asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to satisfy himself that petrol is not wasted by the Metropolitan police in trailing vehicles over straight roads in order to obtain convictions for exceeding the statutory speed limits in war time; and whether he has instituted any quota regulations to be applied to police motorcars on this kind of duty.

The petrol allocation of the Metropolitan Police Force is settled in relation to its duties as a whole, and the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend seems to me impracticable and undesirable.

If the Minister has no power over the actual amount used for this purpose, will he make representations to the Chief Commissioner of Police to impress on his officers the need for saving fuel in war-time and not using fuel by trailing cars on open spaces such as Mitcham Common and Regent's Park?

I am ready at all times to ask anybody to save petrol, but the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is outside my province.

Do I understand that the Minister agrees that trailing cars on open spaces like Mitcham Common and Regent's Park is a waste of petrol in wartime?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has made the promised inquiries as to the working of the large-scale plants in the Donetz Basin and elsewhere in Russia for the gasification of coal underground and as to the result of experiments in United States coalfields for the extraction by deep boring behind the coal-face of fire-damp for commercial uses?

Yes, Sir, but the replies have not yet been received.

Is the Minister aware that the B.B.C. recently stated in the Scottish news service that experiments in the gasification of coal underground were now in progress in a Scottish mine, and can he give any information on the matter?

I cannot without notice. I believe that a small experiment is being carried out, but this is a larger thing. As I promised the hon. Member some time ago, I will let him have the particulars as soon as they can possibly be obtained.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that nearly 200 taximeter-cabs helped to take the crowd to Windsor for the opening of the flat racing season, and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such waste of petrol?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many motor-cars and taximeter-cabs were at the last Windsor races?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of private motor cars, taximeter cabs, "drive yourself" and other hired motor vehicles, respectively, present in connection with the races at Windsor on 10th April?

With the permission of my hon. Friends I will answer these questions together, in the light of information from the Windsor police authorities. The total number of taxi-cabs recorded as bringing visitors to the course on this occasion was 59. Of these 14 were licensed for the Borough of Windsor, and could legitimately make repeated trips between the railway station and the course. This may have given an exaggerated impression of the total number. Of the 45 taxicabs licensed in other areas, all appear to have been within their "Permitted Areas" as defined in the Control of Motor Fuel Order, 1942, that is, they could legitimately bring visitors from their own area to the course, and take them back. The number of private cars and private hire-cars were not separately recorded: the total was 138. In a few cases the inquiries are not yet complete; in the remainder it is clear that the private hire-cars were operating in accordance with the terms of the Order, and that the private cars were those of owners, jockeys or other persons attending the course for business purposes for which an allowance had been duly authorised.

In view of the Order to which the Minister has referred, although petrol is authorised for business purposes, was not other transport available which they could have used, and will the Minster take steps to put an end to this sort of thing, which is very much objected to by a number of persons who consider it should not exist in war-time?

It is not for me to decide what should or should not exist in war-time; it is for this House. As long as this is allowed to continue, it is perfectly legitimate to use a taxicab to go there.

Is the Minister aware that only yesterday a man was prosecuted and fined for using a small car——

That has nothing to do with this Question.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, whether he is aware that mining engineers to be appointed as colliery inspectors are to be paid between £400 and £550 per annum, depending upon their qualifications, while the new medical inspectors at collieries are to be paid at the rate of £1,000 per annum; and whether, in view of the fact that mining engineers are skilled technicians and to attract the best quality of men to this work, he will review the salary scale to be offered with a view to substantial improvement?

My hon. Friend's Question appears to be based on a misapprehension. The salary paid to a junior temporary inspector cannot be compared with that paid to a mines medical officer, whose responsibilities extend over a whole Region. The scale of salaries in the Mines Inspectorate does not compare unfavourably with that adopted for the Mines Medical Service.

Is the Minister satisfied that this very low income scale would, and does, attract the best type of man to the Mines Inspectorate?

As the hon. Member probably knows, these are temporary appointments, and they are in the lowest grade referred to in the Question, but the salaries beyond that are, of course, very much higher. It is certainly my wish, at any rate, that financial things should not stand in the way of the very best men becoming available for this industry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make an investigation to make sure that petrol is not being used improperly on polling day in by-elections?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will take steps to arrange that in the Forest of Dean all pits having canteens with accommodation for serving light meals shall be able also to supply more substantial meals than at present, and that where this cannot be done, or where no canteen arrangements are made, extra rations shall be released to the miners direct?

Provision for serving substantial meals at colliery canteens is made at the cost of the Miners' Welfare Commission wherever there is reasonable assurance that the number of customers s likely to be sufficient to pay for the cost of the meals. The Commission has had no reason to feel assured that this is so at Forest of Dean Collieries, but if my hon. Friend has any particular collieries in mind the cases will be specially investigated if he will let me have the names.

Does the Minister realise that the changes recommended in this Question would be bound to have a good effect on the general feeling in the collieries, and ultimately on production?

If the hon. Member will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to look into them. We have made substantial progress in other parts of the country on this question.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he has taken arising from the letter sent to him from Doncaster by a seaman now serving on a tanker, which among other evidence declares that a private hire motor-car is used by two people two or three times each week for a joy-ride of 20 miles in the country?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Does not the Minister think it now time that the use of the hire service, and also taxi-cabs, to go to dog tracks should be stopped without delay, and is he aware that this is a general practice throughout the country?

As I said in answer to the hon. and gallant Member below the Gangway, it has nothing to do with me. As long as these things are allowed by Parliament to continue, it is not for me to say that they should be stopped.

Cannot the Minister terminate the supply of petrol?

No, Sir. As long as any occupation is legal it is not for me to stop the supply of petrol. I must carry out what Parliament decides.

Is the Minister satisfied that his Department can afford the petrol, and if he is not, why does he not make representations to the proper quarter?

If I were to give the figure of the consumption of petrol at the present time it would give the enemy quite a wrong impression of the state of things.

I am not asking the Minister to give any figure for the satisfaction of the enemy; I am asking whether he can afford the petrol. Surely he can say "Yes" or "No"?

"Yes" or "No" is not the proper answer, if I may with great respect say so to my hon. Friend. After all, the obvious thing to-day is to prevent all sorts of things so as to benefit the war effort, but he knows as well as I do that you cannot do without a certain amount of relaxation which must be had by the people of this country.

Is it not possible, in issuing the petrol to the Petroleum Officers, to specify the uses for which the petrol might be used, and therefore limit the supply?

Does not the Minister think there are too many heresy hunters about?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of new and reconditioned textile machinery exported since the outbreak of war and the countries of destination?

Detailed information for 1939 and 1940 has been published in Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1940 (pages 91 to 93); corresponding particulars for later years are not available for publication.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it appears rather strange that textile machinery is exported to the Middle East for the purpose of manufacturing the products which Lancashire used to sell while our textile machinery is rendered idle?

As I have assured my hon. Friend before, I am in close touch with my friends in Lancashire with regard to this matter. There are certain actions we have to take in relation to the war effort; it may be necessary to assist local production in certain areas overseas in order to assist shipping. That is the sort of consideration we have to bear in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the excessive prices now being charged for ready-to-wear and made-to-measure overcoats for civilian wear, he will arrange to have on sale in the autumn of 1943 a utility overcoat made of cloth of a minimum weight of 24 ounces at a price, less Purchase Tax, under £5 and for the ration for such overcoats to come out of the ration of the expensive overcoats on sale at present?

I have already provided for the manufacture of utility ready-made and made-to-measure overcoats from cloths weighing up to 22 ozs. per linear yard for sale to the public at prices from £2 8s. 1d. to £5 3s. 1d., and the bulk of production is within this range. I am advised that it would not be possible to provide in substantial quantity a satisfactory overcoat of 24 oz. cloth to sell retail at the price suggested by my hon. Friend. No Purchase Tax is charged on utility overcoats.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, can he explain why it is that good utility suits, which are becoming very popular and are undoubtedly sold at reasonable prices, and also ladies' costumes, are available in shops, but that as regards overcoats the tailors only speak in terms of ten guineas or more. Why is it? Cannot he afford a greater supply?

I accept with great gratitude my hon. Friend's tribute to the increasing popularity of many forms of utility clothing. With regard to overcoats, the figures I have quoted will show him that the figure he mentioned is very much above that of the bulk of utility overcoats now being made. I will be glad to have a further talk with him.

What must a person do to obtain a utility bed for a sick child?

That is a different question. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put it down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large user of clothing coupons to provide for babies and children of tender years, he will institute a separate and more generous coupon issue for their benefit and restricted accordingly?

Children already have a separate ration book; and I do not think that the present ration is ungenerous, having regard to the ever-increasing shortage of supplies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great hardship suffered by fathers, who find that their coupons are all taken away?

Does not this question show the need for further ingenuity to meet what is undoubtedly a very difficult position? Will my right hon. Friend apply his mind to it?

Yes, Sir. I am endeavouring to apply my mind to a number of these problems, with the assistance of the House. I will not give my hon. Friend details now, because I am sure he knows the provision which has been made for children and expectant mothers—entitlement to 60 coupons and to supplementary coupons and the down-pointing of many children's garments, deliberately, in order to make the ration go farther. I think my hon. Friend realises that that is not ungenerous.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that no married man has ever seen a clothing coupon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the issue of coupons for clothing and for articles of household use separately, as a means of assisting in a better balance of consumption?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered a communication from a women's organisation in Deptford urging the issue of special additional coupons to housewives, available only for the purchase of household linen, etc., and whether he can make a statement?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the replies given to similar Questions on this subject on 26th January and 2nd February, of which I am sending them copies.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that an enormous number of mothers feel a sense of grievance in that coupons which are specifically for their personal clothing requirements have to be used for household requirements?

If my hon. Friend will be so kind as to read the answers I have referred to, he will see that there are very great difficulties in doing what he proposes. I am willing to consider at any time anything that I can do to remove any legitimate grievance, subject to the overbearing problem of the shortage of supplies, which determines all these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the embargo recently imposed upon the export of commercial fish-hooks and similar goods will destroy trade in this country and result in the loss of markets which have been filled for many years by British goods; and whether, as fish-hooks were only made in the United States of America before the war on a small scale and are usually sent in boxes of 100,000 at a time, weighing approximately four cwts., he will reconsider his decision?

No, Sir. The decision to prohibit the export of commercial fishhooks to certain markets was in accordance with the policy adopted by His Majesty's Government, explained in Command Paper No. 6311 of 10th September, 1941, regarding the use of materials received under Lend-Lease.

What possible advantage to the total Allied man-power is to be gained by training labour in America to make these goods and at the same time putting trained labour in this country either to other work or out of work?

The simple point is that we have given an undertaking to the United States Government that we shall not use to manufacture in this country and export, material which has been obtained from them. Fish hooks are made from steel which is imported from the United States under Lease-Lend.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that I have sent to his Department a paper showing that the United States urgently requires these goods?

That is not in accord with my information. We are bound by this Agreement, and we are going to carry it out.

Has there been any reconsideration of the terms of Lend-Lease since the United States came into the war?

It is always the subject of discussion; details of this sort are often discussed with the United States. But we are still bound by the Agreement.

As we produce far more steel than we import, is it not the case that we cannot make these things because we have sold ourselves into bondage?

I think the hon. Gentleman's language is extremely improper, when speaking of an arrangement made with a great and friendly nation, with the object of destroying the greatest tyranny the world has ever seen. It is a small price to pay that a few fish-hooks should be exported from the United States and not from this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any further statement to make on the present restrictions on men's clothing?

Yes, Sir. I have given careful consideration to certain suggestions which have recently been made to me for relaxing the present restrictions on men's clothing. As my hon. Friend is aware, these restrictions were imposed in order to save material and labour, and have resulted in substantial economies. These are more than ever necessary today, in view of the growing shortage of shipping space available for import of materials for civilian use and the need for further release of workers from the cloth and clothing industries. These restrictions have been in force for nearly a year, and I have reached the conclusion that it would not be in the national interest to relax them now.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, because material and labour will be saved, his reply will give great satisfaction?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that this abolition of the turn-ups is not only saving cloth, but is a sanitary improvement?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider improving the quality of the artificial silk stockings and other underwear at present on sale, which are of such flimsy quality as not to be worth the money or coupons required?

Specifications for utility stockings have recently been more closely drawn, and new and improved types are now in production. Fully-fashioned rayon stockings were only manufactured in this country on a small scale before the war, the greater part of the supply being imported. As regards other underwear, I have received comparatively few criticisms, but I shall be glad to look into any particular case which my hon. and gallant Friend may care to send me.

When you are manufacturing a stocking you must use the minimum amount of labour and factory space. Would my right hon. Friend not consider whether the addition of stouter materials might not be more economical on wearing quality? Is he aware that the modern stocking will go into a spontaneous ladder if you merely wink at it?

My lady friends keep me well informed on that matter. There are many legitimate complaints to be made against rayon stockings, but the reason, as I have indicated, is largely that before the war we did not produce many of these things; they were imported from abroad. My Department has been doing its utmost, with, I think, some success, to improve the qualities, and to get the kind of improvements which my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the importance of maintaining as many small shopkeepers, food and non-food, as possible and of their special difficulties, whether he will release higher quotas of goods to them than hitherto?

As the House is aware, I have already made arrangements to assure small retailers in clothing, pottery and hollow-ware their fair share of the limited supplies now available. I am informed by the Chairmen of the Committees who supervise the schemes that these are work- ing satisfactorily. Food retail trade is the concern not of the Board of Trade, but of the Ministry of Food.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the point that the smaller the shop the greater its difficulties, and see whether he can get them even more supplies?

I am glad to say that since the fair-shares scheme for the small shopkeeper was introduced, I have had no complaint at all from this quarter. The evidence is that it is working very satisfactorily.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he will give an assurance that the impossibility of supplying all parts of occupied Europe with adequate food will not deter him from permitting navicerts for a small supply of vitamins to a particular country, if that can be done without materially interfering with the blockade and our shipping arrangements, and if the representatives of that country are of the opinion that the amount in question will be of material assistance to their children?

While I sympathise with the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind, I am afraid I cannot give the assurance for which he asks. The hypothetical circumstances envisaged by the Question would have to be considered by His Majesty's Government on their merits when they arose.

Is my hon. Friend aware that responsible people consider that the shipment of only 2,000 tons of vitamins and powdered milk would save children in Belgium? If it is so, would it not be worth while allowing it for only one month?

I doubt whether that arises out of the Question; but if that scheme is carefully examined, it will be seen that the whole benefit that might be conferred on Belgian children could be wiped out by some small reduction in the present ration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare to what extent war material, other than raw materials, is being supplied to Germany from Sweden?

Under Swedish law the export of war material is forbidden except under licence. The definition of war material for this purpose is contained in a Royal Decree dated 20th June, 1935, and includes warships, mines, torpedoes, aircraft, bombs, tanks, armour plate, guns, machine guns and explosives. As regards the manufacture in Swedish yards on German account of vessels capable of being used as minesweepers, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 25th February by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore). Otherwise we have been assured by the Swedish Government that, since the beginning of the war, no licences have been granted for the export to Germany of any of the articles mentioned in the Royal Decree. But, in addition to raw materials, Swedish exports to Germany do include certain classes of goods which, while they do not fall within the strict category of war materials, may be used cither for civil or military purposes.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that during the last war there was every reason to believe that war materials, such as torpedoes, were manufactured in Sweden and shipped direct to Germany in spite of assurances then given; will he also bear in mind that any ship is capable of mine sweeping, and will he further bear in mind when the war comes to an end the attitude adopted by Sweden and also remember the attitude of Norway?

Those considerations are, of course, constantly in mind in my Department, but I ought to say that we have no evidence to show that the assurances to which I have referred have not been kept.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare the quantities of copper and nitrate, respectively, to be shipped from Chile to Spain during this year?

The United Nations have arranged to purchase the whole of Chile's exportable surplus of copper in 1943. There will be no exports of this commodity from Chile to Spain. As regards nitrates, it is impossible to foretell the precise quantities which will be shipped, but Spanish imports of nitrates from all sources will in any case be substantially lower than those in a normal peace-time year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now decided on the subject matter from the Beveridge Report to be included in the Army Bureau of Current Affairs syllabus; and whether he will make a statement thereon?

A pamphlet on this subject is now in an advanced stage of preparation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman show the same speed in this that he did on the question of the writing of articles to newspapers, and when it is completed, will he consider putting a copy in the Library so that Members can see it?

I have already told the House several times that these documents are placed in the Library and have been from the beginning. As regards the first part of the question, there are other things as well that we have to do, one of them being not to take our eyes off the ball.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that we could have something before Easter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given further consideration to the position of acting unpaid lance-corporals; and whether he has any statement to make?

War establishments are calculated to provide a reasonable and sufficient number of non-commissioned officers for the needs of units. Local commanders have discretion to sanction the appointment of a limited number of unpaid lance-corporals in excess of the requirements as fixed by establishments. They provide a good opportunity to enable promising soldiers to develop and prove their capacity for leadership and I do not consider that these discretionary powers should be withdrawn.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction among men who are called upon to do duty for which they are not adequately paid?

No, Sir, I am not aware of any such thing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have another look at this matter; and is he aware that the unpaid lance-corporal usually gets it in the neck every time and receives no pay?

On the contrary, the unpaid lance-corporal gets the opportunity of qualifying for promotion.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

They are in the same category as the P.P.Ss.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been found possible for platoon commanders to explain to their men the system of war service grants now in operation?

As explained by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions on 26th November last, wide publicity on many occasions and in various forms has been given to the existence of these grants and to the circumstances which justify their issue. If a soldier is in any doubt about his rights, he will no doubt ask his regimental officer at "Request Hour." The possibility of including something on this sub- ject in an A.B.C.A. publication is now being considered. I do not consider that any further steps are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the computed value of clothing, feeding and housing officers in the Army of field rank and below; the value of the remission of Income Tax on a proportion of the pay; and what allowances are paid to married subaltern officers with children;

As regards the rates of pay and allowances of and the value of the remission of Income Tax to the officers referred to, I am circulating a comprehensive statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There have been no recent alterations in the rates of allowances. The following improvements in pay have been introduced since the beginning of the war:

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of keeping up a proper state of pay for the men promoted from the ranks and also bear in mind the fact that the abolition of field allowance has meant the sacrifice of £50 a year, on the average?

I do not think my hon. Friend is right in saying that there has been abolition of the field allowance. Over 30,000 officers are still drawing field allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether King's Regulations, paragraph 541, will be amended to enable a soldier on leave and in mufti during an election in his own constituency to put questions to a Parliamentary candidate at a political meeting?

No, Sir. No amendment is necessary on this account. A soldier in the circumstances mentioned who put questions in good faith to a Parliamentary candidate in order to inform his own mind, would not be taking an active part in the affairs of any political organisation or party, and would not be infringing the Regulation as it stands.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the German custom of setting fire to all inhabited places before evacuation he will give instructions that qualified firemen, with air-raid experience, properly recommended and called to the Colours, shall be permitted to join the Army Fire Service, even if of A1 category?

I explained the arrangements for providing men for the Army Fire Fighting Service in an answer I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 20th October last. If necessary, men from intakes will also be used, particularly those with previous experience which renders them suitable for this service. But men in A1 medical category will normally be sent to arms where they are more urgently needed.

asked the Secretary of State for War the rates of pay for civilian conductors and foremen employed by his Department; what allowances are they entitled to; and what increases in pay have they been given since the war began?

Foremen in Ordnance storehouses are normally paid on the basic scale of 74s. a week, rising by annual increments of 2s. 6d. to 84s. in London and 71s. rising by the same increments to 81s. elsewhere. In addition they receive the Civil Service war bonus and a war allowance of 10s. a week. Some foremen have been appointed at rates above the minimum, with the addition of war bonus and war allowance, but without annual increments. No other allowances are admissible. Apart from the war bonus and the war allowance an addition to the basic scale was made in May, 1940, which amounted to 5s. 6d. a week at the maximum and 6s. 6d. at the minimum. I understand that there is no grade of civilian conductor employed by the War Department.

Can the Minister say whether any of these civilians are now paid danger money?

If my hon. Friend will refer to my answer, he will, see that I said that no other allowances are admissible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the increasing number of electors who are being conscripted into His Majesty's Forces and are failing to use their votes through ignorance of the procedure for registering as absent voters or, on posting overseas, for giving proxy, he will take immediate steps to ensure that commanding officers instruct all ranks on the procedure to be followed in such matters and to advise them, as their duty as citizens, to do so without delay?

The procedure to be followed has already been brought to the attention of all ranks by a notice posted on the notice boards of all units of the Army. The general responsibility of the soldier as a citizen, including the importance of exercising his vote, has been constantly stressed in talks and discussions conducted under the Army Education Scheme.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me of the approximate date this notice was posted up? Further, is he aware that large numbers of sailors, soldiers and airmen still do not know the procedure to be followed?

I do not know the exact date it was posted up, but it was some time early this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War the position regarding the issue of physical train- ing kit to the members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

Physical training kit has been issued to A.T.S. physical training instructors and to auxiliaries employed on operational duties with mixed heavy antiaircraft batteries or undergoing instruction in the duties of these units. Supplies of kit have also been issued for the use of all auxiliaries at basic training centres and some others.

Am I to understand that this is not issued to all members of the A.T.S. who have to do physical training?

That is so; it is not issued to everybody. For those I have mentioned either an issue or a supply is made available.

But is it not a fact that this physical training is compulsory and that after doing it in their ordinary clothes these women have to carry on with their ordinary work, in an uncomfortable state?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the progress made with the formation of, and recruiting for, the Palestine Regiment?

As a result of the announcement I made on 6th August, orders were issued for the formation of the Palestine Regiment, which is now a unit of the British Army. I have at the moment nothing to add to the statement I made about it on 15th December in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that the steel tubing formerly used for anti-tank defences or kept in dumps for this purpose and now found to be redundant will not be used for scrap, but when suitable, for industrial purposes?

Steel tubing which can be used will not be scrapped. Large quantities are needed by the Army and for other Government Services but large quantities should be available for industry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under the present regulations officers are not entitled to dental service; and whether he is prepared to alter this rule, at least in operational areas, where civilian dentists are not readily available?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Officers may obtain free of charge all necessary dental treatment from Army dental sources wherever they are available. Dentures can also be obtained from Army dental sources. These are supplied free where the need is due to a wound received in action, or to an injury incurred in the performance of military duty, or is incidental to medical treatment for an attributable disability. In other cases dentures are supplied on repayment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I was myself refused dental treatment on the grounds stated in the Question, and will he take steps to see that dentists in the Middle East understand Army Instructions?

asked the Secretary of State for War on what basis is compensation paid to the dependants of members of the Home Guard who are killed by accidents through explosions whilst on duty; whether pensions are payable at Army officers' or privates' rates, respectively; and whether the issue of this pension precludes, or is without prejudice to, any award of compensation for claims based on negligence as the cause of the accident?

Where the death of a member of the Home Guard is attributable to service, his dependants are eligible for consideration for pension under the normal conditions of the Services pension code for the present war, but at basic, or private's, rates only, without addition for rank. Except in the case of "war injuries" under Section 3 (1) of the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, there is no statutory bar against Common Law claims by dependants of members of the Home Guard. If in any case a successful action for damages at Common Law were pursued, I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions has power to take the amount of damages awarded into account in connection with the pension entitlement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make a statement with regard to women working with the Home Guard?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet to come to a decision in regard to the employment of women with the Home Guard and the terms and conditions of their enrolment and service?

It has been decided that a limited number of women, proportionate to the strength of the Home Guard, may be nominated for service as auxiliaries with the Home Guard to perform non-combatant duties such as clerical work, cooking and driving. Women between 18 and 65 will be eligible for nomination, but instructions have been issued that Home Guard battalion commanders should give preference to those over 45 or those who are not liable to direction to other work. Women nominated will wear a badge brooch. The shortage of women-power for part-time duties is such that it will not be possible to exempt women nominated for service with the Home Guard from being directed to any other form of full-time or part-time service. The nomination of individual women will be permitted, but Home Guard commanders are being instructed wherever possible to make use of existing women's organisations which indeed have in very many places been performing services to the Home Guard on an unofficial basis. I am very pleased to have this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable and devoted services which they have performed.

This is not the time to comment on the details of the answer, but may I, on behalf of these women who are helping the Home Guard, ask the Minister to accept their thanks for this statement, which is an official recognition of the work they are doing; and may I also remind him that to-day is Hitler's birthday and that this is an appropriate message to the Fuehrer?

Does the issue of a broach mean that they will not be issued with uniforms?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend assure us that no nurses or midwives will be allowed to be diverted?

Can my right hon. Friend say when this arrangement will take place, and will he also note that this announcement will cause great satisfaction?

As regards the first part of the Supplementary Question, instructions have already been issued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total value of war supplies received from the United States of America since the outbreak of the war; the amount paid for by the liquidation of British assets in America and by British funds generally; and the value of reverse Lend-Lease supplied by Great Britain to the United States of America?

No monetary record is kept by us of the monetary value of war supplies received from the United States of America as Lend-Lease aid, nor of reverse Lend-Lease supplied by us to the United States. As regards supplies for which we have made payment, as I stated in the Budget speech on 12th April, this country has actually spent some £1,500,000,000 in the United States since the outbreak of war on supplies, munitions, and the provision of capital equipment for the prosecution of the war.