asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he has considered a letter from the town clerk of the borough of Willesden recording the protest of the members of that council at the manner in which the iron gates, bollards and railings are being removed, the disregard of the damage caused to dwarf walls and tiled paths, and the makeshift character of the repairs effected where owners have asked for them; and will he take steps to ensure that this wilful damage ceases and all necessary repairs are carried out in a satisfactory manner?

Yes, Sir. The damage referred to has been due in part to the difficulty experienced by the contractor in obtaining suitable labour, but to some extent damage is unavoidable owing to the nature of the structures. The damage will be repaired as soon as possible within the limitations imposed by the shortage of labour and materials.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, what proportion of the fees, amounting to £358,000, paid to Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners by his Ministry during the period December, 1940, to March, 1942, is retained by the firm; and whether he has any right of access to their books to ascertain the profit made by them?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to a Question addressed to me by him on the 11th February last, the sum of £358,000 is an estimate of the amount which will fall to be paid to the firm as outgoings on salaries and wages of staff, fees of quantity surveyors and specialist consultants and other disbursements, including a proportion of head office costs for rent, rates and other office expenses. The sum actually paid will be the amount of the firm's actual outgoings under these heads as shown in their accounts and checked by the Ministry. No portion of this sum will be retained by the firm except the proportion for head office costs referred to above. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, in a case, of which he has been informed, where his Department requisitioned land, buildings, growing crops, farm implements and furniture five months ago and for which no payment has yet been made, he will authorise the immediate payment of a proportion of the compensation claimed, so that the claimant, a serving officer, may purchase a new house, in view of the fact that the option on this house is expiring and that the claimant agreed to accept the decision of the official arbitrator and, if necessary, to deposit the deeds of the new place?

About 130 acres of land including a cottage, but not the mansion house, and certain furniture and other chattels were requisitioned from the claimant. The major part of the land is pasture and woodland, but there is also a kitchen garden containing growing crops. The major part of the furniture was placed in store and was not requisitioned. The claimant is still in possession of the cottage. No claim for payment of compensation under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, has been received. The Department is always willing to consider making a payment on account of compensation. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, it is proposed to purchase the claimant's interest on a basis agreed and the matter is being expedited as much as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings the number of people for whom it has been decided to build hostels, for either the Ministry of Supply, the Ministry of Aircraft Production or any other Departments requiring such accommodation for war workers; and the number of hostels already completed?

I assume that by war workers my hon. Friend means those engaged in munition factories, aircraft factories and dockyards, together with agricultural workers. My Department is building accommodation for 46,000 single workers and, in addition, hostels to house 6,400 married men with their families. Quarters for a total of some 24,000 of these have been completed. The two other Departments named are building similar accommodation on their own account, but I have no up-to-date information as to the amount completed or in hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of civilian manufactured and tailored clothing exported from this country for the 14 months from the 1st January, 1941, to the end of February, 1942?

As has been stated in reply to previous Questions, publication of particulars of our oversea trade has been suspended since the outbreak of war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the date of the last publication of the Board of Trade Statistical Abstract of Accounts?

The last issue of the Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom, relating to the years 1924 to 1938, was published in July, 1940.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty nurses have in supplying themselves with black uniform and also civilian stockings with only one lot of coupons; and whether he will allow nurses a few extra coupons so as to help them with their uniform stockings?

No, Sir, nurses, who receive a considerable coupon concession for the rest of their uniform clothes, have no greater wear and tear on their stock- ings than many other types of active workers. The wearing of different coloured stockings on and off duty does not entail extra wear and tear.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a reduction in the number of coupons required by women workers in the slipper industry for the purchase of overalls, owing to the exceptional wear and tear due to contact with machinery, and the fact that no less than seven coupons are required for each pair of sleeveless overalls?

My hon. Friend is misinformed. In addition to the range of industrial overalls with sleeves at three and four coupons according to type, sleeveless overalls with open backs are also available at three coupons. I have no evidence that these types are unsuitable for women workers in the slipper industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet succeeded in making arrangements for members of the Women's Land Army to be allowed to use Services' canteens?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the success of the scheme started by the Women's Voluntary Service at Fulford, Yorkshire, for the growing of sugar-beet in village and suburban gardens, he will recommend this scheme to other districts in areas within easy access of beet factories so that, in the aggregate, many tons of sugar will be produced and shipping space saved?

I have no information about the scheme referred to, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars I will consider his suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of farm workers out of employment at the present time; and the reason for such unemployment?

Statistics of the numbers unemployed in particular industries are not now available for publication and I regret therefore that I am unable to supply the information desired.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider instituting a scientific advisory council to collaborate with the director of scientific research in connection with the work in naval establishments?

As has been announced in this House there is, under the chairmanship of the Director of Scientific Research, a scientific advisory panel, consisting of two eminent scientists and two specially selected naval officers. This panel has already carried out a number of inquiries and has visited the most important naval establishments in which research is conducted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he received information that the German battleships lately in Brest were in a condition to leave harbour in the days immediately preceding their departure?

I regret that I cannot add anything to the statements already made to the House.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that many flat dwellers have agreements with their landlords to supply them with adequate heat and light, he will ensure that under any rationing scheme steps will be taken to regularise the position between landlord and tenant in this respect on a fair and equitable basis?

Consideration of the point which my hon. Friend makes must depend very largely on the terms of the scheme for rationing heat and light which my hon. Friend proposes to introduce in due course. I will draw my hon. Friend's attention to the point raised in the Question.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the Metropolitan police are engaged in guard and escort duties over personnel of the Japanese embassy and consulate; and what is the cost of this service weekly?

The total number of police officers at present employed in each period of 24 hours on these duties is 59. It is not possible to form any accurate estimate of the cost involved since the officers perform other duties in part of their time. The arrangement is of course a temporary one pending the repatriation of these persons who, while they remain here, are by international usage entitled to reasonable treatment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider transferring personnel of the Japanese embassy and consulate to an internment camp or other place of detention in order to avoid members of the Metropolitan police being employed for their surveillance?

The members of the Embassy are entitled to the treatment and protection prescribed by international law and custom until it becomes possible for them to leave this country. Meanwhile they and the consular personnel have been concentrated in the Embassy premises in order to simplify the task of the police in looking after them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will call the attention of those in charge of Civil Defence report and control centres where young persons are continuously employed, where artificial lighting only is used and where the Factories Act and regulations do not apply, to the importance of arranging the lighting so that eye-strain may be avoided as far as possible and that the lights are turned away from the eyes and on to the work?

The use of artificial lighting in these centres, in view of the standard of protection necessarily provided, is inevitable. It should have been installed with due regard to the avoidance of eye-strain, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any centre where this is not so I will have the case brought to the notice of the responsible local authority.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the decision to economise material by simplifying the design of officers' uniforms, why the design of air-raid precautions wardens' new greatcoats has not also been modified, so as to ensure economy in material?

The Civil Defence greatcoat is based on an Army pattern for other ranks with one or two slight modifications made to economise material. I am satisfied that the conditions of duty and exposure under which Civil Defence Services work require a coat of this length and type, and am doubtful whether there is any room for further economies. I am, however, looking into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a fashion show was held in Holloway gaol on 18th March; that a hall was provided as a show room; that mannequins were allowed to parade for the benefit of Lady Mosley and other women detained under Regulation 18B; and whether, in view of the fact that the wives and daughters of industrial workers have now no choice in relation to their purchases, he will explain his reason for allowing this proceeding?

I am glad to have an opportunity of stating the facts about this arrangement. There was no fashion show and no parade of mannequins. Persons detained under Defence Regulation 18B are not kept under punitive conditions and, among other things, they are allowed to purchase clothing from their own funds. In view of the clerical and other work occasioned to the staff at Holloway Prison by the ordering of goods by post, arrangements were made with a firm near to the prison to send some goods to the prison so that the women might make their purchases on a cash basis. This arrangement has proved to be much less troublesome to the prison authorities than purchase through the post. No question arises of privileged treatment for the persons detained under the Regulation. They are, of course, subject to the same rationing restrictions as other people.

asked the Home Secretary the ratios between the numbers of unpaid and paid Civil Defence workers, excluding members of the National Fire Service, in England and Wales and in Scotland at the latest convenient date?

On the basis of the latest available figures, paid personnel in the Civil Defence General Services comprise roughly 1–6th of the total in England and Wales and in Scotland approximately 1–11th. The employment of whole-time personnel was, generally speaking, authorised only in the larger built-up areas and comparisons country by country are, therefore, misleading. There are striking variations region by region. In Wales the proportion of paid to unpaid personnel in the general services is roughly 1 to 22.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that officers are entitled to full military rations less the supper element, he will arrange with the Service Departments that officers' messes should not be allowed to buy food in the open market except to bring their entitlement in food up to the standard allowed to other ranks?

The arrangements made for the supply of rationed foods to officers' messes in the three Services vary, but in all cases the supply is subject to the limitations in force for other ranks. My Noble Friend would not feel justified in recommending the prohibition of purchases in the open market of unrationed foods for officers' messes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will look into the case of Mr. V. H. Wise, of Overbury Poultry Farm, near Tewkesbury, whose egg-packer's licence, No. 552, together with many others similarly situated is in jeopardy owing to a proposed action by the Ministry of Food; what compensation is going to be given in such cases, and whether he will make every endeavour to refrain from discriminating against small men throughout the industry?

The Ministry of Food has been considering, in conjunction with the national organisation representing packers, the steps which should be taken at the present time to achieve the utmost possible economy in the use of transport, petrol and man-power. Schemes of economy have been prepared for each area, and most of these schemes involve the closing down of a number of redundant packing stations. Arrangements are being considered by the packers whereby the redundant packers will be compensated from a fund contributed to by the packers remaining in business. I can assure my hon. Friend that under these economy schemes no discrimination is being made against the small man, the sole test being whether the packing station in question is necessary, having regard to the needs of the area and the necessity for achieving the utmost possible economy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is still the practice of his Department to appoint local food executive officers on the nomination of the local food control committees; what instructions his Department has issued that such nominations shall be confined to persons already serving under the Department; when were these issued; and what notification of this change of policy was given to food control committees?

When a vacancy for a food executive officer arises, the food control committee concerned is asked to recommend candidates. Food executive officers are members of the staff of the Ministry and it is the responsibility of my Department to make the appointment. There is no bar to consideration of persons outside the Ministry's service but, in view of the complexity of food control, prior experience is a factor of considerable importance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give an estimate of the expenditure incurred up to date in promoting the fortified white loaf announced in July, 1941, including the cost of provision of factories in this country for the manufacture of synthetic Vitamin B1, and of the supply furnished in Canada and in the United States of America; the payment of royalties in respect of the patents for production of this artificial vitamin and for bleaching the flour respectively, and the sums payable by way of compensation to the firms in this country and in Canada whose contracts will cease with the cessation of the milling of white flour?

I regret that I am not able to supply the estimate asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he intends to continue the scheme whereby cosmestics are sold at Royal Ordnance Factories to the female staff?

My right hon. Friend is reviewing the whole question of the sale at Royal Ordnance Factories of personal commodities, including cosmetics. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the purpose of the pamphlet entitled "British Tanks" and what was the cost of issue?

The pamphlet was issued in order to satisfy the natural desire of factory workers, war sayings contributors and taxpayers generally, for more information about the tanks which they are helping to produce. The cost has been more than covered by the sale proceeds.

asked the Minister of Production what reply he has forwarded to Lincoln Traffic's, Limited, in response to their telegram re non-delivery of a 10 R.B. excavator due the 25th instant; and whether he will undertake to hold an immediate inquiry on the spot?

I have been asked to reply. I am making urgent inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether "any encouragement has been given to civil servants to help with munition manufacture or farm work in their spare time; and with what results?

No such encouragement has been given, and I find it hard to see how civil servants who are fully employed in their ordinary vocations could make any useful contribution to the munitions and farming industries.

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

The amount for the month of February, 1942, was £1,181. I am satisfied that the amount of paid overtime is at all times limited to the minimum necessary to the adequate discharge of the work.

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

The amount paid in overtime to the staffs of all offices of the Home Office and Ministry of Home Security including regional offices during the month of January, 1942, was £9,200. Supervising officers are required to satisfy themselves that the staff are fully employed at all times and that the amount of overtime is no more than is necessary to cope with the work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether instructions will be issued to the British Forces fighting in the Far East that, in conflicts with the Japanese, no quarter is to be given or accepted?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will lay upon the Table the most recent orders issued to the home Forces about avoiding waste of petrol?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what effective steps have been taken by the Army authorities, in view of the restrictions being imposed on the civil population, to put an end to the wasteful use of petrol?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement I made on this subject in the Debate on the Army Estimates on 19th February last, of which I am sending them copies. The relevant orders are contained in a number of Army Council Instructions, which it is not customary to make public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now make any pronouncement as to the terms and permitted conditions by which servicemen in dance orchestras and concert parties may in future accept civilian engagements for entertaining the general public; and what action he has taken to deal with the evidence remitted to him during the past four weeks?

I have been making thorough inquiries into the cases to which my hon. Friend drew my attention. As a result, I have reached the conclusion that a considerable tightening up of the existing regulations is necessary. A revised Army Council Instruction is now in the process of preparation. I will inform my hon. Friend when it is issued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will instruct divisional and corps commanders as to the undesirability of selecting Easter Sunday for arranging military exercises involving the full whole-day mobilisation of the Home Guard and other local defence services?

I am not aware that any such whole-day exercises have been arranged to take place on Easter Sunday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to make available Regular officers to assist in the training of the Home Guard?

On 24th March I announced the decision to appoint serving officers both as adjutants and as quartermasters in Home Guard battalions. As a further step, it has been decided to appoint serving officers from the Regular Army of the rank of major or lieut.-colonel on an approximate scale of one to every three battalions, with the express object of assisting in Home Guard training.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Home Guard medical units cannot obtain supplies of morphia until invasion commences; and by what means morphia is to be distributed under invasion conditions?

Home Guard medical units do not exist. Supplies of morphia, however, are included in the medical equipment already issued to those Home Guard battalions for which a regimental aid post has been authorised. Arrangements have been made for the distribution of morphia to commanders of isolated posts when invasion is imminent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain local authorities, under invasion conditions, would probably not be able to evacuate Home Guard casualties; and whether Home Guard units are provided with sufficient equipment to enable them to treat their own casualties until evacuation becomes possible?

Yes, Sir. Under certain conditions, it may be impossible to evacuate casualties, either military or civil. Home Guard units are, however, provided with sufficient equipment to enable them to give first aid treatment to casualties until they can be taken over by either the civil or the military medical services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received about the dilatory action of local medical war committees and their refusal to hear representatives of the Home Guard when discussing Home Guard affairs and whether he proposes to take any steps towards improving the existing situation?

Very few complaints have been received and these have been looked into. An Army Council Instruction, whose terms have been agreed with the Central Medical War Committee, will be published shortly and should remove any misunderstandings.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decisive contribution made to the success of warship weeks by the use of military bands, he will consider stationing such bands at large centres of the civilian population where they can play a useful part in sustaining the high spirit of the people?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to him on the 17th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the date on which authority was granted to eligible officers and other ranks to wear the ribbon of the Mons Star and the 1914–15 Star, respectively?

The 1914 Star was authorised on 24th November, 1917, and the 1914–15 Star on 23rd December, 1918. Under the relevant Army Orders officers and other ranks become entitled to the star and riband of each on satisfying the War Office of their eligibility.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will now give an assurance that conscientious objectors who renounce their objection to join the Royal Army Medical Corps will be retained in that Corps, and not transferred to any other branch of His Majesty's forces?

A man who has been exempted as a conscientious objector from military service, but subsequently renounces his objection so far as to be willing to join the Royal Army Medical Corps, will in no circumstances be posted to a combatant arm and will normally remain in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the lieutenant-general in command of a certain anti-aircraft corps, the identity of which has been communicated to his Department, has issued an order containing the words, "From now on, spit and polish is the order of the day," as a result of which paint and camouflage has been removed from anti-aircraft guns and they have been polished so as to shine in the sun; that the training of troops under his command has been practically suspended for a week in order that they may carry out this order; that it is likely to give direct and indirect assistance to the enemy; and whether he will immediately have inquiries made with a view to revoking this order and removing the person who made it?

The necessity for the concealment of guns should of course, be well understood by all troops. It appears that an order of this kind was in fact issued, though not, as is suggested, by the corps commander. I have asked the Commander-in-Chief, Anti-Aircraft Command, to inquire into this matter and to take such action as may be necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there has been any hitch in the delivery of Red Cross parcels to Stalag XXI D, Posen, or reports as to no food parcels having arrived and no extra food provided during February; and what action has been taken to augment the food supplies at this camp during the cold weather?

Food parcels are sent regularly from Geneva to this camp, but for the reasons explained by my right hon. and gallant Friend on 17th February there was a temporary reduction in the number despatched about the end of last year. The position generally has now improved and I hope that this camp should by now be receiving regular and sufficient supplies of food.

asked the Secretary of State for India to what extent he is satisfied that India is self-contained in food supplies for its people; and whether all possible steps have been taken by the Government to increase food production and conserve supplies?

India is normally self-supporting in regard to food supplies, except for a varying quantity of rice imported from Burma which rarely exceeds 5 per cent. of the total rice consumed in India. The Government of India, who have to provide not only for the requirements of the civil population but also for certain military commitments and to meet local deficiencies which may result from transport difficulties, have discussed with representatives of the Provincial Governments and the Indian States at recent conferences the prospects of increasing the rice and other food crops in India, and have convened a further conference to take place on 6th April next to consider the steps to be taken to increase both food and fodder production generally as well as the question of regional self-sufficiency.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the closing down of the Blackhall Colliery, Durham; what is the cause; and what action he is taking to secure its reopening?

I am aware that this mine has been idle owing to a dispute since i6th March. The chief conciliation officer of my Department is now in Durham, and I must await his report before making any further statement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some medical men who voluntarily joined the Forces during the war, and for that reason resigned hospital or other professional appointments, were not reappointed on their discharge or release from His Majesty's Forces; and whether he will consult the Emergency Medical Services Committee in order that such men may be reinstated?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the cases which he has in mind I will consider whether I can properly take any action.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many occupations have been deferred under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations since 21st January, 1942; and how many men in each such occupation;(2) how many occupations have been deferred under paragraph 28 of the Schedule of Reserved Occupations as before 31st December, 1941; and how many men in each such occupation?

I am awaiting a letter from my hon. Friend, explaining more precisely what information he desires.

asked the Minister of Labour whether farmers are applying for deferment of their employees, in view of the progressive raising of the ages of reserved occupation under paragraph 10; and to what extent they are refusing to employ women?

The allocation of men in agricultural occupations to the Forces or Civil Defence Services is subject to a special scheme, and, with a few exceptions, occupations peculiar to agriculture are not subject to progressive age raising. Applications for deferment of calling up of men in those occupations are considered by war agricultural executive committees, who have regard to the possibility of substitution by women.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the position of a number of unmarried women between 22 and 30 years of age who were not afforded facilities to register as conscientious objectors in the same way as women of the 20 and 21 age groups; that some of the former group have been prosecuted for failing to comply with directions, which would not have occurred had their names been registered provisionally as conscientious objectors; and whether steps will be taken to remedy the position and remove misunderstandings in future on this point?

Unmarried women between 22 and 30 years of age are entitled to apply to be provisionally registered as conscientious objectors in respect of service with the Forces. Such registration, however, has no bearing on their obligation to comply with directions to perform civilian work, though in practice I do not direct conscientious objectors to perform work closely connected with the military side of the war effort. In the two cases in which there have been prosecutions of conscientious objectors the women had refused to work in hospitals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been, or are being, taken financially to assist the wives and families, both of soldiers and civilians, who have been evacuated from Malaya to this country or elsewhere; what steps are being taken to discover whether male relatives who remained in Malaya are still alive; and whether he is aware that some wives and families now here are without income or means of support other than the assistance of friends and relatives in this country?

Wives and families of soldiers receive the regulated allowance payable when the soldier is missing. Vessels arriving with families of officers and soldiers from Malaya are met at the ports and there informed of the arrangements and are given financial assistance immediately if they need it. As regards civilians, similar rates are provided for dependants of members of the Malayan Volunteer Forces. The dependants of established members of the Malayan Government Services who have been evacuated receive an allowance from the officer's salary, and I understand that many business organisations are following this practice. As regards other civilians evacuated from Malaya to this country or the Dominions, the appropriate general rates of subsistence are applicable, but no specially increased rate of subsistence from public funds is possible in Malayan cases as compared with those who have suffered loss from enemy action in other theatres of war. Vessels arriving from Malaya are met and assistance, financial or other, is given immediately in any necessary case. Endeavours have been and are being made both through the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross Committee to obtain information about British subjects in Malaya and elsewhere. Unfortunately, the Japanese Government have hitherto maintained their absolute refusal to permit the representatives of the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross Committee to carry out their function in territories which have been involved. The Protecting Power is continuing its efforts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the sum of £250,000 collected in the Belgian Congo and presented to His Majesty's Government for the purchase of fighter aircraft for the Royal Air Force?

I am glad to have the opportunity of expressing the gratitude of His Majesty's Government for this most generous gift from the people of the Belgian Congo. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production has already sent a message of appreciation to them. I understand that the money will be applied to the purchase of nearly fifty fighter aircraft, to be flown by the Belgian fighter squadron which is operating in this country with so much distinction and by the Belgian pilots who are serving so gallantly in other squadrons of the Royal Air Force. The aircraft will be named individually in accordance with the wishes of the people of the Belgian Congo.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (i) whether he is aware of the large number of cases in which deductions of Income Tax from wages are wrongly made and that, despite protests by the victims, the deductions continue to be made; and what steps he is taking to secure better assessments;(2) whether he is aware of the unnecessary hardship and suffering imposed upon large numbers of workpeople who have to wait many weeks for the return of money deducted from wages on account of incorrect assessments; and will he take steps to expedite the machinery dealing with such cases?

I propose to deal with the subject of the deduction of tax from wages when making my Budget Statement, but in the meantime I would like to point out that it is an essential feature of the tax deduction scheme that before any tax can be deducted by the employer the wage-earner is given an opportunity of making a return and is sent a notice of assessment against which he can appeal. In the ordinary case therefore the amount of tax to be deducted will have been agreed with the taxpayer before deduction commences. The commonest cause of over-deduction is the failure of the taxpayer to make his return or to appeal against his assessment at the proper time. If the hon. Member has any case in which he considers that there has been hardship or unnecessary delay in rectifying over-deduction, I would be grateful if he would let me have particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the impossibility of simplifying Income Tax as a whole during the war period, he will concentrate upon its simplification for weekly or monthly wage-earners whose incomes do not exceed £500 per annum, and introduce a new tax devoid of complications to be deducted from current wages?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will simplify the procedure for the payment of Income Tax deducted by employers where only a small number of employees are involved by allowing the employer to make one payment and one return of Forms. No. 1 D.S. (H.Y.) and No. 2 D.S. (H.Y.) at the end of the accounting period or upon the departure of the employee if before the end of the period, instead of the monthly payments and monthly renditions of the Form No. 2 D.S. (H.Y.)?

Collectors of taxes have instructions to accept quarterly instead of monthly payment of tax deducted from remuneration in cases where the total amount to be deducted each month does not exceed £1.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Bank of England has made a profit by the sale of its gold stocks in the open market or to the Exchange Equalisation Fund; whether this profit has accrued directly or indirectly to the Treasury; and what is the amount involved?

Since the establishment of the Exchange Equalisation Account all profits made by the Bank of England by the sale of its gold stocks have accrued directly to the Treasury. For reasons of public interest the accounts of the Exchange Equalisation Account, including the surplus, are left unpublished.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual amount the State is now paying towards the cost of old age, widows' and orphans' pensions?

Payments from the Exchequer in the forthcoming financial year towards the Contributory and Non-contributory schemes are estimated at £73,500,000. In addition, the Exchequer has to meet the cost of Supplementary pensions to old age pensioners and to widow pensioners over the age of 60 Which are estimated to cost £30,500,000 in 1942–43, bringing the total charge for the year up to £104,000,000. These figures do not include the cost of war pensions, pensions under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme or pensions to blind persons.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the long hours worked in war industries, and other occupations, by young persons between the ages of 14 and 18 years, he will extend the system of school medical inspection to them at the beginning of their employment and at convenient dates thereafter?

Provision for the care of young workers is made in connection with the Factory Acts and other enactments, through examining factory surgeons or other doctors, through welfare officers and in other ways. My right hon. Friend is in sympathy with the hon. Member's objection but he will readily understand that, under the conditions of strain in which the school medical service is at present working, my right hon. Friend cannot envisage its extension in the manner desired.

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements can be made to form convict gangs for essential works, such as aerodrome construction, from men sentenced for offences connected with the black market?

Persons imprisoned for "black market" offences will, like the rest of the prison population, be employed in prison, on work useful to the war effort. Special work of the kind proposed in respect of a particular class of offenders would not, I think, secure any advantages sufficient to outweigh the great difficulties involved.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider amendment of the Workmen's Compensation Act, as provided in most industrial countries, to make the provision of an artificial limb a compulsory part of benefit in any ease that may so require it?

It is recognised that the present arrangements in regard to the provision of artificial limbs require to be put on a more satisfactory footing, but the precise form which such arrangements should take must depend on the measures for the rehabilitation of tie injured workman generally. It is a matter which must be dealt with as part of the comprehensive measures for rehabilitation of disabled persons which the Government have decided shall be prepared for introduction as soon as possible after the end of the war. As the Minister of Labour announced on the 22nd January, these measures are now being actively investigated in consulta- tion with the Ministers concerned. Meanwhile it is hoped shortly to have in operation as part of the war-time emergency scheme for the rehabilitation of injured workpeople such additional facilities in respect of the provision of suitable artificial limbs as may be necessary to enable the injured workman to resume employment.