asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements were made to ensure that a verbatim text of the speeches made by the Prime Minister and General Smuts were available to any miner who wished to study them; and why these speeches were not published at an early stage subject to the deletion of any confidential details?

It is not intended to provide a verbatim text of the speeches. The conference was convened in private to afford the Prime Minister and Field Marshal Smuts an opportunity of giving a more intimate review of the war situation to representatives of the coal mining industry than would be possible in ordinary circumstances. These representatives have since reported back to their districts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider issuing regulations authorising the cutting down of trees on private property in cases where the restriction of light involves unnecessary use of electricity or gas and where the owner refuses to act?

I do not think that regulations such as my hon. Friend suggests would produce a saving of fuel in any way commensurate with the difficulties which it would involve. Tree-felling and lopping, especially in urban areas, is a highly skilled job, and if undertaken by unskilled persons is liable to cause not only serious damage to house property, but also danger to life and limb. Here, as elsewhere, there is a great shortage of skilled labour; but I hope that wherever this sort of work is desirable in the interests of fuel-saving, it will if possible be carried out.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has taken the power at any time to enter any industrial factory or undertaking and ascertain whether they are in his opinion complying with the instructions for economy in fuel?

Yes, Sir. In so far as any industrial factory or undertaking is affected by any order made by me in relation to economy in the use or consumption of fuel, for example, the Waste of Fuel Order, 1942, a power of entry and inspection of such premises is conferred on persons authorised by me in that behalf with a view to securing compliance with the Order.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory canteen arrangements at the Bargoed steam and house coal collieries, Glamorganshire; that the workmen have been agitating for over 12 months to get some improvement; and if he will take the necessary steps to deal with this grievance?

The need for improving this canteen is recognised. The local miners' welfare officer has already taken the matter up with the colliery canteen committee, which includes representatives of the workmen, and he is awaiting the committee's response to his proposals.

asked the Minister of Production whether, following the appointment of the three scientific advisers to his Ministry, arrangements can be made to improve the machinery for discussing with qualified inventors the ideas and inventions which they submit to various Government Departments?

Departments exist in each of the Supply Ministries for the purpose of examining and following up new inventions, and my right hon. Friend does not feel that there is any need for a change in the machinery at present in operation.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is satisfied that his powers are sufficient to enable him to secure effective control of industrial war production?

As my right hon. Friend stated in the House on 24th March, the powers conferred upon him were the powers for which he had asked. He also made it clear that he would not hesitate to ask for such additional powers as might be shown to be necessary in the light of experience.

asked the Minister of Production whether full consideration has been given to the waste of paper by Government Departments and statutory bodies in making unnecessary communications, including such matters as the notification of decisions of medical service sub-committees to the General Medical Council and the correspondence between the General Medical Council and the doctors concerned?

There are special committees which consider the means of obtaining economy in the use of paper by Government Departments and by other users of paper including statutory bodies. The attention of the appropriate committee has been drawn to the matter referred to by my hon. Friend with a view to inquiries into what economies can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour whether travelling expenses are allowed to workers transferred from their usual employment to work at a greater distance and at a lesser rate of pay?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the rates of earnings of many workers are reduced when transferred from work in the London area to a country area, whilst their domicile and living expenses remain unaltered; and if he can take any steps to deal with this hardship?

Allowances for transferred workers' are provided to cover the extra cost of living away from home and continuing liabilities in the home area. On the question of reduced earnings, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the transfer of workers over 45 years of age from employment in high temperatures to outdoor employment is considered adequate ground for appeal?

Any worker, whether transferred to employment in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend or otherwise, has an opportunity of appealing to a local appeal board if directed to the employment under Regulation 58A (1) of the Defence (General) Regulations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the county of Gloucestershire mothers are unable to take up part-time work in factories owing to the need of feeding their children at midday; and whether he will discuss with the President of the Board of Education the possibility of a further extension of meals at all schools?

I have made some inquiries but have no evidence that, for the reason mentioned in the Question, mothers in Gloucestershire are unable to take up part-time work. If my hon. Friend has any cases specially in mind, I should be obliged if he would send me particulars. I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education that arrangements for increasing the facilities for meals in schools in the area are already well in hand.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will agree to address in camera a representative conference of the shipbuilding industry, with a view to emphasising the urgency of the situation and the vital necessity of increased co-operation and sustained efforts by all concerned?

A representative conference of the shipbuilding and shiprepairing industries was convened in London on 23rd September, and addressed by the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Minister of Labour on the lines suggested. A personal message from the Prime Minister was read to the meeting. Those present were left in no doubt as to the urgency of the present situation, the vital necessity of increased co-operation and of sustained efforts by all concerned. It is not, therefore, considered necessary to convene a further conference on the lines proposed at the present time.

asked the Minister of Production whether he will consider setting up an Allied Production Council in order to facilitate the unified economic command of the United Nations?

On 24th June my right Hon. Friend made a statement in the House in which he dealt very fully with the setting up and functions of the Combined Production and Resources Board. Since this statement was made the Dominion of Canada has been admitted to full membership of the Board, whilst the Commonwealth Supply Council has been created to co-ordinate the production of the Dominions (other than Canada) and India with that of the United Kingdom. The co-ordinated picture of Empire production obtained through the machinery of the Commonwealth Supply Council is transmitted to the British representative on the Combined Production and Resources Board in Washington, where it is integrated with the production of North America, and where the needs of the United Nations as a whole are fully taken into account. My hon. Friend will thus see that in the Combined Production and Resources Board practical and far-reaching machinery already exists for the co-ordination of Allied production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to secure the immediate compliance of firms, businesses or trade associations with all requests by his officials for essential or useful information on costs, turnover, patents and financial structure?

Yes, Sir, if such steps should seem to me to be necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that surgical abdominal belts have recently been included in the clothes rationing scheme, thereby involving hardship to people who, through no fault of their own, are obliged to wear such appliances; and whether he will consider the exclusion of surgical belts from the clothes rationing scheme on the production of a medical certificate?

Most kinds of surgical abdominal belts have been included in the clothes rationing scheme from the beginning. But, in view of the serious shortage of rubber, steel and other materials used in making such belts, I have recently had to include all types, with the exception of maternity belts. I am prepared, however, to consider sympathetically any individual cases where the surrender of coupons causes real hardship.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue additional coupons for overalls to housewives in the same manner as coupons for this purpose are at present issued to women working in industrial occupations?

No, Sir. I regret that, in view of the increasing stringency of supplies, I cannot undertake to issue extra coupons to housewives.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as a result of the Order made by his Department, quantities of rubber gloves are now rotting on the shelves of draper and other storekeepers throughout the country; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this situation?

The acute shortage of rubber made it necessary last May to prohibit the sale of rubber gloves except against certificates, in order to safeguard supplies for essential uses. I have now arranged with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that he will take over stocks of certain types of these gloves from traders who cannot otherwise dispose of them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will con- sider the issue of special coupons for towelling and similar domestic requirements upon a family or household basis, in view of the fact that the present arrangements frequently involve the surrender of coupons for such articles required for family use by one member of the family only?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cambridge (Lieut.-Commander Tufnell) on 10th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he is taking to ascertain the identity of the women and girls who abstained from the recent registration for fire-watching?

It would not be desirable at the present moment to make a statement on the methods now under consideration for tracing men and women who have failed to register for fire guard duties under the Compulsory Enrolment Order.

asked the Home Secretary what action he has taken to implement the report of the Medical Research Council into lung diseases among coal-miners in South Wales; is he aware that the disease is on the increase; and will he take steps forthwith as the matter is vital for the mining industry?

The Minister of Fuel and Power and I are fully alive to the urgency of this matter and are anxious to deal with it at the earliest date possible. Consultations with a view to securing agreement have been in progress with the representative bodies concerned, but are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are to be taken to implement the recommendations of the Committee on Tuberculosis in War-time that the pasteurisation of milk should be extended throughout the country and that where this is not practical all milk consumed, by children should be boiled or dried milk provided?

I would call my hon. and gallant Friend's attention to the reply that I gave on the 15th October to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fulham (Dr. Edith Summerskill). My Noble Friend the Minister of Food with whom I am in close consultation on the subject, is taking all practicable steps to extend pasteurisation. I am in consultation also with my Noble Friend on the best allocation among children of the supplies of dried milk available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will explain the difference between the figures regarding diphtheria deaths in the Administrative County of London for the years 1940 and 1941 given in a recent answer in Parliament and those given in table 3 of the Registrar General's weekly returns number 53 for each year?

The figures given in my answer of 7th October to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) are the final number of deaths, classified by the Registrar General as clue to diphtheria, of persons resident in the County of London. The provisional figures published in the Registrar General's weekly returns are derived from numerical returns from local registrars, and relate to deaths occurring in London without correction for residence.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases sent to Darlington Hospital as clinical cases of diphtheria were rediagnosed as tonsilitis or some other disease during the last seven years; whether any of these rediagnosed cases proved fatal; and how many of the rediagnosed cases were immunised children?

I understand that general practitioners in Darlington are encouraged to send to the Infectious Diseases Hospital any case in which diphtheria is suspected, whether clinically established or not because of the great importance of administering diphtheria antitoxin as early in the disease as possible: and that during the last seven years there have been about 800 such admissions, covering all age groups. Of these 78 were found to be not diphtheria cases, 47 being diagnosed as tonsilitis and the remainder as cases of broncho-pneumonia, Vincent's angina, syphilis, scarlet fever, or measles. Six of these 78 cases proved fatal, and 13 of them were immunised children.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the differences of opinion among the medical profession and other students of the matter as to the utility and safety of inoculation against diphtheria, he will arrange for an inquiry by a small committee, on which opponents of the practice will be represented, with a view to ascertaining to what extent the claims made on its behalf are justified by experience?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 10th November.

asked the Minister of Health how many children up to five years of age and how many between five and 14 years of age were inoculated in the borough of Southend during the months January to June 1941; how many cases of diphtheria were notified in that period in immunised and unimmunised children; how many cases in that age class were rediagnosed; and whether there were any deaths in any of these four groups?

The numbers of children in Southend who received a full course of immunisation under local authority arrangements during the months January to June, 1941, were 568 under five years of age and 1,355 between the ages of five and 14. No cases of diphtheria were notified among immunised children. Among non-immunised children 17 cases were notified. None of these cases was rediagnosed. Two deaths occurred among non-immunised children under five.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria and deaths from that disease occurred in Darlington in children under five years of age and over that age in the years 1940 to 1941?

The numbers of cases of diphtheria notified from Darlington in the years 1940 and 1941 were 61 and 163 respectively. No information as to age is available to the Registrar General. The numbers of deaths classified to diphtheria by the Registrar General and assigned to Darlington according to residence were as follow:

			Age
			0–5 years	5 years, and over.
1940	…	…	1	1
1941	…	…	2	5

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria and deaths from that disease were recorded in- the borough of Southend during the first six months of 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 and 1940?

The numbers of cases of and deaths from diphtheria notified from Southend during the first six months of 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 and 1940 were as follow:

Year			Cases	Deaths
1936	…	…	19	1
1937	…	…	30	1
1938	…	…	38	1
1939	…	…	48	3
1940	…	…	14	—

asked the Minister of Health whether the report of the Inter-departmental Committee on the Rag Flock Acts, which was appointed by him in 1938, has been considered by him; whether it will be published and when; and whether, in view of the health risks from the continued use of unclean filling material in bedding and upholstery, he will introduce legislation both as a war-time measure and as a permanent statutory provision?

No report has been presented by this committee. I understand that when the work of the committee was suspended on the outbreak of war they had not yet agreed upon the terms of their report.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing practice in local authority institutions of the medical officer of health prohibiting the publication of the record of clinical cases or new methods of treatment by medical officers of institutions; under what statutory or other powers local authorities or their medical officers of health do this; whether such restrictions are mentioned in the terms of appointment of such institutions; and whether this restriction on medical publication of observations or new treatment is approved of by the Ministry?

The reply to the first part of the Question is "No," but if my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind I shall be glad to consider any information he cares to send to me.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the interests of the general health of the community, he will, in order to minimise the withholding of information concerning venereal disease, confer with the Service Departments upon the undesirability of causing any member of the Armed Forces to lose proficiency or any pay, especially as the Armed Forces are principally composed of persons withdrawn compulsorily from civil life?

The issue in question is one for the decision of the Service Departments to whom I am communicating the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the proposal, made to him by the Medical Practitioners' Union, that there should be a National Ambulance Service somewhat analogous to the National Fire Service; and, as its adoption would tend to efficiency, particularly during an emergency, what decision has been reached on the matter?

A reply to the Union's proposal was sent on 6th October, explaining that the consideration of ambulance services is one of the matters included in the surveys of hospitals which are now being made in connection with the Government's post-war policy. During the war the needs are met by the large expansion of the peace-time ambulance service represented by the Civil Defence ambulances, the inter-hospital ambulances used under the Emergency Hospital Scheme, and the American Ambulance in Great Britain, all of which are coordinated on a regional basis.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Pacific War Council will take into early consideration the resumption of Allied bombing of Japan?

I am unable to indicate to my hon. Friend what matters will be considered by the Pacific War Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether having regard to the new income limit, raised to £420 in recent National Health Insurance legislation, and to all established civil servants being now excluded from participating in the National Health Insurance scheme by means of voluntary contributions, the existing Post Office regulations covering free medical attention and treatment will be amended so as to cover and include all Post Office workers in receipt of remuneration not exceeding £420 per annum?

The matter has been fully considered in connection with representations made by the staff association mainly concerned. The existing regulations are especially favourable to the staff of the Post Office, and an extension of the privilege of free medical attendance would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the question of paying sickness benefit to insured women unable to carry on their normal occupation by reason of pregnancy, but able to do some housework, particularly having regard to the numbers of women now undertaking war or other national work?

The question whether a member of an approved society is entitled to sickness benefit is a matter for determination in the first instance by the society, the criterion being the insured person's incapacity for work whether by reason of pregnancy or otherwise. In accordance with the rules of all approved societies, a member is not disqualified from receiving sickness benefit solely by reason of doing light domestic work for which no remuneration is, or would ordinarily be, payable. As regards the particular class of persons to whom my hon. Friend refers, approved societies have been advised that they should ordinarily be prepared, subject to the production of medical evidence, to pay sickness benefit to women members incapable of following their usual employment by reason of advanced pregnancy although they may not be incapable of light household duties.

asked the Under-Secretary, of State for the Colonies whether, in the workmen's compensation legislation in the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, any provision is made for compensation for industrial diseases on the lines of the statutes and regulations in Great Britain?

No, Sir. Such provision was not made in the Colonial Office model ordinance upon which the Nigeria Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1941, was based. The reasons for this were the considerable difficulties which were likely to be experienced in many Colonial territories in diagnosing such diseases and the even greater difficulties in determining whether, in any particular case, the disease was in fact directly and specifically attributable to the workman's employment. An additional complication arises from the unfortunate prevalence of diseases such as malaria and hookworm, which lower the resistance of the worker to other diseases. It has been found by experience in this country that even when a case has been dealt with by a medical practitioner familiar with the particular employment and practising in a district where the particular occupational disease is most usually found, it is frequently necessary for it to be referred to a specially qualified medical referee appointed to deal with such cases. As there were likely to be very few medical practitioners in the Colonial dependencies with, the necessary specialised knowledge and experience, it was felt that there might be a considerable risk of inequitable awards being made if provision for compensation for occupational diseases were included in the model ordinance and adopted by the African Governments for whose assistance the model had been prepared.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give information respecting the West African cocoa production and the Produce Control Board; how much is being burned; whether any consideration has been given to the possibility of using surplus cocoa for the production of cocoa butter; and whether any financial loss of the last year is greater than the balance in hand?

The total production of cocoa in British West Africa and the French Cameroons in 1941–42, which was purchased by what is now the West African Produce Control Board, amounted to about 377,000 tons. Reduced sales have meant a substantial loss on the season, and, though final figures are not available, this loss will probably wipe out the profit made in 1940–41. Apart from it normal use, cocoa is being bought by the Ministry of Food for use as an oilseed to the extent that processing facilities are available here. Cocoa is also released in West Africa for the manufacture of cocoa butter and for household uses. For the rest, as much as possible is stored, but authority has had to be given for the destruction of a certain amount of cocoa which has already deteriorated or is certain to deteriorate before it can be shipped. The Board has taken over the control of palm kernels and groundnuts in British and Fighting French West African territories, and other commodities will be taken over in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consult with Field-Marshal Smuts with a view to the setting up of a Commonwealth War Cabinet in London, to include representatives of the Dominions and India?

I would refer the hon. Member to previous replies on the subject of Dominion representation in the War Cabinet here to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the withdrawal of cheap day return tickets and the consequent hardship to students attending part-time classes, he will arrange for some remission of fees to compensate for the extra charge of travel?

I am aware of the hardship caused to certain part-time students by the withdrawal of cheap day return tickets and I am asking local education authorities to consider giving assistance where necessary either by the remission of fees in whole or in part or by some payment towards travelling expenses.

asked the President of the Board of Education the, percentage of schoolchildren attending secondary schools in Gloucestershire who now receive a hot midday meal and the percentage of schoolchildren attending elementary schools in Gloucestershire who receive a hot midday meal?

In the area of the local education authority for Gloucestershire the proportion of secondary school pupils having dinner at school in October was 57·2 per cent., these facilities being available for every secondary school pupil desiring to take advantage of them. The proportion of elementary school children taking dinner at school, which was 8.8 per cent. in May last, is now believed to be approximately 12 per cent. and is expected to increase rapidly to about 28 per cent. under proposals well in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) what official reports have been made by factory inspectors or medical officers as to the industrial conditions existing in the Birla cotton mills and other industrial establishments in the Bombay area; and what satisfies he has as to the accident or diseases rates or incidence, with especial reference to the occurrence and development of industrial lung disease amongst the cotton or pottery workers;(2) whether any information or statistics are available of the extent or occurrence of industrial diseases in industrial establishments in British India; and any figures as to the amount paid out annually in workmen's compensation for such conditions;(3) whether industrial lung diseases due to the inhalation of dust are included in special industrial compensation schemes in India and, especially whether byssinosis is a compensatable disease amongst the cotton or textile workers in the cotton mills and establishments in India; and whether any statistical or other industrial disease information is available as to the morbidity or mortality rate in the Indian cotton industry?

I regret I have no information, but I am sending the Questions to the Government of India with a request that they will furnish such information as may be available, and will communicate with the hon. Member on receipt of their reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will accept the offer of Mr. Rajagopalachari to visit this country and invite him to London to discuss the present situation in India?

His Majesty's Government warmly welcome the endeavours of Mr. Rajagopalachari or of any other leaders of Indian opinion to promote an agreed settlement of the Indian problem; but any such agreement must come about in India between the Indian parties. His Majesty's Government, therefore, see no advantage in Mr. Rajagopalachari visiting this country. As the hon. Member will be aware, the Viceroy has seen Mr. Rajagopalachari during the last few days.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that Mr. Winter, of Knedlington, near Howden, who farms 15 acres of arable land, has had his holding requisitioned for the adjoining flax factory, without compensation; and, as this will take his means of living away and other more suitable land is adjacent, will he see justice done and not dispossess this smallholder?

The land referred to has been requisitioned and compensation is pay- able under Section 2 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. Careful consideration was given to the selection of the site. All the fields adjacent to the factory were examined and it was found that no other suitably situated land was available. An offer of employment in the flax factory has been made to, and accepted by, Mr. Winter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what articles of uniform and equipment are supplied free to naval cadets?

The following uniform is supplied free to sea cadets:

• 1 jumper.
• 1 pair of trousers.
• 1 cap and cap ribbon.
• 1 blue jean collar.
• 1 silk.
• 1 jersey.
• 1 flannel.
• 1 knife lanyard.

Oilskins are supplied on loan to each unit on the basis of 25 per cent. of the number of cadets borne. Instructional books and such technical equipment as is available from naval stocks are supplied on loan to units. In addition, authority has been given for a sum not exceeding £25 for each unit to be expended on the purchase of stores not available from naval sources.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as the Trades Disputes Act is unlikely to be modified during the period of hostilities, he will arrange in the meantime to ensure that facilities comparable to those enjoyed by the trade unions in negotiations with the Admiralty are shared by Civil Service organisations representing industrial employees?

The associations approved under the Civil Service (Approved Associations) Regulations, 1927, having members in the industrial grades of the Admiralty, are already afforded full facilities for making and discussing with the Department representations on matters affecting their members as the occasion arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the weekly return for infectious diseases in Scotland is not on sale as is the return for infectious diseases in England and Wales?

Copies of the weekly return of notifications of infectious diseases are sent to the Ministry of Health, other departments and bodies interested, and to all Scottish medical officers of health. Medical journals are placed on the free circulation list on request. In the absence of any demand from other quarters it has not been found necessary to place the return on sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, with a view to combating the increase in venereal disease in certain areas in Scotland, he will take immediate steps to make this disease compulsorily notifiable, empowering local authorities to follow up and treat the victims of this disease and to undertake the necessary preventive measures to check the prevailing increase of solicitation?

The first part of the Question raises highly controversial issues. But powers have been taken by Defence Regulation under which medical officers of health may require any person who has been reported by two separate patients as the source of infection, to undergo medical examination and any necessary treatment, and to remain under treatment until certified free from infection. I am bringing these powers to the attention of local health authorities and their medical officers of health. The result of the operation of the regulation will be kept under regular review. With regard to the last part of the Question it is open to any police authority which considers it necessary for the purpose of dealing with solicitation, to apply for my approval to an increase in police personnel.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether they are now prepared to meet the claim of Mr. Alexander Maclean, of Borgie, Skerray, Sutherland, for compensation for the loss of some 30 cheviot ewes, in view of the facts that his sheep were on No. 10 holding on the east side of the Forestry Commission's plantation and were destroyed, by a forest fire last April, which entered the plantation from the west side and subsequently spread out to the east from the plantation; that no protective belts, fire traces, had been burnt in 1942; and that the forester gave no direct warnings to neighbouring farmers?

Mr. Alexander Maclean's solicitors were informed in June last that the Forestry Commission can admit no liability for loss sustained by him in the fire referred to. To this there is nothing I can add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, whether his attention has been called to the present situation regarding retail deliveries in the burgh of Fraserburgh; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. When my hon. Friend wrote to me about retail deliveries in Fraserburgh, I called for a report. The scheme now being enforced in the burgh was prepared by agreement between the deputy regional transport commissioner and the divisional food officer. It has, I understand, the approval of the provost of the burgh. As a result of the discussions which have taken place, it has been proposed that a small local committee should be set up to deal with any cases of hardship which the scheme may involve. I trust that in this way the scheme may be worked with as little inconvenience as circumstances allow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether when land forms the subject matter of a requisition, under Regulation 51 (1) of the Defence Regulations, and there is machinery and plant contained in the buildings erected thereon, the machinery and plant is considered part of the requisitioned land and included in the requisition or whether a separate and distinct notice of requisition, under Regulation 53 (1) of the Defence Regulations, is necessary for the requisitioning of such machinery and plant?

If plant and machinery are fixed to land in such a manner as in law to be part of the land, such plant and machinery can be requisitioned as part of the land under Defence Regulation 51. If the plant and machinery are not so affixed they can be requisitioned under Defence Regulation 53 and not under Defence Regulation 51.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to receive a deputation from the National Tithepayers' Association to discuss the payment of tithe arrears and the effect upon food production?

I cannot undertake to receive a deputation, but any representations which may-be made in writing will, of course, receive consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the increasing number of tithe restraint and bankruptcy cases in the heavy tithe areas, which result in failure of farmers fully to cultivate the land, with consequent loss of food production; and what action he proposes to remedy this matter?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that there is an increasing number of cases in which it has been necessary to take bankruptcy proceedings or to levy distresses in order to recover tithe redemption annuities or arrears of tithe rentcharge. I may add that such cases have always been very exceptional. The collection of redemption annuities continues to be satisfactory, despite the difficulties caused by the war, and the percentage of arrears is remarkably small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will increase the issue of 1s. coins in view of the fact that these are now very scarce and that there is a considerable demand for them for various purposes?

There has been no recent evidence of scarcity of one shilling coins and in present circumstances I would not be justified in increasing the proportion of that coin in Mint issues.

asked the Minister of Health what was the yield of the armorial bearings duty in England and Wales in 1918–19, in 1928–29 and in each year since 1938–39?

Precise figures for 1918–19 are not available, but the estimated yield in that year was £46,688. The figures for the other years referred to are as follow:—

1928–29	…	…	£39,581
1938–39	…	…	£30,374
1939–40	…	…	£26,403
1940–41	…	…	£22,439
1941–42	…	…	£20,814

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that proper arrangements have been made for the disposal of used sump oil from Army vehicles for reclamation?

A great deal of this sump oil is used as fuel for cooking and for incinerators. The rest is sold to firms with the equipment needed to reclaim it for use as lubricating oil.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when a local authority refuses to open a cinema on Sunday despite the appeal of the military authorities, he will consider requisitioning the building on that day?

No, Sir. I consider that such action would be inappropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision exists for compensating soldiers having to be removed on account of illness or accident from their place of location, either in barracks, in camp or on board ship, for the loss of their personal belongings consequent upon such removal?

A soldier is fully equipped and clothed at the expense of the State on scales laid down in the clothing regulations and should articles of clothing and equipment be lost through no fault of the soldier they are replaced free. Any additional belongings a soldier may have in his possession are kept at his own risk and as a general rule no compensation is given in the event of their loss.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the compulsory incorporation of Polish subjects in the German Army and of such Poles having been already captured by our troops at Dieppe and in Egypt, he will furnish all British Commando or frontline units with Polish liaison officers in order immediately to utilise the military intelligence thus obtainable?

I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served at this stage of the war by attaching Polish liaison officers to all British Commando and frontline units on the off chance that their language might be utilised, but my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, following the precedent of the last war, officers and men taking part in the Dieppe raid or other frontline duties were forbidden to take any written orders or papers with them, and were searched to ensure that this order was complied with; and whether he will give orders that such precautions shall in future be rigidly carried out?

The general instructions were on the lines suggested in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question. But I understand that a very few written orders were taken on the raid with due authority, and that a few of the individual searches were not carried out. Steps have been taken to ensure that instructions on the normal lines are fully carried out in future.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the scarcity of fish in the shops in the Birmingham area causing anxiety and disappointment; and will he take steps to see that the supply of fish, allowing for seasonable catches, is as plentiful in the area as it was in the pre-zoning scheme period on the basis of the figures of previous distribution as supplied by the fish trade there to the Ministry?

Supplies of fish in the Birmingham area were deficient for a time owing mainly to poor landings at one of the two ports nominated for supply to this area. The landings at that port have shown a marked improvement during the past few days. The recent shortage affected principally supplies to those merchants who are tied to that particular port. Arrangements are now being made for all the merchants in the district to receive supplies from both ports.

asked the Paymaster General whether he was aware, at the time when arrangemnts were made for the examination of the Scott and Uthwatt Reports by his Department, of the association with the building trade of the principal official who would thereby be concerned?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the Government enjoy the services of large numbers of men who for the time being have severed, or substantially severed, their connection with industry to further Government business in the press of war. No embarrassment, and much advantage, arises from these arrangements. I am completely satisfied that Sir Alfred Hurst's work in my office is unprejudiced by his previous association with the building trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement as to the disaster to Pilot-Officer Beurling's bomber while on the way to Canada, in view of the fact that it was carrying 32 people on a trans-Atlantic flight?

The R.A.F. aircraft in question was not engaged on a trans- Atlantic flight but on other transportation work. The accident occurred when attempting to land at an aerodrome on the route. A Court of Inquiry has been convened to investigate the circumstances and cause. The House will, I am sure, wish to join with me in expressing sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives through this accident.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he will issue instructions that entrance gates to houses where there are resident children under five years of age shall be left in position, either until the children reach that age, or until the other sources of supply of scrap metal have been exhausted?

No, Sir. The need for scrap metal is very great and I fear that we must continue to leave responsibility for the safety of children in their homes with their parents.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what is the position of local authorities with regard to the salvage of railings round privately-owned cemeteries?

Local authorities schedule railings which they consider to be unnecessary, and in so doing act under instructions from my Department. Those instructions make no distinction between privately-owned and other burial-grounds.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning the names and qualifications of the members of the advisory council which has been set up to consider and report upon problems and policies affecting the present and future position of the building and civil engineering industries; and by which bodies such members were respectively nominated?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Advisory Council of the Building and Civil Engineering Industries which has recently been estab- lished by my Noble Friend. The terms of reference of the Council are as follow:

"the examination and mutual consideration of problems and policies affecting the present and future position of the building and civil engineering industries in relation to the demands of the country's building and civil engineering requirements."

The Council consists of representatives nominated by the organisations of employers and operatives in the Building and Civil Engineering Industries, together with representatives nominated by the professional institutions. The names of the members of the bodies by which they have been nominated are as follow:

asked the Minister of Information what machinery exists for cooperation between the Governments of the United Nations on political warfare and war propaganda?

Co-operation between the Governments of the United Nations in this field is ensured by close consultation between the officers of the various propaganda organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to why the 200 odd British in Bangkok failed to leave before the Japanese arrived whereas all the Americans managed to leave; and whether the British and American Ministers received simultaneous warning as to the imminence of the arrival of the enemy?

My hon. Friend's Question is based on a misapprehension since it is not a fact that all United States nationals were able to leave Siam before the Japanese invasion. Many of, them remained and were interned at the same time as British subjects. Advice to leave was given to British women and children in February, 1941, and was repeated to all, including men, on the 3rd December. As regards the second part of the Question, the British and United States representatives were in close consultation and both were kept as fully informed as possible of the developments in the situation.