asked the President of the Board of Trade whether prior to arriving at the decision taken regarding the weights and scales on coal carts, he conferred with the two main representative societies?

Yes, Sir. The views of the Coal Merchants' Federation and the Society of Coal Merchants were invited and duly considered, along with those of other interests concerned.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is a very strong feeling that transport space could be saved by not dragging thousands of tons of useless iron about all day, and further is he not aware that this metal would be valuable for munitions, which would be very useful?

Yes, Sir, but I am anxious that coal should be available for people at its proper weight, and I am advised by the local authorities I have consulted and also by the Society of Inspectors of Weights and Measures that they are unanimously of the opinion that this practice should continue. In this case we should be good Conservatives and not make rash changes.

Is it not a fact that these weights and scales are never used at all?

No, Sir, I am advised that they are frequently used, particularly in rural areas, where it is very necessary to protect small consumers against short weight.

Did the right hon. Gentleman receive a letter from me containing a letter from the Croydon Corporation about the needless waste involved as these tests are never taken, and recommending the disuse of these weighing machines?

I receive a large number of communications from my hon. Friend. I have gone rather wider in my consultations on this occasion.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say that the opinion of inspectors of weights and measures was unanimous, and is not that in conflict with the communication I have mentioned?

No, Sir; I have not consulted all inspectors of weights and measures, but I have consulted the society which represents them.

Before this compulsion was there not a good deal of cheating going on, and is it not a fact that local authorities send their inspectors to weigh coal now and again?

The statutory practice will be continued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the first quarter of this quota year only nine British films of feature length have been registered; and will he put a stop to the process of drawing on the reduced man-power and studio space of the British film industry proper, in view of the fact that many of these persons so withdrawn are reincorporated in Government and service film units?

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." In view of the unforseeable demands for manpower and factory space for war purposes, I cannot give any undertaking that the film industry will be allowed to preserve intact its present labour force or even its present studio space; but every effort will be made to continue to preserve a sufficient nucleus of film production. The form of service on which persons withdrawn from the film industry are emplayed is not the direct concern of my Department but my hon. Friend will appreciate that the Government and Service film units are doing work of great importance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the present position is allowed to continue unchecked, the British film industry, which has been built up with such trouble during the last 20 years, will soon be in the deplorable condition it was in at the end of the last war? Will he look into the position closely himself?

I can assure the hon. Lady that I am looking into it very closely. I am receiving representatives of the film industry in the course of the next week. I am anxious to do everything possible, but the film industry, like every other industry, is subject to the inevitable pressures of war, as the hon. Lady will recognise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the letter dated 20th July, addressed by the Trading with the Enemy Department to a correspondent, who was forwarding to a British subject in Toulouse a letter addressed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the honourable Member for Croydon South, containing information as to the method whereby the British subject in question could file a claim in respect of losses arising out of the war; and why it should be necessary that the correspondent in question should be asked to furnish the Department with full particulars in explanation of the matter?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been drawn to this letter. It is contrary to the practice of the Censorship to allow private individuals to forward copies of official or semi-official letters to enemy controlled territory without special authorisation. I regret that the letter in question contained a demand for an explanation instead of advice as to the proper procedure. I have given instructions which should prevent this happening again.

As the Parliamentary Secretary wrote me a letter for the purpose of passing it on to a distressed British subject in France, surely that should be sufficient guidance to all concerned?

No, Sir, the hon. Member is wrong. It is unusual, and I hope it will not become a practice, to send to enemy controlled territory copies of communications from Ministers to Members of this House.

As the inquiry was to guide this distressed British subject, who has had his business stolen by the Germans and his house blown up by British bombs, as to how he could file a claim, what was the use of sending information which would remain buried in my breast and be of no use to the distressed person?

I think the hon. Member might perhaps have paraphrased the sense of the communication.

Is it not all really red tape, when all is said and done?

No. Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether in order to encourage an offensive spirit throughout the Army, he will remit the sentences on Sergeant Peter King and Private Tom Cuthbertson, Army Dental Corps, who recently took a motor-boat to France without authority or, alternatively, reduce the sentences to reprimand?

These sentences have been confirmed by the appropriate military authorities, and I am not prepared to override their judgment. I quite appreciate, however, the desire of these men for a more combative life and will make arrangements for them to be transferred to an arm where I hope it can be gratified.

asked the Secretary of State for War the circumstances under which No. 4038893, Private Dootson, met his death; and why only provisional diagnosis of cause of death was communicated to his wife?

The verdict of the coroner's inquest was, briefly, that Private Dootson shot himself, there being no evidence as to the state of his mind at the time. The notification sent to the next-of-kin by the Officer in charge of Records was based on information given by the civil hospital in which Private Dootson died. The diagnosis was provisional pending the holding of the inquest.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why there was an alteration in the time of the arrival of the body at the station, and what the circumstances were which caused it?

That is a new fact to me. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that cases have arisen of officers on sick leave receiving notification of the termination of their employment taking effect as from a date considerably prior to the date of notification to the officer concerned; and whether, as this practice is both unfair to officers and prejudicial to the reputation of the Army Council, he will take steps to prevent its recurrence?

The regulations prescribe the maximum periods of sick leave on full pay which are admissible, and every endeavour is made to ensure that all officers receive in advance a warning letter as to the date of cessation of pay. I am aware, however, that isolated cases have occurred where it has not proved possible to give such advance notification and steps are under consideration to avoid any such cases arising in the future.

Does my right hon. Friend think it right to tell an officer in January that his employment terminated on 1st November?

As I said, of course I do not think it is right, and I hope I have taken steps which will ensure that it does not happen in future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is still impossible for units to obtain films for private showing if there is a public cinema within a radius of three miles?

The agreement between the War Office and the Kinematograph Renters' Society provides that recreational films hired under it shall not be shown within two miles of a public cinema and not three miles, as my hon. Friend suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this agreement with a very rich and powerful organisation entails great hardship on soldiers who have to walk four miles and spend considerable sums out of their very small incomes?

I am aware that there is a case for looking into the matter, and I am looking into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of certain senior officers in the Eastern Command of carrying out what are called peace-time inspections; and whether, in view of the fact that we have now been at war for nearly three years, he will give instructions that such inspections shall cease forthwith?

I am not aware of any such practice.

If I were to inform the right hon. Gentleman of cases, would he look into them, and would he take steps to deal with the matter?

I will inquire into them first.

asked the Secretary of State for War what would be the estimated cost of X-raying recruits on enlistment so as to avoid subsequent controversy over borderline cases?

In view of the many uncertain factors, I regret that I can give no reliable estimate of the cost. But my hon. Friend will appreciate that the difficulty of introducing any such scheme would be primarily in the shortage of the necessary apparatus and personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to put out of bounds any hotel or public-house where it is shown that the licensee refuses to serve a soldier who wishes to obtain any refreshment in a room or lounge used by officers of the Army?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling excited amongst American, Australian, Canadian and British troops by the exhibition in public-houses of notices, "Civilians and officers only"; whether these notices are exhibited as the result of instructions from local officers commanding; and whether he will take immediate steps to put public-houses exhibiting such notices out of bounds?

I am not aware that this practice is prevalent. If the hon. Members will bring to my notice any cases in which they think there is cause for complaint, I will inquire into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that young Army officers commissioned from the ranks have to pay as much as 5s. for an officer's regimental cap badge; whether anything can be done to prevent such profiteering at the expense of young officers whose pay is small; and, in particular, whether arrangements can be made whereby these badges can be purchased from Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes or other military canteens at reasonable prices?

There is a great variation in the price of cap badges as between different regiments, which ranges from about 2S. 6d. to 7s. 6d. for the normal quality. I have no reason to think that there is profiteering by any reputable firm, but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will have further inquiries made. I am not aware of any demand from officers for supply through the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. In practice, this would be very difficult, since each Institute could expect only a very small and variable demand for any one of the many badges.

Would my right hon. Friend ask for information as to why the price of a badge has gone up from 3s. 1d. to 5s. in a few weeks?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me any information he has.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is a definitely fixed sum deducted for coffining and other expenses incurred by the military authorities applicable in each case from the £7 10s. allowed for funeral purposes for deceased soldiers sent home for interment; whether the deduction includes the transit of the body by rail or otherwise; and whether any travelling expenses are allowed to nearest relatives when the burial is conducted by military authorities?

The amount deducted is the actual cost, which, of course, varies. No deduction is made in respect of the cost of transit of the body, which is borne by the public. When the funeral is carried out under military arrangements, free return railway journeys for attendance at it are provided for two persons, one of whom must be a relative of the deceased.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife drawing attention to the standing orders at Woolwich Royal Artillery depot which forbid soldiers to attend public meetings, with a view to the avoidance of disorder, and threaten men with severe punishment for lying about on grass in public parks when in uniform; and what steps he is taking in the matter?

I am looking into this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Will the Minister make certain that nothing is allowed to inferiere with the right of a soldier to attend public meetings?

The right is not unqualified.

The right to attend public meetings is unqualified. The only point is that they are not allowed to speak at public meetings.

That is what I meant.

Would a soldier attending a town council meeting be regarded as attending a public meeting?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many staff officers aged over 61 are now employed in this country; and whether the Government's policy in regard to the employment of these officers is being uniformly applied?

In December, 1941, 59 staff officers of the rank of major and above, aged more than 61, were serving in the United Kingdom. I regret that no more recent figure is at present available. With regard to the second part of his Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) on 5th May.

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that there is excellent material here, which is still unemployed?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the existing ambiguity, he will define the position of commissioned officers of the Home Guard, stating to what extent they have the obligations, rights and privileges of other commissioned officers and to what extent those of private soldiers?

I am not aware of any ambiguity. As the Home Guard is a part-time force, serving without pay, the obligations, rights and privileges of its members are not exactly comparable with those either of officers or of privates in the Regular Army. Home Guard officers have access to instructions which make their position clear in regard to powers of command and discipline and other matters. As regards financial benefits, all ranks of the Home Guard are treated alike, under regulations which are special to the Force. This has been a feature of the Force since its inception.

Is this extraordinary treatment of Home Guard officers due to financial reasons, military reasons, or some other—and, if so, what—reasons?

I am unaware of any extraordinary treatment of Home Guard officers. Perhaps the hon. Member will be a little more specific.

Perhaps my right hon. Friend is not aware that if a Home Guard officer is killed on duty, his widow is treated as being the widow of a private soldier, whereas, in regard to Estate Duty, he does not get relief on the whole estate, as he would if he were treated as a private soldier?

I think there is a little misconception, if not confusion, about this matter. There are two reliefs under different Finance Acts. There is a relief under the Finance Act, 1924, and that applies both to officers and to other ranks of the Home Guard. Then there is an exemption under the Act of 1894, which applies neither to officers nor to privates of the Home Guard.

Is it not the case that as regards pensions, travel and other matters, Home Guard officers are not in the same position as other commissioned officers?

I cannot deal with this matter by way of question and answer; but, from the inception of the Home Guard Force, in financial matters all ranks have been regarded as being on an equality, and they still are.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purposes the hoops are used which have been ordered for the Army?

I think my hon. Friend probably refers to the use of hoops for the physical training of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. They will be used for the same purposes for which they are regularly used in women's physical training colleges.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those hoops were ordered by the physical training side of the Army, and were not an order from the A.T.S. direct?

The hon. Member is better informed than I am.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not waste wood in war-time?

The whole cost is about £100; so it does not waste very much wood.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet devised and made known to the civilian population the form of warning to be given to them in the event of any attempted enemy attacks upon the coast of this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 14th July.

In the case of invasion, the church bells would be rung; but in the case of an attempted commando raid on the coast of this country, there is apparently no form of warning to the civilian population. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider some form of ringing the church bells for warning the civilian population?

Certain arrangements have been made, but, as I have said, I do not propose to make them public.

Are they known by those people who are responsible for handling the civilian populations on the coast?

They are known by all the people who require to know them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether consequent upon the formation of the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he will transfer from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps to the new organisation responsibility for the provision of spare parts and similar mechanical equipment?

Such a transfer was considered when the new corps was being planned, but it was decided that the provision and storage of spare parts and equipment are a matter for experts in storage and provision rather than for engineers. The closest contact will, however, be maintained between the new corps and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in this matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that for speed and simplicity of design this is the method, and that this is certainly the pattern upon which comparable commercial organisations base their organisation? Should we make an exception in this case?

On the first part of the question, I do not agree; on the second, I do not know.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the trouble to consult comparable commercial organisations, since they have experience of this sort of thing?

The scheme was drawn up by people who are primarily commercial.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) under what authority a soldier, who refuses to obey an order to put on uniform, is forcibly dressed;

There is no authority for dressing a soldier forcibly. In the case of Trooper Russell, it has been pointed out to those concerned that the action taken was wrong, but I am satisfied that it was taken in good faith and do not therefore propose to take disciplinary action.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now satisfied that adequate records are kept at military hospitals of the visits of outpatients?

I hope shortly to issue new instructions which will put the recording of outpatients' visits to military hospitals on a sounder and more uniform basis than at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War what clothing, and or money for the purchase of clothing, is now given to a private soldier when he is discharged from the Army; and is there a larger sum given to non-commissioned officers similarly discharged?

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield), on 20th May. The cash allowance which may be chosen in lieu of civilian suit, cap, collar and tie is £2 16s. 5d. The treatment of non-commissioned officers and privates in this matter is identical.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know of any place in London or in any other part of the country where they can buy reasonable clothing for the amount that is allowed?

It is always open to the person concerned to take the issue in kind, that is, the actual clothing.

Are not the quality, design and cut of the clothes of such a character that no decent person would wear them?

I cannot accept that in these days of utility and austerity clothing.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the difficulties experienced by men discharged from the Forces to return to the coalmines where the issue of clothing may be perfectly proper and the organisations involved do not seem to be able to get these things?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a Question on that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider revising the prices so that a man may have an austerity suit made available to him instead of the foolish get-up they issue as a civilian suit?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the indignation caused by the proposed transfer of Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses to the Auxiliary Territorial Service, involving scrapping of uniforms and the transfer of trained girls who volunteered before the war from a service where they are working happily and well to another service; and on what grounds is the change being proposed?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office proposal to transfer Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses, serving with Army units, to the Auxiliary Territorial Service has been voluntarily accepted, or otherwise, by members of the Red Cross and St. John organisation; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to compensate the said Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses if they be compelled to scrap their own Red Cross uniforms?

I received last week a deputation representing the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. As a result I am proposing to invite these organisations to appoint representatives to a Committee to be set up under an independent Chairman. The detailed arrangements are now in hand.

With a view to what?

To consider the relationship of mobile V.A.D.s to the Army.

Has a decision yet been taken on the proposed transfer?

No final decision has yet been taken. I have made that clear throughout.

Before any change in the status of the V.A.D.s is settled will Parliament have an opportunity of discussing the matter, in view of the general feeling of the honourable calling of nurses, both male and female, that they should have an opportunity of considering the question?

Their representatives are going to be on this Committee, and naturally when a report has been received I shall, if necessary; make a statement upon it to the House before any action is taken.

Will any Member of this House be on the Committee?

I do not think so.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great public indignation about this suggestion?

I have had a good deal of correspondence on the subject, and I am fully aware of all the feelings in the matter, which are not uniformly in one direction.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that no final decision will be come to until the Committee has reported?

I have been trying to give that assurance now for some time.

Will the Minister keep in mind that we also in this House are representatives of the people concerned and that we want our point of view to be taken into account?

I think that that can best be taken into account if, as I promised, I bring it before this House before any action is taken.

Why not abandon the whole idea?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many boys between the ages of 16 and 18, employed in the Clyde shipyards, were recently registered as belonging to a youth organisation or an evening class; how many of these invited to an interview attended; and what provision for recreation or evening classes exist?

I am informed by the education authorities concerned that 1,996 boys employed in Clyde shipyards were registered as belonging to youth organisations or attending evening classes: 929 boys who were invited for interview attended. Adequate provision is made for evening classes in the areas where the vast majority of these boys reside, and facilities for recreation are steadily being improved.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can now make a statement on the complaints by Clyde shipyard workers against some of the directors of the yard who, the workmen allege, used wood, steel, special metals and skilled workmen to construct domestic shelters,. garden gates', and lengths of rail for a miniature railway?

My right hon. and learned Friend has asked me to reply on his behalf. Proceedings have been taken against two directors and a foreman in respect of alleged improper use of certain materials. While these proceedings are pending the Lord Advocate is unable to make any further statement.

Can my right hon. Friend say the stage at which the proceedings have reached? Have the men been charged? I do not think that that is in any way infringing upon the usual procedure.

Not only were they charged but they appeared before the sheriff on 15th July, and the trial will be in September.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether they appeared in public court, and, if they did not, why not?

I cannot answer that Question without notice.

Why, when a workman takes a piece of spare wood is he prosecuted and his name broadcast, and yet the names of these people are suppressed and the public do not know who they are?

All I can answer is that the Question did not appear on the Order Paper, and I am replying for my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate.

Surely, it is not unreasonable to ask my right hon. Friend what stage the proceedings have reached and for him in his answer to tell us what proceedings have taken place?

I have already answered that question and said that the men appeared before the sheriff on 15th July, and that the trial will be in September.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of women who have been transferred from Scotland to England for work on munitions by his Department; and whether he is aware that a number transferred, or about to be transferred, have been trained in the Stow College and could get equally important work locally but are not allowed to take such work?

The number of women transferred from Scotland to England since April, 1941, when the Registration for Employment Order came into force, until the end of June, 1942, is 7,793. This figure includes women outside registration age and trainees. Women trainees from Stow College who are mobile are sent to priority jobs in areas where the shortage of workers is most acute. Local vacancies are filled by immobile women who cannot leave home.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a Miss Konopate, 151, Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, applied to the local tribunal against the decisions proposing to transfer her to England for work; that her mother is in far from good health, having been injured by an air-raid when her home was damaged; that Miss Konopate's only two brothers are serving with His Majesty's forces; and, as her transfer will leave the mother at home alone, will he reverse this decision which is causing serious concern?

This decision was given by the hardship tribunal and cannot be altered by my right hon. Friend. He is arranging, however, to have the matter brought by appeal before the umpire who is the final authority.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in this case the girl's mother was severely injured during a blitz, and ought not these tribunals to be much more sympathetic?

It is because all these facts have been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend that he is appealing to the umpire.

I give notice, in view of the terrible treatment meted out to this and similar cases, that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment. It is becoming a farce, as was the "genuinely seeking employment" Regulation in the old days.

rose—

Notice has already been given that this matter will be raised on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider, in consultation with the President of the Board of Education, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the appropriate landowners and the local authorities concerned, organising, during the suggested stay-at-home summer holidays, parties to gather wood suitable for firewood in districts throughout England and Scotland, and arrange for the storage, sale and disposal of such wood under conditions which would benefit cottagers, small householders and others in villages and the smaller towns during the next winter and also save household burning of a quantity of coal?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider means by which the large amount of branches, dead wood and tree trunks suitable for firewood, which are to be found in the woodlands in many parts of the country, could be collected and distributed, with a view to minimising consumption of household coal in country districts and to save transport?

In view of the shortage of labour and transport, and the very wide variations in local conditions, it is not practicable to organise on a uniform national basis the collection and distribution of waste wood for this purpose, but I have considered, in consultation with the other Government Departments concerned, the organisation of schemes for the collection of waste timber from woods and sawmills with a view to creating reserve stocks held centrally in appropriate districts. Our policy is therefore to enlist the assistance of local authorities to this end, and arrangements were made last autumn whereby any local authority could be empowered to undertake the necessary work on behalf of my Department. A number of schemes are already in operation. Further discussions are now taking place with several local authorities as a result of information recently obtained concerning the location of available supplies of surplus sawmill timber, and so far as Scotland is concerned, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently made a fresh approach to local authorities on the subject.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the tens of thousands of tons of broken timber lying waste in the county of Sussex, and can he possibly exert pressure upon the local authorities to do something so as to sell all this timber to towns to help to avoid a coal shortage during the forthcoming winter?

Discussions are now taking place with the authorities, but I told my hon. Friend that some schemes are in operation, and I hope that many more will result.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the present profiteering in firewood, 50s. per ton being charged for sawn-up fir slabs as against 10s. pre-war; and whether he will control the price and enable the poor to make provision for the winter?

In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply I am considering the possibility of controlling the price of fuel wood; inquiries so far show that costs and prices vary greatly according to local circumstances, and where there is heavy cost of collection and cutting a price of 50s. a ton may not be unreasonable.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that in the case mentioned in the Question, before the war this wood was given away free by the timber yard as being useless, and that now they are charging 50s. a ton for it?

I think the hon. Gentleman is talking of rather exceptional circumstances. Even if it was given away free, it had to be shifted, and one of the very heavy costs in the distribution of timber is the bringing of the timber from the site where it is felled.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he intends to implement the proposal that fuel overseers should withhold from householders a proportion of coupons in respect of the use of gas and electricity, in view of the fact that such a proposal, if enforced, would remove the right implicit under the Annex Plan of householders to spread their coupons in such proportions as they may think fit over coal, gas, electricity, etc., within the total ration?

A proposal on the lines of that described by my hon. Friend is favoured by the gas and electricity industries, but provision would be made to allow householders to vary their consumption of different fuels. I have no present intentions in the matter. Any question of varying the plan in the Annex to the White Paper on Coal would hot arise unless there were a decision to impose rationing, and, as my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council explained to the House on 10th June last, the Government will not bring any fuel rationing scheme into operation without prior intimation to the House and opportunity for debate if that should be desired.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in connection with the proposed Annex Fuel Rationing Plan, coupons and points have yet been printed?

No, Sir, apart from the personal fuel coupons which form part of the 1942–43 Clothing Book, already in the hands of the public.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that the necessary anthracite or coke will be allowed for gas-producer plants being fitted to motor-cars used for business purposes?

Supplies of solid fuel will be available for vehicles driven by gas-producer plant in so far as I and my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport are satisfied of the essential nature of the work oil which such vehicles are engaged and within limits of number to be agreed between us.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that there is a widespread feeling that the cam- paign to effect economy in the consumption of fuel is not being conducted with sufficient drive; and whether he will make any statement as to the further steps he proposes to take with regard to this matter?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what measures he has taken in the publicity campaign to reduce domestic fuel consumption; whether those measures have been successful and to what extent; and what further measures he intends to take?

As the reply is rarther long I will, with the permission of my hon. Friends, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will examine the figures of attendances at cinemas between 12 noon and 3 p.m. on week-days to see if the returns are on an average low compared with the amount of electricity used, with a view to suggesting to the local authorities and representatives of the industry more economic hours of opening in those areas where such action is warranted?

I understand that such attendance figures are not available. While I appreciate that some saving of electricity would be realised by the means suggested, I doubt if this would justify the restriction of recreational facilities and the additional congestion of transport in the evening rush hours.

While the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has announced quite recently what the Cinema Exhibitors' Association have suggested in the way of economies, will he not take into account the opinions of the workpeople's representatives, who claim that not more than 20 per cent. of the seats in most areas are occupied when the cinemas commence before 3 p.m.? Is there not reasonable ground for effecting some economy on these lines?

I am not anxious to interfere more than is necessary with recreational facilities, because they are extremely important. I am informed that, with regard to most of these cinemas, it is only in certain of the larger towns that they open before 2 p.m. In the other places, they do not. There are other methods of economising which they are now looking into and which will achieve far greater economies than could be achieved by this means.

Do not the cinemas conduct most of their affairs in the dark?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many mining royalty owners have received interim payments and in what districts; where it is proposed to make further payments, and on what conditions they are made?

Subject to the satisfactory completion of the appropriate application form the Coal Commission are prepared to make a payment on account of 10 per cent. of the draft valuation of a valued holding or of 1½ times the last year's income where the holding is income producing but has not been valued. Payments on account are made on the last day of each month; the first cheques were issued on 30th June in respect of 28 holdings situated in seven of the Valuation Regions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is proposed that small coal retailers may be restricted to a certain radius for deliveries; and whether similar restrictions are to be placed on co-operative societies?

In cases where merchants are still delivering coal in any manner which results in wastage of petrol, vehicles or man-power, steps can be and are being taken compulsorily to transfer the registrations concerned to merchants who are in a better position to effect delivery to the consumer, though not necessarily by fixing an arbitrary radius, beyond which deliveries may not be made. These principles apply equally to large as well as to small coal merchants, and to co-operative societies.

If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman takes away the supply of coal from the co-operative societies, will he see that those to whom the supplying is given over will pay a dividend to the customer?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what schemes have been framed, in consultation with industrial groups, to give part of the cash saved by fuel economy to employees?

War-time conditions have made it more difficult to operate bonus schemes for stokers and for boiler house operatives. None the less, the Fuel Efficiency Committee have urged on the industrial groups they have been meeting, the importance of offering their employees an inducement to economise in the use of fuel. Several firms have started schemes of this kind with satisfactory results, and I hope that many others will follow their example.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the changes which are constantly taking place in the number of residents in a household due to evacuees returning home, evacuees being taken in, domestic staff and governesses being called up, members of a household taking up work in other parts of the country, deaths and other causes; and whether he desires the householder to advise the fuel controller when and as these changes take place?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second part "No, Sir."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he is establishing a reserve dump of coal at Solihull before residents have been able to obtain the authorised quantity for storage; and whether he will direct that local merchants shall receive all available supplies until admissible demands are satisfied?

Reserve stocks of house coal are being created in a number of places, in addition to those already in existence, in order that, should there be serious difficulties over house coal supplies during next winter, some reserves may be available in consuming areas to assist those classes of consumer who, for physical or other reasons, are unable to lay in their own stocks. In my view, some reserves for this purpose must be created even though this should result in other householders not being able, for the time being, to obtain the full permitted stocks.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend know that, as a result of this stacking, a large proportion of the coal is reduced to slack, and would it not be much more economical if the merchants were allowed to unload the trucks and distribute the coal for private storage?

It is of vital importance that we should have stocks to fall back upon in case of emergency during next winter I am most anxious that those stocks should be there. I am satisfied that there is no greater deterioration in dumps of this sort than in any other dumps.

Would it not be better to fill the private storage first?

As my hon. Friend knows, private storage up to a certain extent is allowed at the present time, but I am anxious that, for those people who have no means of stocking or storing, there should be sufficient dumps to supply them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will state the profits of the companies' and local authorities' gas undertakings in Great Britain in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941, and the price paid per ton for coal, and similar particulars with regard to the generation of electricity and the production of coke?

The desired information relating to 1937 was given in reply to a similar Question by my hon. Friend on 17th May, 1939. Subsequent information is available only for electricity undertakings for the year 1938. With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate this in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the City of Westminster street lights are kept on

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is a widespread impression that his directions as to the avoidance of administrative delays are now largely ignored; and will he consider recirculating the directions to all responsible officers in all Departments?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not aware of the general impression to which my hon. Friend refers. He does not think that any useful purpose would be served by issuing further general directions. He will, of course, not hesitate to have inquiry made into any specific complaints which are brought to his notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in all cases when appointments as Press, publicity or public relations officers to Government Departments are made, the Institute of Journalists, the National Union of Journalists, the Newspaper Pro- praetors Association, the Newspaper Society, and other professional bodies are consulted as to the qualifications of candidates; and whether he will consider setting up an independent selection panel, including representatives of these bodies, to advise upon any future appointments and upon the qualifications of present holders of such positions?

The final selection of Press, publicity or public relations officers for Government Departments is and must remain the responsibility of the Departments concerned. The Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service maintains a list of persons with qualifications for such appointments, and wherever a vacancy is notified the Appointments Department makes a selection of candidates, after consultation with the Journalists' Advisory Committee, which consists of members of the profession.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that this country has some of the finest journalists in the world? Why do we not make use of the very best we have? Further, is he not aware that this chaos, muddle and confusion will go on just as long as Departments are allowed to go on as haphazardly as they please?

Is it not true that there are more journalists in Government Departments than on all the London newspapers?

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter and probe it properly on the first possible opportunity. It is a matter not lightly to be dismissed; indeed, it cannot be dismissed at all.