated with the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes canteens, in various parts of the country, he will hold an inquiry into the administration of that organisation?

No, Sir. The Board of Management of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes was reconstituted a year ago, and the prosecutions now taking place are due to the vigorous measures taken by the Board to stamp out malpractices. The Service Departments and the Ministry of Food have been kept fully informed throughout.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he has taken to ensure proper economy in the use of petrol, oil and tyres, in respect of all road vehicles owned, used, or operated by the Royal Air Force at home?

Regulations are in force throughout the Royal Air Force enjoining the strictest economy in the use by mechanical transport of petrol and oil and specifying the measures which are to be taken for ensuring that consumption is kept to the lowest practicable level. Thus, the use of mechanical transport is forbidden where adequate public transport services are available; and where the use of Service transport is unavoidable, vehicles of the lowest power suitable for the work in hand are to be employed. Runs are to be co-ordinated as far as possible in order to obviate unnecessary journeys. Instructions have also been issued in regard to the conservation of tyres. These deal with such matters as care and maintenance, retreading and the technique of economical driving. The whole subject is under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement in regard to the exchange of British and Japanese diplomats?

The negotiations for the exchange of British and Japanese diplomatic and consular officials are proceeding, but have not yet been completed. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have acted in this matter in consultation with the Dominion and Allied Governments and it is hoped that the exchange will take place at Lourenco Marques, but it is not yet possible to say on what date this will be arranged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the names of those at present constituting the National Maritime Board, giving their ages, length of sea service and date when last serving afloat?

The full National Maritime Board includes 72 representatives of the shipowners and 72 representatives elected by the different officers' and men's Societies. I should not in present circumstances feel justified in calling for the information suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the approximate date when the new Waterloo Bridge will be open for vehicular traffic?

It is hoped that this bridge will be opened to general traffic in September next.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can make a statement about fares for part-time cadets of the Fighting Services travelling to their headquarters or local centres in connection with their training?

Arrangements are being made for these youths, when travelling to their headquarters, local centres or camps, in connection with their training, to obtain reduced fares on presentation of an appropriate voucher. The arrangements will come into operation as soon as details have been settled.