asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement of the Government's intention in connection with the production of utility articles, both as regards factory arrangements and supply to the public; and whether he will give an assurance that it will be the practice of the Board of Trade in future to make statements or announcements to the House of Commons in the first instance before issuing them through the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation.

In pursuance of a policy stated in the House on a number of occasions, the production of utility and simplified types of goods is being extended in order to ensure supplies of essential articles to the public at controlled and reasonable prices, and to economise in labour and materials. Production of utility clothing and footwear, household textiles, mechanical lighters and pencils is already proceeding. Arrangements for the production of other utility and simplified types of goods are in preparation. These include pottery, hollow-ware, furniture, cutlery, floor coverings and travel goods. I shall always, when possible, make an announcement in this House of major policy decisions, but the House will not, I am sure, expect me, unless information on particular points is specially asked for by hon. Members, to report on every development of accepted policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state what decisions have been reached by the Government with regard to the recommendations of the Committee on Retail Trade?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave last Tuesday to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère). I am at present discussing the recommendations of the Committee with the principal interests affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the position of certain co-operative societies who sell, both to their members and to non-members, goods at controlled prices and who, at the end of a specified period, return a percentage of the pries paid by way of bonus; and whether he will introduce legislation to render the latter practice illegal?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement as to the spread of bicycle thefts; and whether, in view of the loss to poor owners, he will arrange for a broadcast on the need for care in safeguarding bicycles?

I am aware that there has been a considerable increase in thefts of bicycles during the war, though the figures for the first five months of the present year in London show some reduction as compared with 1941. Endeavours have constantly been made to impress on owners the desirability of taking precautions against theft, and I think that they are already well aware of the risks.

asked the Home Secretary whether his recent circular to local authorities, following the Southwark explosion, has brought him any further information of the discovery of previously undetected bombs; and whether he is satisfied that there is now no danger of similar explosions in the affected areas?

No circular has been issued to local authorities but reports of suspected cases of unexploded bombs are being investigated as rapidly as possible and appropriate action is taken in any case in which the report is confirmed. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's Question I should hesitate to say that there is no danger of a similar explosion, but I am advised that the risk of anything of the kind occurring again is small.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether similar privileges exist in the Royal Navy to those granted to soldiers, enabling men to wear civilian clothes while on leave?

Personnel of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are not permitted to wear civilian clothes while on leave in war time except for recreational activities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that essential repairs to cottages and houses cannot be carried out promptly owing to shortage of labour; and whether he will, in such cases, advise local authorities not to penalise a house-owner by condemning his property through disrepair when he is willing to have such repairs carried out at the earliest possible moment?

I am, of course, aware that it is impracticable fully to preserve peace-time standards in the repair and maintenance of houses because of the demands on labour and materials for essential war purposes, but I have no reason to think that local authorities generally are not bearing this in mind in exercising the powers conferred on them by the Housing Acts. General advice to local authorities on the exercise of their housing powers in war time was given in a circular issued in September, 1939, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the number of housing schemes submitted to his Department by local authorities in the administrative county of Durham since 1930;the number of houses asked for; and the number of houses scheduled for demolition in the same area during the same period?

35,677 houses have been approved in the county of Durham for erection by or on behalf of local authorities since 1st January, 1933. I regret that the particulars readily available do not enable me to give figures for the earlier years or the number of individual schemes submitted. The total number of houses in clearance and compulsory purchase orders confirmed by my predecessors since 1930 or included in clearance areas purchased by agreement is 23,858. In addition 3,925 individual unfit houses have been demolished as a result of action taken under Section 11 of the Housing Act, 1936.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will require the specialist researchers of the British Empire Cancer Campaign to investigate certain methods for the treatment of cancer not yet investigated by them?

I understand that the British Empire Cancer Campaign does not itself undertake experimental research, but in suitable cases gives financial assistance to other bodies or persons for that purpose. In any event, I should, of course, have no power to require this organisation to investigate any particular method of treatment.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his Department has made any investigation into the successful treatment of cancer and/or other diseases by herbal treatment; and with what results;(2) whether his Department has any knowledge of the bio-chemical treatment of cancer and other diseases by Dr. H. D. Gilbert and others giving such treatment; whether any investigation has been made and with what results; and what steps he proposes further to investigate this method of treatment?

My advisers have no knowledge of the methods of treatment referred to. The investigation of particular methods of treatment is not a matter for my Department but, as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, there are a number of organisations which are prepared to assist in promising lines of research. If my hon. Friend is aware of any method which in his view calls for further investigation, I shall be glad to send him a list of the organisations in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the figures of consumption of milk in the years 1939 to 1941 for adults and children, respectively; or, if this differentiation is impossible, figures for the gross consumption?

The total sales of milk for liquid consumption in the United Kingdom in the calendar years 1939, 1940 and 1941 were 863,000,000, 937,000,000 and 1,065,000,000 gallons respectively. These figures exclude milk consumed by members of farmers' households. It is not possible to give figures of consumption by adults and children separately.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the severity of the blow to small poultry-keepers, he will make the new Order, reducing birds from 50 to 25, less drastic?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot agree that the new Order requiring owners of over 25 head of poultry to dispose of their eggs only to licensed buyers or licensed packers is either drastic or a severe blow to small poultry-keepers. All poultry-keepers can retain as many eggs as they require for their own household use and a large number of small poultry-keepers are at present selling their surplus eggs to packing stations at 3s. 1d. per dozen as against the maximum of 2s. per dozen they are allowed to charge on direct sales to consumers. Adequate arrangements will be made for the collection of the eggs of small poultry-keepers. In these circumstances my Noble Friend sees no reason for modifying the proposals to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken to relieve farmers in the North of Scotland of surplus stocks of oats, which are now rapidly deteriorating owing to lack of proper storage accommodation?

The Ministry of Food has been for some time purchasing oats from the North of Scotland through the trade in order to relieve the local surplus which has existed there. In addition, facilities have been freely given in recent months to merchants in the area for the export of surplus oats to England under licence. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the Board of Trade, is endeavouring to arrange for further storage to be made available in Scotland for the purpose of increasing the Government's reserve of oats by further purchases, particularly from the area in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning by whom Professor Abercrombie was selected to undertake the re-planning of London; whether he is a whole-time member of the staff of the Ministry; and what are his emoluments?

On the suggestion of the Standing Conference on London Regional Planning, which represents the local authorities concerned, my Noble Friend intends to appoint Professor Abercrombie to prepare an outline plan and report for the area surrounding London so as to form, with the plans of the city and county of London which are already being prepared, a comprehensive plan for the whole region. Professor Abercrombie will be paid a fee as a consultant and it is not proposed that he should become a member of the staff of the Ministry. The exact terms of the appointment are under discussion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning the age of the successor to Dr. F. C. C. Curtiss?

Thirty-five years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds it is necessary for any Government committee in war-time to have more than one secretary; and how many committees there are which have more than two secretaries at the present time?

It seems to me reasonable that a committee should have more than one secretary when the con-

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he is going to make it obligatory upon banks to produce uniform small-size cheques and so economise in paper?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply which I gave on 9th December, 1941, to my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. Hammersley), in which I gave details of the arrangements already made to limit the size of cheques. These arrangements have been put into operation by agreement with the banks, and I do not consider that any compulsion is necessary.

asked the Minister of Information the times and wave-lengths of all overseas broadcasts of news in English by the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The times and wavelengths of B.B.C. overseas broadcasts of news in English are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that overseas pay to medical officers who joined up in India has only been paid from 21st November, 1941;and whether he will take the necessary steps to have the balance due to medical officers from the actual date of their joining the Indian Medical Service credited to those officers who joined up before that date?

No, Sir, and I know of no reason why overseas pay should have been paid only from the date mentioned. I am bringing the matter to the notice of the Government of India.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been called to the disparity in man-hours occupied in the production, respectively, of a Stirling and a Lancaster; and whether he has set up any machinery for investigating such disparities?

I am aware of this disparity. I am in fact already having it investigated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, when he is invited by the county war agricultural committee to visit and speak at cultivation demontrations, he will take steps to see that the county committee invite to be present the Member of Parliament in whose constituency the function is to be held?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War why none of the 800 pharmacists in the Army are given any substantial responsibility for the care of medical stores or in large Army hospitals; and whether he will arrange for the better utilisation of this skilled man-power?

Almost all the higher appointments open to dispensers are in fact held by pharmacists. Many pharmacists have been appointed officers in charge of medical stores in large hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the men who actually operate guns, tanks and other weapons are in the best position to note their defects or advantages, he will see that the submission of suggestions by men of all ranks is actively encouraged.

The existing procedure was explained to my hon. Friend on 17th March. In addition, a limited experiment is being introduced in certain units in two commands to see whether suggestions by all ranks can be further stimulated.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many cases non-combatant officers have received the Distinguished Service Order; and whether he will ensure that this distinction will only be given to officers who fight and are not upon the staff?

Since the outbreak of war nine awards of the Distinguished Service Order have been made to non-combatant officers. The statutes of the Distinguished Service Order, as amended in 1931, lay down that it shall be conferred only as a reward for distinguished service in action with the enemy and I can assure him that the standard required is as high to-day as it has ever been.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many non-combatant officers have been working at headquarters in Cairo; and how many officers on the staff have been entitled to leave to England from the Near East when officers at the front were refused it?

I could not answer the first part of the Question without calling for a special return from the Middle East, which I think my hon. and gallant Friend will agree would not at the present moment be justified. With regard to the second part of the Question, there is at present no leave to the United Kingdom from the Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recent reduction in a married soldier's allotment from 7s. to 3s. 6d. a week in order to qualify for familiy allowance, applies to an unmarried dependant living with the soldier as a wife?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, when the Army requisitioned residential premises for military purposes, it merely accepts responsibility for the rates, rent and certain repairs, but leaves the tenant to pay the ground rent; and whether, as in London these ground rents are very high, he will consider defraying this rent also in addition to the liabilities mentioned?

A requisitioning authority does not take over a tenant's responsibility for rent, but makes a payment to him, as the person otherwise entitled to occupy. This is assessed under Section 2(1) (a) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, and any ground rent which is in payment is therefore taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the amount of ration allowance with which officer prisoners of war are credited; and what was the amount of the recent increase?

Under the Convention officer prisoners in Italy are required to pay for their food, which they do out of pay advanced by the Italian Government. They are therefore credited here with an appropriate ration allowance. In view of the rise in costs in Italy this was increased from 1s. 8d. to 3s. 0d. a day with effect from 1st January, 1942. Under reciprocal arrangements with the German Government officer prisoners in Germany are provided with free rations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that Mr. J. McGarva was dismissed from his position of fireman at Cardowan Colliery, Lanarkshire, in April; that the case was tried before the appeal tribunal on 20th May and the tribunal decided that Mr. McGarva was to be restored to his work as a fireman; that the manager refused to start him and it was only on 3rd June he was allowed to start in the colliery as a repairer; and will he take steps to prevent the manager disregarding the decisions of the tribunal and see that Mr. McGarva is restored to his former place?

The case of Mr. McGarva has been the subject of investigation. As a result I am glad to say that he has been reinstated as a fireman.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is his policy with regard to deliveries of fuel to manufacturers and with regard to the stocks of fuel which they are now permitted to hold?

In accordance with the policy outlined in paragraph 23 of the White Paper on coal, discussions have been opened with my colleagues principally concerned on arrangements for the block allocation of coal to industries; the distribution among the individual units in an industry will be made, under the control of my Department, in agreement with other Departments concerned. The programmes of supply thus formulated will make provision for the levels of stock appropriate to the various classes of industry. Pending the completion of these programmes, in order to effect an immediate saving in the consumption of coal by industry—as required by the White Paper—I have restricted deliveries to all but a few classes of industry. I would take this opportunity of emphasising that, while individual anomalies may result from this temporary measure, and will be corrected as they arise, industrial consumers must, unless and until output improves, accept the necessity of a reduction in supplies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that men discharged from the Army to Class W Reserve for work in coal mines or other essential war work are given one suit of clothes or £2 Os. 10d. in lieu; that their family allowances cease on their discharge; that they have to provide their own tools or go in debt for them; that, whilst waiting for pay, which at the best is at the end of the second week, they have to go to the Unemployment Assistance Board officer for relief; and will he see that some better arrangement is made for these discharged men?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question by the Member for Abertillery (Mr. Daggar) on 30th June, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will issue a ruling as to what maximum distances taxicab-hiring proprietors in rural areas are allowed under the present petrol re- strictions; and whether there is any definition of the purposes for which a motor car may be hired?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 24th June.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether instructions will be issued to local fuel officers that in the case of schools and other establishments where quantities of anthracite are used for central heating and other purposes cellars may be stocked up during these summer months by truck loads and limiting restrictions that absorb transport for small quantities be revised?

Schools are already excluded from the restrictions: so also are hospitals. Other controlled establishments can obtain from the local fuel overseers licences to acquire reasonable stocks of anthracite especially of the larger sizes and further relaxation is not proposed at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to say what arrangements have been made to safeguard the position of non-commissioned officer aircrew personnel who have been wounded whilst engaged on operational flights, and have to be permanently withdrawn from further duties in the air in consequence?

Yes, Sir. As far as possible such personnel are employed in trades for which their aircrew qualifications and experience render them specially suitable, e.g., link trainer instructor, duty pilot, navigation instructor. All these are Group I trades and the posts carry rank not lower than that of sergeant. Failing selection for one of these special trades, airmen with a basic R.A.F. trade are remustered to that trade and, if fully qualified technically, are granted the rank of sergeant therein or any higher rank which they would have attained had they not been selected for aircrew duties. If not fully qualified technically, they are given every chance, including the opportunity of attending courses, to attain the required standard and on doing so are granted the rank of sergeant in their basic trade. In the meantime, they retain the rank of sergeant, with pay at Group V rates, and are employed on duties appropriate to the standard of technical proficiency which they have attained. Aircrew personnel who have no basic trade, and are not selected for one of the special trades referred to above, are remustered to aircrafthand Group V in the rank of sergeant (unless they possess special qualifications which enable them to be absorbed at once into another R.A.F. trade) and are placed under training for any R.A.F. trade for which they have special qualifications or qualities. If they reach the necessary standard on completion of the normal course, they are re mustered to their new trade in the rank of sergeant. If they do not attain this standard they are employed on duties appropriate to the standard they have reached until they so qualify, but they retain the rank of sergeant and, except during employment at their trade, enjoy all the privileges and amenities associated with that rank.

(Horsham and Worthing): I hope the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Leader of the House will give a word of explanation of this Motion. It is a novel proposal, and it is not very easy to understand it by reading Standing Order No. 14. I think it is rather desirable, when we have these innovations, that we should also have a short explanation of the reason.

I am only too glad to comply with the request of my Noble Friend. As a matter of fact this is not an innovation; there are many precedents for such a Motion. Under Standing Order No. 14, dealing with Supply, a Supplementary Estimate for a new service, that is to say, an additional Estimate for any new matter not included in the original Estimate for the year, cannot be included in the computation of the 20 Allotted Supply Days. To-day is the 13th Alloted Day, and it is necessary, for the Production Debate, to bring forward a Supplementary Estimate for the Office of the Minister of Production, which is a new service. The Motion is therefore necessary.Question put, and agreed to.