asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases and the

Industry Group.	Number of disputes in progress in September.			Number of workpeople involved in all disputes in progress in month.	Aggregate duration in working days of all disputes in progress in month.
	Started before beginning of month.	Started in month.	Total.
Mining and quarrying	2	26	2S	3,900	7,000
Metal, engineering and shipbuilding	6	59	65	9,900	22,000
Textile	—	8	8	3,400	10,000
Transport	—	14	14	5,000	11,000
Other industries	1	16	17	2,800	3,000
Total	9	123	132	25,000	53,000

Causes.—Of the 123 disputes beginning in September, 40, directly involving 7,500 workpeople, arose out of demands for advances in wages, 4, directly involving 400 workpeople, out of proposed reductions in wages, and 30, directly involving 7,800 workpeople, on other wage questions; 5, directly involving 600 workpeople, on questions as to working hours; 23, directly involving 5,000 workpeople, on questions respecting the employment of particular classes or persons; 18, directly involving 1,300 workpeople, on other questions respecting working arrangements; and 3, directly involving 400 workpeople, on questions of trade union principle.Duration.—Fifty-three of these stoppages lasted one day, 33 lasted two days, 17 lasted three days, 9 lasted four days, and the other 11 lasted for varying periods ranging from five to thirteen working days.Of the 9 stoppages which began before September and continued into that month, 2 lasted two days (viz, 31st August and 1st September) and the other 7 lasted for varying periods ranging from five to twenty-four days (partly in August and partly in September).

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons at present gainfully employed in Great Britain?

Precise figures of the number of gainfully "occupied" persons can only be obtained from a census of the population but from such information as is available it is estimated that the total number, including those in the Forces, is of the order of 23,500,000. The figure includes an appropriate allowance for persons employed on a part-time basis.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st October, 1942, col. 905, Vol. 383] supplied the following statement:

asked the Minister of Production what steps he is taking to survey the capacity of the large number of industrial units throughout the country, not classified as engineering works but which could undertake some form of munition work; whether he is aware that many such units are now doing work of national importance in addition to their normal activities, with the result that local labour is employed and not sent away to other parts of the country; and whether his plans recently announced are designed to make full use of all such undertakings?

The assessment of capacity in their regions is one of the principal duties of the regional boards. Their primary task must, of course, be to make full use of the capacity in the engineering industry; but they are always seeking to arrange for munitions production where-ever it can be undertaken without impairing other essential production or wasting labour or other resources.

asked the Minister of Information what alteration has been made, or is contemplated, in the personnel of his headquarters staff and the British Broadcasting Corporation of those of military and National Service age consequent upon the findings and/or recommendations of the Kennet Committee as applied to his department?

The recommendations of the Kennet Committee for the Civil Service in general are, of course, applied to the Ministry and, as a consequence, members of the staff have been released to the Services and others have had their calling up deferred. On the recommendation of the Kennet Committee, the age of reservation of certain grades of the B.B.C. staff has been raised to 35. Under this decision well over 100 men have been released for the Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons of military age in universities, students and staff, are now exempt from military service; and whether he is satisfied that such exemptions apply only to those students and staff whose teaching and studies are related to those professions which are helpful in the prosecution of the war?

There are no exemptions except those provided by Statute. As regards deferments or reservations the arrangements are carefully designed to secure the object described in the second part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Information whether he has asked local committees for a comprehensive report on the public interest in post-war reconstruction and an indication of the direction and strength of public opinion on post-war problems?

My right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General has asked the Ministry of Information to provide an indication of the direction and strength of public interest in reconstruction problems, with the study of which he is charged. Help has been given in this inquiry by a certain number of local information committees, but they have not been asked for any comprehensive report.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is satisfied that journalists serving in His Majesty's Forces have suffi- cient opportunities to use their ability and experience to supply him with a picture of the achievements of our fighting men; and whether he is satisfied that we use these men's training for publicity purposes as fully as our Allies are now doing?

The use to be made of journalists serving in the Forces is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friends in charge of the Service Departments. For myself I am always anxious to see the fullest possible opportunities given for publicity purposes, both to accredited war correspondents and to journalists serving in public relations units.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of public apprehension about matters daily appearing in certain sections of the Press, he will introduce legislation to indicate the source from which the information is derived, and to provide that all articles in various sections of the Press shall have a star or other indication mark to show that they are the work of the Press relations officers and paid publicity agents?

British editors are of a robust breed. Their wastepaper baskets have usually been the receptacles of matter submitted by paid publicity agents. And though editors give patient consideration to the suggestions made by public relations officers they show an acute sense of discrimination in dealing with this spate of words. And so I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion. The less the Government meddles with the duties of editors the better.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to the cartoons depicting the German leaders horrified about the tying of the hands of prisoners of war by the British, while behind them are a string of corpses hung by cords from their necks; and whether he will consider dropping copies by aeroplane in all the countries on the North Sea and Channel?

I should like to thank the hon. Member for his suggestion and will see that it receives consideration.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the persons who were at the time Members of the House of Commons and who have spoken on the British Broadcasting Corporation service during the war, indicating the number of occasions on which each such hon. Member has spoken?

One hundred and sixty-six Members of the House of Commons have broadcast in B.B.C. services since the beginning of the war. The total number of broadcasts so given is 1,321. I append the complete list.

Broadcasts by members of the House of Commons
	Number of talks
Acland, Sir Richard	2
Adams, Major Vyvyan	1
Adamson, Mrs. J. L.	1
Alexander, the Rt. Hon. A. V.	23
Amery, the Rt. Hon. L. S.	39
Ammon. C. G.	1
Anderson, the Rt. Hon. Sir John	2
Assheton, Ralph	4
Astor, Viscountess	4
Attlee, the Rt. Hon. C R.	17
Balfour, Captain the Rt. Hon. Harold	4
Banfield, J. W.	1
Bartlett, Vernon	162
Baxter, A. Beverley	13
Beechman, Captain N. A.	8
Benn, the Rt. Hon. Wedgwood (Viscount Stansgate)	2
Bevan, Aneurin	2
Bevin, the Rt. Hon. Ernest	21
Boothby, Robert	5
Braithwaite, Lt.-Commander G.	1
Brooke, Henry	13
Brown, the Rt. Hon. Ernest	11
Brown, W. J.	2
Burgin, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Leslie	9
Butler, the Rt. Hon. R. A.	11
Campbell, Sir Edward	1
Cazalet, Colonel Victor	8
Cazalet Keir, Mrs. Thelma	5
Chamberlain, the late Rt. Hon. Neville	9
Chapman, A.	1
Churchill, the Rt. Hon. Winston	33
Cooper, the Rt. Hon. A. Duff	22
Colville, the Rt. Hon. John	2
Cranborne, the Rt. Hon. Viscount	2
Cripps, the Rt. Hon. Sir Stafford	11
Crookshank, Captain the Rt. Hon. H F. C	1
Cross, the Rt. Hon. Sir Ronald	27
Dalton, the Rt. Hon. Hugh	7
Dorman-Smith, Colonel the Rt. Hon. Sir R.	4
Drewe, Cedric	7
Ede, J. Chuter	1
Eden, the Rt. Hon. Anthony	20
Edwards, A.	1
Elliot, the Rt. Hon. Walter	51
Erskine-Hill, A. S.	2
Evans, D. O.	1
FitzRoy, Captain the Rt. Hon. E. A.	1
Foot, D. M	3
Fletcher, Lt.-Commander R. (Lord Winster)	3

	Number of talks
Fraser, Captain Sir Ian	2
Gammans, Captain L. D.	9
Gower, Sir Robert	1
Green, W. H.	1
Greenwood, the Rt. Hon. Arthur	21
Grenfell, D. R.	11
Griffiths, James	12
Grigg, Sir E	3
Guest, Dr. Haden	1
Hall, the Rt. Hon. G. H.	2
Hely-Hutchinson. M. R	1
Henderson (Major), A.	3
Herbert, A. P	8
Herbert, the Rt. Hon. Sir Dennis	1
Hicks, George	22
Hill, Professor A. V.	7
Hoare, Lt.-Colonel the Rt. Hon. Sir Samuel	4
Hore-Belisha, the Rt. Hon. L.	2
Horsbrugh, Florence	8
Hudson, the Rt. Hon. R. S.	9
Hughes, R. M	4
Isaacs, G.	1
John, Will	1
Johnston, the Rt. Hon. Tom	4
Johnstone, Harcourt	1
Jones, A. Creech	4
Keeling, Squadron Leader E. H.	1
Kendall, W. D	1
Key, C. W.	2
King-Hall, Commander Stephen	61
Kirkwood, David	3
Lakin, Cyril	5
Law, Richard	1
Lees-Smith, the late Rt. Hon. H. B	5
Lindsay, Kenneth	3
Llewellin, Col. the Rt. Hon. J. J.	3
Lloyd, Major E. G. R.	3
Lloyd, G. W.	1
Lloyd George, the Rt. Hon. David	6
Lloyd George, Major the Rt. Hon. G.	13
Lloyd George, Megan	14
Lyttelton, Capt. the Rt. Hon. Oliver	9
Mabane, William	10
Macdonald, Gordon	11
MacDonald, the Rt. Hon. Malcolm	17
McEwen, Capt. J. H. F	1
Maclay, the Hon. J. P	1
Macmillan, the Rt. Hon. Harold	3
Margesson, Capt. the Rt. Hon. (Viscount Margesson)	5
Marsden, Captain A.	1
Maxwell Fyfe, Major Sir David	4
McNeil, Hector	2
Mitchell, Colonel H. P.	1
Molson, Hugh	1
Montague, Frederick	2
Moore Brabaon, Lt.-Colonel the Rt Hon. (Lord Brabazon)	3
Morgan, the late John	22
Morris-Jones, Sir Henry	1
Morrison, the Rt. Hon. Herbert	27
Morrison, the Rt. Hon. W. S.	10
Nicolson, the Hon. Harold	28
Nicholson, Godfrey	1
Noel-Baser, Philip	75
Orr-Ewing, Ian	1
Palmer, G. E. H.	1

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when he expects that the Uxbridge by-pass road will be open for public use; and why has its completion been so long delayed in view of the fact that other work for a further extension has been set in hand?

It is expected that the road well be opened before the end of the year. The delay has been due to shortage of suitable labour required for the construction of the concrete viaduct.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the number of ticket inspectors employed on the London Passenger Transport system, indicating separately those employed on the railways?

The total number of staff employed by the London Passenger Transport Board on ticket inspecting is 478 and of this total 57 are engaged upon the railways. This staff is not, however, exclusively engaged on this work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies where land in Kenya Colony suitable for growing essential foodstuffs but at present uncultivated is owned, by someone who is not now in the Colony, are any steps being taken to have the land cultivated or is the absence of the owner regarded as a sufficient reason for leaving the land uncultivated?

Yes, Sir. The Agricultural Production and Settlement Board of Kenya is empowered under the Defence (Increased Production of Crops) Regulations of 1942, to enter upon and cultivate the land of any person who is not in the colony, if it is not already being cultivated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of complaints that stocks of paper in the Colonies are inequitably distributed and that large stocks are held by particular publishers, whether steps will be taken to control newsprint and secure a fair distribution to all concerned?

I cannot recall that any complaints of this nature have been brought to my Noble Friend's atten- tion, but if my hon. Friend will give me further details, I will investigate them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information concerning the food situation at Singapore, having regard to the anxiety of relatives of those there imprisoned, where food supplies were formerly largely imported?

I regret that there is little definite information regarding the present position of food supplies in Malaya, but there is some evidence that Japanese authorities are finding it difficult to provide the shipping necessary for the maintenance of food imports from neighbouring territories. The Japanese Government have refused to grant safe conduct for food relief ships to be sent but have agreed that supplies might be loaded at Lourenco Marques on the ships returning to Japan in connection with the recent exchange arrangements. Full advantage has been taken of the space available on these ships and over 2,000 tons of food, clothing and medical supplies have recently been sent to Singapore for the relief of prisoners-of-war and civilian internees in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the award by the judge at the Strabane Quarter Sessions of £1,925 and £1,750, respectively, to the widows and children of constables James Laird and Samuel Hamilton, which must fall on the county of Tyrone, he will reclaim these amounts from the Government of Eire, as the assassins came from and escaped into Eire; and whether he will inquire from the Government of Eire what efforts they have made for the arrest of the murderers?

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the negative. I would add that the attack took place during the blackout, and that I have received no evidence in support of the statement of the hon. Member that the murderers in this case came from or escaped into Eire.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that he will not take action on that part of the Scott Committee's report which deals with the reorganisation of electricity supply before receiving the report of the Committee specially appointed for the purpose?

My right hon. Friend will be happy to consider in connection with other suggestions bearing on the future organisation of electricity supply, any report of the committee which may be available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in allowing petrol ration to a civilian motor-car, any regard is paid to the horse-power, or whether the purpose for which the motor-car is used is the sole consideration?

The purpose for which the car is to be used is the criterion for deciding whether an allowance should be granted. The horse-power is considered in deciding the number of gallons required for the approved purpose on a scale which discriminates against cars of high horsepower. This discrimination will be intensified as from 1st December.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether there are any recognised hours of work for the horse inspectors in coal mines; what are the number of collieries or size of district that one man is supposed to cover; how often the horses are inspected in 12 months; and do these men work under the chief inspector of mines in their particular district?

Horse inspectors for mines are stationed in the coalfields according to the number of horses employed, and work under the Divisional and Senior Inspectors, visiting one or more mines daily, but their hours of work necessarily vary according to the situation and size of the mines to be visited and the amount of work at each. At 30th June, 1941, 27,559 horses were employed at 871 mines, and during 1941 the horse inspectors made 2,493 inspections at these mines and 51,375 examinations of the horses.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the rules and regulations governing the pit production committees?

Pit production committees are not statutory bodies and are, therefore, not subject to any fixed set of regulations. Their constitution varies slightly from district to district, but in every case they are representative of both workers and management. They are in existence at almost every pit; they meet for the most part weekly and they draw up their own rules of procedure. Their main function is to discuss and advise on all questions of production and increasing output. My Regional Controllers are responsible for the effective working of the pit production committees in their areas.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the terms of the announcement, on 15th October, with regard to an increase in the maximum permissible stock of coke for householders; and when, and in what form, were the terms communicated to merchants?

A copy of the public announcement is appended. An advance draft in practically identical terms was issued to the Chamber of Coal Traders on 12th October, and included in a circular to their members dated 14th October.

asked the Minister of Health upon what expert advice and upon what basis he carries out his allocation of quotas of admission of students to individual medical schools; and whether he makes, or is prepared to make, such quota conditional on the acceptance by the school concerned of a certain proportion of women students?

By arrangement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service the quotas for male medical students at each medical school are based normally on the average yearly admissions over the three years 1936 to 1939. In certain cases a variation to suit local conditions is allowed on the advice of the chief medical officer of my Department after considering the representations of the school authorities. Quotas for women students are similarly fixed on the basis of the average admissions for the three years 1937 to 1940. Where the number of male applicants falls short of the quota for men, no objection is raised to the admission of women to make up the deficiency if the school so desires. I have no authority to take the course suggested in the second part of the Question, which raises a separate issue of policy now under consideration by the Committee on Medical Schools.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons at present covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme?

The number of persons in Great Britain insured under the National Health Insurance Acts at the end of 1940 (the latest date for which the information is available) was approximately 22,300,000.

asked the Minister of Health the incidence in Great Britain during the past five years of diphtheria, cerebrospinal fever, syphilis, measles, pneumonia and whooping-cough respectively?

The incidence during the past five years of the diseases mentioned, excepting syphilis, which is not a notifiable disease, is shown in the appended statement of the numbers of cases notified. Only certain forms of pneumonia are notifiable, and compulsory

STATEMENT.
Year.	Diphtheria.	Cerebrospinal Fever.	Measles.	Pneumonia (Primary or Influenzal).	Whooping Cough.
1937	61,341	1,140	—	55,896	—
1938	65,008	1,288	—	45,160	—
1939	47,349	1,506	—	42,307	—
1940	46,260	12,767	409,593	47,877	53,630
1941	50,935	11,073	409,531	50,921	173,319
1942	20,340	4,252	100,762	27,528	36,861
(First six months)

asked the Minister of Health the names and dates of all urban district councils and rural district councils formed since the 1931 census and the names of those urban and rural district councils which have been abolished; and, as far as possible, what changes of area have been involved?

Since 31st March, 1931, 49 urban districts and 63 rural districts have been created, and 205 urban districts and 230 rural districts have been abolished. The names of the districts concerned, the dates on which the changes took place and other particulars are given in the annual reports of the Ministry of Health for the years 1931–32 to 1938–39 inclusive.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the growing shortage of labour and materials, he can state the approximate number of men engaged in the repair of damage to houses and property caused by enemy action; and the number so engaged a year ago?

I can give figures only for house repairs carried out by local authorities either directly or through contractors. These for the London region were approximately 29,000 at the end of September, 1941, and 14,000 at the end of September, 1942. I am obtaining corresponding figures for the rest of England and Wales and will send them to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General who was responsible for hiring the Post Office telephone line from Belfast to Eire to relay a programme from St. Mary's Hall, Belfast, on 11th October, for transmission on the Athlone wave-length; whether he is aware that the programme has been repudiated by the British Broadcasting Corporation and that it contained jibes at the Prime Minister which caused indignation in Northern Ireland; and whether he will give instructions that no telephone line in Northern Ireland will be hired in future to transmit any programme to Eire unless submitted to him for approval?

I am aware that there are standing arrangements for the lease of wires from time to time in Northern Ireland to the Eire Broadcasting Administration to permit of programmes originating in the United Kingdom being broadcast in Eire. I am making inquiries into the particular broadcast mentioned by my hon. Friend and will write to him as soon as my inquiries are completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mrs. Alderson, of 48, Riley Road, Rugby, who recently claimed £254 2s. 6d. for loss of her furniture through enemy action, has been offered only £86 11s. 6d., less £40 7s. already paid from the Assistance Board; that two letters from her solicitors, dated 31st August, complaining of the treatment of this case by valuation office officials, remain unanswered; and whether he will take steps to see that the letters are replied to and the claim reasonably treated?

I have called for a full report on this case and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the scarcity of children's boots and shoes, particularly in Wales, owing to the distributive centre being mainly Bristol; and whether he will see before the coming winter that the position is ameliorated?

I am aware that there is some shortage. The production of leather footwear for children is already actually in excess of pre-war production and steps are being taken further to increase it so far as the supply situation allows. I have made special inquiries into the present stock position in Bristol and Cardiff, and I find that these areas are slightly better off than the average of the country as a whole.

asked the Home Secretary in whose custody was the building in London containing 5,000 tons of sugar, all of which was recently destroyed by fire; what was the age of the building and the extent to which wood entered into its structure; and were they any firewatchers on the premises at the time?

If I am correct in assuming that the fire referred to is one that occurred on the night of 13th–14th October at the premises of Messrs. Coppen Brothers, 14, Rutherford Street, S.W.1, the answer is that, though the building was old and had timber floors, it was well-constructed and had been modernised; the fire prevention arrangements, which were up to the approved standards, had been approved by the appropriate authority. In accordance with the approved arrangements three fire guards were on duty on the night of the fire.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the loss of 5,000 tons of sugar and other provisions by fire in the Westminster area; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I am aware of the fire to which my hon. Friend refers, and my attention has been drawn to reports that 5,000 tons of sugar were destroyed. These reports were exaggerated. The amount of sugar affected by the fire was 20 tons, of which about half will be recovered for consumption. In addition approximately 130 tons of mixed groceries and provisions were also affected by the fire.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a certain number of married officers in receipt of separation allowances fail to pay the money over to their wives, who have no means of redress other than legal proceedings in a civil court; and whether, in order to obviate cases of hardship arising from that fact, he will revise the present system and cause these allowances to be paid direct to the wives as in the case of non-commissioned ranks?

My hon. Friend's suggestion for changing the present system has been carefully considered but its adoption, particularly at this stage of the war, is impracticable and in most cases unnecessary. If it is reported to the War Office that an officer is providing insufficiently for his wife the complaint is brought to the notice of the husband. In the great majority of cases he arranges to pay her at least the amount of the family lodging allowance. In cases where it is not possible to communicate speedily with him payment can be made direct to the wife.

asked the Secretary of State for War what total hours per week are normally worked by officers in general headquarters, Cairo, and in the War Office, respectively; and what leave per month is given?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that such officers work as long as their duties require irrespective of fixed hours. In general, officers work at least 51 hours a week both at the War Office and in G.H.Q., Cairo. Officers in the War Office are given a maximum of seven days' leave four times a year. Officers in G.H.Q., Cairo, have no regular periods of leave. They are given a day or two when they can be spared.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the operational research groups in the Middle East include representatives of the manufacturers of American tanks in use in that theatre of war?

The operational research groups in the Middle East are concerned with the investigation of battle problems and do not include representatives of manufactures of tanks; but the staff of the Commander of the United States Middle East Forces, which includes technical officers of the United States Ordnance with expert knowledge of American tanks, works in the closest cooperation with our tank experts in the Middle East and has direct access to armoured formations and maintenance and workshop units.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now found it possible to make arrangements by which films may be shown to troops in spite of their being stationed within two miles of a public cinema?

It has not been possible to make any general arrangement to show films to troops stationed within two miles of a public cinema. But special arrangements are made in individual cases if the circumstances warrant such a course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, having been granted a monopoly of the supply of most of the sports equipment for the Services, are in a position to execute promptly repairs to this equipment such as restitching the cases of footballs, restringing rackets and similar jobs?

N.A.A.F.I. are willing and able to carry out repairs to the priority sports equipment they handle but units are not compelled to have their repairs carried out by N.A.A.F.I. They are free to go where they please to have this work done.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many commissions have been granted to persons whom it was intended to employ in the catering services of the Army; and what percentage of such commissions were granted to persons formerly employed by, or in connection with, the firm of Messrs. Joseph Lyons and Company?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the number of commissions granted for service in the Army Catering Corps. Of the total, however, about 5 per cent. were formerly employed or connected with the company referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many journalists are serving in the Army; whether any attempt has been made to use their experience and ability to record events as official correspondente on active service and thereby present a more comprehensive picture to the public at home of the Army's achievements in the war?

Official correspondents are not employed in any theatre of war. The practice of the War Office is to provide facilities for accredited independent correspondents of the newspapers and news agencies to cover the operations of our troops. These correspondents are conducted and assisted in their work by the Army Public Relations Service in which there are a number of journalists serving. I am afraid that the figures of the total number of journalists serving in the Army are not available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate available of the number of persons in receipt of incomes between £350 and £400 per annum?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the table which was given by the Financial Secretary in answer to a Question on 23rd July last [OFFICIAL REPORT, columns 200–202, Vol. 382]. No more detailed figures for particular ranges of income are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which are the Axis-controlled holdings that make out the 50 per cent. Axis control in the share capital of the Bank for International Settlements?

As I have informed the House, the figure of 50 per cent. is only a rough indication of the Axis shareholdings on the basis of the original subscriptions. It is based on the amount of shares subscribed in countries now occupied by the Axis, excluding those whose central banks have been transferred to this country and some others whose present position is so doubtful that it is not certain how or whether their votes would be admitted at the Annual General Meeting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Allied central banks have been transferred to London?

The National Bank of Belgium, the Bank of Greece, the Bank of Norway and the Bank of Poland are operating in London, under the authority of their respective Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will endeavour to insert in any agreement with China, for the abolition of British extraterritorial rights, a clause to safeguard the interests of pensioners of the Shanghai Municipality and of other comparable institutions in Shanghai?

I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's point in mind.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications for war service grant have been received by his Department since the scheme came into operation; and whether applications are spread evenly throughout the Army?

Down to 10th October about 664,000 applications had been received from persons serving in the Army. I regret I am unable to say how these applications are distributed, except that officers do not appear to avail themselves fully of their rights under the scheme.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in addition to payments based on the needs of parents for the loss of sons who were killed whilst serving their country, he will consider making a lump sum payment in all cases so as to meet the expenses of the family consequent upon the loss and to provide for the usual expenses in cases of death?

Provision is made for the payment of any allotment and allowance in issue from the Service Departments to continue for a period of thirteen weeks after the date of the member's death. The burial is, of course, carried out by the military authorities. In view of these arrangements I do not consider that any lump sum payment is either necessary or justified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, though it may not be his intention to prevent any distributor who so desires from signing special premium contracts, the cooperatives and large dairy distributing firms have circularised their smaller firms not to sign special premium contracts; and whether he will stop this procedure and thereby continue to encourage producers to improve their standards of milk?

As the Ministry of Food has assumed the responsibility for providing level deliveries to distributors it is no longer necessary for such distributors to pay producers a special premium for level delivery and comparable services. The producer obtains his reward for level delivery in the form of a heavily weighted winter price. I have not seen the circular to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but if it relates to level delivery and similar premiums I cannot believe that it will discourage producers from improving their standards of milk, particularly as quality premiums are not excluded and may still be paid by distributors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the tonnage of dog biscuits which have been manufactured in this country for distribution during the last six months; and what proportion this bears to the normal output of such biscuits in peace-time?

I regret that I am unable to give details of the tonnage of dog biscuits manufactured in the United Kingdom during the last six months, but my Department has during that period released to manufacturers in the form of cereal products unfit for human consumption one-third of their pre-war usage of cereals and cereal products.