asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered a communication from the Portsmouth Labour Party regarding the action taken by the Portsmouth local authority in the appointment of the food control committee for the ensuing year; and whether, as members of the local authority were not allowed to vote for or against the individuals nominated or to make additional nominations, with the result that the proposed composition of the food control committee will not be properly representative, he will request the local authority to submit fresh nominations more democratically selected?

I have seen the communication referred to by the hon. Member. With regard to the second part of the Question, my Noble Friend sees no occasion to intervene in the procedure followed by a local authority in selecting nominees for appointment to local food control committees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to. the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the great inequality of treatment as between one retail trader and another at Shrewsbury as a result of the fish zoning scheme; and what steps he intends to take to prevent the hardship thereby imposed upon the fried-fish merchants who are unable to obtain sufficient supplies to carry on their business?

Supplies to fish-mongers and fish-friers, under the fish distribution scheme, are intended to be proportionate to the quantities they received during a datum period agreed with the trade, namely, July, August and September, 1941. Any trader who considers he is not receiving his due proportion of available supplies on that basis should communicate with the area fish distribution officer of his district. A complaint has been received that in the first week of the scheme's operation one retailer in Shrewsbury received smaller supplies than his entitlement justified, and I have arranged for the investigation of this complaint by the Area Fish Officer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make any statement on the working of the zoning scheme for the distribution of fish; and how far reports indicate that the results are satisfactory or otherwise?

The object of the distribution scheme for fish, which came into operation on 17th October last, is to economise internal transport. According to the information which has reached me from various parts of the country, the scheme is working on the whole satisfactorily and is receiving co-operation from the majority of the trade. Such difficulties as have arisen and which were not unexpected are of a minor character. A certain amount of inevitable dislocation has arisen in connection with the changeover of trade customers which the scheme necessitates, but these difficulties are being steadily removed. The scheme provides for equitable distribution of supplies to the various classes of traders over a period and it is unfortunate that during the opening weeks of the scheme landings at the main ports have been more than usually irregular

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the difficulties of small growers in disposing of the yields of their increased acreage of potatoes; and whether he will ease the position by giving these growers a greater freedom of sale?

Any grower who is unable to sell his ware potatoes to a licensed buyer may offer, not later than 31st March, 1943, his remaining stock for purchase by the Ministry at the appropriate fixed growers' price at the time of delivery. Growers of three acres of potatoes or less have been exempted from the arrangements recently made by my Department with a view to building up an end-of-season reserve. Under these arrangements large growers will be compelled to hold stocks for May, June and July next year. Small growers will thus be given a preferential market in earlier months. If my hon. Friend knows of any particular cases where small growers are unable to dispose of their potatoes I shall be glad if he will supply me with particulars. I must, however, explain that a general extension of the present licensing system would increase rather than reduce the difficulties of small growers by creating additional competition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give an assurance that recent actions of his Department are not intended to dispense with the services of the Milk Board, Pig Board and Potato Board, constituted and manned by experts or so to alter their constitution that the experts are succeeded by civil servants?

I can give my hon. Friend the assurance for which he asks in so far as the Milk Marketing Board is concerned. As regards the other boards mentioned in his Question, their constitution and functions were modified on the outbreak of war and the services of their staffs were transferred to my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been directed to the claim by his chief scientific adviser that the bulk of vitamin B I content of the wheat berry lies, not in the germ, but in the thin skin covering it; whether his suggestion that much of the germ can with advantage be eliminated from bread, indicates any departure from the policy that national wheatmeal shall contain the maximum quantity of wheat germ which, having regard to the type of milling plant, can be included; and whether he will reaffirm that specification?

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to remarks made by the Ministry's scientific adviser in his recent Harben lectures at the Royal Institute of Public Health. My attentions have been drawn to these remarks which included reference to a recent discovery that a large proportion of the vitamin B I of wheat germ is contained in the scutellum which forms part of the structure of the germ itself. In reply to the second part of the Question there is no intention at present to modify in any respect the existing instructions to millers regarding the manufacture of national flour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give further consideration to the quota of sweets and chocolates allowed to small confectioners, whose livelihood is entirely dependent on the sale of confectionery?

Supplies to a retailer are not based upon a quota but upon the number of coupons he obtains from his customers. My Noble Friend has no reason to believe that small confectioners are unable to obtain supplies against the coupons they collect. Moreover he understands that small confectioners are at least maintaining the share they previously enjoyed of the total sale of chocolate and sugar confectionery.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that difficulties have been experienced in obtaining eggs for expectant mothers, although they are treated as priority consumers; and whether, in view of the limited supply of eggs new available for non-priority consumers, he will restrict the distribution of all supplies of eggs to expectant mothers, invalids and others who require special diets which include eggs?

Acting on the advice of his medical advisers, my Noble Friend has now made arrangements for certain classes of invalids, expectant mothers and mothers with children under one year old to receive a priority supply of shell eggs at the rate of three per week. The Minister's medical advisers have recommended that this quantity of eggs is sufficient for the nutritional needs of persons within the priority classes. Retailers of eggs have been asked to supply such persons in preference to others. The new arrangements came into force on 18th October, 1942, and my Noble Friend sees no occasion to make further changes in the scheme at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many officers and their staffs are posted at the 12 Civil Defence regional offices to be available for consultation with the commissioner but not under his orders, showing each regional staff separately and indicating the total cost, including buildings requisitioned or hired, fuel, light, etc.

In one food division (South-Eastern) one senior officer is posted to the Civil Defence Regional Office to maintain close contact over matters of mutual concern. He remains wholly on the divisional food office staff and is responsible to the divisional food officer for all matters connected with emergency preparations. He has a staff of nine officers. It is not possible to segregate those parts of the accommodation expenses which are borne by the Ministry of Home Security and those parts of the staffing expenses borne by the Ministry of Food which arise from availability for consultation. The staff are fully employed on the current affairs of the Ministry of Food. In all other regions arrangements have been made whereby an officer of the divisional food office staff will take up duty in the premises occupied by the Regional Commissioner if and when a state of emergency arises. These officers are already known to and in contact with their regional commissioners, but are normally located at the divisional food office and fully engaged in the activities of that office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take steps to ensure this year a more equitable distribution of Christmas turkeys from England and Northern Ireland so that a fair proportion of the supplies may be available for the London wholesale markets?

No, Sir. The institution of special arrangements for the sole purpose of dealing with a seasonal trade of short duration will not be justified. Arrangements which have been made regarding supplies from Eire should, however, enable a reasonable share of those supplies to reach the London wholesale markets.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will issue a statement on the subject of feeding-stuffs rations for horses used for domestic driving purposes as the position is not clear in certain areas in the Midlands and has been further obscured by various notices in the Press and statements by the British Broadcasting Corporation?

Rationed feeding stuffs are not allowed for horses used for domestic riding or driving except in cases of proved necessity, where alternative transport facilities are not available or are markedly inadequate, or where on account of physical disability public transport services cannot be used. No rations are allowed where the applicant or a member of his household has made a claim, whether successful or not, for a ration of petrol for a private motor car. Forms of application for rations may be obtained at local food offices. Wide publicity has already been given to these facts and there seems to be no occasion for the issue of any further statement at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give in detail the various kinds of food that the food official found in the house of Mrs. Knight, at Lancaster Gardens, Kingston, Surrey; what action he is intending taking in the matter; and how Mrs. Knight obtained so much food, including 317 tins of soup?

The list of the various kinds of food found in Mrs. Knight's house is so long that, with my hon. Friend's permission, I propose to answer his Question by way of a letter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give a schedule of the margins between milk producers and consumers showing separately how the total margin is split up for small wholesaler retailers, large wholesaler retailers, wholesalers who sell direct to a retailer, wholesalers who sell from several depots to retailers and wholesaler retailers whose organisation includes distributing depots; and show at what stages pasteurisation is a necessary condition for payment?

There is no total fixed margin to be divided up by the different links in the chain of distribution of milk. Milk is made available to all retailers at a flat price; depot proprietors and wholesalers (including retail firms performing their own wholesale service) being remunerated on the basis of a payment per gallon of milk handled. The retail margin, representing the difference between the Ministry's selling price and the consumers' purchasing price, accrues to the retailer, except that where the wholesaler performs for him special services, which are not part of the normal wholesale function, such as bottling, supplying very small quantities, the retailer pays the wholesaler prescribed amounts for such services out of his retail margin. The following statement gives the remuneration received by the various classes of milk distributors:

asked the Minister of Labour whether young policemen are to be included in the new combing-out for the fighting forces of young men in reserved occupations?

The age of reservation for regular policemen was raised on the 1st June last from 18 to 25. Since that date all policemen who were under 25 at the date of their registration (that is, who were born after the 9th March, 1915), except some whose calling-up has been deferred for special reasons, have been available for posting to the Armed Forces.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken in the interests of the best use of man-power to see that the medical schools of London University take a larger proportion of women medical students?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 22nd October to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fulham (Dr. Edith Summerskill).

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates that the report of the committee which is inquiring into the conditions obtaining in the nursing profession will be available?

I am informed by my Noble Friend, Lord Rushcliffe, chairman of the committee, that while he cannot say with certainty when the report of the committee will be available, he hopes, in view of the considerable progress already made, that it will be possible to submit a first report early next year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the unpleasant taste of the water supplied during recent weeks in the London area; whether this is due to excessive chlorination; and how long is it likely to continue?

I am informed by the Metropolitan Water Board that the taste which has given rise to a small number of complaints in parts of the London area is due either to algal growths or to the fact that, owing to war-time conditions, chlorine is sometimes added in rather more than normal strength. Both are local and temporary phenomena, and neither involves any risk to health.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of suggestions that girls should be compelled to take up sanatorium nursing and of the effort now being made to increase the number of nurses in such sanatoria, he will investigate existing cases where nurses have contracted tuberculosis in the discharge of their duties and are now maintained either by public funds or on a sum which does not permit of adequate and proper care;(2) what steps are taken by his Department to ensure the rehabilitation of nurses who contract tuberculosis when nursing tuberculous patients; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient financial provision is made for such a nurse to ensure adequate food and clothing and a room apart from the rest of the inmates of the house where she may be more or less segregated?

I would in the first place call attention to the statement in the recent report of the Medical Research Council that evidence from research in other countries and expert opinion in our own suggest that the risk of contracting tuberculosis from nursing tuberculosis patients in sanatoria is no greater than that involved in general hospital nursing. A nurse in a tuberculosis institution who contracts the disease is customarily given every care and attention appropriate to her condition by the institution. Arrangements for care and after-care, directed to restoring working capacity, are an essential part of the tuberculosis service and apply to nurses as much as to any other person who has suffered from tuberculosis. I shall be glad to consider any particular cases that my hon. Friend wishes to bring to my notice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that seven anti-vivisection societies in Great Britain have between them invested capital of about £300,000 and an annual income of about £40,000 which is devoted largely to propaganda, by advertisements and otherwise, against modem scientific methods of preventive medicine; and whether, in view of the fact that eight children on the average die every day of diphtheria alone, he will take steps to counter these activities.

As my hon. Friend will be aware from the answers given to my hon. Friends the Members for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) and Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 10th September and 22nd October respectively, local authorities and my Department have for some time been taking steps to counter these societies' activities in regard to immunisation against diphtheria by the use of many forms of publicity. This publicity is continuing. In addition I have asked welfare authorities to do their best to relieve health visitors of their non-urgent routine duties so that they may devote most of their time during the next two or three months to the immunisation campaign. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education has also asked local education authorities and head teachers to use their influence with parents, and to help the campaign in other ways.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a pamphlet recently circulated to all Members of the House charges the Ministry with misrepresentation and evasiveness in its claims for diphtheria immunisation; and whether he will appoint an impartial committee to examine these allegations.

I have seen the pamphlet mentioned. The case for immunisation against diphtheria is fully supported by medical opinion and practical experience in other countries, and as advocacy of immunisation has been the Government's considered policy for some time past, I do not think there would be any advantage in the appointment of a committee.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases notified as diphtheria were rediagnosed as some other disease in Birmingham in the years 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941; and how many of them occurred in children who had been previously inoculated against diphtheria.

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is not readily available, and to obtain all the particulars referred to, even if practicable, would mean imposing a laborious task on the local authority concerned. I do not feel justified in thus adding to the strain under which local authorities and their Medical Officers of Health are working at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give recent figures showing the absolute number and, where possible, the proportion, of children immunised against diphtheria in the different county boroughs at ages under five, between five and 15 and total under 15?

The appended table gives the desired particulars as at 30th June, 1942. The percentage figures are estimates made by the authorities themselves. Present circumstances, in particular

Number of children immunised against diplitheria under Local Authority arrangements in County Boroughs between 1st January, 1940, and 30th June, 1942, as shown by returns furnished by the Medical Officers of Health.
County Boroughs.		Total immunised from 1st January, 1940, to 30th June, 1942			Approximate Estimate by Local Authority of percentage of Child population immunised at 30th June, 1942.
		Age under 5.	Age 5–15.	Total.	Age under 5.	Age 5–15.
Reading	…	2,344	5,514	7,858	Not available
Birkenhead	…	1,610	3,866	5,476	13	51
Chester	…	518	1,720	2,238	19	66
Stockport	…	1,978	8,823	10,801	35	61
Wallasey	…	845	1,143	1,988	16	44
Carlisle	…	1,062	6,666	7,728	27	71
Derby	…	2,692	4,255	6,947	29	58
Exeter	…	1,944	7,024	8,968	46	77
Plymouth	…	4,023	8,425	12,448	30	52
Darlington	…	1,081	2,568	3,649	25	25
Gateshead	…	1,385	8,336	9,721	15	53
South Shields	…	2,997	1,934	4,931	32	66
Sunderland	…	2,836	5,387	8,223	18	19
West Hartlepool	…	440	3,639	4,079	17	55
East Ham	…	782	1,228	2,010	40	42
Southend-on-Sea	…	1,028	1,720	2,748	11	26
West Ham	…	1,626	1,918	3,544	33	40
Bristol	…	4,274	11,555	15,829	16	48
Gloucester	…	1,279	3,148	4,427	28	41
Canterbury	…	237	910	1,147	28	63
Barrow-in-Furness	…	806	1,292	2,098	35	65
Blackburn	…	1,468	4,890	6,358	19	73
Blackpool	…	1,958	2,635	4,593	27	65
Bolton	…	2,496	9,280	11,776	18	47
Bootle	…	565	1,164	1,729	11	59
Burnley	…	1,169	1,406	2,575	18	25
Bury	…	671	2,044	2,715	22	43
Liverpool	…	7,047	9,144	16,191	12	41
Manchester	…	12,060	14,379	26,439	26	67
Oldham	…	2,011	3,218	5,229	31	78
Preston	…	1,517	6,359	7,876	20	80
Rochdale	…	1,412	744	2,156	25	18
St. Helens	…	2,873	6,342	9,215	26	49
Salford	…	1,520	5,504	7,024	13	51
Southport	…	1,562	3,142	4,704	30	64
Warrington	…	1,350	1,917	3,267	23	68
Wigan	…	463	2,484	2,947	Not available
Leicester	…	6,144	5,376	11,520	44	38
Grimsby	…	1,188	7,081	8,269	30	60
Lincoln	…	1,379	5,780	7,159	31	57
Great Yarmouth	…	438	1,804	2,242	25	77
Norwich	…	1,355	4,405	5,760	16	40
Northampton	…	1,493	9,754	11,247	20	60
Newcastle-on-Tyne	…	4,104	14,201	18,305	47	64
Tynemouth	…	1,356	5,746	7,102	33	73
Nottingham	…	5,153	27,219	32,372	26	76
Oxford	…	1,983	10,006	11,989	26	60
Bath	…	754	1,574	2,328	25	23
Bournemouth	…	2,333	3,157	5,490	32	21
Portsmouth	…	2,396	5,763	8,159	26	70
Southampton	…	1,129	3,140	4,269	32	54
Burton-upon-Trent	…	898	2,785	3,683	30	57

asked the Minister of Health the percentage of overcrowding in the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields, respectively; and the percentage for the country?

The latest information available relates to the year ended 31st December, 1938, at which date the percentages of overcrowded houses on the standard laid down in the Housing Act, 1936, were—Durham Administrative County, 5.6; Sunderland County Borough, 21.2; South Shields County Borough, 9.7; England and Wales, 1.8. Since the date mentioned there has, of course, been a considerable movement of population, the result of which has been a net reduction in the population of the county and county boroughs named.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the United States of America the controlled temperature for government offices has been fixed at 68 degrees Fahrenheit as against 60 degrees Fahrenheit for Government offices in Great Britain; and whether, before finally deciding upon the lower figure for this country for the forthcoming winter, he will carry out further investigations into the efficiency of sedentary workers working under such conditions?

My attention had not previously been drawn to the fixing of a controlled temperature for Government offices in America, but 60 degrees is commonly regarded by informed opinion in this country as a reasonable standard. I am not aware of any evidence of loss of efficiency during last winter due to the instructions on the subject issued by my Noble Friend the then Minister of Works and Buildings and I see no necessity for further investigations pending the putting into force of similar instructions for the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the valuable assistance which could be derived by all who seek to improve the system of local government, he will now consider the publication of the report of the recent Departmental Committee on rating?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recent publication of the reports of the Scott and Uthwatt Committees, which must have a considerable influence on any proposals for the reorganisation of local government, he will now implement the promise made by his predecessor on the 4th April, 1940, and publish the report of the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rating at an early date?

The terms of reference to the Committee were limited to the investigation of a particular issue relating to the assessment of small houses, and had no bearing on the machinery of valuation for rates or of other local government functions. Many material factors affecting the issue investigated by the committee have substantially changed under war conditions, and I am not convinced that in present circumstances the publication of the report would serve a useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health how many officers and their staffs are posted at the 12 Civil Defence regional offices to be available for consultation with the commissioner but not under his orders, showing each regional staff separately and indicating the total cost, including buildings requisitioned or hired, fuel, light, etc.?

In each of the Civil Defence regions in, England and Wales, a member of the staff of the senior regional officer of the Ministry of Health acts as liaison officer between the Regional Commissioner's Office and the Ministry of Health Regional Office. Such liaison officers are only occupied part-time on these duties, and no additional cost is involved.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that the issue of blankets for men and women employed in the National Fire Service shall be equivalent to those issued to the Forces?

My right hon. Friend proposes to increase the scale of issue to three per head with a margin to permit of periodic cleaning. This, I believe, will be in broad correspondence with the issues laid down for the Forces. Part of the additional supply should be available immediately, but it may take some time before the new scale can be fully met.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate the measures which he has adopted for the provision of employment for members of the Defence Services who, for any reason, may have been discharged since the outbreak of war?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to members of the Civil Defence (General) Services and of the National Fire Service. In general members of these Services who have been discharged have the same opportunities for obtaining new employment through the Employment Exchange system as persons discharged from work in other occupations. In April this year, however, special arrangements were made to deal with the transfer to industry of men and women becoming available through the reduction of the establishment of the Civil Defence (General) Services. In July similar arrangements were made as regards the National Fire Service. These arrangements provided procedure for selecting first the most suitable individuals for release to fill vacancies in the most urgently needed occupations. The number placed or in course of placing under these arrangements is approximately 24,000.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of persons who, having pleaded conscientious objection, have been fined or given terms of imprisonment by the various courts throughout the country for non-compliance with the Civil Defence orders?

I regret that the information asked for is not available and in view of the pressure upon local authorities and their staffs I should not feel justified in asking for a special return.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now submit to the House the return for September stating the particulars of detentions and releases of persons detained under 18B; and of the cases in which the recommendations of the Advisory Committee have been set aside?

The report to Parliament for the month of September will be made in the course of the next few days.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that it frequently occurs that detainees wishing for family or health or other reasons to remain at Brixton or Holloway are nevertheless sent to the Isle of Man, whilst at the same time others who are anxious to be sent to the Isle of Man are often retained in London prisons; and will he, in view of the fact that conditions of detention are intended to be as little punitive as possible, consider the wishes of detainees in this regard?

Account is taken of the wish of the individual, but it cannot always be the decisive factor. There are other considerations to which weight must be given.

asked the Home Secretary how many men aged 42 and over, with British-born parents, are now detained under Defence Regulation 18B; how many of these fought in the last war and how many of them were wounded?

The details asked for are not available.

asked the Home Secretary how many men who were conscientious objectors between 1914 and 1918 are detained under 18B?

This information is not available.

asked the Home Secretary on what date, and for what reason, instructions were sent to the senior medical officer at Brixton prison to the effect that he was at liberty, systematically, to disregard the conditions laid down in Command Paper 6162, for detention of persons under 18B?

I know of no such instructions.

asked the Home Secretary on what dates instructions were sent to the Governors of Brixton, Liverpool, Stafford, Winchester and Holloway Prisons, to the effect that persons detained under 18B were to be prevented from writing to their Members of Parliament; and whether similar instructions were sent to the Governors of any other prisons; and, if so, which?

Before October, 1940, the rule was that facilities for correspondence were only intended to enable a detained person to keep in touch with his relatives or personal acquaintances, but, as I stated in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 17th October, 1940, it was then decided that in future letters to M.Ps. should be allowed regardless of the consideration whether the writer has or has not any personal acquaintance with the Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many officers and their staffs are posted at the 12 Civil Defence regional offices to be available for consultation with the commissioner but not under his orders, showing each regional staff separately and indicating the total cost, including buildings requisitioned or hired, fuel, light, etc.?

No officers of the Ministry of War Transport are posted to the Civil Defence regional offices. In each region there is one officer on the staff of the Regional Transport Commissioner, part of whose duties is to act as liaison officer with the Regional Commissioner. This officer is part of the normal staff of the Regional Transport Commissioner and the liaison duties occupy only a small part of his time. No additional expenditure is involved.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is with his knowledge and approval that air-raid wardens are asking householders for particulars of the names, ages, occupations, war service and special qualifications of members of their households and for information as to cooking facilities, fuel supplies, first-aid equipment, tools, bicycles, water supplies, fire appliances, accommodation and bedding, food supplies, typewriters and other matters; whether householders are obliged to give this information; and what is the purpose of these inquiries?

The sole purpose of these inquiries is to obtain information which will be of assistance in the preparation of a defence scheme for the area concerned and in the actual working of the scheme in the event of invasion. There are many tasks which, in the event of invasion, the citizen may be called upon to undertake and many ways in which he and the material resources at his disposal can make a contribution to the work of repelling the invader and maintaining services essential to the life of the community; and a record of the special capacities and resources of householders will assist in securing that the best use is made of the services offered by citizens if invasion comes. What precise particulars should be included in such a survey is a matter for local decision, but it is with my knowledge and approval that such surveys have been, and are being, made not only in London but throughout the country. This information is not requested in pursuance of any legal requirement, but I am confident that I can rely on the good will and co-operation of householders in rendering available information which will be used for the common benefit.

asked the Minister of Health in what circumstances materials will be released for reconditioning under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts and for adding rooms to cottages in view of the increase of workers on the land for the food production campaign?

Where the local authority supports an application for assistance under the Acts and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries recommends the proposed works as urgently necessary in the interests of wartime food production, approval is given, subject to all possible economies being effected in the use of controlled materials. An authorisation is then issued to ensure the release of these materials.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will define the position of local authorities' liability and responsibility with regard to the furniture and effects of bombed-out people stored by them; and will he enquire into the case of Mrs. W. E. Strange, of Ashford, Middlesex, an airman's wife who was bombed out of her home in November, 1941, and whose furniture was taken to store by the local authority, and much of it has now been stolen, for which Staines Urban District Council, who describe themselves as gratuitous bailees, now deny liability?

As my right hon. Friend explained in reply to a Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall) on nth December last, a local authority must take reasonable care of salved furniture which it has taken into store. Failing such care it would be liable to the owner. In cases of dispute a decision as to liability would rest with the courts. The facts of the case quoted by my hon. Friend appear to be broadly as stated in the Question. I am having further inquiry made in order to establish whether or not the local authority could properly accept liability, and will communicate in due course with my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in an article published in "Review of World Affairs," dated 1st October, 1942, firm neutral government by the British occupying authorities in Abyssinia was advocated; and whether, in view of the recently signed agreement between the British Government and the Emperor of Ethiopia, he will take steps to prohibit further publications of this nature?

I have seen the article referred to. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that it does not represent the situation in Abyssinia and I do not think that the views expressed in this publication are such as to require any notice being taken of them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to enable citizens of both sexes who will have served, or are then serving, in the Navy, Army and Air Force and are under the age of 21 on polling day to vote at the next General Election?

The Government have already promised that between the time when it can be seen that the life of this Parliament must end and the occurrence of a General Election the House shall have a reasonable and proper opportunity of discussing any electoral reforms or changes which hon. Members may think desirable, and the question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend is one of the matters which will have to be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking any, and what steps, for the manufacture and sale to the public of utility earthenware?

Yes, Sir. By an Order and directions made on 30th May, all pottery manufactured for the home market must be of a utility type. Further limitations of types and sizes are imposed by directions which become operative on 1st January, 1943.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he has taken, in view of continuing shortages, to ensure that the six largest firms of earthenware manufacturers have gone into production of utility crockery for the home domestic market in adequate proportion to their respective production capacities; and from what dates, respectively, did those outputs of utility crockery become effective?

Since 1st June last, except for very small quantities made under special licence, manufacturers of pottery have only been permitted to produce plain utility ware for the home market. In September last, in view of the serious shortage of domestic pottery, particularly cups, I made a special appeal to the employers and workers to increase output. I am glad to say that there has been a substantial increase, and in the case of cups, production at the end of last month was more than 30 per cent. greater than in May and June. All the six largest manufacturers have fully contributed to this increase and I should like to express my gratitude to the industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider amending the coupon system so far as household goods are concerned in order to help those householders who have people compulsorily billeted on them and who have to replace articles damaged or worn out in consequence of their use by the persons billeted?

No, Sir. The only essential household goods subject to coupon are towels and teacloths; and everyone who does not provide his own should take his turn to contribute a coupon or two when replacement is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make some concession in the amount of coupons to be surrendered by members of the Girls' Training Corps when obtaining the regulation uniform?

No, Sir. I regret that, in view of the stringency of supplies, I cannot justify such a concession.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Forms B.S.I.G, dealing with applications for insurance against war damage in respect of goods insurable under the business scheme, are issued every quarter or six months; and, since the filling up of these forms involves the routine typing of the same thing each time, whether he will take steps to avoid waste of paper on this scale?

Form B.S.I (G) is a small single sheet measuring 5¼ inches by 8½ inches, and is now completed only at six-monthly intervals. In practice, it is found that the particulars to be recorded vary from one insurance period to another in a large number of cases, owing to variations in the value of the business equipment or the wishes of the insured in regard to goods which are voluntarily insurable. The possibility of saving paper from some simplification of the requirements has been carefully considered, in consultation with an Advisory Committee of the Insurance Interests who act as the agents of the Board of Trade for the insurance schemes, but it was found undesirable to make any general change in the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for India the numbers of Indians and Europeans, respectively, employed in the All-India services in 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940?

The earliest return giving the racial composition of the All-India Services is that for the year 1922. The figures for the years 1922, 1930 and 1940 are as follow: —

—	Indians	Europeans
1922*	807	3,110
1930*	1,167	2,454
1940	1,238	1,491
*Including figures for Burma.

asked the Secretary of State for India the names of the present members of the Viceroy's Executive Council, together with the offices they hold?

The Viceroy's Executive Council is composed as follows: —

• General Sir A. P. Wavell, G.C.B., C.M.G., M.C. (War).
• Sir R. M. Maxwell, K.C.S.I., C.I.E. (Home)
• Sir J. Raisman, K.C.S.I., C.I.E. (Finance).
• Mr. N. R. Sarkar (Commerce).
• Sir H. P. Mody (Supply).
• Sir Sultan Ahmed (Law).
• Sir J. P. Srivastava, K.B.E. (Civil Defence).
• Mr. M. S. Aney (Indians Overseas and leader in the Legislature).
• Malik Sir Firoz Khan Noon, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E. (Defence).
• Sardar Sir Jogendra Singh (Education, Health and Lands).
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour).
• Sir E. C. Benthall (War Transport).
• Khan Bahadur Sir Mohammad Usman, K.C.I.E. (Posts and Air).
• Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar (Member without Portfolio and accredited representative of India at the War Cabinet).

The post of Information Member is at present vacant through the resignation of Sir C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the electorate for the present Central Legislative Assembly?

The total electorate for the last General Election (1934) for the Central Legislative Assembly was 1,415,892.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give in round figures the total estimated electorate for the Provincial Legislatures under the Act of 1935; and the estimated number of women qualified to vote?

In round figures the numbers at the time of the last General Elections in 1937 were respectively 30,000,000 and 4,250,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the visit of Sir George Gater to the United States of America?

Sir George Gater has recently paid an informal visit to Washington. He has made a number of valuable contacts and has had discussions of a general character on questions of mutual interest, many of which were of a technical nature.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement as to the way in which the measures for compulsory labour are working in Kenya and in Nigeria; how many men have been conscripted in each case; how many additional labour inspectors have been appointed; what wages are being paid and whether there have been any convictions for the breach of any of the Regulations?

The position is as follows. The total number conscripted in Kenya was just over 14,000 up to the 25th October; in Nigeria the number, up to the 20th of October, was 3,000 under the regulations made in March, 1942, for a maximum period of service of two months, while since August, when new regulations were made, 4,466 labourers have been conscripted for a maximum period of four months' service. Three additional Inspectors have been appointed to the staff of the Labour Department in Kenya, while in Nigeria an Administrative Officer has been placed in charge of the general welfare of the workers in the tin mines, and two Labour Officers have been appointed to assist him. In Kenya 20 convictions have been reported under the regulations for refusal to work, and as a result of 545 desertions reported, 120 Africans have been convicted or ordered to return to work. In Nigeria there have been 184 convictions under the Regulations made in August—three for refusal to proceed to the mines when selected and the remainder for leaving work before the period of four months' service had been completed. Wage rates in Kenya vary with locality, tribe and nature of work. In each case they include prescribed rations, housing and medical attention. Minimum wage rates have been laid down as follow:Short periods, 8s. to 10s. a month.Over three months, 9s. to 12s. a monthbut considerably more is earned on task work in heavy industries where wages total from 14s. to 20s. a month. In Nigeria labourers are paid wages on the following scales:(

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the arrest of trade union officials in Jamaica; and what contravention of the trade union law of that Colony has occurred?

The Governor of Jamaica has detained under the Jamaica Defence Regulations the following persons:

• Richard Hart,
• Arthur Henry,
• Frank Hill, and
• Ken Hill.

This action has been taken not because the persons in question are trade union leaders but on the ground that they have been engaging in subversive activities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the protests made in Jamaica and elsewhere against statements made by the Governor of Jamaica respecting economic conditions and political aspirations; and whether adequate plans are being considered to meet not only present emergencies, but also the future development of the Colony?

I have not seen the statements and protests referred to. The Governor is taking all possible steps to deal with the situation which has arisen as a result of war conditions and the shortage of shipping. Long-term plans of development are being drawn up in consultation with the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is possible to give an estimate of the loss of crops in acreage during this harvest by the outcropping of coal?

About 50 acres of cereal and root crops have been lost to this season's harvest by the outcropping of coal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the National Growers' Association were given warning of the new Horticultural Cropping Order banning the growing of flowers in greenhouses in sufficient time to enable them to avoid employing labour unnecessarily during the summer; and has his attention been drawn to the protest dated the 26th October issued by the National Growers' Association and which is being circulated?

The Horticultural (Cropping) Amendment and Consolidation Order, 1942, which contains a provision restricting the use of fuel in artificially heated glasshouses to certain essential food crops was made on 7th July to take effect on 1st November. It was made clear in public announcements earlier in the year that the use of fuel for the production of non-essential crops during the present winter could not be permitted but no special warning was given to the National Growers' Association. I am aware that this particular association has entered a protest against the Order, but I do not consider that there is any foundation for the suggestion that flower growers were kept in ignorance of the need for further restrictions in the production of flowers.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of his recommendation to local education authorities to release schoolchildren to help with the Christmas mail, what will be the number of hours of work per day, the rate of pay and the period for which schoolchildren will be required?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Administrative Memorandum No. 418 which deals with the hours of work, the rates of pay and the period of employment of schoolchildren volunteering to help with the Christmas mail. I understand that the Post Office have indicated in a confidential circular to local post officials the maximum rates of pay, which vary according to the type of area and. the age and sex of the children. The Post Office have also emphasised to local officials the importance of giving children at least one free day a week during their period of employment.

asked the Postmaster-General, when the September, 1942, telephone directories will be available in Pudsey, Yorkshire?

The telephone directories in question were delivered to the subscribers concerned early in October.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements are being made to enable the general public to hear military bands playing in the streets of London, other than Trafalgar Square, and in provincial towns; and, if not, whether he will consider making such arrangements?

Army bands are primarily intended to play to the troops and they are located where this can best be done. But in so far as transport is available and the season of the year permits bands are encouraged to play in public.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give estimates of the cost of new construction or requisitioning, the number of cooks, orderlies and batmen, the extra consumption of fuel and light, respectively, which will be necessitated by the proposal that officers on the staffs of all static formations in Home Commands shall be accommodated in messes; and whether he will issue immediate in- structions not to proceed with the proposals until their effect on the man-power situation and on the question of fuel economy has been fully considered;(2) how many formations in Home Commands are affected by the instruction that all static formations should have messes and that all officers should normally live therein; and what are the reasons for a decision which appears wasteful of man-power and materials, including mess furniture and equipment, which will cost an appreciable amount of money and causes irritation and resentment in the Army and dismay on the part of occupiers of premises likely to be forcibly requisitioned?

I am inquiring into this matter and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to save coal and its transportation, he will authorise units to use peat where suitable in districts where there is a local abundance of it, such as in moorland districts of the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland?

Instructions were issued on 15th March, 1942, authorising the use of peat instead of coal but it had in fact been used by the Army before then in some areas

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that as a result of the Ministry of Supply allocating a large sum of money to Entertainments National Service Association, while the War Office contribution has been reduced, performances are now given at factories in preference to Army units; and whether he is satisfied that the Army is receiving a fair share of good Entertainments National Service Association performances?

E.N.S.A. is responsible for meeting the demands for entertainment from factories as well as from the Services. These demands are co-ordinated by the National Service Entertainments Board and there is no question of the factories having priority over the Army. The exact sum to be allocated for the provision of E.N.S.A, entertainment in the year 1942–43 has not yet been finally settled but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Army will get a fair share of the available good entertainment.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reason T/Lance-Corporal W. Gorbell, T/274040, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was sent overseas at such short notice that he had no opportunity of communicating with his wife before leaving camp for the port of embarkation?

Save in exceptional circumstances, soldiers are given a period of leave before they are sent overseas. In the case referred to by my hon. Friend it was considered to be in the man's own interest to be sent overseas without being given embarkation leave but I regret that he had no opportunity to communicate with his wife before he left.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to report further progress in the equipment and training of the Palestine Regiment?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the Armies fighting in the Western Desert must have first call on all arms shipped to the Middle East. The equipment and training of the Palestine Regiment is nevertheless progressing and I hope to make a further statement on the position shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of removing the restriction at present applicable to Austrians serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service by which they can only be employed as cooks, orderlies and storekeepers?

Austrians serving in the A.T.S. are doing useful work at the present time. The question of extending the scope of their employment is considered from time to time but my hon. Friend will appreciate that for security reasons there must always be some restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made up to date to co-ordinate the plans for entertaining American and British troops stationed in this country; and whether every facility has been placed at the disposal of the visiting American troops in this respect?

Arrangements were made some months ago with the headquarters of the American forces whereby British Army welfare officers place at the disposal of the American troops their local knowledge of the recreation and entertainment available in these areas. In addition the E.N.S.A. entertainment service is available to meet the requirements of the American troops. The American forces have been good enough to give British troops the benefit of American entertainments and these have been much appreciated. The co-ordination of arrangements for hospitality to American troops is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether, in the case of houses under the Rent Restriction Acts, he can state the relative cost of carrying out necessary repairs to such houses both now and on 1st September, 1939?

I have been asked to reply. I regret I have no record which would enable me to supply the information desired, but the cost of repairs, in so far as labour and materials can be made available for the purpose, has undoubtedly risen considerably.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any records of the number of mobile women workers transported to England for war work up to 31st October, 1942; and whether he will consider, with a view to including in these records the information whether these women were expatriated against their will, inserting notices in the papers asking any of them who wish to return to Scotland for work, when available, immediately to notify either the Scottish Home Department or the Scottish Council for Industry, giving the address of their present place of employment?

I have been asked to reply. The number of women transferred from Scotland to employment in England after registration under the Registration for Employment Order and the National Service Act was 2,267 for the period from 16th May, 1942, to 3rd October, 1942. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer to the reply of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 9th September, 1942, and my reply to the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) on 8th October, 1942.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now ask all the shipbuilding firms to keep detailed records of absenteeism both involuntary and voluntary?

The Ministry of Labour and National Service have recently prepared a pamphlet entitled "The Problem of Absenteeism" which includes a model form for recording absenteeism both involuntary and voluntary in respect of individual workers. This pamphlet has been distributed to all shipbuilding and ship-repairing firms, and my District Shipyard Controllers have been instructed to urge firms in their districts to adopt a system of recording absenteeism which will embody the principles contained in that pamphlet.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the procedure to be adopted by persons whose qualifications may be high and who wish to apply for employment in the British Broadcasting Corporation but are not registered on the books of the Appointments Department of his Ministry?

As regards the engagement of employees the British Broadcasting Corporation is in the same position as a private firm and I am not aware of any special procedure to be followed by candidates for employment with them. On general grounds, however, I would ask that persons such as those referred to by my hon. Friend, should register their qualifications with the Appointments Department.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information in connection with the two men killed and II men injured by a falling building at Chessington, Surrey, and what was the cause of the building collapsing?

I understand that, as found at the inquest on the 30th October, when a verdict of accidental death was returned, a partially constructed roof of a building collapsed. The bracing provided to maintain the roof trusses in a stable condition during erection gave way. I am taking steps to direct attention to the causes of the accident with a view to preventing a recurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any further statement on the present food situation in the Channel Islands; whether the relief efforts of the International Red Cross have had any measure of success; and whether, through the Red Cross or otherwise, improvement can be effected in communications between the islanders and their relatives in this country?

I have been asked to reply. Such information as is available confirms the statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare in reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. Brown) on 30th September last. The efforts of the International Red Cross have been confined to sending medical supplies. The difficulties in the way of sending food supplies were explained in the statement referred to above. As regards communications, the International Red Cross are doing their best to help, but the transmission of messages from and to the islands necessarily depends on the arrangements made by the German Government.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the pensioned soldiers from the Great War, 1914–18, are still inmates or being treated in our mental hospitals?

I am unable to give separate figures for the Army, but the total number of Great War pensioners of all Services who were receiving in-patient treatment in mental hospitals in this country on the 30th September was 4,928.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that a pension has been refused to the widow of a soldier who was passed A1 when he volunteered in November, 1939, and who died in September, 1942, he will take steps to amend the Royal Warrant so as to make a pension payable, on retirement or death, if he has been accepted as A1 when he joined the forces?

The principle on which war pensions are granted is that the death or disablement must be connected with war service and I am not prepared to depart from that principle.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether increased payments to dependants of soldiers in respect of service allowances and proficiency pay are automatically deducted by an equal or increased amount from any war service grant which may be in force at the time?

An increase in family income resulting from a higher rate of regulated allowance, including a higher qualifying allotment, is not automatically reflected in a reduced war service grant. The grant is, however, reexamined and there would commonly be some reduction, though not necessarily of the same amount as the increase in allowance. The effect on war service grants of the recent increase in children's allowance is at present under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he will cause inquiries to be made in regard to the removal of railings in Faversham, since there has been criticism in the town as to the unsatisfactory way in which the work has been done; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter?

I have had inquiry made. I am informed that, owing to inexperience on the part of the contractor employed, his standard of work was at the outset not satisfactory. With the introduction of closer supervision, however, this has been remedied and I understand that the work is now being satisfactorily carried out. Damage caused in the course of removal is being repaired.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he is aware that there is need of canteen facilities for Government staff in the City of London area; and, in view of the fact that the matter has now been under consideration for some months, whether he will give an early decision to establish a canteen as soon as possible?

There are already a number of canteens in Government offices in the City of London area. It is recognised that there is a need for additional facilities and it is proposed to set up one or more additional canteens as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider publishing twice monthly m the newspapers the target figure laid down and the actual figure attained for coal raised in each of the districts into which the mines of the country are divided?

As my hon. Friend is aware, I am already publishing four-weekly figures of national production and of the performance of each district against its standard tonnage, laid down for the purpose of the output bonus scheme. It would not be in the public interest to publish regular figures for each district at shorter intervals than a month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has now completed his inquiries with regard to the damage done to railway wagons in the course of unloading at the Solihull reserve coal dump; whether he is satisfied that all proper precautions were taken; and by whom has the cost of repairs been defrayed?

I am now assured that normal precautions were taken in connection with the unloading of this coal. The cost of repairs to the wagons damaged during the unloading is a liability of the contractors concerned, to whom accounts covering such cost have been rendered by the railway companies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the terms of the resolution passed by the Solihull Urban District Council on 20th October, with regard to the reserve coal dump at Solihull; and when he expects to be in a position to make a statement?

The answer to the first part of the Question is Yes, Sir. In answer to my hon. Friend's supplementary Questions on 29th September, I informed him that all possible merchants in the Solihull district were approached. I now find that this was not correct. I am, however, satisfied that all likely merchants were approached. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the nature of the work involved required a substantial organisation on a larger scale than that normally at the disposal of the average coal merchant. My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport has already dealt fully with the question of the alleged damage to wagons as a result of the method employed for unloading and stacking the coal, and I am satisfied that this method has not resulted in any abnormal breakage of coal. Coal for stocking on Government account in Solihull was available only for a limited period and in limited quantities. To take the fullest possible advantage of the opportunity all the arrangements had to be made at short notice, and but for the arrangements which were made, it is quite clear to me that the coal which is now in stock as an emergency reserve in Solihull would not to-day have been in stock.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many officers of his Department and their staffs are posted at the 12 Civil Defence regional offices to be available for consultation with the commissioner but not under his orders, showing each regional staff separately, and indicating the total cost, including buildings requisitioned or hired, fuel, light, etc.?

None of my officers is permanently posted at the office of a Regional Commissioner, but there is close contact between my Regional Controllers and the Regional Commissioners. In the event of an emergency in any particular region, a liaison officer will immediately be posted to the Regional Commissioner's office.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the Forster Committee, on the Recruitment of Juveniles in the Coalmining Industry, reports against the introduction of apprenticeship for juvenile entrants who will seek their livelihood as working miners; and whether, as without this provision, the lack of security, a principal cause against recruitment, will continue, he intends to re-examine this problem with a view to bringing coalmining into line with the other principal industries in this connection?

This matter is under review in the consideration that is now being given to the report of the Forster Committee by the industry and my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether there is any objection or hindrance to attaching trailers to omnibuses where road surface renders this possible?

The attachment of trailers to omnibuses except for the purpose of gas producer traction is prohibited by the Public Service Vehicle (Equipment and Use) Regulations, 1941, and in view of the difficulty of manœuvring such a combination and the conditions under which omnibus services operate, I do not think it would be wise to adopt the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the proposal of the Bradford Corporation Transport Department, to replace trams by omnibuses on the Stanningley and Wibsey routes owing to the difficulty of securing necessary track-repair materials; and whether he will take-steps to supply such materials and thus effect economy in the use of rubber and imported fuel whilst helping to maintain existing motor transport services in places where tramcars do not operate?

The outer half of the Stanningley route is in such a bad state of repair that it would have required large amounts of labour and materials to reconstruct it. For this reason, the Bradford Corporation decided to abandon it, and I am satisfied that their decision was right. The corporation inform me that they are not proposing to abandon the Wibsey tram route.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what steps will be taken to preserve cheap travel for part-time students whose advanced technical education necessitates journeys during 40 weeks of the year and costing £10 per annum or more?

As I said in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 14th October, the withdrawal of cheap day tickets was a necessary measure which my Noble Friend adopted with great regret. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that various reduced rates for railway travel are still available for part-time students, including season tickets. Season tickets are issued at half-rates to persons under 18 years of age who earn not more than 25s. per week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will reconsider the withdrawal of the 1s. day tickets and the system of return fares in the London area in view of the hardship which is being caused to many working people who travel not for pleasure but to earn their livelihood?

The shilling all-day tickets on trams and trolley-buses and the cheap day return tickets on railways have been withdrawn in order to reduce unnecessary travel. These tickets were only issued after the hour of 10 a.m. They were originally introduced as concessions designed to encourage travel during off-peak periods. I am aware that their withdrawal may in some cases increase the cost of necessary travel. I regret that this is so; but as I am sure my hon. Friend will understand, to make exceptions would create unmanageable problems.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can now make a further statement in regard to the restoration of road direction signs?