asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of persons injured by accident in the coalmines of South Wales during the year 1938, classified according to the nature of the injury received?

The figures of persons injured (disabled for more than three days) by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in the South Wales and Monmouth coalfields during the year 1938 are as follow:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of persons certified to be disabled from scheduled industrial diseases in the South Wales coalmines in the year 1938?

The number of persons in the South Wales coalmines certified by examining surgeons in respect of scheduled industrial diseases in the year 1938 was 1,827.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the numbers of boys and youths recruited into the coalmines of South Wales in each of the years from 1935 to 1939 inclusive?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in and about the mines in each coalfield in the country during the years 1939 to 1942?

Figures of accidents are available according to Inspection Divisions and not according to counties or

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figure for the output per manshift worked at the coal face for each of the eight weeks of the output bonus periods, with similar figures for the corresponding weeks of 1941?

Figures on a weekly basis are not available for 1941. In the first two output bonus periods, the average output per man-shift worked at the coal face was 2.88 and 2.92 tons, respectively; in the corresponding periods of last year, it was 2.98 tons and 2.99 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the need of smoke abatement, in view of the poor quality coals used and especially in London at the Criterion Restaurant on 17th and 18th of this month; and what action is being taken?

I understand that the emission of smoke, to which my hon. Friend refers, was largely attributable to the direction of the wind on the days in question. Arrangements have been made, however, to change the type of the fuel supplied to this establishment, and this will, it is hoped, prevent any recurrence of the incident.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why no report has been issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines, in view of the high accident and sickness rate among miners and the effect this is having on production?

A general decision has been taken to suspend for the time being the issue of departmental reports not immediately essential to the war effort. Information and statistics relating to accidents in mines have, however, been given from time to time to the House and elsewhere and in addition in each year since the war, His Majesty's Divisional Inspectors of Mines have circulated to collieries in their respective divisions details of accidents during the previous year together with suggested means for effecting improvement. I am glad to say that the figures for the present year are considerably lower than those for the corresponding period of 1941.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the scheme for a miners' medical service is to be published and how long will it be before the scheme is put into operation?

The scheme for a miners' medical service has already been described in broad outline by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary in the Debate of 1st October. I cannot give a precise date on which the scheme will be put into operation as its introduction must be gradual. I am however hoping to be able to fill a number of the necessary medical posts in the near future.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can make any statement about his organisation for dealing with outcrop working?

I have recently made certain changes in my organisation for production of coal from outcrops. I have arranged with my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and Planning, that, as from an early date, his Department shall act as agent for my Ministry for both exploratory work and extraction of the outcrop coal. The selection of sites will be determined regionally by my Department in association with the Geological Survey, after consultation between my Regional Officers and those of the Ministry of Works and Planning. My Department will remain wholly responsible for determining which sites should be worked and for disposing of the coal which is won.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of the total output carried by mechanical conveyors at the coal face in coalfields with outputs of 30,000,000 tons and over, between 13,000,000 and 16,000,000 and between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 tons, respectively; and whether he is satisfied with the progress of mechanised mining in securing increased outputs per manshift and per district?

As regards the first part of the Question, I am not clear as to what coalfield districts my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he will communicate with me I shall be glad to supply him, in confidence, with as much information as is available. As regards the second part of the Question, great progress has been made by the coal industry in recent years in the development of coal cutting and conveying and the use of this type of machinery is being extended. Particular attention is being paid to the development of intensive mining methods and the use of power loading.

asked the President of the Board of Education when he hopes "to receive the report of the committee set up to investigate the training of teachers?

I am not yet able to say when the committee is likely to report.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the bonus awarded recently to certificated teachers is being paid by all local education authorities and to supplementary teachers in their service?

So far as I am aware all local education authorities have adopted the recent bonus award for teachers. The salaries of supplementary teachers are not governed by the Bumham scales and are not, therefore, covered by the award.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the arrangements for liaison between officers of his Department and the medical superintendents, registrars, and almoners of all hospitals having service or ex-service in-patients; and whether the arrangements cover non-service patients who become disabled as a result of war service or enemy action?

If on invaliding the member is in hospital or in need of treatment a special report is sent to the Ministry and the necessary arrangements are made to ensure that treatment is given or continued either in a Ministry or Civilian Hospital. My chief regional officers and commissioners of medical services are in close touch with medical superintendents and officers of all hospitals having service or ex-service in-patients for the purpose of dealing with any difficulties. In the case of non-service patients who become disabled as a result of war service or enemy action, the treatment arrangements are, in the hands of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the arrangements for the rehabilitation of servicemen and civilians who lose limbs as a result of war service or enemy action and the period of training given in the use of artificial limbs; and whether all arm amputation cases are receiving in-patient treatment for limb fitting and tuition?

After active stump treatment has been completed and the artificial limb has been supplied, the amputee is taught how to make the best use of his artificial limb. During this period of instruction, which varies from case to case, the man or woman may be either an in-patient or an out-patient of one of the Ministry's hospitals. Frequently, particularly in the case of arm amputations, the individual prefers to be an out-patient and live at home. Where this does not interfere with his treatment I should not feel justified in compelling him to become an in-patient. In addition, whilst under hospital treatment officers of the Ministry of Labour and National Service discuss with the man or woman and with the surgeon in charge the question of future employment. Where required vocational training is given and, in the case of arm amputations, my Department provides any appliances necessary for the trade or calling which the amputee intends to pursue. I am glad to say that virtually all amputation cases of the present war, whose treatment has been completed, are either in full employment or will be on the completion of their vocational training.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether civilians who become totally disabled as a result of war service or enemy action are eligible for a constant attendance allowance in cases of helplessness in addition to the war pension?

This is a matter to which I am giving sympathetic consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount paid up to the most recent available date to civilian beneficiaries in respect of injuries consequent upon enemy action?

I have been asked to reply. The total amount paid to the 30th September, 1942, under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme is approximately £2,982,000, but I am unable to say how much of this expenditure was in respect of injuries caused by enemy action. This figure is exclusive of the amount paid in respect of loss of wages of Cavil Defence part-time personnel or by way of continuance of pay to whole-time Civil Defence personnel and in certain cases to police and civil servants in lieu of payments under the Civilians' Scheme. Particulars of such payments are not available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that India is redeeming the whole of her outstanding sterling loans which were only redeemable at their option and the interest on which was paid quarterly, and whether he will reduce the outstanding British Government Debt by similar provisions with a view to eliminating altogether Government Debt bearing no fixed date of redemption?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that there has been no variation in the contractual relations between the Government of India and holders of Indian sterling loans. Holdings of these loans have been acquired from persons resident in this country by the Treasury at the market price in accordance with the powers conferred on the Treasury by the Defence (Finance) Regulations. The similar acquisition by the Treasury of British Government Securities bearing no fixed date of redemption would serve no national interest and be quite impracticable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to prevent evasion of taxation, he will make it illegal for transactions exceeding £100 in value to be paid for by cash?

No, Sir. I do not think that it would be possible to make such legislation effective.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to prevent the hoarding of notes with a view to evasion of taxation, he will call in existing issues and make a new issue?

No, Sir. I do not think that such action is either necessary or desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the saving of paper and of time to banks and postal authorities that would occur if he made it obligatory for all purchasers of stocks or shares to state on the transfer whether the dividends should be paid direct to a bank or by post; and whether he will arrange that the transfer will not be valid for registration without this additional declaration?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, which has been fully considered with other proposals for saving paper and labour. It has been found possible to institute certain improvements; for example, the form of application for new Government Loans includes a request regarding the payment of dividends, and I should welcome any comparable steps which might be taken by companies or other registering authorities to obtain dividend instructions. I fear, however, that for technical reasons, it has not been found possible to adopt the particular suggestion advanced by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a producer-retailer or dairyman may distribute any surplus milk to his normal customers after all priority commitments have been made?

A producer-retailer or retail dairyman may distribute amongst his registered customers the quantity of milk authorised on his certificate of requirements (M.K.2). Should the priority consumers not take up their full entitlement dairymen may distribute the surplus that arises amongst any of his registered consumers. A producer-retailer producing more milk than is authorised on his certificate of requirements may distribute the surplus milk amongst his registered customers provided he has previously notified the surplus to his regional milk supply officer and has received no instructions to divert the surplus milk to other distributors. Dairymen purchasing milk for resale should restrict their purchases to the quantity authorised on their certificate of requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the allegation, made at a recent meeting of the Rochester Food Control Committee, that the Medway towns are not getting their share of fish; and if he has any statement to make upon the matter?

My hon. Friend has sent me a Press report of the meeting to which he refers. The supply of fish landed in the zone in which the Medway towns are situated was comparatively small at the beginning of this month and to supplement this supply stocks of frozen fillets were released from cold store to these towns. I have no reason to believe that the Medway towns are not receiving supplies appropriate to their entitlement under the distribution scheme, but I have arranged for investigations to be made. In the meantime, fishmongers or fish friers in the area who have undue difficulty in obtaining supplies should communicate with the Area Fish Distribution Officer, King William Street House, E.C.3.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total acreage of pasture, arable, down-land and rough grazing in use in the Isle of Wight in the years 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41 and 1941–42, respectively; and what is the proposed acreage under these headings for 1942–43?

In the Isle of Wight in 1939 there were 41,500 acres of permanent grass, 17,300 acres arable and 13,200 acres rough grazings. I regret that it is not in the public interest to disclose the corresponding statistics for the war period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he intends to introduce the promised legislation for the regulation of animal artificial insemination?

I hope to be in a position to introduce a Bill shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of smallpox have been notified at Edinburgh; how many of them came from an institution; what are the ages and what is the sex of the patients; how many have proved fatal; and what was the vaccinal condition of the victims?

Twenty-four confirmed cases of smallpox are associated with the Edinburgh outbreak and one other case is in hospital under observation. Nineteen cases were, or had recently been, patients in a medical institution or an associated convalescent home, three were medical students attending at the institution and two were contacts of the original cases. In the remaining case, no connection with the institution has so far been traced. Four cases have died. A table giving the sex, age and vaccinal condition so far as known is appended.

asked the Minister of Health what alterations have been made in the regulations governing the production of calf lymph; and whether more living bacteria are allowed in the lymph than formerly?

I have recently made an Order modifying the tests for the purity of vaccine lymph. The new Order allows an increase in the total number of living bacteria and other visible micro-organisms, but it provides safeguards against harmful micro-organisms which are at least equal to those previously prescribed. I am sending a copy of the Order to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position with regard to the Committee on Medical Schools which is considering the desirability of increasing the facilities for women to study in medical schools in London; and when a Report is expected?

The Committee referred to in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fulham (Dr. Summerskill) on 22nd October last was appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend to inquire into the organisation of medical schools. I cannot give a date for the report, but my hon. Friend will understand that the issues involved are of first rate importance and will demand some time for examination. The particular question mentioned by my hon. Friend is of course one only of the very large number of questions that will be considered by the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health under what authority the medical officer of health of the Surrey County Council has forbidden the publication without his permission of a medical report of a number of cases treated experimentally by a certain new treatment by injection in the institutions of the Surrey County Council?

I am informed by the medical officer of health, Surrey, that he has not forbidden the publication, without his permission, of any medical report of the kind indicated.

asked the Paymaster-General whether he will arrange for a special edition of the Beveridge Report in order that members of the Fighting Forces and the war factories will be able, to purchase a copy?

I have been asked to reply. As I informed the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) on Thursday last, the price of the Report will be 2s. It is not proposed to publish a special edition at a different price.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether one of the two only cafes in the village, indicated privately to him, can be released from the ban placed on them to men below commissioned rank and thus provide privates with the amenity of an outside meal-house, and whether he will inquire into the difficulty of obtaining cigarettes in the Young Men's Christian Association canteen?

Apart from two short periods in the day in the case of one cafe and one short period in the case of the other, both cafes and the Y.M.C.A. are, I understand, open to other ranks. Some such restriction on the use of these small cafes was thought necessary in order to prevent overcrowding. I have, however, had the general question recently under consideration and instructions will shortly be issued to prevent any restaurant, cafe or bar being reserved for the use of officers only. Except during the period when cigarettes were short everywhere, I understand that there have been ample supplies in the Y.M.C.A.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that over 75 per cent. of all lieutenant-colonels and above are regular officers or Regular Army Reserve of Officers, he is satisfied that adequate consideration has been given to the fighting capacity, general ability and war records of Territorial and emergency commission officers?

Yes, Sir. Appointments with the rank of lieutenant-colonel are filled by selecting officers with the necessary qualifications and general ability and no preference is given to regular officers or Regular Army Reserve officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the regulations covering temporary release from the Army provide that an officer may not wear uniform from the date of release irrespective of whether civilian clothing coupons are available or not; and whether he will amend the rule to permit uniform to be worn for 14 days after such release?

An officer released from the Army may not wear uniform but if he has insufficient civilian clothes to dress as a civilian before he can obtain coupons, an application from him to wear uniform in the meantime would be favourably considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recently announced concessions to officers holding temporary rank can be made retrospective, especially in the case of those of senior rank who are suffering through the slowness of promotion?

No, Sir; apart from any other considerations it would be administratively impossible to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a commanding officer has the right to overrule the opinion of a medical officer in regard to leave to areas in which smallpox has been reported, when the medical officer considers it safe for the soldier to travel to the particular area?

Instructions have recently been issued by the War Office restricting the granting of leave to certain areas in which smallpox has been reported. A commanding officer would quite rightly follow these instructions and prevent a soldier from travelling to those areas even if his medical officer considered it safe for the soldier to travel there.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department is now prepared to improve the existing arrangements for the supply and maintenance of artificial limbs, including stump socks, in the cases of men who lose limbs whilst serving in the Army as a result of accidents off duty and other non-attributable causes?

I am having this question investigated and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many men who enlisted voluntarily in the ranks of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in 1941, under the Emergency Commission Scheme, on the undertaking that after their preliminary training they would be posted to a commission if suitable and when vacancies became available, have waited for over six months for their commission although recommended as suitable by their brigadier; and, in view of the dissatisfaction amongst these men, will he look into their position?

The personal letter sent to each man enlisting under the scheme referred to in the Question explained that no undertaking was given that a commission would be granted, and that the grant of a commission would depend on the suitability of the candidate and on the existence of vacancies, A man recommended for a commission must be interviewed and approved by the War Office Selection Board. If my hon. Friend considers that any of the cases to which he refers should be looked into further I will gladly do so if he will forward me the particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many times quartering commandants have been called to the War Office for consultation during the past three years?

On no occasion. Meetings of the quartering commandants in a Command are held from time to time at Command headquarters.

asked the Secretary of State for War why non-commissioned officers officially designated as issuers are not given tradesman's pay?

Issuer is not an Army trade. The duties of issuers, taken as a whole, are not such as to justify their being classed as skilled tradesmen. A new trade of Storeman (Supplies), R.A.S.C., has however recently been introduced. The more skilled work hitherto performed by the issuers, together with various clerical and other duties, is being transferred to soldiers of this trade. Issuers who can pass the tests are eligible for mustering in it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when it is his intention to introduce legislation imposing penalties on users of commercal vehicles who surrender tyres which have been worn to an extent which unfits them for retreading; and whether he is aware that the necessity for such legislation has been, for some months past, generally agreed to by the Ministry of Supply, Tyre Control?

My Ministry, in conjunction with the Ministry of Supply and the other Departments concerned, are now considering the adoption of an Order which would make it an offence to use a pneumatic tyre on any vehicle or trailer, if the cotton or other similar fabric of the tyre were visible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that a large number of men are employed for cleaning and maintenance purposes in the vehicle depots of the Liverpool passenger transport department; that these men are on permanent night duty from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. all the year round; that those so engaged in the Smithdown Road depot are unable to secure hot meals during the night, in spite of their having made application for them; and will he take steps to ensure that in future such workers will be supplied with hot meals during each night from one of the existing kitchens under the control of the education authority or otherwise?

I understand that at the Smithdown Road Depot there are on the average 18 men during the night shift, that is, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. There is a mess room which will seat about 25, and there are facilities for boiling water. These arrangements are the same as those at all the other nine depots of the Liverpool Corporation Transport Department. The Transport Department have no record of application being made to them to provide hot meals at this or any other depot between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. I understand that the education authority are unable to provide hot meals anywhere between these hours.

asked the Home Secretary how many men and women have claimed exemption from fire-watching on medical grounds; and what steps are being taken to have their claims examined?

About a quarter of a million applications had been dealt with by the tribunals up to February last when the Ministry of Health made available the services of their regional medical officers. A large part of the outstanding cases have been disposed of under these arrangements. In order to relieve the tribunals, I propose shortly to amend the Orders to provide that such applications shall be settled by the regional commissioner on the advice of a medical referee appointed by the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the Scott Ford case, he will cause all licensees to affix a warning in their bars that enemy agents may be active in their endeavours to establish connection with British seamen with the object of extracting information harmful to this country?

I have no power to cause licensees to do anything, but the dangers of careless talk are a regular theme of the Ministry of Information's output. By arrangement with the licensees warning posters are already widely used in bars and public houses in dock areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his unfavourable decision with regard to check credit trading and the question of poundage having regard to the extent of this method of purchase and trading in many parts of the country?

No, Sir. I took full account of the considerations to which my hon. Friend refers before I decided to prohibit the charging of poundage on checks. The Order has now been in force since 1st October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the scheme relating to engineering cadetships in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers could be extended so as to permit the candidature of former pupils of junior technical schools who have satisfactorily completed the three-year course and who have obtained the recognised leaving certificate for such schools, and former pupils of elementary schools who have regularly pursued part-time day or evening technical courses and who have passed examinations of a certain minimum standard appropriate to such students?

Yes, Sir. Subject to the conditions already announced that applicants for cadetships must not be employed in any branch of engineering, I have decided, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, that suitable boys who have satisfactorily completed a three-year course at a junior technical school will be eligible for consideration for the grant of engineering cadetships. Subject to the above-mentioned condition my right hon. Friend has also agreed that part-time technical students who are found to have adequate knowledge of methematics or general science or physics may also be eligible for consideration. In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, corresponding arrangements have been made in Scotland.