asked the Minister of Supply the salary attaching to the post of Director-General of Administrative Services; the names, ages, salaries, and previous occupations of all members employed under the Director-General in receipt of remuneration in excess of£300 per annum; the numbers and grades of staff under the Director-General in receipt of salaries below£300 per annum; and details as to the functions which such staff perform?

The Director-General of Administrative Services does not receive a salary from public funds; nor do any of his assistants, except for one typist. Theirs functions are to advise on questions of organisation and methods, with a view to ensuring maximum efficiency and the elimination of overlapping and duplication.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will investigate all complaints arising from the failure of local authorities properly to collect food scraps for pigs and poultry as suggested by the Ministry of Food?

I have been asked to reply. Any complaints of failure by local authorities properly to collect such material are investigated by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Supply how the shortage of suitable wood for the handles of shovels, etc., in this country is being made good?

Home output is being increased so far as possible, and sufficient quantities to supply the balance of essential requirements have been requisitioned under the Lease-Lend arrangements.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Royal Ordnance factories whose administration has been criticised by the Select Committee on National Expenditure are those whose control was removed some time ago from the Civil Service Director-General of Factories and handed over to the Director-General of Ordnance Factories (Filling); who occupies this post; to what extent the administration of the ordnance factories concerned has been entrusted to business persons; and whether, in view of the criticisms that have been made against the Civil Service, he will make it clear who were the personnel actually responsible for the control of the Royal Ordnance factories (Filling)?

The Director-General of Ordnance Factories (Filling) is Mr. C. S. Robinson. The general matters raised in this Question are being dealt with in the Debate to-day.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that in March of this year investigations, at the instance of his Department, were carried out at the chemical research laboratories by the Department of Scientific Research into methods of reclamation of rubber, as a result of which a report was furnished to the Minister, indicating that a process, introduced by a firm not a member of the Rubber Reclaimers' Association, was superior to the existing alkali process operated by that association; why, in spite of this report, Government support was given to the extension of the old alkali system; and whether he can state the reasons for this decision?

Yes, Sir. The report found that it was quite possible to manufacture a satisfactory reclaim by a heat process such as that to which the hon. Member refers, but not that the result was superior to reclaim produced by the established alkali process. Certain extensions of the latter process had already been undertaken as a matter of urgency with Government support, and other extensions had been undertaken by various rubber manufacturers, mainly using a heat process, without Government assistance. If still further extensions of reclaim capacity should prove necessary, full consideration will be given to the process referred to.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the views of trade interests represented in the rubber control are, in some matters, allowed to prevail against the views of the technical advisers of his Department; and whether he is satisfied that adequate machinery exists in his Department for the presentation of technical considerations to the Minister?

I am satisfied that in these matters adequate arrangements exist for the presentation to me of technical as well as practical considerations.

asked the Attorney-General the number of prosecutions and convictions of persons violating war-time finance regulations since 1940 until the last available date and the number of convictions on charges of profiteering during the same period?

From the year 1940 to date 133 persons were prosecuted and 120 convicted under the Defence (Finance) Regulations, 1939. I am unable to give statistics in reply to the second part of the Question as a number of offences dealt with by different Departments might involve profiteering. If the hon. Member has any particular class of offence in mind the Department would no doubt give him any available information.

asked the Attorney-General what is the method of appointing the members of the joint advisory councils who advise the Lord Chancellor upon the appointment of magistrates; and whether any rules have been laid down governing their procedure, their times of meeting and the principles which should guide them in selecting or rejecting names submitted to them?

Members of the Lord Chancellor's advisory committees are appointed by the Lord Chancellor himself. No formal rules have been laid down to govern their procedure or times of meeting, save that members are appointed on the express condition that the proceedings of advisory committees are strictly private and that all matters discussed at the meetings must be treated confidentially. It is a further condition of appointment that every member of an advisory committee is appointed in his personal capacity and should exercise his own unfettered judgment on the whole of the committee's recommendations. In the selection of names for submission to the Lord Chancellor members of the committee should endeavour to find those persons best qualified to administer the law, bearing also in mind the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace which reported in 1911.

asked the Secretary of State for War the nature of any contract held from his Department by Messrs. Stanley Taylor Motors, Limited, Victoria Road, Cambridge?

I cannot discover that this firm has ever held a contract from the War Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the nature of any contract held by Messrs. Stanley Taylor Motors, Limited, Victoria Road, Cambridge?

I am not aware that any contract has been made by any. Department with this firm.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is now in a position to state the composition and terms of reference of the committee which is to inquire into the proposed transfer of Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses to the Auxiliary Territorial Service;(2) whether it is proposed to include any members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment Council and representatives of the Territorial Army Associations on the committee which is to inquire into the proposed transfer of Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses to the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

It is hoped to announce the precise composition and terms of reference of the committee very shortly. Meanwhile I can inform the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the committee will be composed of one person nominated by each of the organisations represented upon the Voluntary Aid Detachments Council which are principally concerned together with representatives of the Government Departments affected. There will be an independent chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for War what acreage of agricultural land has been taken over by his Department at a place, the name of which has been given him; whether such land was acquired by agreement or requisitioning; for what purpose is it going to be used; and why less valuable agricultural land was not obtained?

The area is some 20 acres. The land was requisitioned and is to be used as a prisoner of war camp. No suitable site of less agricultural value was found.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether liners, such as the "Avila Star," have any protection against enemy attack; and, if so, of what nature?

This ship was equipped with the full defensive armament laid down for ships of her size including both anti-aircraft and anti-submarine guns and many other types of defensive equipment which I do not propose to specify.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has any statement to make concerning the sale of tobacco to men of the Merchant Navy at pre-Budget prices?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend has been in consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who recognises that hardship would result if, in certain remote places, merchant seamen were unable to buy tobacco and cigarettes in N.A.A.F.I. canteens. It is impracticable to sell at two prices in the same canteen, and the Chancellor has therefore agreed that limited supplies may be made available for merchant seamen at pre-Budget prices at certain specified ports where ordinary shopping facilities are not available. The Chancellor regrets that this must be the limit of the concession which he can make.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether arrangements can be made by the London Passenger Transport Board for a motor-omnibus service from Dagenham and Barking to Hainault Forest during the holiday period for the benefit of those holidaying at home?

In view of the need for saving fuel and tyres and of the facilities already available to the residents of Dagenham and Barking to visit the open spaces in that vicinity, including Hainault Forest, I regret that I do not think I could justifiably arrange for the additional omnibus service which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties of driving motor-lorries and motor-omnibuses in the blackout; and whether he can advise local authorities responsible for maintaining well-used roads to fix white lines in their centres, to be studded at regular intervals with cat's eyes?

Aids to movement in the blackout, including those referred to by my hon. Friend, are used to the maximum extent permitted by the available supplies of the materials from which they are made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the hardship and loss of time involved in the drastic reduction of transport in London; and whether he will give further consideration to the provision of more transport in London?

As I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate, the drastic reduction of road passenger services is required to save man-power, fuel and rubber. Such reductions are being effected progressively throughout the country, wherever they can be made without hampering travel for essential purposes. At the same time, new and increased facilities by road or rail are constantly being provided for war workers. No service is withdrawn or curtailed until the use made of it by the public has been carefully reviewed. I do not think that undue hardship has hitherto resulted from the measures taken. Some inconvenience is, however, inevitable and I regret that I can hold out no hopes to my hon. Friend that there will be any general increase of travelling facilities in London in the early future. On the contrary, I am afraid that further reductions will probably be required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the agreement that joint working should exist between the Department and the haulage industry still obtains; whether any canvassing has been brought to his notice or is permitted; and whether any instructions have been issued to regional officers to the effect that they should seek other than Government traffic?

The arrangements made with the road haulage industry are still in force. It has always been recognised, both by the Ministry and the industry, that, in order to balance loadings and so to avoid wasteful running, vehicles chartered by the Ministry must carry some commercial traffic. This has hitherto amounted to a very small percentage of the traffic handled under the scheme. The hauliers who carry for the pool are free to obtain traffic without restriction from any sources open to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what is the cost per ton carried, to the last available date, of the administrative expenses of the fleet of load-carrying vehicles chartered by his Department in connection with the road haulage scheme; and how this cost compares with similar expenses of the trade pools?

The approximate cost of the scheme and its apportionment between the two sides of the organisation are in course of ascertainment. Any such comparison as my hon. and gallant Friend desires is, however, complicated by the joint nature of the organisation and the fact that the Government pay the administrative expenses of the Hauliers' National Traffic Pool.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can give an estimate of the net saving of man-power which will result from the issue by the Armed Forces of railway warrants in a form valid as a ticket; and when he expects that arrangements for such issue will be completed?

It is not possible to estimate the net saving in man-hours which will result, from the introduction of the new warrant, but I hope that it will effect a considerable economy of manpower and of time for the travelling public and will promote the comfort and convenience of the troops. How soon the arrangement can be introduced, will depend on the time which the Services require to complete the printing and distribution of the new warrants and to make the necessary changes in the procedure of issue. We hope, however, to make a start in the middle of next month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will adapt for Government railway passenger travel generally the system to be introduced to enable the Armed Forces to issue warrants, which shall be valid as tickets?

When we have had experience of the working of the new combined leave pass and railway ticket for the Forces, I hope to consider the adaptation of this arrangement to the use of other persons travelling on Government account.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Treasury Regulation which forbids the employment in the Civil Service of a person whose parents are aliens also extends to service in the Armed Forces?

I understand that the Regulation referred to by my hon. Friend is to some extent relaxed in war-time to permit of the employment in the Civil Service of any suitable persons of alien parentage when necessary. Aliens and British subjects born of enemy alien parents are not eligible for service in certain branches of the Armed Forces but otherwise there is no bar to the voluntary enlistment in the Armed Forces of either aliens or British subjects whose parents are aliens.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has considered the possibility of eliminating all except the red light on those traffic-lights which it is proposed to retain, in order to save electric power?

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for his proposal. I am afraid, however, that experiments made some time ago have shown that his plan would involve difficulties and danger both to pedestrians and drivers. In any case, it could not be generally adopted, and its use at some points only would cause uncertainty and would thus lead to accidents.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport in how many cases since the Road Traffic Act, 1930, was placed on the Statute Book he has exercised his powers, under Section 23 (3) of that Act, to hold an inquiry where an accident has arisen out of the presence of a motor vehicle on the road.

Four, Sir.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether, in view of its contracts with his Department, his costing officers have ascertained, or will be instructed to ascertain, the gross amounts before deduction or allowance for taxation purposes credited, or to be credited, during the years 1940, 1941 and 1942, in respect of salary, as opposed to directors' fees, of the directors of the British Manufacture and Research Company, Limited; and whether he will give such information to the House?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." They were given confidentially to the Department. In such circumstances it is not the normal practice to disclose them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that about two-thirds of the adult population pay no Income Tax or Surtax and that approximately half the total is paid by 105,000 persons on gross incomes of over£2,000 a year, amounting to approximately£4,500 per head against approximately£28 per head paid by those having gross incomes of under£500 a year, he will make it clear to the general public that, while equal personal sacrifices in war services are made by all classes, it is the richer who, in addition, are contributing by far the greater amount of money?

The incidence of direct taxation according to the amount of the income is, I think, generally well understood by the public, and is frequently referred to in public statements on the subject. I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to an illustration to be found on page 19 of the "New Income Tax Quiz for Wage-Earners," which is being widely circulated, and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer will he give authoritative figures for the comparison between the national income before the last war and the national income before the outbreak of the present war, making allowance for the increase of prices and for any other factors which are relevant to the comparison between the two periods?

Figures of this character must necessarily contain a large element of estimation, but the following figures give a comparison for 1911 and 1938 calculated on a similar basis for the two years. On this basis, the net national income for the present area of the United Kingdom in 1911 is estimated at a figure rather in excess of£2,100,000,000. In 1938 it was estimated to be a little short of£5,100,000,000. Over the same period the total population rose some 13 per cent. so that the money income per head has risen by 115 per cent. The retail price level, as measured (since 1914) by the Ministry of Labour cost-of-living index number, rose by rather more than 60 per cent. between the two dates, so that on this basis the real income per head of the population has risen by something over 30 per cent. between 1911 and 1938. The increase in population over this period was accompanied by a rise in the proportion of persons of working age. When allowance is made for this factor, the average increase in real income per head of the working population may be estimated to be of the order of 25 per cent.

asked the Chanceller of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to examine a proposal to transfer a large tonnage of copper from the existing coinage to munitions and, whilst retaining a sufficient number of pennies in circulation for use in slot machines, to issue a much smaller and lighter new coin representing a tenth of the unaltered 1s. for ordinary hand-to-hand trading?

This proposal has already been examined and found to be impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information to give the House on the treatment of British prisoners of war and British civilians in Hong Kong and other places now in Japanese control; and whether he has considered the published Report of this matter of American citizens recently released?

I regret that I have little to add to the reply which was given by the Financial Secretary to the War Office to a similar Question on 22nd July. A preliminary report of the delegate of the International Red Cross Committee on the civilian internment camp in Hong Kong suggests some improvement. The reports on the prisoners of war camps there have not yet been received. As regards the second part of the Question, many of the statements made by American citizens who recently reached Lourenço Marques, especially those relating to the conduct of the Japanese forces at the time of the fall of Hong Kong, serve to confirm information which has already been given to the House. In so far as they deal with new matters steps are being taken, through the Swiss Government, to investigate them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken to establish a Free Siamese Government in this country?

It is not practicable to establish a Free Siamese Government in this country. A large proportion of the Siamese nationals here at the outbreak of war with Siam expressed their desire to serve the cause of the United Nations. I warmly welcome this action on their part, and I am glad to be able to say that arrangements have been made with the War Office to enable these Siamese nationals to offer themselves for service in the Armed Forces of the Crown.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living and of the proposed increases in pensions, any increases in the public assistance scales of payment and allowances are contemplated?

My right hon. Friend is advised that local authorities take into account any changes in -the cost of living in fixing the amount of public assistance to be granted, and that in general they have already adjusted their' allowances to meet the increased cost. Any person, however, who is dissatisfied with the amount of assistance afforded to him has a right of appeal to the Department of Health for Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider the present regulations in regard to the carrying of gas-masks, especially by children in country districts, since, in view of the rubber shortage, the position has so changed that it is necessary to conserve respirators in every way?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the House on 30th July.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the twenty years Treaty of Alliance with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, he will now consider removing the ban on the publication of the "Daily Worker"?

My right hon. Friend thinks it would be a pity to confuse our cordial official relationships with the Government of the Soviet Union by introducing matters connected with the policy and publication of the Communist Party of Great Britain.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is now intended to terminate the sentence of deportation passed in March last on Wallace Johnson, trade union leader of Sierra Leone, in view of the recent denial of the commissioner of police that any documents were found in the possession of the deportee indicating that he was engaged in activities prejudicial to public safety and defence, particularly as he has also served two and a half years' imprisonment in Freetown Gaol?

No, Sir. I have no information regarding the statement by the Commissioner of Police to which reference is made; but it does not appear to be material. Wallace Johnson is subjected to a Restriction Order (not a sentence of deportation) to prevent him from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety or defence. It is not correct to state that Wallace Johnson has served two and a half years' imprisonment in Freetown Gaol. He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for criminal libel in November, 1939. On the completion of his sentence of imprisonment he was further detained under the Defence Regulations until the issue of the Restriction Order already referred to.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the weekly increase in coal production since the date when the wage increase to mine-workers was announced?

Owing to the incidence of the holiday season and other variable factors, it is not possible at present to draw any conclusion as to the effect of the award on output. Although there has been some increase in the weekly average number of tons produced in the last few weeks, it is still not up to the level required to meet our needs.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the condition the surface of the land is left in after the outcrop of coal has been taken; and will he give instructions that it must be levelled and the soil put back on the surface?

The reinstatement of the surface has scarcely started on any of the sites in question but will be begun on certain sites in the near future. Provision has been made for satisfactory reinstatement which will be carried out in agreement with the local Land Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will have inquiries instituted regarding the complaints that are being made from the border between Northern Ireland and Eire regarding the difficulty of obtaining the necessaries of life owing to the smuggling of these into Eire where a much higher price is paid for them; and whether he will adopt some means whereby the necessaries of life will be conserved for our own people and sold to them at the standard price?

I have no information to suggest that anyone in Northern Ireland has difficulty in obtaining rationed foods or other necessary foods within the appropriate maximum prices, but if my hon. Friend has any special cases in mind, I shall be glad to inquire into them on receipt of particulars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many local authorities have hitherto made a loss on communal restaurants and how many have made a profit?

Trading accounts for the year 1941–42 in respect of British Restaurants have so far been received from 322 local authorities, approximately 75 per cent. of those operating such restaurants at 31st March, 1942. Losses are shown by 160 authorities and profits by 1162. The trading accounts do not include provision for repayment of capital expenditure. Of the 160 authorities showing a loss, 100 have been operating their restaurants for less than six months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many bacon-curing establishments by counties have been, or are being, closed under the Concentration of Industry Scheme?

In view of the fact that the premises and labour of closed factories are, generally speaking, to be used for munition manufacture or other war purposes it would not be in the national interests to give the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, approximately how many acres of potatoes of last year's crop have never been lifted and whether he can give details for Ayrshire and Wigtownshire?

I have been asked to reply. So far as England and Wales are concerned, very few cases of failure to lift potatoes of last year's crop have been brought to notice, and in each case appropriate action has been taken. As regards the Scottish counties mentioned, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that he is not aware of any cases of this kind, but he is making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange with th British Broadcasting Corporation for National Savings news to be broadcast in the Welsh language, say once a month, and at times other than after the six o'clock news on Sunday evenings?

Yes, Sir. National Savings news, when available, is in fact included in the daily broadcasts in Welsh given between 5 and 5.20 p.m. in the Home Service.

asked the Minister of Information whether his Department saw and approved the script of the broadcast talk on the shipping position given after the British Broadcasting Corporation's 9 o'clock news on 16th July; if he is aware that there is amongst the public the impression that the commentary was an official statement representing the opinions of the Government; and if, as the trend of this broadcast conflicts with the public warning issued on 21st July by the United States war shipping administration, he will take steps to give an official picture of the position to warn the public of the seriousness of the shipping situation and to stimulate greater national effort to meet it?

This commentary was given by Mr. H. C. Ferraby, the well-known naval correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian." It expressed his own views and I have no reason to think that the public regarded it as an official statement. The responsibility for broadcasting it belongs to the B.B.C., although by special arrangement the script was referred to the Admiralty for security censorship. With regard to the last part of the Question, the hon. Gentleman will recall the recent decision of the Government not to make any public statement after the shipping Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the modification of Air Ministry Order No. 706/41 affecting the pay and promotion of officers in the ground branches of the Royal Air Force?

The Order to which my hon. Friends refers provided that, as from 29th August, 1941, officers of the ground staff who had been granted two or more steps of acting rank should not receive the pay of their acting rank, but that of the rank next below it, until they had held the higher rank for a period of 12 months. The chief reason for the Order was that promotion at that time in the ground branches was greatly outpacing promotion in the flying branch. Time-promotion from pilot officer to flying officer was granted after 12 months in all branches, but large numbers of ground staff officers, commissioned direct from civil life, were getting one or more steps of acting rank during their first year of service, whereas those commissioned to the flying branch not only had served for from 6 to 12 months in the ranks but had less chance of getting acting promotions thereafter. Such sharp disparities inevitably led to discontent.Moreover, the position had been reached where it was necessary to make appointments to ground staff posts which involved two steps of acting rank for officers who had not sufficient Service experience to discharge the full duties of the higher rank with the required efficiency. In fact, most of the officers affected by the Order had been less than 12 months in the ServiceThe position has now changed. The intake of ground staff officers has slowed down; entry through the ranks (except in a few cases where special technical qualifications are required) is now the rule for the ground branches as well as for the flying branch; and other measures have been taken which have tended to equalise promotion prospects between the ground and flying branches and bring them more into line with the Service experience of the officers concerned. The circumstances which necessitated the issue of the Order have thus largely ceased to exist and the rule about unpaid acting rank has accordingly been withdrawn as from 1st August, 1942. The corresponding Order applicable to W.A.A.F. officers is being similarly amended from the same date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will issue the necessary orders to permit members of the Royal Air Force to wear shoes on their days and afternoons off and while on leave?

Boots are the standard Service footwear issued to airmen. They are of a relatively light type and it is not considered desirable or necessary to introduce a regulation permitting the wearing of shoes while off duty and not on extended leave. Airmen on leave exceeding 24 hours may wear plain clothes including shoes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning who is responsible for the removal of iron railings in the county of Gloucestershire; whether any notice has been given in the past to the owners of these railings before removal; and whether he proposes to give reasonable notice in future?

My Department is responsible for the removal of all iron railings in Great Britain excepting where they have been disposed of privately. Prior to the removal of railings public notices are issued by the local authorities and in addition, in future, individual notices will be issued by my Department.