asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he can give an estimate of the number of motor-cars present at the recent Newmarket race meeting; and what steps were taken to check motorcars proceeding to Newmarket?

The number of motor-cars present at the recent Newmarket race meeting was 450 on 14th April and 488 on 15th April. A check was made of these cars by the police and an inspector from my Department, and the results are being investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the feeling among railwaymen, whose work takes them from home for irregular periods, that canteen facilities should be provided at lodging-away centres where hot meals can be obtained?

I am aware of the feeling referred to among railwaymen whose work takes them from home. The railway companies are also taking active steps to establish canteens and cooking centres. They have also consulted my Department on the question of providing hot meals for various classes of their employees (including those referred to in my hon. Friend's Question), and inquiries are being made as to how far existing British Restaurants and cooking depots can assist.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements have yet been made to facilitate the reduction of surplus milk rounds by making it possible for a man disposing of his milk round to transfer his customers to another?

My Noble Friend hopes to make a statement on the subject at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the extra allowance of soap made to miners may be extended to others doing work equally soiling to the person such as shot-blasters?

All industries which, previous to rationing, supplied soap for use in the wash-places provided for their workers are still able to obtain soap for this purpose. The needs of classes of workers not covered by these arrangements are still under discussion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will consider enabling this House to be lit by natural daylight during the summer months?

I regret that it would not be possible to provide natural lighting to the Chamber without serious detriment to the acoustics. As I indicated in my reply of the 22nd October last to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor), absorbent tiles have been fixed in the windows for the specific purpose of improving the acoustics of the Chamber.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take steps to publish once a week in all the newspapers in the country, in a prominent position, a notice that it is an offence against the law to throw away paper and cartons?

The Press has given wide publicity to the Order in question and I am sure I can count upon their cooperation in keeping it before the public.

asked the Minister of Supply on what principle tyre depots have been selected for official listing; who has the responsibility of decision; and whether the present list is provisional or final?

The depots were selected on grounds of experience, facilities available and geographical distribution. The decision rests with the Ministry of Supply. Suggestions from the tyre trade associations for the revision of the list, as well as applications from individual traders, will be most carefully considered. But my hon. Friend will realise that the number of depots cannot be greatly increased.

asked the Prime Minister how many officers in the Combined Operations Staff hold commissions in all three Services?

With the exception of the Chief of Combined Operations, there are no officers holding commissions in all three Services.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the interest displayed by the National Association of Medical Herbalists in the broadcast from his Department respecting the gathering of herbs; and whether he will consult with and accept the assistance of this body?

I do not know to what broadcast my hon. Friend refers, but the supply of medicinal herbs is now a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and I am bringing to his notice the suggestion contained in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will issue instructions that members of the Auxiliary Air Force receiving a commission subsequent to the outbreak of war may continue to wear the symbol "A" on their officers' uniforms?

I regret that I am unable to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. Airmen in the Auxiliary Air Force selected for commissions during the war are discharged from the Auxiliary Air Force and commissioned in the R.A.F.V.R. The wearing of the symbol "A" after commissioning would therefore be inappropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether any differentiation is made in the pay or allowances of the women police in the Air Force according to whether the policewoman concerned is, or is not, a total abstainer?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any military honours have been granted at the funerals of Japanese airmen brought down at Colombo, in view of the attitude of Japanese airmen machine-gunning British women and children when leaving Singapore?

As His Majesty's Government is a signatory to the International Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field, there is no doubt that the Japanese airmen in question would be honourably interred. No specific information is, however, available in my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that not infrequently Service men travelling on leave are compelled to stand in corridors during long journeys, when first-class compartments are partly empty; and whether he will consider taking steps either to abolish first-class compartments for the duration, or allow Service men to use them when third-class seats are not available?

Instructions have been given to all railway staff that if no seats are available in third-class compartments, members of the Forces may be allowed to occupy empty first-class seats, provided these are not likely to be required for first-class passengers joining en route. The administration of these instructions must be left to the railway staff, who alone are able to know what accommodation is available on the train, and I am assured that they are carrying out their duties in a satisfactory way. The withdrawal of first-class accommodation during the war has been considered more than once, and in fact it has been effected for short-distance travel on a number of suburban lines around London. There are, however, very strong arguments against its general abolition, and these arguments have prevailed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, of the eight members comprising the new committee appointed to supervise work on the artificial insemination of cattle, only one is a qualified veterinary surgeon; and whether he can ensure that when future similar bodies are established to deal with animal health problems, better representation is given to qualified veterinary surgeons who specialise in this subject?

The subject of artificial insemination covers a much wider field than the veterinary, and in appointing the committee the Agricultural Improvement Council considered that the veterinary aspects would be adequately handled by the membership referred to.