asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the great shortage of domestic workers in hospitals, he will direct that women shall be enrolled for domestic work in hospitals in the same manner as for the Services?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the last part of the reply given to the hon. Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 6th October.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is becoming more and more difficult for hospitals to function properly to-day with their present domestic staffs and that in the case of an emergency arising from enemy action the wounded would not be able to receive the attention which I know my hon. Friend would like them to have?

We are, of course, aware of those difficulties, which are fully set out in the reply to which I have referred.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the effect of the changed arrangements whereby deferments are referred to the district man-power board is to make the position worse?

I would not accept that.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this shortage aggravates the nursing problem because nurses have to undertake domestic work, which they resent?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the man-power boards turn a blind eye almost all the time to this question?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has completed his inquiry into the causes of the shipbuilding strike on the Tyneside; and whether he can inform the House as to the findings?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the organisations concerned on both sides and would prefer not to make any further statement at present.

Do I understand that this stoppage was against the wishes of the organisation concerned? Does the Minister intend to make a proper inquiry into the grievances of a large body of men who struck against the wishes of then-union? Will he consult somebody other than the leaders of the organisation?

I have nothing to add to my reply.

But does the hon. Gentleman realise that that is rather a scurvy way of dealing with some tens of thousands of men whose method of working compares favourably with that of any body of workers in this country? Does it mean that, with another Parliamentary Recess coming, we are to have no answer at all, and does he realise that this matter has aroused considerable interest on Tyneside?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that deep-seated grievances in the matter of wages were not attended to for months?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has given attention to the problem of households employing unnecessarily large staffs of domestic workers who have hitherto escaped attention because the workers are above or below the present registration ages; and, in view of the importance of avoiding wastage of the available supply of domestic help, whether he will consider rationing the number of domestic workers allowed to households in proportion to the size of the household, with due weightage for invalids and young children?

My right hon. Friend is considering my hon. Friend's proposal, but she will appreciate the difficulties involved in any such scheme, and before embarking upon it he would need to be satisfied that it would be likely to produce commensurate results.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many women who have been doing valuable paid or unpaid war work have been compelled to abandon it because they have had to do the whole of their own domestic household work? Is it fair that selfish women should be allowed, as at present, to hire so many manual workers on the excuse that they are below or above the registration age?

I have every sympathy with this question. We are discussing it with the Women's Consultative Committee at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, where he has directed men to leave their ordinary place of employment and work elsewhere and this has resulted in lowering their earnings and their incurring train travelling expenses, he contemplates any action to remedy this grievance?

My right hon. Friend recognises that there are cases of this sort, as well as many others in which loss of earnings arises from war conditions without any direction from the Department. The rate of wages, including any allowance for travelling expenses, must in general be governed by the industrial agreements applicable to the new employment. He regrets that he cannot see any practicable method of making new arrangements for State subvention in these cases.

Does my hon. Friend realise that these men do not complain so much of the hardship caused by the war as of injustice and inequality? Will he draw the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the fact that the effect of this is to impose double taxation when it comes to paying Income Tax?

I am afraid we cannot depart from the principle of the rate for the job.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider it just to impose additional taxation on these people as compared with other citizens?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a statement concerning superannuation regulations which hinder men from accepting paid work of national importance?

My right hon. Friend has written to my hon. Friend about this.

On a point of Order. In putting this Question on the Order Paper, I did so because I believed it to be a matter of some public importance and because I desired to receive a reply which would also be available to the public. It seems rather to defeat that object for my hon. Friend to say that the Department has written to me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Proclamation of 23rd July is still in force whereby only single women between the ages of 20 and 31 are liable for military and industrial conscription and that only such women between these ages have the right to register provisionally as conscientious objectors; and why Mary Cockcroft, of Sowerby Bridge, who is not yet 20 years of age, has been twice prosecuted for failing to comply with the direction of the Ministry and is now serving two months imprisonment, although she had no opportunity of appearing before a conscientious objectors' tribunal?

The Proclamation of 23rd July, 1942, which is still in force relates only to conscription for the Forces. Directions to perform industrial work are given under Defence Regulation 58A and are not subject to any age limit, nor is there any provision for the registration of conscientious objection to such directions although in practice persons known to have conscientious objections are not directed to work closely connected with the military side of the war effort. I am having inquiries made into the individual case mentioned by my hon. Friend.

How long are the inquiries likely to take?

I hope to have the result very soon, especially as this case happens to be in my own constituency.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied, in the light of his experience, that the chairmen of hardship tribunals are in all cases administering the Act satisfactorily; and whether, in cases in which there is sustained complaint, he can, and will, cause independent investigation with a view to changing the chairmen where warranted?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any material ground for dissatisfaction. The decisions of the statutory tribunals over which these chairmen preside are under certain conditions subject to appeal to the Umpire and could not properly be made the ground of any intervention by my right hon. Friend. Should there be apparently well-founded complaints in respect of other matters, my right hon. Friend has ample powers to take any action that may be necessary.

If specific cases are brought to the Minister's notice, are we to understand that he has power to investigate and remedy them?

Certainly, so long as they do not affect the actual decision and rulings of the Umpire thereon.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he grants deferment of calling-up to apprentices or journeymen marine engineers sitting for their fifth-year certificates; and what procedure is to be followed to obtain deferment in such a case?

The normal deferment arrangements apply to apprentices or journeymen marine engineers, but there are no special arrangements for deferring the calling up of such men solely on the grounds that they are preparing for a certificate examination. The usual rule is that deferment is granted until the man finishes his apprenticeship or reaches his twentieth birthday, whichever is the earlier. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will communicate with me, I will look into it.

I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman, but I would like to ask him whether the attention of his Department has been drawn to the fact that at the moment we are short of marine engineers who are capable of going to sea. Is he aware that a number of men are just qualifying, finishing their time, and that if they get through, they will be capable of going to sea as second engineers?

If the hon. Gentleman will communicate with me, I will certainly look into the matter.

Thank you very much.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take steps to compel compulsory notification of venereal disease, having regard to the increase of these diseases throughout the country?

I am considering what action can most appropriately be taken to check the spread of venereal disease, but, at the present time, I doubt whether the particular suggestion made by my hon. Friend is best calculated to secure this object.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the difficulty of dealing with carriers of venereal disease, and whether he will consider strengthening the existing powers?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the difficulties, and I have under urgent consideration the most effective methods of dealing with them.

Will my right hop. Friend say how long these inquiries will take, in view of the situation at the ports, and will he treat this problem as a plague and cease to surround it with mystery and laissez faire?

I am not talking about inquiries. I am talking about urgent consideration, which means, of course, that I am thinking about action.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inadequate accommodation for maternity cases in London, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The accommodation for London mothers includes in addition to the beds available in London those available at some 100 Emergency Maternity Homes which were established in the reception areas. The adequacy of the provision in London has recently been under discussion between officers of my Department and of the London County Council. Additional beds are being provided, but the number which can be brought into use depends primarily on the number of trained staff who can be made available. I have framed proposals with a view to ensuring that more of the women qualifying as midwives will undertake to practise as midwives, and after discussion with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service I am in consultation with representatives of employers and employed on this question.

Is the Minister aware that unless some action is taken in this matter the scarcity will be reflected in maternal mortality figures next year?

I am quite aware of the importance of the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Midwives Board has issued a report in which it is stated that there is no shortage of midwives, but that the midwives are not doing the work?

As I indicated in my answer, that is the real problem. A number of trained and qualified women are not doing the work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious position facing the hospital services in consequence of depletion of staff; and whether, in view of the danger of a breakdown of the services, he proposes to take any steps to deal with it?

I am aware that there is a shortage of staff at a number of hospitals, though my information does not suggest that there is any danger of a breakdown of the service. Both nursing and domestic work in hospitals is regarded as vital work for women of all ages, and I would refer, on this Question, to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 6th October, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Dud-deston (Mr. Simmonds) on 8th January. So far as trained nurses are concerned the total number of trained nurses available is insufficient to meet adequately the whole of the war-time demands upon them, but I believe that improvements can be secured by better distribution of those available, and after discussion with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service I have framed proposals with this object, in regard to which I am in consultation with representatives of employers and employed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not merely a question of nurses, but that the administrative staff has been cut to the bone, and that in one place which I could name there have been no fewer than six assistant masters within 12 months, and that now they cannot get anybody to replace one who has been called up?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a large number of trained nurses are now being employed in Red Cross work in factories?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Hornsey Borough Council have decided to close down their dust destructor and place the disposal of refuse in the hands of a private contractor; and whether, in view of the fact that this will effect no economy but will impose an undue strain on transport, he will cause an inquiry to be made?

According to my information the Council's action is not yet decisive but experimental. I understand that it is anticipated that it will produce considerable economy in man-power on the working of the plant and the disposal of the product of incineration, and a negligible effect on transport.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the Hornsey Borough Council are best able to manage their own affairs?

That is so, but that is all the more reason why all concerned at the Ministry should watch the experiment.

Does not the Minister agree that the ratepayers have the right to this information?

Will the Minister make the suggestion to the Hornsey Borough Council that they might consult with one of their neighbouring authorities who might be able to handle this work for them at less expense than is now involved?

I do not think it is necessary for me to do that. I think there are very friendly relations between the two boroughs.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increasing deficiency of adequate dental treatment, particularly among schoolchildren, and the presence in this country of some 60 German refugee dentists, whose loyalty is not in doubt and whose professional qualifications are not less than those of other German dentists already admitted to the permanent dental register and of other foreign dentists whose additional medical degrees have made possible their inclusion on the temporary medical register, he will see that a temporary dental register is set up?

As stated in the Reply to my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities (Mr. Edmund Harvey) on 14th July, I am anxious that all possible use should be made of suitably qualified alien dentists who are in this country. A temporary dental register is, however, not necessary for that purpose. The statutory provisions which made a temporary register necessary for alien doctors do not apply to dentists. If any of the dentists to whom my hon. Friend refers possess foreign qualifications which have been approved for admission to the Foreign List of the Dentists Register, they are eligible for inclusion in that Register. My hon. Friend will appreciate that there are obvious objections to departing from the standard afforded by these registrable qualifications.

Is the Minister aware that since 14th July the situation has not improved, and that the Army Council have had to authorise the training of clerical dental orderlies and that the situation is very serious, and if there are such obstacles as those to which he refers, will he not take some action to have them removed?

The issue is whether or not their qualifications are up to standard.

Is it not hard on British soldiers to be experimented on by untrained men or men who have been trained in a few weeks, and has not the right hon. Gentleman's Department some responsibility to help the Army in the matter?

That is not the point of the Question on the Paper.

Is full use being made of doctors who are also dentists?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many dentists on the British Register who have no qualifications at all?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the General Nursing Council has arrogated to itself the power at discretion to refuse to admit to any of the council's examinations even candidates who have completed their studies, without being under any obligation to state their reason; and whether, in view of the adverse effects of this decision on the recruitment of nurses, he will intervene in this matter?

I am making inquiries as to the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers and will communicate with him further as soon as possible.

If the right hon. Gentleman finds that the statement in the Question is correct, will he see to it that the decision is reversed, because it is very hard to have this threat overhanging them all the time?

I will look at the resolution first.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that accredited milk is known to contain in many cases a variety of pathogenic organisms, and that the term "accredited" implies some special virtue, it is intended to re-designate this grade under a less misleading title?

The principal conditions relating to accredited milk are that it should satisfy a bacteriological test for keeping quality and cleanliness and that the animals of the herd shall be subjected to a periodical clinical veterinary examination. These conditions have been unaltered for several years and should be well known, and I do not propose any alteration, at the present time, in the designation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every medical officer of health will refute his statement as to the cleanliness of this milk? Is it not time that we had only two grades of milk, clean and dirty?

asked the Minister of Health whether from the public health point of view, he is satisfied with the present arrangements for the inspection of meat and milk?

Steps are being taken by the Government, as set out in the recent Memorandum on milk policy, to improve: the keeping quality of milk and to increase the amount of milk pasteurised. Meat inspection has incurred certain difficulties from the circumstances of war-time control and concentration of slaughtering in fewer places, but I have no reason to doubt the general adequacy of inspection. I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing again my appreciation of the work that local authorities and their officers continue to do in food inspection generally, despite the other claims upon them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention drawn to the serious statements to the contrary made at a recent conference of the National Veterinary Medical Association, and what steps is he taking to refute those statements?

I have had my attention Drawn to them, and they are grossly exaggerated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many women students are finding it impossible to obtain a medical education in London; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Admission of students to university medical schools is now governed by a quota system based on the pre-war admissions and many more students apply than can be accommodated. As I promised my hon. Friend the Member for North Battersea (Mr. Douglas) on 4th June last, this question is under consideration by the Committee appointed by myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to inquire into the organisation of medical schools.

In view of the fact that the medical schools in London are constituent bodies of the university, is the right hon. Gentleman considering making strong representations to the university on the subject?

At the moment I have, as I say, with the Secretary of State for Scotland called a committee to consider this matter.

Is not the Committee appointed to consider not present but post-war policy?

It is to inquire into the organisation of medical schools, not necessarily after the war.

Is it proposed to obtain a report which will be of immediate use?

asked the Minister of Health what is the present estimate of the housing shortage?

I regret that I cannot indicate with precision the extent of the shortage at the present time. My hon. Friend will, however, appreciate that in any case it is not possible under existing conditions to provide new accommodation but I can assure him that a start will be made with what will clearly be a very big programme immediately the labour and materials can be made available for the purpose.

Is it not the duty of my right hon. Friend to find out exactly under what conditions the people of this country are living now?

I have vast masses of information about that, but my hon. Friend asked a specific Question, and to that I could not give an answer.

In view of the fact that all the local authorities have this information, would it not be a simple matter for my right hon. Friend to obtain it?

It is not quite as simple as that. There are many considerations involved besides statistical facts about houses.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that this matter may have very considerable bearing on the appalling increase in tuberculosis, in view of the overcrowding which goes on, and will he not at the earliest possible, date provide the figures for which he has been asked?

I am not sure that I can do so with precision, but I will give the House the fullest possible information at the earliest possible date.

Is the Minister giving any consideration to the question of the new entrants into the coalmining industry, as the mining villages are packed now, and if new entrants go there, what is to be done? It is time the Minister woke up.

There is no need to tell me that. We are very busy on this problem, but, as hon. Members know, building labour is employed on very great strategic matters. It is not only mining that is concerned. The agricultural industry has its needs, too.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given further consideration to the unsatisfactory housing conditions in certain areas where the population has increased since the war and no new houses have been built; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir, I am constantly reviewing problems of accommodation in consultation with the local authorities concerned, so as to ensure the best use of existing accommodation and such measure of amelioration as is possible under present conditions.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the wives and families of many of the men serving in the Forces are living in most deplorable conditions and that this must be having a very serious effect on morale?

There is not only that problem, but also the problem of Service men coming back from the Forces and young people who get married.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the number of blocks of flats and houses which have been almost completed?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the billeting of war workers on householders is being fairly applied as between working-class householders and other householders; and, if not, whether he will cause instructions to be issued to billeting authorities to see that the burden of billeting is fairly distributed?

I am confident that, in general, the difficult task of finding lodgings for war workers has been carried out reasonably. The main consideration must be the comfort of the worker and I am glad to say that up to the present it has been possible in the vast majority of cases for arrangements to be made voluntarily. If the hon. Member has any particular instances in mind and will send me details, I will look into them at once.

Would not billeting be less of a burden if the payments were adequate?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious overcrowding in the town engaged upon vital war production, of which he has been informed, resulting in families living and sleeping together in one room, night-shift workers unable to get rest and increased applications from key workers for release to other areas, he is satisfied that the chief billeting officer and the local authority concerned have adequate powers to deal with landlords who refuse war workers with families; and whether any right of vetoing tenants resides in the hands of the Mayor?

I am confident that the billeting and requisitioning powers which I have delegated to the local authority concerned, together with the powers vested in them under an Order made under Defence Regulation 68 (c), are adequate for securing for workers transferred into the area such accommodation as becomes available, and I know that lodgings for large numbers of workers and accommodation for some 400 families have been arranged by the authority. Owing to the housing shortage due to the stoppage of house-building it is not possible in this or other towns to provide family accommodation for all who desire it, but I propose to confer with the local authority concerned and with neighbouring local authorities in order to see what further action can be taken to overcome the difficulties which exist. I shall also be glad to discuss the problem with my hon. Friend and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox), who has also raised it with me. With regard to the last part of the Question, the Mayor has no powers of the kind mentioned by virtue of his office, but I understand that he was until recently a member of the Committee which deals with applications by householders for the Committee's consent to provide lodging.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that foundry and blast-furnace workers who, since the beginning of the war, have been engaged on heavy work for long hours and on night shifts, have been unable to get any rest during the day, and is he aware that his promise to take action will give satisfaction?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by junior civil servants, on returning to London from the provinces, in obtaining lodgings at a price which it is within their capacity to pay; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made with a view to the removal of this difficulty?

I am aware that some difficulties have been experienced, but my officers, in conjunction with the local authorities and various voluntary agencies, are making every effort to find suitable accommodation at reasonable prices in hostels and lodgings for these officers. I understand that the officers who have already returned to London are now satisfactorily accommodated, and I anticipate that it will be possible to make suitable arrangements for those yet to come. I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the valuable assistance which is being afforded in this matter by the Women's Voluntary Services and the authorities of various hostels.

May I appeal to my right hon. Friend to make a further inquiry without delay, because, having regard to the fact that many of these juniors are only paid 35s. to 40s. a week it is impossible to get respectable lodgings?

My information is that some 700 lodgings have been found at 15s. a week for furnished rooms.

Is it not a fact that there is a real famine in London for unfurnished rooms, and will my right hon. Friend concentrate his mind on making inquiries throughout London as to what is really happening?

It is happening in other places than London.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Government must in this situation do one of three things: either increase the very low wages of the girls; or increase the subsistence allowance they are given; or, thirdly——

The hon. Member is now giving the answer to the Question he has put.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the suggestion for the setting-up of an Allied War Council in India, inviting representatives of the United States of America, Russia and China to serve with those of Great Britain and India, in order to secure full strategic co-operation under the unified command of General Wavell of those powers concerned in the defence of India?

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that every disaster in the war has been preceded by the failure of the Government to secure united strategy, is there any regular consultation with the United Nations?

I do not accept the hon. Member's statement. There is full consultation.

Will the Government take advantage of the presence of Field Marshal Smuts to have an Allied War Conference in London to discuss the defence of India and other matters?

The hon. Member has not observed that there was a meeting of the Pacific Council yesterday to deal with these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for India the total population of India in 1930 and the population shown by the 1941 census, excluding Burma; the cost of taking that census; the number of enumerators; and whether he can give the individual population of Bengal and the United Provinces?

The population of India (excluding Burma) as recorded in the Census of 1931 was 338,171,000. According to the Census of 1941 it was 388,800,000, of whom 60,314,000 resided in Bengal and 55,021,000 in the United Provinces. I have not been officially informed of the cost of the 1941 Census, but a Press report puts it as £375,000 and the number of enumerators at a million and a half.

Is not this large increase in the population of India evidence of the success of British rule?

The reason I do not put a Supplementary Question is that there are 137 Questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give an assurance that the reason for not completing the Indianisation of the Viceroy's Executive by appointing three Indians to the portfolios still held by Englishmen, is not because of any difficulty in finding suitable Indians for the position?

The Viceroy, in the expansion of his Executive Council in order to meet war conditions, has been concerned to secure both efficiency and continuity, and is satisfied that his existing Council consists of those best qualified at the present moment to fill their respective offices. There is no question of any particular appointment being held on grounds of race or of the present European members being retained merely for the reason suggested by the hon. Member.

Will my right hon. Friend make clear the reason why this policy, which meets with such widespread support, has not been put into effect?

I gave the answer just now.

Is it not the case that the appointment of a Congress representative would be unacceptable to Congress and that a representative of any other community in India might very well cause resentment on the part of other communities?

I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the decision of His Majesty's Government that the Ministries now filled by non-Indians shall continue thus for the duration of the war; and whether he has considered recommendations to the contrary made by influential non-Congress Indians to the effect that Indians shall occupy all Ministries?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the seats on the Governor-General's Executive Council, and I would refer him to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 15th October.

Is this matter being considered by the right hon. Gentleman and the War Cabinet, seeing that considerable pressure has been brought to bear from several quarters about this matter?

The answer I have given to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton covers that point.

Is not the agitation purely mischievous?

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a statement in to-day's papers that Mr. Rajagopalachari intends to visit this country, and will he extend to him and other distinguished Indians an official invitation to discuss the formation of a National Government in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information to show how far the unanimous approval accorded by Congress to the decisions of Mr. Gandhi in connection with the recent constitutional offer was the result of free discussion and voting or whether it was arrived at by the exercise of pressure?

I have no information as to how the deliberations of the Congress Working Committee were conducted. It would appear from his subsequent action that Mr. Rajagopalachari must have dissented.

Are not the decisions of Mr. Gandhi submitted to Congress in the form of resolutions for unanimous approval in the same way that the decisions of Hitler are submitted to the Reichstag for unanimous approval?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Hindu Mahasabha, having secured unanimity among non-Congress parties, had their request to interview Mr. Gandhi rejected by the Viceroy; whether he has considered the protest made by the Mahasabha; and whether he will take steps to enable non-Congress representatives to meet Congress leaders respecting the proposals of the former?

I have not yet heard that the Hindu Mahasabha claim to have secured the support of the Moslem League. I am aware that the Viceroy declined to allow Dr. Mookerjee to see Mr. Gandhi and I am not prepared in present circumstances to ask him to permit interviews with the Congress leaders.

Does that hold good for all time? Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the urgent necessity of allowing facilities for the discussion of this matter?

No, Sir.

Is it not highly desirable, in view of the right hon. Gentleman's own wish to see this problem solved, that the parties shall be able to come into contact with the most important of all parties in India?

No, Sir; I have dealt with that matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the British Association was invited by His Majesty's Government to study the problem of the post-war restocking of Europe with farm animals?

No, Sir, but I understand that the Allied Technical Advisory Committee on Agriculture have asked the British Association to advise them on certain scientific aspects of this matter.

Is the British Association subsidised in any way by the Government?

I am afraid I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the national importance of an increased production of milk, he will make a pronouncement regarding his recommendations as to three-times milking?

I do not consider that any appreciable extension of three-times milking is practicable under existing conditions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some additional effort will have to be made in order to make up the loss to small farmers which has been occasioned by the recent actions of the Ministry of Food? Is he aware that this is an important matter and is bound to affect production?

That is not the Question on the Paper.

Why is my right hon. Friend trying to by-pass the matter? Is he not the trustee for the farmer and why does he not do his job?

asked the Minister of Agriculture for what reason it is still necessary to maintain a proviso that the Women's Land Army shall not be recruited from women already employed on the land for more than six months; and is he aware that it is discouraging farmers' and agricultural labourers' daughters from taking up agricultural pursuits?

The object of the Women's Land Army is to provide an additional force of regular labour for the land. It is not desirable, in my view, that the State should incur the unnecessary cost of organising for agricultural work women who are already employed in agriculture and who will not be taken from it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that as a result of these restrictions women cannot go into the Land Army and continue to work on the land because they are taken away for other jobs?

Women who are already employed in agriculture will not be taken away from the land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to a subsidy for hill-breeding cattle in England and Wales on the lines of that at present in operation in Scotland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to him on 30th April last, to which I am afraid I have nothing to add.

Can my right hon. Friend state the reason for this delay? Is it due to the difficulty of deciding which breeds are to be eligible for the subsidy?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to look at the answer which I gave him in April, and he will see the answer to his Supplementary Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers who are dispossessed of their farms by war agricultural executive committees can sell their land in the open market at prevailing prices, whereas farmers whose land is commandeered by Government Departments can be paid, under the 1939 Defence (Compensation) Act, only at the value as at the outbreak of war; and whether he will take steps to remedy this anomaly?

I cannot perceive any anomaly from the terms of the Question as put by the hon. Member. An occupy- ing owner of land who is dispossesed by a war agricultural executive committee can only sell the land subject to the committee's right of possession, and he or any purchaser can only claim compensation under Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. An owner of land requisitioned by any other Government Department is in precisely the same position.

Is not the Minister aware that when a farmer is dispossessed of his land by a war agricultural committee he can let his land at current prices, whereas when land is requisitioned by a Government Department all that can be paid is rent appropriate to the level at the outbreak of war, and that between these two things there is often a wide gap? Will he not close that gap?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend has got hold of the wrong end of the stick. If he will come and see me, I will try and explain to him what the situation is.

Could not the gap be closed by a tax on site values?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the possibility of prolonging the period for the grant of a 75 per cent. subsidy towards the cost of lime as many farmers who ordered lime as long ago as May were, through no fault of their own, unable to obtain delivery till after the expiration of the time limit?