asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to discourage or prohibit the requirement of public schools of specially made clothing and equipment as being waste on the one hand and a handicap to their wider use on the other?

At my request the Board of Education have sent out circulars to all schools reminding them of the un-desirability in present circumstances of insistence on uniforms or uniformity of dress. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education and I are satisfied that the great majority of schools appreciate the need for the strictest economy in clothing material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why there is no controlled price on teapots at manufacture and upon the larger types of teacups, respectively?

Manufacturers' prices of teapots and the larger type of teacups are controlled and are limited to the manufacturer's price on 1st June last or the cost of manufacture plus 6 per cent., whichever is the lower; wholesalers' and retailers' margins are also fixed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industries in South Wales which were driven by water-power have been closed down and used for storage purposes in the last two years; and as these water-driven industries could be used for war production and thereby save considerable quantity of fuel annually, what steps does he propose to take in these cases?

One tinplate works in South Wales, which was partially operated by water power has been closed down for storage for war purposes. I am advised that the net fuel economy possible by re-opening these works would be small and I am satisfied that this gain would be far outweighed by the disturbance to the war effort caused by transferring the goods elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the continued shortage of low-priced undecorated crockery; whether he will review the concentration that has taken place in this industry to ascertain how far this is due to factories, capable of producing large numbers of such articles having been closed and merged with firms not so fitted for large scale production of low-priced commodities and which normally manufacture a different article; and why, in view of present demands and shortages, two modern well-equipped factories, particulars whereof have been given him, able to produce millions of all-white cups and saucers annually, are closed and their machinery left lying idle?

Yes, Sir. There is still a shortage of certain kinds of domestic pottery, although supplies have increased considerably since June and further steps to increase production have been taken recently. Labour and fuel are the principal factors limiting an increase in production, and the re-opening of factories previously closed under the concentration scheme would need careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any British capital is involved in the hydro-electric installations in Northern Italy; and, if so, what are the holdings of the British interests?

I have no reason to suppose that much British capital is invested in these installations. Returns made to the Board of Trade for inclusion in the register of British property in enemy territory only amount to slightly over £50,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the great difficulty that exists in many places in Obtaining supplies of essential household goods, such as towels, sheets, pillow-cases, &c., whereas supplies of clothing, both utility and non-utility, appear to be plentiful; and whether he will take steps to increase the availability of such household goods even if it means to some extent reducing the production of clothing?

The allocation of cotton yarn for the manufacture of certain household textiles has recently been increased, while the production of cloth for clothing of types of which there are good stocks has been curtailed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls under the age of 18 years are now registered as unemployed?

The latest published figures relate to 17th August, when there were 15,644 boys and 12,530 girls registered as unemployed in Great Britain. These figures include considerable numbers who had registered for employment on leaving school at the end of the summer term, and it is expected that the figures for the following month will show appreciable reductions.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has recently received from the governing bodies of the London Voluntary (Teaching) Hospitals as regards the position of the hospitals under existing circumstances of increasing work with decreasing staff on account of the continued calling up by his Department; whether he is aware that nurses are being overworked as well as the medical staff; that domestic help of the kind and quantity required is not obtainable; and whether he will arrange that the existing staff, both medical and lay, be directed to remain at their posts and that, as far as possible, other essential help will be supplied?

I have received no representations from the governing bodies of the London Voluntary (Teaching) Hospitals on this general subject, and would point out that nursing staff and women domestics in hospitals are regarded as reserved and are not called up by my Department and men over military age would not be withdrawn. Applications for the deferment of calling up of men of military age are considered individually and no man would be called up until after consultation with the Ministry of Health. The selection of medical practitioners for His Majesty's Forces is carried out by the Central Medical War Committee subject to the approval of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. I am aware of a shortage of nurses and domestic staff in certain hospitals. As I have repeatedly stated, nursing and domestic work in hospitals is regarded as vital war work for women of all ages, and in addition hospitals themselves can help to meet labour shortage by employing part-time domestic workers to the fullest possible extent. The whole question of making the best use of the services of hospital staff, including the issue of directions in appropriate cases in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, is under constant review.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Scientific Advisory Committee was consulted with regard to the recent appointment of Professor G. P. Thomson, in place of Sir Henry Tizard, in charge of certain important research and development?

The proceedings of the Committee are secret and I cannot undertake to say what advice they may have given in any particular case or indeed whether they were consulted or not. In selecting Professor G. P. Thomson for the position referred to which was a new development and did not involve the supersession of anybody, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production, was acting in the light of the knowledge which the Government already had of Professor Thomson's qualifications and experience since he had just completed a term of office as the head of the British Central Scientific Office in Washington.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give any information about the artificial daylight that does not cast a shadow which will be used shortly in our war factories?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the fluorescent tubular system of lighting which has been introduced, with beneficial results, at numerous factories working for the Ministry of Supply, during the past two years. It is installed in those sections where, owing to the nature of the processes in operation, it is expected that the effects on output will justify the expenditure of labour and materials involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what response has been made to the appeal to British subjects to return from America?

The initial response to this appeal was satisfactory, but as a result of the examination of volunteers it does not appear that a very large proportion will be suitable for service in this country. This is to be ascribed to a variety of factors, including the numerous volunteers who have already returned to this country from the U.S.A., the number of persons already absorbed into activities there directly connected with the war, and above all the incidence of the United States Conscription Act. As my hon. Friend is aware, the administration of this Act is designed to ensure the direction of all man-power in the United States of America into the channels most suitable from the point of view of the war effort on the same lines as in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have been received by the Leicestershire War Agricultural Committee from nurserymen for steaming before the 1943 tomato crop; how many steaming plants have been purchased by that committee; and what are the prospects of the committee being able to satisfy all the requests of the nurserymen in the county in the near future?

Two written applications have been received by the committee and there have also been some verbal inquiries. The committee has no steaming plant and in view of the difficulty of obtaining the requisite boilers it is improbable that they will be able to carry out any of this work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the hardship inflicted upon blind pensioners working in the workshops for the blind because of the present maximum limit of £200 from all sources which a blind pensioner can receive including his Army pension, resulting in differences of pay of as much as £1 15s. per week for the same work; and whether he will either increase the maximum or disregard the Army pension?

My right hon. Friend is looking into the case which I understand that my hon. Friend has in mind, and he will communicate with him.

asked the Minister of Labour how many face workers in mines are now serving in this country and in Northern Ireland in all the three Services?

My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council will be giving in the course of to-day's Debate such figures as are available and can be disclosed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been called to an advertisement, particulars whereof have been sent him, offering self-drive motor-cars without restriction in an area of 314 square miles; and, in view of this wastage of petrol under prevailing conditions, whether he will now take measures adequately to control this system of hiring with petrol so as to prevent all unnecessary use?

Yes, Sir. If my hon. and gallant Friend will be good enough to divide the figure quoted by and take the square root of the resulting figure, he will see that the radius of the circle does not exceed the limits laid down in the Motor Fuel (Hire Service) Order, 1942. The Order came into force on 1st September, and I propose to await experience of its operation before considering its revision.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been directed to the need of persons now living in houses damaged by air raids for additional coal or other means of heating; and whether he will make suitable provision under any voluntary or compulsory rationing scheme for some additional allowance of fuel to be made in such cases?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to Questions 63 and 43 to-day.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the procedure adopted in the 1914–18 war for the restriction of fuel and how it compares with the procedure advocated to-day?

Restriction of fuel consumption in the 1914–18 war was introduced on a national scale in June, 1918, with the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1918. This Order provided for a graduated scale of fuel allowances based on the number of habitable rooms in each household. The allowances, though expressed in terms of coal, could be converted into other fuels in accordance with a fixed table of equivalents. In addition, there was an allowance of electricity or gas for lighting, which might be utilised for other domestic purposes, though it could not be converted into coal. Coupons were not used. The administration of the 1918 scheme was entrusted to local fuel overseers, appointed by the local authorities and assisted by local fuel and lighting committees. In practice, the restrictions for gas and electricity were never operated. The rationing of coal was relaxed in July, 1919, and ceased to operate by the end of the year. In the present war, three methods for restricting fuel consumption have been advocated. First, restriction of deliveries to enable the available supplies to be spread as evenly as possible. This is in operation and regulated by Directions under the Fuel and Lighting Registration and Distribution Order, 1942, which restrict the maximum quantity of solid fuel which may be furnished or acquired for consumption in controlled premises, and also fix a limit to the stock of solid fuel which a consumer may have when additional supplies are furnished to him: Secondly a rationing scheme, as set out in the Government's White Paper on Coal on June, 1942; Thirdly an intensive Fuel Economy Campaign covering the whole of the industrial field, and a wide range of non-industrial establishments, and domestic consumers. It is not possible, within the limits of question and answer, to compare the details of the schemes operating in 1914–18 with those of the present war, but if my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to have further information I shall be glad if he will let me know.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of practising midwives in Worcestershire and many other parts of the country, he contemplates the use of his special powers in order that those who have been trained as midwives may be induced to practise as such?

As stated in my reply and in that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 29th September last, consultations are now in progress between my Department and that of my right hon. Friend which cover the whole field of the supply and employment of midwives as well as of nurses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to state his proposals for increasing the pensions given to widows and the allowances made in respect of young children?

No, Sir. This matter is proceeding and as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has stated, it will be considered in the light of the report of Sir William Beveridge in the next Session of Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered representations regarding the position of retired officials of the Shanghai Municipal Council who are British subjects; and whether he will reconsider the decision not to guarantee the continuance of the pensions to which they are entitled?

I have considered the representations to which my hon. Friend refers and, whilst I recognise the position in which these officials find themselves as a result of the suspension of payment of pensions by the Shanghai Municipal Council is most unfortunate, I am afraid it is not possible to take special steps to treat them more favourably than others who have lost their means of livelihood by reason of enemy action in the Far East.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to appoint a financial commission to investigate post-war finance, particularly currency and exchange?

The questions referred to by my hon. Friend are being actively studied, but I see no present reason for the appointment of a commission.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a publication entitled' "Hansard on Scotland," purporting to give an almost complete report of the Debate in this House of 12th May; and why the Stationery Office copyright was waived in this case?

I am aware of the publication entitled "Hansard on Scotland." Application for permission to publish was made in the usual way to the Controller of the Stationery Office and, in accordance with normal practice, no objection was offered to the reproduction of material from the OFFICIAL REPORT of Parliamentary Debates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that some building societies, especially small ones, are compelling mortgagors to insure mortgaged premises only with certain insurance companies, in spite of the absence of any such stipulation in the mortgage; what steps the Registrar of Friendly Societies has taken to check this practice; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to further action?

I am not aware of the practice referred to in the first part of the Question. If my hon. Friend will forward me any particulars he has on the subject, I will gladly consider them.

asked the Home Secretary when the annual report for 1941 of the State management districts of Carlisle, Gretna and Cromarty Firth in connection with the Licensing Act, 1921, will be published?

The forthcoming Report, which will be for the year ended 31st March, 1942, is in preparation, and it is hoped to publish it before the end of the year.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that persons detained under Regulation 18B should receive notifications regarding the results of their appearance before the Advisory Committee within three or four weeks, he will now expedite the despatch of notifications to those detainees who interviewed the committee upwards of 25 weeks ago and are still not in receipt of any communication on the subject?

No undertaking has been given that the decision in the case of any person detained under Regulation 18B will be notified to him within three or four weeks of his appearance before the Advisory Committee. Every effort is made to avoid unnecessary delay in reaching and communicating decisions, but as I have previously explained the time taken necessarily varies according to circumstances. I know of two cases in which the interval has been as long as is suggested owing to exceptional circumstances. In one of them supplementary inquiries were necessary, and in the other the person concerned himself asked for time to submit further information, and it was fifteen weeks before he did so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware-that on, or about, 20th August the German Government segregated 80 British women detained in the Liebenau camp in an underground cellar, as a reprisal for so-called ill-treatment of German women in this country; and will he make representations to the Protecting Power?

This report has been brought to my notice and I have requested the Swiss Government to investigate it and to demand the immediate cancellation of any measures against the internees.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the number of British subjects at present in Ethiopia acting in an advisory capacity to the Emperor; and what consequential charge falls upon British funds?

According to the latest information received from His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa, nineteen British subjects have already been appointed to senior posts by the Ethiopian Government as advisers, commissioner of police, or judges. A small number of other senior appointments are about to be made. In addition, a number of British subjects have been appointed to subsidiary posts in the police and medical services. The salaries attached to these appointments and all other expenditure in connection with them are being met from Ethiopian Government funds which, as the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, are subsidised by grants from His Majesty's Government as specified in Article IV of the recent Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the daily rate for a maritime anti-aircraft gunner; whether this includes war risk pay; and whether adequate arrangements are made to ensure that these men get their proper allocation of leave, including week-end leave, when ashore?

Maritime anti-aircraft gunners are paid at normal soldiers' rates and get no war risk pay. They get seven days' leave for every three months' service at sea. Survivors from torpedoed ships are given 14 days' leave. Week-end leave is granted whenever possible, and in addition leave is sometimes granted at some ports abroad which does not reckon against entitlement. My hon. Friend will understand that operational necessity rather than regulations governs the granting of leave to these men, but we do our best to see that the balance is in their favour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with regard to his recent announcement concerning the introduction of new factories in Scotland, what steps are being taken to consider the claims of individual counties and boroughs for the establishment of such factories within their areas; in what manner these claims should be represented and to whom; and whether such claims from the county of Fife have been considered by him?

The Secretary-General to the Scottish Advisory Council on Industry is Mr. J. Gibson Kerr, W.S., 21, Castle Street, Edinburgh 2, to whom correspondence should be sent. The various associations of local authorities, including the County Councils' Association, are all represented on the Advisory Council. I hope, and in this I have the support of the Council, that consideration will be given not so much to competition between areas for new businesses but more to the overriding Scots national interest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether consideration has been, or will be, given to the possibility of sending dried or tinned milk from Canada for the benefit of young children arid infants in Greece, in view of the urgent need and the importance of supplementing the present shipments of wheat by food to meet the special requirements of young children?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 29th September to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Ryr Burghs (Sir T. Moore).

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether members of the reserve of Royal Air Force officers are eligible for the air efficiency award?

The air efficiency award is intended for civilians who undertook voluntary service in peace-time in non-regular Forces such as the Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. The Reserve of Air Force Officers is composed mainly of ex-regular officers and only those members who joined from civil life and were transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on its formation are eligible for the new award.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the recently announced air efficiency award will be conferred upon members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force on the same conditions that it is granted to Royal Air Force personnel, in which case can the warrant creating the award be amended accordingly?

As the basic qualifying period of service for the air efficiency award is 10 years, the question of conferring it upon members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force does not arise at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has made any provision for the issue of waterproof capes or warm garments to cadets of the Air Training Corps, to avoid the risk of curtailing training during the winter months?

I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made for a limited number of mackintosh capes to be issued to cadets of the A.T.C. This was announced to the Corps in A.T.C. Instruction No. 121, which was issued on 17th August last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take steps to secure an amendment of the Pensions Regulations having for its object the award of a pension to the widow or dependant of a soldier who meets his death, by accident or otherwise, while on leave, irrespective of the cause, place and time of death, in view of the fact that such an extension of benefit would not add considerably to the expenditure on service pensions while removing a hardship in cases in which the cause of death, although not directly arising out of service activity at the time, is nevertheless due to the soldier's attachment to the Army?

I regret that I am unable to accept the suggestion of the hon. Member which would represent a material modification of the whole principle underlying the award of a war pension.