asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Cadet Force has to pay more for rations in camp and for travelling to and from camp than the Air Training Corps; that Cadet officers, unlike Air Training Corps officers, draw no pay or allowances in camp; and that Air Training Corps officers appointed before 31st March last are, unlike Cadet officers, exempt from conscription; and whether he proposes to arrange equality of treatment for the Cadet Force in these respects?

In future, Army cadets will be charged the same for rations as the Air Training Corps. The cost of travelling to and from camp for both the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps is refunded. The training arrangements of the Air Training Corps and of the Army Cadet Force are not entirely comparable. The grant of exemption from service under the National Service Acts to holders of a King's Commission in the Air Training Corps was discontinued on 31st March last. No King's Commissions were granted in the Army Cadet Force before that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, despite his assurance that the terms given to the Cadet Force are not less favourable than those given to the Air Training Corps, the capitation grant of the Air Training Corps is much larger than that of the Cadet Force, and Air Training Corps officers draw a uniform allowance of £20 while Cadet Force officers merely receive a battle-dress; and whether he will endeavour to get these inequalities rectified?

The grants are based on the expenses which have in each case to be met. A considerable proportion of the capitation grant of the Air Training Corps is spent on accommodation services, which the Army Cadet Force largely gets free at Territorial Army and Home Guard premises. The Army Cadet Force officer receives no uniform allowance, since his uniform, unlike that of the Air Training Corps officer, is issued to him free.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in spite of doubts of the efficacy of anti-cholera inoculation expressed by eminent Army medical officers, an Army medical officer forcibly inoculated Gunner Blackie, 1639226, in Bombay, on 15th April, 1942, against cholera; that Blackie was then charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline and awarded seven days' field punishment with loss of seven days' pay; and whether he will inform the officers responsible that they have violated Army rules and regulations and must make reparation to Blackie for the assault on his health and the illegal punishment he received for exercising his rights?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Blackie, 1639226, refused to be inoculated in India against cholera, after having learned that vaccination and inoculation can only be performed on men going overseas subject to the consent of each individual, as was stated by the Secretary of State for War in this House, in October, 1939; that this man was held down and forcibly inoculated by the medical officer on 15th April, 1942; and whether any reparation will be made for this illegal assault on a member of His Majesty's forces?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friends in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that commanding officers, in addition to awarding the usual form of punishment for offences, put back the offenders' leave for a long period, and that this causes great resentment among the men as well as inflicting hardship on innocent relatives; and whether he will discourage this practice?

It would not, I think, be right for me to interfere with the discretion of commanding officers in this matter.

Is it not possible, if a man has received 14 days' confinement to barracks and that is not considered sufficient, for it to be increased to 21 or 28 days, rather than penalising the dependants of the man, as happens when a man who is expecting to go on leave at the end of June is not allowed to go home until the end of August?

It is impossible to deal with the whole of the variety of cases that arise. That is why I think it would be wrong to interfere with the discretion of commanding officers. To take a very simple example, it would not be in the least unjust, I think, to defer the privilege leave of a soldier who had been absent without leave.

In cases not of that description, would the right hon. Gentleman look very sympathetically into the hardship which is caused by the infliction of two kinds of punishment for one offence?

I will certainly look into any case of that sort; but, as I said, I would be very loth to interfere with the discretion of commanding officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether friendly aliens who are members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are precluded from obtaining promotion?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the importance of the construction of military roads for the successful prosecution of the war in the Middle and Far East; any steps have yet been taken to set up an organisation similar to the Todt organisation used by the German Army?

A military organisation for constructional work in the Middle East has existed for some time, and the fullest use is made of local labour. It is not within my power to conscript or employ civilian labour under conditions similar to those of the Todt organisation, which is a civilian organisation employing mobile civilian labour under quasi-military discipline.

Are the civilians employed at all; and do they work with those of our men who are under military discipline, in the same organisation?

I imagine so, because, as I said in my answer, the fullest use is made of local labour. That would not be conscripted labour or military labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many category A and B men are now in the Royal Army Pay Corps; and whether he is aware that many of the personnel in this corps working in offices, complain of lack of sufficient to do, and their applications to be transferred to combatant units have been refused?

It would not be in the public interest to give the figures asked for. I am not aware that the Royal Army Pay Corps is under-worked. Men of higher medical category are being transferred to combatant corps as fast as the supply and, training of substitutes allow.

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that low category men will be used in this Corps, as Members of this House are receiving letters from active men of the Royal Army Pay Corps, who prefer to enter combatant units, and will he look into the matter?

This is a matter which is very well known to me. The difficulty is in getting sufficient substitutes quickly enough, so that my hon. Friend is pushing an open door as regards the policy, but as regards the practice, that depends upon supply.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to grant leave to come home to men who have been continuously overseas since the outbreak of war?

I regret that it is impossible at the present time to grant individual leave from most stations abroad. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the desirability of relieving complete units which have been overseas since the outbreak of war is not being overlooked, but he will realise that shipping and operational factors govern the situation.

Are there any prospects of the answer of my right hon. Friend being put into effect in the near future?

My hon. Friend can judge that as well as I can.

I have not the facts at my disposal.

I should not have thought that the prospects were very rosy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any further information regarding the position of our forces in Madagascar and the extent to which the island is under the control of the Allies?

It would not be in the public interest to give any further information at present.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he or the Prime Minister will be able to inform the House and the country of the course of events in Madagascar?

I am sorry, Sir, I cannot undertake to be a prophet.

asked the Secretary of State for War what contracts have been granted to a Mr. Christopher, of Lincoln, or a firm known as De Mulders, Doncaster, or Hermann Schapiro, Limited, Doncaster, to purchase Army horses in Doncaster, or elsewhere, which are aged or unfit for further Army service, what is the price paid for such animals; how were the contracts negotiated; and, in view of the fact that ex-Army horses are now yielding generous profits to horse slaughterers and butchers, he will offer such horses for sale by advertised or open tender, or attempt to secure prices equitably related to the wholesale prices for horseflesh now fixed by the Minister of Food?

The contracts with De Mulders and H. Schapiro were arranged by the General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, for the sale of carcases of horses which have died or been destroyed in military units in that Command. The conditions of the contract is that these carcases may not be resold for human consumption. It would be contrary to established practice to disclose contract prices. The contract with Mr. Christopher was placed by the Ministry of Supply.

Can my right hon. Friend assure us that the horses in question do not actually reach the horse-flesh butchers in the human consumption category; and is it not a well known fact in this particular trade that the new price lists issued by the Minister of Food mean that they are getting horses at £2 which are actually worth £10 in wholesale value immediately they come on to the market?

I think that, if my recollection is right, the contract in which the question of the sale for human consumption arises is placed by the Ministry of Supply.

I believe you sell horses at £2 which are worth £10, and that is the trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in reviewing the case of Mr. Charles Stevens, whose services at the War Office were dispensed with in 1935, he has satisfied himself that, as regards the information given to Mr. Stevens of the details of the alleged circumstances and reasons for his dismissal, the regulations have been strictly complied with?

No rigid regulations exist in regard to the procedure to be followed in such cases. In common with my predecessors who reviewed this case, I am satisfied that no injustice has been done.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that this gentleman has received all the information which it is possible to give him with regard to his case?

I am satisfied, as were those of my predecessors who reviewed the case, that Mr. Stevens was fully aware of the reasons for his dismissal, that he had every opportunity to make such representations as he desired, and that those representations, both oral and written, were fully considered by the Permanent Under-Secretary of the day.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the practice of the various Departments to encourage the temporary civil servants, when about to retire at the age of 65 years, to continue their service during the period of the war; and, if they consent, is it the policy of his Department to reduce their gratuity for each year served beyond the age of 65 years?

I assume that in the phrase "temporary Civil Servant," the hon. Member has in mind unestablished civil servants. In that case the answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, and to the second that an unestablished civil servant retained after 65 years of age will continue to earn additional gratuity for each completed year after that age.

Does not the Financial Secretary consider that this is a discouragement to further service rather than an inducement?

I should not have thought there was any discouragement. A man continues to earn additional gratuity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why his Department agreed to sanction the use of good agricultural land at Colwyn Bay for the purpose of constructing offices for a Government Department when derelict building land, properly sewered, is available in the borough, apart from vacant residences which could be utilised?

My right hon. Friend agreed to the use of this site only after all efforts to obtain a suitable alternative site on land of lower agricultural value had failed. The derelict land was too small in area for the particular Department's requirements.

Is it not a fact that the Land Commissioner and the chief executive officer of the war agricultural committee recommended another site of no agricultural value? How is it that the Minister sanctioned the use of good land when existing buildings are available which could be made suitable?

The hon. Gentleman has already learned from my right hon. Friend that alternative sites had been examined.

May we take it that the building of offices at Colwyn Bay means the beginning of granting Home Rule to the Principality?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that three tenant farmers on Saltoun Estate, East Lothian, have been evicted on the grounds that the landowner intends to work the farms himself; that these evictions are causing a feeling of insecurity amongst tenant farmers in South Scotland; and whether he will take steps to have enacted that tenant farmers shall have security of tenure for the duration of the war and for some time afterwards?

I understand there are some few cases in which proprietors have given tenants notices to quit at Martinmas, 1942, in order to take the farms into their own hands, but I have no detailed information regarding the three instances mentioned in the first part of the Question. The National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland have asked for a meeting with the Scottish Land and Property Federation and my Department to discuss the questions relative to the security of tenure of tenant farmers, and this meeting will be held shortly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that those farmers who have worked their farms through the lean and hungry years are not turned out now when guaranteed prices and subsidies have been introduced?

Will the Secretary of State do everything he can to take over land of this kind in order to protect the tenants?

That hardly arises on this Question, but a very considerable amount of deer forests and other land has been taken over.

Is it not a fact that most of it that has been taken over is of no use?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether before he allowed the eviction of the tenant of Saint John's Farm, Berwickshire, he consulted the Berwick County Agricultural Execu- tive Committee and with what result; and, as the buyer of this farm owns another farm, why was the protection against eviction provided in Defence Order 62 (41) not granted to this farmer?

I consulted the agricultural executive committee for Berwick-shire and fully accepted the favourable report which they gave me of the existing tenant's management. But there was no evidence of land speculation in the purchase, and food production interests were not adversely affected by the proposed change of occupier. The purchaser of the farm is at present the tenant of a small-holding, not the owner of a farm. He has proved his farming capacity and he is giving up the tenancy of the smallholding when he takes over the farm. In my opinion, therefore, there were inadequate grounds for refusing my consent under the Defence Regulation.

Does the Minister think that it is fair to the farmer who is a good farmer and has worked his farm should be turned out because someone else thinks that it is a good proposition; and why did he give his consent in a case of that kind?

The only ground upon which my consent can be refused under the Defence Regulations is if there is evidence of speculation. There was none in this case.

Is it not the case that the outgoing farmer was farming the land usefully and well, and why is it therefore that another farmer can come along and supplant a farmer who has already proved his worth to the community in war-time? If there is no power under the Defence Regulation, cannot something be done to protect farmers who are making good use of the land that they are farming?

As I have already said, the Defence Regulation gives the Minister power to refuse his consent only if there is evidence of speculation in the rents and price of land, and there is no such evidence whatever here.

Would the right hon. Gentleman regard the putting-up of the rent as speculation or not?

What was the reason, if there was no speculation in this case?

There was a change of ownership; as a matter of fact, this was the winding-up of a trust estate.

Is there not power to prevent a farmer from being evicted in a case of hardship, and could the right hon. Gentleman not have refused it on these grounds?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether regulations provide that when a landlord demands increased rent from a tenant farmer and the tenant asks for arbitration the landlord is bound to accept and, where arbitration is accepted, that instructions are given to the arbiter as to how he should base his award?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. Under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1923, either the landlord or the tenant is entitled to ask the other to agree to arbitration in regard to revision of rent after an occupancy for five years at a previously agreed rent. If the landlord refuses or fails within a reasonable time to agree and the tenant gives notice to quit because of this, he is entitled to compensation for disturbance—normally equivalent to one year's rent. On the other hand should the tenant refuse to agree to arbitration and the landlord because of the refusal serves notice to quit, the tenant loses his right to compensation for disturbance. I have no power to instruct an arbiter as to the exercise of his independent judgment on any case submitted to him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is no remedy to the farmer to give notice to the landlord as he does not want to leave the farm; that there is no protection for the farmer whatever if the landlord is not prepared to agree to arbitration; and that many arbitrators base their award on the fact that other farmers round about are paying an increased base rent because they are afraid of quarrelling with their landlord; and cannot something be done?

As far as my evidence goes, there have been only three cases reported, so that there cannot be many cases at all.

In view of the profit that the landlord is making out of this transaction, will the right hon. Gentleman direct the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to this fruitful source of income?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Aberdeen is the only city in Scotland where secondary education is carried on on a half-time basis; that there is a general feeling in that city that the old and infirm temporary occupants of the central school could be more suitably housed outside an area which is from time to time visited by enemy bombers; and whether he will consider by what means the present unsatisfactory arrangements, which are having a serious effect upon about 1,500 secondary pupils, can be improved upon?

I am aware that Aberdeen is the only city in Scotland in which a large proportion of the secondary pupils are receiving less than full-time education. Efforts have been made, unfortunately without success, to obtain suitable alternative accommodation within or without the city for the patients at present accommodated in the Central Secondary School. I shall welcome any assistance in securing such suitable alternative accommodation. But as the hon. Member will be aware, schools have been requisitioned for war purposes and so far it has been found impossible to secure their release.

Can my right hon. Friend say whose duty it is to look for alternative accommodation and to decide whether such accommodation is suitable or not, because my information is that there is much suitable accommodation which has been unjustifiably rejected?

If my hon. Friend will give me any evidence of that kind, I shall be greatly obliged to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee on Retail Trade has now completed its task; and when he hopes to be able to present a report to the House?

I wrote yesterday to the chairman of the Retail Trade Committee asking him to expedite the Committee's report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what function is to be performed by the Department under Mr. George Yandell, which it is not now the duty of the police force to discharge;

(2) whether the appointment of Mr. George Yandell, as Chief Enforcement Officer of the Board of Trade, is permanent or temporary; how many assistants will be at his disposal; and how many of them will be permanent?

Mr. Yandell has been appointed to investigate cases arising from infringements of the Limitation of Supplies, Rationing and other Orders administered by the Board of Trade which appear likely to lead to criminal proceedings and to require co-operation between the police and the Board's staff. The Board of Trade have hitherto found themselves handicapped by the absence of expert police guidance within the Department in the earliest stages of investigations, and it is hoped that the appointment of an ex-police officer of Mr. Yandell's ability and experience will remedy this. He will not deal with cases which should be handled by the police alone. Mr. Yandell's appointment is a temporary one. He has no special assistants, but will co- operate with the present staff engaged in enforcement of the Orders and in frustrating black market operations.

Will my right hon. Friend keep a careful eye on the publicity from this Department, especially on any interviews which may be given, lest these officers, in their enthusiasm for their duty, should convey the erroneous impression that in this country there is a large number of crooks and traitors?

I will certainly watch that, but I think the House desires that I should stiffen up to the greatest possible extent the operations designed to check black market business. It was with that in mind that this appointment was made.

Is not widespread publicity necessary in order to encourage these men in their work and to achieve success?

Yes, Sir, if it is of the right kind.

Do I understand that the police have so far failed and that it has been necessary to draw on Scotland Yard?

We can always improve even a moderately good arrangement, and I think the House will expect me to take whatever steps are open to me to stamp out this black market business.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Explanatory Memorandum, issued by his Department in March, 1941, on the Concentration of Industry is still the basis of concentration; and how many Departments or Ministries are now concerned with the initiation of concentration?

Yes, Sir. This Memorandum is still the basis of our policy. The Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Works and Buildings, in addition to the Board of Trade, are concentrating industries which fall within their province.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it advisable to have more concentration under one head in order to get one definite policy? Is it not possible that with two or three Departments dealing with this there would be two or three different readings of the Memorandum?

I do not think so; we keep in close contact, and, of course, any matter relating to food more properly falls within the purview of the Ministry of Food than the Board of Trade.

Has the retreat from concentration been conducted on the terms of the same Memorandum?

No, Sir. There has not been retreat; there has been reconsideration of the position in the light of the economic position. We must, of course, always be prepared to take account of any changes in the original situation which led to a particular scheme being advisable before.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will authorise the granting of licences to enable the export to South American countries of picks, shovels, hoes, spuds, coffee diggers, and other agricultural and mining tools of (he kind that have been regularly shipped from this country to South American countries?

Exports of these steel tools are subject to the Lend-Lease undertakings of His Majesty's Government. The supply of such goods to South American countries has recently been fully discussed with the United States authorities, and I am satisfied that the United States industry should be able to supply the essential South American requirements. If, however, manufacturers in this country have steel already rolled for making tools and implements for South American countries and only suitable for this purpose, I shall be glad to discuss such cases with the United States authorities.

Is the Minister aware that many specialised tools are made only in this country because of the enormous variety of tools supplied to different agricultural workers throughout the world?

I know that is the case with some of them, and, as I have already indicated, if there are any firms which have steel already made up into these tools, we shall be glad to take them up. But we must be very careful not to give any opportunity to our enemies to maintain that His Majesty's Government are not faithfully carrying out their international obligations.

Will my right hon. Friend see that the requirements of the mining industry in this country are the first consideration?

Certainly they are a most important consideration.

Are we to understand that under Lease-Lend we have virtually handed over our export in iron and steel trade in South America to the United States?

No, Sir. I think that is an undue simplification.

Is it not a fact that no decision can be taken in this country about anything without consultation with the United States with regard to export trade, which is so essential?

The hon. Gentleman is perfectly correct in so far as materials are obtained from the United States for the war effort under the Lease-Lend arrangements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the outline of the Government coal proposals appeared in the morning newspapers on 3rd June, though the White Paper was not published until 5.15 p.m. that day; and if inquiries are being made as to the source of the disclosure?

Yes, Sir. I have looked into this matter and have reached the conclusion that the varying forecasts published by the newspapers were based on a general knowledge of the proposals which had been under discussion and intelligent anticipation of the Government's decisions, rather than on any premature disclosure of the White Paper. None of the articles published on the morning of 3rd June purported to give a comprehensive account of the Government scheme; and I would remind my hon. Friend that some of the matters dealt with in the White Paper had previously been debated in Parliament, that certain of the proposals submitted to the Government had already been published and that Ministers had necessarily held consultations with representatives of the industry.

As the proposals were not in any way known to representatives of the various industries concerned, and as the Press showed almost complete unanimity in their very accurate picture, is it not time that steps were taken to stop this leakage from the Board of Trade?

I have looked into this matter very carefully and have studied the various forecasts in the Press. They differed widely among themselves, and nearly all were wrong in one important particular. If the hon. Gentleman would like to go through the Press cuttings with me, I think I should be able to convince him.

How is it they all tipped the new Minister?

That was not in the White Paper.

Is there any indication here of information leaking from the 20-years-behind-the-times Committee?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that absenteeism among the face-workers in the Yorkshire Amalgamated Collieries has risen from 14.72 per cent. in the first quarter of 1939 to 21.79 per cent. in the first quarter of 1942, the bulk of the consequent loss of output deriving from 20 per cent. of the workers, which includes a high proportion of the younger men; why the Government, having assumed disciplinary control, has taken no effective steps to face up to this issue; and what action he now proposes to deal with it?

I have been asked to reply. The statistics of attendance for these collieries for the periods referred to have been examined, and I should inform the hon. and gallant Member that the absenteeism percentages quoted present a very misleading picture. Although the number of shifts lost has increased since 1939, the number of shifts worked per man has also increased by a third of a shift per week. The apparent increase in absenteeism is thus due to an increase in the number of shifts offered. As to the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the White Paper issued on 3rd June.

May we have the answer repeated? Not a word was audible.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the figures embodied in the Question do not square with the figures published by the production committee in the area concerned?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present short sittings and the need for participation in debate of the maximum number of Members to ensure the vitality of Parliamentary control over an all-party Government, he will propose that on suitable occasions no Member should speak for more than 15 minutes except by leave of the House?

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) on 18th February, 1941, the question of limiting the length of speeches has been considered on many occasions but no satisfactory remedy has so far been found. The solution rests with hon. Members themselves, and any voluntary arrangement which would allow a greater number to give expression to their views on important debates within the time allotted would undoubtedly be to the general advantage.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether, quite apart from the utterances and speeches of the Prime Minister, of which we can never have too much, he does not agree that speeches, not only by hon. Members, but by members of the Government would be vastly improved if they were cut by 50 per cent?

That is a matter of opinion, I think.

Is it not rather noteworthy that those who fail to find a procedure for shortening speeches are those who are most addicted to giving the House long speeches, and would it not be more likely that a solution would be found if the matter were considered by Back-Bench Members and others who make short speeches?

Have the Government thought of issuing coupons?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to indicate whether a badge of suitable design can be issued to all ex-Service men and merchant seamen who are not otherwise eligible for a badge under present Regulations?

On a recent occasion, the House was informed of the reasons for which the Government considered it undesirable to extend the classification of those to whom the King's badge for invalided officers and men can be issued. At the same time, a promise was made on behalf of the Government that the question of the institution of a new badge for invalided officers and men ineligible for the present King's badge should be examined. It is, of course, inevitable that, given the basis of award for the King's badge, there must be difficult border line cases which may seem to be hard cases for those affected. The Government have, therefore, considered with sympathy the proposal for a hew badge.

They have, however, reluctantly decided not to adopt this proposal. A considerable number of those eager to join the combatant services have to be rejected on medical grounds. It would be invidious to make any distinction between these men and those whose disabilities escape detection until after they have been admitted. Every man and woman in this country should now be doing the work by which, in the opinion of the Government, he can render the best service to his country. There is, therefore, no just basis for distinction between those who are discharged from the combatant Services owing to ill health which is not attributable to their service and those who are obliged to give up other forms of service for similar reasons.

In conclusion, I would remind the House that, under the conditions of total war, no man's patriotism can be called in question because he is wearing civilian clothes. In this war, therefore, no man requires a badge or any other form of decoration to prove that he has done his duty to his country or has been willing to do it.

Can my right hon. Friend indicate how the Government have looked at this matter with sympathy, and does he understand that his answer will cause considerable disappointment among large numbers of men who have been discharged from the Forces after doing their duty, and some of whom are now receiving white feathers because they wear civilian clothes?

I would remind my hon. Friend that because one examines a matter with sympathy, it does not necessarily mean that one comes to the same conclusion as he does. The matter has been looked at with sympathy, and I think the reply shows conclusively that there would be great difficulties in making distinctions which would not cause hardship in one direction or another.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to give the figures of civilian casualties suffered in the British Empire from the outbreak of war until 2nd September, 1941?

Yes, Sir. The number of civilian casualties in the British Empire from 3rd September, 1939, to 2nd September, 1941, was: Killed 43,675; injured and detained in hospital, 50,346. These figures do not include casualties at sea among merchant seamen or civilians.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make available for Members of this House the report sent home from Singapore last autumn from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on the conditions then existing in Malaya?

No, Sir.

If my right hon. Friend will not make the report available, will he consider giving the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster an opportunity on the next suitable occasion to make a statement in the House?

Is the consistent refusal of the Government to give the House any information about what has happened overseas in Malaya and Singapore due to their desire to hide grievous mistakes on the part of high officials?

No, Sir.

If the Government are not prepared to publish the report, will they tell the House and the country the reason why they will not do so?

A reply has already been made on that subject by the Prime Minister.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he proposes to make with regard to the wives and dependants of those civil members of the community in Malaya and Singapore who have been captured, or who are missing; and whether they will be treated in the same manner as wives and dependants of men in the Armed Forces?

As I indicated in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), dependants of civilians captured by the Japanese in the Far East will be treated on the same general lines as have been accorded to dependants of British subjects detained in other territories overrun by the enemy or British subjects who have lost their livelihood in this country by enemy action. Analogous arrangements will cover those dependants who are in the Dominions. I do not think that the scheme for military personnel could suitably be applied to civilians, but I am considering how far the arrangements I have mentioned can be supplemented in special cases of individual need.

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the machinery is now in motion? Is he aware that some of these people are in a grievous state, and are they able to get help?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will send me any cases he has in mind. I am giving consideration to these matters.

Does that answer apply to Hong Kong?

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the annual expenses of the Building Research Station; who provides these funds; and are the materials and processes that it has approved available for use by anyone without the further approval of either Parliament or the Ministry of Health?

The estimated gross expenditure during the current financial year for the Building Research organisation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is £80,183. The funds are provided from the Vote of the Department (Civil Estimate, Class 6, Vote 15). The results of research work carried out at the Building Research Station are generally made freely available by publication through the Stationery Office or in appropriate journals. The application by builders of such results in any locality is, of course, subject to compliance with the Building By-laws in force there but does not otherwise require further approval.

Seeing that this work is done at the public expense, is it not desirable that the public should get the benefit of it right away without having to apply to other agencies, such as the councils to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, my concern is primarily with research as such, but certainly, I would not wish to see the results of useful research sterilised by the operation of out of date by-laws, and if that is the point which he has in mind, and if he can give me some instances, I will see whether anything can be done.

Could it not be made a general regulation for the entire country?

That is rather a large question.

Is not the object of these researches the benefit of the public as a whole, and is not this secretiveness against the purpose for which the Research Station was created?

I have made quite clear in my answer that there is no secretiveness. The policy is to publish these results.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether tax certificates taken out by the parent company of a group are eligible for the discharge of tax liabilities of subsidiary companies?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction exists among firms whose premises have been requisitioned that under a ruling made by his Department no compensation will be payable towards the cost of dismantling machinery and re-erecting it in the requisitioned premises at the termination of their occupation by a Government Department; and will be reconsider the ruling made, in view of the additional expense to which such firms will be put in returning to their own premises?

The compensation payable in respect of the requisitioning of premises is governed by Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act. If premises are requisitioned and the owner is directed to remove any machinery therein and decides to store it, the cost of dismantling, transporting and storing it elsewhere, together with the cost of subsequently re-erecting it in the premises is paid. If, however, the owner decides to re-erect it elsewhere, the cost of dismantling, transporting and re-erecting in the new premises is paid, but in that event the cost of a second dismantling and re-erection cannot be treated, under Section 2 (1, d) of the Act as an expense incurred for the purpose of compliance with a direction by the Government.

Do I understand that, if a man wishes to reinstate machinery at the end of the war in premises from which he has been dispossessed, the expenses will be paid?

Yes, Sir, under the circumstances laid down in my answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that earned income is taxed at a lower rate than unearned income, he will investigate the possibility of reducing the rate of tax at present charged on the pensions of men invalided from the Services whose physical condition makes it impossible for them to engage in occupations which will bring them earned income of any kind?

Wounds pensions and disability pensions granted on account of medical unfitness attributed to naval, military or Air Force service are not liable to tax. Other pensions which are granted in respect of past service are treated as earned income, and the appropriate deduction is allowed. I am afraid I cannot see my way to propose any further special relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the difficulties encountered by men with small resources in obtaining special life policies for air-raid fatalities; and, in view of the recrudescence of raids on this country, will he take immediate steps to facilitate the breadwinner being able to ensure a lump sum being available for his family in case of death?

I cannot add to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on 19th May last.

Is the Chancellor aware of the inconvenience caused to women because their compensation is lower than that paid to men?

No, Sir.

May I ask my right hon. Friend, who has sat on the Front Bench for at least 20 years, whether this is the first time he has heard of this? Will he give us an answer which is really worthy of the Government?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the post-war credits which accrue to a married woman who is assessed jointly with her husband for the purpose of Income Tax will be paid to the husband or wife?

I would refer by hon. Friend to Section 7 (2) of the Finance Act, 1941, which provides that where a wife has income of her own the post-war credit may be divided between husband and wife if either of them applies for such a division.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedure should be adopted by persons who have Income Tax deducted from their wages when such deductions are improper; and whether he is aware that such persons experience great difficulty in obtaining repayment, in some instances necessitating the intervention of his Department before repayment is possible?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to a particular case of an unusual type which he has already brought to my notice in which tax had been wrongly deducted. As he is aware, repayment has now been made. I regret there was some delay in making the repayment and I hope to send my hon. Friend a full explanation in the near future. The normal procedure is, of course, for the taxpayer to appeal at once to his local inspector.

Is the Chancellor aware that more than one case has come to my notice? I understand that when inquiries are made to the Inspector of Taxes, his difficulty is to find the medium to obtain repayment. He has not made an assessment, and, as the employer's banker pays the tax in bulk to the Revenue Department, there seems to be no authority to authorise repayment.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will let me have the case; I will then be able to take up the matter.