asked the Minister of Labour, whether he is satisfied that the Factory and Welfare Advisory Board have adequately notified employers, trade unions, personal managements, and other interested persons, of the facilities now provided by the Emergency Hospital Scheme for fracture treatment and rehabilitation of industrial workers?

After consultation with the Factory and Welfare Advisory Board, my Department issued last month a leaflet describing the facilities provided by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health for Scotland for fracture treatment and rehabilitation of industrial workers. The British Employers' Confederation, the Trades Union Congress, and other bodies have given valuable help in connection with the distribution of the leaflet, which has been extremely wide, and many references have been made to it in the general Press and in trade union and other journals. Further steps to draw attention to the facilities will be taken as occasion arises.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether, in view of the grave shortage of practising midwives, and the serious consequences likely to arise, he will take steps to direct qualified midwives, not at present acting as such, into midwifery practice during the war?

I am aware of the shortage of practising midwives, and I am in consultation at the present time with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, and the nursing and midwifery organisa- tions concerned with a view to securing a better supply and distribution both of midwives and of nurses.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the appeal that has been made by the Minister of Health to nursing associations for midwives to remain as midwives has been quite useless, and that many young nurses who are trained as midwives volunteer, after their training is finished, for general military service, or go into munitions? Could my right hon. Friend not direct them to practise as midwives at present?

That is a matter which my right hon. Friend and I are attempting to organise.

Have not most members of the medical profession treated midwives so badly up to now that women are not prepared to work as midwives?

That is not the least bit true. The medical profession recognise the advantage of their services.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of places available to unemployed and other trainees in Government training centres at the outbreak of war?

The available places for training in July, 1939, were approximately 10,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that employers under the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Order are refusing to pay wages for a period of idleness following dismissal for misconduct, even though, on appeal, the employer has been directed by the National Service officer to reinstate the workman on the ground that the findings of the Appeal Board on the justifiableness of the dismissal are not made known; and whether he will take steps to deal with this matter?

There is no provision in the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Order that places a legal obligation on an employer to pay back money to a worker reinstated in accordance with the provisions of that Order after dismissal for serious misconduct. The Mining Association of Great Britain, however, have informed me that there should be no difficulty in disposing of any cases of this type that may be outstanding or that may arise in the future.

Is not the Minister aware that for a considerable time there has been a practice of paying men wages if it is found that their dismissal is unjustified? Does he appreciate that the difficulty is that you cannot get from the National Service officer, when the Board redirect a man back to work, a statement whether the dismissal has been justified or not? Will the Minister direct his attention to that?

I have directed my attention to that matter. I have amended the General Orders. The Coalmining Order is a special Order, applicable to coalmining. I have raised the problem with the industry, and I am awaiting their reply.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that excessive hours are still being worked, particularly by women in munitions production; and what steps are being taken to limit hours where medical officers report injury to health?

Inquiries show a widespread tendency to reduce working hours in factories where these have been relatively long, and in my Department's recent leaflet on the problem of absenteeism stress is laid on the importance of planning, so far as reasonably possible, hours of working of individuals or of sets of workers with some regard to their personal circumstances. If I were to receive evidence of injury to health due to excessive factory hours, I should not hesitate to take the matter up with the firm concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that damage to health, particularly among women workers, is accruing, and will he press upon medical officers the need for watching the position?

I am constantly in touch with the matter, but I cannot introduce a universal regulation of hours, owing to the nature of the war industries.

Is it not true that we warned the Minister two years ago that unless he limited the hours of women workers—and of men workers, too—there would be absenteeism, and reduction of output? Is it not true that if a Tory Minister allowed this sort of thing, the Labour Party would be yelling from one end of the country to the other?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any guidance has been given to man-power and hardship committees upon making allowance for the effect upon local needs and services, as well as upon the position of individuals, in considering exemption from and postponement of calling up persons for military and industrial service; and whether he will reconsider the position, particularly having regard to the needs of the smaller communities?

Military service hardship committees determine applications for postponement on grounds of exceptional hardship in accordance with the principles laid down in the National Service (Postponement Certificates) Regulations, as interpreted by the umpire. Both the committees and the umpire are independent judicial authorities, and it would be improper for me to give them guidance as to the circumstances in which postponement should be granted. Applications for deferment of calling-up, based on the importance of the work upon which the individual is engaged, are dealt with by the district manpower boards and the local offices of my Department, who consider the importance of the work in relation to the war effort or the supply of essential services for the community. Adequate guidance has been given to the officers concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that most Members are increasingly having cases brought to their notice in which local needs appear to be overlooked and all the emphasis is placed upon the needs of individuals? Should not community needs also be served?

I have given instructions that both are to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Labour what checks are employed to ensure that conscientious objectors granted exemption from military service and instead directed to other work, do in fact put in the full hours of that employment; and whether local police are instructed to watch the position?

Periodical inquiries are made to see whether such persons are engaged on work which accords with the conditions of their registration. Their hours of attendance are not supervised by my officers or by the police, but inquiries would be made into any cases where partial evasion was suspected.

Could not my right hon. Friend devise some machinery for keeping a regular watch, thus obviating the complaints about hours which continually come to Members?

The constant setting-up of machinery for dealing with all these problems involves in every case a claim upon me for additional man-power and the creation of new institutions. I must try to avoid that as much as I can. I do not think that this problem is so big as to warrant that.

Having regard to the fact that the cases are comparatively few and that the local police can keep an eye on them, without the provision of more man-power, cannot a general direction be given to the police to watch cases more carefully?

I should like to have notice of that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the impending call-up of pipe-fitters under 30 years of age is likely to impede essential production; and whether he will take steps to ensure that workers in this category will not be called up while there is urgent skilled work for them to do in the shipbuilding and other war industries?

The occupation of pipe-fitter, other than boiler pipe-fitter, is among the occupations in respect of which deferment of calling-up may no longer be granted to men who were below 30 years of age at registration under the National Service Acts. These occupations were selected, in consultation with the Government Departments concerned, as being those from which young men could more readily be released for service with the Forces, and the occupation of pipe-fitter was included with due regard to the needs of the shipbuilding and other war industries for men in that occupation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider deferring these men beyond the end of March in districts where there do not appear to be any pipe-fitters over 30, and where they are needed for essential war work?

I cannot alter the decision now. It is all part of the man-power survey that has been made.

I take it that this includes plumbers? There is always a shortage of plumbers during frosty weather. Could they be left until the very frosty weather has passed?

We have arranged to do the call-up in March.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on 5th October, 1942, the National Service Officer instructed the Enfield Cycle Company Limited to reinstate two employees who had been dismissed; that, on reporting for work, they were refused admission, and on reporting the matter to the National Service officer they were instructed to report to the Employment Exchange and the Enfield Cycle Company, every day; that they did this from 6th October until 21st November, being refused access to work each day, and being paid only their basic rate weekly; and what action he proposes to take against the firm concerned?

I am aware of this case. There is an appeal pending in the High Court in a somewhat similar case, by which I must necessarily be guided. I understand that the men concerned have been working since 28th November, 1942.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department is training ex-officers in technical and other work; whether, when trained, such ex-officers will be given the positions now occupied by young men of military age in munition and other work who are sheltered by the Essential Work Order; how many ex-officers have been so trained; how many have been placed in such occupations; and how many young men of military age have in consequence been released?

Ex-officers are able to take advantage of the Department's schemes for training both disabled and other persons. Information as to the total number of ex-officers who have entered such training or have been placed in employment is not available, but it is known that some ex-officers have entered Government training centres, and my Department has arranged in a number of cases with private employers and Government Departments for ex-officers to be given preliminary training with a view to taking up particular employment. The arrangements for calling-up young men for the Forces provide for their release from industry if they can be spared, and the employment of new workers who have been trained, whether ex-officers or others, facilitates their withdrawal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that every opportunity is afforded to ex-officers to take advantage of the opportunities provided to enter or re-enter industry?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that for some time past a voluntary scheme of exchange of labour for the purposes of economy in its use has been in operation in the ports of Fowey, Pax and Charles-town; and for what reason, therefore, he is imposing a Government scheme on those ports which will, by the imposition of a levy of 25 per cent. on the cost of all labour, heavily increase the cost to the importer and exporter and consequently to the consumer?

Certain arrangements have been in operation for transfer of labour between ports in Cornwall under casual conditions of employment. They were not consistent, however, with the most efficient and economical use of manpower and I have therefore approved a Dock Labour Scheme under the Dock Labour (Essential Work) Order, 1941, covering the ports mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. This is in accordance with my general policy as settled after consultation with representatives of employers and workers in the industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the employers in this particular case have not been consulted and that the voluntary scheme has worked very satisfactorily at these ports, and furthermore, that 25 per cent. of the additional cost of labour does not go to the labouring men who do the work but simply goes to the management of a Government bureaucratic scheme?

No, Sir, that is not correct. The whole of the money collected in the pool goes to pay the men the make-up wage when they are not working. It is a retainer, and none of it goes to any bureaucrat of any kind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Miss Edith Gray, formerly of 12, Westport, Arbroath, compulsorily transferred to a place of which he has been informed, is still employed there by the Workers Travel Association; by what authority this transfer was made; and for what reason?

Yes, Sir. Miss Gray is still employed at the place referred to, which is a Ministry of Supply munition workers' hostel. She was directed there by the National Service officer after interview under the Registration for Employment Order.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of State for Scotland before transferring these people from Scotland to England?

No, Sir; there happens to be one war, both in Scotland and in England.

Is it not a fact that Scottish industry seems to be overlooked by the Department, and would the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Prime Minister that a Scottish representative be appointed to the War Cabinet?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to a recent case at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, in which girls who complained of verminous billets and bad food were fined for leaving their employment in England; and whether he will take steps to ensure that mobile Scottish workers who are transferred to England are accommodated in decent billets and provided with reasonable facilities for recreation?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour his policy in regard to the calling up of women employed in the book trade?

Women employed in the book production trade born after 31st August, 1915, are liable to be withdrawn subject to the provisions of substitutes for certain classes of productive workers. Women born before that date are not, for the present, being withdrawn from this industry. The book selling trade is treated as one of the retail non-food distributive trades. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher) on 17th December, all women employed in these trades, who were born on or after 1st January, 1907, are available for withdrawal, but provision has been made for the retention of pivotal workers for a period not exceeding six months.

As it seems to be obviously the desire of the Government that good books should be bought and read, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it requires competent and experienced assistants to sell them and that these assistants take some years to train, and will he bear that in mind?

We will bear that in mind, but one of the difficulties about the book trade in applying the Orders is that they are not all good books that are being printed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he contemplates any further immediate steps with regard to the control of labour for the war industries?

Yes, Sir; in view of the necessity of ensuring that all persons are employed where most needed in the national interest, I have decided that the following steps for the further control of the movement of labour must be taken immediately:

What method does my right hon. Friend adopt to find out whether a man or woman gives the true age?

Does the last part of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean, broadly speaking, compulsory part-time work for the majority of married women?

Yes, Sir, without children.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the sustained Indian demand and its endorsement in many British quarters, he will reconsider raising the existing ban on contact between non-Congress representatives and Congress leaders in order that they may discuss possible political developments?

The decision in this matter was taken by the Government of India, and I see no reason to ask them to reconsider it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many persons not belonging to the Congress political party are urging that some contact should be allowed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it has now been found possible to arrange with the Government of India that small parcels of tobacco or cigarettes can be sent by post to His Majesty's Forces duty free from this country and will be admitted duty free on arrival in India?

I have now heard from the Government of India that they have cancelled the ruling whereby tobacco was excluded from the concession under which gift parcels to soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the British Forces in India are exempt from Indian Customs duty. I am now in consultation with my right honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the grant of the corresponding out-of-bond concession here. Any such arrangement may, however, have to be cancelled if, at any time, it is found in practice to be trespassing unduly upon the very limited available shipping space.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information regarding reported shortage of grain in local markets in India; to what extent this is the result of hoarding by banias; and what steps the Government of India is taking to deal with the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has further information respecting the shortage of food-stuffs in India; approximately the number who are already affected; and whether the export of grain and food will be prohibited immediately, both to provide for the present emergency and to build up stores against future dangerous contingencies?

Since the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed) last week, to which I would invite attention, the Government of India have published a statement giving as their opinion that if hoarded stocks can be got on the market and fairly distributed there is little danger of the people having to go seriously short. There is no famine and no widespread prevalence of acute shortage, though a large- part of the urban population is doubtless affected. The Commerce Member indeed has pointed out that the supplies available are as good as in five out of the past ten years. The difficulty is to get them on the market and the Government of India have announced, as measures to that end, the removal of the maximum price for wheat, the establishment of a Government purchasing agency and arrangements with His Majesty's Government for the import of substantial shipments of wheat, to be sold and distributed under Government supervision to the final consumers in deficiency areas. It is expected that the price of this wheat will be less than that prevailing in the free market. The Government of India have already announced their intention to prohibit exports of food-stuffs after March, this delay being necessary to allow for alternative sources of supply to be arranged for the territories concerned. Exports are, however, very small in relation to total supplies and their cessation will not greatly affect the situation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 90 per cent. of the populations of towns purchase their food daily? Is he sure that banias, or the middle men, are not storing or hoarding this grain in order to get a higher price?

All these matters are under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered as a general policy the possibility of fixing a retail price for all food-stuffs consumed?

The hon. Member seems to be under a misapprehension. These are matters within the cognisance of the Government of India, and although the Government of India have not Dominion self-government they still deal, in most of these matters, with their own affairs, and it is undesirable: that the Secretary of State should interfere.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that he often makes representations to the Government of India? Cannot he make a recommendation along these lines? Will he find out whether the Government of India are proceeding along this line?

There has been consultation on all these matters, and the Government of India are doing all they possibly can.

Including the fixing of prices?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what grounds a letter dated 11th January, addressed to the editor of "The Times," from Admiral Sir Barry Domvile, K.B.E., at present detained in Brixton gaol, was intercepted?

Persons detained under Regulation 18B are allowed to communicate with relatives and friends, with legal advisers and with Members of Parliament; but the sending out of matter for publication stands on a different footing from the writing of letters to individuals. No distinction could be drawn between publications which take the form of letters to the Press and those which take other forms such as articles or pamphlets. Detention necessarily involves the curtailment of many activities, including propaganda activities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a copy of that letter in my possession? Has he any objection to my conveying the contents of it to this House on a proper occasion?

The hon. Gentleman is perfectly at liberty to convey the contents of that letter to the House.

Then I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment on the first possible occasion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has reached any decision on the question of consultation between persons detained under Regulations 18B and 125A and their solicitors?

I have reviewed the practice which was adopted in the perilous circumstances of 1940 and have weighed the security arguments for this practice against the counter considerations; and while there may still occur from time to time cases where it is necessary for paramount reasons of public security to arrange that all interviews shall be in the hearing of a supervising officer, I have come to the conclusion that this ought to be an exceptional arrangement and that in present circumstances the general practice shall be to allow British subjects who are detained under Regulation 18B to have consultations with their legal advisers out of the hearing of an officer. This arrangement will apply to consultations with barristers and solicitors, but will not apply to cases where a solicitor sends to interview a detained person a clerk who is not an officer of the High Court. I am giving further consideration to this matter in connection with aliens detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order, but this aspect clearly raises different considerations.

In giving further consideration to this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that an alien who is on trial for his life for espionage is entitled to consult a solicitor in private? Surely a similar right should be given to a detainee who is merely detained on suspicion?

It does not at all follow that what might be appropriate in the case of a person tried for his life might be appropriate in a case of detention. While I do not wish to prejudice the issue one way or the other, I think the House will sympathise with me in being careful about persons who are not British subjects.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that aliens who have an imperfect knowledge of English really need the advice of solicitors even more than British persons? Is it not a great hardship if they are prevented from getting it?

I do not think it is altogether unreasonable that there should sometimes be a preference for British subjects. There is no question of debarring an alien from legal advice. It is only a question of who is present when the interview takes places.

asked the Home Secretary, whether he has been able to give consideration to the observations made by Lord Justice Goddard with reference to the position in prison of prisoners detained under Regulation 18B; and whether any improvements have been, or will be made in their position to meet the observations of the Lord Justice?

The observations of the Lord Justice referred to the position in the summer of 1940 when it was necessary to provide accommodation in prisons for an unexpectedly large number of persons whose detention was ordered in the special circumstances then obtaining. As the House was informed, most of the persons detained under Regulation 18B were removed to camps in the Isle of Man as long ago as May, 1941. As regards those still accommodated in prisons, the number is small and the difficulties to which reference was made by the Lord Justice do not arise.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of giving to those persons who are detained under Regulation 18B in this country equally good conditions as regards recreation and association as are given to prisoners of war?

It is not practicable in present circumstances to handle the detainees in that way. We do all that we can within the limits of practicability, but as long as some of them—and there are very few—remain in prison, the circumstances must obviously present some difficulty.

Is it not the case that the majority of those detained under Regulation 18B are in the Isle of Man, where they do have sufficient recreation?

That is true of the great majority of them, and in the Isle of Man, subject to the loss of their liberty, they are not at all having a bad time. I can assure the House that they are having an infinitely better time than some of us would have had if they had had their way.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the name of the official whose conduct in intercepting a petition to the High Court was recently criticised by the King's Bench Division; whether any disciplinary action has been taken against this official; and what special instructions have been issued by his Department to give effect in future to the observations of the Court?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on the 21st instant in reply to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for East Leicester (Major Lyons) and the hon. and gallant Member for Penrith and Cocker-mouth (Colonel Dower).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the High Court stated that they had not the slightest idea why the Home Office should withhold the name of this official? What possible advantage can there be in preventing this official, like any other wrongdoer in this country, from getting the publicity which he deserves?

I cannot remember everything the Court said, but, in fact, they did not require the name of this official. They did not exercise that power. I have stated to the House what I think is the proper constitutional position, namely, that it is the Minister who is responsible to Parliament. If his officers do wrong, then the Minister should take responsibility for them and receive the bricks which come at his head. I can assure the House that I take a few bricks with me back to the Home Office.

Is it not a fact that apart from any constitutional liability to this House the result of withholding the name was to prevent this official from being attached for contempt of Court?

I do not believe that is true.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that fire guards may be called upon to wear respirators in the course of their duty and that the ordinary civilian respirator is inadequate for this purpose, he will issue to them civilian duty respirators?

I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's statement that civilian respirators are inadequate for this purpose, and in any event the provision of very large numbers of additional civilian duty respirators would not be justifiable in present circumstances.

Does not the Minister consider there is a likelihood that fire guards may have to wear their respirators in the course of their duty, and is he aware that the civilian respirator is riot designed for such purpose, but is designed simply for wearing while people go to a refuge?

The principal difficulty which has been drawn to my attention is the possibility of the respirator coming off the head, but my hon. and gallant Friend will be comforted by the knowledge that in the next training bulletin due shortly instructions are being given about a method of tying the civilian respirator so that it will not slip off. It would be quite impracticable, and I think a needless utilisation of material and labour, for us to manufacture the very large number of special respirators that would be required.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement regarding the productive work done, for war purposes, by members of the fire brigades at the fire stations and stating the nature of the work, its amount and the payment made for such work, and how it is distributed?

The general arrangements made for this purpose are embodied in a detailed Instruction of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. It has been found in practice that, in view of the demands upon machinery and supervisory staff, the need to secure the most economic use of materials and transport, the comparatively small units in which the personnel of the National Fire Service is dis- tributed and the extent to which the Service is now engaged on essential constructional work for its own purposes, the field of opportunity for schemes of productive work is necessarily limited. A certain amount of useful work such as boxmaking, the assembly of small components and camouflage netting has, however, been undertaken almost entirely in London, and at a recent date work was being done in 83 separate fire stations to the value of about £550 a week. Both figures are rising.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the document will contain the conditions of payment and whether they are based on the regular wages paid to those who do that sort of work?

No, Sir. These men are, of course, already paid full-time for their employment as members of the Fire Service. What we have arranged is that the price paid to the Service by the contractor is the price that would be paid commercially to a sub-contractor, so that there is no undercutting the market. The net proceeds are divided between the collective benefit of the National Fire Service personnel and the Exchequer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the alert was not given on the daylight raid on London on Wednesday until after the first bomb had already fallen; and why the sirens were not sounded before this?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made yesterday in the House by the Secretary of State for Air.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that answer did not cover the question? Why were the sirens not sounded before the bomb was dropped, and is it not the case that there is a possibility—at any rate, that is my opinion—that if the sirens had been sounded before the bomb dropped, some of the children's lives would have been saved?

That is a matter of some speculation. I do not think I can add to the statement that was made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air. If one went too far into details in this matter, one would be doing what I am sure my hon. Friend would not wish to do, namely, conveying information to the enemy.

Is it not the case that the answer referred to dealt only with balloons?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the comments by Justices Charles and Humphries against the interference by the military authorities in setting aside judgments given by the civil courts; and in how many instances has 72 (1B) been invoked for such purpose?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to a Press report of comments made by Mr. Justice Charles in a recent case at Worcester Assizes. The grave cases which come before assizes are of a different character from those in which use has been made of the special powers conferred on me by Defence Regulation 72 (1B). In the two years ended December, 1942, there have been 42 cases in which use has been made of these powers on the application of military authorities. In none of these cases was the disqualification imposed by an assize court. In one case it was imposed by a court of quarter sessions and in the remaining 41 cases by a court of summary jurisdiction. In the great majority of the cases the disqualification had been imposed for driving without a third-party insurance, in accordance with the requirement of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, that on a conviction for this offence disqualification shall be automatic unless the court finds special reasons to the contrary. In all these cases careful inquiry as to the circumstances is made, and a decision to remove the disqualification in advance of the date specified in a court's directions is only given if it is clear that there are good grounds for doing so in the interests of the war effort.

What is the difference between the cases commented upon by Mr. Justice Charles and the assize cases? Are there many of those? Does it mean that the Department are interfering with decisions given by the courts?

No, Sir. I honestly do not think there is any legitimate complaint about the Department interfering. Of course, we do not act unless the military authorities ask us to do so, and I am assured that the military authorities are really very careful about it.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the adverse effect upon public morale created thereby, he contemplates taking steps to modify black-out restrictions?

No one likes the black-out for its own sake, but I am sure that any relaxation believed by the public to assist enemy aircraft in finding their targets would be more damaging to public morale than any discomforts arising from existing safeguards. It has been the policy of the Government to keep the position under constant review in order to ensure that the restrictions are not greater than is necessary and are devised with the object of causing the minimum amount of inconvenience to the public. A fresh examination has recently been concluded and certain relaxations have been announced. These represent the limit to which it has been judged practicable to go in present circumstances.

When will the new modified Regulations become operative?

The Government's decisions have already been announced. The speed with which they can be operated must depend upon certain practical considerations with which the railway companies are faced, but I know the Minister of War Transport will go ahead as quickly as possible.

What about the Regulations concerning car lights?

When were these changes announced?

There was a Question on the Order Paper last week which I was ready to answer, but it was not put, and the announcement was made in the Press that day. With regard to the other matter raised by my hon. and gallant Friend, I cannot recall the point about car lights. Perhaps he will communicate with me.

Could my right hon. Friend make his answers a little more brotherly and a little more brief?

Could the noble lady be bit more sisterly?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the case of Brian Sheridan, aged five years, eight months, of 187, Palmerston Street, Manchester, who was drowned in a static water supply tank, in Waugh Street, Ancoats, on 20th January, 1943, and that the wooden fence which protected this tank had been broken by persons unknown; and will he consider increasing the penalty to imprisonment without the option of a fine where persons are convicted of damage of this character and thereby endangering the lives of young children?

I have no information in regard to this incident but have instituted inquiries. As regards the second part of the Question, there is already power to sentence to imprisonment, without the option of a fine, any person found guilty of committing damage of this kind.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an increase in this type of wilful damage which proves that the present penalties are quite inadequate, and will he look into the matter in that light?

I hope the hon. Member's Supplementary Question will command attention from those concerned. I assure him we attach great importance to the matter and are anxious that these offences shall be seriously regarded.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is a great increase in hooliganism in breaking down water protection barriers and damaging shelters, and could not some striking examples be made either by birching some of these young offenders or by increasing the penalties, and so put a stop to this wholesale destruction to property and danger to life?

I very much share the hon. Member's indignation, but the penalties must be imposed by the courts, unless very special powers are given to the Home Secretary, which I think the House would not wish to give.

Will the Home Secretary consider using the machinery of the local education authorities to instruct young persons in the importance of treating these water tanks, with proper respect?

Yes, Sir. That has been done with considerable advantage. I will consider whether anything further can be done in that respect.

"Spare the rod."

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will now give consideration to the question of an increase in pension to teachers who have had to retire through ill-health, in view of the great hardship which is being experienced by a number of these teachers who have given many years of devoted service?

The position of these teachers cannot be considered in isolation from that of other state pensioners. The views of His Majesty's Government on this subject have been repeatedly stated, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the Debate on the motion for the Adjournment on 15th October last.

Are we forever to go on debating this matter while nothing is done for these poor teachers who are in distress? Will the right hon. Gentleman come to their aid? It is no good going on debating. They cannot live on debates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see that not only these cases but the cases of other pensioners are dealt with?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in framing new educational programmes, regard is being had to the warning of the Minister of Agriculture that owing to the prior claims upon shipping, the demands of a starving Europe, and other post-war conditions a food shortage in this country in future years can only be averted by a greatly increased production from our own farms, gardens and allotments; and what steps he is recommending to education authorities for training the oncoming generation to share fully in this increased food production in town and country alike?

Yes, Sir. The importance of increased food production has frequently been brought to the notice of the schools since the beginning of the war and teachers' courses in rural subjects are being held in different parts of the country. There has been a noteworthy and-valuable increase in the number and acreage of school gardens both in urban and rural areas and His Majesty's Inspectors take every opportunity of fostering the interest and co-operation of the schools in gardening and food production. It is my aim to give these activities a permanent place in the life of our schools and I shall take careful note of any recommendations bearing on this matter which may be made by Lord Justice Luxmoore's Committee.

Is the imminence of a food shortage fully in the mind of that Committee?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to indicate when his education proposals are likely to be announced; and whether these will be of a sectional or comprehensive character?

As I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 17th December last, I will make an announcement on this subject as soon as I am in a position to do so. The time which it is necessary to devote to the formulation of my proposals is a measure of their comprehensiveness.

When is the right hon. Gentleman likely to be in a position to make this announcement?

I would rather not give a definite date.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to introduce the Bill this Session or to postpone it indefinitely?

That is a matter for the Government to decide.

Will it be sectional or comprehensive?

I said that the time taken to frame these proposals indicates the nature of their comprehensiveness. They are comprehensive and not sectional.

Can we have an assurance that they will be introduced during this century?

I hope so.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether in view of the concern felt by members of the Cheltenham education authority and others at his refusal to give the required priority for the work of replacing at two schools the timber shelters condemned as unsatisfactory by the local borough engineer by steel ones for which the material is available, he will reconsider his decision and give the necessary priority for the work?

The operational requirements of the Fighting Services must at present have the first priority, and it is accordingly necessary to postpone other work. I will, however, take all possible steps to ensure that this important work is undertaken as soon as circumstances permit.

In view of the anxiety felt by parents, will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he will give full support to the efforts of the local education authority to provide safer shelters?

Yes, we have always tried to follow that policy, in view of its obvious importance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what area in the Test Valley is to be drained and what area is to be left undrained?

I hope that all of it that needs draining will be dealt with.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in how many aerodromes or, alternatively, in what percentage of aerodromes is the grass cut, sold for or utilised for feeding for stock as dried grass?

Ten, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that tens of thousands of tons of the finest grass in the world are being wasted owing to non-utilisation?

I do not know whether that is so or not, but there is a great deal of difference in dealing with aerodromes between grass being available and it being possible to make use of it.

I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to make any statement as to the assistance to be given to flower growers to enable them to change over to food production?

Yes, Sir. In order to assist the smaller flower growers to meet the expense of converting their land to food production the Government have decided, as a special measure, in view of the exceptional conditions, to make a payment at the rate of £20 an acre in respect of land freed from flower crops (including flower bulbs) since 4th June, 1942, and subsequently planted to a food crop. The acreage under flowers on 4th June, 1942, will be taken as the actual acreage returned by the occupier of the holding or 50 per cent. of the 1939 acreage if this is less. The payment will be made only in respect of holdings where there were not more than 10 acres under flowers prior to the war and on which the growing of flowers for sale comprised the major part of the business of the holding. Full particulars of the scheme and forms of application for the grant will be available shortly at the offices of county war agricultural executive committees.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to launch a propaganda campaign, through the medium of the Press and of posters, designed to combat the spread of venereal disease?

The distribution of the first poster has begun, and others are being printed. A Press campaign has been planned and will begin, I hope, next month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman consulting the Secretary of State for Scotland?

Yes, and, of course, the Minister of Information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the cause of venereal disease is loose morals? He will also know that nothing weakens morals more than drink. In this campaign—

This is not the time to debate this question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make any statement in connection with the Report of the Rushcliffe Committee on the Nursing Profession; and, if not, when he anticipates that a statement will be made?

I am informed by my noble Friend Lord Rushcliffe that the first Report of the Committee is now being drafted, and that he hopes to present it in about a week.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that much injustice is occasioned to individual householders who are called upon by water companies to pay for the repair of the communicating water pipes lying under roadways now subjected to the stresses of war-time heavy traffic; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the liability should rest where it rightly belongs, namely, upon the water undertakings?

The more recent special Acts of some of the larger water undertakings relieve the individual consumer of responsibility for maintaining the communication pipe, which means, broadly speaking, that part of the service pipe leading from the main to his premises which lies under the street in which the main is laid The Central Water Advisory Committee recommended in their Second Report that this transfer of responsibility should become generally applicable to all water undertakings. This recommendation has been noted for legislation when a suitable opportunity occurs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the water companies are trying to force unfortunate householders, who are already feeling the strain of high taxation and the high cost of living, to pay these charges for work which is in no way their real responsibility? Pending legislation being introduced, will he approach the companies in order to see that these charges are not levied on people who can ill afford to pay them?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me some information of the cases he has in mind, I will consider it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the steps now taken to protect pregnant women engaged in employment in factories; and whether he is prepared to extend the present period in which employment is prohibited from one month after delivery to one of one month before and six weeks after delivery?

Medical supervision under the Factory Acts is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service: the prohibition of employment is a matter for legislation, and I have no authority to extend the period determined by Parliament. An extension of the prohibition could not, in my view, be suggested without examination of the financial provision to be made for the women in question, and, as my hon. Friend will be aware, recommendations on this point are contained in the Beveridge Report, which is receiving the consideration of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these women continue to work in industry until they are unfit to do so because they are not eligible for National Health Insurance until the last few weeks of pregnancy?

Can we assume that the Government will take active steps to deal with this important topic?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will exercise patience until these examinations are completed?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Select Committee on National Expenditure has already made a recommendation on this matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is a thing that will not wait because it affects the health of women and children, which is as important as anything else at this stage of the war?

That point is brought out in paragraph 341 of the Select Committee's Report.

What is the use of a paragraph?

Paragraphs often lead to action.

asked the Minister of Health the death-rate from tuberculosis in the county of London for the years 1938 and 1941, respectively?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 26th November last. As I explained then, the special war-time conditions affecting population movements in London render any tuberculosis death rates for 1941 entirely misleading.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these figures, compiled by the county medical officer of health, have been published in the "British Medical Journal"?

Do not the figures published in the "British Medical Journal" show that the tuberculosis death-rate has increased by 67 per cent. in London since the war?