asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the national importance of the food distribution trade, it can now be regarded as a vital industry and placed on the same basis as public utility undertakings in order that suitable applicants who appear before labour tribunals can be directed into the essential trade of food distribution; and what is the present position?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to those industries in which women are placed after call-up under the National Service Acts or after registration under the Registration for Employment Order. These industries are chosen not only for their vital importance but also because of their need for large numbers of additional workers, and do not include any public utility service except transport. I regret that I cannot add food distribution to the list.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production to whom the security officer in an aircraft factory reports when he finds that the management of an aircraft factory is violating the security measures; and whether he will consider the appointment and payment of security officers being made by his Department to whom reports of slackness against managements can be made without fear of victimisation?

As I explained to my hon. Friend in reply to his Question of 13th May, a senior member of important aircraft firms is made responsible for security measures within the factory. He is frequently assisted by a security officer, who is appointed by the firm and who reports to him. I do not consider it necessary to make the change suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is now the policy of the Government to allow nurseries only for children up to the age of five years; whether nurseries may still be established for children between two and five years of age, open for hours suitable to the locality; and why regional officials have refused to sanction a nursery of the latter kind against the wishes of a local committee?

The policy of the Government is to provide nurseries to meet the present and prospective needs of the district concerned; the scope of the provision to be made at a particular nursery is a matter for consideration in the light of local circumstances. I will look into the case mentioned in the last part of the Question if my hon. Friend will let me have the particulars.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Ministry of Health have provided an additional block of 18 beds at the Brumby isolation Hospital, Scunthorpe, for the treatment of infectious diseases among evacuees, and that the Lindsey County Council, after efforts extending over six months, are still unable to acquire an ambulance of the type considered neces- sary for conveying seriously ill patients to isolation hospitals; whether such ambulances are available for this service; and what is the proper procedure by which the county council may acquire one?

I understand that Lindsey County Council have been in touch for some time with the Ministry of War Transport who offered them a standard service vehicle which in general is the only type available. The Lindsey County Council did not consider that this type would suit their particular purpose and the Ministry of Supply are now arranging to supply an adapted vehicle. The procedure is for a local authority to apply to the regional Transport Commissioners for a licence to acquire. When this is issued the applicant places his order through trade channels and the Ministry of Supply ensures that the necessary materials and productive capacity are made available.

asked the Minister of Supply whether it is a common practice, when two or more firms are manufacturing under contract the same article of munitions or warlike stores, that different contract prices are agreed by the Ministry with different firms; and what are the reasons for these differences?

It is by no means unusual to have different prices or costs for similar stores made by different firms. As my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, costs of production vary widely as between firms and districts, and there are many reasons for a spread of contracts.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware of the waste of paper involved in circulating company reports to all shareholders as well as publishing them in the Press; and whether he can take steps to arrange that such reports and like catalogues shall only be sent to those who ask for them?

The Companies Act requires that a copy of the directors' and auditors' reports should be sent to all shareholders in joint stock companies. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has recently consulted responsible business and professional organisations but has been advised against a relaxation of the requirement, which is considered to be an essential provision for the safeguarding of shareholders' interests. The Board of Trade have recently impressed on companies the urgent need for paper-saving especially in annual reports and prints of chairmen's speeches.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in considering coal rationing proposals, he will take into account the difficulty of rationing coal by weight due to the differences in heating values of the various grades of coal?

It would be exceedingly difficult to elaborate a rationing scheme to the point of taking account of the varying quality of different grades of coal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as a result of restrictions on cotton, etc., the supply of bedding for the public has fallen heavily; that this deficiency bears especially hardly in districts where, owing to air-raids, there has been, not only destruction of property, but a constant condition of mobility forced on many of the inhabitants, with casual loss and wear and tear in consequence; and whether he will give some considteration to the needs of such districts at the present time?

An increased production of blankets, to be sold at controlled prices, has been arranged; and as regards mattresses I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) yesterday. Certificates are issued to traders who have lost such goods in air raids, to enable them to replace their stocks outside quota.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the arrangements that have been made to supply agricultural workers with blue battle-dress as recently announced at a meeting of the Agricultural Workers Union?

In collaboration with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Agriculture and Supply I hope to complete arrangements to distribute through trade channels reconditioned battle-dress suits, to be sent in the first instance to agricultural areas for the use of agricultural workers. The suits would be dyed green, not blue, and sold retail at a controlled price. Purchase Tax would not be payable.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Air Ministry Order 706/41 applies to officers of the Royal Air Force Regiment?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of officers in each of the ground branches of the Royal Air Force on 1st May, 1942, who, under Air Ministry Order 706/41, are receiving the rate of pay of the rank below that of the acting rank which they hold?

It has not been possible, in the time available, to obtain the information my hon. Friend requires, but as soon as I have received it from commands at home and overseas, I will communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what proportion of officers unpaid under Air Ministry Order 706/41 on 1st May, 1942, had, on the date of promotion to unpaid acting rank, already served upwards of one year or more in a paid acting rank one step above their substantive rank?

The information asked for is not readily available and could not be produced without undue expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the total amount of salaries and expenses paid to the directors and staff of the National Vegetable Marketing Company?

The total amount of salaries, wages and expenses paid to the directors and staff of the National Vegetable Marketing Company from the date of its incorporation (13th May, 1941) up to 31st March, 1942, was £38,976.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that British pensioners of the International Settlement at Shanghai have received no payment since September last; and whether he proposes to take any action?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) on 6th May, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr. Touche) on 13th May.

asked the Paymaster-General whether his plans in connection with reconstruction take into account the necessity for educating, in the matter of post-war problems, the present large numbers of young men in the Forces who will be returning to civil life after the war, and who deserve the fullest opportunity of exerting their influence on reconstruction at the end of the war?

I realise the importance of young people, whether within or with-

asked the Home Secretary how many drivers or firemen have been fined for black-out offences through cleaning engine fires; whether he is aware that such operations have, at times, been carried out by direction of the railway authority and that the offenders were unaware of offending or unable to avoid doing so; and, in view of the indignation caused among drivers and firemen and the possible consequence of drivers refusing out the Forces, taking an intelligent interest in the problems of reconstruction. I understand that special facilities are being afforded for this purpose by all three Services and in consequence the opportunity of young people in the Services is certainly not inferior to that enjoyed by those outside.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) the number of building societies in the United Kingdom, their total membership and their total funds for the year ended 1941, or the nearest available date;(2) the number of industrial and provident societies, their total membership and their total funds for the year ended 1941, or the nearest available date;(3) the number of friendly societies, their total membership and their total funds for the year ended 1941, or the nearest available date?

The latest date for which figures are at present available is 31st December, 1940. The figures at that date were:to prepare engines or run trains during the hours of darkness and the representations made to him by the trade union, what action he is taking in the matter?

A recent case in which a driver has been fined for contravening the Lighting Regulations while removing an engine fire has been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend. The matter is being investigated and I will communicate with my hon. Friend. I am not aware of any other cases of a similar nature. It has been brought to my notice that the matter was considered by the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, Walthamstow branch, but I am not able to trace any representations made to my right hon. Friend from the trade union.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any discrimination on the grounds of colour in the recruitment of men and the selection of officers in Mauritius?

It is not the policy of the Mauritius Government to make any distinction on grounds of colour in the recruitment of men for the Forces in the selection of officers. In the case of the Mauritius Territorial Force it has been found by experience that an organisation under which white and coloured personnel serve in separate companies is in the best interests of military efficiency.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether there is any other device except the Loundes' safety device that will enable men struggling in the sea to right upturned lifeboats; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of adopting this device so that passengers and crew may be able to climb into safety from the sea?

I am advised that the appliance mentioned in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 23rd April is better suited to the purpose of righting an upturned lifeboat than the Loundes' safety device.