asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether all milk referred to in the recent White Paper upon milk policy as of poor keeping quality originates largely from low-grade farms, producing non-designated milk, it is now intended to raise the quality of such milk by improving the low standards of the herds and of the farms concerned?

I have been asked to reply. If any milk is found, on test, to be of poor keeping quality, steps will be taken to ascertain the cause and to advise the farmer concerned as to what he should do to secure improvement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, with regard to the instructions issued by his Department to controlled millers and signed by an officer of the Ministry, who is himself a representative of trade interests concerned, whether, as many of these instructions are not merely technical directions but involve policy conflicting with published Statutory Rules and Orders, he will reconsider his refusal to make arrangements by which Members may be possessed confidentially, if necessary, of the text of these instructions immediately upon their issue?

No, Sir, I cannot accept the accuracy of either the statements or the implications in my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the estimated amount of sweets consumed by each individual child under 10 years of age at the present time?

Information is not available upon which an estimate such as my hon. and gallant Friend requires could be based.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what proportion of damaged imported flour is allowed, as set out in the instruction issued to controlled millers, C.M.C. No. 174, and dated 19th March, to be added to the flour for national bread; and to what expert examination it is submitted to ascertain its suitability for human consumption?

Flour, both home-milled and imported, which has been damaged, is inspected by an expert flour salvage officer, and flour which can be reconditioned for human consumption is sent to a flour mill for such reconditioning and mixing in. The rate of mixing in depends on the quantity concerned and various technical factors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food who are the directors, and what is the function, of the company referred to in instructions issued to controlled millers, C.M.C. 189, dated 28th April, under the name Flour (Accessory Factors), Limited; why this company, established to act as agent for the fortification of white flour with aneurin, has been selected to control the addition of chalk; what knowledge and equipment are possessed by this company to fit it to test national flour fortified with calcium; what is to be the source of this addition and the cost per sack?

The directors of Flour (Accessory Factors), Limited, all of whom were appointed by my Noble Friend, are:

• Lieut.-Colonel F. C. C. Balfour, C.I.E., C.B.E., M.C. (Chairman).
• Mr. C. A. Loombe, M.C.
• Mr. Kenneth A. E. Moore, F.C.A.
• Professor R. A. Peters, M.C., F.R.S.
• Mr. H. D. Vigor, O.B.E.

The company was established to act as the agent of my Noble Friend in giving effect to decisions of policy, not only in the fortification of flour with aneurin, but also in respect of the addition of any other substance to flour with a view to the improvement of its nutritional values. The arrangements which are being undertaken by the company in connection with the addition of calcium to flour are covered by the objects set out in the company's memorandum of association. The company has at its disposal the technical staff and equipment for carrying out any necessary tests of calcium or flour fortified with calcium. As my hon. Friend will be aware from the announcement made in this House on 13th April, the source of the calcium to be incorporated in national flour is calcium carbonate (creta preparata). Seven ounces of this substance are to be added to each sack (280 lbs.) of flour, and the total cost of this addition is not to exceed one-third of a penny per sack.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the priority and other purposes referred to in the instruction, C.M.C. 191, issued to controlled millers and dated 30th April, for which millers are allowed to utilise the germ; what is the source of the supply, both for these purposes and for the further provision of germ to be placed at the disposal of millers in the ordinary way of trade; and whether permission for these uses of the germ overrides the direction prohibiting separate extraction of wheat germ in process of milling national wheatmeal contained in S.R. & O. No. 451?

The purposes referred to are in connection with the manufacture of certain medical products which my Noble Friend, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, has agreed should continue to be available. The germ required is obtained from the milling of speciality flours in which germ is not a statutory ingredient, and the answer to the last part of the Question is, therefore, in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken, in view of the lateness of the potato crops, to ensure adequate supplies of last year's product to the fish-friers throughout 1942?

The new potato crop is making satisfactory growth. A reserve of more than 300,000 tons of long-keeping potatoes has been bought by the Ministry for release through normal trade channels in the interim period when supplies of new potatoes are insufficient to meet all demands. Provided weather conditions are suitable for storing, it is anticipated that adequate supplies will be available from this reserve for all users, including fish-friers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether at the Crookhall Colliery Company, Durham, employing 800 men, but without pit-head baths, it is intended to grant an extra soap allowance as now required by these miners?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) and Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor) on 3rd June, to which I have nothing at present to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether any European country has put into operation a scheme for rationing domestic gas and electricity; whether any such scheme has been formulated in Vichy France; and what happened to it?

Schemes designed to ration or compulsorily to reduce the domestic consumption of gas are now in force in Switzerland, Italy, Holland, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Greece, Finland, the Baltic States, Denmark and France. Similar schemes for electricity are in force in Holland, Norway, Denmark and France. Italy and Switzerland do not normally ration electricity, but emergency schemes were introduced for a time during the winter, when there was a shortage of water power. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, gas and electricity have been rationed throughout the whole of metropolitan France since 1st September, 1941.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of coal conservation by a smaller consumption of electric power, he will consider introducing legislation to close the gates of all first-floor and top-floor landings in buildings where lifts are used?

This suggestion will be considered together with others having the same object.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the staffing of the new Ministry for dealing with fuel problems, he will give Civil Service staff associations the opportunity of bringing to his notice cases of staffs in various grades in other Government Departments who claim to be underemployed and would be available to fill posts in the new department?

As regards the provision of any additional staff required by the new Ministry, it is the normal practice in cases of this kind to ask for contributions from such other Departments as are likely to be able to help. Staff associations have already been invited to call attention to any cases of under-employment and to co-operate with Departments in reducing the number of staff employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will indicate the average movement of prices, separately, within each classified group of commodities as utilised for the purpose of obtaining the general average for the country?

The average movement of each group of commodities included in the Board of Trade wholesale prices index number is published each month in the "Board of Trade Journal" which also contains once a year a special review of price movements in the preceding twelve months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange for officers and men of the Home Guard who have to buy such things as shirts, collars, ties, shoes, gloves, etc., to go with their issued uniform, to have facilities for getting these without having to part with their supply of civilian clothing coupons?

No, Sir. Home Guards are issued by the War Office, coupon-free with uniform, greatcoat and boots. They are not compelled to purchase special footwear or khaki shirts, collars, ties or gloves for military use. Those who buy these articles can wear them as part of civilian dress, and must, therefore, give up coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue supplemental clothing coupons for workers employed in fruit and vegetable canneries?

I shall be glad to give full consideration to any claim that trade unions representing these workers may put forward through the Trades Union Congress for the present rationing period.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the resolution from the Ponders End No. 4 Branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union on the question of resuming negotiations with the leaders of the Indian National Congress; and what steps does he intend taking?

I have not seen the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the resumption of negotiations with the leaders of the several Indian parties, the attitude of His Majesty's Government was clearly stated to the House on 28th April by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Privy Seal and by myself.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that all units of the Sea Cadets on Clydeside, which were formed in December, 1941, are still without uniforms; and whether, in view of the pride which the boys attach to the wearing of the uniforms and the help of such uniforms in maintaining the strength and esprit de corps of the units, he can hold out hope that the uniforms will be available at least before the boys go into camp in the middle of July?

A large number of demands for uniforms for sea cadets have been dealt with since the Admiralty assumed responsibility for supply on 15th April last. Of these two have come from the Clyde area—one from the Greenock Sea Cadet Corps which was received on 24th May, and the other from the Bute Sea Cadet Corps on 27th May. Both have been complied with. The other seven new sea cadet corps units on the Clyde which have recently been formed have not yet sent in their indents to the Admiralty. The importance of uniforms for, the Sea Cadet Corps is fully realised and all possible steps are being taken to expedite their issue. Every effort will be made to supply uniforms to these Clyde-side units with the least possible delay as soon as their detailed requirements have been communicated to the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Free Trade Legion, 38, Bedford Street, W.C.2, recently circularised Members of Parliament with seven sheets of printed matter in one envelope; and whether, in view of the shortage of paper and shipping difficulties, he will prevent organisations of this sort distributing pamphlets so lavishly?

I have seen the publications referred to. I understand they were printed on a comparatively small quantity of paper taken from the general stock of the printer. I should be loth to become the censor of pamphlets to be distributed either to hon. Members or to the general public, but there are severe restrictions on the quantity of paper made available for general printing.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the cost-of-living figure on 1st June, 1938, and for the same date in each year to the present?

The official cost-of-living figures for the beginning of each month since January, 1920, are given in a table on page 113 of the May issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," a copy of which can be consulted in the Library. The figure for 1st June, 1942, is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Blackie, 1639226, after exercising in Bombay his right to refuse inoculation, was forcibly inoculated by the medical officer on 15th April, 1942; was then awarded seven days' field punishment and loss of seven days' pay, for having endangered his comrades by refusing inoculation in a cholera emergency; that as the other soldiers had been inoculated their health could not have been endangered by Blackie's refusing inoculation; that the whole procedure is contrary to Army Regulations and War Office Orders; and, whether any compensation is to be awarded Blackie for treatment for which there is no precedent in the records of the British Army?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) and the Sutton Division of. Plymouth (Lady Astor) to-day, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War who comprises the Directorate of Personal Services; and what are their duties, qualifications, previous service, ranks and ages?

The Directorate of Personal Services comprises, under the director who is a major-general and the deputy director who is a brigadier, five branches, with an assistant adjutant-general of the rank of colonel or lieutenant-colonel at the head of each. Under the assistant adjutant-general in each branch are one or more deputy assistant adjutant-generals of the rank of major, under each of whom are one or more staff captains and the appropriate number of clerks, military and civilian. There are thus one major-general, one brigadier, two colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, nine majors, eleven captains, one lieutenant, two quartermasters, three retired officers and one civilian officer. The holders of the appointments change from time to time and the age distribution therefore varies. There are, however, at present five officers between the ages of 30 and 40, twelve between 40 and 50, sixteen between 50 and 60, and one over 60.The subjects dealt with by the Directorate include courts-martial and disciplinary questions arising therefrom; the removal of officers from the Army; discharges of other ranks; courts of inquiry on fires and accidents; the administration of regimental funds; statutory appeals and complaints; morale; questions relating to conscientious objectors; legal questions including courts-martial warrants; the manual of Military Law; the administration of martial law; the status and powers of command of officers; questions arising from military legislation, statutory rules and orders, the Visiting Forces Act and Allied Forces Act; disciplinary and legal questions affecting the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the Home Guard; all questions affecting detention barracks, military prisons and the military provost staff corps; financial questions referred for opinion connected with the pay, allowances, retired pay and pension of all ranks; appeals and complaints on such matters; the legal aspect of the attributability of disability to military service; claims against all ranks and civil claims against units; liaison with the Army Savings Associations; ceremonial; leave; medals; honours and distinctions; and bands. Various qualifications are therefore needed and officers are in general chosen for the different appointments as having experience of the matters with which they will have to deal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 29th to 30th May, 40 new 30 cwt. lorries were delivered to certain battalions when they were on the point of returning from camp to more permanent quarters; and why the lorries were not delivered direct to the latter places thereby saving several thousands of gallons of petrol?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of these facts. The problem involved is not an easy one since the movements of units have often to take place at short notice. This incident has however brought to light defects in the current procedure which I am taking steps to remedy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made to utilise the services of men in the non-combatant corps, qualified for the work, to be detailed for agricultural work during the forthcoming months?

Yes, Sir. Men of the non-combatant corps will be used for agricultural work in so far as they can be spared from other important work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of persons at present detained in British Honduras for security reasons; how many of this number are British subjects; and to what categories they belong?

So far as I know, one person is at present detained in British Honduras; this is under the local regulation equivalent to United Kingdom Regulation 18B. My noble Friend is awaiting the Governor's report on this case, and at present his nationality is not known in the Colonial Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the schemes, which it was hoped would be formulated under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act in British Honduras and the comprehensive schemes anticipated from the Governor in an answer given on 28th May, 1941, have, in fact, been formulated?

Yes, Sir. A scheme has been made under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act for the building of a road from Belize, the capital of the Colony, to Cayo in the interior, and a free grant of up to £187,500, to be spent over a period of seven years, has been approved for this purpose. This road will not only be a considerable source of employment, but will serve to open up a district which has agricultural possibilities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being taken in Trinidad to establish a minimum wage for workers on sugar and cocoa estates in order to relieve the shortage of labour on the estates, due in a large measure to the higher paid work available elsewhere; and, in view of the food shortage in Trinidad, and the world sugar shortage, will he now see that such a minimum wage is established and extended also to any recruited workers from neighbouring islands?

No, Sir. To endeavour to improve the supply of labour for the Trinidad estates by fixing a minimum wage at a figure which would attract labour away from urgent defence works in the island is an expedient which cannot be contemplated at the present time. Legislation to facilitate immigration with a view to relieving the shortage of estate labour has recently been passed. Urgent steps are being taken to increase local food production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of arable land have been requisitioned by any Government Department since the start of the year; and whether the process is now practically complete?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to land requisitioned by the Service and other Departments for non-agricultural purposes. The information asked for is being collected, and I will communicate in due course with my hon. and gallant Friend. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is impossible to say whether developments in the war situation will render further requisitioning of land necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the reason for the disappearance of watercress seed this year from the market?

Watercress is usually propagated vegetatively, that is, by planting cuttings. Before the war, very small quantities of seed were imported into this country from the Continent, but these are now exhausted. In view of the effectiveness of vegetative propagation it is not deemed necessary to replace these imported supplies by home production.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) what penalties are imposed on steamship lines under contract by the British or Indian Governments, where evidence is available, that the contract terms have not been carried out, especially in cases where British out-going troops have been subject to undignified treatment and bad conditions;(2) whether he is aware of the complaints reaching Great Britain of the treatment of soldiers on board ships of the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Line during transport to the Far East, especially with regard to food and sanitation and general attention whilst on board; that, though the Government of India paid for second-class cabin accommodation for the officer-cadets, they had to sleep in hammocks on the mess deck; that these cadets were employed on fatigue duty under Lascar superintendence; what incidence of disease has been reported as occurring on such voyages; and what steps are being taken to ameliorate or prevent the repetition of such undesirable conditions on board these ships;(3) what are the general terms of the contract made by the British or Indian Governments with the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Line for the transport of British and other troops to the Eastern war spheres; what supervision is imposed as to the performance of contract terms; and what precautions are taken to ensure that proper attention, treatment and sanitary facilities are available on board such ships?

The contract made by the British Government with shipping companies for the conveyance of troops is the charter party under which the ships are engaged. This charter party is governed by the regulations for H.M. Sea Transport Service. Under these regulations, troop transports must be thoroughly well equipped and supplied to the satisfaction of my Department, which is also responsible for fitting them for the conveyance of troops. Before each voyage, each troop transport is inspected by a board, representative of all the Services concerned. During the voyage, the officer commanding troops, in conjunction with the master, is responsible for ensuring that any legitimate complaint is remedied, as far as is practicable. On arrival at the destination, he reports on the general conditions during the voyage. The transport is also inspected at intermediate ports by representatives of this Department and of the Service Departments. Officer cadets are entitled to troop, not second class accommodation. I have no information that they have been employed on fatigue duty under Lascar superintendence. No serious complaints regarding the treatment of troops on board these ships have been brought to my notice, nor has any undue incidence of disease been reported. If, however, the hon. Member will give me further particulars, I shall be glad to inquire into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any estimate of how much the output of coal would have been increased in the year ended 31st March, 1942, as compared with the year ended 31st March, 1939, if the absenteeism in the year ended 31st March, 1942 had been 6.43 per cent. instead of 9.46 per cent.?

It is not possible to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend with any exactitude because it is impossible to say how far the increased number of shifts would cause the output per shift to fall. On the doubtful assumption that output per shift was not affected by the increased number of shifts, it is estimated that, if the absenteeism percentage in the coal-mining industry in the year ended 31st March, 1942, had been 6.43 per cent. of possible shifts instead of 9.46 per cent., the output of the industry would have been between 5,000,000 and 7,000,000 tons greater. I should point out, however, that in referring to absenteeism only, he is ignoring the great increase in the number of shifts actually worked per man per week since 1938.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the output per shift in 1938 and 1941, respectively, of all persons employed underground in collieries, and the output per shift for all persons employed in and about collieries; and also the total number of man shifts worked in 1938 and 1941, respectively?

The output per man-shift of all persons employed underground in collieries was 1,495 tons in 1938 and 1,438 tons in 1941. The output per manshift for all persons employed in and about collieries was 1,148 tons in 1938 and 1,076 tons in 1941. My hon. Friend will realise that one important cause of the decline in output per man-shift is the loss of productive workers from the coalface, and the increased proportion of total shifts which are worked on unproductive work away from the face. It would not be in the public interest to give the total number of man-shifts worked, since this, combined with the information I have just given, would disclose the total national output.

asked the Prime Minister why Lord Louis Mountbatten is designated Chief of Combined Operations in view of the footnote on page 2 of the White Paper on Organisation for Joint Planning?

It would no doubt be more consistent to use the word "Joint" but the term "Combined Operations" has for many years been recognised and accepted in this country as denoting operations in which two or more Services act together. There is little likelihood of confusion arising between the use of the word "combined" in the above sense and its use when applied to collaboration between two or more of the United Nations. Finally many of the Operations in question will be "Combined" as well as "Joint."

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of woodlands in Scotland, the property of the Forestry Commission, have been destroyed or seriously damaged by moorland fires during the past two months; what is the approximate financial loss sustained by the State; what evidence exists as to the origin of the fires; and whether any portion of the loss is due to uncontrolled muir-burning?

2,100 acres of woodlands in Scotland, the property of the Forestry Commission, have been destroyed or seriously damaged by fires spreading from adjoining moorland during the past two months; the approximate financial loss sustained by the State was £52,000; evidence as to the origin of the fires exists in some cases but not others; the loss of 1,400 acres was due to uncontrolled muir-burning.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of education authorities in Scotland; the number of such authorities who have in any way and at any time since August, 1939, penalised teachers holding, or suspected of holding, pacifist views, or being conscientious objectors under the terms of the Military Training and Military Service Acts; how many of such teachers were, respectively, men, women, headmasters or headmistresses; and for how many children they were responsible when they were penalised?

The number of education authorities in Scotland is 35. I am not aware of any case in which, since August, 1939, a teacher has been penalised by one of these authorities for holding pacifist views or for being a conscientious objector.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 3,000 cases diagnosed as diphtheria in 1941, which were not included in the figures of 26th April, 1942, were found to be immunised; whether any of them were fatal; and why his Department stated in February, 1942, that there had been 10 deaths from diphtheria in immunised children while the Department of Health said recently there had been one?

Of approximately 3,000 persons over 15 years old who contracted diphtheria in 1941, 31 (none of whom died) are reported by medical officers of health to have been immunised, and 42 (reported not to have been immunised) died. With regard to the last part of the Question, corrected figures received from medical officers of health since February, 1942, showed that of the 10 children referred to, five had been erroneously recorded as immunised, one had received only one inoculation, and three had developed diphtheria within one week of the last injection, that is, before immunity could have been effective. These nine cases were accordingly excluded from the later statement.