asked the Minister of Labour how many officers have been retired from the Armed Forces on account of disabilities or under age limits and have applied to the Central Register for employment; and how many have been placed?

The only statistics available are those relating to ex-Army officers retired under Army Council Instruction 422 of 1942. Of these, 1,757 have enrolled for employment on the registers of the Appointments Department since March, 1942. Of these 251 remained on these Registers or on other Registers on 31st January, 1943. Some 900 are known to have found employment, of whom 445 were placed by the Appointments Branch and about 100 by the Central (Technical and Scientific) Register and the Employment Exchanges, 104 have been re-employed in the Army, 501 have not maintained their enrolment. Statistics regarding other ex-officers are not available.

Is it not a fact that there are two or three Government organisations which purport to find jobs for ex-officers and also for ex-other ranks, for instance, the Central Register and the special department set up by my right hon. Friend, and since there is some confusion, could he make a clear statement which officers could understand as to how they should proceed?

I would advise all ex-officers to go to the Appointments Department, and then I will co-ordinate the efforts of the other Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Miss Gearing, employed in the food preserving department of the Woolwich Co-operative Society, was directed by his local officers to other employment; that she has since married a man serving in the Royal Navy; that, owing to pressure from his local officers, she is now employed in the Royal Arsenal; that she has an aged father and mother at home for whom she is responsible and that the hardship committee is still dealing with her claim for deferment on the basis of her original registration as a single person; and will he take steps to remedy this?

As Miss Gearing is now married, she is no longer subject to liability under the National Service Acts and does not require the renewal of her postponement certificate by the hardship committee. I assume, however, that she is in employment which is scheduled under the Essential Work Order. If she wishes to leave this employment, she must obtain the permission of the National Service officer; as my hon. Friend knows, there is an appeal to the Appeal Board if this permission is refused.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he and his Department will give serious consideration to the removal of persons in food preservation to other work? Does it not occur to the right hon. Gentleman that food preservation is most important at the present time?

I have to hold the balance. I have said in this House before, in reply to other hon. Members, that I can give no undertakings to anybody. I have to adjust things from day to day according to the priorities of war production.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the housing shortage in Oxford and to the proposals made to ease the same by the provision of hostels for single war workers; and whether he is in a position to announce a decision?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him yesterday by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production, with whom I am in consultation.

asked the Minister of Labour what changes are proposed in the management of a Ministry of Aircraft Production housing estate, of which he has been informed; and whether he has considered the representations of the inhabitants regarding these proposals?

The reference is to a hostel which provides accommodation for workers at a number of local factories. The management of this hostel was originally let by the National Hostels Corporation, Limited, to a private firm for 12 months, with the right, on either side, to terminate the contract thereafter at three months' notice. Notice to terminate the contract was duly given by the Corporation, which will take the hostel under direct management as from 7th March. It is the normal practice of the Corporation to manage their hostels direct, and I have no reason to suppose that the new arrangements at this hostel will be anything but satisfactory. Representations against this change have been made to me by the Residents' Committee of the hostel, and I have considered them, but I see no reason for altering the proposed arrangements.

Is the Minister aware that the vast majority of those responsible are opposed to this change, and may I bring a deputation of those responsible to see him?

If my hon. Friend will bring the deputation to see one of the Parliamentary Secretaries, I will arrange for it.

Is there any truth in the reports that there is a threat of a strike of the workers in these factories unless they can get their way, and, if that is so, will he take steps in the matter?

I am afraid that in deciding public policy I cannot be influenced by threats by anybody.

Not even the Tory Party.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, by reference to great war and/or present war figures, he will supply figures showing the relationship between the number of members of the Fighting Forces, members of Civil Defence units, civilian air-raid victims, persons suffering from industrial accidents and persons born with or who acquire diseases or affections which reduce their employability below normal, respectively, so as to enable an estimate to be made of the numbers in these categories who are proposed to be dealt with under the Tomlinson Report Scheme of Compulsory Employment?

As indicated in paragraph 71 (c) and (d) of the Tomlinson Committee Report, it is not possible at present to form even a rough estimate of the number of persons whose employability has been affected by some kind of disablement nor as to their distribution between the groups referred to.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the sincere difficulty in which Members and others find themselves in assessing the practicability of the proposal that all unfit persons should be compulsorily employed, when there is no idea of their number? Could he not find out the number by the process of sampling or in some other way?

I assure my hon. Friend that it is a little difficult to come to a conclusion on figures now. Many men who are partially disabled find employment in war-time, but I am certain that, when the matter has to be analysed and dealt with in the post-war period, with the then conditions of unemployment, it will be entirely different.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether periodical records have been taken of the average height, weight and other physical measurements of any school children since the outbreak of war; and how these compare with those of pre-war days?

A few local education authorities have continued periodical weighing and measuring of children during the war, and a scientific investigation into growth rates in certain neutral and evacuation areas is being undertaken on behalf of my Department. This investigation, as far as it goes, shows that growth rates measured by height and weight since the beginning of the war are being well maintained.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in his post-war plans for boarding schools, he will consider making even a short period at a boarding school part of the education of all children; and whether, in this connection, he will consider using the great industrial hostels in country areas likely to be redundant when peace comes?

In reply to the first part of the Question, I should not regard it as practicable to require a period of boarding school education for all children, but the hon. Member will have realised from the answer given to him yesterday that the possibility of using some of the hostels to which he refers for boarding purposes is very much in mind.

Could the Minister say whether, under existing powers, he has any authority to subsidise boarding, except for boys in approved schools or boys who live distant from a secondary school?

There are one or two isolated cases, which I have investigated. I should like the hon. Member to put a Question down, when I will give him an exact answer.

Would the Minister consider, if this matter is to be limited to certain children, using those children for experimenting with the most modern system of education—using them, as it were, for laboratory purposes?

I should like to feel that all children could get this chance, but it is rather difficult to find facilities for all of them.

Is the Minister not aware that we do not all subscribe to all the views expressed in this Question?

That is one of the reasons why I said that I did not think it would be practicable to enforce it for all children.

Is it not a fact that the finest influence that can be exerted on the life of a child is the influence of the home?

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether, in framing future education proposals, he will give particular attention to the need for ethical instruction in forms appropriate to the different ages of schoolchildren; and whether, in any conclusion he may reach respecting the translation of religious beliefs to schoolchildren, the ethical criterion will be paramount, with particular emphasis on democratic principles?

The general lines of approach adopted by the Board to the matters raised by the hon. Member were set out in an answer given to him on 9th July last, and I do not think I can enlarge upon that reply.

Has the Minister had consultations and representations regarding this aspect of education? If not, will he do so, seeing that it is a matter of very great importance?

I think I have probably received more advice than any other of my colleagues on these matters during the last two years. These questions have not been left out.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider permitting rural housing authorities to borrow money to acquire, without delay, such sites as will be necessary to ensure an early start on post-war plans for the erection of dwellings for agricultural workers?

I am already considering this matter, and I hope shortly to be able to send a circular to local authorities giving them advice on the action which they should take now in preparation for post-war house-building.

Would the Minister not agree that this is most urgent for post-war reconstruction plans and that it is impossible for a local authority to provide satisfactory planning unless they know well in advance the actual sites which will be used for the purpose?

I assure my hon. Friend that I will keep my mind on that matter.

Will the Minister of Health see that when he issues these borrowing powers the interest will not be more than 2½ per cent. on the loans, and not 6 per cent. as in the past?

Will the Minister also see that there is running water in these rural houses, as otherwise it is not worth building them?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the recent comments of the Court of Appeal on the effect of Section 12 of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1939, on the ascertainment of standard rent; and whether he will take steps to have that Section amended?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." I have noted the point for consideration when amending legislation is undertaken.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the working of these Acts has shown a number of anomalies, and does he not consider that the time has come when a Select Committee of this House might inquire into the operation of the Acts and consider what Amendments are necessary?

I should have to consider that point.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when he will bring forward the amending legislation?

Not at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to announce the results of his consultations with the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and the nursing and midwifery organisations concerned, on the subject of securing a better supply and distribution of nurses and midwives?

Yes, Sir. The present shortage and uneven distribution of nurses and midwives for civilian work demand special measures. After consultation with the organisations representing the interested parties and in agreement with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland, I have decided to appoint a National Advisory Council for the Recruitment and Distribution of Nurses and Midwives to advise me on all questions relating to the recruitment and distribution of male and female nurses and of midwives on civilian work. The Council, which will be presided over by a Parliamentary Secretary to my Ministry and with which officers of the Departments concerned will be associated, will consist of representatives nominated by the various organisations concerned. With the permission of my hon. Friend I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the constitution of the Council.

I am asking the Council to meet at an early date and to give immediate consideration to measures for increasing recruitment, to arrangements for a special registration of nurses and midwives and to the priority to be accorded to the different demands for the different types of nurses and midwives, as well as to make suggestions for easing the situation in respect of certain types of hospitals with large immediate demands, such as tuberculosis and mental institutions. There is, of course, no intention of changing existing arrangements where those are working satisfactorily.

The administration of such measures as are decided upon will be entrusted to the Appointments Department of my Ministry acting where necessary through the local Appointments Offices, each of which will be assisted in its work by a Local Advisory Committee.

In undertaking this new and important duty, I have been greatly encouraged by the whole-hearted and helpful co-operation which I have received from the organisations I have consulted in drawing up the scheme. On that basis I feel confident that we shall be able to solve the difficult problems with which we shall have to deal and to maintain the very high position which the nursing and midwifery professions deservedly occupy in the public regard.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether that statement implies that the nursing services of, the Ministry of Health will be transferred to the Ministry of Labour?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the problem is not limited to nurses and midwives, but that if the denudation of administrative staffs goes on, the nurses will not be able to carry on because of the inability of the hospitals to do their job?

That is another question.

Will the Commission also have power to deal with the nursing services in the three Fighting Services, especially sick-bay rating nurses, who, after their discharge, will be extremely useful?

Anyone discharged from any Service who has such experience will be passed on to the Appointments Department, and will then come under the purview of this Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make about the Report of the Committee on Nurses' Salaries and the action he proposes to take thereon?

Yes, Sir. I have received from my Noble Friend Lord Rushcliffe the first Report of the Committee which I appointed under his chairmanship on the salaries, emoluments and other conditions of service of nurses. This Report deals with female nurses in hospitals and will thus cover the majority of the nursing profession. The Report is being presented as a Command Paper and copies will be available to-day in the Vote Office.

As Members will be able to see from the Report and its schedules, the scope of the Committee's work has been intricate and far-reaching, and the House will, I am sure, agree with me in congratulating both Lord Rushcliffe and the representatives of employers and of nurses who have constituted the two panels of the Committee on their successful efforts to reach an agreement and to put on an improved and uniform basis salaries and other conditions of service of nurses. It is estimated that the total additional cost of bringing these recommendations into operation will be between £1,500,000 and £2,000,000 per annum. I am to-day communicating with local authorities and voluntary hospitals commending to them the recommendations made in the Report and with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer am informing them that the Government are prepared to pay both to local authorities and to voluntary hospitals 50 per cent. of any increased expenditure in which they are involved in giving effect to the recommendations.

The Committee are already considering the salaries and conditions of service of other groups of nurses, and have stated their intention of recommending that the proposals they formulate for them shall operate from the same date as the recommendations made in the present Report. I am informed also that the Midwives' Salaries Committee will recommend that their proposals about midwives shall operate from the same date. I should like to take this opportunity of paying a special tribute to nurses and midwives, whose work during the long years of war has been such a vital contribution to the national effort, and will be no less vital when peace is restored.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now make a statement regarding the effective working of the Central Midwives Board; and when the Report and statement by the Rushcliffe Committee can be expected regarding the whole question of the supply of midwives throughout the country?

I believe the Central Midwives Board to be working effectively, as in the past. I am informed by my Noble Friend Lord Rushcliffe that the Committee on the salaries and emoluments of midwives, of which he is Chairman, is actively considering the matters within its reference and will report as soon as possible, but he is not yet able to give an indication of the date. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the statement just made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service about the recruitment and distribution of mid-wives and nurses.

Is the Minister aware that while admitting that the Central Mid-wives Board are doing their best, they are a law to themselves, that it is absolutely imperative that something should be done immediately to ensure an adequate supply of midwives, and that the matter is not one to be lightly played with?

Is it not true that there are a large number, a really big number, of registered midwives who are not doing midwifery work?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been forwarded to him, passed by the hospital committee of Alfred Herbert, Limited, of Coventry, complaining of the many problems arising from the lack of beds at the local hospital; and what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. I am afraid that the supply of labour and materials does not at present permit a further extension to the hospital referred to in the resolution. I am advised that the total accommodation available in this and other hospitals in the area is adequate.

Is not the Minister aware that the nurses in this voluntary hospital are compelled to sleep away from the hospital because of this shortage, and that a very serious position arises?

Yes, of course, but there is a very serious position about labour and materials.

asked the Minister of Health the temperatures and periods of application that should be applied to milk to destroy all tubercle germs present therein; and whether he is satisfied that tuberculosis in cows is infectious through their milk to human beings?

I am advised that the temperatures and periods of application necessary to destroy tubercle bacilli range from about 135° F. for 40 minutes to boiling point for a fraction of a second. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes."

Is not the Minister aware that while that process is destructive of the tubercle germ, it is also destructive of the nutritive value of milk?

asked the Minister of Health whether, as regards pasteurisation of milk, he will define the exact process which it is the policy of his Department to support?

Two processes of pasteurisation are prescribed in the Milk (Special Designations) Regulations, 1936–1942, namely, a "holder" process whereby the milk must be retained at a temperature of not less than 145° F. and not more than 150° F. for at least 30 minutes, and be immediately cooled to a temperature of not more than 55° F.; and a high-temperature short-time process whereby the milk must be retained at a temperature of not less than 162° F. for at least 15 seconds and be immediately cooled to a temperature of not more than 55° F. New proposals in connection with the control of heat treatment are under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman assured that those two temperatures and processes destroy all tubercle bacilli in milk?

I have answered the Question in the terms on the Paper.

What steps are taken to have these Regulations enforced?

That question would require a much longer answer than Mr. Speaker would allow me to give.

Are all the right hon. Gentleman's medical advisers unanimous in regard to these processes?

Are they ever unanimous about anything?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the serious shortage of nurses in the Public Assistance Institutions in the county of Buckingham and especially in Slough, and what steps he proposes to take?

I am aware that there is a considerable shortage of nurses in some institutions in Buckinghamshire and especially in Slough. My nursing officers are, however, in close consultation with the sector matron and others concerned, and the main deficiencies have been met by the employment of temporary nurses.

Is the Minister aware that while the shortage in public assistance institutions in Buckinghamshire is particularly difficult, the shortage applies to almost every institution in the country?

That is the reason for the important statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to-day.

Does the Minister realise that the employment of temporary nurses has not alleviated the position at all?

It has alleviated it, but not solved it.

asked the Minister of Health why uncertificated teachers, whose salary plus bonus is £180 a year, are not allowed to join National Health Insurance; and will he take steps to enable them to do so?

The uncertificated teachers to whom my hon. Friend refers are excluded from compulsory health and pensions insurance under paragraph (e) of Part II of the First Schedule to the National Health Insurance Act, 1936, as being employed in contributory service within the meaning of the Teachers' (Superannuation) Acts. As regards the second part of the Question, the position of persons in excepted employments is receiving consideration in connection with the general review of the social insurance and allied services.

Will the Minister take into account the very small amount of superannuation these teachers receive?

The hon. Member will understand that under the scheme they must secure sickness and old age provision which are on the whole not less favourable than under the State insurance scheme.

asked the Minister of Health to what was death attributed in the case of Dennis Hillier, of 220, Canterbury Road, Leyton, E., aged 11 years, who died on 13th October at Chase Farm Hospital, Edmonton, after being ill for two months following inoculation against diphtheria?

The coroner who conducted the inquest in the case to which my hon. Friend refers recorded a verdict that death was due to natural causes, and certified the cause of death as "sub-acute encephalitis due to virus"—to which he added the word "natural."

How does it come about that this child should be treated in a hospital some miles away?

Was this inoculation compulsory?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to improve the nation's health by the prevention rather than the cure of disease, he will consider the introduction of an order making it compulsory for every individual to undergo a medical examination twice a year?

I sympathise with the object which my hon. Friend has in view but, apart from all other considerations, including the addition to the already very heavy burden on the medical profession, I should certainly not be prepared to take the action suggested except with the express approval of Parliament.

Is the Minister aware that it would take no fewer than 8,500 doctors working eight hours a day, six days a week, assuming that only one-half of the population were medically examined, to carry out this suggestion?

asked the Minister of Health what is the loss in working time and the estimated cost to the country of venereal disease?

I am not aware of any information on which the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks could be readily ascertained.

What is the cost of treatment at the clinics? Surely we can have that?

This is a question of loss of working time. I will look into the matter, if the hon. Lady will consult with me, so that I shall know exactly what she wants.

I asked for the estimated cost.

But the hon. Lady asked for the loss of working time.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the need for more adequate supply of doctors on the home front, he will convene a meeting of the Minister of Health and the heads of the three Service Departments, with a view to making some provision whereby any doctors who have been called up but temporarily have no regular duties to perform are enabled to resume their civil practice until such time as regular duties are available for them.

Arrangements are already in operation under which doctors urgently needed in their civil practices are, on the application of the Central Medical War Committee, temporarily released from their Service duties, where this is practicable.

Is the Minister aware of the disturbing fact that there are many districts throughout the country where there is a great shortage of doctors, and can he do something still further to remedy this matter, which is a very serious matter?

asked the Secretary of State for India the number, charges and categories of prisoners arising from offences of a political nature during the past 12 months; how many are still detained or imprisoned; and how many times force has been employed in connection with disturbances?

I am unable to answer the hon. Member's present Question in full; but I have made a special inquiry as the result of his earlier Question, and am informed that up to 1st December the number of persons arrested in connection with the disturbances of last autumn was 60,229, of whom 39,498 were still under arrest on that date. During the same period the police were compelled to open fire on 470 occasions, and the military on 68 occasions.

How many have been killed, Indian and British respectively; and how many floggings have taken place in that period?

rose—

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, instead of shipping wheat to India to relieve the famine conditions there, he will initiate discussions with the Government of the Union of South Africa for the purchase and transport of maize?

I would remind the hon. Member that I have already explained that conditions in India are not famine conditions. The immediate request of the Government of India is for wheat, and I have no reason to think that maize would be an acceptable substitute.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that maize is not an ordinary article of diet in Western India, where the kharif crop is poor; and that much of the maize shipped from the United States by generous Americans during the famine of 1899–1900 could not be used for human consumption?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any recent report concerning the health of Mr. Jawarharlal Nehru and his daughter and of Mr. Gandhi?

I have had no very recent reports about Mr. Nehru or his daughter, but I am sure that I should have been informed if there had been any deterioration in their health. So far as I am aware, Mr. Gandhi was in his normal state of health when he decided yesterday to undertake a fast.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any statement to make regarding the fast contemplated by Mr. Gandhi and the correspondence between him and the Viceroy?

A very full statement on the subject and the whole of the correspondence have been published by the Government of India. They have been reproduced pretty fully in the Press, and I have taken care to have a copy available in the Library.

Will my right hon. Friend do anything to prevent Mr. Gandhi advertising himself unduly in this way?

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons detained under Regulation 18B, and the number of enemy aliens detained as at 1st January, 1941, and 1st January, 1943?

The number of persons detained under Defence Regulation 18B on the dates mentioned was 1,089 and 486 respectively. As regards aliens of enemy nationality (including not only Germans and Austrians, but the nationals of all States which are at war with His Majesty) the number of persons interned under the Royal Prerogative whose release had not been authorised was respectively 17,940 and 6,123.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing carelessness in private dwelling-houses and in business premises in regard to black-out regulations; and will he draw the attention of the persons responsible to the need for closer attention to this matter?

Reports I have received indicate that in some areas freedom from air raids has led to slackness in observing the black-out regulations. I am satisfied, however, that the police are fully alive to their duties in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in a small town, of which the facts have been sent to him, the National Fire Service has commandeered the only large garage, to the great inconvenience of residents in the district; that alternative buildings were available for a repair shop such as is needed; that the contemplated alterations will cost about £2,000; and whether he will further investigate the need for this outlay?

I regret the necessity for taking this garage for National Fire Service purposes. This course was taken only after extensive search had been made, in vain, for suitable accommodation elsewhere, and after full consultation with the Factory and Storage Control Department of the Board of Trade and the Ministry of War Transport as to the availability of alternative accommodation which would serve the purpose. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there is very real and urgent need for a National Fire Service workshop in the district, and I understand that other garages are available not far away for the garaging and parking of private cars. I am having inquiry made as to the extent and the probable cost of any alterations to the premises that may be necessary, but I understand they are not expected to reach the figure mentioned.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether it is necessary to put a central heating system into this garage?

I could not answer that point of detail without notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether, pending the promised increase in the supply of bicycle-lamp batteries, he will advise magistrates to deal leniently with workers engaged in vital war industry who are obliged to cycle to and from their work and can show that they have been unable to obtain batteries?

No, Sir. It is for the magistrates to decide the appropriate penalty to be imposed in any particular case having regard to the nature of the offence and to any mitigating circumstances. It would not be proper for me to seek to interfere with the exercise of this discretion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a very wide divergence of practice between magistrates in exactly similar cases causing very real hardship to people who are in effect innocent, and could he not issue a circular to magistrates on the subject?

I am afraid that there is always some divergence of practice between benches, and I do not see how that can be avoided under our local system of administering justice. But the real remedy is the supply of batteries, on which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has recently made a helpful statement.

Will my right hon. Friend give advice to motorists who have to travel during the night that they should travel with the greatest possible care, for the safety of cyclists, which is more important than the fine?

Is it not almost entirely for the cyclists' own protection that they are made to carry lamps; and is it not in their own interests that they should be fined if they do not carry them?

There is a considerable element of risk to the cyclist in not carrying a lamp, I agree.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether, in view of the compromise reached with the fishing interests, he is satisfied that the condition of the land in the valleys of the Hampshire rivers is such as to meet the needs of war in the matter of food production; and will he give an assurance that such measures as may be necessary to bring the land into full cultivation will be taken forthwith;

(2), why a compromise was effected which precluded the Hampshire Rivers Catchment Board from operating outside the main river area as requested by the Hampshire War Agricultural Executive Committee, and as provided for under Section 14 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous War Provisions) Acts;

(3), whether he will establish an impartial committee of inquiry, with one of His Majesty's Judges as chairman, to consider the extension of the activities of the Hampshire Rivers Catchment Board so as to include within their purview the Upper Test and Upper Itchin and submit the full evidence now at the disposal of the Hampshire War Agricultural Executive Committee for the consideration of the committee of inquiry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he gave instructions that the Hampshire War Agricultural Executive Committee should be consulted before reaching a compromise with the fishing interests in the Test Valley?

As the answer is inevitably very long, I will, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer: The history of this matter is briefly as follows:—

When, as a result of several personal visits, my right hon. Friend decided that it was necessary to try and do something to deal with the drainage position on the River Test and other rivers in Hampshire he made an Order creating the Hampshire Rivers Catchment Area. In view of the volume of objections, a public inquiry was held. At the inquiry the objectors included not only the owners of some hundred thousand acres, but several local authorities, the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, Winchester College, the watercress growers and certain fishery interests. At the conclusion of the inquiry two courses were open to my right hon. Friend: (1) to obtain the sanction of Parliament to the Order or (2) to endeavour to reach a compromise. The House will note that an Order if opposed has to go through the ordinary Private, Bill Procedure of this House. In view of the volume of opposition, it was clear that this process would inevitably take considerable time, and there was no certainty that the Order would not be rejected. Even if Parliament had confirmed the Order, further delay would have been incurred in setting up the Board, and there would have been a legacy of bitterness which would have promised ill for the future operations of a Board set up under such circumstances.

My right hon. Friend's main concern was to try and increase the area of arable in the valley. He satisfied himself that there was no practical hope of securing any appreciable increase of arable in the Upper Test and that the most promising area was that below Kimbridge. He therefore decided that the most effective procedure and the one that was likely to obtain the quickest results in war-time would be to proceed with the constitution of a Catchment Board but to limit the extent of its "main river" on which it is statutorily empowered to do drainage work, in the case of the River Test to the lower part of the river, and to rely on the willing co-operation of the various interests to do by voluntary support what was possible to improve the meadows for grazing in the Upper Test. He accordingly made the Order on the understanding that the "main river" would be so limited and this arrangement has come to be known as "the compromise." He accepts full responsibility for this decision. The Catchment Board have been constituted, they have set to Work; they have appointed an engineer, carried out surveys and work has actually been started. All this has been done very much more quickly than would have been possible under the alternative procedure referred to above. In addition to that, voluntary schemes have been discussed and I understand accepted, which will result in a material improvement in the condition of the meadows in the Upper Test.

My right hon. Friend is aware that there is still a good deal of propaganda going on against the decision which he made. His sole aim is to bring about the quickest possible results in war-time, having regard to the necessary limitations of labour and machinery. He would venture to appeal to all concerned to cease recriminations and to get on with the job (a) of improving the grazing in the Upper Test, and (b) of increasing the arable for the Lower Test as far as possible.

I should add that the Hampshire War Agricultural Executive Committee are my right hon. Friend's agents for the purpose of increasing food production in accordance with such powers and duties as he delegates to them. Certain members of that Committee including the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman have been made members of the Catchment Board, and this step should ensure the necessary co-operation between all parties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to introduce the testing of milch cows for tubercle germs and the destruction, with compensation, of all found so suffering?