asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women who are registered as unemployed who are below the standard for normal industrial work; and will he consider removing this class from the live register of unemployed, so that only able-bodied unemployed are on the records?

On 16th March the number of men in this category was 25,973, and the number of women, 1,709. These will not in future be included in the general total of unemployed persons on the live register. It remains the duty of the Department, however, to assist these persons in finding employment for which they are or can be made capable, and for this purpose they are entitled to keep their names on the register.

asked the Minister of Labour how many joiners, bricklayers and labourers are at present unemployed in the town of Denbigh?

I will send the desired figures to my hon. Friend.

Would my right hon. Friend see whether it is possible to get better co-ordination between the local employment exchanges in North Wales. Some seem to have more demand for labour than others, and the result is that some workers are unemployed when they should not be—in Denbigh for instance?

I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the output of women part-time workers is proportionately higher than that of full-time workers, he will consider recommending the opening of a works in Southampton staffed entirely by part-time women workers on the lines of a scheme a copy of which has been sent to him?

While I am anxious that the part-time services of women should be used to the fullest possible extent, I am not in a position to assess the practical advantages of a scheme such as that referred to by my hon. Friend. This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production, who, I understand, has it under consideration.

Would my right hon. Friend give any assistance and support he can to a practical scheme for giving employment to part-time workers?

I will collaborate with my right hon. Friend.

Would my right hon. Friend also encourage those local authorities which are at present not engaged in part-time labour schemes to do so?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to effect a reduction in the number of staff employed and thus release labour for war work, he will take steps to secure the amalgamation of the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club?

I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on this subject. I should add that, in considering the position of men employed by these bodies in relation to deferment of service under the National Service Acts, the requirements of the two organisations are assessed together.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these two organisations perform precisely similar services to the public, and that if it had not been for the opposition of vested interests they would have been amalgamated, to the public advantage, long ago? Does he not think that this is a good opportunity to amalgamate these two organisations, thus saving public money and preventing overlapping and waste of labour?

The task of amalgamating organisations, although one of which I have some experience, is not my function. I can only assess the two organisations as one. So far as I am concerned, in the number of people they can retain they are one organisation. I have a good deal of sympathy with my hon. Friend, and I agree with him that we might have had a nice world if it had not been for the opposition of vested interests.

I am much obliged for my right hon. Friend's sympathetic reply. But, although he may assess the labour requirements as one unit, he must be aware that both organisations maintain expensive and elaborate offices all over the country, and staff to man them; therefore, there is considerable waste, and no advantage to the public.

asked the Minister of Labour whether interviewers are authorised to question women called up as to their income and their husband's income?

No rules on this point have been laid down. It is open to any woman at her interview to draw attention to any financial hardship that might result from her transfer to war work, and in such a case questions as to her financial position might properly be put.

Has the right hon. Gentleman realised that such questions give great offence to the victims, especially when they are overheard by other victims in the same pews?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me any particulars as to where the interview has not been kept private, I will deal at once with the exchange concerned.

Can we look for the support of the hon. and gallant Member next time we propose the abolition of the means test?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will have an investigation made into the large number of men employed on Stock Exchanges and consider whether the continuance of these institutions is necessary in view of the needs of the country?

I have this matter under active consideration with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the satisfaction given by a visit of trades council representatives to two royal ordnance factories and of the objective and factual report they have issued; and will he take steps to see that trades councils throughout the country are invited to make similar visits and to see modem aircraft, aerodromes and other achievements in order that representative people may see what has been achieved?

I am glad to know of the satisfaction expressed by trades council representatives following upon a visit to certain royal ordnance factories. I am consulting my colleagues as to the possibility of encouraging further visits of this kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in consultation with other Government Departments, consider the advisability of having the report published?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that employers are still complaining of the refusal of the Sheet Metal Workers' Union to consent to work with or instruct women dilutees and are further complaining that male dilutees who have become members of the union receive very little help and are not allowed to participate in the bonus pool; and whether any recent steps have been taken to overcome this attitude?

I recently met representatives of the sheet metal workers' unions and of the employers' federation to consider the employment of women dilutees on sheet metal work, and as a consequence of the information laid before me at the meeting, I have decided to appoint a committee to inquire into the employment of women in the sheet metal working industry. I am not aware of any evidence in support of the statements in the question with regard to male dilutees.

In view of the fact that this dispute has been going on since the autumn of 1940, will the committee speed up their inquiry? It is a little late to be inquiring into the recalcitrant attitude of this particular union.

I desire to make it clear that the basis on which their agreement was reached was for the dilution of their own trade. At the moment, there is no definite shortage of people for sheet metal work. The matter of introducing women arises on entirely different grounds.

Is my right hon. Friend able to give the names of the members of the committee?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the employers dispute the statement that there is no shortage.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the pressure upon laundries by war workers and others unable to do their laundry work at home; that launderers in some districts are refusing new customers owing to shortage of workers; and whether he will arrange for the industry to be supplied with sufficient workers to ensure that all installed machinery is utilised to the fullest capacity?

I am aware of the demands at present being made on the laundry industry, and the Essential Work Order has been applied in appropriate cases. Laundry work is also an employment from which women will not be called up. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with other Departments concerned, is making an examination of the laundry facilities generally. I should add that this is an industry which will have to rely largely on part-time workers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any Government training centres have now been closed, and which, or if they continue to be fully employed?

My policy in regard to the closing of training centres was explained in an announcement I made last January, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Eleven centres have been closed, and two more will close shortly, but use is being made of the premises for other purposes connected with the war. The remaining training centres are adequate for present needs; they are not all full at the moment, but special steps are now being taken in my Department to increase the number of women recruits.

Is use being made of these centres on behalf of young entrants into the Services, with a view to their employment after the war?

Not at present.

How many of the centres which have been closed are situated in Scotland?

I would like notice of that Question.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in the employment of women workers in shipyards?

Women are being employed at a steadily increasing rate in the shipyards. The numbers employed have more than trebled within the last 12 months.

Has the Minister considered the desirability of instituting lectures on this matter for prejudiced employers?

I met the employers' federation the other day. I must confess that they have been slow in the utilisation of women labour, but the thing is being speeded up very rapidly now.

asked the Minister of Labour how many young persons employed in the cotton trade in Burnley are at present working more than the normal hours of the trade?

I am obtaining such statistics as are available and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very bad record of the cotton industry with regard to the exploitation of juvenile labour and watch for a possible extension of this practice?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can furnish comparative figures for the latest available period for absenteeism in Royal Ordnance Factories and in coal-mines, respectively?

No, Sir.

May I ask why the right hon. Gentleman refuses to give the comparative figures for which I have asked?

Because the comparison between the two sets of conditions is completely different.

Is that any reason why a Member of Parliament who asks a Question should not be supplied with the answer?

Absenteeism is the subject of a definition, and no two industries keep similar records of determining what is avoidable and what is unavoidable absenteeism, and, therefore, any figures, either given or collected—if I went to the trouble to collect them, which, I think, is unnecessary—would be completely valueless.

On a point of Order. If a Member of Parliament asks a Minister for figures which he is able to obtain and submit, is it in accordance with the procedure and courtesy of this House that there should be a definite refusal to supply the information when it is available?

In the matter of question and answer I can quite imagine that different circumstances might arise.

I did not ask for any inquiry into the circumstances, but for the actual figures. Those figures are available, and I have asked, on a point of Order, whether it is not discourteous to Members of this House that a blank refusal should be given with regard to a simple question of this kind.

I did not hear anything discourteous in the answer that was given.

Is not the only justification for refusing information the fact that it is contrary to the public interest, and as that is not alleged in regard to this Question, is the answer refused on partisan grounds?

The reason has been given that an answer to the Question on the Paper might be misleading.

Is it not the fact that the answer does not suit the mentality of the hon. Gentleman?

It does not suit me at present.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of English women war-workers fined, and the number imprisoned for absence from employment, up to date?

In the period from 1st January to 30th April, 1942, 24 women in England and Wales were fined and three sentenced to imprisonment for being absent or late in contravention of a direction issued by a National Service Officer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution of the Radio Engineers No. 3 Branch of the Electrical Trades Union, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, protesting against financial hardship caused to men who have been compulsorily transferred under Regulation 58A; and what steps he is prepared to take to ensure that such transfers do not result in undue financial hardship?

Yes, Sir. A reply was sent to the Branch on 23rd April which stated that while transfers must be effected if this is necessary in the national interest, every effort is made to ensure that no avoidable hardship is caused. I would remind the hon. Member that any worker who is directed to transfer can appeal to the local appeal board if he feels that undue hardship would result.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that young women directed to take up training as omnibus conductors under the London Passenger Transport Board are entitled, during training, to 3s. 6d. a day, but under a rule of the Board no payment is made until the end of the first fortnight; and whether he will see that in cases of this kind, especially where the woman has been brought away from her home, the rule should be relaxed;

(2) whether he is aware that a young woman was directed to take up work as a conductor for the London Passenger Transport Board at Hatfield, from her home in Sudbury, Suffolk: that the woman was penniless and, when it was realised that she was unable to pay her landlady, it was discovered that for a week she had lived on bread and butter; that, on taking the matter up at the Hatfield employment exchange, it was ascertained that she was entitled to 24s. 6d. for the first week and 10s. for the second week! and whether he will make inquiries as to why the woman was not informed in the first instance that she was entitled to these grants?

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

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, will he communicate to me the result of his inquiry?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the number of women who were engaged in selling flags or artificial flowers on "all hospitals day," 5th May, 1942, on the streets of the county of London; what was their average age; and how many women-hours were thus lost to the war effort?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the women in Scotland, who carry out the interviewing of women registered under the Defence Regulations, are under 35 years of age?

In Scotland 59 women under age 35 are employed on the interviewing of women registered under the Defence Regulations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what pecrentage that is of the whole number of women who carry out these interviews in Scotland?

There are 70 women over 35 years of age employed on this work.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the form of enrolment, W 3066, precludes widows of commissioned officers in the Home Guard who have been accidentally killed in the course of their duties from receiving pensions on the same scale as widows of other commissioned officers killed in the same circumstances?

When the Local Defence Volunteer Force, the predecessor of the Home Guard, was formed, the Government decided that compensation for death or disablement sustained in the service would be on the same scale as for the private soldier. That decision was reaffirmed when it was decided to grant commissions in the Home Guard and it has been embodied in a Royal Warrant dated 9th December, 1941. The position is therefore correctly stated on the Home Guard enrolment form.

While this may be contractual, does the right hon. Gentleman feel that it is really equitable?

This is a war for democracy, and I think that this is a very democratic system of dealing with pensions.

If there is a justification for discriminating between the widows of officers and other ranks at all, is there not the same justification in the case of the Home Guard?

It is a matter of Government policy and I cannot give an answer to that question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will amend the present maximum pensions of 27s. 6d. for women and 37s. 6d. for men of private soldier status who suffer amputations of both arms or other disablement resulting in total incapacity, or authorise supplementary allowances to ensure adequate maintenance?

Where the pensioned disability is so severe in its effects that the pensioner requires the constant and continuous attendance of another person, as would normally be the case where both arms are amputated, the Royal Warrant already provides that an allowance not exceeding 18s. a week may be granted in addition to pension at the total disablement rate and any family allowances which may be payable. I have obtained authority to pay a similar allowance in the like conditions to women members of the Forces.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why a woman who suffers the loss of two arms is assessed at 10s. less than a man who suffers the loss of two arms?

That is another question entirely. There is no difference as regards this extra amount.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will follow the example of the Service Departments and appoint welfare officers to act as war disabled pensioners' friends and assist and advise in regard to all matters arising from the war disabled condition?

There are already in existence 155 War Pensions Committees, with 3,630 members and 10,200 voluntary workers, to assist and advise disabled members of the Armed Forces; and assistance and advice are afforded to disabled officers by "Officers' Friends" appointed by my Department. In addition, a Civil Injuries Advisory Committee has been appointed in association with each War Pensions Committee to assist claimants to compensation under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme and the War Pensions and Detention Allowances (Mercantile Marine, etc.) Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether he will, with a view to inducing a better understanding between the peoples of India and those of this country, remove the present rigid censorship now applied to the deliberations and decisions of representative bodies of Indian people;

(2) why the publication of the resolution, passed on 28th April, 1942, by the Working Committee of the Indian National Congress, was banned and all printers, publishers and editors were prohibited from publishing the whole or any part of the resolution?

asked the Secretary of State for India what restrictions are imposed on the publication in India of declarations or resolutions adopted by the Indian National Congress or other political bodies; and whether there is any interference in the transmission of these pronouncements sent to this country by cable or otherwise?

These Questions have regard to the Government of India's action in respect of three resolutions adopted by the All-India Congress Working Committee on 28th April. These resolutions, which rested on gross misrepresentation of fact or on unverified rumour, criticised in unbridled terms the recent actions of the military and civil authorities in India and Burma. They were calculated—and, to judge by their language, were I think deliberately calculated—to undermine public confidence in the Government and the Armed Forces. The Government of India would in present circumstances have been justified on these grounds in suppressing publication of all three resolutions but they confined their prohibition to one resolution and to part of a second. This of itself is sufficient to disprove the suggestion that censorship is exercised in the rigid and undiscriminatory manner which the Questions imply.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the resolution that was banned was passed after a detailed examination had been made into the conditions prevailing on the Indo-Burma border; and will he inform the House, and myself in particular, what grounds he has for stating that the information embodied in the resolution which had been obtained on the spot is information which he, remotely situated as he is from the situation in India, is in a position to describe in the language which he has just used?

I rely with confidence upon the judgment of the Government of India, and I have no intention of giving wider publicity to these unfounded allegations.

Will the resolutions at least be available to Members of this House if they ask for it, so that we can judge for ourselves as to the exact nature of these resolutions? What would be the action of people in this country if an Indian body were to prevent the circulation of resolutions passed by the Labour party?

The published part of the resolutions I am willing to lay upon the Table of the House, but I do not propose to give wider publicity to the unpublished parts.

Would there be any wider publicity in giving it to Members of this House, and are we not as capable of judging as the right hon. Gentleman?

But hon. Members might be capable of giving it wider publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will now give a detailed report as to the measures taken by the Government of India to evacuate Indians from Burma and as to conditions among the Indians in the evacuee camps on the Indo-Burmese border?

A fully detailed report on the evacuation of Indians from Burma is not yet available, but I understand that already upwards of 300,000 Indians have been evacuated and that a steady flow of Indian refugees continues to pass over the frontier. The Government of India have recently stated that the organisation of food, water and shelter along the long and arduous route was completed in a remarkably short time and that no distinction whatever is made between the treatment of Indians and non-Indians in the refugee camps. All indigent refugees are being returned to their homes free of charge and given a subsistence allowance. The refugee problem created by the invasion and enemy-occupation of large parts of Burma is of unexampled magnitude and difficulty. Numbers were evacuated by sea so long as this remained possible and subsequently by the land routes supplemented by air transport. The efforts of the authorities in India and Burma in grappling with the problem in the midst of their other anxious preoccupations deserve great credit. The problem of evacuating the refugees who still remain in northern Burma now presents even greater difficulty, because, owing to the rapid advance of the enemy, only one route through difficult frontier country is available. Vigorous measures have been initiated by the Viceroy in concert with the Governor of Assam for assisting evacuation by this route by the provision of food, medical stores, guides and other means.

In view of the complete difference between the report which the right hon. Gentleman has obtained and the report presented to the Indian National Congress, will the Minister take steps to consult representatives of Congress with a view to correcting what I am informed is the misleading report he has just read to the House?

I have no doubt that the hon. Member's information is not correct.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of boys under 16 years of age that have been charged before the juvenile courts of the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs of South Shields and Sunderland, respectively, during each year from 1936 to 1941?

The available figures relate to boys under 17. I will obtain these and send them to my hon. Friend.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the Director of Education for Sunderland about the increase in juvenile delinquency? Could he take special action?

I will look into that.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to save electric lighting, he will consider making it compulsory for offices and public meeting places which at present have permanent blackout structures or painted windows, to be fitted with blackout curtains which can be drawn aside during hours of daylight?

Movable blackout has always been recommended, where practicable, as preferable to permanent blackout. In view, however, of the many factors which have to be taken into account in determining the type of blackout to be adopted, an order making movable blackout compulsory would not, in my view, be appropriate.

asked the Home Secretary under what Act, Order, or Regulation Henry Evans, Croft Kennels, Alfold, Surrey, was fined 40s., at Chertsey, on Wednesday, 30th April, for giving food to Italian prisoners of war?

I understand that this was a case of illicit trafficking with prisoners of war and that proceedings were taken under the Prisoners of War and Internees (Access and Communication) Order of 27th July, 1940, made under the provisions of Defence Regulation 18( c ) which empowers the Secretary of State for War to regulate access to such prisoners.

When the Minister says "illicit trafficking," does he mean that this person was trying to sell to prisoners or was giving?

There was trading being done between the prisoners and this person, which was contrary to the Order.

Was he receiving money?

Will the Minister consider publishing an alphabetical index of these new crimes, so that we may know what they are?

asked the Home Secretary whether any steps are being taken to bring the public into invasion exercises and thereby make them more conscious of the part they would have to play in the event of invasion?

Yes, Sir. A Defence Regulation has recently been made which will enable a Secretary of State to empower a Regional Commissioner to close all shops and places of entertainment and to prohibit or restrict assemblies of persons and the sale of intoxicating liquor during an invasion exercise. This will make it possible to reproduce, in an area covered by an exercise, the conditions which, by Governmental action or the force of events, would be likely to obtain in areas where fighting was in progress; and will facilitate the fullest possible participation of the public in the exercise. The power of closure will not extend to places of public worship, and care will be taken not to interfere with vital war industries.

asked the Home Secretary to whom should employers of labour, willing to employ members of the Civil Defence services temporarily released from duties, apply?

As employers notify vacancies to the local offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, the officers in charge will determine, after consultation with the Civil Defence authorities, how far these vacancies can be filled by such persons as are available for temporary release from the Civil Defence services.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer does not in the least meet the necessities of the case? It is not a matter of employers having vacancies but of employers making arrangements whereby if there are a certain number of Civil Defence workers available for work, they could make such arrangements as would enable those workers who are temporarily released to be employed. Is it not desirable that there should be a more well-defined procedure laid down whereby this desirable state of affairs could be brought about?

I think that if employers make application to the local offices of the Ministry of Labour, they should be able to settle with them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, as a preferential claim, the claims of discharged soldiers, sailors and airmen who are being returned to civil life and finding it difficult to become absorbed in the labour market?

That would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I am sure he will keep it in mind.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether Invasion Committees have been instructed to organise voluntary helpers who would be ready to deliver food and other necessary commodities?

I have been asked to reply. The distribution of food supplies is the responsibility of the food executive officer or voluntary food organiser as the case may be. This is only one of the purposes for which unskilled labour will be required, and it will be the function of invasion committees to co-ordinate the requirements in this respect of the various Services. No special instructions appear to be necessary.

Is not this an opportunity of training various voluntary helpers so that they will be ready to meet an emergency when it comes, and could not a little direction come from the top to invasion committees, which in some places are good and in some places bad, and which need consistent advice?

This will be one of the items that will be considered by invasion committees in advance, and suitable guidance will be given to them. I will keep in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Has it been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice that in some areas these voluntary workers have compiled admirable surveys of the food, water and other resources in their areas, and will he not consider giving instruc- tions in an effort to bring the general standard up to the standard of these places?

That is precisely what I am seeking to do.

asked the Home Secretary the names of the licensing districts which, at the recent licensing sessions, were granted an extension to 10.30 p.m. on weekdays, specifying which were for the whole year and which for a lesser period; the names of districts in which, last year, the permitted terminal hour on weekdays was 10.30 p.m. during the summer months, but which have, this year, reverted to 10 p.m. closing; and whether he will give a complete list of licensing districts where the justices have extended permitted hours on weekdays to 10.30 p.m., either for the whole year or part of the year?

I am sending my hon. Friend the particulars asked for, as they are too lengthy for circulation in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of a recent police court case where a club was using a fruit machine which had been rigged by the makers; whether the manufacturers were British or foreign; if, in the former case, proceedings will be taken; and whether he will consult with the appropriate Department in order to place a permanent import ban on all such productions from abroad?

I have made inquiry about the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and am informed that the machine was of foreign manufacture, so that no question arose of taking proceedings against the maker. As regards the last part of the Question, I have consulted my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who informs me that any application for a licence to import a gaming machine of any kind would certainly be refused in present conditions.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the public interest, he will now exercise his powers and disclose the identity of bankers' nominee holders of blocks of 10,000 shares or over in the "Daily Mirror" as on 27th February last; and the approximate number of nominees' shares held in blocks smaller than 10,000?

As he indicated in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend on 28th April, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is in consultation with me on the question whether it is necessary or expedient to impose any general requirement of disclosure of the beneficial ownership of shares in newspaper companies. Pending a decision on this question, I do not think that I should be justified in singling out this particular newspaper for the exercise of the special powers given to me by Defence Regulation 80A for obtaining information which it is necessary or expedient to obtain in the interests of the public safety, the defence of the realm or the efficient prosecution of the war. I understand that 205,571 ordinary shares in this newspaper are held by nominees in blocks of less than 10,000.

Is the Minister aware that this is purely a question of principle and not an attack upon a newspaper? If I put a Question down in about a month's time, will he then be able to give an answer?

I will do my best in that time.

Is my right, hon. Friend aware that merely to compel disclosure by the bankers' nominees will not meet the situation in full, as many shareholders who apparently hold shares in beneficial ownership may be nominees without any apparent indication of that fact on the share register?

That may be so, and if it is so, I am not quite clear what I can do about that.

Is it not only fair that if this is done in regard to one newspaper, it should be done for all newspapers?

If my right hon. Friend reads my Reply, he will find that that is exactly what I said.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he is now in a position to make a statement on camp schools?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the information which I gave the hon. Member on 30th April.

In view of the fact that there are 1,500 empty places in these camps, will the Minister try to speed up the decision?

The importance of this matter is fully recognised.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will make a statement on the policy of his Department as regards children from elementary and secondary schools assisting in farm work during the coming months?

The policy is set out in the Memorandum and Circular copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The earlier communication dealt with the organisation of schoolboy harvest camps. The second recommends that school holidays should be timed to meet local agricultural needs, and where necessary should be arranged at short notice. A Defence Regulation has been made authorising the exemption of individual children of 12 years of age and over from the obligation to attend school for the limited number of 20 school meetings in the year. It prescribes conditions designed to safeguard the health and welfare of children employed in agriculture both in term time and in holidays.

While I do not oppose this Circular, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the whole question depends upon administration? Will he consider making the medical inspection compulsory, and not simply permissive, on the local education authorities, and will he reconsider the provision concerning 36 hours a week during school holidays, as previous experience has shown that it might easily go up to 46 hours?

As my hon. Friend will see when he reads the Circular, the whole of the conditions of work are carefully set out. I have been in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is taking a close interest in this matter, and with the Minister of Agriculture, with a view to seeing that the matters about which my hon. Friend is concerned are borne in mind.

Does my right hon. Friend really think that child labour should be encouraged during school terms, and does he think that in the long run it will be in the national interest?

The right hon. Baronet gives a rather sinister implication to what is a perfectly normal war-time occupation for children. I think that when he reflects upon the trouble taken by the Government to ensure that conditions are satisfactory, he will not feel so disturbed about it.

Will the Minister reply to the question about compulsory medical examination, which is most important?

Conditions are set out in the Circular, of which I shall be glad to send the hon. Member a copy, which ensure that this matter will be looked into by the authorities concerned, although I cannot guarantee to go as far as the hon. Member wants.

Will additional provision be made for inspection of conditions of work of the children between 12 and 14 years of age under this Circular?

The provisions are set out in the Circular. I think I had better see that hon. Members have these documents before them so that they can see that matters will be very carefully watched.

Could the Circular be made available to all hon. Members?

Will this Circular apply to all schools, or only to those which receive grants from the Board?

It will apply to schools which come under the purview of local education authorities.

These exemptions will not apply during the winter, will they?

They will apply according to the seasonal requirements of agriculture.

Is not the whole question one of common sense?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the proposal of the Hertfordshire education authority for the institution of a nursing cadet corps to fill the gap between school and professional nursing; and whether, in consultation with the General Nursing Council and the Minister of Health, he will give it his most favourable consideration?

My attention has been called to proposals by the Hertfordshire local education authority for a nursing cadet corps, and, in the event of these proposals being formally submitted, they will receive careful consideration. My hon. Friend will however appreciate that, in so far as they are intended to provide a preparation for hospital nursing, such proposals would have to follow the principles agreed with the General Nursing Council and set out in Circulars 1471 and 1568, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that this proposal is not only for hospital nursing, but also for nursery nursing and general education for maternity nursing, for those girls who like to choose it?

Yes, Sir.

In view of the shortage of organisations into which girls between 16 and 18 years of age can be directed or encouraged to enter at the present time, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this excellent experiment in Hertfordshire should be encouraged in other counties, in view of the shortage of nurses?

asked the Minister of Health what representations were made to him, on 14th October, 1941, by the Pharmaceutical Society in respect of the adequacy of the supply of drugs to hospitals, doctors and chemists; and whether he is aware that this adequate supply is being prejudiced by the distribution of pre-packed drugs by chain stores?

I received a letter from the Pharmaceutical Society, dated 14th October, 1941, urging that as and when shortages of medical substances occurred, steps should be taken to ensure that these substances are first supplied to those wholesalers and manufacturers the bulk of whose business lies in supplying pharmacists in retail business, hospitals and doctors. I am not prepared to admit the implication in the last part of the Question, but I am carefully considering in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply the question of further restricting the supply of essential drugs to essential medical purposes.

In view of their great interest in this question, will the right hon. Gentleman send a copy to the electors of Putney, whose loyalty is now divided between the War Cabinet and the Pharmaceutical Society?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to circulate the promised further information on the methods of dealing with scabies?

Yes, Sir. I have decided to publish a White Paper on the prevalence and control of scabies, which will be available to the House early next week.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements have now been reached for the transference of nurses and other staff from military or other hospitals to those hospitals where there is an urgent need?

I am in communication on this matter with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Can the Minister say whether he is likely to make some report on this matter, and whether any progress has been made up to now?

In certain small cases the transference has been effected. My hon. Friend now raises the main issue, and conclusion has not yet been reached on that.

Would my right hon. Friend reply to the first part of my Question and say whether a report will be available at some subsequent date?

Of course, when my consultations with my right hon. Friend are concluded, I shall be able to tell the House the results.

asked the Minister of Agriculture of how much land the Yorks (West Riding) War Agricultural Executive Committee have taken possession under Defence Regulation 51; how much of that land is farmed by the Committee or under its management; and how much of it has been let to tenants?

As I have already stated, I deprecate the issue of county figures which would lead to very misleading comparisons. The national total has already been given and I hope my hon. Friend will not press for further details.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer that to the other hon. Member who was pressing the Minister of Labour for information?

Why will not my right hon. Friend give these figures now? I have asked for similar information concerning other war agricultural committees and I have had the information, and I cannot understand why I cannot have it now.

The reason is that the hon. Member asked me some time ago whether I would let him have figures for all counties, and I said at that time, as I repeat now, that to publish these figures would lead to very misleading comparisons. Subsequently, the hon. Member asked me for particulars concerning two counties; I thought he had a particular interest in those counties, and I gave him the figures. He has now put down what I assume to be the first of a series of Questions asking me for figures for each county, and if I gave them, it would, of course, defeat the original objection which I had.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. There are several war agricultural committees in connection with which farmers have communicated with me, and it is because of those communications that I am now seeking information. This is not the last county about which I am going to put down Questions. I think the right hon. Gentleman should give me the information if he is going to respect—

Order.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether further facilities will be given to farmers who own cottages which, in pre-war years or at the commencement of the war, were let to persons other than those following an agricultural calling and now controlled under the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Act, to obtain possession where they need it for labour working on food production on their own land; and, since power is vested in the County War Agricultural Committees to give a certificate to enable the owner to obtain possession, will he consider introducing legislation to make it obligatory on the court to make an order for possession, as at the present time there is no such obligation on the court to endorse the certificate?

As regards the first part of the Question, in view of the existing provisions of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Act, 1933, as affected by Part XI of the Defence (Agriculture and Fisheries) Regulations, 1939, I do not consider that additional facilities for securing possession of such cottages are necessary. I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, and the Government are not prepared to consider introducing the further legislation suggested in the second part of the Question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is no good shaking his head and saying that nothing can be done? The all-important point about this system is that it does not work.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a really serious sense of injustice in the minds of agricultural labourers concerning the way in which cottages suitable for their occupation are taken by people of other classes, and is he aware that I have called attention to this matter for the last 35 years?

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence of cottages on farms which are occupied by persons who are not concerned with agriculture, and does that interfere with the production of food?

I imagine that my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, and as I think I told him, we are satisfied in that particular case that it does not interfere with production.

That is not an answer to my question.

In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate food loss to the community, per week, by the activities of rats and mice; and what action is proposed for the destruction of these pests?

While it is not possible to make any reliable estimate of the loss referred to in the first part of the Question, the damage done by rats has been estimated at £25,000,000 per annum. As regards the last part of the Question, I am glad to say that the activities of county war agricultural executive committees and other authorities responsible for rat destruction in England and Wales have met with a considerable measure of success, but I am considering what additional steps it may be possible to take to reduce the depredations of these pests still further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what safeguards and conditions straw pulping plants are to be issued free to farmers by his Department?

Straw pulping plants will be supplied free to farmers in cases where their installation is approved by the county war agricultural executive committees. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet which is being issued by my Department giving details of the offer.

Can the Minister say what will happen to plant which is not used after it has been issued? Will it be taken away, and will district committees be consulted before plant is issued free of charge to farmers?

I assume that the war agricultural committees will make sure, as the number of plants available is limited, that they are supplied only to those farmers who are likely to make full use of them.

Of what material will the plants be constructed?

They will be constructed for the most part of materials most suitable to the locality.

But of what material will the plants be constructed, and what will be the total cost?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the wide discrepancy in the minimum wage rate paid to women agricultural workers, he will reconsider his decision to fix the national minimum wage?

I do not think it would be desirable to introduce new legislation on this subject, and I will consider whether some other steps can be taken to secure greater uniformity.

While I thank the Minister for his reply, is he aware that the list which he sent to me in answer to a previous Question shows that in 17 counties there is no fixed minimum weekly wage—it is on an hourly basis, which is a very unsatisfactory arrangement—and will he bear this in mind in any conclusions he may reach?