asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the number of violations of the Factory Act by employers in respect of women and young persons employed in industry is on the increase; and whether his inspectors are able effectively to check such tendencies?

Statistics on the point are not available, but I see no reason why the factory inspectors, as a result of their inspections and with the proper co-operation of responsible representatives of the workpeople in reporting alleged violations, should not be able to check any tendency to an increase.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is satisfied that with the enormous growth in the number of persons employed in factories, he has a sufficient number of inspectors to see that there are no violations of the law in this connection?

No, Sir, I do not think the inspectors are numerous enough, but I have a man-power problem as well, and I cannot increase their numbers beyond the present numbers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of labour on the farms in Scotland; and whether he will take steps to encourage Scottish girls to join the Land Army instead of transferring them to work in England?

I am sure that, as was to be expected in view of the expanding agricultural programme, there is in Scotland a deficiency of skilled male agricultural workers. My Department has consistently encouraged recruitment for the Scottish Women's Land Army, and the rate of enrolment has at all times been adequate to meet the demands made on it. At the end of February there was a reserve of about 500 members available for employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the need of the employment of women in still greater numbers in suitable work in shipbuilding yards, repair yards and marine engineering works on the Clyde and Tyneside, he will take steps to remedy this deficiency?

There has been a very considerable increase in the numbers of women employed in shipbuilding and marine engineering in recent months in the districts to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty and myself are taking every opportunity of urging employers to take on more female labour and are confident that this increase will continue.

asked the Minister of Labour why the application of the Essential Work Order has been delayed in the case of the industrial catering trade, which is covered by a National Joint Industrial Council?

Discussions on this question are proceeding. At present I have nothing to add to my reply of 21st January to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox).

Is my right hon. Friend aware that discussions have been going on since August last, and that there is a great desire among canteen managers to have this matter settled so that they can keep their staffs?

I know there is a desire by the canteen contractors to have it settled, but I am supplying labour to run the canteens, though I have not applied the Essential Work Order to industrial canteens. I do not think there is any real shortage.

Can my right hon. Friend say why it has taken so long?

The proposal put to me conflicts with the Canteens Order which makes an employer responsible for the canteen equally with the rest of his factory, and it is a matter of very great difficulty for me to apply the Essential Work Order to a canteen, which really makes it a shop within a factory.

asked the Minister of Labour the age of the recently appointed assistant to the North Midland regional factory premises controller; and for what purposes he was ever directed for any national service work prior to his appointment by the Board of Trade?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the man recently appointed a senior temporary assistant (technical) by the Factory and Storage Premises Control of the Board of Trade. His age is 36. He was registered under the National Service Acts as a yarn-merchant on his own account for the previous twelve years, joined the Police War Reserve in August, 1940, but was discharged for medical reasons which further resulted in his not being called up when medically examined for service in His Majesty's Forces. For the same reasons of health it proved impracticable to transfer him to more important work, and he has therefore at no time been directed to take up war work.

Will the Minister see that the machinery of his Department, especially the National Register, shall not be used to cover appointments which are quite indefensible in the national interest as this one was?

I cannot accept the assertion that it was indefensible. I can only give the facts as I got them.

Experience as a yarn merchant does not make him an expert on factories, does it?

No, Sir, but a yarn merchant sometimes finds his way to this House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the great use of man-power in connection with the "Wings for Victory" campaign; and whether he satisfied himself that the war effort would be commensurately forwarded?

The man-power involved is almost entirely provided by voluntary workers and is, in my opinion, fully justified by the benefit to the war effort of a successful campaign.

Does the Minister not realise that if the people give these millions of man-hours for these efforts, they will have to withhold them from some other voluntary efforts? Is it not in the nature of a fraud, because these sincere people will not add a single aeroplane but will double the cost of the money so lent to the Chancellor?

That is a matter which I think the hon. Member should address to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

I have addressed it to the Chancellor, but he is one of those yarn merchants.

asked the Minister of Labour what directions he has given to employment exchange managers for the recruiting of the Women's Land Army; and seeing that many farmers, as in Wiltshire, applied two months and more ago for women workers to be trained for the coming season, what steps are being taken to meet their urgent needs?

Recruitment for the Women's Land Army was almost entirely suspended during the winter because then there was a reserve awaiting employment but has now been reopened. There is no restriction on the enrolment of suitable applicants except in certain industrial areas of acute labour shortage, and enrolments have now reached the figure of 1,000 a week. The allocation of members of the Women's Land Army to employment is not done by my Department.

Will the Minister impress on his local employment exchange officials that, owing to shipping and other difficulties, if we do not get more women on to the land and get them quickly, we are in for a food shortage of a very serious kind?

I think my Department have done very well for agriculture—

No, they discourage it.

Pardon me, I think they have done very well for agriculture. As evidence, there were 5,000 waiting to be taken up in November who were not taken up, which I think is the best justification of the claim. I would impress on agricultural committees this fact, that they cannot keep these reserves of labour operating on a county basis. They must deal with them nationally.

Is not one of the causes of discouragement from enrolment the shortage of cottages for agricultural workers, and will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to see that labour is made available for that purpose, which is all important?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to make a statement with regard to the setting-up of a committee to investigate the best way to organise the service of domestic workers?

I have not yet come to the conclusion that a committee will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest total figure of unemployed registered at the employment exchanges; the number temporarily unemployed; the number unemployed for 12 months or over; the number fit for full employment; and the number certified only fit for selected employment for medical or physical reasons?

At 18th January there were 99,017 persons registered at employment exchanges in Great Britain as unemployed, exclusive of 22,815 persons who had been classified by interviewing panels as unsuitable for ordinary employment. I am not in possession of statistics analysing the numbers under the headings specified by my hon. Friend, but it is known that the great majority consisted of persons who were in course of changing from one job to another, unskilled labourers who, owing to age or physical disability, were suitable only for light work, married women or others not available for transfer to employment in other districts, and school leavers who had recently registered for employment but had not yet begun work. At 14th December last; when an occupational analysis was obtained of the persons then registering as unemployed, about 21,000 men were classified as general labourers for light unskilled work, and in the majority of these cases the men were so classified on grounds either of age or of physical disability.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, is he not aware that there is a considerable number of those unemployed who have been unemployed for a long period and are fit for suitable, employment and who are having to live on unemployment benefit and public relief while, side by side with that, the Minister is directing women into employment who have family difficulties? Would it not be better to direct those people to whom I have referred to employment?

If hon. Members know of specific cases, I shall be only too glad to look into them, but the thing is so scattered now and the numbers so small that it is really difficult to turn the whole Department on to it again. I would rather deal with specific cases to which hon. Members can call my attention and try to grapple with them.

Could not some general instruction be given to the managers at employment exchanges to try and place these people in employment?

I assure you it is.

What advantage would a man who is certified as unfit for employment get by registering at an employment exchange?

Well, if I may make this confession, it is the only way I can give him a decent subsistence.

asked the Secretary of State for India what proportion of the speeches delivered in the Legislative Assembly at Delhi are delivered in the English language?

My hon. Friend may wish to refer to the Legislative Assembly Debates, which are regularly placed in the Library. The proceedings of the Assembly are conducted almost entirely in English, though the Rules of Procedure permit the use of Indian languages by members who are unacquainted with English.

Is not the virtually universal use of English in the Legislative Assembly at Delhi due to the fact that English has created a nationhood sense in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the conferences of non-Congress leaders at Delhi and Bombay and the pronouncements made on both occasions; and whether he has any statement to make, or intends to make any response to the pleas there made?

I have seen in to-day's Press the text of a resolution passed yesterday by a gathering of prominent Indian politicians who have been conferring at Bombay. I have no statement to make in regard to this, which, so far as I am aware, has not yet been communicated to the Government of India. The conference at Delhi made an appeal to the Prime Minister in connection with Mr. Gandhi's fast, whose reply, sent on 24th February, was published in the Press.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that these conferences at Delhi and Bombay are of great significance, seeing that representatives of all sections of Indian life are present? Will he not give these pronouncements very serious consideration, and if I put a Question down a week hence, will he give some reply then?

I fully appreciate the significance of these pronouncements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an answer to the second part of my question?

I have no statement to make at present.

Will he be prepared to give a reply if I put down a Question a week hence?

Certainly, Sir.

Have these distinguished men made any concrete suggestions for overcoming the difficulties that have emerged in these discussions?

Not so far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the retention of British subjects in internment under Regulation 18B, in view of the unity of the British people, the small number of internees involved, and the capacity of the police and military authorities to keep in touch with their movements and supervise their activities if freed?

The case of every person detained under the Regulation is kept under review, and release is authorised in any case as soon as I am satisfied that it is no longer necessary, in the interests of national security, to continue detention. The much-reduced number of persons who are now so detained is a measure of the extent to which this policy has already been followed.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that these British subjects have been interned without trial nearly three years? Does he not consider that the time has come when, at any rate, it will be possible to have a complete revision, preferably by a new tribunal, of all the cases?

Complete revisions are going on continuously, with the consequence that hundreds have been released. My hon. and gallant Friend says that they have been detained three years, but the war is still proceeding, and we must still consider national security.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that the fact that it has been found possible to release a considerable number means that they should not have been interned?

I do not accept that for a moment.

If the war situation gets more favourable for the Allies, will my right hon. Friend review these cases more favourably?

That is exactly what I have been doing. The military factor has been a factor in considering releases, and it will be.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the scheme recently issued by the Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence, North-western area, in respect of retailers' mutual aid schemes in the event of air attack, has met with adequate response from the retailers; and, if not, in view of the importance of re-establishing shopping facilities in areas affected by air raids, whether he will see that the scheme receives increased publicity?

The general response in the region to the Regional Commissioner's circular, which supplemented advice to authorities from my Department and the Board of Trade, has been encouraging. I am satisfied that adequate publicity has been given to these schemes, but, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, the final responsibility rests with the shopkeepers themselves, and I welcome this opportunity of emphasising once more the importance which attaches to the preparation of local schemes of this kind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inconvenience, and sometimes hardship, experienced by uniformed personnel of the National Fire Service by their exclusion from various voluntary service canteens, which are open to members of the Armed Services; and whether, in view of the status of the National Fire Service as a war service, he will consider making further representations to the authorities concerned in order to get this ban lifted?

The proposal that personnel of the National Fire Service who are posted away from their homes should have access to the voluntary Service canteens has already been discussed with the Service Departments and has received full and sympathetic consideration. I am assured, however, that the strain upon the canteens organisation is such that any extension of facilities to services other than those now catered for is out of the question, and, in the circumstances, I am afraid, that further representations in this matter would serve no useful purpose. Every effort is being made by the National Eire Service to develop its own welfare arrangements.

asked the Home Secretary the number of civilian casualties in the London area from anti-aircraft shells and splinters during the enemy raid on London on 3rd March; and whether he will give a public warning of the dangers involved in standing in the open to watch the barrage during intensive anti-aircraft fire?

In districts in which bombs and anti-aircraft ammunition are falling together it is not always possible accurately to attribute casualties to the one cause or the other, but it is known that on the occasion in question some of the casualties were due solely to the latter cause. While in the circumstances it is not desirable to give detailed figures, I cannot too strongly emphasise that the public, unless their duties otherwise require, should not neglect the warnings so often given not to remain unnecessarily in an exposed position during an air raid, but should take cover in the nearest accessible shelter, including surface shelter.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the Civil Defence and National Fire Services have been killed or injured since the beginning of the war; how many of these are men and women respectively; and whether these casualties are included in the official total of civil casualties through enemy action?

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. These casualties are included in the published figures of civilian casualties.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as information useful to the enemy is continuing to be carried across the border between Northern Ireland and Eire, he will enforce stricter regulations in order to prevent such information reaching representatives of enemy countries in Dublin?

There is nothing I can usefully add to the replies already given to my hon. Friend.

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that, as we are rapidly approaching the crisis of the war, every avenue through which information could be conveyed to the enemy should be closed, and especially that the open door between the United Kingdom and Eire within the British Empire which gives sanctuary to representatives of enemy countries should be locked, barred and bolted? Is it not time that this was done?

I do not know how many divisions of the Army would be required to do it, and, on the whole, I think they are better occupied in fighting the Germans.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will indicate the composition of the Committee now set up under the chairmanship of Professor Barker to consider the publication of objective history books of all countries for the post-war years?

I am circulating the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

What is meant by "objective history": is it recording of facts in a manner which must be deadly dull?

I am sure that the Committee will do their best.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of local education authorities; and how many have submitted schemes for educational reconstruction in the districts controlled by them?

There are 315 local education authorities in England and Wales. I am not sure to what my hon. Friend refers when he speaks of schemes for educational reconstruction. If he has in mind schemes under Part II of the Education Act, 1921, the answer is that no such scheme has been made and that that part of the Act is in abeyance. But perhaps he will communicate with me on this subject.

Has any scheme been made in connection with the proposed school bases?

A Question about that matter comes next on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Education which local education authorities have submitted proposals to acquire an especially large site with a view to grouping upon it a number of educational buildings and forming a school base?

No local education authority has submitted a proposal to acquire an especially large site with a view to the provision of a school base.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the Minister of Town and Country Planning with a view to encouraging local authorities to make such proposals?

In my answer of 14th February I drew attention to the fact that the local education authority was at liberty to seek a site for this purpose if so desired and there would be no difficulty in principle, and I hope that due publicity has been given to that. As to contact with my right hon. Friend, I already maintain that contact and shall continue to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children are now receiving school dinners; and what percentage are receiving them without cost to their parents?

I have no official returns later than a date in October last. These show that 896,236 children in grant-aided schools in England and Wales were receiving school dinners. My hon. Friend will readily understand that the figures have been mounting steadily during recent months. Of the public elementary school children receiving dinners in October 15 per cent. received them free. The figures do not distinguish between meals provided free and for payment in secondary and technical schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, pending the promised provision of free meals for all schoolchildren, he will apply an income scale to children in secondary schools, as is usually done in primary schools; and whether he will confine payment to the cost of the food alone?

Arrangements for secondary school pupils' dinners are primarily the responsibility of the local school authorities. The Board's, recommendations with regard to the charges to be made are indicated in a Circular issued on 3rd December, 1940, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Board of Education is informed of the scales which are applied by the local authorities?

Yes, Sir, we are signally well informed.

asked the President of the Board of Education why there is a difference in the Girls' Training Corps to the Air Training Corps for boys; whether he is aware that the Girls' Training Corps have to pay fees, get no uniform and have financial obligations which the boys have not; and whether, as this hinders enrolment in this Corps, he will take steps to put them on the same footing?

The A.T.C. for boys is a pre-Service organisation sponsored and financed by the Air Ministry to prepare boys for service with the Royal Air Force. The National Association of Girls' Training Corps is a voluntary organisation which, while specifically concerned to prepare girls for the women's services of His Majesty's Forces and other forms of National Service, takes its place with the other national voluntary organisations for girls. On the question of the supply of uniforms, I regret that I have nothing to add to the replies given on the 30th September last to the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah) and on the 23rd of last month to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir), copies of which I am sending my right hon. Friend.

Do not girls attach far more importance to a uniform, and should we not recognise the equality of the sexes in this matter?

All I can say is that girls manage to get themselves up very nicely. I am sorry there is this differentiation.

Does not the Minister realise how discouraging it is to the girls and the officers in charge of them? If he went about the country and asked about this matter, he would find out how discouraging it is because they are not on an equal footing with boys.

I do go about the country, and I am aware that there is a certain amount of dissatisfaction about this matter. If it were possible to provide uniforms, I should be only too glad to do so, but unfortunately it is not possible at present.

If the right hon. Gentleman does provide uniforms in this case, will he do so for other girls' organisations?

asked the Minister of Health whether the outbreak of diphtheria in East Yorkshire, traced to new clean milk from a farm, was due to infection the spread of which could have been prevented by pasteurisation; and what action has been taken to avoid such danger in future?

I am advised that the spread of infection in the case to which my hon. Friend refers would have been prevented by pasteurisation. I understand that only one cow is kept on the farm concerned, and the sale of milk from this farm has been ended.

Can my right hon. Friend explain why there is delay in providing more adequate measures for ensuring pasteurisation in these cases?

Is the Minister aware that in Montreal a few years ago, where all the milk was pasteurised, there was an epidemic of 3,000 cases and 500 deaths and that the cause of the epidemic was traced to a worker in the pasteurisation plant?

Is the Minister aware that recently in one of the Home Counties 40 samples of pasteurised milk, as supplied to school children, were taken away to be analysed, and 22 were found to be unsatisfactory?

I would like to see the specific terms of that Question on the Order Paper.

If milk is pasteurised, might not the germs of diphtheria gain access to it afterwards?

asked the Minister of Health how many mental clinics for outpatient advice and treatment are being maintained by local authorities in England and Wales; whether he has any approximate figures of the number of patients for the past year; and whether he has given special attention to the need for extending such centres after the war?

In 1939 there were 177 such clinics and in the previous year approximately 19,000 patients had attended them. I regret that later figures are not available. The question of post-war extensions is receiving consideration.

In view of the excellent work that these clinics are doing for the benefit of out-patients, will the Minister see that every encouragement is given to them, as far as possible, so that after the war they will be considerably extended?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis notified in the county of Durham each year from 1930 to 1942 and the number of deaths from this disease during the same period?

As the reply involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has there been a falling off or an increase in the notifications?

It is a very long table, and I would not like to make generalisations.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of several decisions not to recommend to the Ministry of Labour the deferment for national service of domestic staff, it is his policy to close down private nursing homes;

The fact that applications for deferment in individual cases are not invariably supported by my Department does not justify the conclusion which the hon. Lady has drawn. Individual applications must be considered on their merits.

May I have a reply to the second Question, and will the Minister give a direct answer to the Question whether he wishes to reduce the number of nursing homes?

The answer is, "No." I said that in my reply.

Has the Minister considered that as a matter of general policy, for instance, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, or does he deal with every individual case as it turns up?

All these cases for individual deferment, whether in nursing homes,

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the practice of granting 14 years' leases on small houses in Merseyside area is being abused by key money demands; and what steps he intends to take to prevent this?

My attention has been drawn to this matter, and I have noted the point for consideration when amendment of the Rent Restrictions Acts is practicable.

Is the Minister aware of the crying need, on account of the shortage of houses and the way in which our people on Merseyside are being exploited to the extent of paying £20 on these leases? Will he do something to deal with this exploitation and robbing of poor people?

I am aware of certain cases that have been brought to my notice, but the House will understand that the Act of 1915 had the relevant provision in it, because of the desire of the House at that time, to facilitate leases of medium length.

But this was nearly 30 years ago, and we are in a war now. Am I to understand that the Minister has no power to deal with the exploitation of the poor? Cannot he amend the Act and have this evil removed?

I have already said that I have noted the point for an amendment of the Act.

This is very important. When does the Minister intend to bring such an amendment forward?

Not at the moment.

Words, words, words and never a gleam of light.

asked the Minister of Health the gross cost of subsidising the 4,000,000 or 5,000,000 houses it is proposed to build after the war as a matter of urgency on the basis of the subsidisation which was approved under the last Housing Act?

The various rates of subsidy referred to were payable only in respect of dwellings provided for slum clearance, for the abatement of overcrowding and for agricultural workers, and it is not possible to say at present what number of houses included in the estimate mentioned in the Question would be eligible for subsidy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the cost of subsidising houses which were erected after the last war amounted to no less than £1,600,000,000, and is he going to put a similar imposition on the country when this war is over?

I have already said it is not possible to make an estimate.

Is the Minister aware that there is no object more worthy of subsidy than homes for the people?

Why cannot the houses be built without a subsidy?

In view of the urgent housing needs, will the Minister give an assurance that questions of this character will not be allowed to prejudice his future policy, and will he give special consideration to Manchester in this matter?

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what circumstances county agricultural executive committees advertise farms available for hiring; whether they accept the highest tender; whether the outgoing tenant, if on active service, has the right on his return of resuming occupation; how long are the periods of hiring; and whether the committee exercise supervision of the activities of new tenants?