asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many mines are at work in Nottinghamshire, the number using ponies; and the percentage of output carried by conveyors?

The information, so far as it is available, is as follows:

Number of mines at work, year ended 31st December, 1941	48
Number of mines using horses at 30th June, 1942	40
Percentage of output carried by conveyors in the year 1941	85

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many mechanisation officers have been appointed in the Durham and Northumberland coalfields, respectively; whether they have already taken up their duties; and whether he considers that American power-loaders can be advantageously employed in these areas?

A mechanisation officer has been appointed for the Northumberland coalfield and has taken up his duties. The appointment of a mechanisation officer for Durham is under discussion. As regards the last part of the Question, there may well be opportunities

Horses employed at 30th June 1942.	No. of coal-cutters in use during the year 1941.	No. of conveyors in use during the year 1941.	Percentage of coal conveyed, 1941.
2,511	81	212	23

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of ponies killed and injured by accidents and destroyed for other reasons, specifying the number of ponies in each particular claim during the past three years, in South Wales, Yorkshire

YEAR		SOUTH WALES AND MONMOUTH.			YORKSHIRE.			NORTHERN DIVISION.
		Injury by Accident.		Destroyed for other reasons.	Injury by Accident.		Destroyed for other reasons.	Injury by Accident.		Destroyed for other reasons.
		Causing Death	Causing Unfitness for Work.		Causing Death.	Causing Unfitness for Work.		Causing Death.	Causing, Unfitness for Work.
1940	…	201	965	439	160	427	387	418	1,459	1,087
1941	…	178	883	397	155	427	320	411	1,274	1,128
1942	…	152	891	270	166	414	299	393	1,246	943
1937	…	149	1,199	479	165	540	368	463	1,464	1,166
1938	…	162	1,180	486	165	475	399	472	1,579	1,451
1939	…	198	1,007	506	139	420	384	435	1,431	1,330

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of ponies employed in Durham and Northumberland, taken together, Scotland and Lancashire, taken together, the percentages of the total

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many horses are employed below ground in the anthracite area of South Wales; the number of coal cutters and conveyors used; and the percentage of the output carried by conveyors?

The figures available refer to the counties of South Wales in which anthracite mines are situated, and will therefore include a number of pits mining bituminous coal. The figures are as follow:and the Northern Division; and how the rates of annual wastage compare with pre-war years?

The information is as follows, the years 1937 to 1939 being given for purposes of comparison;number employed in the United Kingdom used in these combined areas and the combined annual outputs?

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Fuel, and Power what has been the approximate reduction up to date in the consumption of gas, electricity and solid fuel relative to last year?

I regret that it is not yet possible to make any full statement on this subject. The fuel and power requirements of certain classes of consumers, particularly war industries, the Services, and transport, are considerably above last year's figures, and to meet these war requirements it is essential to secure equivalent reductions in domestic and in other types of industrial consumption, and to increase coal production. It is too early in the winter to be able to give statistics of domestic consumption of raw coal, but the first results of a sample inquiry into the consumption of gas and electricity for domestic purposes are encouraging.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many rationalisation schemes for retail coal delivery have been drawn up in consultation with, or approved by, his Ministry and are now in operation?

My hon. Friend is, no doubt, familiar with the general measures, which have been taken under the House Coal Emergency Scheme in order to eliminate unnecessary deliveries of coal. In addition, more than 20 rationalisation schemes of various types have been drawn up in consultation with the Mines Department, and are either in operation or in active preparation in various parts of the country. In the light of the experience thus gained, my Noble Friend is now considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, what further measures of rationalisation can be undertaken. In the meantime issues of motor fuel for retail deliveries of coal are being restricted more closely, in order to prevent the unnecessary use of fuel and rubber.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ensure that manufacturers are able to maintain an adequate supply of the No. 8 torch batteries so popular with the workers and their families?

As my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend, the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 19th November, these batteries are still being made in very large quantities. Increased supplies will also be available this winter of batteries of larger sizes which are more economical in raw materials and labour, and in cost, relative to the number of hours of light which they give.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cinematograph exhibitors for the years 1939, 1940 and 1941, respectively, whose showings of British films were nine to 15 per cent., giving the number in each percentage between these figures for each such year?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cinematograph exhibitors who defaulted in the showing of the statutory quota of British films for each of the years ending 30th September, 1939, 1940 and 1941; how many were recommended for prosecution by the Films Council; how many prosecutions were undertaken in each year and with what results?

To ascertain the numbers of exhibitors whose showings of British long films were between 9 and 15 per cent. of their total showings of long films in each of the three years in question would involve an expenditure of time and labour which, in present circumstances, I could not justify. I have, however, called for an analysis of the exhibitors' quota returns for the year ending 30th September, 1942, and when I have this I will send copies to my hon. Friends. The numbers of cinematograph exhibitors who failed to show the prescribed percentage of British films in each of the years ending 30th September, 1939, 1940 and 1941 were, respectively, 437, 316 and 1,402. The numbers recom-

Statement of prosecutions of Exhibitors who failed to show the prescribed percentage of British films in each of the years ending 30th September, 10.39, 1940 and 1941
Defendant and Theatre.		Date and Place of Hearing.	Result.
I.—1940 (for the year ending September, 1939)
1.	Manchester Cinemas, Ltd., Market Street Picture House, Manchester.	25.10.40, Manchester	Dismissed
2.	Manchester Cinemas, Ltd., New Oxford Theatre, Manchester.	25.10.40, Manchester	Dismissed
3.	Mr. J. F. Emery, M.P., Luxor Cinema, Manchester	25.10.40, Manchester	Dismissed
4.	Mr. J. F. Emery, M.P., Palace Cinema, Manchester	25.10.40, Manchester	Dismissed
5.	Metropolitan and Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, Ltd., Hammersmith Palace, London.	24.11.40, West London	Fined £100 Costs £42
II.—1941 (for the year ending September, 1940)
1.	Buxton Theatre Circuit, Ltd., Gaiety Cinema, Manchester.	24.10.41	Fined £50 Costs £10 10s. 0d.
2.	Carlton Theatre Co., Ltd., Carlton Cinema, London, W.I.	11.11.41, Bow Street	Fined £56 Costs £10 10s. 0d.
3.	Plaza Theatre Co., Ltd., Plaza Cinema, London, W.I.	11.11.41, Bow Street	Fined £50 Costs £10 10s. 0d.
III.—1942 (for the year ending September, 1941)
1.	Mr. J. F. Emery, M.P., Savoy Picture House	28.10.42, Oldbury, Worcs.	Fined £75 Costs £10 10s. 0d.
2.	Eastern Cinemas (G.C.P.), Ltd., Capital Cinema, Romford.	3.11.42, Romford	Fined £75 Costs £10 10s. 0d.
3.	Eastern Cinemas (G.C.P.), Ltd., Capital Cinema, (Upminster.	3.11.42, Romford	Fined £75 Costs £10 10s. 0d.
4.	Kessex Cinemas, Ltd., Regent Cinema, Green Lanes.	4.11.42, Stratford	Fined £50 Costs £10 10s. 0d.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the names of the members of the scientific advisers' division of his Ministry; the date of their appointment; their business associations, whether past or present; and the names of the members of the Scientific Committee on Food Policy?

The names of the members of the Scientific Adviser's staff and the date of their appointment are as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why cured and smoked fish, with the exception of red herring, have disappeared from Kent since the Food Ministry undertook the distribution of fish?

The present shortage of kippers and bloaters is due mainly to the fact that the summer herring fishing season finished in September, and the winter fishing season is only just commencing. Red herrings, being made chiefly from pickled herrings which can be kept for a long period, can be produced at any time and may consequently be on sale when fresh herrings are scarce. The demand from the public for red herrings is small, and supplies are on offer almost continuously in some districts. Supplies of smoked haddocks and other smoked white fish depend upon landings of the fresh fish at the curing centres. Such landings have been below normal in recent weeks. I may add that my Department does not control the distribution of herrings and kippers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to a refusal by his Department of a licence to the owner of a stone mill to continue, after the death of the previous user, producing wholemeal flour; whether he is aware that the inspectors appointed to pronounce upon this mill were themselves interested in the production of flour by roller mills; and whether the letter, dated 30th July, 1942, of the Director of Cereal Products stating that it is not intended to licence fresh mills was written with his authority?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is, "Yes, Sir"; to the second part is, "No, Sir," the inspector having no connection with any flour milling concern, roller or otherwise; and to the third part, the answer is that the decision of my Department was embodied in a letter issued with the authority of my Noble Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far persons taking up Government employment on a full- or part-time basis are allowed to retain directorships of public limited liability companies; and what arrangements are made to safeguard the public interest?

The principles regulating the appointment during the war of individuals with business interests to posts in Government Departments are set out in a Treasury Circular issued in February, 1940, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The arrangements there laid down to safeguard the public interest were commented upon in the Report of the Committee of Public Accounts for 1941; and a Treasury Minute dated 12th February, 1942, drew the special attention of all Departments utilising the services of individuals who hold or held responsible positions in outside industry to the need for care in seeing that the basic principles enunciated are thoroughly understood and accepted by the officers in question, and observed in practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new War Bond issue carries any conversion rights to holders of 2½ per cent. National War Bonds, 1949 to 1955?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether in any legislation to be submitted to deal with old age and widow pensioners, he will see that the claims of the Royal Dockyard pensioners are borne in mind?

I have been asked to reply. Civil Service pensions do not fall within the scope of the legislation referred to.

asked the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to supplement up to date the figures and classification of casualties for the United Kingdom, the Dominions, India and Burma and the British Colonies already given for the two years 3rd September, 1939, to 2nd September, 1941?

The figures in so far as they relate to the United Kingdom and the Colonies will be published in due course in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The publication of casualties in respect of the Dominions, India and Burma is a matter for His Majesty's Government in the Dominions and for the Governments of India and of Burma and steps are being taken to ascertain the wishes of those Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Driver Bartram, No. 1764941, has yet had restored to him property which he lost on 9th August, seeing that the property was returned intact to the Lincoln police on the day it was lost and was handed to No. 35 Army Salvage Unit at Lincoln on 3rd September?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this case. It is now being investigated and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, under Army Coucil Instruction 422 of 1942, officers turned 55 years of age, who are classified T and who appeal to the Army Council against relegation to civil life, have no right to see and to reply to the evidence of the officers reporting them?

Under this Army Council Instruction officers of the rank of lieutenant-colonel and below who were over 55 on 31st December, 1941, were classified as T unless there were special reasons, which had to be precisely stated, to justify their retention. An officer so classified was shown the report and he had the right of appeal to the Army Council against this decision. This enabled him to state any further facts in his case which he thought should be considered and which actually would be considered by the Army Council when dealing with his appeal. His suitability for further employment was then re-examined, and to enable this to be done his appeal was sent to the commanding officer, who had reported on him originally, for further consideration. The Army Council thereupon decided whether the officer's appeal succeeded or failed. It would be contrary to the normal practice in the case of appeals to allow the officer to comment once again on a report rendered on him. Nothing would be gained by doing so and a decision might be protracted indefinitely. I might add that no report rendered under this Army Council Instruction is regarded as adverse and no discredit attaches to the officer reported on.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the light of recent events, he will reconsider the decision to use church bells as a military signal and adopt some arrangement which will not deprive the community of the bells?

This question is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause a review to be made of all existing iron or steel antitank fences and devices, to ascertain which of them are not now included in current schemes of defence against invasion, with a view to the utilisation of such redundant material for scrap for war production industries?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the skill, both in driving and maintenance of vehicles, required by Royal Army Service Corps drivers, he will consider granting them tradesmen's rate of pay?

I am examining the question of the pay of Royal Army Service Corps drivers, but in view of the wide repercussions which might result from any change this examination may take some time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the shortage of petrol, he will give instructions that staff officers in the home Forces shall be supplied with small motor cars in place of the high-powered motor cars which are at present issued for their use?

Yes, Sir. This is already being done in so far as operational needs and the availability of low-powered cars permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of large camps of British prisoners of war, particularly under Japanese control, there are any chaplains attached to administer the last rites of the Church and to bury the dead?

In Germany and Italy chaplains who have been taken prisoner with the troops to which they are attached are usually allowed to exercise their ministry at large in prisoners of war camps. As regards camps under Japanese control, I have very little information. Four chaplains were captured at Hong Kong and there is some evidence that services are held in the camps where they are interned. Of the 35 chaplains who were

County Boroughs.			Live Births registered mid 1941-mid 1942.	Number of domiciliary mid wives.	Number of midwives in institutions.
Walsall	…	…	2,090	14	9
Wolverhampton	…	…	3,346	16	7
West Bromwich	…	…	1,816	10	5
Huddersfield	…	…	2,098	* 5	17
St. Helens	…	…	2,050	13	12
* Employed by voluntary associations under arrangements made with the authority.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under paragraph (3) of Regulation 33B, a special medical practitioner can give a direction to a contact to attend a particular hospital?

Yes, Sir. It is however open to a contact, on giving due notice, to transfer to another special practitioner at any time before the course of treatment is completed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant liberty to members of the Canadian Forces to spend their leave in Northern Ireland?

Any application by a member of the Canadian Army Overseas

asked the Minister of Health, in respect of the latest available period, the population, number of births and the number of municipal midwives employed in the towns of Walsall, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Huddersfield and St. Helens, respectively?

Recent relevant figures of population are not available but the number of births and of municipal mid-wives are as follow:for a leave pass to Northern Ireland has to be made to his commanding officer, who will deal with the matter under the Regulations made by the Canadian military authorities in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the petition presented by certain inhabitants of Bonthe-Sherbro, Sierra Leone, respecting alleged inadequate compensation; and whether any steps are being taken to meet the grievance contained in the petition?

I understand that the petition referred to by my hon. Friend is being forwarded to my right hon. Friend through the Governor of Sierra Leone, as is required by the Colonial regulations. When he has received it, together with the Governor's comments, he will give the matter his careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give any information concerning the invention of Mr. W. F. Halsey, of 147, Sutton Court Road, Plaistow; and whether any results came out of the interview with Mr. Halsey on Monday 23rd November.

Mr. Halsey has been interviewed and has provided full details of his invention, which were investigated by technical officers of the Ministry. He has been informed that his invention does not appear to provide a solution to the problems it was designed to meet, but that if samples of his invention were available, they would be given a trial. On 23rd November, Mr. Halsey called for the documents he had left and not for interview.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the cost of the vaccinations performed at the 25 special vaccination stations opened at Glasgow on 1st July; and whether the doctors and others who performed the vaccinations were paid by salary or by fees for each vaccination performed?

The amount paid by Glasgow Corporation to doctors and medical students for vaccinations performed at the special vaccination stations was £3,316. The doctors and medical students were paid by fees on a sessional basis, doctors receiving a fee of 31s. 6d., and medical students 10s. 6d., per session of 2½ hours.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct the Department of Agriculture to examine and report on all land in Scotland offered for sale, in view of the potential value of much of this land for hydro-electric development and the desirability of keeping it out of the hands of speculators?

The Department of Agriculture are not in a position to know of all impending private sales of land. But as I indicated on 24th November in reply to the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan) the Government intend to introduce legislation to give effect to the principle that the compensation payable in public acquisition or control of land shall not exceed sums based on the standard of values at 31st March, 1939. Sales of land at the present time cannot therefore afford any financial advantage to land speculators who might be purchasing now with a view to later re-sale to a public body.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Planning what protests he has received from workmen who are employed under the Government building scheme in regard to housing and food conditions; whether any of these men have returned to London from where they were sent in view of these conditions; and whether he will take steps to see that they are properly looked after in their billets?

I have been asked to reply. Occasional complaints of the kind are received and are investigated with a view to any remedial action found necessary. Very few men are known to have returned to London on account of such complaints. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case he has in mind I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of members of the Technical Personnel Committee charged with the general direction of the allocation of men with technical qualifications, together with the date of its appointment; and how far this committee supersedes the function of the joint university recruiting boards whose original reference covers the same field?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 26th November, 1942.

asked the Minister of Labour in what circumstances persons who claim to be conscientious objectors may be required to undergo medical examination?

Any person liable to be, called up under the National Service Acts may register provisionally as a conscientious objector and make an application to a tribunal. As a result he may be:—

(1) registered as a conscientious objector without conditions;

(2) registered as a conscientious objector on condition that he undertakes specified civilian work;

(3) registered as a conscientious objector but liable to service in a non-combatant capacity in the Armed Forces; or

(4) removed from the register of conscientious objectors.

Persons in the third and fourth categories mentioned above are liable to be called up under the National Service Acts for military service, and those in the second category may be enrolled in a Civil Defence Force. Before an enlistment or enrolment notice can be served it is necessary that there should be a medical, examination in accordance with the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939. Section 3 (4) of that Act provides that it is an offence to fail to comply with a notice served by the Minister to attend for medical examination. Section 4 of the National Service Act, 1941, provides that the Court by which any person is convicted under the principal Act for failure to comply with a notice to attend for medical examination, may, without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed on him, order him to submit himself to medical examination. Under Section 4 (2) of this Act a person who fails to submit himself for examination in accordance with any order made by the Court in the above circumstances shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment. Any person in Great Britain may be given directions under Defence (General) Regulation 58A. Such directions may, therefore, be given to persons registered as conscientious objectors either with or without conditions, and also to persons who, not being liable to be called up under the National Service Acts, have no opportunity formally to be recognised as conscientious objectors to Military Service but who may themselves claim to be conscientious objectors. Before giving a direction under Regulation 58A, it is important that the National Service officer should be satisfied that the person concerned is fit to undertake the work proposed, and by Defence (General) Regulation 80B there is power to require a person to submit himself to medical examination for the purpose of determining whether any, and if so what, direction ought to be given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the National Maritime Board have yet made any report on the post-war problems referred to them?

Yes, Sir, and discussions are now proceeding with representatives of the owners', officers' and seamen's societies on the tentative proposals which the National Maritime Board have submitted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport in how many cases in the country where traffic lights have been put out of commission policemen have had to be restored to deal with the traffic?

I regret that the information which my hon. Friend desires is not available. I may, however, remind him that traffic light signals are only discontinued where they are not at present necessary for purposes of traffic control or reasons of safety.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of War Transport whether consideration has now been given to the representations made to him concerning the ban on Sunday morning motor-omnibus services in Brighton and Hove; and whether the scheme will be modified so as to provide transport for those who wish to attend divine service at their customary places of worship?

The decision to curtail road transport services on Sundays was taken with great reluctance, and was due to the paramount need to save fuel and rubber, to give relief to the operating staff, and to afford proper opportunity for the overhaul and maintenance of vehicles. My Noble Friend has given consideration to the representations he has received from Brighton and Hove, but has reached the conclusion that he would not be justified in asking the Regional Transport Commissioner to arrange for the provision of omnibus services as suggested.