asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made in the reform of the foreign service, its recruitment and functions and combination with the consular services?

Considerable progress has been made with the elaboration of my proposals, but I fear that I am not yet ready to communicate them to the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangements have yet been made to arrange for the issue to merchant seamen of duty-free tobacco and rum, as in the case of the Royal Navy?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 21st April, 1942.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Treasury have taken under Section 7 of the War Damage Act, 1941, in preparation for reconstruction after the war?

Directions have been issued by the Treasury that payment in respect of war damage should be of such a kind and should be subject to such conditions as will prevent, so far as is possible, the execution of any works resulting from war damage which are not in conformity with the public interest. The War Damage Commission, after consultation with the appropriate Government Departments and the local authorities concerned, have accordingly, in pursuance of Sub section (2) of Section 7 of the War Damage Act, 1941, published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes, notices specifying classes of works in certain areas, which may not be executed for the repair of war damage without proposals for such works being first submitted to the Commission. These specifications cover practically all areas in which serious war damage has occurred.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the organisation for joint planning, he will include a representative of the Merchant Service in all the appropriate sections?

Representatives of the Minister of War Transport are called into consultation at all stages of our planning organisation when matters affecting sea transport are under discussion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the urgent need of raising the amount of compensation payable to injured workpeople; whether he is aware that, prior to the Supplementary Allowances Act, 1940, which raised the amount by 5s. per week, with 4s. each for the first two children and 3s. each for others, the amount of compensation payable was only 50 per cent. of wages earned, with a maximum of 30s. per week; that, since the war, wages have been considerably raised, whilst it is estimated that the average increase in compensation payments is about 10s. per week, or less than half of the wages increase, so that the position of injured persons is progressively worsened; and will he take steps to remedy this?

The Workmen's Compensation (Supplementary Allowances) Act was a temporary Measure to provide increased benefits pending a review of the whole system. It gave substantial increases, particularly to the man with a family, and there would be obvious difficulties in any further substantial revision of benefits pending the report of the comprehensive survey of all existing schemes of social insurance which, as previously announced, is being undertaken under the direction of my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General.

asked the Minister of Supply on what grounds a licence has been refused to the Scottish Wholesale Co-operative Society for paper for the book, "The New Scotland," to which many prominent Scots authors have contributed?

The quantity of paper available for books is allocated among the book publishers on the basis of their pre-war consumption, and it is not possible to provide quotas for new publishers. A small quantity of paper has, however, been set aside to provide for books which are essential to the war effort and which cannot be published out of the existing allocations. I shall be prepared to consider an application from the Society if they can show that these two conditions apply to the book referred to.

asked the Minister of Supply whether it is proposed to pay any brokerage in respect of rubber which companies or dealers have contracted to supply but failed to deliver owing to enemy action prior to shipment?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the Motor Agents' Association was consulted before the list of authorised motor tyre depots was drawn up?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 15th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the recent 25 per cent. increase in farmworkers' wages, coupled with the reduction of 9d. per dozen in the price of eggs to packing stations, has made egg production less profitable than it was before; that, as a result, many forced sales of large and small poultry units have taken place, and that further financial loss and reduction in home supplies of eggs are considered inevitable by the poultry industry; and whether he will reconsider the present schedule of prices?

The price of eggs to the producers has not been reduced but has been increased on an annual basis by an average of 10d. per 120 representing the sum allocated to the egg industry on account of the increase in the agricultural minimum wage. Present egg prices were fixed after an exhaustive review of all the information available and in the Government's view, are adequate to provide producers with a reasonable return.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that the supplies of potatoes reaching London and other principal markets are sufficient to meet the normal requirements of the population and to leave a reasonable margin for emergencies that may arise?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what proportion of vitamins contained in the whole grain of wheat is left out in the new loaf produced by the Government; and whether it will be gradually brought up to the content and maximum extraction reached in the last war?

Approximately one-fifth of the vitamins in the wheat grain is left out in the milling of National Wheatmeal. It is impossible to compare National Wheatmeal with the high extraction flours of the last war, because the latter were not prepared according to a precise specification and they were often diluted with other cereals.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the rates of pay for all members of the Royal Air Force, officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks; and the rates of pay for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force for officers and other ranks?

As a large amount of detail is involved, I am sending direct to the hon. Member the information for which he has asked.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any officer personnel for the Royal Air Force Regiment are to be recruited from civilian ranks; and, if so, what is the method of approach by intending applicants for commission?

Commissions for service with the Royal Air Force Regiment may be granted to direct entrants from civil life where the candidate has recent military experience, including a sound knowledge of modern weapons and defence methods, and is under 40 years of age. Candidates should apply to the Under-Secretary of State, Air Ministry (S.7), Kingsway, London, W.C.2.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many mobile canteens operated by voluntary organisations are officially routed to visit units of the Army; and what control over these vehicles is exercised by the local commander?

One thousand four hundred and two mobile canteens operated by voluntary organisations at home are routed to visit Army units. Their official recognition and routing are controlled by committees responsible to the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the rate of officers retired pay will now be reconsidered owing to the rise in the cost of living from 55 to 100 since these pensions were stabilised?

No, Sir. The reasons were explained to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a previous answer of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the time of the evacuation of the Channel Islands some members of the civilian staff, who had previously been working side by side with officers and other ranks, were entrusted with certain official documents in order to proceed to England with them on the same boats as were used by the military personnel; that these men were subsequently employed in the War Office establishments in this country, but that his Department has refused to allow service rendered for the War Office in Jersey to be aggregated with subsequent service rendered for the War Office in this country for the purpose of qualifying for the increase of pay given to temporary clerks with more than 12 months' aggregate service; and whether he will give this matter further consideration?

The employment of these men was terminated when the military garrison withdrew from the Channel Islands. They were given the same opportunity to leave as other members of the civilian population, but were not in any way required to leave because of their connection with the Department. Advantage was taken, however, of the fact that some did leave to entrust to them certain documents which had to be brought to England, but no promise of employment of any kind was given them. Any employment they have since been given under the War Department here is therefore under a fresh engagement.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many miners have been released from the Armed Forces in order to return to the coalmining industry?

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the results obtained under the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act; and what further steps are to be taken in order that maximum prices shall be fixed for all commodities and appropriate action taken where required?

My right hon. Friend has had the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941, under review. Steps have been taken to speed up the procedure. Five Orders under the Act have been made during the last month, and a number of further Orders are in preparation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many officials it is estimated will be required to administer his Department's proposals for fuel rationing?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet consulted representatives of technical bodies concerned about the proposed fuel rationing scheme, and, in particular, such organisations as the Institute of Fuel, the Institute of Gas Engineers and the Coal Utilisation Research Association; and whether, before reaching any final decision, he will seek all possible technical advice as to whether the desired reduction in the consumption of fuel can be achieved by ensuring the more efficient use of the various kinds of domestic fuel?

Steps have been taken to secure economies in fuel consumption and full use is being made of technical advice in this matter. I am afraid that the savings achieved, or capable of achievement in the near future, would not solve the problem.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes have been made in the staffing of the Press and Publications Department of the Ministry since 23rd February; and whether he will give information as to the duties and salaries of all persons now employed on this work?

The Public Relations and Press Office at the Board of Trade is staffed as follows:

Director of Public Relations (£1,500 per annum), Mr. C. C. J. Simmonds.

Public Relations Officer (£1,000), Mr. F. W. P. Carter.

Press Officer (£900), Mr. F. A. Lawson.

Press Officer (£500, part-time), Mr. Haydn Davies.

One temporary assistant,

One clerical officer,

Three temporary women clerks, Grade III,

Normal Civil Service rates of pay.

The changes which have taken place since 23rd February are the appointments of Mr. Simmonds, with effect from 26th April, and of Mr. Haydn Davies, with effect from 1st April. Mr. Nicholas E. H. Davenport, who was Public Relations Officer on the Limitation of Supplies Orders (salary, £1,000) until 31st January and continued to serve (unpaid) in an advisory capacity after that date, resigned on 15th April. Mr. Simmonds is in charge of the office, which is responsible for the work of dealing with all Press inquiries for issuing announcements to the Press, and through the Ministry of Information to the B.B.C., and generally for keeping the public and traders informed about Board of Trade activities which affect them. He is assisted by Mr. Carter, who acts as his deputy, and by Mr. Lawson and Mr. Haydn Davies. The temporary assistant and the clerical staff are occupied on duties appropriate to their grade normally arising in a Press Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will take steps to make use of the large quantities of salvage iron that are available in the disused Portland cement works at Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, and which no steps are being taken to use, although the public locally are asked to make a maximum contribution of scrap-iron?

Negotiations, which I hope will result in the recovery for scrap of a large amount of the obsolete plant at Mitcheldean, are being actively pursued with the owners.

asked the Minister of Health the ages of the members of the Swansea local medical war committee and of the medical officer of health and of the qualified medical men or women employed by the Swansea Corporation?

No, Sir. I have hot the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many local medical war committees are appointing their own members to remunerative professional positions, arising under the national emergency, without consideration of other available medical men; and what steps he is taking to stop this?

I have no evidence of discrimination by local medical war committees in favour of their own members as suggested in the Question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the adoption of the amended regulations relating to insured persons whose names are on the lists of insurance practitioners who are with the Armed Forces is optional, and that many insurance committees, including London, have not adopted them; and whether he will make such adoption compulsory?

I am aware that the provisions to which my hon. Friend refers have not been adopted by all Insurance Committees. I have no compulsory powers in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health under which National Health Insurance Medical Benefit Amendment Regulation the British Medical Associations Protection Scheme is established?

The scheme in question is founded on voluntary agreement between participating practitioners and not on statutory regulations. As I have already informed by hon. Friend, legal effect has been given to similar, or substantially similar, arrangements in some areas by means of amendments of the allocation and distribution schemes and terms of service for practitioners in pursuance of Regulations 3 and 23 of the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Regulations, 1936, and Regulation 15 of the same Regulations as amended by the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Amendment Regulations (No. 4) 1939.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the insurable position of officers of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board who have been informed that by reason of their earnings they are not within the provisions of the National Health Insurance Acts; whether he is aware that the salaries of these officers range from £308 to £402 per annum supplemented by an addition of £1 3s. 4d. per week war risk money paid intermittently on occasions when certain duties are performed; and whether, as the war risk money is a contingent payment and applicable only to war-time conditions, which may, or may not, bring these earnings up to, and in excess of, £420 a year, he will consider excluding this latter payment from the computation of salaries?

The question whether, under the National Health Insurance Acts, war risk money is required to be regarded as remuneration for the purpose of determining insurability was examined on the outbreak of war and it was then decided that as this money is a definite addition to salary whilst at sea it could not properly be ignored for this purpose. The insurability of persons receiving such war risk money has since been determined on that basis. I know of no special circumstances which would justify exceptional treatment in regard to the insurability of the officers to whom my hon. Friend refers but I am having inquiries made and will communicate with him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed now, or in the future, to make available any of the land in Northern Rhodesia acquired recently from the North Charterland Company for development by Europeans?

It was originally contemplated that Government should acquire for native occupation 1,341,620' acres only of the company's estate, but in the event a total of 3,776,741 acres has been purchased. There may be land in this larger area which is not required for native occupation and is suitable for development by Europeans. The Governor has appointed a small committee to investigate the matter. It is felt that the acquisition of the bulk of the company's estate in North-Eastern Rhodesia will do much to provide a permanent solution of the problem of improving conditions in the native reserves in this area and the provision of adequate agricultural land for the natives concerned. Some 2,000 natives have already been settled on new land in time for them to prepare their plots for this year's crops.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether encouragement is being given for the establishment of cold-storage depots, now urgently required, in approved centres in the West Indies for the preservation of fish, fruits and other foodstuffs?

My information shows that provision for cold storage exists in all the West Indian Colonies, except in the case of British Honduras, regarding which I have no recent report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the cost of erecting the railway halt serving the Treforest Trading Estate?

The estimated cost of this halt, including a shelter on the platform, is £8,543.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is satisfied with the extent to which use is made of the railway halt serving the Treforest Trading Estate; and the number of passengers using the halt since its inception?

Since it was opened about 60,000 passengers have used this halt. This is considerably less than was expected and measures are being considered to divert further traffic from road services.