asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of man-shifts lost which could have been worked, including absences due to sickness or accident, at the coalface in the South Yorkshire coalfield for each of the two output bonus periods already expired?

The percentage of man-shifts lost, which could have been worked, including absences due to sickness or accident, at the coalface in the South Yorkshire coalfield, was 16.81 per cent. in the first output bonus period, and 17.52 per cent. in the second. The number of shifts worked per face-worker per week averaged 4.76 and 4.84, respectively.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average output per man-shift worked at the coalface in the South Yorkshire coalfield in each of the two output bonus periods already expired?

In the first output bonus period, the output per man-shift worked at the coalface was 3.29 tons, and in the second, 3.35 tons.

asked the Postmaster-General how many people have renewed their wireless licences; and how many people have applied for a licence, for the nearest available date?

I am sorry that the available figures of wireless licences taken out are not divided to show separately renewals and new applications: and this information could not be obtained without an expenditure of labour which could not foe justified in the present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of those employed who were killed and seriously injured, respectively, in each coal inspection division for the years 1930, 1935, 1939, 1940, 1941 and to the latest date in 1942?

The information available concerning serious injuries relates to cases of injuries reportable under the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and not to the numbers of persons receiving serious injuries each year. The information is therefore given according to the number of persons killed and the number of cases of serious injury, each per 1,000 persons employed:The total number of licences issued is however known to be increasing. On the 31st August last, the latest date for which firm figures are available, there were 8,836,724 wireless receiving licences in force and since that date the number has increased to over nine millions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade Whether he is aware of the exorbitant charges for toys, generally composed of bits of wood with nails and screws and painted and then classed as toys at exorbitant prices, chiefly owing to the profits made by manufacturers; and will he take immediate steps to protect the public by tightening up the governing regulations?

Control of the manufacturers' prices of toys present exceptional difficulties in view of the very large number of toys which are made by the very small manufacturer working with his family or by other persons in their spare time. I have, however, made an Order, after consultation with the Central Price Regulation Committee, fixing manufacturers' prices for toys at the current price on the 30th September, 1942, and compelling them to keep certain records in future. Wholesale and retail margins have also been fixed by the Order, and I am advised that the combined effect of these provisions should be to secure fair margins for traders and reasonable prices to the public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken regarding the manufacture of utility furniture; whether particulars have been obtained by his Department of existing Stocks of the necessary materials; and when deliveries of utility furniture will be available for the public?

I would refer, my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to Questions on this subject on Tuesday last. Estimates of the supplies of materials available for utility furniture production were obtained by my Department, and these have largely governed the designs and specifications adopted.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that speakers supplied by the Ministry, who address either public meetings or meetings arranged by various organisations, have been advised that they cannot speak on post-war reconstruction; and does he intend to raise this ban upon speakers engaged by the Ministry?

In deferment to the wishes of this House speakers on behalf on the Ministry of Information have been discouraged from dealing with political issues that are still in controversy. Most reconstruction questions inevitably raise such issues. For this reason Ministry speakers are requested to avoid the subject of post-war reconstruction except in so far as it is covered by declared Government policy. I see no reason to alter this rule.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his Department received the bulk of the rail and other steel scrap from the closed down Clogher Valley railway in Ulster?

The iron and steel materials from the Clogher Valley railway were purchased by a scrap merchant under a private contract with the owners. A small quantity of re-usable material was disposed of to Eire under Board of Trade licence. The remainder will be consumed in the United Kingdom; the bulk has already been shipped to this country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts; and what he intends doing about the matter?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is satisfied, after consultation with the Commissioner of Police, that in the interests of the efficiency of the Metropolitan Police, it is essential for the food service to be maintained on the present lines, even though this entails a substantial charge on public funds. At the same time efforts continue to be made to improve the standard of efficiency and the system of control, as suggested by the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Probation Advisory Committee and the London Probation Committee are functioning; and, if not, whether he is prepared to reconstitute these committees in view of the importance attached to them in the Social Services Report.

The meetings of the Probation Advisory Committee had to be postponed indefinitely on the outbreak of war and several of its original members are still unavailable. As the period for which the committee was appointed has expired the question whether in present circumstances it is desirable to reconstitute it will be considered. As regards the London Probation Committee I made a proposal to the chief magistrate some little time ago for its reconstitution and I understand that this proposal will be brought before the next meeting of metropolitan magistrates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any olive oil or currants are to be expected from Turkey in the near future?

It would not be in the national interests to disclose our expectations in regard to imported foodstuffs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an assurance that all animal slaughterers, are provided with an adequate supply of ammunition for humane killers; and is he prepared to order that all animals be killed in this manner?

The question how much ammunition can be made available for use in slaughter-houses is for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, who on 13th May and 1st October gave answers in the House of which I am sending copies to my hon. Friend. No complaint has reached me that the supply is inadequate. As regards the second part of the Question provisions differing to some extent for different types of animal are contained in the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933, and I have no power to make any order such as is suggested in the Question.