asked the Minister of Labour how many workers in our factories have met with accidents, fatal and non-fatal, respectively, since September, 1939, to the latest date for which figures are available.

Accidents reported under the Factories Act were in the last three months of 1939, 465 fatal, 68,980 nonfatal; in 1940, 1,372 fatal, 230,607 nonfatal; in 1941, 1,646 fatal, 269,652 nonfatal; in 1942 (January to June), 699 fatal, 153,067 non-fatal. The figures for 1942 are provisional and subject to correction.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Daniel Derrick Morris, aged 21 years, who had left the mining industry at the age of 18 on account of shock due to witnessing the death of a fellow-workman, joined the Merchant Navy and was subsequently discharged, and, after working in a munition factory, was directed by the National Service officer to take work as a skilled collier at the Groesfaen colliery, was refused such work as he had never been a skilled collier, and was prosecuted by the National Service officer and fined £3 and £2 2s. costs; and whether, in view of the indignation caused, he has any statement to make?

I understand that Mr. Morris was employed in coalmining from the time he left school until he was 19½ years old; this included 2½ years on the coal face as collier's assistant. The prospective employers were prepared to accept him for employment as a collier in the full knowledge that he had not previously worked in that capacity. I have no record of any statement by him that his reason for leaving coalmining employment was that mentioned in the Question. His ground for refusing the employment offered was ill-health, but on independent medical examination he was pronounced fit for underground employment. When proceedings were about to be taken Mr. Morris offered to start work as a dumper at a different colliery and this was taken into account by the stipendiary magistrate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that much additional work must now fall on the already depleted staffs of accountants in agricultural areas in view of the inclusion of new categories of farmers in the Income Tax, he will consider deferring the transfer to other labour of women clerks employed in this connection?

No, Sir. In view of the urgent demands for women for the Services and vital war work I cannot agree that all clerical workers employed by accountants acting for farmers should be deferred. The District Man-Power Board must decide each case upon its merits.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take up the case of Miss Brotherton, 10, Swan Land, Evesham, Worcestershire, whose father has recently died, in order that her case may receive favourable consideration as a hardship case?

Miss Brotherton has made application for postponement of her liability to be called up under the National Service Acts and her application is due to be heard by the Military Service (Hardship) Committee on 14th August next.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that hundreds of tons of fish landings, fit for human consumption, at the port of Aberdeen, have been, and are being, sold for manure at the fish market; whether this is due to a shortage of labour at the market; and whether any action is being taken to increase the supply of labour and improve the marketing facilities in order to stop the present waste?

The landings of fish at Aberdeen, which have recently been considerably above the average, have included fish which has not been sizeable or of good quality. The quantity sent to the fish meal factories during the last five weeks was 3·6 per cent. of the total landing, and has consisted, I am informed, chiefly of fish which was bad on arrival and could not be saved by processing. The labour position at Aberdeen and other ports is under special review at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is the policy of the Ministry to ensure in rural areas that the organised farm workers are consulted about arrangements for British Restaurants, especially when travelling canteens, serving the farm workers are involved?

The policy of my Noble Friend is that all the interests concerned shall be consulted about arrangements for the provision of meals in rural areas. In the development of British Restaurants close contact has been maintained with farm workers' organisations and their advice has been of great value in deciding where facilities are necessary. Responsibility for the operation of such restaurants has been entrusted to local authorities and it is of course for them to decide what consultations are desirable on questions of management and the transport of meals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make any statement as to the operation of the sweets rationing scheme, especially in relation to the sale of sweets in places of entertainment?

The scheme of rationing applied to loose and pre-packed chocolate, chocolate confectionery and sugar confectionery has only been in operation since Sunday, 26th July. It is too early to express any opinion on its operation, either in general or with particular reference to places of entertainment. Places of entertainment are rated as retail shops and the main conditions of sale are that the seller must be licensed in respect of retail sales and must obtain the surrender by the purchaser of coupons to the appropriate value.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will set up a public inquiry under an independent chairman at which witnesses can give evidence on oath, as to the loss between live and dead weight of pigs sent to local slaughter-houses and to bacon factories?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Winsford bacon factory, Cooperative Wholesale Society, is threatened with closure upon the 3rd August and, inasmuch as this factory had done some important research work and made a great success of new methods, details of which have been supplied to him, and, as the research station, Wye, University of London, is deeply interested in this work, will he suspend this closure and make inquiries into these circumstances?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the bacon factory at Winsford has ceased bacon production. The primary purpose of concentration is to release labour and premises for other work of national importance. A substantial release has been secured by the cessation of production at this particular factory and I see no reason to alter the decision that has been taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what proportion of the flour controlled by the Ministry, from which extraction of the wheat germ has been effected, is authorised by Confidential Instructions 206 and 212, to be used for the manufacture of biscuits and for other purposes, excluding bread?

The percentage of flour from which a proportion of the germ had been extracted sold for manufacturing purposes during the fortnight ending nth July last represented approximately 4 per cent. of the total flour sold in that period. I hope this is the information which my hon. Friend requires. No flour from which a proportion of the germ has been extracted is sold for any other than manufacturing purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is permissible to use pea flour for food for animals; and whether any device has succeeded in making the horse chestnut palatable for either human beings or animals?

Pea flour made from feeding peas or pea pickings and pea flour unfit for human consumption may be used for feeding to livestock. No practical device is known for making horse chestnuts palatable for human beings. Advice on the preparation of a horse chestnut meal suitable for replacing cereals in the rations of fattening stock is, however, set out in a leaflet issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider the temporary suspension of the Table Poultry Prices Order, so as to allow those poultry farmers who have reared pullets for sale to domestic poultry keepers and who find that they are unable to sell them for that purpose, to obtain for them, as table poultry, a price more in line with the cost of production?

I am not prepared to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion which would impose a substantial charge on the whole of the consumers of poultry by reason of the general rise in prices of all poultry which would inevitably follow the suspension of the Maximum Price Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the case against Mrs. Jessie Thornley, at Bolton police court, on Friday, 31st July; and whether he will give details of the various kinds of food found in defendant's house?

Mrs. Thornley was prosecuted at Bolton on 31st July on a number of charges of acquiring excessive quantities of food and was fined £730. 1,484 tins of food including meat, soup, milk and cream and over 850 lbs. of food-stuffs, including 280 lbs. of jam, 50 lbs. of honey, 50 lbs. of syrup and treacle, 45 lbs. of tea, 114 lbs. of cooking fat, 71 lbs. of biscuits and 68 lbs. of chocolates and sweets were found in the defendant's two houses.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is going to issue any new instructions about the carrying of gas masks in view of the necessity of economy in regard to their components?

Yes, Sir. An instruction is being issued confining the wearing of gas masks to a limited set of circumstances and occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is taking steps to ensure that a good variety of rationed sweets are available for the Army in the country instead of a limited selection as at present?

Under the Ministry of Food's sweet rationing scheme retailers can only get sweets from manufacturers within their own regions and Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes are in the same position in this matter as other retailers. I am advised, however, that within these limits a good variety of sweets will normally be obtainable.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent and under what conditions members of the Pioneer Corps, who are of enemy alien extraction, are eligible for employment or training as tradesmen or technical experts in the Pioneer Corps or in other Army units, seeing that a Record Office instruction recently posted in the camps where such men are serving has led to much misunderstanding and distress?

Aliens of enemy origin are barred from wireless and radio and signals work, but dual nationals of enemy origin may be employed in that work within strict limits. Both classes can be employed anywhere else if they are vouched for and are required by the arm concerned either as tradesmen or non-tradesmen. They can be sent on trade courses if they possess basic knowledge of a trade which is urgently required and if the arm concerned can accept them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what compensation is paid to members of the Home Guard injured while on duty?

The rates of disablement allowance payable to a member of the Home Guard disabled as a result of his service have recently been increased. I append detailed particulars of the revised rates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, for the purpose of maintaining discipline, he will consider the advisability of granting honorary commissions to full-time civil medical practitioners who are dealing with sickness and other matters affecting members of His Majesty's Forces?

Where civilian medical practitioners are employed full-time to look after sick military personnel, the latter have always an officer who is responsible for their administration and discipline. It is therefore unnecessary to grant honorary commissions to full-time civilian medical practitioners for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a recent broadcast by Major Sir Basil Bartlett, of the Army Kinematography Department, entitled "Experts in Khaki," which wrongly attributed the making of "Next of Kin" to that department and was held to be offensive in other ways; and whether he will state the terms under which this officer is serving and whether they leave him free to engage in commercial activities?

I have seen the script of the broadcast play in the series "Experts in Khaki," to which I think my hon. Friend refers. I find in it nothing either offensive or misleading. The training film "Next of Kin," as it screen title makes clear, was, like other training films, produced by a commercial company for the War Office. Major Bartlett serves as a staff officer in the War Office on the same terms as other officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the present rates paid to the civilian population for providing soldiers with meals under the billeting regulations?

The rates are: —Breakfast, 9d.; dinner, 1s. 2d.; tea, 3d.; supper, 5d.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will consider the possibility of making arrangements for a small group of Members to visit Australia and New Zealand as soon as the House rises for the Summer Recess?

I understand that the Empire Parliamentary Association have already made certain inquiries in order to see whether and when an exchange of visits would be practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that certain agricultural papers give advice suggesting the sale in the local markets of cows suffering from tuberculosis and other infectious or contagious diseases; and whether, in the interests of the health of our population and of the purity of our herds, he will consider the policy of slaughter with compensation as in the case of foot-and-mouth disease?

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the negative. With regard to the latter part, the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend is impracticable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many children have been released from school attendances for work in agriculture, from elementary, secondary and other schools, respectively; and what provision is made for ensuring that the children are only engaged on tasks for which they were specifically released?

No figures are available to show how many children have been released from school attendance for work in agriculture. As regards the second part of the Question, it is one of the conditions of exemption from school attendance that suitable arrangements must have been made so far as practicable for supervision at work by a responsible person.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the extravagant use of petrol in the conveyance of members of the Women's Land Army; whether he has made inquiries into the particular instance referred to; and what action he has taken?

Yes, Sir. Twenty-six land girls who are unable to obtain billets nearer to their training centre in Sussex are conveyed to work by bus each day during a three weeks' special course. The distance is 20 miles. Some of the girls are picked up at intermediate stages on the bus route to which they cycle from their billets. Every consideration has been given to the economic use of petrol. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that owing to the needs of the Armed Forces and evacuees, accommodation is unobtainable in many areas and arrangements of the kind referred to may prove to be inevitable in the essential interests of food production.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the matter of sewage on Court Farm estate, Ashford, Middlesex, and the grave danger to public health; whether he has considered a petition from 250 residents of the estate; and have the Staines Urban District Council requested his Department to sanction the necessary expenditure?

I am aware that sanitary conditions on this estate are not satisfactory. I have received the petition to which my hon. Friend refers. The position is that the Staines Urban District Council have laid sewers and provided house connections at the boundaries of the properties and it is now the responsibility of the owners to connect up the house drains to the sewers. The council may by agreement carry out this work on behalf of the owners and recover the cost from them. I have informed the council that in the event of such an agreement I am prepared to sanction any necessary loan.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what further progress has been made in the arrangements for the supply of urgently needed food to the civilian population of Greece, including the islands, and for safe conducts for the ships employed for this purpose?

Five Swedish vessels which are to be employed in carrying wheat from Canada to Greece have now received Axis safe-conducts, and were due to sail from Gothenburg yesterday. These are in addition to the three vessels to which I referred in my answer of 15th July. The s.s. "Hallaren" sailed from Haifa on 1st August, carrying 1,000 tons of flour for discharge at Smyrna in transit for the Greek islands, and 1,245 tons of flour and 2,264 tons of wheat for discharge at Piraeus for relief in the Greek mainland.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that although six weeks have passed since the Member for Twickenham sent him for investigation, at his invitation, two cases of men invalided from the services who are unable to find accommodation in their home areas, no reply has been received; and whether he will again consider the suggestion that houses kept empty for use after air-raids shall be available for war veterans unless other accommodation can be found for them?

I can assure my hon. Friend that we have not been idle during the period he mentions. I am glad to be able to inform him that as a result of our efforts a house has been found for one of the men to whom he refers, and the offer of a flat was communicated two days ago to the other man. I am frequently reviewing the question of the amount of accommodation held in reserve, but as my hon. Friend will appreciate, it would not be prudent to release all the houses in that reserve.

asked the Minister of Pensions what business is now being transacted by the pensions appeal tribunal.

The function of pensions appeal tribunals is to hear appeals by widows and dependants of deceased Great War pensioners.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will set up a research committee to consider what diseases, including epilepsy and petit mal, are brought on by Army service in cases where no previous history of the disease is evident?

There are already in being an adequate number of research committees and other expert bodies which I can and do consult as to the connection, of various diseases with Army service. One of these committees was consulted at the outbreak of this war with regard to the special diseases mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of applications for pensions he has received as a result of service in the present war; and how many of these applicants have been refused?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the figures asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of those now entitled, or eligible, to appeal to pension appeal tribunals, if such tribunals were set up?

As the greatest number of persons who are, or may become, eligible to appeal consists of members of the Forces discharged without disablement pensions, and as it is not in the public interest to give figures relating to the number of discharges, I regret that I cannot give the information requested.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pension appeal tribunals set up after the last war; how long was it before all appeals were disposed of; what number of appeals were made and what proportion were successful?

It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information required for a complete answer to this Question, but I will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will indicate the number of men accepted as fit for service subsequently discharged, on medical grounds, as suffering from mental diseases; how many of such cases have been granted pensions, apart from treatment; the nature of the mental illness for which they have been discharged; and whether he has granted pension in any case of discharge by reason of epilepsy or schizophrenia, caused or materially aggravated by service?

It would not be in the public interest to give detailed figures with regard to discharges, but I may say in reply to the last part of the Question that pensions have been awarded in a number of these cases.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning why he will not allow the Empire Theatre of Varieties, West Ham, to repair their theatre that was damaged by enemy action, as there are no music and variety halls in that county borough?

The Empire Theatre of Varieties, Stratford, was extensively damaged by enemy action in October, 1940, and has been shored up and closed since then. The restoration of the theatre would involve an expenditure of about £20,000 and I regret that in view of the urgent need of man power and materials for essential Government work, it is not possible at present to sanction their use on rebuilding the theatre. I understand that facilities for entertainment of the type that was provided by this theatre are available in neighbouring districts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the General Medical Council is refusing to enter on the Medical Register, under the Temporary Registration Order (No. 2), 1941, medical men who hold Indian medical diplomas and have for many years been in the Indian Medical Department or commissions as medical officers in the Indian Army; and whether, in view of the shortage of doctors and the admission to the Medical Register of aliens of enemy nationality, he will take steps to utilise the skill of these doctors from India?

I am making inquiries, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the town of Watchet, in Somerset, has no medical man; and whether he will take the necessary steps to see that adequate service is provided?

I am informed that there is one medical man remaining in the town and that the local medical war committee considers that with the assistance of neighbouring doctors an adequate medical service can be maintained.

asked the Minister of Health the number of mental defectives who were under guardianship in England and Wales at Michaelmas 1938 and 1939, respectively?

I regret that this information is not available, but at the 1st January, 1939, and 1st January, 1940, the numbers were 4,531 and 4,723 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will forthwith publish the Census Report of India for 1941?

The Government of India have expressed the opinion, in which I concur, that for reasons of economy in paper and in tabulating staff the preparation of a summary of the Census of 1941 for the presentation to Parliament would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the official appeal to the public to salvage bones, he is aware that many local authorities make no attempt to collect them; and whether he can state and name the list of such authorities so as to stimulate them in this respect?

I have been asked to reply. All local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales with a population of over 10,000 and boroughs with a population of over 5,000 are under direction to provide a service for the collection of household bones; many of the other smaller local authorities also collect household bones. A special request was made recently to all local authorities to intensify their bone collection; I hope that as a result of this, and of the special appeals to the public, the quantities collected will increase materially. The records of the Salvage Department of the Ministry of Supply for the past three months show that 91 of the local authorities under direction made either nil or negligible returns for bones. A list of these authorities is appended. Special inquiry is being made into these cases, and my right hon. Friend proposes to prosecute where the circumstances indicate unjustifiable non-compliance with the Direction referred to.

asked the Minister of Supply whether attempts are being made to reduce the amount of paper consumed by football pools.

Yes, Sir. My hon. and gallant Friend will no doubt have observed from the reply given on 30th July by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Stourbridge [Official Report, Vol. 382, cols. 681–2] that the amount of football pool business, and consequently the consumption of paper, has fallen greatly since the outbreak of war. As regards specific restrictions, the gratuitous distribution of coupons or entry forms, the distribution of advertising circulars, and the exhibition of posters are prohibited.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that ribbons for shoulder straps are essential to ladies' underwear and that the use of cut and sealed satin has been forbidden as a substitute; whether he will reconsider this decision; and whether he will release more braid elastic to meet the requirements for women in the Services?

I am unaware of any regulations forbidding the use of cut and sealed satin as a substitute for ribbon for shoulder straps. All demands for braid elastic for the women's Services, both for new garments and for maintenance purposes, are being met in full.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that a considerable quantity of last year's crop of flax in the North of Scotland was lost, owing to the failure of the Ministry of Supply to pull it before the weather broke, he will take steps to ensure that this year's crop will be secured in time?

The loss of part of the flax crop in the North of Scotland last year was due in the main to abnormal weather conditions during harvesting. All possible steps have been taken by providing machinery and labour to ensure the safe harvesting of this year's crop, although this must depend to some extent upon the weather at harvesting time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he is aware that there are 400 tons of old tramway rails in the county borough of West Ham; and whether he intends having them taken away?

Owing to the disproportionately large quantity of labour required to recover tram rails it is necessary at present to put them low down in the list of salvage priorities, and I cannot say when it will be possible to start this recovery work in West Ham.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the cases of extravagant use of petrol to which his attention has been drawn by the hon. Member for Clay Cross; whether he has made any inquiries; and what action he has taken?

I gather that my hon. Friend refers to instances of alleged waste of petrol mentioned in a recent newspaper article The attention of the Departments concerned has been drawn to the state- ments in the article, and I understand they are seeking more precise information.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, notwithstanding the Government's campaign for saving fuel and other publicity, he will now further confer with the appropriate Service Departments with a view to more miners being released to go back to the pits so as to provide sufficient coal for munition work and other purposes?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the nature of his present consultations with the catering trade about Trade Board legislation; and whether he intends to arrange any form of judicial or impartial inquiry?

It is not proposed to apply the Trade Boards Acts to this trade. I am at present in consultation with organisations representing employers and workers with a view to the formulation of a scheme for the regulation of wages and conditions suited to the circumstances of the trade.

(1) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons, and at what monthly or weekly cost to public funds, were employed by the Ministry of Information and on the Press, publicity and public relations staffs pf other Government Departments on 3rd July, 1941, and 3rd July, 1942, respectively;(2) asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps have been taken to give effect to the undertaking given to the House by the Lord President, on 3rd July, 1941, that Press and public relations officers attached to Government Departments would pool their experience and act as a team for the Press and publicity work under the Ministry of Information; whether overlapping and duplication have been eliminated; and to what extent the number of persons employed by the Ministry and on the Press, publicity and public relations staffs of the other Government Departments has been reduced since 3rd July, 1941?

Following the statement to which my hon. Friend refers, a standing conference of public relations officers was set up in July of last year under the chairmanship of the Minister of Information for the purpose of providing opportunity for consultation between Departments and for the pooling of departmental experience. This conference now operates through sub-committees, which meet as required. These arrangements have been of material assistance in the coordination of Government publicity, and during the past year increased use has been made of the resources of the Ministry of Information by other Departments in connection with their campaigns for assisting the war effort. Departments were also asked to review the organisation and staffing of their publicity branches in order to give effect to the principles embodied in the statement of my right hon. Friend, the Lord President of the Council.Comparative figures of numbers and cost of staff as at 3rd July, 1941, and 3rd. July, 1942, are given in the table below. The totals shown are in respect of whole-time staff (including technical, clerical and out-station staff) engaged on all branches of publicity work. The figures for the Service Departments include serving officers in home, but not overseas, commands. The figures for the Ministry of Information include all home staff, with the exception of staff employed in the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department. Most of the figures of cost are approximate. The need for economy in staff is fully recognised and it was hoped that the new arrangements introduced in 1941 would enable reductions to be made. The prime purpose of the arrangements was, however, the promotion of efficiency in the conduct of Government publicity, and the increase in staff since July, 1941, reflects the continuous growth in Government publicity as a whole since that time.

asked the Minister of Information whether Mr. Alfred Noyes went to Canada as a representative of his Department?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the announcement, under concentration of industry, that certain groups of firms must pool their products without any identification or trade mark, he will approve generous advertisement charges as business expenses, since advertising is the only way in which firms forced into the pool can maintain their goodwill and keep their products before the public?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I am unable to authorise the allowance of advertising expenditure in the computation of profits for taxation purposes beyond what is admissible under the relevant provisions of the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, prior to his next Budget and with a view to remedial action, he will investigate the position of annuities, in which capital content as well as the income is subject to Income Tax, as, owing to the great increase of Income Tax, holders of such annuities now suffer more severely than other Income Tax payers?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 24th March to a Question put by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne).

asked the Paymaster-General whether, in framing the Government's post-war reconstruction programme, he will consider the desirability of introducing State pensions for all persons permanently crippled, thus relieving them of the pain and anxiety of competing in the labour market with those more physically fitted for the life of industry and commerce?

This matter falls within the scope of the Committee on Social Insurance and Allied Services presided over by Sir William Beveridge. I understand that the Committee have received evidence from organisations and persons concerned with the welfare of cripples and that the question raised by my hon. Friend is likely to be dealt with in the report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to grant to State pensioners, namely, retired civil servants, teachers, police, local government officials, etc., who are in receipt only of pre-war pensions, war bonuses to compensate for the increased cost of living, particularly as many of these are finding it difficult to meet their financial obligations?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 18th February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Down (Dr. Little)—[Official Report; Vol. 377, col. 1803.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolution of the Scottish Co-operative Women's Guild, Section VII, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, calling upon the Government to withdraw the supplementary allowance scale for old age pensioners in favour of a flat rate pension of 30s. a week, without the imposition of a means test; and what answer he has returned?

I have seen the resolution which I received yesterday from the hon. Gentleman. I cannot add to the statement made by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Health in the Debate on 29th July.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can make a statement on the present position of the negotiations between the National Association of Girls' Training Corps and the Women's Junior Air Corps?

Arrangements are, I understand, in hand for a meeting between representatives of the two bodies. While there is no desire to check initiative, the Government's view is that pre-service training for girls should be of a general character. Girls should not be given the impression that a particular form of training prepares them for, or ensures them entry into, a specific branch of the Fighting Services.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will instruct local authorities to inquire into special conditions of schools and withdraw the instruction to keep open where the number of scholars attending during the holiday does not warrant the opening?

Local education authorities were asked in Circular 1596 to ascertain the number of children likely to attend during the time when the schools are not in normal session and to keep schools open in appropriate cases. As far as I am aware, authorities generally are not keeping schools open unnecessarily, but if my hon. Friend has information to the contrary, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps have been taken to enable medical practitioners to obtain release of their apparatus and resume treatment by ultra-violet and deep-ray therapy, as urged on him a year ago by a deputation from the Parliamentary Medical Committee and the British Medical Association?

Under a Home Office Order issued last week, these medical practitioners are now free to apply to the Post Office for a permit to use the apparatus in question. Permits will normally be granted subject to the provi- sion of screening to an approved specification in order to avoid electrical interference with essential communications. The Press notice issued by the Home Office gives full information.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a decision has been reached with regard to including despatch dates on telegrams from Forces serving abroad?

My right hon. Friend realises that the omission of despatch dates from these telegrams seriously detracts from their value to the recipients at home. The date of handing-in is inserted in the delivered copy of telegrams from abroad whenever, as is normally the case, it is transmitted to this country with the text of the telegram. However, the authorities overseas sometimes cause the date to be omitted from the transmitted copy for reasons of security. There are cases in which the date appears on the delivered copy in a form which is unintelligible to the addressee. We hope, in collaboration with Cable and Wireless Ltd., to be able to devise a procedure which will obviate this altogether.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he can give figures showing the total number of claims made in respect of parcels or their contents lost in the course of inland transit for the years 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 and the first six months of 1942;(2) whether he can give figures showing the total number of claims made in respect of registered letters and parcels, or their contents, lost in the course of inland transit for the years 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 and the first six months of 1942?

I have no statistics of the number of claims made, but the following figures show the number of claims met for entire loss or loss of contents in the inland post up to the end of the financial year 1941–42:

asked the Home Secretary the Parliamentary electorates on the most recent register for Southwark, Poplar, Camberwell, Bethnal Green and Stepney, represented by 14 Members?

The figures on the most recent register are:

asked the Home Secretary the Parliamentary electorate on the latest register for the 10 county divisions of Middlesex, represented by 10 Members?

The figures on the most recent register are:

asked the Home Secretary the Parliamentary electorate, on the latest register, of the seven universities represented by 12 Members?

The figures on the most recent register are:

asked the Home Secretary whether he will discontinue the use of Form A R-E in the case of British subjects staying at hotels, as the information supplied by British subjects on this form is merely a repetition of the information entered in the hotel register and these forms are simply filed by the hotel manager?

The completion of part of form A R-E by British visitors to hotels, etc., is primarily designed to distinguish them from aliens, in respect of whom further requirements are imposed upon the hotel keeper as well as upon the alien. The hotel registers to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are maintained by hotel keepers for their own purposes and are not required by the law. The question, however, whether improved arrangements can be made for the registration of visitors to hotels, etc., is at present under consideration in consultation with the hotel industry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in a district near London which has been privately named to him, no invasion defence officer has, as yet, been appointed; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances and take steps to fill the office?

The district referred to by my hon. Friend is the only one in the London Civil Defence Region in which an appointment of an invasion defence officer has not yet been made. The question is one for the Regional Commissioners, and, I understand, is receiving their urgent consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give a complete list of the refugee organisations to which grants have been made between the 1st January, 1940, and the 1st July, 1942, showing the sums granted to each; the numbers of persons maintained month by month; and stating what form of return and particulars are received from the organisations to account for the expenditure of the moneys?

As the statement giving the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks in the first part of the Question is very long, I am sending him a copy. Claims by the various refugee organisations are made monthly to the Central Committee on the basis of expenditure actually incurred during the preceding month. They are lodged on printed forms (a set of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend) which have been specially designed in such a way as to facilitate checking, and are certified by an "accounting officer." Each claimant organisation is required to submit twice yearly a statement of its accounts, duly certified by an independent auditor who not only certifies to the arithmetical accuracy of the accounts but is required to certify that all payments have been made in accordance with the scheme approved by His Majesty's Government. All maintenance grants are primarily assessed by the Assistance Board who have their own contacts with the local committees and whose visitors make domiciliary visits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to proposals for the abolition of the Scottish banknote issues; and whether he will give an assurance that no such step is contemplated in view of the fact that these issues are of great practical advantage to Scotland, in addition to having important historical and constitutional significance?

I am aware that proposals of the nature indicated in the Question have recently appeared in one of the London financial organs. The issue of banknotes in Scotland is regulated by the Act of 1845 and by subsequent legislation. I can assure my right hon. and gallant Friend that in the event of any proposals for amendment of the law on this subject ever being reviewed by the Government the considerations outlined in the Question will certainly not be forgotten.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will arrange for an inquiry into the recent outbreak of smallpox at Glasgow in view of the fact that the first case which turned out to be confluent smallpox and proved fatal had been diagnosed as measles by the doctor of the ship in which the case originated?

From the beginning of the smallpox outbreak my medical officers in the Department of Health for Scotland have been in constant touch with its development and the measures taken to cope with it. I am not aware of any point on which special inquiry is necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when he expects to be in a position to report progress made towards the construction of road-bridges over the Firths of Forth and Tay; and if he has been able to consider any proposals submitted by the appropriate local authorities?

The first step towards the consideration of either of these schemes must be the resubmission of proposals by the local authorities concerned. I should then be glad to consider them in the light of the probable conditions in which they might have to be carried out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, whether he is aware of the hardship imposed upon many service men stationed in Scotland through the restrictions imposed upon rail travel because of the English bank holiday; and whether he will ensure that in future service men are not so restricted because of this holiday which does not apply to Scottish industrial concerns?

While it is true that Angust Bank Holiday is not observed in Scotland, it affected travel across the Border and it was not thought desirable to differentiate between units stationed in England and Scotland respectively in regard to the restrictions on travel during that period. Perhaps I may add that these restrictions were imposed in consultation and agreement with the Service Departments.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider revising the regulations concerning taximeter-cabs in such a way as to facilitate their joint use when convenient, with a view to effecting transport and economy whilst adding something to the earnings of the driver?

I have been asked to reply. Under the present law there is nothing to prevent any number of persons up to four arranging between themselves to share a taxicab and to divide the fare, provided the arrangement is not initiated by the driver or owner of the cab and provided that the journey is not made frequently or as a matter of routine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why towels will no longer be supplied on trains except in sleeping cars; and how many towels have been taken from trains during the past 12 months?

This measure was required because so many towels were stolen by passengers from the trains. The risk of loss from sleeping cars, however, is negligible and towels are, therefore, still supplied. I am unfortunately unable to give my hon. Friend an estimate of the total number stolen during the last 12 months, but the losses at present average about 28,000 a week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is satisfied that all devices necessary to facilitate the rescue of seamen on life-boats or rafts or struggling in the water, such as the attachment of coloured lights, the provision of the right kind of clothing and emergency rations, are provided on all merchant ships, including the smallest; whether such provision is now made compulsory; and will he make public the main facts as to the minimum requirements in these respects so that seamen may know to what they are entitled?

I am satisfied from reports received from Ministry surveyors that action is taken by owners to meet the requirements of life-saving appliances in merchant ships, as promptly and adequately as the available supplies permit. It is necessary, however, that oceangoing vessels should have priority for new devices, since their need is evidently greater than that of the smaller ships. Some of the requirements do not apply to small ships. War-time rules and requirements have been consolidated in a new code of rules, made by the Ministry under statute. This code includes a number of new compulsory requirements; it will come into operation on 10th August. It is being published by the Stationery Office as a Statutory Rule and Order. I will send a copy to the hon. Lady. My Noble Friend has constantly endeavoured, and will continue to endeavour, by means of Press notices, official publications and public exhibitions, to make the requirements known to all sections of the shipping industry and to the general public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when adequate supplies of black-out curtaining at the controlled price of 2s. per yard are likely to be available in all districts; and what steps are to be taken to prevent profiteering in materials required for the black-out of private property and business premises?

I have arranged for the production of a utility black-out cloth, the prices of which will be controlled at all stages; but the prices are not yet fixed. Meanwhile, supplies of certain black-out materials are free of quota and coupon restrictions; and their prices are controlled under the General Apparel and Cloth (Maximum Prices and Charges) Order, 1942 (S.R. & O. 1942, No. 1407).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that all applications for yarn to produce sheets and pillow-cases must be made through a new trade group, and on 10th May the group was informed the allocation was 25 tons of cotton yarn; and whether, as this works out at about 28 lbs. of cotton yarn to each exporter, he will consider banning this exportation altogether?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the allocation of cotton yarn recently made for the production of cotton sheets and pillow-cases for export and administered by the Household Textiles Export Group on my behalf. Allocations have been made to manufacturers and merchant converters in proportion to their direct and indirect export trade in 1940, and these are, in general, much larger than the figure mentioned in the Question. The manufacturers and merchant converters, however, must in turn divide their allocation between their customers whose share may be very small. I regret I cannot, in present circumstances, increase the total allocation. The goods are subject to export licensing, but some supplies must be made available to Empire and Allied countries for essential needs, and I do not propose, therefore, to ban exports altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what allowance of travelling time is given to men of the Royal Air Force serving in the Orkney and Shetland Islands proceeding on leave to the mainland in view of the fact that at least four days are spent in travelling?

The leave of personnel proceeding from the Orkneys or Shetlands is only reckoned from the time of disembarkation on the mainland to the time of embarkation from the mainland on the return journey.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that although farm land leased by Mr. E. Hiscock near a certain aerodrome has been in the possession of the Air Ministry for over two years, Mr. Hiscock has not received any requisition or compensation; and, in view of the dilatory and unsatisfactory manner in which this matter has been handled, will he take steps to secure an early settlement of this question and similar cases in the same district to which his attention has been called by letter?

Entry on land belonging to Mr. Hiscock has now been regularised by the service of notices under Defence Regulation 50. and as soon as final requirements are known, the necessary requisitioning notices will be served. A claim was received from Mr. Hiscock on 8th July and instructions have been issued to make him a payment on account. I regret the delay which has occurred in this and the other cases referred to and action has been taken to effect settlement as early as possible. I am also looking into the reasons for the delay in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that certain aspects of the anti-aircraft defence of two towns, the names of which have been communicated to him, are causing concern locally; and whether he will take steps to ensure that these towns, in which important war factories are situated, are protected as adequately, in relation to their size, as larger cities?

The defence of the towns in question has received careful consideration in relation not only to their size but also to the enemy's strategy and present tactics, and I can assure the hon. Member that in addition to the general protection of this country from hostile aircraft they will continue to receive the maximum scale of local protection which is feasible having regard to the air situation as a whole.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the remarks of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in regard to clubs in his last report and having in mind the order recently made by the Board of Trade prohibiting the opening of new shops except under licence, he will consider the desirability of making an order to prohibit the registration of new clubs during the period of the war except with Home Office approval?

In view of the need for all possible economy in man-power and material the Government have decided that power is required to check the registration of new clubs unless they are to meet some genuine and substantial need, and a Defence Regulation is being made this week for this purpose. The Regulation provides that when application is made for the registration of a new club fuller particulars than those at present prescribed shall be supplied, and that the clerk to the justices on the receipt of such an application shall send a copy of such particulars to the police. In the absence of any objection from the police the club will be registered. If objection is made, the applicant may apply to the court of summary jurisdiction, which, if satisfied that the objection is unreasonable, may authorise the registration of the club. Objection may be made by the police on the grounds that having regard to existing facilties for social amenities, recreation and refreshment and to the objects of the club the club is not required to meet a genuine and substantial need; that the premises or their situation are unsuitable; that the particulars which have been supplied are inaccurate or incomplete; or that the character and antecedents of those promoting or financing the club do not justify registration. If a Government Department—such as the Ministry of Labour and National Service or a Service Department—certifies that the club is needed, for example for munition workers or for members of the Forces, and that the premises are suitable, it will not be open to the police to object on the first two or the above mentioned grounds. The Regulation applies to new clubs only and does not affect the annual re-registration of existing clubs.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will advise the Governor of Sierra Leone to permit the resolution relative to the cost of living bonus, adopted by the Labour Advisory Board recently, to be published in order that the discontent of the workers as to the Governor's decision in the matter may be allayed?

As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to his Question of 15th July, the rules of the Sierra Leone Advisory Board, which were approved by the Board at its first meeting, provide that meetings of the Board shall be held in private unless the chairman decides that the public should be invited to attend any particular meeting. No orders have been made by the Government prohibiting the publication of any report of the proceedings of the Board, but at a recent meeting of the Board it was decided that the minutes should not be published. My Noble Friend is not aware of any discontent on the part of the workers in connection with the Governor's decision in the matter of the cost of living bonus.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is a considerable shortage of labour in Trinidad, whilst in Jamaica there is considerable unemployment; and whether he will arrange for the transfer of Jamaican labourers to Trinidad?

There has been over the past year a considerable shortage of labour in Trinidad for agricultural work and the question of increasing the supply of labour has been engaging the anxious attention of the Government. Legislation has been passed facilitating immigration while arrangements had been made by the U.S. authorities for the importation of 2,000 labourers from Barbados, where there is considerable unemployment, for work on the United States Base. The shortage of housing and other conditions has necessarily, however, limited the number of labourers who can be imported. Labourers are now, however, beginning to be released from work on the Base and if, as now seems unlikely, still further labour were required to be imported this could no doubt best be obtained from Barbados rather than from Jamaica under present conditions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the Government are taking to make provision for some allowance to dependants of Civil Defence personnel in Malaya, having regard to the provision that has been made for loyal defence volunteers who served in this campaign?

As I stated in my reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Hornsey (Captain Gammans) on the 13th May [Official Report, Vol. 379, cols. 1724–5], no special provision is being made for the payment of allowances to dependants of Civil Defence personnel as distinct from other members of the civil community in Malaya. Any such dependants who may be in special need are eligible to receive assistance under the arrangements which exist in the United Kingdom and have been set up in the oversea territories in which they are now living. Supplementary assistance will also be possible out of the Fund which I mentioned in my reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 25th June [Official Report, Vol. 380, cols. 2159–60].