asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the life-jacket at present in service in the Royal Navy is as efficient as the self-inflating type issued to members of the Royal Air Force on flights over the sea; and whether he will consider having the life-jacket brightly coloured to make it easier to discern men in the water, thereby facilitating the saving of lives?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, but the conditions under which life-belts are used in the Navy are so different from those under which life jackets are used in the Royal Air Force, that any accurate comparison of relative efficiency is very difficult. For instance, any life-saving device for naval personnel must be capable of being worn continuously at action stations in dangerous waters without impediment to the wearers' duties. The naval life-belt is considered to be quite satisfactory for its purpose. As regards the second part of the Question, the naval life-belt is worn below the armpits and its colour would not assist in attracting attention from surface rescue craft to men in the water.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, by comparison with officers of analogous age and service in the Army and the Royal Air Force, the promotion of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers in combatant units is unduly slow?

It is not to be expected that promotion of R.N.V.R. officers in combatant units would be so rapid as the promotion of analogous officers in the Army or Air Force for the expansion of the Navy has been much less than that of the other two Services. Nevertheless, a substantial number of R.N.V.R. officers have risen to positions of responsibility. The Admiralty had for some time, however, not been satisfied that the responsibilities imposed on these officers had been sufficiently reflected in increased rank. In August last, therefore, orders were issued about promotion to the rank of lieutenant-commander which are expected to result in a substantial increase in the numbers of the promotions to that rank, which corresponds to the rank of major in the Army and squadron leader in the Air Force. The matter will be kept under review.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will expedite the payments due to the mother of the late Stoker Gerald Wilson, SKX.271, especially the arrears due from 3rd October, 1941, to 2nd April, 1942?

As the ship in which Stoker Gerald Wilson was serving was lost, the pay accounts had to be reconstructed and this work is not yet complete. The balance due to his estate, including the arrears referred to, has however now been determined, and the Admiralty are in communication with Mrs. Wilson with a view to establishing title to the money. As soon as this has been done payment will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to encourage the production of foodstuffs in the Gold Coast?

Energetic steps have been taken for the encouragement of the production of foodstuffs in the Gold Coast, including notably root crops, vegetables, cereals and pork. These efforts will be vigorously pursued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the sugar ration supplies to tinplate workers in South Wales to enable them to make herb beer has been stopped on the understanding that the sugar can be obtained at the works canteen; that the workers have not been supplied from the canteen; and will he take steps to see that these men get this necessary addition to their diet?

I have already written to my hon. Friend about the tinplate workers whom he has in mind. As I indicated in my letter, the practice which has hitherto been followed of supplying sugar to these workers individually to enable them to manufacture herb beers at home is not in accordance with my Department's general procedure. Sugar can, however, either be supplied to the works' canteens if arrangements can be made for the drink to be brewed communally or it can be made available for the drink to be made by a manufacturer or by some other suitable person for distribution to the workers while at work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that it is common practice for street vendors of fruit, etc., to dress their barrows with high-quality articles while serving customers with a very inferior quality; and what steps he is taking to remedy this abuse?

No, Sir. It is open to the customer to refuse to buy from any trader fruit or vegetables of inferior quality at the maximum controlled price or in the case of commodities which are not price-controlled at the price which is being charged by other traders in the district for goods of a higher quality. My Noble Friend, therefore, sees no occasion to take any action on the lines suggested in the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether anonymous letters received by his Department making allegations against persons who prove to be innocent are handed over to the police for investigation and appropriate action?

No, Sir. No such action is taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why it has been considered necessary to insert in the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1942, provisions requiring every local authority to submit for the approval of the Minister of Food the names of persons nominated for appointment to the local food control committees?

The requirement that local authorities should submit for approval the names of persons for appointment to local food control committees was incorporated in the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1942, because irregular appointments had been made under the original Order. The object of the new procedure is to ensure, before appointment, that all nominees are eligible. In the past appointments have been made which did not comply with the provisions of the Order, and the discovery of this after the persons concerned had actually attended meetings of the Committee has given rise to difficulties which may now be avoided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Form P. 119, issued under the Potato Crop (Control) Order, 1942, states that the reply must be posted not later than the 5th day of the month following that to which the return relates; and will he extend the time as some growers did not receive the form until the 8th of the month?

As the issue of these forms for September trading was unavoidably delayed owing to the late introduction of a subsidy to reduce retail prices on 28th September some grower-salesmen would not be able to comply with the requirement to return the form by 5th October. Forms returned after that date will be accepted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements are in existence for coordinating the policies of the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; and, in particular, whether there is a joint committee?

My Noble Friend and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries confer at frequent intervals on all matters of policy that concern their respective Departments. Consultations between officials of the Departments are held almost continually, both to co-ordinate administrative measures giving effect to ministerial decisions on policy, and to co-ordinate the basic information on which these decisions are taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give an assurance that regulations for the sale or distribution of food shall be promulgated without first taking the advice of experts, of persons or organisations likely to be affected and of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries?

No, Sir. I cannot give the assurance for which my hon. Friend asks, but I can assure him that my Noble Friend takes every practicable step to secure that all properly concerned are consulted before making orders or regulations of the kind referred to in this Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the new milk contracts sent out by the Government officials of the Milk Marketing Board are not applicable in many cases and many milk producers have not signed them in consequence; and whether he will instruct the Milk Marketing Board to accept contracts amended to suit the different circumstances of the smaller producers?

The new milk contracts were prescribed by the Milk Marketing Board with the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food and were sent to producers by the Board. So far as I am aware they are applicable to the circumstances of large and small producers alike.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare how much of the £415,000,000 paid by France to Germany in the first six months of this year was for the upkeep of the German army of occupation; and whether Holland has to pay for a German army of occupation?

The indemnity payable by France to Germany during the first six months of this year wag about £315,000,000. I have no precise figures showing how much of this amount was spent on the upkeep of the German army of occupation; but I think it is probable that the sum used for this purpose was in the neighbourhood of £100,000,000. Holland also has to pay for the maintenance of a German army of occupation.

asked the Minister of Production in view of the fact that his Department provide wooden huts to accommodate workers in factories erected for Government work whether he will give an immediate promise to provide wooden huts to the number of about 2,000, for the temporary accommodation of Clydebank workers engaged on vital national work who lost their homes in the 1941 air-raids and urgently need houses near to their work?

As my hon. Friend knows from the answer which he was given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, in reply to a similar Question, my right hon. Friend is in touch with me about this matter. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to await the results of the examination now in progress.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of tinplate and steel works where canteens are established; what proportion of these supply hot meals; and the number of such works where no canteen facilities exist?

Canteens are known to exist in 115 tinplate or steel works in which more than 250 persons are employed; 93 of these supply hot meals in the full sense of the term and at least 14 others supply hot food, sandwiches and hot drinks. The number of such establishments without canteen facilities is 10. Some of these have messrooms with facilities for warming food and boiling water and in four of the cases canteens are in course of construction. Detailed information about the establishments employing less than 250 persons is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his investigations show to what extent fifth columnist or pro-German activity has stimulated the strike on the Tyne?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he is aware of the damage caused to masonry by the breaking off of iron railings which the Ministry have commandeered and the anxiety of the owners as to repairs; and will he make it known what the Government intend to do, either by way of recompense or repairs?

I am aware that certain damage due to the removal of railings remains unrepaired, but the work will be put in hand by my Department as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning how soon he expects that existing motor car dumps will be cleared; and whether he will take power to prevent the disfigurement of the countryside by prohibiting further dumps except under licence?

There are over 1,300 car breakers' yards in the country of which only about half are at present in operation. The estimated amount of metal remaining for disposal in these yards is about 25,000 tons. The average despatch per week from car breakers' yards to the scrap metal merchants is roughly 1,000 tons. Old cars have also been used by the Service Departments for defence purposes and in addition certain cars owned by the Government and used on Civil Defence work have now become available for disposal as scrap. My Ministry is in active touch with the Departments concerned and it is anticipated that a further 12–25,000 cars will become available from these sources. Power to prohibit or restrict the use of land for a purpose seriously detrimental to the neighbourhood is already conferred by the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, and the question of further safeguards will be considered in connection with future legislation. In present conditions, however, I do not think any further action is called for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the value of weed seeds, acorns, etc., to poultry for feed, what steps are being taken to popularise these alternative foods; and whether he can co-ordinate such action with other organisations, such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which are working along the same lines?

My Department has given publicity to the value of acorns, beech mast, and a number of other supplementary feeding-stuffs for poultry in publications addressed both to commercial and domestic poultry keepers. I am sending copies of these publications, together with copies of a memorandum and Press notice on the collection of acorns, beech mast, etc., by County Garden Produce Committees, to my hon. and gallant Friend. The recently published leaflet entitled "Weed Seeds for Poultry" which has been issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will also be brought to the notice of these committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the difficulties due to shortage of man-power in the agricultural industry; and why he has not asked for the Essential Work Order to be applied to this industry?

Agricultural workers are already prevented from obtaining employment outside the industry through the operation of the Undertakings (Restriction on Engagement) Order, and I do not think that the labour supply position in agriculture would be affected by bringing the industry under the Essential Work Order.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power who will be the authority to decide on the mechanisation of a mine or mines; whether jointly with the coal-owners or otherwise; whether the necessary plant and machinery can be obtained for this purpose; who will bear the capital expenditure involved, the coalowners or the Treasury; and who will bear the losses or receive the increased profits?

The underground mechanisation programme at collieries is being carried out, under my right hon. Friend's authority, by the control organisation set up under the White Paper on Coal. It will, of course, be necessary for the officers of this organisation to discuss the technical details of particular schemes with the representatives of the managements. All possible steps are being taken by my Ministry to obtain the necessary machinery. This plant will, in some cases, be purchased by colliery companies and in others let on hire to them. Any consequential operational losses or profits will be merged in the general financial results of the colliery undertakings.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of shifts lost for which the guaranteed wage has been paid since the new scheme of control came into operation and the estimated loss of output in the British coalfields, giving figures for each district; and what steps are being taken to ascertain the causes of these lost shifts with the view of reducing them, or finding a remedy?

I append figures showing for each mining district the number of shifts lost in July and August, for which guaranteed wage was paid, and the tonnage of coal which might have been produced if those shifts had been worked. The totals for Great Britain were 242,849 shifts and 266,297 tons of coal. The officers of the Regional Coal Organisation are giving special attention to collieries, the working and record of which appears to be unsatisfactory.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the police raid on Saturday, 3rd October, at an unregistered club in Archer Street, London; how many persons were in the club; what were their ages; and how many were men in the fighting Forces?

Seven men were found on the premises and were arrested and charged under the Gaming Act, 1845. Two who were principals were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £126, and a recognizance of £25 previously entered into by one of them was estreated. The other five were bound over. Of the persons concerned one was 48 years of age, one was 43, and the remainder under 40. None of them is a member of the fighting Forces.

asked the Minister of Supply whether it is his wish that those who still have binoculars or other kinds of optical or scientific instruments in their possession should offer them to his department by way of sale, loan or gift?

The campaign to obtain binoculars from the public, which was intended to fill a gap until our war production got going, was most successful. The production facilities for Service pattern binoculars and other optical instruments are now considerable and offers from the public are no longer necessary. I take this opportunity of thanking the many willing and generous donors who helped us through a difficult period.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the average Army greatcoat takes about 16½ inches more of standard 56–57-inch width cloth than the average Royal Air Force greatcoat and that the average Civil Defence greatcoat takes as much cloth as the average Army greatcoat; and whether he will examine, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for War and the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the practicability of substantial saving in material by shortening the Army greatcoat, particularly that issued to administrative personnel, and also shortening the Civil Defence greatcoat?

The pattern of the Army greatcoat has recently been considered by the Army authorities, and it has been decided that no change should be made as under campaigning conditions the greatcoat may be the only covering available to the solder at night; it would not be practicable to issue a different greatcoat to administrative personnel. The Royal Air Force are not so liable to have to sleep out at night without other covering. The pattern of the Civil Defence greatcoat is now under consideration in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security with a view to economy of cloth.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the present situation with regard to heavy scrap; and, if there is a shortage, whether he proposes to demolish structures and unused machinery, much of it in close proximity to the steel works?

A larger proportion of heavy scrap is desirable in the furnace charges to enable maximum output of iron and steel to be obtained. The Ministry of Works and Planning have already provided substantial tonnages under the national survey scheme from unused structures and machinery, and the extension of the scope of this scheme is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply the reasons for taking the employees at Royal Ordnance factories outside the scope of the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether he will indicate the advantages in the scheme of hurt pay as compared with the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts?

Employees at Royal Ordnance Factories are given the option of relying on the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts or of accepting in substitution the Government Scheme. Payment under the scheme is in no case less favourable than under the Acts; in most cases it is more favourable. The main advantages are that the worker gets compensation without a waiting period, and receives free medical treatment, including hospital treatment.

asked the Minister of Supply to explain the methods for dealing with suggestions sent to him for the mechanical improvements of existing, or new ideas for making, service weapons of warfare; what is the organisation, or who are the persons, responsible for considering and investigating such suggestions; and whether he can give an assurance that no suggestion likely to be of use is turned down without full inquiry?

Any suggestion received by the Ministry of Supply is first examined by the inventions branch and if the idea is found to be wholly or partly new it is submitted for expert examination to the appropriate research or development branch. In promising cases, the fullest resources of development and trial are made available by the Ministry if the inventor does not himself possess them. The great importance of encouraging inventive genius is fully recognised and no proposal is rejected without the most searching inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many pupils have been awarded State bursaries in science on the recommendation of headmasters without having passed the higher certificate; and the names of the schools from which these pupils have been selected?

This information cannot be supplied without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. Every application for a State bursary was scrutinised by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and other University representatives who, with officers of the Board, were responsible for the selection and allocation of State bursaries, and I am satisfied that the committee's selection was careful and impartial.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the sole responsibility for carrying-out the instructions for keeping the schools open throughout the year conveyed in circular 1596 now rests with the local authorities; how far the Board retains control of this question; and will he now consider the withdrawal or modification of circular 1596?

It is for local education authorities to decide, in the light of the circumstances of their respective areas, to what extent it is desirable to keep schools open during school holidays. The arrangements in this, as in other educational matters, are kept under review by H.M. Inspectors. As I am satisfied that local education authorities can interpret the needs of their areas in the light of all that has been said, I do not propose to withdraw or modify circular 1596.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any attempt was made by the Glasgow sanitary authority to ascertain the vaccinal condition of the electrical engineer who was found to be suffering from confluent smallpox when removed to hospital from a steamer at Glasgow, on the 29th May last, by reference to his relatives or to the official primary vaccination records; and, if not, will he cause such inquiries to be made?

This patient was too ill to be questioned, and the vaccination marks, if any, could not be seen because of the rash. His companions stated that he had never been vaccinated. It was subsequently ascertained that the patient's relatives are in Australia and, in present circumstances, the difficulty of getting speedy inquiries through to them there would be very great.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps have been taken in Newfoundland for dealing with wages and with labour disputes; and whether consideration is being given to the establishment of a Fair Wages Board?

The steps taken so far in Newfoundland for dealing with wages and labour disputes are as follow: —

(1) A Woods Labour Board has been established to deal with labour questions in the logging industry by negotiation.

(2) In pursuance of regulations made under the Emergency Powers Act, Dispute Boards are appointed ad hoc to deal with any labour disputes which may arise affecting the prosecution of the war or the economic life of the community.

(3) A Labour Relations Officer and an Assistant have recently been appointed. These officers will form a nucleus of a Labour Department and make a special study of all labour matters.

Apart from the measures taken under (2) above, wages and working conditions have been the subject of voluntary working agreements between trade unions and employers in certain trades and the Government of Newfoundland has endeavoured to promote this development. The Government of Newfoundland is engaged in a review of the Island's labour legislation, and in this connection will examine all types of legislation dealing with labour matters which seem likely to suit local conditions. The Labour Relations Officer has prepared and is discussing with trade unions and employers draft legislation on the lines of the United Kingdom Industrial Courts Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the Reserve of Air Force Officers are not eligible for the Air Efficiency Award?

The Reserve of Air Force Officers is composed mainly of ex-regular officers who are ineligible for the Air Efficiency Award because this Award is intended for civilians who undertook voluntary service in peace-time in the non-regular Air Forces of the Empire. Those members of the R.A.F.O. who joined from civilian life and who subsequently transferred to the R.A.F.V.R. with its greatly increased obligations for training are however entitled to count their service in the R.A.F.O. towards qualification for the Award.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is any difference in the qualifying periods for substantive ranks of non-commissioned officers in the Royal Air Force as compared with the Army?

During the war, all promotions of airmen are to temporary rank, which is the equivalent of war substantive rank in the Army. No period of qualifying service in the acting rank is required before promotion to temporary rank.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he can explain how his Ministry decides on the eligibility of small contractors to handle work of different values; and whether, in view of the fact that Government work to-day is of a very simple character, smaller contractors can be entrusted with work of a higher value?

After consultation with leaders of the different interests in the building and civil engineering industries a formula has been adopted for assessing the ability of firms to undertake further work at any given time. The standard adopted is based upon but not limited to the average annual turnover of the firms during the years 1939 to 1941 and provides for considerably greater elasticity in the case of the smaller firms.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning with what tonnage of fuel it is proposed to stock the bunks at the new Government offices at Camden Park, Tunbridge Wells, where accommodation for some 450 clerks is provided; whether he has any information to controvert expert opinion on the spot that it is impossible to heat a building of this form and structure with economy; whether he is aware that the shading over all the windows in this building will increase the use of artificial light; and why this shading has been done, seeing that adequate blackout curtains have been provided?

The building is of a temporary war-time design and it is recognised that the heat loss from such a building is greater than that from a permanent office block of more substantial construction. This type of construction is justified by the temporary nature of the requirement and the saving in labour and materials. The heating arrangements are as economical as practicable. The capacity of the bunkers is about 200 tons of coke, the present stock being about 195 tons. A reserve of fuel has been accumulated at these premises during the summer, thus releasing transport for winter deliveries to other premises with limited storage. Scrim has been fixed to the windows to protect the occupants against flying glass. This material, which is of no value for blackout, has little effect on the natural lighting of the rooms which, at this building, is exceptionally good.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why the procedure in regard to the purchase of rubber by the Government in Kenya has not been adopted in Tanganyika?

The arrangements for the purchase of rubber in Tanganyika have been adopted after consultation with the Governor as being those best suited to the circumstances of the territory. They are working very satisfactorily.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many women have been appointed since the war in each of the following colonial services: labour inspection, welfare and social services, education, medical officers and nurses; and whether the review, promised by his predecessor on 16th July, 1941, has yet been completed and any action taken?

The information available in the Colonial Office gives the following figures:

Labour Inspection	1
Welfare and Social Services	1
Education	23
Medical	2
Nurses	249

I should emphasise, however, that there are undoubtedly many appointments made locally of which my Noble Friend has not received information. As regards the re-view promised by my predecessor, it was found on further examination that such a review could only be completed by circularising Colonial Governments for information, and it was felt that this would not be justified in present circumstances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps nave been recently taken to secure the closer union of the mandated Cameroons with Nigeria?

No, Sir. The Cameroons under British Mandate are already administered as an integral part of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Mandate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what amounts have been paid out of Nigerian revenues to the Nigerian Properties, Limited, in the years. 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41 and 1941–42, and what is estimated in the current year; what is the basis of calculation of these amounts; how were these interests acquired; and what services are rendered to Nigeria for them?

On the revocation of the Charter of the Royal Niger Company in 1900, one of the conditions under which the rights and possessions of the company were transferred to the Crown was that the company or its assigns should receive for a period of 99 years one half of the revenue derived from the mining industry by the imposition

(i) of a royalty or percentage on the gross value of the minerals gotten and exported; or

(ii) of a tax on profits, or

(iii) of fees for the granting of licences to prospect or mine

over that area of the present Northern Provinces of Nigeria bounded on the west by the River Niger and on the east by a line running direct from Yola to Zinder. The company also derives a half share of mineral rents accruing from exclusive prospecting licences, mining rights and mining leases. The amounts which have been paid to Nigerian Properties, Limited under the terms of the agreement in recent years are as follow:

	£
1938–1939	96,388
1939–1940	127,294
1940–1941	155,998
1941–1942 (revised estimate)	170,000
1942–1943 (estimated)	228,000

The upward trend of the payments is due to the increased revenue derived from the Royalty on tin, one half of which accrues to Nigerian revenues.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that there is an adequate supply of salt available for the people of West Africa; whether there is an effective control over its import in West Africa; and whether the supply can be, made only from the pool of salt manufacturers in this country?

The supply of salt to West Africa has improved considerably in recent months, and I am satisfied that stocks at present available and in transit are sufficient to meet the current needs of the respective colonies. I am kept fully advised at regular intervals regarding the stock available, and the position is under constant review. Adequate steps are taken by the local authorities to control imports. As regards the last part of the Question, supplies are obtained from time to time from the most convenient source and not only from the United Kingdom, and the possibility of increasing local production is also being examined.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to utilise part of the £1,000,000 loan recently floated by the Government of Jamaica to provide relief for unemployment, food shortage, &c, upon engineering schemes; and will he give details and the numbers likely to be employed?

Yes, Sir. Far-reaching plans are in hand for the relief of unemployment in Jamaica by various development schemes. These will partly be financed by the loan referred to. But I cannot at this stage give details of the schemes or the numbers likely to be employed on them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in Jamaica in the census arrangements, the reform of local government and the preparation of new registers of voters; and whether a local government adviser has been appointed to the staff of the comptroller, Sir Frank Stockdale?

The officer appointed to take a census in Jamaica arrived in the Colony at the beginning of June. No information is available as to the progress he has made in his task. It is not proposed to appoint a local government adviser to the staff of the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies. But endeavours are being made to secure an expert in local government affairs to advise the Government of Jamaica on the reform of local administration in the island.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many refugees have been sent from European countries to Kenya; and how are they being maintained?

Apart from some 3,000 persons of Greek nationality who are being temporarily accommodated in Kenya, no refugees are being maintained in that Colony. Other East African Governments have agreed to accept not less than 10,000 Polish civilians an appreciable number of whom are the families of Polish soldiers serving in the Middle East. The cost of maintenance in all these cases is being borne by the Allied Governments concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will give an assurance that in any proposed modification of the Government's Road Haulage Scheme no preferential treatment will be accorded to, nor any monopolistic position conferred on, any particular transport undertakings large or small?

I am happy to assure my hon. Friend that any changes which may be made in the Road Haulage Scheme will be designed to promote the national war effort and not to serve the interest of any particular transport undertaking or classes of undertakings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will withdraw all the silver pieces and have more bronze ones minted?

In present conditions the comparative cost of the metals used is of less importance than the urgent need of the metals in bronze coinage for war purposes. The change would involve labour difficulties and some inconvenience to the public. For these reasons I am afraid that my hon. Friend's suggestion is not practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, under Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, if premises are requisitioned and the owner has to remove machinery and decides to store it, the cost of dismantling, transporting and storing it and the cost of subsequently re-erecting it in the premises is paid; and why, if the owner decides not to store it but to erect and use it in temporary premises, the cost of subsequently re-erecting it in the original premises is not paid and treated under Section 2 (1) (d) of the Act as expenditure incurred in complying with a direction by the Government just as much as in the former case?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I am advised that if in consequence of the requisition of premises the occupier is directed to remove his machinery, its removal and its installation elsewhere are regarded as an expense incurred for the purpose of compliance with a direction given in connection with the taking of possession of the premises; compensation is accordingly paid under Section 2 (1) (d) of the Compensation (Defence) Act. Any further dismantling and re-erection cannot be regarded as being in compliance with such a direction and no compensation is therefore payable in respect thereof.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate relative values of materials delivered and services rendered under Lend-Lease from the United States of America to the British Empire or Great Britain and vice versa up to 30th September, 1942, or convenient date?

I am not in a position to give the figures asked for since our records of the transfers to us under Lend-Lease and of the Reciprocal Aid which we give are not kept on a monetary basis. These transfers are, as stated by President Roosevelt, "contributions to a common pool with which a common war is being waged."