asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take effective steps to ensure that requests for information by his officials on questions of costing, patents and other matters are promptly complied with; and whether he will make it clear that any refusal to, or obstruction in, the provision of such information, will result in the company being put under a Government controller, or in the requisition of the plant concerned by the Government?

Yes, Sir. I am prepared to exercise, whenever necessary, my statutory powers to obtain all essential information.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can estimate the number of motor coaches from all services lying redundant or derelict at depots throughout the country; what proportion have had good tyres removed or have been jacked-up for tyre protection; how many have been returned or offered, respectively, to their former owners; and what steps he proposes to ensure the rapid liquefying of these machines, required for essential civilians purposes, before their deterioration is complete?

In addition to 306 coaches returned to operators and 157 others offered to their former owners, 658 coaches notified by Service Departments for disposal have been transferred to other Government Departments or broken down for spares. Of the 616 remaining, many have only recently become available for disposal. In some cases it has not yet been possible to identify the former owners from the impressment records and the Ministry of War Transport are considering whether, after expiration of a limited period, the vehicles should be offered to operators approved by them. Under this arrangement the vehicles should soon be disposed of.

asked the Minister of Supply whether all employees at Royal Ordnance factories get a week's holiday with pay if they have been engaged 12 months; and what is the position of an employee who does not complete 12 months of service?

Industrial and non-industrial workers in the Royal Ordnance Factories are eligible for one week's leave with pay in each leave year, which runs from the 1st February to the 31st January. Those engaged during the course of the year are eligible for a proportionate amount of leave.

asked. the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of individuals whose net income after deduction of Income Tax and Surtax for 1941–42 exceeded £1,000, classified in the following ranges of net income, namely, £1,000 to £2,000, £2,000 to £4,000, £4,000 to £6,000, and over £6,000, together with the corresponding numbers of taxpayers

Range of Net Income (i.e. Total Gross Income as assessed to tax, less the Income Tax and Surtax payable thereon).		Individuals with net incomes exceeding £1,000:
		Year 1938–39 Nos.	Year 1941–42 Nos.
Exceeding	Not exceeding
£	£
1,000	2,000	155,000	105,000
2,000	4,000	56,000	30,750
4,000	6,000	12,000	1,170
6,000		7,000	80
Total		230,000	137,000

With regard to the last part of the Question the amount of tax payable on the incomes mentioned and the net income remaining in each case are as follow:

Gross Income.				Year 1938–39.		Year 1941–42.
				I.T. and S.T. payable.*	Net Income.	I.T. and S.T. payable.*	Net Income.
£
2,000	…	…	…	359	1,641	776	1,224
5,000	…	…	…	1,536	3,464	2,757	2,243
I0,000	…	…	…	4,173	5,827	6,782	3,218
25,000	…	…	…	13,698	11,302	20,970	4,030
50,000	…	…	…	30,923	19,077	45,345	4,655
100,000	…	…	…	67,173	32,827	94,095	5,905
*The taxpayer is assumed to be a married man with 2 children, and his income wholly earned. The figures would differ slightly for other classes of taxpayers, or if the income included investment income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the amount payable by persons with annual incomes of £2,000, £5,000, £10,000, £20,000 and £50,000, respectively, in Income Tax, Surtax, and insurance to cover Estate Duty, based on the calculation made by the Colwyn Committee on National Debt and Taxation, if the taxpayer derives all his income from investments, and if the tax-, payer derives half his income from investments and half from earnings, respectively, in the years 1913, 1923, 1933, 1940 and 1942? in each range for 1938–39, also the amount of tax payable on gross incomes of £2,000, £5,000, £10,000, £25,000, £50,000 and £100,000 for 1938–39 and 1941–42 and the net income remaining after deduction of the tax?

The estimated numbers of individuals whose net incomes after deducting the Income Tax and Surtax payable fall into the various ranges of net income over £1,000 are as follow:

The following table shows for the years 1913–14, 923–24, 1933–34, 1940–41 and 1942–43 the Income Tax and Surtax (or Super-tax) payable on the incomes in question, together with the net annual payment required to meet the Estate Duty on death. The table is on the basis adopted in' their Report by the Colwyn Committee on National Debt and Taxation, investment income being capitalised on a 5 per cent. basis and the taxpayer being assumed to be a married man, aged 45, with three children.

asked the Attorney-General the annual cost of administering the War Time Liabilities (Adjustment) Act and also the number of cases so far dealt with under the Act?

The cost of administering the Act is approximately £42,000 a year, of which approximately £29,000 is in respect of salaries of officers seconded from other Government Departments. Protection orders have been made in 597 cases, but in 59 of these cases the court has refused to make an adjustment order and has revoked the protection order. In' 278 of these cases an adjustment order has been made, the remaining 260 cases being still under investigation. Up to 1st July, 1942, schemes had been approved in 123 cases, and 121 other applications for schemes were under investigation at that date. Up to the same date, adjustment officers had given advice and assistance in 1,079 other cases. In many of these cases there was only one creditor, who often proved to be sympathetic on being satisfied by the adjustment officer that the case was one of genuine hardship.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to make a free issue of physical training kit to all women in the Women's Royal Naval Service?

Arrangements are in hand to provide members of the Women's Royal Naval Service in training establishments with physical training clothing on loan. As regards W.R.N.S. personnel generally, facilities exist for the coupon free purchase by units of the Forces of such items as swimming costumes, plimsolls, sweaters and hockey boots for women, as well as for men. This range is being extended to include the following items of sports gear suitable for women's wear: gymnasium blouses, hockey skirts and knickers, divided skirts and ankle socks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a married lieutenant-commander, serving in a Government Department in London, receives pay of approximately £600 per annum, whilst the equivalent Army rank of major, if a staff officer, in the same Department would receive approximately £900, of which about £200 per annum would be free of tax; and whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the pay of the junior ranks of naval officers serving ashore?

The lieutenant-commander—if his wife is living with him—would receive £714 7s. 9d. a year, of which £187 is. 3d. is not subject to tax, while the major under the same conditions would receive £917 11s. 5d. a year, of which £269 13s. 11d. is not taxable. The anomaly arises largely out of the fact that there are substantial differences in the rates of allowances and the conditions of their payment in the two Services and this is particularly so in the case of the two appointments now being compared. The staff pay of the major is £127 15s. 0d. These differences are not always unfavourable to the naval officer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any further statement to make as to the recent raid on Tobruk; and what is the reason for the delay between the publication of the enemy claims as to our losses and the statement of his Department in respect of those losses?

I regret that I have no information to give about the raid on Tobruk other than that already published. With regard to the last part of the Question, it is the Admiralty policy not to announce the names of ships lost until next of-kin have been informed. As the hon. Member will appreciate, there are occasions when exceptions have to be made to this policy, and in view of the enemy claims it was felt that this was one of those occasions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the desirability of appointing medical women to serve in stations in naval commands as in other of the Fighting Services?

It has already been decided to appoint a woman Naval Surgeon at one of the W.R.N.S. establishments and other appointments are under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether it is with his authority that a levy of 3s. per 1,000 has been imposed on all building bricks; and whether he will state the reasons for this imposition and the estimated revenue during the next 12 months?

The levy referred to has been imposed by the Bricks (Charges) Order, 1942 (Statutory Rules and Orders 1942, No. 915), made by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury at the request of my Noble Friend and approved by this House on the 3rd June last. The revenue thus collected will be applied in making payments in respect of the care and maintenance of brick-producing works which, by reason of the Bricks (Control) Order, 1942 (Statutory Rules and Orders 1942, No. 675), or by agreement with the Minister have ceased or may hereafter cease their production of bricks and for such other purposes as the Minister with the approval of the Treasury may determine. The scheme for contribution towards the care and maintenance of closed brickworks was instituted on the recommendation of the Committee on the brick industry of which the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) was Chairman and is designed to ensure that the closed works will be in a condition to resume production immediately after the war, in order that the post-war demands may adequately be met. The estimated revenue from the levy during the next 12 months is £300,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether his Ministry will be the authority finally responsible for the establishment of building laws and regulations or whether these will be controlled by the Ministry of Health?

The position under the existing law was stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend on nth June, 1942. As my hon. Friend will understand, I cannot say how the position may be affected by future legislation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what will be his Ministry's relationship with, or control of, the disposition or planned location of the housing work which it has been announced the Ministry of Health hopes to carry forward during the war period; and what control will his Ministry have over the exterior treatment of these buildings?

My Noble Friend and the local planning authority will be consulted on the location and general planning requirements of any housing scheme which may be submitted for the approval of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health during the war. The best and most effective arrangements for proper control of the external appearance of the buildings are being considered by the two Departments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he will establish small groups of experts in each area who can, immediately any historical building is bombed, visit the site and retrieve valuable fragments of timber, stone, etc., which formerly have been lost due to lack of knowledge of those clearing the debris?

A scheme, in which local authorities co-operate, is already in operation for this purpose. A panel of about 340 architects covering the whole country has been appointed and lists of buildings of historic or architectural interest have been compiled. It is the duty of the architects to visit any of these buildings which suffer bomb damage. It is also the practice and duty of the inspectors and architects of the Ancient Monuments Branch of the Ministry to visit bombed towns not only to preserve valuable fragments of historic buildings but also to prevent injudicious demolition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning why his Department has requisitioned certain occupied houses on one side of Eaton Square, having regard to the fact that approximately 90 per cent. of the houses on that side are unoccupied and therefore could be requisitioned without disturbance to existing tenancies?

The selection of houses is determined by the accommodation requirements of the staffs to be housed. It is convenient to take houses immediately adjacent with a. view to precluding excessive dispersal of staff. Efforts are made to avoid taking occupied houses but occasionally this cannot be avoided. The houses taken over in Eaton Square have not been recently occupied except by caretakers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what person or body lodged an appeal with the Special Appeal Panel for the retention of the railings in Camp-den Hill Square after such railings had been scheduled for removal by the borough council and portions of the same had actually been removed; and whether he is aware that no application in this regard was made to the Kensington Borough Council?

In view of the still growing demands for scrap metal I am asking the special Headquarters Appeal Panel to re-examine their recommendation to the Minister in this case and the Kensington Borough Council are being so informed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the practice of his Department in engaging boys and girls of 14½ years Of age and upwards gives an encouragement to parents to break secondary school engagements, provides them with the means to pay any fine inflicted and handicaps conscientious parents who find posts which should be available filled by less scrupulous parents; and will he consider raising the age at which he engages boys and girls?

It is necessary to engage boys and girls for messenger service in the Post Office at the age of 14½ years because the Post Office undertakes to provide permanent employment for all such boys and girls who prove satisfactory. If the age limit were raised it would be necessary to increase the number of juveniles employed and the result would be to imperil the success of the policy of providing permanent employment. Appointments in the messenger service are, of course, intended for boys and girls from elementary schools and the Post Office does not seek to attract secondary school pupils to fill them. Other situations in the Post Office with a minimum age of recruitment of 16 years are available for boys and girls from secondary schools.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the contemplated arrangements in the London area for the collection and delivery of letters during the lengthy black-out hours?

The arrangements for the collection and delivery of letters in the London area, which will operate during the winter months, were introduced on Monday, 28th September, and are the same as those in force during last winter. The first delivery commences at 8 a.m. in all districts, and the final collection is made between 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the head district areas and between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the sub-district areas.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of the losses which have resulted since September, 1939, from Post Office savings banks frauds; and whether he can give any information as to the new scheme which is to be introduced to prevent frauds of this kind?

The amount of loss in respect of fraudulent withdrawals from the Post Office Savings Bank from the outbreak of the war to the end of August, 1942, is approximately £74,000, which represents only a little more than 1½d. per £100 of the bank's enormous turnover. An increase in the amount of fraudulent withdrawals has occurred since September, 1939, and this is due in the main to the relaxation of normal peacetime safeguards necessitated by war-time conditions and to the increase in criminality which usually accompanies war. Various additional precautions have been taken, and these have met with some success. The position is constantly being examined, but it would not be in the public interest for me to give information concerning further precautionary methods which may yet be introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the proposal to give Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes a monopoly of the distribution of sports goods to the Services will drive out of business many sports retail traders who have already been hard hit by war conditions; and will he have further consultations with representatives of sports traders with a view to devising an alternative scheme which will secure the object he has in mind and which the traders feel able to accept?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office on 9th September, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade require all municipal authorities to collect 18 coupons annually from each member of their uniformed staff whether new uniforms are issued or not?

The arrangement to which my hon. Friend refers applies only to those employees who are full-time wearers of a uniform which I accept as essential. Such employees are not required to give up coupons for their uniform, which may be issued and replaced as necessary coupon-free, but surrender instead a fixed number of coupons annually for the wear and tear saved on their ordinary clothes. The rate of 18 coupons a year applies only where the uniform comprises all outerwear including (for men) jacket, trousers, greatcoat or mackintosh and boots. Such an outfit costs between 40 and 50 coupons. Where the uniform comprises certain only of these items, the saving on ordinary clothes is, of course, less and the number of coupons to be surrendered annually is correspondingly reduced. Some items of uniform are replaced more than once a year; others at longer intervals. The value of the concession can best be judged, therefore, if taken over a period of two to three years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether attention will be given to the publication of a declaration of principles applicable to the Colonial peoples similar to the Atlantic Charter; and whether there is any likelihood of proposals for progressive political and economic development in the Colonial areas being considered and published before the end of the war relative to, arid in co-ordination with, existing assistance being given for specific items of economic and social improvement?

In regard to the first part of the Question, I regret that I, can add nothing to the replies already, given on the same subject. In present conditions, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, the energies of the Colonial Empire are being unstintedly devoted to work directly related to the prosecution of the war. Subject to that overriding consideration, the Development and Welfare Act is being operated to the fullest practicable extent. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the question of the political and economic development of the Colonies is under constant consideration. My Noble Friend does not, however, at present contemplate the publication of proposals of the kind mentioned in the second part of the Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the wide extent and urgency of many problems affecting Colonial labour, it is intended to set up a separate labour department at the Colonial Office?

Extensive machinery already exists in the Colonial Office for dealing with labour questions. In April, 1938, a Social Services Department was established to deal with social questions affecting the Colonies generally. Labour questions of this nature, including the work of Colonial Labour Departments, trade union and trade disputes legislation, workmen's compensation legislation, minimum wage legislation, factory legislation, and the application of International Labour Conventions affecting conditions of employment which have been ratified by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, are dealt with in that Department in consultation with the Labour Adviser and the other Departments in the Colonial Office. The recently created Colonial Labour Advisory Committee is also in a position to give valuable advice on such questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information respecting cocoa production in West Africa; what is the financial balance now in hand; and whether it is the intention to devote any portion or the whole of this to social needs and services in West Africa?

The cocoa control scheme, which has been in existence since November, 1939, will be continued during the forthcoming season. The West African Produce Control Board will be responsible for the purchase of cocoa from the British territories of Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast and Nigeria and also from the French Cameroons. The financial results of the 1941–42 season, which ends today, are not yet available. Circumstances have prevented the sale of a large portion of last season's crop and the profits which were made during the season of 1940–41 have been more than absorbed by the unsold purchases made this season. As stated by my predecessor on 10th December, 1941, if the results of the Board's operations on cocoa over the whole period for which it may operate show a profit, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to seek Parliamentary approval for an equivalent grant to be made in some form or other for the benefit of the producer in West Africa.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of dissatisfaction in Nigeria among civil servants respecting the interim cost-of-living award; whether the Cost of Living Committee has completed its work and issued its final Report; and what action is being taken adequately to meet grievances arising from the increased cost of living?

The Cost of Living Committee issued its report on 22nd June. After careful reviewing the report, the Governor on 25th July announced the award of a cost-of-living allowance to all Government employees earning not more than £220 per anum at rates of 50 per cent., 40 per cent. and 25 per cent. according to the estimated rise in the cost of living in each district, with special allowances in addition in the case of the lower paid employees. The award is retrospective to October 1st, I941. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any directions have been given to the Commission which is allocating the land in Northern Rhodesia, purchased from the North Charterland Company, to ensure that an adequate proportion of the land is reserved for African natives; whether any recommendations have yet been made by the Commission as to the proportion of land to be reserved for Africans; and what is the extent of the land which is now to be allocated?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Commissioners began their work on 15th August, and my Noble Friend is not aware whether they have submitted their report to the Governor. Approximately 3,800,000 acres, mainly for native occupation, were purchased by the Government from the North Charterland Company.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that several thousand Jamaican labourers have now been recruited by the United States Government agent in co-operation with the Jamaica Government Labour Office for work on reconstruction of the Panama Canal, and that complaints are made of bad food, housing and ill-treatment from their American employers; and whether a liaison officer has now been appointed for duty there to ensure proper conditions for these labourers?

I am aware that a considerable number of Jamaican labourers have been recruited for work on the reconstruction of the Panama Canal. My Noble Friend has not received any complaints of the nature stated from the Jamaican labourers employed there. Inquiry has, however, been made of the Governor of Jamaica on the point and also regarding the appointment of a liaison officer for duty in the Panama Canal zone. I will communicate further with my hon. Friend when the Governor's reply has been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has a statement to make as to the food and employment situation in Jamaica; and whether he is satisfied that all remedial steps are being taken and that adequate police provision has been made to prevent a recurrence of rioting and other lawless activities in the island?

My Noble Friend has received the following report from the Governor of Jamaica on these subjects:

The food situation in Jamaica, is well in hand. Local production has been largely increased and the increase is still proceeding. Results are being achieved by unlimited guarantees by the Government Marketing Department of purchase at fixed minimum prices and by steady propaganda and instruction. For large land owners (i.e., over 100 acres) percentage of planting of unused land in food crops is compulsory. The Jamaica Government aims at considerable substitution of local products for imported food and at building up a reserve against destruction to crops which a hurricane must cause. This takes time, and if the Government plans are fully successful and no hurricane is experienced next year, an excess of certain local products must result. Cultivators, however, will be guarded by Government Marketing Department guarantee to buy at fixed remunerative minimum to any amount offered. The food habits of the people cannot be changed over-night, and therefore in the present shipping circumstances occasional shortage of perishable imports such as flour must be faced. Up to date such shortage has been sufficiently made up by local production such as breadfruit which have been in plentiful supply. The Governor is satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to ease the unemployment situation in Jamaica. Side by side with the institution of agricultural centres all over the Island and the practical encouragement being given to the peasants to occupy and to stay on the land, engineering schemes of permanent value, and selected for the high percentage of labour involved, are being initiated. Financial support given to the banana and citrus industries also assists to maintain employment therein. At this time of the year a certain amount of seasonal unemployment has for a long time prevailed, and the inevitable war restrictions on trade, drastic reduction of oil supplies and shipping difficulties have aggravated it. Organised distribution of cheap and free bananas, despite difficulties of transport due to shortage of fuel oil for trucks and coal for the railway, has now. virtually eliminated waste, and all possible remedial measures are being taken. Adequate police provision has been made for the maintenance of law and order.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that he does not intend during the war to take any action with regard to the proposal of the Kenya Land Tenure Committee that every lessee of Crown land in Kenya should have the right to obtain a title to the land for ever free from any obligation to pay rent, since such a proposal is controversial?

The report of this Committee is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether action has been taken in St. Helena, under the Lands Acquisition Ordinance of 1939, to break up the three large estates which owned 70 per cent. of the land and to increase food production on co-operative lines; and how far the island is now self-supporting in foodstuffs?

Steps have already been taken by the St. Helena Government to acquire possession of land when necessary to increase fool production; in any case which might require the exercise of compulsion the. St. Helena Government would not hesitate to use the powers vested in it for this purpose. Very strenuous efforts are being made to increase the production of food supplies, particularly vegetables, and much progress has been made. Much is owed to the cooperation of all landowners large and small alike. It is improbable, however, that St. Helena can ever become self-supporting in food production, since certain categories of foodstuffs, for instance, cereals, will always require to be imported in substantial quantities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now prepared to accede to the request of the Jerusalem Bar to recommend to the Inns of Court the extension of the privilege for its members to be called to the English Bar without examination for call and without keeping terms, but upon payment of Bar fees, as without membership of the English Bar those concerned may not act as notaries public, whilst most Government posts in the legal and judicial departments are barred to them; and whether he is aware that the privilege sought extends to the Bar in Northern Rhodesia?

I am not aware that the Jerusalem Bar has made any such request. The reply to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether his attention has been drawn to the food situation in the Channel Islands; and whether he can find any ways and means of relieving the situation in these islands?

While information about conditions in the Channel Islands is necessarily incomplete, the evidence available suggests that although there is a marked shortage of food in the islands by comparison with this country, and an almost total lack of certain particular products, the effect of the deficiencies has not been such as to impair the general health of the inhabitants. As regards the second part of the Question, I would assure my hon. Friend that the welfare of our fellow-countrymen in the Channel Islands is a matter of deep and constant concern to His Majesty's Government. But we are obliged to maintain the blockade of the areas occupied or controlled by the enemy Powers if we are not to yield to the enemy a vital advantage in the prosecution of the war.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons who received the full amount recently added to supplementary pensions; the number who received less; and the number of applicants who were refused altogether?

In about 1,084,000 of the total of 1,101,000 supplementary pensions cases reviewed in August, the pensioners have received the increases in full. In the remaining 17,000 cases approximately 13,500 received less than the full increase and 3,500 no increase.

asked the Minister of Heath whether the return regarding immunisation and immunised cases of diphtheria, compiled on information supplied in response to his circular dated 12th June, 1941, is now complete; if so, will he state the number of cases of diphtheria in children under 15 years of age notified between 1st January, 1940, and 30th September, 1941, and in how many of these cases the child had been immunised; and whether he has any information regarding the amount of immunisation performed in the areas furnishing particulars for the return?

The returns regarding diphtheria immunisation obtained from local authorities as a whole at 30th September, 1941, showed that between 1st January, 1940, and that date the number of notifications in England of diphtheria in children under the age of 15 was approximately 51,700, and that approximately 2,380 of these children had received a course of immunisation. In the same period the total number of children immunised under local authority arrangements in England was approximately 1,889;000. By the end of June, 1942, this number had increased to close on 3,000,000.

asked the Minister of Production to what extent his newly appointed Scientific and Technical Board will be available to assist other Departmental organisations of scientific research and technical development; and whether they will have power to co-ordinate or to recommend the co-ordination of these organisations?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the statement which I made to the House on Tuesday, regarding the powers and duties of the three scientific advisers recently appointed to my staff.

asked the Minister of Production whether the members of his new Scientific Advisory Board will be given sufficient staff to enable them to delegate all detail work; and whether for this purpose a selection of the younger scientists and technicians will be made available to them in addition to clerical staff?

I would draw the Noble Lord's attention to the statement which I made in the House on Tuesday in which I explained that I have appointed no new scientific board and that the three scientific advisers recently appointed to my staff will be provided with an adequate technical staff.

asked the Minister of Production whether he will ensure that the Scientific Advisory Board have power to recommend the release in appropriate cases of scientists seconded from the universities to Government Departments and their transfer to other war work?

I would direct the attention of the Noble Lord to the statement which I made in the House on Tuesday when I stated that the scientific advisers might advise me on existing organisations for scientific research and technical development. It is not in general desirable that the scientific advisers should interfere in detailed staffing arrangements of individual Departments, whose autonomy in these matters must not be interfered with. However, it is open to the scientific advisers, in cases which appear to them to be of major importance, to make recommendations to the heads of Departments concerned for the possible release of scientists required for other pressing work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will exempt oatcakes from any restrictions which may be applied to the manufacture of biscuits in view of the different nature of the product which does not make such a demand upon rationed materials?

I regret I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion. Oatcakes are by statutory Order defined as biscuits and as such they are already subject to price control, zoning of distribution and licensing of manufacturers. They are, at present, excluded from the points rationing scheme and while my Noble Friend has no specific proposal in mind it must not be assumed that the present position in this respect will persist indefinitely. It is the intention to apply to oatcakes the same cut in production as is being undertaken in regard to other forms of biscuits.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether searches for alleged food hoarding are approved by his Department even if based on charges sent in by anonymous informers; how many of these searches have been hitherto carried out and with what results; and whether he is aware that procedure of the kind is repugnant to the British sense of justice and should be terminated?

Yes, Sir. In view of the many successful prosecutions for food hoarding which have resulted from, investigations following the receipt of anonymous communications, my Noble Friend is not prepared to give any undertaking that information, on which action would otherwise be taken, should be ignored because it is anonymous. At the same time every care is taken to see that private householders are not unnecessarily inconvenienced and all such investigations are conducted with the utmost care, tact and discretion. Complete statistics of such searches are not available but, in many cases, anonymous communications have led to convictions with heavy fines, in one case amounting to £750. The answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the diversity of medical opinion as to the effect of adding calcium to bread, he will consider offering two loaves to the public, one containing calcium and one without?

My Department is guided in all matters affecting medical questions and public health by the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council. As this Committee strongly advised that calcium should be added to all flour and that there should not be an alternative loaf containing no added calcium, my Noble Friend sees no reason for adopting the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the proposed restriction of sugar for popular consumption, he can make a detailed statement as to the trades which will be thereby affected?

The allocations of sugar to the following trades have been reduced or are under review:—Chocolate and sugar confectionery, cake and biscuits, cake, pudding and sponge mixtures, breakfast cereals and prepared breakfast foods, custard and blancmange powders, meat and bacon curing, meat and fish pastes, soft drinks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will provide that, under the zonal distribution scheme, fish supplies to Cheltenham shall come from the convenient port of Milford Haven instead of from Fleetwood, which has to serve a very big population and has less satisfactory railway communication with Cheltenham?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether agreement has yet been reached between producers and distributors on quality premiums and other matters in the new milk scheme; and whether he will postpone the new contracts until agreement has been reached?

Agreement has been reached between the Ministry, Milk Marketing Board and distributors regarding the contract for premiums for special quality milk or special services. Premiums to be paid in' particular cases is a matter for negotiation between individual producer and individual distributor in relation to the quality of milk or service rendered except that the minimum premium for tuberculin tested milk is fixed at 2d. per gallon. As the other conditions "relating to the purchase and sale of milk on and after 1st October have been agreed between the Ministry, the Milk Marketing Board and distributors, the latter part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the reference numbers and particulars of the Statutory Rules and Orders and the Confidential Instructions to controlled millers in the series C.M.C. dealing with wheat and bread issued up to date and covering the period since the present Minister took office?

I have already written to my hon. Friend giving the numbers of S.R. and O.s for bread, flour and wheat during the period he mentioned. With regard to circulars in the C.M.C. series, these documents have not been published and consequently my Noble Friend does not consider any useful purpose would be served by supplying a list of the reference numbers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the present proportion of wheat imported as compared with home grown; what is the present position of the national loaf as regards the proportion of wheat germ, straight-run bleached white flour, damaged flour, chalk and any other addition; what is the date of the latest test of the quality of national bread; by whom was it performed and with what result as regards its accordance with specification; and what penalties were imposed for breach thereof?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks in the first part of the Question. With regard to the second part, the maximum possible amount of germ is included in the national loaf. The position in regard to white flour is that home-milled stocks are exhausted, but a certain amount of Canadian flour is being distributed and blended with National Flour in the preparation of National Bread. The proportion distritributed is in no case greater than 12½ per cent. With regard to the characteristics of the Canadian flour, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on 16th April last. No damaged white or National Flour is at present being allocated for reconditioning and mixing-in to National Flour or use in the preparation of National Bread. With regard to the fortification of National Flour with calcium, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 30th June last, to which I have nothing to add. As regards any other additions, I would refer by hon. Friend to the provisions of the Bread (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1941, and to the amendments thereto, a list of which has been supplied to him. In so far as the third part of the Question is concerned, tests on National Flour and Bread are now carried out as a matter of routine and samples are drawn in different areas nearly every day. The tests are carried out under the supervision of the Scientific Adviser's Division of the Ministry, and I am glad to say that the results have been entirely satisfactory in every way. The final part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements have been made with regard to the issue of rations to bona fide fishermen and, in particular, to those who fish from varying ports?

Fishermen who normally remain at sea for a number of days and nights at a stretch are given the weekly seamen's ration book R.B.6. Other fishermen have the general ration book and may be granted the special cheese ration. If, however, they are at sea for spells of more than eight hours and cannot make use of shore canteens, the crew as a whole may obtain, instead of the special cheese ration, special allowances of rationed foods, on the scale applicable to industrial canteens, for the preparation of meals when at sea. When the men are moving from port to port arrangements can be made for them to purchase the food at any convenient point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can now state the attitude of his Department towards the request of a small section of the trade concerned, that poultry should only be sold through packing stations and not by the individual owners to friends, neighbours or small shops?

I regret that I am not in a position at present to state the-views of my Noble Friend, but the matter is under active consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the newly announced price charges, he can state the amount of the estimated ordinary bread and potato consumption, respectively, of each individual in the community; and what relative modifications in these amounts are considered essential?

It is not in the public interest to disclose figures of the character desired by my hon. Friend relating to the current consumption of these foods.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the confusion and frequent loss of supplies caused to housewives on account of the fact that the points ration coupons do not contain any indication of the date of expiry; and whether he will consider applying to point coupons the system of date stamps now applicable to the personal ration book for sweets and previously used on points coupons?

Ration books have to be printed many months in advance. Difficulty may arise where specific dates are printed on the coupons, and the hon. Member will be aware that in the case of the personal points coupons the printed dates are not now correct. Blocks of coupons relating to four weekly rationing periods are consistently numbered throughout the ration book, and information as to the weeks covered by any current block of coupons is published regularly in the food facts advertisements. No difficulties should arise if reasonable care is taken by all concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether chewing gum is still being imported; and whether it is confined to use by overseas troops?

No importations of chewing gum are being made into the United Kingdom unless by the United States Army in small quantities for their own troops.

asked the President of the Board of Education why members of the G.T.C. have to buy their own uniforms, using their own coupons, and have no winter coats, while others doing work of similar value have such requisites found at the public expense?

In this matter the National Association of Girls' Training Corps is. in the same position as the other uniformed voluntary organisations, the Scouts, the Guides and the Brigades, whose members buy their own uniforms. My Department have been in touch with the Board of Trade on the subject of some concession in the surrender of coupons, but in the present very difficult conditions of supply the Board of Trade have not seen their way to make any concession. As regards the supply of materials I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke) on 8th September.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what steps are being taken to plan for a large future construction of cargo-carrying aircraft in this country to meet post-war needs; and whether, in view of the peace-time importance of this means of transport as well as its war-time value, he will now set up a special commission of expert engineers and business men to consider the whole problem and report?

While the Government intends to deal with this matter at the appropriate time, I am afraid that at the present stage of the war the whole effort of the expert engineers of the aircraft industry must be concentrated on work for war purposes.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that Captain B. T. Monier-Williams passed the necessary flying test for training as a pilot in Air Transport Auxiliary in February, 1941; was told by the chief instructor that he would be required to report as soon as it was possible to provide him with the requisite training; that this ex-officer has exceptional qualifications, including experience in all three Services and in civilian flying; why, as vacancies exist, he has not yet been required to report; and upon what grounds, as he is eligible so far as age and physical fitness are concerned, he has recently been informed that he is considered unsuitable when older men of lower medical grade have been accepted?

The answers to the first two parts of the Question are Yes, Sir. In regard to the third, the report on the gentleman referred to contained the comment that he had done no flying since the last war and would require complete training on modern types of aircraft. In the light of recent experience the age limit for entry into the A.T.A. for anyone who lacks experience in modern types has been fixed at 32, and I regret that it is therefore impossible to admit a man who was born in 1892. I should, however, like to express my appreciation of Captain Monier-Williams' keenness so patriotically to wish to undertake this important duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any report on the present conditions of British subjects imprisoned in Hong Kong; and what are the prospects either of sending food or money to them or of arranging for their transfer to some other area?

Recent reports show that while conditions in the internment camps have to some extent improved since the early days, the general health of the internees has seriously suffered from lack of proper food and medicines. As regards relief in cash a sum of money has been allocated for this purpose from official funds and has been transferred through the Swiss Government to the International Red Cross delegate at Hong Kong. But our information is that owing to shortage of local supplies which can be purchased by the internees, only temporary relief can be afforded by this method. The Japanese authorities have refused to allow special relief ships for prisoners of war and interned civilians to be sent to Hong Kong and other territory occupied by them; they have, however, agreed that food, clothing and medical comforts might be sent by the ships on which British and Japanese officials are being exchanged on their return voyage. This means that unless and until the Japanese Government alter their decision, the scale on which it is possible to send relief supplies is strictly limited. Full advantage was taken of the exchange ships and the total amount of the supplies shipped in them was about 4,000 tons. Arrangements have been made for an equitable proportion of these supplies to be landed at Hong Kong, and the first ship is due to reach Hong Kong within the next few days. Further supplies are available for shipment as soon as this becomes possible. As regards the question of evacuation, His Majesty's Government intend to enter into negotiations with the Japanese Government with a view to the removal of more British subjects from the Far East, but I do not think that those negotiations would be helped if I were to make any further statement on the subject to-day.

asked the Paymaster-General when the report of the Beveridge Committee will be available?

I understand that the Committee hope to submit their report to me in the course of a few weeks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been arrived at regarding the rates of pay of the Royal Marine Police Special Reserve?

Unexpected difficulties were encountered in the review of the rates of pay of Royal Marine Police Special Reservists which I mentioned in the reply to a Question put by my hon. Friend on 8th July. I hope, however, that a decision will be reached within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the cost of living is about equivalent in Palestine and the United Kingdom, and that the present rates of separation allowances for the Palestinian forces are now only two-thirds of the present British rates of which an increase has been promised, the separation allowances for wives and children of men in the Palestinian Forces will be increased?

The rates of family allowance for the Palestinian forces were reviewed in February of this year and increased to two-thirds of the British rates. They will be proportionately further increased shortly to the extent of two-thirds of the recent increases promised in the British rates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that there are at present no allowances for dependants other than wives and children of the members of the Palestinian Forces and that many of the Palestinian Jews have parents in Palestine wholly dependent on them, and that there is no old age pension system in Palestine, dependants' allowances at British rates will be instituted?

This question is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are taken to ensure that all available tractors are in constant use for ploughing this autumn; and whether they can be moved from district to district in view of the varying urgent need for their services?

It is the policy of my Department to enable and encourage farmers to work their tractors to the fullest possible extent and to supplement the activities of farmers and ploughing contractors by the operation of tractors belonging to the Ministry and under the control of the county war agricultural executive committees. The flow of new tractors is directed so far as possible into those districts which have the greatest need of them, and the number of tractors under the control of county war agricultural executive committees is under constant review in order to secure that the tractors are put to work where they are most needed.

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds he authorised the release of 19 persons detained under Regulation 18B during the month of July?

My hon. and gallant Friend is, I think, referring to the number of persons released in June. In each of these 19 cases my right hon. Friend was satisfied after further review of all the circumstances that it was no longer necessary to exercise control by detention.

asked the Home Secretary what were the previous occupations of the chief engineer and the deputy chief engineer at the Cambridge regional office of his Ministry; and how many members of the technical staff in this particular office are retired Indian civil servants?

There is no chief engineer or deputy chief engineer in the Cambridge Regional Office of the Ministry of Home Security. There are a senior regional technical adviser and two regional technical advisers. The senior regional technical adviser retired from the Indian Service of Engineers in July, 1936. Immediately prior to his retirement he was chief engineer and secretary to the Public Works Department, Sind. He at one time held appointment as deputy secretary, Public Works Department (Irrigation and Railways), Bombay. One technical adviser was on the staff of the Wardle Engineering Company and for the ten years immediately preceding his appointment to his present post was manager of the head office of this firm in India. The other regional technical adviser was an executive engineer in the Irrigation Branch, Indian Service of Engineers, Bombay, immediately prior to his appointment to the Ministry of Home Security. No members of the subordinate technical staff of this office were members of the Civil Services of India.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that many settlements in connection with requisitioning by his Department on the basis of seed and labour were only accepted by the farmers under protest; and will he now agree that the new basis of loss of crop recently announced should be applied retrospectively?

In dealing with the valuation of growing crops, the Air Ministry is now guided by the recommendations of the Committee on the Principles of Assessment of War Damage (the Uthwatt Committee) of 1940 on which the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries was represented. It is not proposed to re-open any settlements already reached nor has any undertaking to do so been given.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider allowing air crews to wear shoes instead of boots while in the air?

There is no rule that flying boots must be worn, but the practice in operational commands is to wear them because they give ankle support in the event of a parachute jump. In non-operational commands shoes may be worn by officers at the discretion of Commanding Officers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as the matter is one of urgency owing to the increased cost of living, he will arrange for an increase of pension to disabled ex-Service men of the last war?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. Brown) on 6th August when I made it quite clear that these pensions were based on a cost of living figure higher than that prevailing to-day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Trans-' port what arrangements have been made between his Department and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and railway companies, in respect to the Ministry of Transport giving them increased frontal dock road facilities in Liverpool; to what extent he contemplates closing the Liverpool overhead railway; and what consultations he has had with the local Carters' and Motormen's Union?

As a result of interim recommendations made by a committee under the chairmanship of the Regional Transport Commissioner, certain improvements of railway connections to the Liverpool docks have been made and the establishment of parking places for road vehicles is under consideration. The committee did not propose that the Liverpool Overhead Railway should be closed. I understand that the Carters' and Motor-men's Union did not tender evidence to the committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties v encountered by women in inaccessible country areas in obtaining any omnibus accommodation for their essential shopping; and whether he will consult with provincial omnibus companies and his regional traffic commissioners to ensure that attention is paid to this matter and some reasonable facilities given?

The present urgent need for economy in fuel and tyres must inevitably result in some inconvenience to those who travel by omnibus, and I am aware that the inconvenience is often greater in country areas than elsewhere. The Regional Transport Commissioners, however, have endeavoured, and will continue to endeavour, to make arrangements which will avoid real hardship. The matter receives constant and close attention, and if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any specific cases which he has in mind, I will look into them. The public can themselves assist by refraining from unnecessary journeys, and thus leaving the accommodation available for those who are obliged to travel.