asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Major-General Sir Percy R. Laurie, Provost Marshal of England, is the holder of an ordinary, civilian ration book, No. RB891451, on which he has been regularly drawing rations in addition to his military rations; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to a prosecution?

Inquiries are being made by my Department but they have not yet been completed and I cannot make any statement on the matter at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider amending the Bread (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1943, in order to define the meaning of the words "personal representative of a deceased baker" to ensure that the person complying with this description may not be liable to be summoned because of their failure to advise the Minister or the appropriate food executive officer that the deceased baker is no longer able to produce bread?

The term "personal representative" is defined in Section 55 of the Administration of Estates Act, 1925, as meaning "the executor, original or by representation, or administrator for the time being of the deceased person." My Noble Friend therefore sees no reason to amend the Order as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is proposed to publish from time to time the directions which, under paragraph 15 of the Bread (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1943, may be given under the provisions of the Order by or on behalf of the Minister, having regard to the fact that infringements of such directions are offences under the Defence (General) Regulation, 1939?

All directions under paragraph 15 of the Bread (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1943, save when they are directions to particular individuals, are published as Statutory Rules and Orders.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the purpose of the statutory Order No. 6 of 1943, dated 1st January, 1943, dealing with Food Rationing (Personal Points)?

From 1st January a new form of ration card—R.B.12.S.—has been issued to certain British seamen for use when on shore. This card contains coupons for the purchase of chocolate and sugar confectionery and the purpose of the amending Order to which my hon. Friend refers was to give statutory authorisation to the use of these coupons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the clerk of the Essex War Agricultural Committee, a copy of which has been sent to him, that conscientious objectors employed on sugar-beet work in Essex get six meals a day with meat to the value of 2s. 4d. a week; and whether he will take steps to see that conscientious objectors are not better fed than the remainder of the population?

I have read the statement mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. My Department does not provide any special facilities for conscientious objectors in respect of either food supplies or meals. The men to whom reference is made are living in a hostel for agricultural workers and thus obtain the same meals as other workers who take meals at a Category A industrial canteen.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in post-war plans, he is considering the desirability of making the great national industrial hostels, which are situated in country areas, available as boarding schools for town children as part of the educational system?

The advantages to be gained by children of urban areas from a period of schooling in residential institutions in the country are fully recognised by my Department. The question of the extent to which this practice can be extended after the war, when a considerable amount of additional residential accommodation is likely to be available for the purpose, is under the consideration of my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction at the price of 5s. 6d. per yard fixed for sale of Harris tweed among smaller and longest established producers in the Hebrides, as it is impossible for the small producer to make his living on the small margin of gain now allowed; and whether, in view of the amount of time and skilled personnel handling this cloth in manufacture involves, he will fix a price around 9s. as a minimum?

Maximum prices of 5s. 6d. per yard for hand-woven and 9s. per yard for hand-spun and hand-woven Harris tweed have been fixed by the Board of Trade on the advice of the Central Price Regulation Committee. The Committee consulted with representatives of the producers before making their recommendations, but will be prepared to consider any representations made to them on behalf of any of the interests involved.

asked the Home Secretary how many paid fire guards are employed on business premises; and whether these men are all fully trained for their duties?

Information as to the numbers of paid fire guards is not available. Those employed at premises where arrangements are in force under the Business Premises Order must undergo training to fit them for efficient performance of fire prevention duties and the occupier of the premises must ensure that they receive such training.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of complaints in Sierra Leone that the provision of food centres and the allocation of individual food supplies are inadequate and that preferential treatment is given in sales to Europeans as against Africans; and whether it has now been decided to introduce food rationing?

As regards the general question of rationing, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his Question on 20th January. I am not aware of any specific complaints regarding the provision of food or the preferential treatment of Europeans as against Africans in Sierra Leone.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is now intended to terminate the internment of Wallace Johnson, trade union leader, Sierra Leone, and permit him to resume his duties to the workers of Sierra Leone?

Mr. Wallace Johnson is no longer interned but has been released under a Restriction Order and is residing at Bonthe in Sierra Leone. It would not be justifiable to relax these restrictions so long as the Governor is satisfied that measures of restraint are necessary in order to prevent Mr. Johnson from acting in a way prejudicial to public safety or defence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the cost of living index in Trinidad has risen by some 50 per cent. since the outbreak of war and no steps have been taken by the local government to subsidise essential food products, he will refrain from accepting their offer to make a free contribution of £800,000 to the Imperial Exchequer; and whether he will advise Colonial governments in this position to use such financial contributions to the war effort locally rather than send them home?

I have recently approved a proposal by the Government of Trinidad to subsidise the price of certain essentials in order to check any further rises in the cost of living. It is not the case that Trinidad is making a contribution of £800,000 to Imperial Funds in the current year. The Colony is, however, making a contribution of about £250,000 towards the cost of local defence, the balance of which is met by His Majesty's Government, and in addition proposes to make an interest-free loan to His Majesty's Government of about £500,000 out of available surpluses. In estimating these surpluses, allowance has been made for expenditure in subsidising the cost of living. In general His Majesty's Government would certainly not wish to accept any special war-time contribution from the Colony, whether by way of gift or loan, if the money were required for local expenditure.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that certain chain stores throughout the country have been offering and selling to the public numbers of folders alleged to be scientific horoscopes with forecasts for 1943; and whether he will take the necessary steps to prevent such further waste of paper?

I understand that these folders were printed on a small quantity of paper taken from his pre-war stock by a printer who issued similar booklets before the war, but further inquiries are being made.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken to review the appointments of non-technicians in his Department, with a view to the release of those of military age who obtained temporary appointments and, as such, were reserved?

This matter is kept under constant review both departmentally and by the Kennet Committee in accordance with the arrangements described in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 21st January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will consult with the Service Departments with a view to reducing the amount of luggage Service men are compelled to carry when travelling, as this luggage fills up corridors to the inconvenience and danger of all passengers?

Members of His Majesty's Forces must travel equipped as fighting units and must therefore take their fighting equipment with them, whether they are travelling on duty or on leave. It has, however, been arranged that, when they travel on leave, they need not carry their kitbags unless they themselves desire to, as in fact they often do. Instructions have also been issued that kitbags shall be marked with the owner's name and number. This facilitates identification and makes it possible to carry them in the luggage van with out causing undue delay to trains at stations where members of the Forces alight.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to make a statement in regard to the levying of Customs Duty on gift parcels sent home by members of the Forces serving overseas?

Yes, Sir. I have decided in principle to authorise a concession by which men serving abroad will be permitted to send home, free of Customs Duty, a limited number of parcels a year, subject to certain limits of value or quantity of goods. The concession cannot operate immediately, but the necessary machinery will be worked out between the Departments concerned as soon as possible, and the detailed procedure will then be announced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works under what provision of the law his Ministry has taken power to dispose of the premises situated in Bloomsbury and known as the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London and, at present, in part, occupied by that school?

My Department has power to requisition premises under the Defence Regulations, but in this case the matter has been dealt with by agreement.

asked the Minister of Health the effect of pasteurisation on the vitamins of milk; at what temperature are these vitamins adversely affected and how?

I am advised that pasteurisation causes no loss of vitamins A and D; that the amount of Vitamin B1 destroyed is too small to be detected by the usual methods of analysis; that the loss of Vitamin C, which is present in milk only in small quantities is negligible, and is no greater than would result in raw milk exposed to sunshine for a few minutes before delivery; and that the effect on Vitamin E, which is also present only in small quantities, is not known.

asked the right hon, and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he has any information to give the House about Government plans to facilitate replanting the areas of woodland cut during the war?

The Forestry Commissioners have recently completed for submission to the Government a comprehensive report on post-war forestry. The report covers the question of replanting woodland felled during the war.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether preference in employment at Londonderry naval base is being given to ex-service men; and how many ex-service men and neutrals from Eire of military age, respectively, have been taken into employment during 12 months reckoned to the latest convenient date?

Standing instructions provide that ex-service men nominated by the National Association for Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen, are given preference over other candidates when filling vacancies in Admiralty establishments. It has been ascertained that during the 12 months ending 4th February, 1943, 135 ex-service men and 12 adults from Eire under 40 years of age (including one ex-service man) have been entered as civilians in Admiralty establishments at Londonderry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government recognise and approve of the activities of the Free Rumanian Movement in London?

His Majesty's Government do not recognise any so-called "Free Rumanian Movement" either in London or elsewhere nor do they approve of the activities of the London body. From the information at their disposal it is clear that this body is not representative of general opinion either in Rumania or among Rumanians in this country. His Majesty's Government do, however, appreciate the desire of Rumanians in this country to contribute towards the war effort of the United Nations. They have therefore appointed a liaison officer whose function it is to provide all necessary help and guidance to this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether since the recent decision of the Court of Session considerably extends the scope of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1936, he will automatically have reviewed all claims by widows for pensions rejected on the grounds that husbands did not within three years of their death follow a qualifying employ-

This decision does not extend to any considerable degree the category of persons within the scope of the statutes governing the award of widows' and other pensions. The decision affects only certain employed persons whose relationship to the person employing them is that of an independent contractor. It is unfortunately not possible to identify claims previously rejected which might now succeed, as many of the relative papers have been destroyed. But the Department of Health, Grassmarket, Edinburgh I, will be glad to hear from any widow in Scotland who believes herself to be affected by the decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths from diphtheria were recorded at Paisley in each of the years 1920 to 1942; and the ages of the fatal cases?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the possibility of the Protecting Powers or other appropriate intermediaries, making approach to Germany and other enemy countries to allow Jews, and in particular parents and children, to emigrate, to grant them exit visas and give them transportation facilities to points at frontiers from where the emigrants could be taken to places of refuge?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in the House by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th January. In the consideration of the practical proposals alluded to therein account is naturally taken of the various points raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the present position and political authority of the Vichy Government in the French Colonial Empire?

The Vichy Government has no authority in any part of the French African territories, except such as the Axis may permit in the part of Tunisia which they control, nor in any of the French Colonies in the Pacific. The Vichy Government remains nominally in control in Indo-China. I am not sure whether the Governors of the French West Indies and French Guiana still acknowledge the authority of Vichy or not.