asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to make a statement on the inquiry into the four-day strike at a North-west factory, the name of which has been previously supplied?

The report of the committee of investigation makes it clear that the industrial relations of the factory are based upon full trade union co-operation and that appropriate machinery is established for avoiding disputes at the works. The machinery has, however, not functioned as well as it might have done in the past, and small incidents have been allowed to grow into disputes. The immediate question at issue which led to the stoppage of work was the continued employment of an under-foreman, and the committee expressed the opinion that the foreman had not been guilty of any conduct which justified his removal. It is not proposed to publish the report, but copies have been sent to the company and to all the trade unions concerned, for their consideration. I have every hope that as a result of this and of the very full and complete exchange of views that took place in the course of the inquiry, the future position will be considerably improved.

asked the Minister of Health the total cost involved in establishing a war-time nursery for 50 children up to the age of five years; how many staff are required; and what are the relevant figures for a nursery containing only children over the age of two years?

To enable a fair comparison to be made between the cost of nurseries of different types it would be necessary to take account of the length of hours for which they are open and the extent to which the accommodation provided is fully utilised over a period of time. The circumstances of individual nurseries vary so much that it would be misleading to attempt to make a comparison based on the single factor mentioned by my hon. Friend.

Would it be true to say that, broadly speaking, it does not take twice as many people if the nursery includes children under two?

Of course it does.

I could not accept that suggestion. If my hon. Friend wants to know whether it requires more, naturally it does. The problem is entirely different in the case of a nursery where you have children of all ages for 12 hours a day, with perhaps a section for nights as well, compared with one which is part-time and for a shorter period.

Is it not a fact that the Minister requires that there should be a fully-trained nurse and fully-trained teacher and is that really necessary, especially in towns where a doctor is available?

I should be very reluctant to lower the standard.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether, in connection with small retail establishments in which the proprietor is called up for service with the Forces and the business and management are taken over by his wife, the wife may be immune from being conscripted, even though she may be within the age limit for the calling-up of women?

Married women are not liable to be called up for Service in the Armed Forces. With regard to transfer to civilian employment, the wives of men serving in the Forces are not required to take employment away from home. If required to take local employment, they can appeal to a local appeal board, which would, no doubt, give sympathetic consideration to circumstances of the kind referred to in the Question.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inform local appeal boards that it is the wish of the Ministry of Labour that so far as possible they should view this matter sympathetically?

I have already done so.

asked the Paymaster-General whether attention is being given to the post-war utilisation of residential hostels for munition and land workers and the services and to the desirability of this accommodation being reserved as holiday centres under public management?

I am not in a position to add anything at present to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Miss Cazalet) on 21st May.

Has my right hon. and learned Friend this matter in mind?

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware of the shortage of doctors in Weymouth and Wyke Regis; and whether he will consult with the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War with a view to the release from the Forces of two doctors whose names will be given to him by the Dorset local medical war committee?

I am informed that difficulties are arising in this area owing to the absence of a number of the doctors with the Forces. As regards the two doctors referred to in the last part of the Question, my officers are in communication with the Central Medical War Committee, through whom applications are made to the Service Departments for the release of medical officers where the circumstances justify that course.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the continued production and sale of non-designated and other milk dangerous for human consumption, it is now intended to restore the powers of rejection of such milk to medical officers of health, of which they were deprived upon the introduction of the National Milk Scheme?

The National Milk Scheme does not affect any powers of medical officers of health in relation to the quality of milk.

Is the Minister aware that medical officers of health have the power of rejection of unfit milk in the matter of milk in schools? Why should not the general public be similarly protected?

There is misunderstanding. I would point out to my hon. Friend that the National Milk Scheme does not give this power to medical officers.

On a point of Order. I addressed this Question to the Minister of Agriculture, but it has reached the Minister of Health. Is not the Minister of Agriculture the correct Minister for a Question dealing with cows and cow sheds?

It appears to be a matter for the Minister of Health.

It is for local authorities to carry out the powers they possess under the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, in relation to conditions of production at all farms. The new Milk Testing Scheme, and the advisory work in connection with it, should serve to supplement and assist in this work.

Will the Minister on no account encourage the ruination by pasteurisation of one of our few natural foods?

Is not the Minister aware that in certain foreign countries they will not feed non-pasteurised milk to valuable animals?

Is it not a fact that 13,000 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis have been notified this year and that experts have told the right hon. Gentleman that 40 per cent. of those cases were due to milk infection? Has he no responsibility in this matter?

Experts seldom agree.

Are not many of the cows producing milk for human consumption reeking with disease?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that women will not be called upon for compulsory fire-watching without an undertaking that compensation equal to that received by men fire-watchers will be paid in the event of injury owing to enemy action?

The rates of compensation payable to fire-guards for war service injuries are governed by the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, and it would not be equitable or practicable to give more advantageous terms to fire-guards than to other classes covered by that scheme.

Is the hon. Lady aware that to-day two further petitions have already been presented to the House on the question of unequal compensation and that there is a considerable amount of resentment in the country, which is culminating in meetings and protests, and does she not think that this is a form of exploitation of women by the Government?

Is the hon. Lady also aware that this is supposed to be a democratic country, ruled by the will of the people, and that it is no longer the will of the people that gainfully-employed civilian women should be compensated for war injury at a lower rate than gainfully-employed civilian men, and is she also aware of the very sorry figure the Minister of Pensions cut when he opposed me recently on a public platform?

I am perfectly sure that in this democratic country the views of the hon. Ladies and their petitioners will be taken into consideration by my right hon. Friend.

Does the hon. Lady agree that to accept the suggestion contained in this Question would be a good way to establish the principle of equal compensation?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the copy sent to him of the 4th edition of the publication "When Russia invades Palestine," published May, 1942, which, by its inferences and alleged biblical forecasts, throws doubt on the intentions and loyalty of the Soviet Union; and whether he proposes to take any action against those responsible for the publication of this book as calculated to damage Anglo-Soviet relations?

I have seen a copy of this publication, but there has not been an opportunity to consider it. I will communicate later with my hon. Friend.

Does not the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend think it wrong that, while Mr. Molotov was in this country negotiating good will and understanding with the British nation, thousands of copies should be rolled off the printing press of mischievous matter which includes the statement that Russia will certainly lead the anti-God nations in an attempt to invade Palestine, and is it not time that we stopped this kind of mischievous nonsense?

If my hon. Friend had done as his Question states and had enclosed a copy of this pamphlet when he wrote to my right hon. Friend, there would have been time to consider this matter. I have looked at the pamphlet, and it appears to consist largely of quotations from the Old Testament Book of Zechariah.

Does my hon. Friend know that the—

rose—

asked the Home Secretary whether, following the publication of the leaflet "Plans for Civilian Action in Invasion," it is proposed to instruct women who are anxious to use their spare time for the purpose of learning how to be of the maximum use in the event of an invasion?

The instruction of women in Civil Defence duties and other essential work is always in progress and would prove most valuable in the event of invasion. Other local tasks will be organised by invasion committees which will arrange training where this is necessary.

Is the hon. Lady aware that there is no provision for the instruction of women in the country except that given by the Women's Home Defence, and further that there are now 200 Women's Home Defence units in large towns, universities and Government Departments, and does she not think it is time the Government took some official action?

I do not think the hon. Lady is correct in saying that there is only one kind of training in this country. As a matter of fact, my right hon. Friend arranges that wherever it is possible a woman shall sit on each of these invasion committees.

Is it not the duty of the local authorities to get the women together for the purpose of giving instruction in the case of invasion?

As I have already said, these matters are in the charge of the invasion committees, on a very large number of which women sit.

asked the Home Secretary what form of inquiry has been held in place of the Advisory Committee appeal into the case of Mr. Cahir Healy, M.P.; and whether he has decided to hold Mr. Healy for the full period of the war or release him forthwith?

Mr. Healy, like any other person detained under the Regulation, has the right to make objections to the Advisory Committee, but he has not availed himself of it. He has, however, been given the information upon which my right hon. Friend decided to make the Order for his detention, and Mr. Healy wrote a letter in reply. My right hon. Friend thought it right to give Mr. Healy an opportunity of explaining more fully his statements in this letter, and asked the chairman of one of the panels of the Advisory Committee to see him on his behalf, and he has had a full report of the interview. Having considered all the circumstances of the case, he has decided that Mr. Healy must continue to be detained, though I cannot say for what period his detention may prove to be necessary.

As Mr. Healy claims that his only interest was to work for a united Ireland, and that he had no intention of taking any action detrimental to the interests of this country, why should he be detained? As the Home Secretary, against the advice received from the Government of Northern Ireland, personally ordered his detention, is it not up to the Home Secretary to see that every avenue is explored in order to give this man a proper and fair deal?

I cannot, of course, enter into the merits of Mr. Healy's case; but the Home Secretary has gone beyond what is legally necessary in sending down to Brixton the chairman of one of the panels of the Advisory Committee to interview Mr. Healy and to give him a statement of the reasons why he was detained. I do not think the Home Secretary can be expected to do more than to apply his mind to the case impartially, having received the report from the chairman, who interviewed Mr. Healy.

But, as the question in connection with Mr. Healy is the narrow one contained in the letter, as to whether he intended to take any action during or following the war, is it not up to the Home Secretary to see that a case of this kind is publicly known, and that the individual is given a decent opportunity of defending himself, even though, as an Irishman, he objects to the ordinary Advisory Committee?

I do not know that he has put forward any demand for his case to be heard. He certainly has refused to accept the tribunal set up by this House for hearing objections against detention orders.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I will raise this question on the Adjournment. It is a public scandal.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the treatment accorded to Mr. W. A. Pennington, of Streatham, a whole-time Civil Defence rescue worker for two and a half years, who, on the day he came out of hospital after an operation for mastoid, was discharged without notice or pay in lieu of notice, with the result he had to apply for public assistance to maintain himself, his wife and family; and whether he will review this case?

Mr. Pennington received full pay until 20th March, 1942, on which date he completed the full authorised period of paid sick leave. He did not receive from the local authority notice of the date on which payment was due to cease, and, in view of that, he was given later a further week's pay up to 26th March in lieu of notice. Provision is made for the payment of whole-time members of the Civil Defence General Services during sick leave, not being absence due to war service injury, for a maximum of 13 weeks in any period of 52 weeks. The current arrangements in this respect were reviewed as recently as February last after consultation with the Trade Union interests concerned. My right hon. Friend does not contemplate the revision of these conditions at the present time, and he could not justify exceptional treatment of individual cases.

Is the hon. Lady aware that it has taken me seven weeks' effort to get this man one week's pay, and is she aware that it is very brutal to tell a man on the day he comes out of hospital—a married man with a family—that he is dismissed; and is there any authority given by this House to my right hon. Friend to act towards any employee like this?

I quite appreciate the difficulties when a man came back and was told that he was no longer in the service, but as a matter of fact as soon as the matter was brought to our notice we communicated with the local authority concerned, and proper payment in lieu of notice was given. But, as I have stated, we did review the whole of these current arrangements last February, and the Trade Union representing the men came to an agreement with us over the improved conditions we then put forward.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the successful efforts of Fireman A. T. Evans and other firemen whereby the Marco Refrigerator Company agreed to instal light machinery for war work in South London fire stations; and why this scheme has not been proceeded with?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Lady aware that after 12 months of idleness Fireman Evans and other firemen showed great enterprise in going out to get work, and that when their plans were almost complete they notified their officer, who passed the matter on to headquarters, and that since then the whole project has been damped down and Fireman Evans has been discouraged from making further inquiries? Is not that quite wrong?

The hon. Member only put this Question down on Tuesday. It came before us on Wednesday, and there has not been time to make inquiries.

Is the hon. Lady aware that Fireman Evans brought this matter up two months ago, and still no progress has been made?

That was not the Question of the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of our relations with Eire, any steps are being taken to improve the teaching of Irish history in English schools?

I am not clear in what respects my hon. Friend thinks that improvement in the teaching of this subject is called for. If he will give me particulars, I will gladly consider the matter further.

Is it not a fact that the Venerable Bede, more than 1,000 years ago, complained of bad relations between the two countries; and would it not be possible, by teaching more of what Ireland did for us in those far-off days, to improve relations?

I am sure we can rely on my hon. Friend to improve our knowledge of the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to include in these lessons a full account of the abandonment of the Treaty ports by the British Government in 1938, in spite of the five-times-repeated protests of the Government of Northern Ireland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to encourage the teaching of unbiased English history in Irish Schools?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any efforts are being made to co-ordinate educational methods in different countries of the Empire?

The Board have encouraged the interchange of teachers between this country and the Dominions. They cooperate with the Colonial Office in recruiting teachers for the Colonies, and are represented on the Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies. My hon. Friend will recollect that from time to time Imperial Education Conferences have been convened by the Board.

Could not very much more be done about the interchange of teachers between the different parts of the Empire?

I sincerely hope that as circumstances improve this will be one of the developments that we shall foster.

asked the President of the Board of Education why, in relation to the setting-up of the Youth Advisory Council, he has failed to have regard to the policy of the Government to secure adequate representation for Wales?

Far from failing to secure adequate representation from Wales, the hon. Member will be glad to hear that I am assisted in the discharge of my responsibilities by a special Youth Committee for Wales and Monmouthshire, under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is rather unfortunate, in view of the importance of these youth committees, and in view of the importance of Wales, that he did not find a moment to mention this Committee in the course of his survey of his Department the other day?

I am very glad to repair the omission now. I thought that the work of this Committee and of its chairman was so well known that no reference to it was necessary. As the hon. Member knows, I am desirous of doing my best for Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Committee to consider the future of the public schools will be concerned with girls' schools as well as boys' schools.

Yes, Sir. I propose to ask the Committee to consider, as part of their terms of reference, how far measures recommended in the case of boys' schools are applicable also to girls'.

Is it the intention to include a woman on this Committee?

Yes, I think so.

Will co-educational schools also be included?

asked the President of the Board of Education the total accommodation available in public schools, and how much of this is now being filled; how many vacancies it is estimated may be available or filled by boys from elementary schools; and whether he has received any scheme, from the Headmasters' Conference or from other sources, respecting the possible admission of elementary schoolboys, by scholarship or otherwise?

The number of pupils in schools represented on the Headmasters' Conference, according to the most recent returns, is approximately 64,700; of this total 38,200 are in grant-aided schools, and 26,500 in schools not in receipt of grant. I am unable to say what is the total accommodation of these schools and the number of vacant places. The hon. Member will appreciate that a considerable number of boys educated in public elementary schools are already in attendance at grant-aided schools represented on the Conference. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

Is the incidence of this matter being considered by the special Committee which the right hon. Gentleman is setting up?

I have no doubt they will consider the points that the hon. Member has raised.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that they do consider these points, as they are of tremendous importance?

As I have said before, I am announcing shortly the full terms of reference. I think it will be seen that they are wide, and cover almost every angle of the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education the terms of reference and the names of the Committee which he has set up to inquire into the extension of boarding school education?

I hope to be in a position to announce the terms of reference and names of members invited to serve on the Committee, shortly.

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to clarify the terms of reference, because the Parliamentary Secretary somewhat enlarged the scope of the subject when he dealt with it the other day?

I shall make the terms of reference as clear as I can when I announce them.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the loss to educational efficiency in a number of grant-aided secondary schools in which the workshops or manual training centres are no longer made use of owing to war conditions; and whether he will encourage the resumption of training in woodwork wherever this is possible?

I am aware that certain secondary schools are finding difficulty in maintaining normal instruction in manual training, owing to causes arising out of the war. I am anxious to help such schools to overcome their difficulties, so far as this is possible, and if my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind I shall be pleased to investigate them.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that one of the difficulties is the shortage of wood? Will he get in touch with the Ministry of Aircraft Production in order to make use of waste wood, which might be of great service?

Yes; I have had an opportunity of going around the country and seeing the schools, and I am in touch with the authorities, to see what we can do.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to ask local education authorities to provide milk and school dinners during the summer holidays?

Yes, Sir. A circular on this and other matters relating to the care of children during the holidays is in course of preparation.

Where local authorities cannot provide facilities in schools, will my right hon. Friend arrange for British Restaurants in the areas concerned to provide milk and meals, if necessary, on the same basis?

This is the sort of method we have in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the rents payable to landlords on the dispossession of existing tenants owing to bad farming practice are finally determined in the event of a dispute with the landlord?

Where the tenant is dispossessed by a county war agricultural executive committee for bad farming, the landlord is usually given an opportunity of finding a suitable tenant, subject to the approval of the committee. In such case the rent payable by the new tenant is a matter for voluntary arrangement between the parties and consequently no statutory machinery exists for settling the amount of rent in such cases. Where the committee consider it advisable to take possession of the land in addition to terminating the tenancy, the compensation payable to the landlord in the nature of rent is laid down in Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. In the event of a dispute, the landlord is normally given an opportunity of agreeing to the matter being settled by reference to an arbitrator or, alternatively, the matter is determined by the General Tribunal set up under the Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to use for fodder the grass cut at the sides of the railways; whether his attention has been called to the amount that was burnt last year; and whether in cases where the adjoining farmer cannot take it away the companies stack it or use silos to avoid waste?

After consultation with the railway authorities farmers have been advised that, as in previous years, they should apply to the local Stationmaster for permission to harvest grass on railway embankments for hay or silage or bedding. I hope that full advantage will be taken of these facilities. The railway companies themselves harvest the grass from certain stretches of line for feeding to their own horses, but shortage of suitable labour and the exigencies of operational requirements necessarily limit what they can do. Grass which is not harvested must be burned off to minimise the risk of fire and to prevent seeds being blown on to the tracks.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication of the amount that was actually burnt last year or that is likely to be burnt this year?

No, Sir, I am afraid I cannot.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that officials in charge of local motor taxation offices complain that they are not furnished with instructions regarding the changes in the distribution of petrol for the use of motor-cars and they can only refer inquirers to the district controller; and will he consider having local officials informed of any changes which may take place?

Local taxation offices are not offices of my Department, but by arrangement with my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport and the local authorities concerned, they are, like post offices, enabled to issue certain forms and documents. I am not aware of any complaint on their behalf as to lack of the information necessary for that work. Inquiries such as those referred to by my hon. Friend should be addressed to the Divisional Petroleum Officer.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is somewhat inconvenient for local residents to have to apply to the district controller, who may be many miles away from the town; and could not the local taxation officer have information to satisfy inquirers?

Some decisions have to be taken rather quickly, but we do our best to let them have the information as soon as it can be got.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the appointment of Lord Hyndley of Meads as Controller-General of the coal industry provides for his relinquishment of the many directorships which he holds in colliery companies; and whether, while he is Controller-General, he will cease to have any official position in any colliery company?

Lord Hyndley resigned all his colliery directorships on accepting his present appointment. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, on 14th May, a man received a fatal accident at the Risca colliery, Monmouthshire; that nine men, at great risk to themselves, got him from under the fall and carried him home; that when pay day came they found half-a-shift had been deducted from each of them, including the dead man; and will he see that in future these exasperating things, which are the cause of many disputes and loss of output, shall cease?

I am making inquiries into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, before putting in force the fuel rationing scheme, he will consider the position of the Bedwellty Urban District Council, who produce no gas themselves but take it from the Rhymney and Aber Gas Company who in turn take it from the Powell Duffryn Associated coke-oven plant at Bargoed; that this gas will continue to be made even if not taken and used, as this company make large quantities of coke for steel making; and, as no coal would be saved by rationing gas in this area, will he give special consideration to the matter?

I agree with my hon. Friend that reduction of domestic consumption of gas is undesirable in districts where gas is a by-product of industrial processes, and where no corresponding saving of coal would be effected. I hope, if rationing is introduced, that it will be possible to allow unrestricted consumption of surplus gas, while retaining control of the consumption of other fuels.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish week by week the national coal consumption, together with the consumption of coal in the corresponding periods for the previous three years?

No, Sir.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend publish the figures monthly so that there would not be any sudden rationing and quick consumption without some warning?

I do not think it would be in the national interest to publish these figures at all.

Will the Minister take care that no information is submitted to the public that would make the nationalisation of the industry necessary?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of an acute shortage in the supply of children's summer playthings such as buckets and spades; whether he will afford reasonable facilities for the manufacture of these children's playthings provided they are made from surplus waste materials not essential to the war effort?

The manufacture of metal toys, including children's buckets and spades, has been prohibited in order to free the labour, material and capacity involved for the manufacture of munitions. Some toys are still being made from materials which are not in such short supply.

Would it not be to the national advantage that the only spades permitted to be manufactured should be those for agricultural purposes and grave diggers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to assisting the small retailers throughout the country, he will fix both minimum and maximum selling prices of goods?

No, Sir.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the enormous advantage to the multiple stores over the small retailer of the low minimum prices fixed and will he consider this matter again? And can he tell me why the report of the Retail Trade Committee has been published when that report is not available to the Members of this House? Why is this honourable House always ignored by the Board of Trade and this information given to the Press without any knowledge being given to the House at all?

In answer to the only part of the Supplementary Question which is relative to the Question on the Paper, I would point out to my hon. Friend that it is very often the small shopkeepers themselves who are able to sell under the maximum prices, and, therefore, in such cases, it would be a disadvantage to adopt any such proposal as my hon. Friend has in mind.

In view of the statement that has been made in the Press, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment. It is a slight on this honourable House.