asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any substantial number of unfilled vacancies for the part-time employment of women in South-East London?

No, Sir, except in Bermondsey, where the circumstances are exceptional.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of disquiet in the war industries regarding Government policy on the wages claim of women employed in the engineering and other trades for equal treatment with men in view of the likely further comb-out of men in those industries; and whether Government policy will establish the principle of equal pay for equal work?

Wage claims in respect of women workers should, like other wage claims, be dealt with through industrial negotiating machinery, with recourse to arbitration if necessary.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the piece-rates are the same in these matters?

In certain cases, but much of the work is, of course, new. The piece-rate fixing system is the same in both cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of extending the panels set up to advise the Ministry of Labour in the calling-up of Czechoslovak, Belgian and other Allied subjects to the case of Austrians?

The panels to which my hon. Friend refers are drawn from officials of my Department and of the Allied Governments concerned. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the position as regards Austrians is not analogous.

In view of the very special position of Austrians, does the Minister not consider he might sympathetically consider the possibility of extending these panels to them too?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that in dealing with Allied problems, I must synchronise my action with that of the Foreign Secretary. I try to keep in step as much as I can.

Will the Minister consider getting in touch with the Foreign Secretary?

We are constantly in touch.

Could the Minister not also extend these panels to victims of Nazi oppression of German nationality who have been repudiated by the present German Government?

So far as the International Labour Force is concerned, while these people are not dealt with on the basis of Allied Government arrangements, it must not be assumed that they are neglected. They are dealt with through the International Labour Branch of my Ministry.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners prosecuted in the courts for absenteeism and loss of output under the Mining Industry Essential Work Order; the number fined; and the number sent to terms of imprisonment?

The figures asked for up to the end of August, 1942, are as follow:—The number prosecuted for absence from work without reasonable excuse or for persistent lateness was 572. Of these, 430 were fined 115 sentenced to imprisonment and 12 bound over. Fifteen cases were dismissed. The number prosecuted for failing to comply with lawful and reasonable orders or for persistent behaviour at work impeding effective production was 3. Of these 2 were fined and I sentenced to imprisonment. The number prosecuted for leaving without permission was 37. Of these, 20 were fined, 13 sentenced to imprisonment and 3 bound over. One case was dismissed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in these cases the miner is at the mercy of local magistrates who have no knowledge of the work in the mining industry and who may be influenced by their patriotic feelings; also does he consider that sending men to prison is the most effective way of dealing with this problem of absenteeism?

I must remind my hon. Friend that in these cases affecting miners, I act in consultation with the Ministry of Fuel and on the advice of pit production committees. On that footing, after they have dealt with the cases, and they report a case as being one in which there is absolute refusal to obey the discipline of their own men, I am asked to take action. I must then carry out the law. The final sanction under the Defence Regulations is imprisonment, and I cannot interfere with that.

rose—

The Minister has answered the Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate percentage of the scheduled hours which employees in the light engineering industry failed to work over the most recent convenient period?

I presume my hon. Friend refers in his Question to the extent of absenteeism in the light engineering industry. I regret that the specific information for which he asks is not available in my Department.

Does not the Minister think that in order that this matter may be assessed more accurately, it is important that his Department should obtain statistics from industry?

The statistics of actual absenteeism are collected by the Production Department.

Is it not possible, say next week, for the Minister to bring in an Order in Council that all workmen shall be chained to their benches, so that they will not require to go home to have any sleep at all?

Is not that rather reactionary?

asked the Minister of Labour in how many cases from 1st July, 1942, up to the latest convenient date have National Service officers in the Birmingham area been requested by works committees to take proceedings against habitual absentees or latecomers; in how many cases during that period have such proceedings been instituted; and the number of convictions which have been recorded?

I am obtaining the requested information and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the programme for employing women in the shipbuilding and allied industries is now in operation; and whether he will now instruct employment exchanges to give the necessary green cards to women who have an offer of employment in a shipyard or workshop engaged in manufacture for the shipyards?

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part of the Question, it is not now necessary for women over the age of 30 to obtain green cards before taking employment. As regards others, I cannot undertake that green cards would be issued irrespective of circumstances, since this would destroy all control over the supply of labour, but they are given in all proper cases.

Is the Minister not aware that even last week girls who had received an offer of employment in the shipyards and who went for green cards were refused green cards or were given them only as temporary workers? These girls come of shipbuilding families. Will he not reconsider his answer?

No, Sir; the point raises the whole basis of our man-power policy, and I cannot make exceptions. I must have the use of the mobile women, and men, in the districts where they are most urgently needed.

Has the Minister himself, or those for whom he is responsible, not stated, in a leaflet issued by the Ministry, that the demand for female labour in the heavy industries has practically been met? Therefore, why should this policy be contiaued? The leaflet relates to "Wartime employment of women in shipbuilding and allied industries." It was issued by the Ministry in last week's "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

I am not aware of the leaflet without looking at it; our Department, like others, issues so many of them. But I repeat, with emphasis, that on this question of utilising the mobile personnel of the country in places where preference and priorities are decided, I cannot yield on that point.

I understood the Minister to say that this refers only to women under 30. Is he aware that women over 30 have been refused the green card in Glasgow for engineering work? Would he not reconsider the case of women over 30 in this matter?

If the hon. Member will, send me particulars of cases where this Regulation has not been properly carried out, I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the large numbers of small employers and one-man businesses in the catering industry who are now in the Fighting Services or in war industries and who are therefore unable to give proper consideration to his proposals for controlling the catering industry; and what steps he proposes to take to obtain their views before taking further action in the matter?

In accordance with the normal practice in matters of this kind, I am obtaining the views of employers through representative employers' organisations.

Is it not very desirable that the voice of the small men in the industry, many of whom may not be represented by such organisations, should be considered, especially in view of the fact that so many of them are the pioneers of all forms of private enterprise?

As far as I can gather, this trade is pretty well organised on the employers' side. The trouble is it is not well organised on the workpeople's side. That is what makes it so difficult to consult both sides.

I take it there is no objection to one-man businesses joining an employers' organisation?

Not at all.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to a resolution adopted by the Manchester City Council protesting against the calling-up for the Armed Forces of persons known to be suffering from tuberculosis; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the protest from the Manchester City Council to the effect that, within the city 328 cases discharged from the Forces have been referred to the local health authority for treatment for tuberculosis; that 39' cases of men suffering from that disease were known locally before enlistment and that four such cases were known to his Ministry before being called up; and what reply he has tendered to the Council's protest?

I have not yet received the resolution referred to, but inquiry is being made.

Is the Minister aware that during the discussion by the Manchester City Council it was stated that 328 men had been discharged from the Forces suffering from tuberculosis, that 39 were known to be suffering from tuberculosis prior to enlistment, and that four were even notified to his Ministry prior to enlistment? Does not that represent a shameful state of affairs that does harm to the national cause?

I have not read the report. Until I received this Question I did not know that the discussion had taken place. I have sent for a full report of what was said, and I cannot prejudge the matter. When I have the report I must consult the medical boards which passed these men.

It is over a week since this Question was handed in?

Why does the Minister not adopt a suggestion which has been made very often? As the full medical records of the vast majority of men joining the Forces are to be found in approved society records, why does he not consult them before the men are taken into the Forces?

My hon. Friend knows there is nothing which represents such poor information on medical conditions as approved society certificates.

The right hon. Gentleman has been a secretary of one?

Yes, I have.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Northfield Nursing Home, Rugby, is in danger of having to close down through lack of staff; that this is the only private nursing home in the town and that the local hospital has no maternity block; and whether, in these circumstances, he will cause labour to be directed to the nursing home in order to enable it to continue to function?

I am making inquiries immediately and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any information about the mass radiology in the cure of tuberculosis and diseases of the chest; what is the cost of the apparatus; are local authorities called up to pay the Purchase Tax; and whether the Government will make a grant or allow a special loan to be made for the purchase of these instruments?

On the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the recent report of the Committee of the Medical Research Council on tuberculosis in war-time. The production of the standard apparatus has not yet reached a stage at which its cost can be closely determined, but it is expected to be in the region of £1,500. Apparatus of this kind is not, I understand, subject to Purchase Tax. It is not proposed to make special grants towards this particular item of cost to those county councils and county borough councils who will be concerned, but, as indicated in the statement which I made in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 8th October, substantial Exchequer assistance is being given towards the cost of the treatment of tuberculosis.

Is the scheme for training doctors and mechanics to deal with this most complicated apparatus in full swing and able to keep pace with the supply of instruments?

That point was dealt with in the answer I gave. The answer is, "Yes."

asked the Minister of Health the percentage incidence of tuberculosis attributable to animal disease in London, where most of the milk is pasteurised, as compared with areas in which there is little or no pasteurisation?

I have not at hand information in the form asked for by my hon. Friend. I am making inquiries, and win communicate with him as soon as possible.

Although the Minister has not the exact figures, would he make it clear to the House that, as his medical advisers have repeatedly stated, pasteurisation will reduce the incidence of tuberculosis?

Is the Minister aware that there are other opinions on that point? Does he like this cooked stuff?

I am quite aware that there are varying opinions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to give full publicity to the statement in the Report of the Ministry of Health to the effect that only pasturised milk, or milk boiled at home if pasteurised milk cannot be bought, should be drunk?

The Report has already received a good deal of publicity, and I hope my hon. Friend's Question will draw further attention to it. The advice referred to has several times been given publicly from the Ministry, and I shall not neglect to repeat it on appropriate occasions.

Is the Minister going to adopt positive methods similar to those which have been given publicity in regard to immunisation?

I have answered the Question.

Will the Minister assure me that the failure to adopt those methods is not the result of his desire to protect those interests which are selling infected milk?

My hon. Friend may have that assurance and may put the suspicion out of her mind. I am concerned solely with the health of the people.

So am I.

Is it not quite legal to sell infected milk, but illegal to sell infected water?

Is it not a fact that T.T. milk can be sold without pasteurisation?

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of diphtheria notified during this year; whether this shows an increase; whether the proportion of cases proving fatal shows an increase; and what steps are taken, or contemplated, to combat this disease?

The number of cases of diphtheria notified during the first three-quarters of this year was 29,939. This represents a decrease of about 6,500 on the corresponding period last year. The provisional mortality figures for the first half of 1942 show a decrease of 8 per cent. on the corresponding figures for 1941. As the disease is most prevalent among children, it is being combated by the Government's policy of advocating immunisation of all children under 15, which has already resulted in the immunisation of over 3,000,000 children since the beginning of 1940, and the expansion of which is being actively pursued.

Does ray right hon. Friend expect to get sufficient children immunised by propaganda alone, against the counter-propaganda of interested agencies financed by sentimental old women?

Yes, I expect propaganda methods to be sufficient.

Is the Minister aware that all his efforts so far have not reduced the death rate at all?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of miners in Nottinghamshire certified by the certifying surgeons as suffering with dermatitis during the past 12 months; the number of cases examined by the medical referee on appeal by the employers; and in how many cases has the decision of the certifying surgeons been reversed by the medical referee during the same period?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. The number of cases examined by the medical referee on appeal by the employers, during the 12 months ending 30th September last, in all employments was 80, of which number 54 were allowed. The returns do not show how many of these cases were miners.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the rise in reportable accidents in factories for the year 1941, fatal accidents having increased by 20 per cent. and non-fatal by 17 per cent., he has considered the desirability of setting up safety committees in factories; and whether these will be ancillary to production committees?

Safety committees in factories with a substantial number of accidents have been advocated for many years and have often proved highly successful, but merely to set up a committee without the active support of the management and its members may not be the best method of promoting safety. The best safety organisation for a particular factory, including its relationship to any production committee, is a matter for consideration between the management and representatives of the workers.

Do I understand that the Minister is pursuing this matter in that direction?

Yes, I have, if I may say so, been pursuing it for years.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish monthly in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" the receipts and expenditure of the Unemployment Fund and the expenditure of the Assistance Board in respect of unemployment?

These particulars were so published up to last March. It was then decided, in the interests of economy of paper, to publish them once a quarter. The next quarterly return will appear in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for October.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that no American military personnel on duty in any foreign country may marry without written permission issued under the authority of the United States Army commander and that an American soldier who marries without such approval will be liable to trial by court-martial; and whether he will make sure that all registrars of marriages are aware of these facts;

(2) whether he will inform registrars of marriage and women's organisations that in the event of an American soldier on foreign service in this country being given permission to marry no special living arrangements will be made; no marriage allowance will be payable or privileges granted in lieu thereof; and the wife will not become a United States citizen by virtue of her marriage nor will she be allowed to accompany her husband on change of station or on his return to the United States of America?

I am aware of the facts stated. Superintendent registrars and registrars of marriages have already received instuctions as to the necessity for the permission of the United States military authorities to the marriage of United States military personnel in this country. Notice is being given to those officers of the disabilities attaching to the wife of a United States soldier who marries, even by permission, while on service in this country, particulars of which became available after the issue of the instructions referred to. It is, however, far more important that the public should be widely informed of the nature of these disabilities; and I have no doubt that the hon. and gallant Member's Questions and this reply will contribute materially to this object.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I put down these Questions in all good will to our gallant Allies and solely to ensure that our girls should know exactly what the position was before embarking on a course which would affect the whole of their future lives?

I am sure that that will be understood, and I think my answer shows that I fully understand it.

Is the Minister aware that girls marrying American soldiers do not become American citizens, and will not be eligible for marriage and other allowances, and that they will not be allowed to enter the United States, but will be held up at Ellis Island as aliens?

My hon. Friend is simply repeating the Question which I have already answered.

Will these instructions invalidate the marriages?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the, part-time clerk to the Elland Urban District Council has received compensation for loss of office upon relinquishing his position as part-time clerk to be replaced by a full-time clerk when Elland Urban District Council amalgamated with the urban district of Greetland and Stainland; that the part-time clerk to the Sowerby Bridge Urban District Council has been refused compensation for loss of office due to similar reasons upon amalgamation with the urban district of Midgley and Luddenden Foot; and whether he will take steps to have the provisions of the County of York West Riding Review Orders, 1937 and 1939, applied equally to each case?

I have no jurisdiction in regard to compensation payable under the Orders mentioned except on an appeal to me in accordance with the provisions of the Fourth Schedule to the Local Government Act, 1933. The first case referred to has not come before me. The second case was the subject of an appeal, but, as the officer concerned was not transferred by either of the Orders, the provisions in the Orders relating to relinquishment of office within five years were not applicable, and accordingly the appeal failed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the grave shortage of houses in rural areas; that this position has been accentuated during the war by the extended area of production; and what action is being taken now to deal with this shortage, apart from the setting up of a Committee?

Yes, Sir; but any general schemes for the building of new houses must at present be suspended owing to the need for diverting all available labour and materials to works of vital strategic importance. The Government are, however, continuing to give facilities to local authorities for the erection of individual new houses which are essential in the interests of war-time food production, and for the reconditioning of existing houses occupied by agricultural workers.

Is the Minister aware of the increased demand for houses in these areas? If nothing is to be done, apart from the Committee, when may we expect the Committee to report?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. What we are working on at the moment are plans for the future. I am pointing out that there is no lack of understanding of the urgency of the problem. The sole question is when we can get labour and material which are not required for these great building enterprises of strategic importance.

Is the Minister aware that the Minister of Works and Planning recently stated that available labour will be available very shortly?

On a point of Order, The Minister does not deal with the latter part of the Question, which expressly asks what action is being taken now.

I suggest that that is incorrect. If my hon. Friend will read the answer he will see the two particular cases in which I simply stated what has actually been done.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to appoint pensions appeal tribunals, in view of the fact that medical men of suitable training and experience are now available?

A few doctors well qualified for pension work have recently become available and have been engaged by my Department to meet its increasing requirements and to replace younger men released for service with the Forces, but the evidence shows that the general position is becoming more rather than less difficult. Therefore, I can only repeat my undertaking to set up Pensions Appeal Tribunals as soon as practicable.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that considerable numbers of medical men who have been serving in the Armed Forces become available at regular intervals when seniority or the fact that they had held certain rank for a period of four years necessitates their retirement; that they are men of long service, administrative experience and high medical standing and that at the present time these gentlemen are very often not able to find suitable work and could be placed as members of pensions appeal tribunals with very great advantage to themselves and to the country?

My Director of Medical Services is in constant touch with the Director of the Medical Services of the Armed Forces. Doctors who have been discharged from these Forces have been sent along to my Department, they have been interviewed, and, as I said in my answer to the Question, they have been employed. W can do with more of them. I can assure my hon. Friend that we keep in the closest touch with all the Service medical departments, and we take into our employment all who are available and are suitable.

Is the Minister aware that quite a number of the Members of this House are wholly dissatisfied with the position, and is he prepared to submit the evidence to which he referred to a committee of Members or to his Advisory Committee?

Certainly, I am just as dissatisfied as the hon. and gallant Member, but you cannot make bricks without straw, and until I get the right men I cannot do anything.

That is precisely what the right hon. Gentleman can do.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment in view of the very unsatisfactory reply of the Minister.

asked the Minister of Pensions by what amounts the weekly sums paid as War Service Grants to Service men's wives who are also in receipt of children's allowances are to be adjusted and reduced when the new rates of pay and allowances become operative; and can he state the reasons for this decision?

The purpose of a War Service Grant is either to provide a certain minimum standard of living for the families of serving men or to assist men who, by reason of their service, are unable to meet commitments in excess of that minimum. The new rates of pay of men serving in the Armed Forces will not affect the amount of any War Service Grant of which their wives are in receipt. The increased children's allowances will, however, form part of the family's income and will either reduce the amount by which that income is below the minimum standard of 16s. per unit, after reasonable commitments have been met, or narrow the gap between the family's position prior to and during service. Thus in either case the increase alters the basis for the calculation of a War Service Grant and this alteration cannot be ignored. As existing grants are reviewed this factor must be taken into account along with other factors which affect the family income. As various factors come into the calculation of a War Service Grant it is: not possible to say by what amount any particular grant will be affected. Some will be reduced, some may remain unchanged, whilst there will be cases where the increase due to other factors may be greater than the reduction due to the increased allowances.

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, is he aware that when the statement was made by the Lord Privy Seal in this House some weeks ago that children's allowances were to be increased, Service men's wives believed that that would be the fact, and that they now feel that they have been cheated, and his departmental arithmetic will not explain away why these grants are not to be added to the wives' income?

There is no question of anybody being cheated at all. The statement was made quite clearly in this House at the time of the announcement of the increase, that in calculating the family income all the income must be taken into account, and I am going to deal with these cases when they come up for review. I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall take a very broad and generous view in this matter, but you cannot possibly separate the (increased allowance for a child from the family income.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate how unsatisfactory it is that an increase in Service men's pay and allowances should not result in any increase in the family income?

That shows that my hon. Friend has not listened to my answer. Increasing the pay of the men has no effect whatever. The only thing we have to take into account is the family income, and these grants were instituted to make up deficiencies. We shall continue to make up the deficiencies, but it would be unfair to others if we did not take into account the total family income.

Would it be possible for the Minister to put the matter right by raising the minimum allowance from 16s. to 17s., so that these cases, which are the poorest cases, would be better off and everybody would feel satisfied?

My hon. Friend has made a suggestion which is worth considering, and I will certainly go into that, because it does not affect the general situation and rule in this matter.

How much of the £43,000,000 is going to be saved by this arithmetical gymnastics?

It is not a question of how much of the £43,000,000 is going to be saved but a question of making up deficiencies.

I feel that I must raise the whole question on the Adjournment, in view of the unsatisfactory answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a widow, Mrs. Alice Sheridan, 40, Dunmore Street, Glasgow, has been refused a War Service Grant on the ground that her son, James Sheridan, joined the Royal Air Force before the outbreak of war; that this woman's total income is £1 per week; and whether he will reconsider this case?

A War Service Grant could be issued only if it were shown that the serving man could not meet his pre-war obligations as a result of his war service, but this man has been serving on a regular engagement since 1938, and his war service has not lessened his ability to help his mother as compared with his position in 1939.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why a man who joined the Air Force before the war should be treated differently from a man who has joined since the war: and does he think it is a defensible position that this man's mother should be dependent upon drawing Poor Law relief, whereas if he had joined the, Air Force since the war she would have been eligible for grant?

No, not necessarily. The qualification is whether his ability to help his mother has been lessened by virtue of the fact of his war service, and in this case it has not, and that is the main condition that decides.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Government at the time that this man joined the Air Force were appealing for recruits and that he left his apprenticeship and joined, but that if he had continued his apprenticeship and joined later, the mother would have got a grant and have been freed from the taint of Poor Law relief? Is it not an indefensible twist that the Minister has made? Can he defend the position of placing a mother and sole dependant of a man who has joined before his time in a worse position than if he had joined since?

I can assure the hon. Member that I. am not twisting. I have dealt with this case fully and sympathetically. I can only deal with it according to the powers we possess, and according to these powers it is impossible to make a grant.

Is it because conscripts are treated better than volunteers throughout the Services?

Because of the unsatisfactory reply I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment, not only concerning this case but generally the question of men who joined the Air Force voluntarily before the war being treated worse than if they had joined since the war.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of altering the present system of the entry of nationality in certificates of registration, so that those Austrians who left Austria after September, 1938, may be placed in the same position as those who left before, thus giving them Austrian and not German nationality?

The change in present practice suggested by my hon. Friend would not bring about any change in an alien's status or treatment in this country. Whether an individual is registered as an Austrian or as a German, he is in present circumstances an alien of enemy nationality.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some air raid precautions casualty services in rural districts in Gloucestershire are still with-out steel helmets, respirators or uniforms, and that local officials have hitherto not been instructed to sanction their issue; and what the policy of his Department is in this matter?

I am informed that the numbers of steel helmets and respirators held by the Gloucestershire County Council are sufficient for all the members of Civil Defence general services entitled to them. The provision of uniforms is at the discretion of the county council within set limits, and I understand that all uniforms ordered from my Department have been supplied. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the shortages which he has in mind, I will make inquiries, but if he is referring to personnel attending first aid points, the only equipment at present authorised is steel helmets for a limited number.

asked the Home Secretary what modifications he has decided to make in regard to the obligations which he has placed upon women for fire-watching on business premises?

I am considering whether any modifications in regard to this and other matters in the Fire Prevention Orders are called for, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

While considering this matter, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind particularly the rather more objectionable form of incendiary bomb which is now being used and which requires the whole view of the Department towards fire watching to be reviewed?

Yes, Sir, but we have dealt with that, and suitable advice has been issued. We have still to fight fires and prevent them as much as we can.

When does my right hon. Friend expect to announce his decision?

I do not know.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the assurance given that, in carrying out the plan for the release of whole-time Civil Defence workers to productive industry, care would be taken to defer discharge until the Ministry of Labour could find employment for the persons concerned is operating to prevent local authorities from reducing their whole-time establishment in the ordinary course of establishment revision, where this could be done without loss of efficiency by the substitution of part-time volunteers or persons directed into part-time service by the Ministry of Labour; and whether he will take prompt steps to remedy this?

No, Sir. My assurance was not intended to refer to redundant personnel, and I think the House will agree that where local authorities can maintain or increase the efficiency of their Civil Defence organisation by an increased use of part-timers, it would not be in the public interest to retain any full-time workers so rendered redundant. To remove any doubts, I am issuing a circular to this effect to the scheme-making authorities, with an intimation that they may give surplus personnel up to a month's notice to facilitate absorption into industry of those whose qualifications for other employment are not in immediate demand.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue a circular to local councils intimating that where they permit the opening of cinemas on Sundays it should be subject to the condition that the programmes of the day are approved by the licensing authorities?

No, Sir. I think this is a matter which must be left to the discretion of the licensing authorities, who, I believe, generally require that all films to be exhibited must have received the certificate of the British Board of Film Censors.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that where local authorities do exercise supervision of Sunday programmes the general effect has been to tone them up and to eliminate those of a debasing tendency?

I do not know about that, but I think it would be a highly inconvenient arrangement if licensees exhibited their films to local authorities. It would, no doubt, be a pleasant thing for members of the local authorities, but I cannot believe that it would be in the public interest.

If films are allowed to be shown during the week, is there any reason why they should not be shown on Sunday?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that it is a common practice in the cinema industry to reduce the number of the lower-priced seats and increase the number of higher-priced seats, thereby inflicting hardship on the public, especially at peak times in the performances; and whether he will take powers, if necessary, by legislation to regulate these prices?

I understand that the practice in some cinemas of varying prices giving price concession during slack periods is of long standing. In London the licensing authority has dealt with the matter and presumably other licensing authorities can do the same. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no question of a price concession, and that the price of the seat is the same all through the sitting? Is he aware that the complaint which I have received from a good many constituents is that seats which used to be obtainable at a certain price have now had their price increased by double the amount of the increase in the tax imposed by the Chancellor? Is there any Department which can deal with this continuous profiteering ramp by cinema proprietors?

I have indicated that the matter has already been dealt with in London by the London County Council, and presumably other licensing authorities could do the same thing. I think my hon. Friend had better take the matter up with the local licensing authorities.

Could not my right hon. Friend insist that the principle applied in London of exhibiting outside cinemas a chart showing the seats and prices should obtain throughout the whole of the licensing authorities of the country? Would not that be more satisfactory?

That would involve legislation; and I do not think we can stop for legislation of that sort. Moreover, it is not a bad thing if some degree of local self-government remains.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of one month's imprisonment passed on Reginald Brown, of Melksham, for not attending Home Guard parades; and whether he will take immediate steps to remit this sentence?

I would refer to the reply given on Tuesday to the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovem).

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of Mr. Hemmerde at the Liverpool Quarter Sessions recently that he was confident that beating up of arrested men in bridewells does go on; and whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will call for a report in regard to the recent allegation of the Recorder of Liverpool asserting that arrested men are beaten by the police in order to extract admissions?

I need not assure the House that I take the most serious view of any suggestion that there has been maltreatment by the police of any person in custody. Accordingly, as soon as I saw the newspaper account I called for a report from the Chief Constable and I have ascertained that a defendant who was before the Court on 8th October handed a written statement to the learned Recorder alleging that he had been ill-treated while he was in police custody after his arrest on the night of 29th July, more than two months earlier. The defendant in question had not previously made a complaint to any person in authority, though he has had opportunities to do so when he was before the Magistrate on three occasions before his committal to Quarter Sessions; and his allegations were denied on oath by the police officers whom he mentioned as being concerned. According to the newspaper reports the learned Recorder referred to other statements of a similar character which had reached him and in order that every effort may be made to investigate the matter I am communicating with the learned Recorder and asking him to help me by giving me any information in his possession on which his remarks were based.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an official proclamation to the effect that henceforth Malta should be known and addressed as Malta G.C. would meet with general approval; and will he make the necessary announcement?

No, Sir. My information does not disclose any such general wish.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet come to a final decision as to the advisability of having a War Cabinet composed of Ministers without other Departmental responsibilities?

Yes, Sir. I am opposed to such an arrangement for reasons which I have fully explained to the House. But another Government might take a different view.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that such a task is beyond the capacity even of supermen, let alone, let us say, quite ordinary men such as surround himself? Does he not think that by shouldering this intolerable burden of dual responsibilities it is impossible for his colleagues to discharge them both effectively?

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in establishing a unified command or control of the Fighting Services in each theatre of war?

Progress in improving and refining our methods of conducting the war is our constant aim, and is I hope continual, but I have at present no further statement to make upon the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to take any action to prevent any further deportation of Channel Islanders and other British subjects therein resident, to Germany and other countries in enemy occupation; and whether any effort has been made by the Allies to prevent the transfer of food from the islands and to intercept the transport of troops to and from the Channel Islands?

I assure my hon. Friend that we do what we can to beat the enemy.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that letters arrive here that the Germans come and go without any attempt being made to stop them?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of Channel Islanders compulsorily evacuated to Germany and other countries since the German occupation?

Every effort is being made to obtain as full information as possible about this matter, but I am not as yet in a position to add, anything to the answer which I gave last week.

Did not my right hon. Friend intimate, in that reply, that there was no contact between him and the War Office, so that he did not know what was happening?

I do not think my answer indicated that.

In seeking for information, will my right hon. Friend try to find out whether Channel Islanders have been sent to forced labour in Germany, or into internment, or whether they are at large there?

Inquiries are being made about all those matters.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to mark our gratitude for the continuing resistance of Greek guerilla forces, he will consider the transfer of the Elgin Marbles to the Greek Government for restoration to their original site after the war?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on 23rd January, 1941, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir).

Would these Marbles exist at all if they had not been brought to London?

I think I will stick to my reply by reference.

asked the Paymaster-General whether he is now in a position to say when the Beveridge Report on Social Insurance will be made available to the House?

As I said yesterday in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), Sir William Beveridge's report is expected in a few weeks' time and will be published as soon as it is received.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend understand that those of us who are especially interested in old age pensions are looking forward to this Report and hope it will be available soon?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will reconsider the proposal to place disabled ex-Service men poultry keepers in the same category as the blind respecting supplementary rations for their flocks?

I regret that the hon. Member's suggestion is not practicable.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations concerning this matter from interested organisations?

I have had representations from a number of quarters about the hardships involved, but the rations are not available to enable me to alleviate those hardships.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied with the general conduct and volume of work performed by the Italian prisoners now engaged in agricultural production?

On the whole, yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the recommendation in paragraph 541, page 90, of the Scott Report, that the Government should lay down a definite agricultural policy for five years now in order that utilisation of the land in rural areas can be proceeded with; and whether he will take immediate steps to that end to give confidence to owners and farmers to carry on with full production from their soil?

Post-war agricultural policy is under consideration together with the other matters referred to in the Scott Report. I am not in a position at present to make any further statement.

Does my right hon. Friend realise the importance of letting owners and farmers know what part they are to play in any new planning of rural England after the war?

As I said recently, the really important thing is for people to get on with production and not to worry about other matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the various interests concerned have now made arrangements for the admission of members of the Women's Land Army to all canteens open to women in the other Services or whether restrictions still apply; and what steps he is taking to remove them?

Members of the Women's Land Army in uniform are now admitted to all Service canteens which appear on the list submitted by the Women's Land Army of canteens to which admission is desired. The list is subject to revision by the Women's Land Army from time to time.

asked the President of the Board of Education how often preparatory and private schools, religious or otherwise, for young people are visited in the course of a school session for the purpose of checking attendances; whether any steps are taken to inquire into absences from school; and what action follows long absences and irregular attendance not due to health reasons?

The inspection of preparatory and private schools is carried out at the request of the school by His Majesty's Inspectors under Sections 134 or 147 of the Education Act, 1921, for the purpose of determining the efficiency of the school. No periodical visits are paid to such schools for the purpose of checking attendances nor are inquiries made into the absence of pupils from school. If the local education authority of the area has reason to believe that individual pupils are not receiving efficient elementary instruction, it is open to them to take proceedings under Section 43 of the Education Act, 1921.

Who gives the local authorities information about non-attendance at these schools?