asked the secretary of state for war whether he will consider granting a longer period of leave than 14 days to those men who have returned home from foreign stations when they have been absent for two or more years?

This question is at present under active consideration.

When may we expect a reply?

I think in a reasonably short space of time.

asked the Secretary of State for War what will be the position in respect of pensions and allowances for members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment now under military law?

V.A.Ds. will remain eligible as hitherto for the benefits of the pension code for members of the Forces. The same conditions will apply to them as to other women members of the Forces. In accordance with a specific recommendation of the report of the Committee on Voluntary Aid Detachments, V.A.Ds. will in general receive the same allowances as A.T.S. "other ranks."

Are any changes in the uniforms of the V.A.D. contemplated?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the apprehension aroused among members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment at the proposal in the recent White Paper that the office of commandant should be abolished, as this will mean that members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment will have no superior officers of their own to whom to appeal for help or advice; and. whether he will make a statement on the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in giving effect to the recommendations of the Committee on Voluntary Aid Detachments, he will reconsider the recommendation that the services of Voluntary Aid Detachment commandants in military hospitals shall he dispensed with; and whether he is aware that, if this recommendation is carried into effect,. members of Voluntary Aid Detachments in military hospitals will be the only women's Service with no officers of their own to look after their administration and general welfare?

I fully sympathise with my hon. and gallant Friends' concern for the care and welfare of the members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments. This question was carefully considered by the Committee before they made the recommendation referred to. The V.A.D. members usually work with the matrons and sisters of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, who, under the supervision of the commanding officer of the unit concerned, will carry out the duties which used to be performed by the V.A.D. commandants. My right hon. Friend regards this recommendation as no less acceptable than the rest of the Report.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the V.A.D. have always had their own commandants to appeal to and to administer their affairs, and would he reconsider the question of providing some means whereby they can continue to have their own commandant in the future?

Seeing that these recommendations were agreed to by the Committee, on which the V.A.D. were represented, is it not a pity that there should be all this socially-inspired prejudice against them?

The House will appreciate that this scheme has not yet come into operation. Also, it is an accepted principle in the Services that the care of personnel is vested in the officers under whom the personnel work. I am quite sure that when the scheme comes into operation the matrons and the sisters of the Queen Alexandra Imperial Nursing Service will live up to the standard which has always been set in the British Army, and will fulfil their responsibilities to the V.A.D. If, however, in the course of experience, it transpires that practical problems such as my hon. and gallant Friend has referred to arise, I am sure my right hon. Friend will give sympathetic consideration to such problems.

Will my hon. and learned Friend make it clear—which, if I may so, he has not yet done—that this was the result of agreement, or compromise, between representatives of the very people about whom Questions are now being asked? Will he also make it clear that no authoritative complaint against the proposal has come from the heads of the Service in question?

Yes, Sir. As regards the latter part of the Supplementary, I will answer in the affirmative. No complaint has been received. As regards the representative character of those who signed the Report, it was signed by Lady Limerick, of the British Red Cross, and Lady Louis Mountbatten, of the Order of St. John. It is quite true that they did express concern at one point as to the position of the V.A.D. in the event of the position of commandant being abolished. It is, however, stated in paragraph 25 of the Report that the assent of these representatives of the voluntary societies has been given in response to explanations furnished by the Director-General of Army Medical Services, concerning the more detailed application and implications of the above arrangements, and they and other members of the Committee are now satisfied that the welfare of the V.A.D. will be duly safeguarded.

Is the hon. and learned Member aware that the medical officers and the Queen Alexandra Service nurses have not the time to look after the welfare of a considerable body of members of the V.A.D. in addition to their other duties, and that the V.A.D. will he the only women's body who will not have their own officers to look after them?

I cannot accept the suggestion that the Queen Alexandra Service will not lave the time to look after the welfare of the V.A.D.; but, as I have said, if, in the light of experience, it transpires that problems arise, I am quite sure my right hon. Friend will face up to them.

What is going to be done in the meantime with these commandants?

asked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the new billeting rates announced on 1st June, whether he will explain how the new rates for heating, light, laundry and baths, offer an improvement in the amount paid, compared with the old rates?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a detailed comparison of the billeting rates in force before 1st June and those now in force. Prior to 1st June payments for heat, light, laundry and hot water for baths were only made if a prior claim was submitted by the billetor and no payment was made for fire and light unless they were provided separately for the soldier. If these services are provided payments are now made automatically and those for fire and light are made even if the soldier shares the billetor's fireside. Thus although the new rates for these services appear to result in a reduction in the payments previously made if only one or two soldiers are so billeted, in practice they will have this effect only in very few cases. If three or more soldiers are so billeted the new rates result in a net increase in the payments for heat, light, laundry and hot water. These payments must, however, be taken in connection with the payments made for lodging and for board and lodging. In most cases the new billeting rates taken as a whole give the billetor very substantial increases on the payments previously made.

May I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether he is going to

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to remove the hardships inflicted on the wives and dependants of soldiers under open arrest?

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a state- issue the explanatory pamphlet that he promised, explaining these rates?

The explanatory note I am proposing to issue merely sets out in detail a comparison between the old rates and the new rates, and I believe that that will give my hon. Friend all the information he desires.

Did not my hon. and learned Friend promise the House that he would issue a pamphlet explaining in detail the alterations that are taking place?

I have just informed the House that that is exactly what I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. and learned Friend say now that innocent people will no longer suffer for the mistakes of the men concerned?

I think my hon. Friend will find the statement satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many former members of the International Brigade have been discharged from the Army under paragraph 390, XVIII (a), King's Regulations, 1940?

No soldier has been discharged from the Army under this sub-paragraph because he was formerly a member of the International Brigade; and it is not known how many soldiers who have been so discharged served in the International Brigade.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman give the approximate figure; is it simply a handful, or will it run into hundreds?

No, Sir, I do not think that it would run into hundreds, but I am not in a position to give the approximate figure because the data is not available in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that the circumstances under which the father of Lieutenant X. D. B. Hurre, of the Royal Tank Regiment, was asked to refund £2 12s. paid to the dead officer's account, owing to the notification of his death not having reached the authorities, will not be repeated in other cases?

The sum of £2 12s. over-issued pay to which my hon. Friend refers was only one item in a provisional statement of account forwarded to the father of the late officer for his information. No claim for refund of this or of any other sum has yet been presented against the officer's estate. The final position of the officer's account is dependent on the receipt of information which is awaited from the Middle East. The question of any claim for refund will then be determined in accordance with the rules to which I referred in a reply to a number of Questions on the subject on 22nd June.

Can my hon. and learned Friend say on what date that new Regulation came into force?

I cannot give the date. It was in May. It has been in operation just under a month.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware with what contempt the country realised that the new Regulation was necessary?

I think that the country will perhaps take a different view once it appreciates the working of this arrangement, which has, as I say, just been in, operation for a very limited period.

Can the Minister say whether this Regulation will be retrospective?

It is not retrospective.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and men of the 155th Field Battery, Royal Artillery, have received military decorations in acknowledgment of their gallant stand in Tunisia; and whether he will give the names of personnel living, missing or dead, so honoured?

Two Distinguished Service Orders, one Military Cross, one Distinguished Conduct Medal and four Military Medals have been awarded to officers and men who took part in the action referred to by my hon. Friend. I will, with his permission, circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will disclose to widows and dependants of deceased soldiers such circumstances in connection with their deaths as will enable such widows and dependants to judge whether they are entitled to pensions?

The immediate cause of death is communicated to the next-of-kin, and where further information is asked for a fuller account of the circumstances in which death occurred is given, as soon as the details are available.

Is my hon. and learnt Friend aware that the practice of his Department in informing the next-of-kin that a man has been killed in the service of his country leads them only to expect a pension that may well be varied by this Regulation? Further, as long as the onus of proof is on the individual—and unreasonably placed there—does he not agree that this information should be made available?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now given consideration to allowing paratroops to retain their extra pay of 2s. a day for a period of three months if incapacitated as a result of wounds?

Yes, Sir. Instructions are now about to be issued authorising the retention of this additional pay during periods of absence on account of injuries due to flying or parachute duties, or on account of wounds received in action against the enemy, for a period not exceeding 91 days, provided that the recipient is not in the meantime posted for duty with a unit for which the additional pay has not been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of Regular soldiers who have been overseas for more than six years and who are now being brought back to this country, provision will be made to bring back their families who are residing abroad with them; and will their 'chefs be able to take their families overseas in view of the probability of no further relief for such troops for many years to come?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," but owing to the shipping difficulties the soldier and his family may not be able to travel together. No one can say how long it will be before the troops now going overseas are relieved but for a number of reasons families are not allowed to go abroad.

Can my hon. and learned Friend make an exception in the case of Regular officers and other ranks who are now being drafted overseas, because probably their stay overseas will be very extensive?

No, Sir, not in wartime. I think it would be very inadvisable to accede to this request in wartime.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men who have recently been released from reserved occupations are being granted commissions without going through the ranks?

Direct commissions are granted to a certain number of men who possess special qualifications urgently needed in the Army. In the main these are now professional engineers for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. At this stage in the call-up of men for the Forces it is inevitable that most of them do come from reserved occupations.

Will my hon. and learned Friend say whether he has considered a typical case, the details of which 1 have already sent to him?

Yes, Sir; we have been unable to find any trace of the man in question having been commissioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in many camps complaints are made that members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service cannot obtain soft drinks in the canteen and are being compelled to drink beer and that there is difficulty in getting water; and whether he will see that in all canteens there is an adequate supply of drinking water?

Water is obtainable at all canteens and any demand for it will be met. On the question of soft drinks I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Combined English Universities (Miss Rathbone) on 13th April. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any specific case he has in mind I will have it investigated.

Is not my hon. and learned Friend aware that at the camps I have visited during the last two weeks complaints were made by officers who thought it a great pity that the girls in the camps should be almost forced into drinking beer in the canteens because no soft drinks were available? Ought not his Department to take up this matter on their own initiative?

It would be of great assistance to me and the Department if my hon. Friend would let me have the names of the camps.

But is not beer virtually a soft drink anyhow?

Has there been any demand for water?

Arising out of a previous Question I put on this subject, is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there was soon afterwards an abundant supply of soft drinks at the canteen I referred to, showing that when a grievance is brought to the notice of the authorities there is no scarcity of soft drinks but that they are not always supplied unless specially asked for?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will undertake in future to permit the widow of an officer who loses his life on active service to draw the full amount of her husband's pay for the month in which he died?

My hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion has been carefully considered, but I regret that it is not considered desirable to adopt it. He will appreciate that two-sevenths of an officer's pay and family lodging allowance in full continue in issue to the wife for 91 days from the date of his death.

Does the widow of an officer receive his pay for 91 days after his death?

Two-sevenths of his pay, plus family allowances.

But is not that two-sevenths the contribution from the officer himself? Will not the Government supplement that?

No, Sir.

Is not the State supposed to be a model employer, and is it not better to do away with this pettifogging means test?

My hon. and gallant friend must realise that it possibly would not work out as he imagines. One officer may get a whole month's pay and another officer only one day's pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulated Areas Order (S.R. & O., No. 810 of 1943) signed by him on 1st June, came into operation?

This Order, which, as explained in the note on it, made a few amendments to the description of an area bordering the Bristol Channel which had, on 6th April last, been declared to be a regulated area for the purposes of the Defence Regulations, came into force on the day it was signed. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that no one has been inconvenienced because of this.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the irritation arid dissatisfaction caused among men who, because of ability and efficiency, are given special duties to perform and accordingly promoted in rank often for long periods and who, when they have finished these special tasks satisfactorily, immediately lose their stripes; and will he consider making such promotions war substantive?

The normal rules for promotion in war provide for the grant of war substantive rank after the requisite period of time has been served in acting rank. In rare cases in which particular instructional qualifications of an exceptional nature are required, local non-commissioned rank is granted and such rank does not become war substantive. The holders of such rank are not required to possess the all-round military qualifications of a non-commissioned officer and if the local rank given were permitted to become war substantive, they would in many cases be unfitted for the normal duties of a noncommissioned officer on return to general duty and would, therefore, be liable to reduction for inefficiency. There is no evidence available that the existing procedure gives rise to any dissatisfaction.

Does not my hon. and learned Friend realise that when a man has spent two periods on special jobs because of special ability and then loses his stripes it requires some explaining away to his friends? Does it not make for had discipline?

If my hon. Friend has any special case in mind perhaps he will let me have particulars. As regards the general position I think it is accepted in the Army that when a man ceases to hold a post that carries with it a certain rank he may then be liable to have to take the rank that goes with a lower post.

But where a man has done a special job on two occasions for six months ought he not to be entitled, as. a reward for his extra efficiency, to retain his stripes?

I would like to have the facts of such a case.

I will send them on.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this system of temporary rank which has to be given up when a job is finished causes a considerable amount of misunderstanding among officers and men and is very unpopular just because it is so unfair?

I am certainly aware of the feeling in the Army on this problem—anyone who has served in the Army must be aware of it—but I am afraid it is not possible in present circumstances to do anything about it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in some rural districts where considerable distances have to be covered the authorised establishment of motor transport for the use of the Home Guard is so limited that it does not include a motorcar for the use of the company or, platoon commander; and whether he will arrange that in such cases, where officers use their own motor-cars for Home Guard work, they shall he entitled to compensation in the event of the motor-car being lost or damaged by enemy action?

All War Department cars held by Home Guard units are held in a pool in each unit. They are not allocated to the holders of specific appointments. Home Guards may place their cars at the disposal of the unit, either for part-time or whole-time service. If a car which has been accepted for Home Guard use is not insured under the War Damage Act and suffers war damage when on authorised Home Guard duty, the owner will be entitled to compensation provided the unit continues to require the use of the car and the owner certifies that the car will remain available for continued use by the Home Guard. An officer who has not placed his car at the disposal of the Home Guard is not authorised to use it on Home Guard duty and will, therefore, not be entitled to compensation from Army Funds. He may, of course, insure under the War Damage Act.

Is not the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in many cases officers have placed their cars at the disposal of the Home Guard and have used them for Home Guard duties? Unless the car comes under the establishment allowed for the local Home Guard no compensation is payable in the event of damage by enemy action or while the car is being used on Home Guard service.

I do not think it would depend on the establishment if the appropriate authorities authorise the use of the car for Home Guard purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that all public references to the A.27 tank are automatically censored, although he publicly mentioned this tank by name, and frequent references to this tank have since been made in the House of Commons; and will he give instructions to discontinue this item of unnecessary military censorship?

There is no objection to the publication of the name A.27, but it is not in the public interest for any information about its characteristics to be given.

While I appreciate the hon. and learned Gentleman's difficulty in maintaining that the speeches of his right hon. Friend should receive the publicity which they deserve, while at the same time part of them are considered secret, is it not a fact that the military censorship seems to be under the impression that all_criticism of tanks and tank policy should be regarded as secret? Would he institute a more up to date view of this matter?

I think the hon. Gentleman has a Question on our next Sitting Day to the Minister of Information when, no doubt, he will get an appropriate reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the recently sanctioned 1,000 houses have been tendered for; how many contracts have been placed; how many have been approved by the Department of Health for Scotland; and on how many construction has been started?

Tenders have been received for 254 houses, and these have all been approved. Work is being carried out on 204 houses and will begin on the remaining 5o within a few days. I expect to receive further tenders at an early date, and I have recently re-emphasised the urgency of the scheme to all the local authorities concerned. I have satisfied myself that all plans submitted to the Department have been approved, and approved with promptitude.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that after four months someone is to blame for 75o houses being still untendered for, and is his Department prepared to take any action against any backward local authorities so that people may know who they are and can deal with them?

Yes, Sir. In my answer I said that I have recently re-emphasised the urgency of the scheme to the local authorities concerned and that there is only one county council at this moment which has not selected sites.

Can my right hon. Friend say why he has managed to make such substantial progress in Scotland regarding these houses while only 54 tenders have been approved for the 3,000 agricultural cottages for England? Is not this an injustice to England?

Are these r,000 houses entirely new houses, or have a number of them been under construction for a long time and been set aside during the period of the war?

The 1,000 houses in this scheme are entirely new.

Can the Minister state the price?

While tenders are still being received from some county councils it would be highly inadvisable to disclose the price.

Can the Minister say why he has not been subjected to the same virulent criticism as the Minister of Health?

Because he is a Scotsman.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the urgent necessity of preparing a large-scale production of houses in Scotland he will consider the expediency of extending the scope and functions of the Scottish Special Housing Association?

The Scottish Special Housing Association is a non-profit making organisation operating with State capital and is, in my opinion, a very useful house-building agency supplementing the operations of the local authorities. The Association's powers were extended in 1939 to enable it to build houses in any part of Scotland, and I am at present considering plans for a large-scale programme of building by the Association immediately after the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that tenants of agricultural holdings in Scotland are being given notice to quit in spite of their willingness to arbitrate on rentals and in spite of any evidence of bad husbandry; and will he consider submitting suitable legislation in order to provide reasonable security of tenure in such cases?

I understand that there have been a few cases such as those mentioned by my hon. Friend. As he will be aware, there are certain provisions in Defence Regulations designed for the protection of agricultural tenants in this matter, though I recognise that these provisions will not safeguard tenants in every case. I understand that the National Farmers' Union is collecting and examining evidence on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now able to state when the Committee on Hill Sheep Farming in Scotland will be in a position to present its Report; and whether an interim Report may be expected shortly?

I am informed that the Hill Sheep Committee have made substantial progress and hope shortly to be in a position to frame their recommendations. I do not expect to receive an interim Report.

In view of the publication of the recent report on forestry, is it not necessary that this Committee should report also, and will the right hon. Gentleman press them to do so?

The fact that the Forestry Commission have published their Report is no reason why I should press this Committee on an entirely different subject prematurely to publish their recommendations.

As the Forestry Commission's Report deals with land normally occupied in hill sheep farming, is there any prospect of having the Hill Sheep Farming Committee's Report before the Forestry Report is discussed?

I understand that arrangements have been made for the Forestry Commission Report to be discussed at an early date. I do not anticipate that the Report of the Committee upon hill sheep farming will be published prior to that discussion.

Why has there been this long delay in the publication of the Report of the Committee?

I do not believe that there has been undue delay. The matter is one of great complexity, and it has involved the Committee in prolonged discussions with numerous interests.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that in some mining districts the differentiation in price between treated and untreated coal is only is. per ton, which is inadequate to cover the total cost of the cleaning operation; and whether, when he reviews coal prices in July, 1943, he will consider removing this penalty on efficiency by the adjustment of the prices for treated coal to a more equitable basis?

I am aware of the position to which my hon. Friend refers. The matter has been receiving my close attention and will again be reviewed should an increase in coal prices become necessary.

If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is considering increasing the price, will he also make it certain that coal will be cleaned?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in substitution for licensing and insuring a motor car as a condition precedent to an application for a petrol allowance being con- sidered, he will direct petrol officers to consider applications and give provisional decisions if the amount of the Licence Duty is deposited?

I have considered this suggestion carefully. The main purpose of petrol rationing is, however, to save petrol and, whilst I recognise that the present system causes some difficulty and inconvenience to a small number of genuine applicants, my hon. Friend's suggestion would entail an unjustifiable amount of additional work and staff time in my regional offices, and I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt it. At the same time I am instructing my Regional Petroleum Officers to give all the help they can within the limits of the present system.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman now correct the inconsistent replies given by himself and the Under-Secretary on 4th May and 22nd April, respectively?

I do not recognise anything inconsistent, and I do not recognise any cause for a withdrawal.

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether special consideration in respect of the issue of a licence will be shown to an invalided ex-Service man who returns to his native town and wishes to resume his previous business?

Yes, Sir. I gave instructions to this effect last year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also use his utmost endeavour to do away with all similar vexatious controls in order that our freedom may be restored?

It is necessary to maintain control in order to give preference to invalided ex-Service men. If the controls were done away with, they would stand a poor chance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions have been instituted for infringements of Section 145 of the Companies Act, 1929; and what steps are usually adopted to see that the provisions of this Section are implemented?

Proceedings have been instituted, or initiated, by the Board of Trade against 172 persons in respect of 73 companies for infringement of this Section. The Board investigate all cases brought to their notice in which it is alleged that the Section has been infringed. The usual procedure is to bring the complaint to the notice of the company concerned. Proceedings are instituted only in serious cases or when a warning has been disregarded.

Is it not a fact that this piece of legislation is not implemented in general, and, if I give my right hon. Friend a batch of documents, will he look at them?

I shall be very glad to study any papers my hon. Friend gives me, but my own understanding is that this Section is faithfully carried out by the vast majority of those concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what have been the activities of the Department of Overseas Trade during the past 18 months; and what encouragement is being given to British manufacturers for the development of post-war markets?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department and his staff are constantly in touch with exporters, in regard both to war-time and post-war problems of export trade. It is the duty of the Department of Overseas Trade to make preparations for the revival of export trade as soon as circumstances permit, and much time and study are being devoted to these questions.

Would it be convenient for the Board of Trade to allow the Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department to explain his activities personally in the House? Might we hear his voice occasionally?

I am sure my right hon. Friend will be very delighted if oportunities are sought through the usual channels for the allocation of time for a Debate.

Will he not make an occasional appearance so that we might see him?

How often does the Post-War Trade Committee meet?

It meets very frequently but not at any fixed intervals. I will have a talk with the hon. Gentleman if he cares to do so.

Is it not a fact that the Department's staff has been considerably reduced?

Yes, it has been reduced to what might be regarded as a dangerously low level, having regard to the great importance of post-war export trade. A smaller number of officials are doing more work.

Has the Secretary been reduced?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will enable women Auxiliaries to draw clothing coupons in respect of those articles of their clothing, lost by laundries, which they have to replace from their own resources?

I have already made arrangements for coupons to be issued in such cases, if the remaining civilian clothing is insufficient for wear on leave.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of granting a licence for the manufacture of gas-heated wash-boilers in view of the fact that laundries cannot accept further work which necessitates more washing to be done at home, and in view of the fact that boilers installed many years ago now require renewal?

The manufacture of gas-heated wash-boilers would involve the withdrawal of large numbers of engineering workers from war-work, and the use of considerable quantities of scarce materials needed to make arms. I regret, therefore, that no licences for new manufacture can be granted at present.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at least one firm which has been in touch with his Department had the means of manufacturing these boilers for which there is a real demand without calling upon extra man-power or further supplies of material?

A great deal of copper and zinc is required, and we want it for making arms. If my hon. Friend sends me particulars of the cases referred to I will look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further concentrations of specific industries he is contemplating?

The concentration of the clothing industry is now proceeding. No further concentrations are contemplated at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare to what extent any exports from this country are now being sent to the neutral countries in Europe; and how current quantities differ from pre-war figures?

Goods continue to be exported from the United Kingdom to the neutral countries in Europe in so far as supply, shipping and blockade considerations allow. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, statistics of such exports in wartime are confidential. In every case, except that of Turkey, their present volume is considerably less than before the war.

How much tea and sugar is being sent to Eire?

That is another question, and perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any further statement on the amendment of company law?

Yes, Sir. I have appointed a Committee with the following terms of reference:—

To consider and report what major amendments are desirable in the Companies Act, 1929, and, in particular, to review the requirements prescribed in regard to the formation and affairs of companies and the safeguards afforded for investors and for the public interest.

• Mr. B. G. Catterns,
• Mr. Arthur fforde,
• Mr. M. L. Gedge,
• Professor Arthur Goodhart,
• Mr. Geoffrey Heyworth,
• Sir Edward Hodgson,
• Mr. Russell Kettle,
• The hon. and gallant Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Colonel H. Mitchell),
• Mr. G. W. Thomson,
• Mr. L. H. Watson,
• Mr. R. P. Wilkinson, and
• The hon. Member for Kennington (Mr. John Wilmot).

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his satisfactory reply, may I inquire whether the Committee will deal with the undesirable feature of nominee shareholders?

I have no doubt, following on a conversation I have had with Mr. Justice Cohen, that nominee shareholdings and the possibility of their abuse will be one of the matters the Committee will go carefully into. My hon. and gallant Friend has taken a great interest in this matter, and I hope he will put his knowledge at the disposal of the Committee. They will be very glad to have it.

Is not the hon. Member for Kennington (Mr. Wilmot) the Parliamentary Private Secretary to my right hon. Friend, and is it not the custom in this House that hon. Members intimately concerned with the Department should not take part in such committees as this?

No, Sir. The position of Parliamentary Private Secretaries has frequently been defined in answers to Questions. They are certainly not precluded from a form of public service in which their special knowledge will be of value. In fact, there is a recent precedent for this in the valuable service rendered by my hon. Friend the Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Hubert Beationont) on the Luxmoore Committee with regard to agricultural education. It is not desirable that hon. Members outside the Government should be debarred from giving the fullest service to the public interest in this way.

Are they outside the Government?

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, arising out of the 50-year plan of the Forestry Commission, he will give an assurance that consideration will be given to the planting of English oak trees in addition to the scheme for the development of a large acreage of conifers?

The answer is in the affirmative.

In view of the example set by his illustrious forbears in this respect, may I thank my hon. and gallant Friend very much for his reply?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that summonses against an individual for supplying to a catering establishment meat in excess of the permitted amount were heard in camera at the South-Western Police Court, on 16th June, at the request of the prosecution; and on what grounds this request was made?

Under Section 6 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, it is for the court to decide whether it is expedient in the interest of public safety or the defence of the realm that a case, or any part of a case, should be heard in camera, and it would not be proper for me to comment on the exercise of a judicial discretion in any particular case. The prosecution, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, is being conducted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and is still sub judice as it has only been completed against one of the three defendants.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many prosecutions have been instituted for this sort of offence, and for black market offences generally? Where convictions have been secured, will he see that the true names and addresses of the convicted persons are published in the Press?

I am afraid that I should require notice of both parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) who has been appointed Regional Transport Commissioner for the Eastern Region; at what salary; and from where does he carry out this work;

Sir Alfred Faulkner has been appointed Regional Transport Commissioner for the Eastern Region, with headquarters at Cambridge. Sir Alfred Faulkner is also continuing to act for the present as Director of Alternative Motor Fuels, with headquarters in London. His salary as Regional Transport Commissioner is £1,500 a year; he receives no additional salary for his work as Director of Alternative Motor Fuels.

Is the Minister in effect saying that the Director of Alternative Motor Fuels has not a full-time job?

No, Sir; I am saying that for the present—the matter is to be reviewed in two months time—it is desirable to keep Sir Alfred Faulkner in contact with this Alternative Fuels in view of the special knowledge of the work he has already done.

asked the Prime Minister whether, since the annual grant payable to a holder of the Victoria Cross is only £10 and has not varied since the institution half a century ago, he will, in connection with present-day values, increase this sum to £100, free of Income Tax, and in the case of the posthumous conferment of the honour, waive any test of the means of the next-of-kin?

Provision already exists whereby the normal pensions of £10 and awarded to recipients' of the Victoria Cross and Bar respectively may, in cases of need, be increased to £75 in all. It is not considered that pensions on this scale are inadequate for the purpose for which they are intended. Except in the Indian Army, there are no pensions to next-of-kin.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that since 1856, when the V.C. was instituted, there are real grounds for raising this amount?

It is a matter for consideration, but I do not think there have been any particular complaints about it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give this matter further consideration?

Certainly, Sir.

Favourable consideration?

asked the, Prime Minister whether, when making arrangements for the concentration of any industry, he will take steps to secure better co-operation between the Ministries of Labour, Supply and Production?

I can assure my hon. Friend that it is the invariable practice for consultations between all the Government Departments concerned to take place both before and during the concentration of any industry.

While recognising that during war-time some concentration may be necessary, may I ask whether the Departments will do their utmost to avoid dislocation and hardship, especially to small firms?

Certainly, Sir, that is done.

No, it is not.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will investigate the application in America whereby a neutraliser man-made electrical disturbance more powerful than the greatest storms of thunder and lightning can be reduced to a whisper, and in one test a 25,000-volt spark was projected directly to a wireless receiving set; and will he consider the applicability of this method for the artificial promotion of seismic disturbances, volcanic eruptions, etc.

I have been asked to reply. Further information about this device is being sought from the appropriate scientific authorities in the United States of America. When this is received, the potential applications of the device will be fully examined. My right hon. Friend is, however, advised that any device which is designed for the reception of radio waves in the presence of electrical noise is unlikely to be of use as a generator of seismic or volcanic disturbances.