asked the Minister of Supply how many temporary assistants and senior temporary assistants have been recruited below the reservation age of 30 years for service in Royal Ordnance Factories; the names, medical categories and ages at date of National Service registration in each case; which of the individuals concerned have been promoted since their appointment; and what steps have been taken to replace those of high medical category by the promotion of officers more senior in age and service?

All temporary assistants or senior temporary assistants who have been recruited were above the reservation ages operative at the time, with the excep- tion of one person who was medically unfit for the Forces. The number now serving who have become de-reserved by the raising of reservation ages is 41. Their ages at registration ranged between 25 and 29 and their medical categories are: Grade I—24; Grade II—4; Grade III—1; Grade IV—3; the remaining 9 have not yet been examined. Fourteen of the 41 have been promoted from temporary assistant to senior temporary assistant since appointment. The promotion of permanent departmental clerks fitted to discharge duties of the kind required of temporary assistants and senior temporary assistants is under continuous review and 27 of such clerks have in fact been so promoted. Owing to the enormous size and continued expansion of the Royal Ordnance Factories such further promotions as may prove justified would not necessarily render redundant the services of the temporary staff in question, whose deferment from calling-up under the National Service Acts has been authorised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider the advisability of instituting a nation-wide collection of disused keys?

In our appeals for the salvage of scrap metals, disused keys have from time to time been mentioned. The tonnage involved hardly justifies the organisation of a special collection of keys by themselves, but I thank my hon. Friend for giving me this opportunity of reminding all concerned that unwanted keys should be delivered up with other metal salvage.

asked the Minister of Production how many Cornish tin-mines have been reopened during the last year; and whether he is satisfied that this industry is adequately equipped to meet production requirements?

During the past twelve months three small tin-mines have been reopened in Cornwall, and the Non-Ferrous Mineral Development Control is investigating the more promising mines, dumps and alluvial deposits. The closed mines are not equipped for immediate production, and efforts are being made concentrate available skilled labour and material on the principal producing mine to achieve the best possible production with the greatest economy of labour and time.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents, fat and non-fatal, which have occurred in the South Wales coalfield for each of the yea 1936 to 1941; and similarly for the who of the coalfields of Britain?

Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the South Wales coalfield for the years 1936 to 1941; the number on the last available date; and the aggregate number for all the coalfields of Britain for the same period?

It would not be in the public interest to publish the figures for the wartime periods, but I will send them to the hon. Member for his confidential information, together with the figures for the pre-war years.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the absenteeism in the coal mines for the latest month for which figures are available?

It is not considered to be in the public interest to publish these and similar details regarding the mining industry during the war.

asked the Secretary for Petroleum what rate of profit has been agreed with the Petroleum Board as a proper part of the prices to be charged for the products this board distributes?

In my reply to the hon. Member of 5th May I explained the arrangements for determining the prices of the products sold by the board. Among the factors which are taken into account in that determination are allowances for profit which are calculated under a series of formulae. These allowances have been on a provisional basis until sufficient experience was available to form a basis for a permanent arrangement. Discussions are in progress with the Petroleum Board for fixing that permanent basis.

asked the Attorney-General whether the scheme to provide free legal advice for members of the Armed Forces will be made available to potentially discharged men who suffer loss of limb, or other serious disablement, as a result of accidents whilst technically off-duty and who have a reasonable claim to third-party damages; and whether he-will take steps to ensure that the free legal assistance is proffered at an early stage and before these unpensionable cases are discharged from the forces?

It is impossible to state the precise application of the legal aid scheme for members of the Forces in purely hypothetical circumstances such as those described in the Question. I must ask my hon. Friend to await the announcement of the details of the scheme, which will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that workers in industry are able to earn wages on a much higher scale than the pay of men and women in the Forces, who have had to give up their positions in civil life to meet danger and death in all parts of the world, he will consider the practicability of introducing, in the near future, a compensatory Measure continuing the pay of members of the Forces for three years from the date of individual demobilisation, or for a lesser period corresponding to length of service, over and above any income or benefit to which they may be entitled on other grounds on return to civil life, making such provision apply retrospectively to those already discharged and to the widows or dependants of men who have lost their lives?

The Government have recently introduced a system of post-war credits for the Forces and I do not consider that the possibility of granting any other post-war benefit can profitably be examined at this stage of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the resolution of the Radio Engineers, No. 3 Branch, of the Electrical Trades Union, protesting against the regulations that deprive members of the Armed Forces of the right of speaking at public meetings or even holding meetings among themselves; and what steps he is prepared to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 20th January of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the shortage of sports equipment; and will he take steps to improve it?

I have been asked to reply. Certain sports equipment made of rubber and coir is in short supply, and the Board of Trade and the Service Departments are together considering how best to provide for the needs of the fighting Services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the postwar credit of 6d. per day for men in the Armed Forces will be exempt from Income Tax?

I agree that these payments ought not to be regarded as liable to tax, and I intend seeking the necessary statutory authority either in this or in a future Finance Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that national bread as at present constituted turns stale and hard much quicker than white bread; and what steps he proposes to take to avoid the additional waste of bread on this account?

There is no evidence of increased waste due to the introduction of the national loaf, which, when well made, is not noticeably inferior in keeping quality to white bread. Bakers are daily becoming more familiar with the use of the new flour, and greater uniformity of production is quickly being reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many servants of firms have been prosecuted by his Department for offences against the law; and what is the percentage of such to the total prosecutions?

The information desired by my hon. Friend is not available and could be obtained only by a detailed examination of some 47,000 records. I regret that I should not feel justified in employing the additional staff which would be required to provide the particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the event of invasion of this country, compensation for loss through the application of the scorched earth policy, or in consequence of seizure by the enemy, is covered by the War Risks Insurance and War Damage Acts, or whether the Government propose to accept liability for losses which may be caused to citizens under these heads?

The Acts to which my hon. Friend refers were designed to deal with damage resulting from such risks as air raid or coastal bombardment. In general, they would not cover the risks he mentions. It is not possible to lay down in advance the financial arrangements which might have to be adopted in the circumstances described in the Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that people who lost bedding and similar articles during the air raids last year, while these articles were at the pawnbrokers, still have not had their claims paid out although these only amount to a few pounds, on the ground that as the goods were destroyed at the pawnbrokers the need for replacement cannot be urgent; and will he take steps to see that these small claims are paid as quickly as possible?

For the reason stated by my hon. Friend grants to meet immediate distress caused by the loss of private chattels are not normally made in respect of pawned goods. Special machinery was, however, set up some months ago to deal with all chattel claims not exceeding £25 and I am glad to say that most of these have now been paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that small claims under £5 and £2, respectively, are not entertained under the War Damage Act, he will consider having this fact prominently stated in all literature, circulars and other explanatory memoranda issued in connection with the Act?

A statement that claims for less than £2 are not payable under the Business or Private Chattels Scheme will be inserted, in accordance with my hon. Friend's suggestion, in future prints of the explanatory memoranda relating to Part II of the War Damage Act for which the Board of Trade are responsible. The provision that claims for less than £5 are not to be entertained applies to claims under Part I of the War Damage Act, which is administered by the War Damage Commission, for which the Treasury are responsible. I am informed that this provision is fully set out in the Commission's explanatory pamphlet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to increase the supply of window and door glass for bombed dwelling-houses, so that less coal would be needed to keep such houses warm and habitable?

I have been asked to reply. The glass industry is working to its full productive capacity and the supply of glass is adequate to meet the demand on the basis of the standards of reinstatement that have been laid down. The alternative materials that are available give adequate protection against the weather and I am informed that the coal situation would not be materially affected by employing glass instead of these materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what would be the estimated saving in fuel if the British Broadcasting Corporation altered the time of the 8 a.m. news broadcast by a quarter of an hour and if the Home and Forces programmes were closed down at 10.30 p.m.?

I am informed that no appreciable saving of fuel would be effected by the suggested change in the time of the 8 a.m. News broadcast. If the B.B.C. Home and Forces programmes were closed down at 10.30 p.m., and listeners did not tune in to other broadcast programmes, turned off their lighting and heating and went to bed, it is estimated that 250,000 tons of coal might be saved during the five winter months.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Home Secretary at the Cotton Unions' conference in Blackpool on 5th May, in which he dealt with post-war policy towards Germany on the lines that there must be justice for the German people, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

I understand from my right hon. Friend that he was not laying down any new policy for his Majesty's Government, but merely expressing his personal views within the ambit of the principles of the Atlantic Charter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to give figures of casualties in dead, wounded, missing and prisoners of war sustained by the Armed forces of the British Empire from the outbreak of war until 2nd September, on 1941, or later?

The following are the casualties in the Armed Forces of the British Empire from 3rd September,1939 to 2nd September, 1941 (excluding deaths from natural causes):

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now find a post in the Home Guard, as a sergeant-instructor, for No. 2922044 Regimental Sergeant-Major Campbell, L.M.M., Cameron Highlanders; why, initially, the application of Mr. Campbell was rejected; and whether it is the policy of his Department to re-employ in the Home Guard all discharged Regular soldiers, providing they have committed no major offence and retain a reasonable standard of physical fitness?

Efforts have been made to find employment for Mr. Campbell as a Home Guard permanent staff instructor, but without success. The number of candidates for these posts exceeds the demand and only the best can be accepted. It is the policy of my Department to employ as Home Guard permanent staff instructors suitable Regular soldiers who would otherwise be discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now prepared to release for his former professional duties a teacher, whose name has been given him, now in medical category B 7 and employed as an officer's batman?

The release of this man has not been recommended by the Board of Education and I cannot therefore agree to it. I will, however, look into the possibility of finding him more active employment in the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War 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, demanding increases in pay and dependants' allowances for the lower ranks of the Army; and what steps he is prepared to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on this subject on 10th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of men serving in the Armed Forces employed in the movement control at the various railway stations, docks and harbours throughout the country; what percentage are in medical category A1; and whether he will consider having this work performed by men unfit for military service or by female labour?

The number of men in the Army so employed is 5,285, of whom 2,895 are of medical category A1. Much of this work requires fit men, but the replacement of A1 men by members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and low category men in the remainder is in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will supply information as to the use which is made of the motor vehicles of various sizes which are found stationed for many hours of the day outside a building occupied by his Department, the address of which has been communicated to him?

The vehicles referred to are mainly employed in the transport of official papers. Some of them belong to other Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has reviewed the confused interpretations, by commanding officers of Royal Air Force stations, of regulations governing the duties of aircraftsmen, non-commissioned officers and officers who are regarded as entertainers, artistes and bandsmen or members of official or unofficial orchestras or concert parties; whether new regulations have been issued; and, if so, will he publish a précis or copy of the regulations in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

New instructions have been issued (which are summarised below) regarding the activities of officially organised bands in the Royal Air Force. I am considering the question of issuing similar instructions regarding the activities of R.A.F. personnel in voluntary or unofficial bands, concert parties and as entertainers.

Following is a summary of the instructions :

I. Bands under the control of the Organising Director of Music, including the Central Band, the Royal Air Force Orchestra and the dance section of the Central Band,

(i) Bands are restricted to an average of one private engagement per fortnight,

(ii) A private engagement is one undertaken for fees which does not come within any of the following categories:—

(iii) Except for engagements in categories (ii) ( a ) and ( b ) prior Air Ministry authority is required.

(iv) Musicians or aircrafthand/musicians who are members of these bands may not accept individual engagements without the permission of the Organising Director of Music. Special leave may not be given and contracts for a series of engagements are forbidden.

II. Officially organised dance bands at R.A.F. stations.

(i) Aircrafthand/musicians are available for duty as aircrafthands and must be given the standard training in such matters as anti-gas measures, drill, musketry and airmanship and must also receive training with other airmen as "backers up" for the defence of aerodromes.

(ii) They are intended primarily for the entertainment of personnel on their own or neighbouring stations.

(iii) They may be called upon to take part in such engagements as:—

(iv) Bands as such and players individually may undertake paid outside engagements with the sanction of the Station Commander which, however, will only be given if the performance of Air Force duty is not prejudiced. Special leave will not be given for private engagements and contracts for a series are forbidden.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can state, without detriment to the public interest, what proportion of dinghies carried by Bomber Command aircraft are equipped with radio transmitters; and whether the present installation is satisfactory?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 24th March, 1942. It would not be in the public interest to add to the information then given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when the Government-designed type of producer-gas equipment for commercial vehicles will be available?

I cannot yet say when the first producer-gas units provided in accordance with the recently announced Government scheme will be available; but plans for production are being pushed forward with all speed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the present members of the Scottish Youth Advisory Committee and what interests they respectively represent; who are the members of the Youth Training Committee; what is the relation between the two bodies and what administrative arrangements are recommended for local education authorities?

I have chosen members of the Scottish Youth Committee because of their personal knowledge and experience of different aspects of the problems with which the Committee is concerned, and they act in a purely individual capacity. The present membership of the Committee is: Mr. J. Westwood, M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Chairman), Dr. May Baird, Mr. W. H. Bell, Mr. Michael Black, Rev. Dr. W. E. Brown, Lieut.-Colonel T. E. Calvert, Miss Bell Jobson, Dr. H. Stewart Mackintosh, Mr. W. McClelland, Mrs. J. A. C. Murray, Lady Stratheden and Campbell, Viscount Templeton, Dr. E. M. Wedderburn, Rev. Dr. W. M. Wightman, Mr. J. Wishart. The members of the Youth Leadership Training Committee are: Dr. W. A. F. Hepburn (Chairman), Rev. Dr. W. E. Brown, Miss Helen Drummond, Miss Grace Drysdale, Lord Glentanar, Dr. W. B. Inglis, Mr. W. J. McKinlay, Mrs. W. N. Monteith, Miss E. Porter, Rev. Roy Sanderson, and Rev. Dr. W. M. Wightman. Liaison between the Scottish Youth Committee and the Youth Leadership Training Committee is maintained by officers of the Scottish Education Department, and minutes and papers of the Youth Leadership Training Committee are submitted to the Scottish Youth Committee for information. The question of revised administrative arrangements to be recommended to education authorities is under my consideration, and I hope to issue recommendations shortly.