asked the Minister of Information whether he will take steps to ensure increased facilities being given by the British Broadcasting Corporation to the exchange of broadcast views by British subjects and United States citizens in their political and social conditions existing in their respective countries and empires?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the B.B.C. are already very busy increasing these facilities.

asked the Minister of Information to what extent the censorship of postal correspondence conducted by his Department includes the disclosure of matter contained therein to Departments or persons other than those charged with executive responsibilities, either civil or military, in the defence of the realm; and by what authority this is done?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 7th October last to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle), the relevant portion of which is as follows:

"As regards internal mails, censorship is imposed for reasons of operational security only and censors are not authorised to disclose information to other Government Departments except in the case of breaches of operational security. As regards external mails, censors are authorised to disclose the contents of correspondence to other Government Departments in the case of certain clearly defined categories of information necessary for the performance by the Department concerned of its part in the war effort."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th October, 1942; col. 1205, Vol. 383.]

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has yet been reached on the introduction of double summer time for 1943?

The results of last year's experience are being reviewed but a decision has not yet been reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether women now serving in the Mechanical Transport Corps are subject to any form of control or discipline similar to non-commissioned officers and other ranks in the Auxiliary Territorial Service; whether, in performing their duties as drivers for Royal Ordnance factories and National Service departments, they are allowed to decide for themselves whether or not a duty is necessary; and who authorises the measure or period of leave or holidays which they may take?

The Mechanised Transport Corps is a voluntary organisation and any control or discipline over members of the organisation, as such, is exercised by the corps itself. In so far as members of the corps are in paid employment the conditions are a matter for the employer; in Royal Ordnance factories they are determined by the factory transportation officers; those members who are enrolled in Civil Defence are subject to the appropriate Defence Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in the interests of transport economy, he will advise country people to stop in their own districts rather than to go to large centres to buy articles which can be as well and as cheaply obtained nearer at home?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend has recently urged on all citizens that they should confine their shopping and recreation to the locality in which they live. I am glad to have this opportunity to reiterate that advice; and to make it plain that the public should, in principle, rely on local amenities, and, should wherever possible, forego the use of all transport over longer distances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the counties in which the production of flax is to be specially stimulated, and the aggregate contemplated acreage of such cultivation?

The flax production programme in Scotland covers the counties of Banff, Aberdeen, Angus, Perth, Fife and Kinross. The aim is to produce sufficient flax for the factories operating in Scotland, and the acreage necessary is about 8,000 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state, by counties, the strength of the Women's Land Army in Scotland and where the greatest deficiency in such workers is found?

The number of members of the Women's Land Army employed or being trained by farmers or agricultural executive committees in each county in Scotland is as follows:

County.	Number of Members.
Aberdeen	397
Angus	212
Argyll	121
Ayr	644
Banff	67
Berwick	222
Bute	50
Caithness	19
Clackmannan	Included in Stirling.
Dumfries	187
Dunbarton	115
East Lothian	229
Fife	449
Inverness	74
Kincardine	92
Kinross	Included in Fife
Kirkcudbright	156
Lanark	370
Midlothian	322
Moray	74
Nairn	36
Orkney	2
Peebles	81
Perth	332
Renfrew	166
Ross and Cromarty	126
Roxburgh	226
Selkirk	22
Stirling	191
Sutherland	13
West Lothian	108
Wigtown	90
Zetland	5
Total	5,198

In addition 107 members are being trained at official training centres. Current demands for Women's Land Army workers are being met as they arise by drawing upon members enrolled in the industrial areas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information with regard to the conditions under which British prisoners of war are confined at Stalag XX B, in Germany; and whether there has been any recent change in their conditions?

My latest information refers to conditions at Stalag XX B and some dependent work camps in November, 1942. In the main camp the delousing plant is still unfinished and the coal ration is less than last year. In six work detachments various deficiencies are reported. These facts are all known to the Protecting Power. On the other hand, in 12 work camps conditions are described as greatly improved and in general the camp is said to have improved. Other detachments have not been visited recently but should information showing particularly unsatisfactory conditions come to the notice of the War Office the Protecting Power will be informed of this at once. The attitude of the camp authorities to the prisoners of war is said to be more sympathetic. The general morale of the prisoners both in the main and the work camps is reported to be high.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any information has yet reached this country, or the International Red Cross, about British officers and other ranks known to be missing in Java; what attempts are being made to secure information; and what arrangements have been made for its immediate notification to relatives by broadcast?

Apart from the names of 16 officers, last heard of in Java, who have been reported as prisoners of war by the Japanese Government, no information has been received about individual officers and other ranks in that island. Any information received by the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva would be passed on to the British Government. Information is being sought from every source which might be able to furnish it. It is to be expected that the names of many will appear in the lists of prisoners of war taken in the Far East, furnished by the Japanese Government, which, up to the present, are very far from complete. As soon as any information is received about individuals, it is communicated to the next-of-kin in the usual manner.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken to verify that soldiers, including officers, are medically examined on returning from leave?

King's Regulations lay down that commanding officers shall ensure that all men are medically inspected not later than on the morning after rejoining their units from furlough and I am satisfied that this instruction is in general carried out. Officers returning from leave do not automatically undergo a medical inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an officer who was promoted to captain in November, 1941, was demoted to lieutenant in April, 1942, when posted to a lower establishment, despite the fact that he was fully efficient and a qualified engineer; and whether he will consider substituting substantive rank after a period of three months acting in place of the present uncertain and unsatisfactory arrangements?

Without knowing the name of the officer referred to it is not possible to investigate the circumstances in which he was required to relinquish the acting or temporary rank of captain which he previously held. Presumably he was dealt with in the normal manner in accordance with the regulations then in force. As regards the second part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on this subject on 10th November, 1942, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that his Department has now requisitioned a vacant shop in one of the principal thoroughfares at Leeds for office purposes and are offering a rental of £100 per annum on the ground that, although the premises are usually let at £500 a year, Government restrictions prevent the shop being let at the higher price; and since such a policy is neither just nor equitable will he give an assurance that it is not the one usually adopted by his Department in its relation with the public?

This shop had been empty from February to December, 1942, and circumstances, including the Location of Retail Businesses Order, made it extremely unlikely that it would be let as a shop. The Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, provides that the compensation payable in respect of the requisitioning of land shall be the sum equal to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant in occupation of the land during the period for which posses- sion of the land is retained, under a lease granted immediately before that period. The War Department, in common with other Departments, is bound by this Act and the War Department valuer's offer was properly based thereon.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the terms of appointment and remuneration of the present consultant adviser on venereal diseases to the War Office, Dr. Thomas Edward Osmond; whether this appointment is part-time or full-time; when this appointment was made; whether the position was advertised; and whether he is permitted to carry on his private practice?

The adviser in venereology holds the full-time appointment of Assistant Director of Hygiene at the War Office with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His duties are to advise on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases in the Army. His pay and allowances total about £1,300 a year. This officer is a member of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. He reported for service on 1st September, 1939, under the conditions of his Reserve liability and was appointed to his present post on 25th November, 1939. The appointment was not advertised. Officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps are not allowed to set up in practice in competition with civil medical practitioners, but they may see patients in a consultative capacity provided it does not interfere with their military duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War what particular drugs are recommended officially by the War Office for the effective treatment of gonorrhoea and syphilis; whether any specific or general instructions on treatment have been made to Army commands or their medical officers; whether he has any information as to whether the same drug treatments for these diseases are being used by the American and Canadian army authorities; and whether all the necessary drugs are in good available supply?

Sulphapyridine and sulphathiazole are recommended for the treatment of syphillis,^* neoarsphenamine, bismuth and in some cases maphar- side for the treatment of gonorrhoea.^* Specfic and general instructions on treatment have been issued to all madical officers employed in the treatment of cases of venereal disease. Comprehensive notes on these diseases have in addition been issued for the guidance of all medical officers. The drug treatments for these diseases are in general the same in the American and Canadian Armies. They differ in some details. A good supply of all these drugs is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the amount which would have been saved to the Exchequer, in one of the years immediately preceding the outbreak of war, had there been no Income Tax relief in respect of children?

The cost of the Income Tax relief in respect of children was £15,000,000 for the year 1938–9.

asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer whether he has considered a resolution passed by all the local authorities about old age pensioners asking for an amendment of the First Schedule of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936, so as not to apply the assessment of means to capital assets which bring in an annual income, but to take the actual income received to decide whether the applicant is entitled to a pension; and what he intends doing about the matter?

The treatment of capital resources in relation to old age pensions is under consideration as promised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour at the end of last Session.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the introduction of amending legislation to allow of the regulations so far as old age pensions are concerned, providing that where unmarried persons have been living together for a number of years, special consideration should be given with a view to the award of the full pension?

The position of unmarried wives in relation to social insurance is one of the matters covered by the recommendations of the Beveridge Report which are now under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as the result of his reception of an unofficial deputation from the city of Stoke-on-Trent with regard to the opening of Sunday cinemas, it is his intention to take any action in view of the decision of the city council to seek powers for the opening of cinemas on Sundays?

I have carefully considered the representations to which my hon. Friend refers. In accordance with the provisions of the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, and Defence Regulation 42B, I have presented to the House an Order to give effect to the decision of the city council and I have given Notice of Motion that the Order be approved. The Motion is included in to-day's Order Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give instructions to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to allocate streets and squares for the parking of motor-cars so that motor-cars do not block the thoroughfare on routes where traffic is normally heavy; and whether he will pay particular attention to such narrow roads as Jermyn Street, Duke Street, S.W.1, Curzon Street and others of a similar nature?

With very few exceptions the facilities for the parking of cars in streets and squares which existed before the war are still available. The demand has, however, decreased considerably, and the accommodation is by no means fully utilised. In present conditions unattended cars on the main traffic routes do not cause much congestion. In the case of certain streets, including the first two of those mentioned by my hon. Friend, congestion of traffic is bound to occur at certain times of day, owing to their restricted width and the access which they give to large shops. Streets of this type receive constant attention by the police with a view to the prevention of obstruction.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that men invalided out from the Services, when applying for employment in civil life, are being told that they must undertake fire-watching duties as a condition of engagement, thereby having their opportunities of employment unjustly restricted; and whether a general exemption from fire-watching duties can be granted in all such cases?

The Order provides for the exemption of any man who can show that he is medically unfit to perform fire prevention duties, and I see no reason for singling out a particular class for special treatment.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he can give any information about the charge made against Eric Worrall Bolton, of Glen Clent, Worcester, charged with stealing 1,190 electric motors, the property of the Minister of Aircraft Production, by means of a trick from a North-West works; and what he intends to do about the matter?

Since this case is sub judice, I regret I cannot make any statement at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he is aware that the International Council for the Exploration of the North and neighbouring Seas recommended an eight-inch size limit for plaice in winter and 8½ inches in summer; and whether, in view of this consensus of expert scientific opinion, he will amend Order 1942, No. 2102, so as to make the size limit for all flat fish eight inches;(2) why he has fixed the size limit as nine inches for dabs and flounders, seeing that both these species of fish spawn before they attain a size of eight inches in length?

While I am aware of the recommendations made by the Inter- national Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 1913 as regards the minimum size of plaice which should be taken, I may point out that the minimum size of this and many other species prescribed by the sea fishing industry (Immature Sea Fish) Order, of 1933, was nine inches. No lower limit was fixed by Order in this country prior to the war, and I understand that the imposition of this limit of nine inches Was fully endorsed by the International Council. As regards dabs and flounders, although it may be that these fish spawn before attaining a size of eight inches in length, it is nevertheless considered that they have relatively little food value at less than nine inches.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that persons suffering from certain physical disabilities are unable to eat potatoes; and whether, when the loaf contains potato flour, the manufacture of special bread devoid of it will be permitted for such persons?

Provision has already been made by the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee to investigate the possibility that flour mixtures containing potato flour might in certain cases cause allergic manifestations. If potato flour were put into bread arrangements would be made to provide a special flour to meet the requirements of any proved cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by price regulation committees of determining by the invoices of controlled goods whether the seller is the manufacturer or wholesaler and whether the permitted margin of profit should be one percentage or another; and will he take steps to amend the Invoices Order to include a provision that where goods are sold by a manufacturer, which are not of his own manufacture, the invoice should state this?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, which I am examining.

asked the President of the Board of Trade are questions as to whether the export of particular British manufactures is, or is not, permissible under the Lend-Lease Agreement determined in doubtful cases by the British Government unilaterally or by machinery for mutual agreement between the British and American Governments; and, if the latter, what is the nature of this machinery and on what principles does it operate?

The White Paper of 10th September, 1941 (Command 6311) was a unilateral declaration of policy by His Majesty's Government, who must, therefore, in the last resort be solely responsible for its interpretation and execution. They naturally desire, however, to take account of the views of the competent United States authorities in cases of doubt. Machinery has, therefore, been established in Washington on an informal basis for consultation in such cases. These include questions of fact, such as whether particular classes of goods are obtainable in the United States; and questions of policy, such as whether strict adherence to the terms of the White Paper might impair the war effort.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics to show what proportion of farms in Great Britain are managed by men or women with agricultural diplomas or degrees?

I regret that, these figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order that the land may be served in future, in spite of the war, by a generation who understand it, he will take steps to organise schools on the lines of Fairbridge Farm Schools within Great Britain itself; and whether he will further consider encouraging the authorities concerned to run a large number of orphanages, homes, etc., on these lines, rather than in towns?

I consider that under war conditions the services of the limited technical agricultural staff available can be most profitably used in the direct food production effort. As to post-war policy for agricultural education I am expecting to receive shortly the recommendations of the Luxmoore Committee which I set up to consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether during the present and coming months, he proposes to note the incidence of flooding in low-lying rural areas with the object of putting in hand, during the rest of the year, emergency anti-flooding provisions so as to ensure greater cultivation in 1943?

This is a matter for the statutory drainage authorities, but I do all I can to see that work essential to food production is carried out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the representations made to him by the East Surrey branch of the National Farmers Union through the hon. Member for Reigate regarding the difficulties experienced by farm workers in East Surrey in obtaining permits for rubber boots, although supplies are available in the shops; and whether he has any statement to make thereon?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is also well aware of the difficulties referred to, and has recently released a limited number of additional buying permits for the benefit of agricultural and other workers. The position will continue to be closely watched, but owing to the scarcity of rubber the manufacture of rubber boots has practically ceased. In consequence the stocks in shops and warehouses are required to meet essential needs for a long time to come.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the four men who were arrested in Jamaica in November for alleged subversive activities are still in detention; and when they will be brought to trial?

Detention under Jamaica Defence Regulation 18 is a preventive measure and the question of trial does not arise. These men were duly informed of their rights under the Regulation to make objections to the local advisory committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government has any further statement to make regarding the visit of the Governor of Jamaica to this country?

The Governor came home to discuss with me the various problems of the colony, and those discussions are now proceeding. Beyond that I do not think that I can usefully make any statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the London Working Rule Agreement for the building industry makes no provision for probationary training, except for women; that this agreement is preventing the employment of part- and spare-time men workers who are available; and what steps he is taking to prevent this wastage of available man-power?

I am not aware that the absence of any provision for the probationary training of men in the agreement referred to is preventing their employment as part-time and spare-time workers. If my hon. Friend can send me evidence of this I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that the narrow definition given to the term pivotal worker is likely to cause dislocation in the trades affected by the new call-up; that it will lead to the closing of many businesses, especially of the smaller types; and whether he will modify this definition so that grounds of exceptional hardship may be taken into account in assessing an employer's claim that a woman is a pivotal worker;(2) whether he will take steps to see that employers are made fully aware of their rights under the calling-up regulations, especially in regard to reference to local sub-committees of local employment committees, and subsequently to hardship committees; and whether he will give instructions, both to his local officers and to hardship committees, that full consideration be given to claims of hardship by the employer as well as by the employee?

With the permission of my hon. and gallant Friend I will answer these Questions together, since both relate to the revised arrangements for the withdrawal of women from the retail (non-food) distributive trades, which I announced in the House on the 17th December in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Holland-with-Boston (Mr. Butcher). The opportunity to allege grounds of hardship on their own behalf or on behalf of their employers is given to all the employees concerned and does not depend on whether their work is defined as pivotal. The workers may, if they so desire, be accompanied by their employers at the hearing by the local appeal board. If an employer can show that a woman is a pivotal worker in the sense that her withdrawal would result in the closing down of his business or branch of business, he will be allowed a period, not exceeding six months, within which to find a substitute or make such other readjustments as are necessary. I am satisfied that these arrangements, which I have made after consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, will enable essential distribution to be maintained. A comprehensive statement of these revised arrangements has been issued to the trade associations concerned for publication in the trade Press.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that local offices of his Ministry are attaching a condition to the postponement of the calling-up of women in the distributive trades to the effect that, if a longer period of deferment than three months is granted to women claimed as pivotal workers, an undertaking shall be given by the employer that at the end of the longer period, further stated not to exceed six months, the business or branch involved will definitely close down; and whether he will have this instruction withdrawn?

No, Sir. No instructions authorising this procedure have been issued and I shall be glad to inquire into any case of which my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Ethiopia was invited to sign the declaration repudiating all claims by enemy subjects to have acquired properties in invaded territories, even though such claims are based upon apparently legal forms; whether the Emperor had been advised to place such properties under control of the Custodian of Enemy Property until the close of the war; and whether he will now direct the Custodian to release to the Ethiopian Government all properties acquired by enemy subjects during the occupation, together with all payments made to him in respect of them?

His Majesty's Minister was instructed to communicate the Declaration of 5th January in advance to the Ethiopian Government and to invite them, on behalf of all the parties to that Declaration, to make a pronouncement associating Ethiopia with it. As regards the second part of the Question, the Emperor of Ethiopian has by a Prolcamation cited as the "Land (Restoration and Compensation) Proclamation, 1942" set up machinery to deal with lands which had been acquired by Italians by confiscation, expropriation and other compulsory means. The Custodian of Enemy Property concerned is the Ethiopian Custodian, an official of the Ethiopian Government, to whom my right hon. Friend is not in a position to give instructions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many men in the Civil Service under the age of 35, who have been passed medically fit, are still retained in their civilian occupations?

I regret that the information is not readily available. Even if it were, however, it would not give a true picture, for the reason that not all men below 35 have been medically examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has any responsibilities for the dissemination of information in regard to political and military operations in North Africa?

No, Sir.