asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the work of bodies comprised in the National Association of Girls Training Corps is hampered by the refusal of any provision of additional coupons for purchasing uniforms, and also by the lack of any provision of free uniforms such as are granted to boys in the training units for the three Armed Services; and, in view of the importance of encouraging girls of all classes, and not only the well-to-do, to join these training units, will he, in consultation with the other relevant Government Departments, consider what can be done to improve the position in this respect?

The uniforms of these organisations are for the most part suitable for everyday wear. I could not, therefore, justify coupon-free supply.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that working-class clubs are finding it very difficult to provide their girls with even the smallest modicum of uniform, and will he consider whether something can be done?

I am afraid the supply position is such that all the tendency will have to be in the direction of the restriction rather than of the extension of coupon-free supplies. I am afraid the hon. Lady will find that it is really impossible to proceed along the line she suggests, but I shall be glad if she will discuss the matter with me.

Will there be any coupons with family allowances, and, if so, what use will they be?

That is not a matter for me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to make it possible for farm-workers to obtain clothing, particularly dungarees and boots, essential for their work, coupon-free, or, alternatively, to provide them with some additional clothing coupons?

I shall give full consideration to any claims for extra clothing coupons for farm workers put to me by the Trades Union Congress on behalf of the trade unions concerned. Farm workers, in addition to receiving the ordinary civilian ration, can obtain oilskins and milking overalls coupon-free against certificates issued by the County War Agricultural Executive Committee. Further, arrangements have been made, as I have already informed the House, to distribute a limited number of reconditioned battle-dress suits, coupon-free, to agricultural workers.

Will the President also give consideration to cases put forward by the National Farmers' Union?

Certainly, Sir. We find it convenient to canalise these applications, but if they come from another channel, I will consider them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that no precaution has been taken to prevent industrial supplementary clothing coupons being transferred from one person to another; that they are being used for the purchase of all types of clothing; and will he make arrangements whereby they can only be used for the purpose for which they were originally intended?

There is no evidence that industrial supplementary clothing coupons are being improperly transferred on any considerable scale. These coupons are intended not only to enable workers to buy occupational clothing for themselves but also, in many cases, to compensate them for specially heavy wear and tear on their ordinary clothes.

Is the Minister aware that coupons are being issued in a loose form and that I have come across cases where they are being traded? Is that the right manner of using these coupons?

No, Sir, it is not the right manner, and I shall be grateful if my hon. Friend will give me particulars, which I will then follow up. What I said was that I have no evidence that this is happening on any considerable scale.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman's reply inconsistent with the reply he gave to a previous Question?

I said I was not aware that loose coupons were being improperly used on any considerable scale, but if my hon. Friend can produce evidence that they are, I shall be glad to look into it.

If the coupons of a family are pooled, will that be breaking the law?

No, Sir, it has always been made clear that within a family transfers are permissible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether enforcement officers are authorised to entice traders to sell goods against loose coupons; whether it is contrary to regulation to offer, as well as to accept, loose coupons; and will, he instruct enforcement officers to stop this improper practice?

My enforcement officers, have strict instructions not to entice traders to break the law. It is, in general, an offence to offer, as well as to accept, loose coupons. To ensure that retailers are complying with the law it is necessary for my officers, on occasions, to make test purchases, and, in appropriate cases, to prosecute if a contravention is discovered. In most cases, however, offences are dealt with by means of warnings.

While agreeing to a great extent with what my right hon. Friend says, am I to understand that he approves of agents provocateurs? In order to obtain a conviction, do not his officers commit an offence by seducing other people to commit an offence?

If my hon. Friend understands that, he has not understood my answer. What I said was that I had given express instructions—which I do not think were really necessary, but for safety I have given them—that there is to be no enticement to break the law. At the same time, there must be certain means of securing that the law is kept and that black-market operations conducted on the basis of loose coupons are held in check.

My right hon. Friend says that he has to take these means in order to check what he calls the black market, and does not that mean that his enforcement officers are committing an illegal offence in order to seduce shopkeepers also to commit an offence?

No, Sir, that is not so. My officers when they act under my instructions are covered. That is in the Defence Regulations. Further than that, there is a sharp distinction, which I endeavoured to draw in my answer, between enticing people to break the law and testing whether they are prepared to obey the law.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received a reply from the chairman of the Retail Trade Committee as to when the final Report of this body may be expected; and what is its nature?

Yes, Sir. I have now received the third Report of the Retail Trade Committee, and I am arranging for it to be published forthwith.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any observations regarding the token summer sales announced by several West End stores; and whether these sales accord with the policy of his Department?

I strongly deprecate the holding of sales, whether token or otherwise, at the present time, and so, I am glad to say, do responsible persons in the trade. Such sales encourage the public to buy, irrespective of actual needs, and so discourage the practice of forethought and economy.

If my right hon. Friend quite properly deprecates the holding of these sales, why does he not put a stop to them? Is hot that the obvious thing to do, or do the Government deprecate certain conduct and still allow it to go on?

If they reached an important magnitude, I should consider whether I should not take steps to put a stop to them. At the present moment the statement I have made to-day, together with certain representations that have been passing between me and the trade, will prevent their reaching any important size. I shall watch that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can yet make an announcement on the subject of nominee shareholders in newspaper, armament and similar public companies?

I have further considered the question of nominee shareholders in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. As indicated in my reply of 28th April to my hon. and gallant Friend, there already exist full powers under the Defence Regulations to compel disclosure to certain Departments of the beneficial ownership of shares held by nominees, where it is considered necessary or expedient to obtain the information in the interests of the public safety, the defence of the realm or the efficient prosecution of the war. It is also within the discretion of the Ministers concerned to publish the information thus obtained. To make any more general provision, such as the prohibition of nominee share- holdings, would require amendment of the Companies Act, for which Parliamentary time is not available in present circumstances.

Is the Minister aware of the widespread public concern at the evasion of the company law by this method?

It is a very complicated matter, and I have endeavoured to give it attention in consultation with the Home Secretary. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular suggestions on the matter, I shall be glad to have them.

Will my right hon. Friend look at his own files, specially those relating to Debates that have taken place in this House, and he will find plenty of evidence that will be of considerable assistance to him?

We shall be glad to have assistance from anybody.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how it came about that artists are required to use their clothes coupons in respect of purchases of canvas for painting; and when this order is to be withdrawn?

The coupon-free sale of artists' canvas was allowed under a general licence, which lapsed on 1st June. It has already been announced that the canvas will continue to be exempted; the necessary new licence was issued last week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to see that efferts to preserve the normal channels of trade are not allowed to interfere with the most direct and cheapest methods of supply to the essential needs of the community?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to expedite a decision on the request made by the Civil Service Clerical Association to his Department, on 2nd March last, for negotiations concerning the pay of Grade IV clerks employed in the out-stations of the War Office who are promoted to higher posts?

It has been necessary to discuss the request made by the Civil Service Clerical Association with other Departments which would be affected by any decision in the matter referred to, but a reply will be sent very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 356 Press or publicity officers and staff employed by the War Office are part-time employees and of military age; why this number is necessary; what is their cost; and whether he will consider taking steps to cut down the numbers and expenditure involved?

The total of 356 to which my hon. Friend refers includes 91 members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service employed on demonstration and recruiting duties, 45 officers and 71 other ranks of the public relations service attached to Home Forces to facilitate publicity coverage of operations by the Field Army, and 28 officers and other ranks forming the publicity staff at the headquarters of Home Commands. The remainder include only 14 men of military age, whose annual cost is approximately £6,000. They are all employed full time.

Is the Minister satisfied that this, expense is justified? Can he also say how some of these people were employed in private life?

My hon. Friend had better put down a Question.

How many of these people were employed in the last war?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what instructions have been issued to Government Departments concerned with economic matters to try and get greater speed in taking decisions?

I have been asked to reply. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of an instruction which was issued to all Departments on the question of avoidance of delay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to reconsider the position of the many ex-Servicemen of the last war who have been employed in the Civil Service for long periods, but who, on retirement, will be debarred from receiving any pension despite the length of their Civil Service, because, when the time arrived for them to be considered for establishment, they were over 50 years of age?

As my hon. Friend is aware, this question has been considered on numerous occasions over a period of years. I am afraid that I cannot see my may to re-open the matter.

Does the Chancellor really think it reasonable, when Civil servants have served for a long period, that they shall be debarred from receiving their just pensions by the accident of the circumstance that they were over 50 years of age when they were established? Will he not reconsider this again, even though it has been under consideration for years?

The hon. Member knows as much about this as anybody. It has been considered by many Chancellors and many Governments, and I think that as much has been done as can be done.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman be more enlightened than the others?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Home Guard training of farm workers is seriously interfering with work on the land at the present time; that the position will become more serious now that hay harvest is in full swing; and will he order the training to be relaxed until after corn harvest.

I am not aware of the interference to which my hon. Friend refers. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 18th June.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have seen the reply to which he has referred me? Will he inform the House when these instructions were issued to Home Guard officers, because I have seen threatening letters on the subject?

To the best of my recollection it was at the end of March or early in April.

asked the Secretary of State of War whether he is aware that civilian employees of the War Department, either temporary or permanent, who are members of the Home Guard, and industrialists and non-industrialists who are ordered to muster as members of the Home Guard, are eligible to receive their civilian pay after muster for a period of six weeks, and that instructions to cover any further period will be issued if necessary; and will he inform the House if any instructions are to be issued with regard to members of the Home Guard who are employed in civil, industrial and non-industrial undertakings?

The instruction to which my hon. Friend refers is not confined to civilian employees of the War Department, but applies to civilian employees of Government Departments generally. I hope that other public bodies and private employers who have in their employ civilians, salaried or otherwise, who are members of the Home Guard, will also do their best to see that their salaries or wages continue unaffected, at any rate for a period, after mustering. For those who do lose wages owing to being mustered with the Home Guard, compensation will be admissible within certain limits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the case of an officer convicted of stealing War Department petrol, and sentenced by general court-martial, to be dismissed from His Majesty's service, which was confirmed, and at once reduced to a severe reprimand; and, to prevent injustice, whether he will reconsider in the light of this case, that of the Streatham non-commissioned officer in the same unit convicted of a similar, but lesser, offence at about the same time, who was put under close arrest for 21 days prior to court-martial, and thereafter reduced to the ranks, and compelled to serve a sentence of three months in detention barracks?

Both these cases were tried by court-martial, and the sentence in each case was reviewed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Command. I do not feel that I should be justified in interfering with the decisions of the competent military authorities.

Is there not something wrong with a system which punishes the corporal so severely and lets the officer off so lightly?

The hon. Member is assuming that the circumstances were the same in each case. So far as I can judge, and certainly so far as the responsible authorities have judged, the circumstances were not parallel.

But does not this case bear out the contention that there is a caste system in the Army?

Certainly not.

In view of the gravity of this matter, I give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information about Private P. Davis who received 28 days' detention for taking some steak-and-kidney-pudding that he was entitled to; and whether he will make inquiries about the matter with a view of having the punishment remitted?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Private Davis was not entitled to the tins of food which were found in his possession. I am not prepared to interfere with the sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether pensioners re-enlisted before mobilisation under War Office letter No. 3o/Misc/2879/A.G.I.(c), of 22nd May, 1939, who are compulsorily retained notwithstanding the expiration of their three years' engagement, will be entitled to elect to serve, either on their former contractual terms, or on the usual terms appropriate to their rank and service?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be in a position to announce the Government's decision, in respect of the continuation after 31st July, of payments of allowances to the dependants of men reported missing in Malaya?

I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

In view of the anxiety which these dependants feel about the continuation of these allowances, will my right hon. Friend try to make an announcement as soon as he possibly can?

Yes, Sir. I am well aware of the natural anxiety of the relatives, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I will make a statement well before the expiry of the present period.

Have the Government any information as to what has happened to Bushido?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private G. Cole, who has served more than 10 years abroad in the Army, never serving within 50 miles of his home, has been posted to the depot for foreign service again; and, as his mother is now in a mental home, whether this man can remain in England?

Private Cole was removed from an overseas draft a month ago on compassionate grounds, and the question whether he shall remain in this country is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Requisitioning Order, expiring on 27th June, served by his Department on a certain area in East Anglia, will cause serious hardship to farmers, farm-workers and cottagers, who will have to abandon 3,000 acres of growing corn and a large area of grazing land, farm buildings and cottages; and whether he will consider the alternative area of gorse and common land suggested to him, in order to minimise individual hardship and to preserve valuable food-producing land vital to the war effort?

I regret the distress caused to the inhabitants of this area by their compulsory removal and I am glad to say that I have been able to postpone the final date to 20th July. The Ministers of the Departments concerned are co-operating with me in giving the people affected all assistance possible in their removal and resettlement. I am also aware of the loss to food production, but the need of large areas for realistic battle training is so imperative that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, has reluctantly acquiesced in this decision; every effort will be made to salvage crops. Every alternative area in the district, including that suggested by my hon. Friend, was considered but rejected for cogent reasons.

Has my hon. Friend satisfied himself that the alternative common land suggested to him would prove unsuitable? Further, can he give an assurance that there will be adequate compensation? Also, will the fullest opportunity be given to farmers to harvest their crops?

Arrangements have been made for salvaging the crops, though I am bound to say that I think it is quite possible that the crops may be damaged before they are salvaged by the training which is to take place over them. Provision is made for compensation. On the question of whether I satisfied myself personally, the answer is "No," but I satisfied myself that there had been the fullest discussion between my officers and the officers of every other Department concerned, including the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture on the spot.

Will the right hon. Gentleman further consider the postponement of this order until after harvest, and will he see that the Deputy Commissioner has every assistance regarding transport and that great care is taken to assist the old people to get to new and proper homes?

As regards the second two Questions, the answer is "Yes." The answer to the first Question is, I am afraid, "No."

Has the right hon. Gentleman assured himself that all golf courses available in those areas are being used for this purpose before he takes this agricultural land?

The discussion took place with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture on the spot, and I am satisfied that we have taken the land which would do least harm to agriculture.

What good do golf courses do for agriculture? Can the right hon. Gentleman answer that?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the anomaly by which soldiers need to use their wives' or any other coupons, in order to buy handkerchiefs or underwear; and whether he will arrange that soldiers have coupons of their own?

Soldiers are under no such necessity. They can buy handkerchiefs from retailers on production of certificates from their commanding officers authorising them to do so. Underwear is issued to them, and replaced free as necessary.

Then why are the soldiers' wives so very unhappy and discontented?

Perhaps at losing their husbands.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Australian War Cabinet is about to introduce a smarter uniform for Australian troops, because the appearance of the latter compares unfavourably with that of American troops, who have a smarter uniform, and also because it is convinced that smartness has an important bearing on discipline and morale; whether the present uniform of the Australian troops is the same as British battle-dress; and whether he will consider taking similar action to provide British troops with a less unsightly uniform?

I have seen a newspaper report that the Australian Government are considering such a proposal, but I have no official information on the subject. I understand that the present Australian uniform is not the same as the battle dress of the United Kingdom Forces. The latter has been found satisfactory for the purposes for which it was designed.

Does not the Minister agree that smart uniform has a great deal to do with morale and discipline?

I am aware of that, but I am aware also that there is not an unlimited supply of wool in the world.

asked the Attorney-General whether the new scheme of legal aid for the Army will be available to all ranks; and why it has been deemed necessary to subject the applicants for this form of assistance to a means test?

As my right hon. and learned Friend stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Moelwyn Hughes) on 29th April, a public statement on the details of the proposed scheme for free legal aid for the lower ranks of the Army will be made by my Noble Friend as soon as it is ready to be put into operation. I understand that the scheme will cover all ranks up to and including the rank of sergeant, but that it is not intended to include those few cases where the soldier happens to have substantial private means and is in a position to pay for legal advice.

In view of the fact that the Welfare Department of the Army issued a statement over three weeks ago announcing that this service would only be for men who have no means apart from their Army pay, would the hon. and learned Gentleman not compare that with the trade unions, who give legal advice free of charge to members, irrespective of their earnings, and will he accordingly give the same consideration to men in the Army as the trade unions give to their members?

I am sure that my Noble Friend will take that into consideration with any other helpful suggestions he may receive.

Why is the hon. and learned Gentleman's Noble Friend concerned? Is not this a matter for the War Office?

In order that the free legal aid may be efficacious it is necessary to employ lawyers and to secure the co-operation of the legal profession. Therefore my Noble Friend must be concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what, at any recent suitable date, was the total roll of Scotish schoolchildren in secondary schools and all other schools, excluding nursery schools, respectively; and how many in each of these two classes were receiving whole-time schooling?

On 14th March, 1942, in the schools under the management of education authorities in Scotland, there were 160,607 children on the rolls of secondary schools and departments and 577,024 on the rolls of other schools, excluding nursery schools. The numbers receiving full-time education were 158,803 and 529,124 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many wet canteens have been authorised in Scotland under the provisions of Defence Regulation 60AA (Canteens for civilian workers, seamen and fishermen)?

Three canteens have been authorised in Scotland under the provisions of Defence Regulation 60AA—two by the Secretary of State for Air and one by the Minister of Labour and National Service.

How is it that so little advantage has been taken of this particular Defence Regulation?

What has the Secretary of State for Scotland been doing all this time?

As to why so little advantage has been taken of Regulation 60AA, I should imagine, although it is only a guess, that the absence of any private appropriation of profits from these canteens has limited the number of applications.

How many applications have been made to and refused by the right hon. Gentleman?

I should require notice of that Question.

How many stoppages of work have taken place because of the lack of drinking facilities?

I know of none, but the hon. Member had better put down a Question.

Is it not the case that during the last war the Government of the day had to limit drink because they wanted to increase output, while this Government seem to think that the more you drink the better you work?

No, Sir, that is exactly contrary to the facts.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Ministry of Works and Buildings has any departmental responsibility for housing in Scotland; and whether the Minister of Works and Buildings can initiate any form of building development in Scotland outwith the powers of town and country planning vested in the Secretary of State for Scotland?

The Ministry of Works and Buildings has no departmental responsibility for housing or for initiating any form of building development, beyond responsibility for the provision of civil works and buildings required by a Government Department.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his precise answer, may I ask him whether the apprehensions of many Scottish local authorities about any invasion by London agents are entirely without foundation?

I hope that by my answer such apprehensions will have been quietened.

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the Minister the necessity of not delivering speeches which are not in consonance with the Government's policy, and of ceasing to give invitations to Scottish contractors to send their own schemes for house-building to London?

Has this Ministry any authority over the few remaining old buildings in Scotland?

asked the Prime Minister what presently are the precise functions and powers in Scotland of the Ministry of Works and Buildings?

The functions of the Ministry of Works and Buildings in Scotland, as in England and Wales, were the subject of a statement which I made in the House on 24th October, 1940, to which I would refer my hon. Friend. The exact position of the Ministry of Works and Buildings in relation to reconstruction in Scotland was more fully outlined in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Govan (Mr. Neil Maclean) on 16th June. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the statements to which reference is made.

Do I understand my right hon. Friend to say that the statement referred to was made in 1940, some months before the Ministry came into being? [Interruption]. The right hon. Gentleman said that it was based on a statement made some two years before the Ministry came into being.

The statement was made in 1940, it is true; the Ministry's name may have changed, but these are continuing functions.

Surely the Ministry of Works and Buildings has many functions which are quite different from those of the Office of Works?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Ministry is erecting administrative buildings in Scotland with a life of 30 years, and if the Ministry has no interest in the rebuilding of Scotland, why are they putting up administrative offices to last for such a long period?

Has the Secretary of State for Scotland agreed to these powers being taken away from him?

I am not aware that any powers have been taken away from the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Ministry of Works and Buildings are refusing to allow buildings to be erected in Scotland? The point I am putting is that the Deputy Prime Minister has just replied that he is unaware that any powers have been taken away from the Secretary of State for Scotland, and here is one power that has been taken away.

The question of the erection of buildings involves also that of the allocation of building materials and labour.

I see; is that how you get out of it?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether London taxi-cab drivers are authorised or instructed to refuse fares to Newmarket and other race-meetings in view of the fact that their petrol ration is not provided for this purpose, and of the dissatisfaction caused in country districts by seeing London taxi-cab drivers going to such meetings?

London taxi-drivers are not under any obligation to take fares to any point outside the Metropolitan Police area, but there is at present no regulation under which taxi-drivers in London or elsewhere can be instructed to refuse fares to any particular destination. I am concerting with the other Departments concerned an Order designed to regulate the use of taxi-cabs throughout the country.

Is not the Minister aware that this is becoming a public scandal? Is not the petrol given to taxi-drivers to be used in the Metropolitan area and for the convenience of the inhabitants? Every time a taxi goes 120 miles it means that there are 60 journeys less for the inhabitants of London.

I agree, and that is why an Order is in draft to regulate that very thing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will reconsider the withdrawal of basic rations for motor-cars in the case of motor-car owners living in villages remote from larger towns and in which the shops cannot supply all the needs of the villagers?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made in this House oh 21st April indicating the conditions under which an allowance may be obtained for purposes of shopping in a rural area.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that large numbers of electricity consumers pay a flat rate for their electricity regardless of the amount of current consumed; and whether he will secure that in future there shall be a reduction in such rates proportionate to the saving made by the individuals concerned as compared with their normal consumption?

I am not clear whether my hon. Friend has in mind the fixed charge under two-part tariffs or the minimum charge which is sometimes made in connection with flat-rate charges. In the case of two-part tariffs the Joint Committee of Electricity Supply Associations have agreed to recommend to their members that in suitable cases they should permit their domestic consumers, if they desire to do so, to transfer to the flat-rate charges for such period as the necessity for fuel restriction remains. The whole question of fixed and minimum charges is being examined in consultation with the electricity and gas industries from the point of view of economy in fuel.

Is the Minister satisfied that the principle of the more you use the less you pay should be continued in present circumstances for light and electricity?

No, Sir, and that is why the whole thing is being examined at the present time.

Will the Minister also bear in mind when he gives this matter his personal examination that, for some reason, his predecessor, who was charged with this duty, refused to alter the present practice and said it was perfectly satisfactory?

That is one of the first things I examined when I went into the Department.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether he is aware that thousands of people have not the means or accommodation to stock coal; and what action is to be taken in order that people in this position shall not go short of coal;

(2) whether he is aware that many people resident in industrial centres, have little or no stock of coal and are only receiving one hundredweight per week, while the Government have advised people to stock a ton; what steps it is proposed to take in order that there shall be an equitable distribution of the available supplies and avoid the hardships caused by the shortage during the past two winters?

I am aware that stocks of domestic coal are low, that supplies are short, and that many people have little or no stocking accommodation. By spreading the supplies as equitably as possible during the summer months over those who can stock, the strain on labour, transport and supplies in the winter is to that extent relieved; with the aid of the stocks which it is intended to build up in merchants' depots, coupled with the reserve resources of the Government dumps, there should be a sufficiency of supplies for delivery in the winter to those who are without cellar space.

Can the Minister give an undertaking that people who have supplies of coal will receive none while other people who have no coal will receive the coal available? In view of the increasing transport and shipping difficulties has not the time arrived for a scientific distribution of coal?

Is the Minister aware that the answer he has given is in contradiction to those given by the President of the Board of Trade and the Leader of the House a short time ago, when they said that the only way to get coal to the poor people was by rationing at once?

Is the Minister aware that, within the last few weeks, there has not been sufficient coal at Coventry to allow each house 5 cwts.?

I believe a separate Question will be asked on that point.

May I have an answer to my question?

The hon. Member knows that there is a restriction upon the coal that can be acquired.

Not rationed.

No, Sir, but the hon. Member knows that the Government have said that they will be ready to put rationing into operation when the need arises. When the need arises we shall do so.

Is the Minister aware that thousands of people cannot obtain any coal? Seeing that it is summer, has not the time arrived to put a proper rationing scheme into operation?

One of the reasons why this Ministry was formed is to put that position right. At the present moment I am doing all I can to put it right.

Can the Minister say whether there is any need for rationing or not? Will he say one way or the other?

I think my hon. Friend has asked that question before. I cannot answer it at the moment, but I am doing my best to ensure that we shall not have to ration.

And let the people suffer in the winter?

I am trying to be fair and prudent. I am taking every step to be prepared to ration if necessary.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what amount of coal per week he proposes to allow an average family to receive weekly who have little or no stocks?

My hon. Friend will be aware that it has been decided not to ration domestic fuel at present. There is no question, therefore, at the moment of any weekly allowance of coal for an average family. The purpose of the present restrictions, which, as stated in the White Paper on Coal, are to be continued, is to ensure as fair a spread as possible of the available supplies among those who are able to stock coal and coke, and the limits on what may be acquired in a month do not bear any relation to current consumption at this time of year, which everyone should reduce to the lowest possible figure.

Can the Minister state quite definitely what is a reasonable amount of coal to be received by the average family?

It is laid down what the position at the moment is. Controlled premises are not to acquire more than one ton of any kind of coal or coke if the total stock at the beginning of the month did not exceed two tons.

In view of the fact that there are millions of people who cannot look at tons at all, what is a reasonable amount for the average family to be receiving at present?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the appeal for the voluntary rationing of fuel will be made?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, appeals for economy in the use of fuel have been made by the Government for some considerable time. A more intensified campaign will start in a very few days.

I do not know what my right hon. Friend means by speaking of appeals having been made. There has been no widespread appeal. Do I understand from him that there will be a definite appeal launched by the Government for voluntary rationing in the near future?

Yes, that is what I do mean. There has been some appeal in the last eight months. A more intensified campaign is being started.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "intensified campaign"? Is it to be conducted on a vast scale; is it to cost money? Could he give us a few of the details of what he means by "an intensified campaign"?

I think that even the hon. Member can hardly expect to get it for nothing. It is bound to cost some money. By "intensified campaign" I mean making use of every possible means of appealing to the public for fuel economy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is accumulating stocks of coal in the Birmingham area; whether he is aware that merchants and consumers are receiving barely enough for current requirements and are unable to increase their stocks; and whether the policy of building up private stocks during the summer has been discarded in favour of creating central dumps?

House coal is at present being consigned to a site near Birmingham, but this stock is not being accumulated at the expense of merchants and consumers in that area. There is no intention of discarding the general policy of building up private stocks during the summer.

Would it not be better policy to increase private stocks to the fullest possible extent before adding anything to the central dumps?

That is allowed, as I have explained, up to a certain limited extent, but our policy is to build up emergency stocks as well, so that they can be drawn upon if the need arises.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what methods have been adopted to convert to proper use the net daily surplus of sludge gas up to 150,000 cubic feet produced by the sludge digestion plant at a place of which he has been informed; and to how many gallons of petrol this fuel, when compressed, is equal; and

(2) whether he has any authentic or up-to-date statistics of local authorities or sewage boards now operating sludge digestion plants; how much sludge gas is being produced, used or wasted; and how many have not devised ways or means of utilising all their output of sludge gas?

The use of methane from sewage works has been carefully examined since the outbreak of war, but I am advised that it would not be in the national interest to give publicly the information for which my hon. Friend asks. I will, however, communicate with him on the subject.

In view of the fact that information from Germany is published in the various technical journals, and also that in one of our large cities we are running various types of vehicles, including omnibuses, on this type of methane gas, could we not copy some of the German methods and conserve millions of cubic feet of gas per week?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will communicate with me afterwards.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet issued an Order to prohibit, or further to limit, the use of petrol in the service of hired motor-cars under the system known as drive-yourself hire; from what date it will operate; and what are its terms?

An Order is in an advanced stage of preparation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor, now one of his colleagues in his own Department, said some time ago that this Order was in an active state of preparation, and bearing in mind that the basic ration ceases at the end of this month, will he redeem the pledge' given that this Order will come into force contemporaneously?

That I cannot possibly do, but I am looking into this matter at the moment, and I cannot add to the answer I have given.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the present policy of his Department with regard to the preparation of coal for consumption?

The practice in the industry is for collieries to screen, clean, grade and, where necessary, crush coal to meet the needs of the various types of fuel-burning plants in industrial undertakings. It will be the policy of my Ministry to continue this practice and to extend it where practicable. The limit to which this policy can be carried is governed by the availability of steel supplies.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that coal is not being cleaned to anything like the pre-war extent, and may not this be a short-sighted policy, both from the point of view of consumption and from the point of view of the extra weight carried by the railways?

I am aware of the difficulties, but we are doing everything we can.