asked the Minister of Health whether, to save infant lives from diphtheria this winter, he will arrange for simple leaflets and advice to be given by registrars of birth and by maternity and child welfare officers to all parents attending their offices and clinics?

Leaflets and other material are already available to every local authority for distribution as they think best. Mothers attending welfare centres have for some time been urged to have their children immunised against diphtheria, and I have recently asked that health visitors should be taken off less urgent routine duties so that they may give similar advice in the homes. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion that registrars of births should be asked to advise parents in this sense, but as most medical authorities regard the first birthday as the best time to immunise a child I doubt whether this method would be effective.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposals he has submitted to employers and employed for the future distribution of nurses have been accepted?

I am awaiting replies from some of the organisations whom I have consulted on this Question.

asked the Minister of Health on what date the Rushcliffe Committee on nurses salaries was set up; how many meetings have been held; and when its report is to be presented?

The last nominations for the committee were received early in November, 1941. I understand there have been approximately eight meetings of the full committee, 15 meetings of the employers panel only and 12 meetings of the nurses panel only. Many of the meetings have extended over more than one day. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. Brown) on 10th November.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement as to preparations now being made for both early and long-term urban and rural housing?

As my hon Friend knows, my Central Housing Advisory Committee are actively engaged in considering these matters and have appointed a number of sub-committees to examine particular aspects and to make recommendations. At the same time discussions are taking place with local authorities on the basis of preparations by them to ensure that as soon as labour and materials are available they will be able to make an immediate start with an instalment of their programme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that since the start of the war the general body of insurance practitioners have tried to secure an increase in the capitation fees adequate to enable them to meet the extra cost of wartime conditions and the increased work involved, the increase suggested being 2s., of which only 9d. was approved; and whether he has reached a decision on the direct representations made to him on this subject by the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association?

I received representations from the committee to the effect set out in the Question and I agreed that from the beginning of this year the capitation fee should be increased from 9s. to 9s. 9d. a year to meet the increase in practice expenses and the loss of private fees from the new class of insured persons. I have considered the request made this year for a further increase and on 17th October I informed the committee that I was not able to accede to this request.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent public assistance authorities are disregarding the first £1 of any wounds or disability pension awarded to men and women of civilian status who become disabled as a result of war service or enemy action; and will he take steps to ensure a uniform procedure by all authorities?

A public assistance authority in granting outdoor relief is required by the Poor Law Acts to disregard any wounds or disability pension to which section 16 of the Finance Act, 1919, applies except so far as it exceeds £1 a week. The authority is neither required nor entitled to disregard the whole or part of any other pension. I am not aware that there is a lack of uniformity in the treatment of pensions by public assistance authorities but if my hon. Friend has in mind any particular authority which appears to be acting contrary to the statute I will make inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the file which records the decision that the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury should be the Head of the Civil Service, is still missing; and whether it is proposed to undertake further search for it?

My hon. Friend no doubt has in mind the file leading up to the issue in 1867 of a Treasury Minute creating the office of Permanent Secretary to the Treasury. That file has been missing almost ever since. I am naturally not aware precisely what the file recorded, but since that date the post has carried with it the official headship of the Service, and the position was explicitly re-affirmed in 1919 by the Government of the day. The loss of the 1867 papers therefore no longer matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since it is the normal practice of the Inland Revenue to grant a deduction for Income Tax in respect of compulsory contributions towards the maintenance of a mentally incapacitated relative in a public institution, he will, in the next Budget, consider making an allowance in respect of mentally deficient children over the age of 16 who are solely supported by their parents without any call being made upon public funds?

In the type of case to which my hon. Friend refers the taxpayer would be entitled to claim the dependent relative allowance under existing law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make about the facilities to be given to the Commonwealth of Australia in respect of the conversion or repayment of Commonwealth of Australia 2¾ per cent. Registered Stock and Debentures 1941–43, falling due for payment on the 1st January, 1943?

Yes, Sir. The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia propose to make an offer at an early date to holders of £16,500,000 of the stock referred to by my hon. Friend, inviting them to convert their holdings into a new stock. As on the previous occasion when an offer of conversion of certain Australian stocks was made in May, 1941, and in order to facilitate the new operation without interference with the Government's borrowing operations, I have agreed to advance from the Vote of Credit to the Commonwealth of Australia such sums as may be necessary to repay any unconverted stock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the inequalities in the salaries paid to British officials in the United States of America; and whether a full list of such salaries and allowances will be published forthwith?

I am not aware of any such dissatisfaction as my hon. Friend suggests. The salaries referred to are governed by the same considerations as apply in the Government Service generally. As regards the second part of the Question, the number of officials on such service is considerable, and I do not think the value of a published list would be such as to justify the expenditure of time which would be involved.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will publish a list of British officials at present posted for duties in America who are in receipt of salaries in excess of £2,000 per annum; and upon what duties they are engaged?

The information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks is given in the following table, which relates to officials (other than serving officers) posted from this country for duties in the United States of America. The table, as requested, relates to salaries alone and not to those cases where total emoluments, when account is taken also of allowances, exceed £2,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in connection with the publication of the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Social Services, he will follow the precedent accepted in the case of the Royal Commission on Coal Mines and issue the report at a popular price, or alternatively, issue a non-technical summary at a cheap price?

The price of the report will be 2s.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the captured German General von Thoma, who received a friendly welcome to General Montgomery's quarters, was responsible for the atrocity of Guernica; and whether, as such well-publicised incidents may weaken public belief in the Allied intention to punish Nazi criminals, he will forbid such in future?

I am not aware that General von Thoma was responsible for the bombing of Guernica. In reply to the second part of the Question the Government have very clearly and repeatedly stated their intentions as regards the punishment of war criminals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to encourage local authorities to establish combined sewage and refuse disposal schemes designed, by composting organic and vegetable material, to provide a valuable, inoffensive and inexpensive fertiliser of great potential importance to British farming and horticulture?

In view of the existing shortage of material and labour, and the uncertainty as to whether a compost of sewage sludge and household waste is the best form in which the sludge can be utilised on the land, I consider it would be undesirable to encourage local authorities to erect plant for the preparation of such composts during the war. I hope shortly to be able to issue a statement on the production and use of sewage sludge as composts, or otherwise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that it has been estimated that farmers' tractors are only used to about one-third of their capacity, he will take steps to see that war agricultural committees which use their tractors more intensively should be given preference in the supply of tractors and of skilled drivers so that a greater acreage of common and moorland may be ploughed up than is possible under existing arrangements?

County war agricultural executive committees have been given control over the distribution of nearly all new tractors going into agriculture and can decide how many tractors to retain for their own use out of their quotas and to what applicants the balance should be sold by the manufacturers. I am always prepared to consider special provision of tractors or other machinery or labour which may be needed to undertake any reclamation work required in connection with food production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the tractors belonging to the war agricultural committees are being utilised as fully as possible having regard to the distances they have to travel and the repairs they have to undergo?

Speaking generally, the answer is "Yes, Sir." If the hon. Member has any specific case in mind and will let me have particulars I will make investigations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he is taking to establish grain drying and storage plants in suitable areas in order to ensure that the large crops of damp grain are dried and so made available for human consumption and protected against vermin; and whether and with what result, his officials have been in contact with the East Sussex War Agricultural Committee?

As far as possible grain should be dried in the stack, but this is not practicable when combine harvesters are used or where threshing takes place early in the season. My Department is arranging for the manufacture of a number of farm driers before next harvest and these will be allocated where the need is greatest. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given to him yesterday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he is aware of the grave shortage of food and fuel in the Channel Islands; and will he explore the possibility of the inhabitants being treated as prisoners of war and supplied with parcels of food and clothing through the agency of the Red Cross?

Information which we have recently received confirms the statement which I made on 30th September to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. W. Brown). I then said that the evidence available suggests that although there is a marked shortage of food in the islands by comparison with this country, and an almost total lack of certain particular products, the effect of the deficiencies has not been such as to impair the general health of the inhabitants. There is also a shortage of fuel, and gas has been severely rationed. As regards the second part of the Question, prisoners of war are a distinct category with well-defined status under international conventions, and an established machinery exists for ensuring the transmission and control of gifts sent to them. They are maintained in conditions which minimise the possible benefit to the enemy of allowing such gifts to pass through the blockade. These conditions do not prevail in the case of the civilian population of occupied territories, nor would it be practicable to extend to the whole of enemy-occupied Europe the machinery applicable to a relatively small number of prisoners of war. For reasons which have frequently been stated, His Majesty's Government cannot in this matter draw a distinction between the Channel Islands and other enemy-occupied territories.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) can he now state the Government decision as to whether the employment of limbless and other seriously disabled war pensioners is to continue on a wholly voluntary basis, or whether it is the intention of his Department to reserve certain appropriate occupations for them;(2) whether it is the intention of the Government to take a controlling interest in special workshops for the employment of disabled persons who are unfit for ordinary industry and to provide contracts for such Government requirements as can be produced in these workshops?

Comprehensive arrangements for the rehabilitation and re-settlement of disabled persons are under consideration and I hope to be able to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate numbers of disabled ex-servicemen employed with undertakings assisted by the old scheme of grants, and the numbers of disabled persons for whom sheltered employment might be found with existing undertakings eligible for grants under the new scheme?

The number of severely disabled ex-Service men in respect of whose employment with voluntary undertakings grant is being paid under the old scheme is about 100, but I have no statistics as to the total number of disabled persons now employed by such undertakings. My Department is in communication with the existing undertakings as to the numbers for whom they could provide sheltered employment under the new scheme of grants, and when the information is available I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Miss A. Devlin, 239, Langlands Road, Govan, has been summoned to appear before the Glasgow Sheriff Court for failing to go to England on the instructions of the Govan employment exchange; that she worked at the Rolls Royce factory for nearly two years, and having to go off ill for some time was released from that firm in June; that she was then offered lighter employment with the same firm but the Govan exchange refused her the necessary green card, although she is still attending the doctor; and whether he will drop this prosecution and permit her to undertake light essential war work at a local factory?.

Miss Devlin appeared before the Sheriff at the pleading diet and pleaded not guilty and her trial was fixed for 15th December next. In these circumstances I am not in a position to intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any special provision is to be made for the care of aged or infirm persons who are at present dependent on the care of young female relatives, in order that the latter may be free to take up work of national importance?

So far as my Ministry is concerned no general provision is in contemplation. Each individual case is considered to see whether reasonable alternative arrangements can be made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will see that the panels of interviewers of women called up for National Service are appointed, as far as possible, to districts other than that in which they reside?

No, Sir. The nature of many of the questions now being considered by the panels requires that members should have an up-to-date, practical knowledge of local conditions. In most places there is only one panel for a large area, and the members are voluntary and cannot be expected to travel far afield.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, taking the last return of wholly unemployed women and girls, 36,226 in number, of whom only 1,146 were classified as being unable for good causes to transfer to another area, he can state the reason why the balance of 35,080 are unable to obtain work on transfer?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 15th October to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to statements in the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories adversely criticising certain factory defects in respect of ventilation, sanitation, lighting and heating; what steps are taken to effect improvements where difficulties are placed in the way; and whether the defects thus set out include office conditions?

The obstacles in the way of the removal of the defects referred to by the Chief Inspector are mainly—as indicated in the Annual Report—the lack of labour and materials. Close co-operation is maintained with the Departments concerned in order to secure the maximum possible improvement in conditions, having regard to those difficulties. The Report does not relate to conditions in offices.

asked the Minister of Supply how many women are employed part-time at a Royal Ordnance Factory in the North-West, the name of which has been supplied to him; whether he is satisfied that no more can be employed or that no more are available, or whether he will take steps to compel the factory management to conform with the wishes of the Government and the needs of the nation as to the full utilisation of part-time labour?

There are no part-time women employed in this Royal Ordnance Factory. The chief difficulty is the distance from the women's homes and the fact that half time work might not justify the transport involved. I am, however, looking into the matter in view of the great importance of part-time work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the complaint by the Hertford Rural Council that his Department has not honoured a promise to take the profit and pay the losses of the British Restaurant opened in October, 1941, at Hertford Heath; whether he is aware that the rural council have been trying for four months to get a decision from his Ministry; and what is the reason for this delay?

There have been correspondence and interviews during the past four months between representatives of my Department and the clerk to the Hertford rural district council on the question of the financial position of the Little Amwell British Restaurant. I am informed however that the council has only recently raised the question of my Department's undertaking with regard to profits and losses. It has not yet submitted a statement of accounts in respect of the British Restaurant in question for the period since 31st December, 1941. The position is that British Restaurants should be conducted on a fully self-supporting basis, provision being made in the prices charged for meals for overhead expenses including amortisation of capital expenditure and a small margin for contingencies. Provided that these conditions are observed my Department, appreciating that unforeseen circumstances may arise in an undertaking of this nature, will be prepared to reimburse any approved operat- ing deficiencies in the event of a loss being unavoidably incurred. Any profits will be at the disposal of my Department. I can assure my hon. and gallant Frnend that this undertaking will be honoured by my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any steps are being taken to economise in man-power by encouraging the extensions of help yourself or cafeteria methods at restaurants?

Yes, Sir, so far as the supplies of material for providing the necessary equipment permit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in the winter time and in preparation for next year, he will investigate the high prices paid in 1942 in urban areas for vegetables such as lettuces and cabbages as against the returns made to the producer; and whether he will analyse why a lettuce costs 8d. to 1s. in London, whereas no buyer would give the grower ½d. each on rail?

It is hoped shortly to publish an Order, to take effect during the present winter, prescribing maximum prices for cabbage and other crops which together provide the main bulk of our green vegetable supplies. This Order will not include prices for lettuce, but its operation will be studied with a view to deciding whether or not a similar Order for lettuce is desirable and practicable. The difficulty about comparing growers' returns and retail prices for lettuce is that the prices in the wholesale markets fluctuate considerably over short periods of time and vary widely in accordance with the wide range of quality and condition. I cannot accept the suggestion which appears to be implicit in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question that growers commonly receive ½d. f.o.r. for lettuce sold by retail at 8d. or more. My information is that the normal practice is for such produce to be consigned by the grower for sale at the wholesale markets on a commission basis, except in so far as it is sold, by growers direct to retailers. I could not agree that the prices mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend represent the average spread throughout the season between the net return to the grower and the price to the consumer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as the sugar granted to manufacturers of soft drinks will be reduced by 50 per cent. from 13th December, he will reduce the sugar granted to brewers by 50 per cent. from the same date?

No, Sir. The soft drink industry is a large user of saccharine, and the proposed reduction in the allocation of sugar to this industry will be compensated by the supply of an equivalent additional quantity of saccharine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in the storage of flour imported from Canada and the United States of America the content of B 1 disappears rapidly and after six months is non-existent; that the millers holding large stocks of old flour find that it is out of condition; that bakers are refusing to handle it; whether Canadian flour is still being imported; and how the flour refused by the bakers is being used?

With regard to the first three parts of the Question, the answer is in the negative. The reply to the fourth part is in the affirmative, and in view of the reply given to the third part, the fifth part does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the reason for Mr. Sidney Foster's resignation of his position at the Ministry of Food?

Mr. S. Foster, general manager of the Milk Marketing Board, had from the outbreak of war given my Department the benefit of his part-time services unpaid. At the beginning of September he held concurrently the posts of Director of Milk Supplies within the Ministry and that of General Manager of the Board. When the decision was reached that my Department, as from 1st October, was to become the sole purchaser of milk from the Milk Marketing Board, it was clearly inconvenient for this arrangement to continue. A division was accordingly created within the Ministry to purchase milk from the Board and to sell it to distributors and manufacturers. On 3rd September a letter was sent from my Department to Mr. Foster telling him of the revised arrangements proposed and inviting him to accept a new post of adviser in milk supplies. Mr. Foster replied on 9th September declining the invitation, stating at the same time that he disagreed with certain features of the Ministry's policy regarding the sale of milk, as he believed that the revised arrangements would strengthen the position of the middle-man, lead to unnecessary services and increase the real spread between producers' and consumers' prices, but giving an assurance of full cooperation with the officers of the new division. Mr. Foster's resignation of his appointment within the Ministry was accepted on the 18th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution, of which a copy has been sent to him, passed at a meeting of East of Scotland fishermen, held on 31st October, in which protests were made against the lowering of the control price of round fish and the recent order increasing the size of round and fiat fish which may be landed for sale; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I have been in communication with my Noble Friend the Minister of Food, by whom the two Orders referred to were made. The first Order was designed to reduce the price of certain kinds of white fish to the consumer. With this object the maximum price to the producer was reduced by 3d. a stone for many species of such fish, and a considerably larger reduction was made in the margins allowed to distributors, with the result that the maximum price to the consumer was reduced by 1d. per lb. for whole fish and 2d. per lb. for fillet. The second Order, which increased from seven to nine inches the minimum size of fish which may be sold for human consumption, was made because, in the view of my Noble Friend, the food value of fish under nine inches was inconsiderable and their marketing involved a disproportionate expenditure of time, labour and materials. I shall be glad to receive full particulars of any cases in which the earnings of fishermen are unduly affected and to consider them in consultation with the Minister of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, following the example of the Canadian Government, he will consider, in the national interest, the lessening, to a considerable extent, of the supply of beer and other alcoholic liquors for the duration of the war?

My Noble Friend considers the present restrictions are sufficient in existing circumstances.

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount of pension allowances and gratuity payable to a widow of a second-lieutenant in the Royal Armoured Corps whose husband is killed in action?

The pension would be £110 per annum and the gratuity £100. In addition an allowance of £33 per annum for each eligible child under the age of 18 would be payable.

asked the Minister of Pensions, in how many instances since the outbreak of war pensions have been refused to widows of men who have died from non-attributable causes while serving in the Forces?

The number is about 4,000. All but a few hundred of these widows would be eligible for contributory pension from the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a man is asked by the service medical board before discharge whether he wishes to make a claim for a disability pension; and what effect this has on the man's prospects of obtaining a pension after he has left the Service?

The form of report completed by the Service Medical Board by whom the discharge is recommended provides for a written statement by the man as to the origin and history of his disability. All invaliding papers are carefully examined by the Ministry and if it is established that the disability is attributable to or materially aggravated by war service an award is made even though the man may not have connected his condition with his service.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many requests he has received from hon. Members to review pensions claims made by their constituents which have previously been rejected; and what percentage of such claims has been successful?

I regret that I have no statistics which would enable me to reply to this Question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has any proposals to make regarding an improvement of the War Service Grants Scheme, and particularly in relation to the scaling down of grants because of improved children's allowances under recent Service increments?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has yet arrived at a decision as to the disregard of the increase in children's allowances when dependants of serving members of the Forces make application for war service grants; if so, what is his decision; if any reductions have yet taken place in cases where war service grants are in operation, since, and owing to, the increase of the children's allowances; and in how many instances?

I will answer these two Questions together. The matter is still under consideration, but if the hon. Member will repeat his Question next sitting I hope to be able to inform him of the decision reached. Pending a decision, the recent increases in children's allowances have not been taken into account in reassessments of war service grants.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has any statement to make regarding the setting up of pensions appeal tribunals?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has any further statement to make to the House on the progress made in arrangements for the setting up of pensions appeal tribunals?

I can only refer my hon. Friends to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims for pensions have been made by the British Legion acting for ex-Service men in this war and how many of such claims have been successful?

I regret that I have no statistics to say how many claims, successful or otherwise, have been made by the British Legion acting for ex-Service men of this war.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims for pensions by ex-Service men he has received during this war and how many have been rejected?

It would not be in the public interest to give detailed figures as to the number of persons discharged from the Forces on health grounds. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware all cases of invaliding are automatically referred to my Department and no formal claim has to be made by the individual himself.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will advise local authorities as to the allowances that are actually provided for Service men's wives to meet the costs of rates and rents and announce the method of assessment to determine actual need for a war service grants allowance?

Very wide publicity has already been given to the provisions of the War Service Grants Scheme and I have no grounds for believing that local authorities are, in general, unaware of the basis of these grants. As the hon. Member knows, rent and rates are regarded as a commitment in the calculation of a grant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give an assurance to Service men's wives and local education authorities that where the title is established children's school fees and other essential educational costs are fully met by the war service grants allowances; whether he is aware that some local education committees are often being asked to reduce or cancel such fees and charges on grounds of hardship; and what is the method of assessment either to determine disqualification or the establishment of title?

Reasonable school fees and similar essential educational expenses in respect of the children of serving members of the Forces, are commitments which are specifically allowed for in the calculation of a war service grant. There is no hard and fast rule for determining whether in any particular instance the school fees and expenses are reasonable or not, and I do not think such a rule would be in the interests of applicants. Each case is carefully examined and the decision reached on the merits. I am not aware that local education committees are often in receipt of requests of the kind indicated but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind I shall be glad to look into them if he furnishes me with the details.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the output of saleable coal for the week ending 7th November, 1942, and for the corresponding week in 1941; the number of persons employed; and the average number of days worked per, person in the two weeks, respectively?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies on this subject given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Colegate) on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures of average weekly output of saleable coal for the 20 weeks ending 31st October, 1942, and for the corresponding period in 1941?

The average weekly output of saleable coal during the 20 weeks ended 31st October, 1942, was 3,901,000 tons, as compared with 3,996,000 tons during the corresponding period of 1941.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the speech, a copy of which has been sent to him, of the chief chemist of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company suggesting that the coal industry should be made a source of raw materials for synthetic rubber and plastics; and whether any action is likely on the lines of that suggestion?

I trust that, in the future, coal will become, to an increasing extent, a raw material for the manufacture of such products as synthetic rubber and plastics. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Production explained, on 30th September, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker), why the erection of a plant to make synthetic rubber from coal in this country would not be justified at the present time. As far as plastics are concerned, I would remind the right hon. Member that their manufacture is already largely based on the use of products derived from coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the appointment of mechanisation officers has been made by all regional controllers to help the progress in mechanisation on the lines of the one made in the North-western Region?

Mechanisation officers are being appointed to the staff of all the Regional Controllers of my Department for the coal-producing regions, and most of the appointments have already been made.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether processed straw pulp is still being fed in any large quantities to ponies employed in mines in lieu of hay, and with what results upon the stamina of the animals?

Processed straw is not being fed in any large quantities to pit horses in lieu of hay. A few collieries using pulped straw report no loss of stamina in the animals, but other collieries have discontinued its use as they found it difficult to keep the animals in good condition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the proposed scheme for the concentration of output for the paint, colour and varnish industry, he will give consideration to the fact that the majority of workers employed by the firms which it is proposed to close down are old people and unemployable in other trades; and whether he will consider rescinding or amending the scheme?

The Paint Concentration Scheme, like all others, has been worked out in close co-operation with the Ministry of Labour. I am assured that there is no reason to anticipate any special difficulties in placing the operatives displaced from closing firms in essential works, whether on account of their age or for other reasons.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will reconsider his decision to terminate the manufacture of No. 8 torch batteries, in view of the fact that these are largely used toy women and the poorer classes?

I have been asked to reply. No decision has been taken to terminate the manufacture of No. 8 torch batteries. Owing to supply difficulties, there will be fewer No. 8 batteries this winter than last, but they are still being made in very large quantities. Increased supplies will be available of batteries of larger sizes which are considerably more economical in raw materials and labour, and in cost, relative to the number of hours of light which they give.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers will be under canvas this winter; and whether he will take steps to avoid the use of such accommodation?

Under 2 per cent. of the Army at home were under canvas on 3rd November and the number is being rapidly reduced. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that canvas accommodation will be used as little as possible during the winter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, during the cold period of the year, from now onwards, it will be permissible for soldiers who are on agricultural work in the fields to wear their Army greatcoats while engaged on this work?

Soldiers released from Army duties for agricultural or other work are not permitted to wear their uniform or any part of it. This rule does not apply to soldiers who are allowed by their units in the course of their Army duties to help farmers in the neighbourhood where they are stationed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, where a soldier's wife has deserted him and is living with another man and as a result his allowance to the wife is stopped, it is the custom equally to stop the allowances for any children he may have so long as they reside with the mother; and how far the improbability of immediately finding alternative accommodation and the unfairness of making the unoffending soldier provide all the income for his unfortunate children is taken into account in the present regulations?

Under the present regulations family allowance ceases for children who live with a soldier's wife in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend. Steps are being taken to continue the issue of the children's allowances in such cases as soon as arrangements can be completed to ensure that the allowances are in fact spent on the children. The new arrangements will be notified in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what articles of uniform and equipment are supplied free to members of the Army Cadet Corps?

The following items of clothing are supplied free from War Department sources to cadet officers and grant-earning cadets of the Army Cadet Force:

• I Suit of battle dress, complete with "Cadet Force" and Unit shoulder titles and any necessary chevrons or rank badges for warrant and non-commissioned officers.
• I F.S. Cap, with badge and blue distinguishing strip.
• I pair of anklets.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of War Transport whether he can give a short statement of the major causes of road accidents during the last year; and whether statistics are available of deaths caused by head-on collisions, dangerous or negligent driving, or any special reason which has contributed to the heavy casualties still experienced in road transport?

I regret that I have no statistics which show the causes of road accidents during the past year. I am, however, arranging to be furnished with more details of the road accidents which occur during the forthcoming winter months.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make a statement on the political, economic and military situation in India?

I could not compress such a statement within the compass of a reply to a Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what articles of uniform and equipment are supplied free to members of the Air Training Corps?

The personal uniform issued free to A.T.C. cadets consists of tunic, trousers and cap. In addition, limited numbers of mackintosh capes are held by units for use by cadets. Equipment and publications for instructional purposes are issued to units from R.A.F. stocks as far as possible. These supplies may be supplemented by purchases from unit grants.

asked the President of the Board of Education why it has not been found possible to assist the Manchester Schools' Athletic Federation to obtain clothing and footwear for the members of its constituent associations, although they have satisfied the requirements stated in Board of Education Circular 1556A, paragraph 2 (b), which they were required to do under the terms as set out in paragraph 13, referring to youth service and similar organisations not maintained by local education authorities?

Circular 1556A was superseded last August by Circular 1556E, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. It was announced in the latter circular that coupon-free loans of clothing and footwear for physical training must in future be limited to plimsolls.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of temporary officers in each of the manipulative grades, full-time and part-time, who resigned from the Post Office service in the calendar year 1941 and up to 1st October, 1942, showing the main causes for resignation in each grade?

I regret the information is not available and could not be obtained without excessive expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibilities of training substantial numbers of war-disabled persons with severe leg injuries as General Post Office operators on large internal telephone exchanges rented to Government Departments, local authorities, institutions, public companies, and large firms, with a view to reserving this appropriate occupation for such persons?

I hope that it will be possible to recruit a number of suitably qualified disabled men into the Post Office telephone service, including branch exchanges rented to Government Departments. The engagement of staff for other branch exchanges is a matter for the subscribers concerned, but the Post Office would be glad to co-operate in training disabled men for such work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in many cases men working in firms under the Essential Work Order who volunteer for the Forces do not get their pay made up by the firms concerned, lose their job at the end of the war and forego their pension; and whether he will take steps to see that in such cases men are not penalised?

I have no power to require employers to make up the pay of men who join the Forces. As regards reinstatement at the end of the war, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 17th November, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Home Secretary on how many occasions, between January and June 1942, has a sentence of six months or more been imposed for failure to attend before a medical board for examination as to fitness for military service; and in how many of these cases has he recommended a reduction of sentence?

In the period in question there were 655 sentences of six months or more. Two hundred and ninety-three of the persons so sentenced successfully appealed to the Appellate Tribunal and were released as soon as this tribunal gave its decision. In six other cases the men expressed then-willingness to undergo medical examination and were released for this purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the interests of the solidarity of the United Nations, he will exercise watch on the activities of the "Catholic Herald" newspaper, which on 9th October gave a false account of an interview with the Belgian Minister of Information, thus sowing dissension between Belgian Socialists and Catholics, and refused to stop the publication of this falsely reported interview, in spite of the Minister's request and disavowal of the statements imputed to him?

The publication of this article does not appear to infringe any of the provisions of our law and it is not within my province to pronounce any judgment as to the circumstances in which it came to be published. In the circumstances, no action is called for on my part.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement concerning fire prevention, bearing in mind that the average fire losses before the war exceeded £9,000,000 annually and that they have increased by more than 20 per cent. during the war; and whether he is making any plans in combination with the Fire Offices Committee to awaken the public conscience by propaganda, and prosecution in the cases of proved blame?

I am in favour of all measures to impress upon the general public the need for reducing losses due to avoidable fires. I have therefore welcomed the proposed publicity campaign of the Fire Offices Committee and have asked all the authorities concerned to co-operate in every practicable way to ensure the success of the campaign.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the complaints made at a recent meeting of the Chatham Town Council concerning the recent cooperative laundry fire at Chatham and, particularly, those of Alderman Maynard, the former chief officer of the old Chatham fire brigade, which have been sent to him; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the matter?

I am making inquiry and will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have more particulars.

asked the Home Secretary what local authorities have refused to authorise their Civil Defence drivers to give lifts to unofficial passengers while the vehicles they drive are on official journeys, as suggested by his recent circular, urging that with the reduction of public transport it is in the national interest that such lifts should be given to the public and members of the Forces; and what reasons have been given for such refusals?

I have no information as to the action taken by individual local authorities on the circular referred to, and do not consider it necessary to call for a special return. In the case of a particular town to which my hon. Friend has called my attention, I understand the council's view to have been that the giving of lifts is unnecessary having regard to the very restricted area within which its Civil Defence vehicles operate.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, for the purposes of billeting and rationing, regard inspectors who are looking after the welfare of animals as essential workers in districts which may be subjected to compulsory evacuation; and whether, if necessary, he will institute inquiries of chief constables as to the utility of this step?

I have given careful consideration to my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I regret that I do not see my way to adopt it.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons have occupied the post of North-West Regional Commissioner; and will he endeavour to avoid frequent changes so that local authorities may become and remain familiar with the Commissioner's outlook and requirements?

Four, Sir. The point made by my hon. Friend is naturally one which is always borne in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider lifting the ban against the entry into Chatham of people who live in the vicinity and wish to visit entertainments; and whether if is an offence for a person who has entered the town on legitimate business subsequently to enter a theatre or cinema?

It is a breach of the Regional Commissioner's Direction for a person to enter those areas in which the visitors ban is in force for the purpose of visiting entertainments. It was not, however, intended that the recent relaxation of the visitors ban in part of the Kent area for the winter period should operate in such a way as to create hardship for persons living in the vicinity of Chatham, and I understand that instructions are being given to the police to permit these persons to visit Chatham freely. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the accident rate for the 3,700 colliery labour force in the Nigerian Government-owned colliery near Enugu; what percentage of the accidents were injuries of the lower limb; whether the hewers are protected by leg guards; and whether the Report of the Nigerian Colliery Department is available for Parliamentary information?

The number of injuries per thousand employees at the colliery in the years 1937–38, 1938–39 and 1939–40 were 239, 248 and 142 respectively. Figures are not available for subsequent years but the Governor is being asked to supply them. As regards the second part of the Question, the latest information is contained in the annual report on the colliery for the year 1938, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend, which indicates that 37 per cent. of the accidents sustained during that year consisted of injuries to the foot and that 20 per cent. were injuries to the leg. During recent years increasing attention has been devoted by the colliery welfare officer to the prevention and treatment of accidents with highly satisfactory results. Boots, leggings and safety hats have been supplied. First-aid classes, lectures on accident prevention and exhibits of cinematograph films prepared by the Safety in Mines Research Board are regularly held.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the welfare conditions in the Government-owned Nigerian colliery near Enugu have been improved in the past year; whether a medical officer is now available for the 8,000 community of Government dependants, workers and their families; whether adequate housing is now available for the 3,600 colliery workers, and an increase has been made in the 687 quarters previously available; and whether a labour or welfare officer for this Government establishment has been appointed to deal with the complaints as to part-time employment fluctuating colliery output and inadequate diet?

During the last two years conditions generally at the colliery have been very considerably improved. The measures which have been taken include the posting of an additional medical officer at Enugu, who visits the colliery daily; improvements with regard to the prevention and treatment of injuries due to accidents, including the provision of first-aid stations both on the surface and underground, the training in first-aid of a number of the workers, and the introduction of protective equipment; and the appointment of three female welfare workers to supervise the well-being of the women and children in the villages situated in the neighbourhood of the colliery. The Governor reports that there has been an all-round improvement in general health conditions. There is a staff welfare officer at the colliery, and during the absence on leave of this officer, an inspector of labour was seconded to the colliery and carried out effective work in connection with the labour side of the colliery organisation. A grant of £104,000 has been made from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote for the purpose of undertaking a comprehensive scheme for housing colliery workers, involving the provision of over 900 rooms; the buildings will comprise detached and semidetached cottages and the lay-outs include provision for social halls for meetings and recreation. Work on the scheme was begun early this year and a number of houses have been built.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any statistics are available of the incidence of malaria in Sierra Leone and other parts of West Africa during the last three years; and whether there is any co-ordination of malaria control as an item of war strategy in West Africa or whether the different services are left in control in their several spheres and special areas?

Complete statistics for malaria generally in Sierra Leone and elsewhere in West Africa for the last three years are not available but special attention has been given to the question since the outbreak of war and a mission was sent out to investigate and advise on the measures to be taken against the incidence of malaria in Freetown. The measures recommended are being implemented as far as possible, with funds provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act and including permanent measures of control. Similar attention has been given to the problem in other West African dependencies. There is the closest co-ordination between the civil administrations and the Services including the U.S.A. authorities in dealing with this problem, and in addition an officer of the Colonial Medical Service visits all seaports in British West Africa to advise on the co-ordination of the measures which are being taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether swamps in the vicinity of chosen aerodrome sites in West Africa are being effectively drained or oiled as part of an effective malaria control direction; and whether an officer of the Royal Air Force, a civilian malariologist or an officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps is responsible for preventive health action at or in the vicinity of these sites?

Very active control measures against malaria and yellow fever are being taken at all airfield sites in British West Africa. The executive authority for preventive health action is usually an officer of the R.A.F. who in general control airfield sites in British West Africa. The R.A.F. have their own specialist officer to deal with the problem and an experienced entomologist seconded from the Colonial Medical Service has recently been visiting all airfields in British Africa.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any reports have been received from the Resident Minister of State on malaria; whether the advantage of screening as an effective safeguard has been considered and to what extent it has been adopted; and whether consideration has been given to the desirability of appointing one experienced malariologist in effective control and directly responsible to the Resident Minister for a concerted plan, to safeguard the health of all troops as well as civilians in this area?

Every aspect of this important problem is receiving the most careful consideration by the civil and Service authorities concerned in conjunction with the United States military authorities in West Africa. My Noble Friend has been in telegraphic consultation with the Resident Minister and he understands that Lord Swinton considers that satisfactory machinery has been devised for co-ordinating measures to deal with this problem.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in any consideration of trade union legislation in the West Indian colonies, any attempt has been made to secure uniform legislation on this subject in the different islands and colonies, with a view later to consolidation on federal lines?

The trade union legislation enacted in the West Indian Colonies is based upon the early United Kingdom legislation, with additions from the later legislation according to the stage of development reached by the trade union movement in the Colony concerned. In some of the smaller dependencies no trade unions have as yet been formed, or they are only beginning to be formed. In order to assist the preparation of legislation by the Governments of territories where the movement is beginning to develop, a model ordinance was prepared in the Colonial Office last year, a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House. In view of the varying stages of development referred to above a rigid uniformity is not desired.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position with regard to the revision or amendment of trade union legislation in Trinidad; whether the proposed new Bill has been laid before the local council; whether this draft has been approved by the Colonial Office or submitted to the Colonial Advisory Committee; whether experienced trade union opinion in Britain has been sought or expressed on this measure; and whether he is aware of the great dissatisfaction of the registered trade unions in Trinidad with regard to this particular trade union proposed legislation?

My Noble Friend is still in correspondence with the Governor of Trinidad in regard to the revised Trade Disputes and Protection of Property Bill. The draft revised Bill was submitted by the Governor to the representatives of the local trades unions. With regard to the third part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the information given by me on 8th October in reply to a previous question by him on this subject. With regard to the fourth part, it is understood that the British Trades Union Congress were consulted by the Trinidad and Tobago Trades Union Council in regard to the original Bill. It is not known whether the local council took similar action in regard to the revised version, but, as stated by me on 8th October, the revised Bill is based upon provisions existing in United Kingdom legislation which is in operation at the present time. The provisions in question are Sections 2 (1), 3 and 4 of the Trades Disputes Act, 1906, section 3 (1) and (2) of the Trades Disputes and Trade Union Act, 1927, and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875, as amended by the Trade Disputes Act, 1906, and by the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927. With regard to the concluding part of the Question, my Noble Friend is aware that dissatisfaction in regard to the new Bill has been expressed by certain of the trade unions in the Colony.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware of the strong feeling in Jamaica against the manner in which essentiality certificates for petrol for motor-cars are being issued by the local Transport (Defence) Board; who are the members of this Board; on what methods are issues based; and whether a list of the holders of essentiality certificates in Jamaica is available for examination and scrutiny;(2) to what extent the Jamaican Transport (Defence) Board issued essentiality certificates for petrol to retired military officers not on service duty, prominent managing directors and newspaper writers, and to civil servants and persons, not for public work but to visit their families at week-ends; whether the list of motor-car owners using such certificated petrol, whose motor-cars are frequently to be seen in the vicinity of theatres like the Carib Theatre in Kingston, is available from the police; and what action is being taken to secure more equitable rationing or distribution of petrol in Jamaica for really essential work?

I have no information on the points raised in these Questions. I am referring them to the Governor of Jamaica and will communicate with the hon. Member on the receipt of his reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the formation of a company or house union by the Jamaica Utilities, Limited, the largest motor-omnibus company in Jamaica; whether this firm's employees have compulsorily to be enrolled as members as against membership of their own representative union, the Tramway, Transport and General Workers Union; whether the president of this new company union is an ex-employee of the older union; and what steps are being taken by the local Jamaican Government to stop the exploitation of the workers by the increased charges and smaller benefits of the compulsory company's union?

My Noble Friend has no information regarding this matter, but inquiries are being made of the Governor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what are the reasons given by the Governor of Jamaica for his decision in declaring certain registered trade unions in Jamaica illegal or of acting illegally; and whether an appeal from this decision will be allowed to be taken to a higher court in Britain, or whether this is an administrative and not a judicial decision;(2) whether he is aware that the Governor of Jamaica has declared certain local registered, previously recognised, trade unions illegal organisations, on the ground that officers of professional status have been appointed to positions in the union organisation who, it is alleged, by their vocations cannot be members of a union catering for certain types of workers; whether his approval was sought or given to this attempt to limit trade union members from appointing officers of their choice rather than of official approval; and whether amending trade union legislation is to be immediately introduced in the Colony of Jamaica permitting union members to appoint as union officers men freely chosen by paying members?

On 22nd October Defence Regulations entitled "The Authorised Associations (Government Departments) (Defence) Regulations" were published in Jamaica, and came into force, the effect of which was to exclude all non-employees from membership or office in the departmental trade unions except by the Governor's authority. My Noble Friend was informed that this action became necessary in view of the key positions in relation to vital services occupied by some of the office holders not departmentally employed who were known to be engaged in subversive activities. It is not intended to amend Jamaica Trade Union legislation. My Noble Friend's approval was not obtained before the Regulations were issued. He is already in consultation with the Governor in regard to the situation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will lay before Parliament a White Paper with details or summaries of the Anglo-American discussions on the Caribbean Islands, with special reference to the views on those islands and their future, expressed by the President of the United States of America in his discussion with the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Colonial Office; and whether the question of the federation of these islands, on the lines of the Phillipines' self-government constitution, was discussed;(2) whether a summarised version of the recent interview between the President of the United States of America and an official of the Colonial Office will be placed in the Library; and has any special note been taken in the Colonial Office of President Roosevelt's view as to the need for more self-government in the West Indies?

My Noble Friend does not think that there is any call for a White Paper. As has been stated, Sir George Gater's visit was informal and he had discussions of a general character on questions of mutual interest, many of them of a technical nature. The main object of his visit was to ascertain the views of the Government of the United States and to report to my Noble Friend. During his stay in Washington he was fortunate in being accorded a personal interview with the President of the United States, but my Noble Friend does not think it would be appropriate to issue any report of the interview. As regards constitutional matters, I can assure my hon. Friend that the constitutional development of the British West Indian Colonies, in the light of conditions prevailing in them, is a matter to which my Noble Friend is constantly giving attention. The House will be aware of the steps which are already being taken to implement the recommendations of the Moyne Commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the demand from British, Colonial and other influential quarters for the adoption of a Colonial Charter amplifying and implementing the general principle of democratic freedom for all colonial peoples, His Majesty's Government is considering, or will now consider, making an early pronouncement to meet this demand?

My Noble Friend has, at present, no statement to make on this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Sama Samaj Party and the United Socialist Party of Ceylon are still in prison; how many of the detained members had escape from custody; and whether he will consider raising the ban on these parties in view of the anti-Fascist nature of their declarations?

According to my latest reports ten members of the Sama Samaj Party are at present detained under Defence Regulations in Ceylon. The detention of four more has been conditionally suspended by the Governor after receiving the reports of an Advisory Committee on objections lodged by all the detained persons mentioned above. Four detained members of the party escaped from custody and have not been reapprehended. As far as I am aware, no detention order has been made against a member of the United Socialist Party of Ceylon but the party itself has been proscribed under Defence Regulation. The former general secretary of the party made objection to the proscription, but the Governor, after referring the objection to an Advisory Committee, has informed me that the order cannot be varied. My Noble Friend sees no reason to intervene in the matter.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies how many enemy aliens are at present detained in Ceylon; whether these detainees have a similar right of appeal to that granted in this country; and, if so, how many appeals have been upheld and how many refused?

All enemy aliens who were interned in Ceylon were transferred to India in the early part of this year with the exception of a few individuals whom the Government of Ceylon decided to release. The Governor of Ceylon is being asked for information as to the arrangements in India for periodical reviews of the cases of those transferred.