asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men called for medical examination at Newport, Monmouthshire, prior to being conscripted for the R.E.M.E. were refused Form N.S. 13, and were informed by the representatives of his Department that conscripts for the R.E.M.E. were not entitled to the provisions of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act; and whether this was with his authority?

Men summoned for interview and medical examination under the Specified Classes of Persons (Registration) Order are entitled to apply immediately for postponement of their call-up in the usual way immediately after medical examination, but it is explained to them that it is not generally in their interest to do so at that time. They may not be called up until after a considerable interval, if at all, and a decision given previously against postponement could not be altered afterwards in the event of new circumstances arising. It is, therefore, in their interest to await the opportunity of putting in such an application, which will be given to them later on if it is decided to call them up. I understand that the position was explained to the men at Newport, but as they appeared to be doubtful as to their position, postponement application forms N.S.13 were given to them.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the form N.S.13 was refused to these men and that in one case in particular was granted only after an application by a Member of this House? Will he see that representatives of the Department state to the men their rights under the main Act when they are before a medical board?

Yes, Sir. I think the instructions concerning the explanation to be given in this case were not as clear as they might have been, and I am looking into them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his denial to members of the Auxiliary Air Force, whose discharge and simultaneous call up for service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is pending, of the right to apply for postponement certificates is based upon his interpretation of the references to medical examination in Section 6 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, and in Section 4 of the National Service (No. 2) Act, 1941?

I am advised that members of the Auxiliary Air Force who are discharged and called up for service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the National Service (No. 2) Act, 1941, do not cease to be members of the Armed Forces of the Crown and that the postponement provisions in Section 6 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, do not apply to members of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

In those circumstances will my hon. Friend explain how it is that the calling-up notices were served upon these men by the Minister of Labour as though they were civilians?

As this is a matter of some legal complexity, perhaps my hon. Friend would see me and the legal representatives of my Department afterwards. It is a difficult matter to discuss across the Floor of the House.

asked the Minister of Labour what decision he has come to concerning the ratification by the British Government of the following Conventions: Placing of Seamen, 1920, Repatriation of Seamen, 1926, Officers' Competency Certificates, 1936, Holidays with Pay (Sea), 1936, Shipowners' Liability (Sick and Injured Seamen), 1936, Sickness Insurance (Sea), 1936, Hours of Work and Manning (Sea), 1936, and Minimum Age (Sea) (Revised), 1936?

My right hon. Friend hopes to present to Parliament at an early date a White Paper containing the proposals of the Government with regard to the ratification of these Conventions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the fact that certain factories in the Midlands, where decisions have been given by appeal tribunals under the Essential Work Order for the reinstatement of men, the practice continues to exist of placing them on the pay roll and not providing them with any work to do; and what steps he is taking to put an end to this practice?

On this matter generally I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) on 10th June. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will be happy to have inquiries made.

I will certainly do that, but will the hon. Gentleman give as much publicity to this matter as he can, because there are a certain number of people, including even National Service officers, who appear to be unaware of the exact position?

Yes, Sir.

Will the hon. Gentleman see in the future that if these people persist in not carrying out the provisions of the Essential Work Order, they will be jailed as well as the men?

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-Service men he has been able to place in permanent employment since the beginning of hostilities; and what steps he is taking to implement the suggestions contained in the Tomlinson Report?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Wansbeck (Mr. Scott) on 13th May and to the hon. Member for the Moss Side division of Manchester (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) on 23rd March, of which I am sending him copies.

What about the second half of my Question, on the Tomlinson Report?

That is dealt with in one of the answers referred to.

How soon can my hon. Friend make an announcement?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information in connection with the boiler explosion and the collapse of the boiler house at Glossop, Derbyshire, on Friday, 25th June; and when the boiler was last inspected?

I understand that this was an explosion of a piece of steam receiving plant. The circumstances are being investigated by the Factory Inspectorate, and the inquest is to be held on Friday. I am not in a position to make a further statement at present.

Will inquiries be made as to when the boiler was last examined?

I am sure that will be done at the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is competent for any public educational committee, directly or indirectly, to inquire as to the religious convictions of applicants for teaching vacancies in their schools; how many complaints in respect of this have been brought to his notice; and whether the qualifications of efficiency and character will remain the only tests that will be applied to such applicants?

There is no statutory provision limiting the scope of questions which may be asked of a person seeking employment in a school provided by a local education authority. As a matter of practice no religious test or inquiry into the religious opinions or practices of such a candidate is made and the question of his adherence to a religious denomination is not raised. This is established by the fact that the last complaint in this respect of which my Department has a note occurred twelve years ago. I have at present nothing further to add.

While appreciating that answer, may I ask the Minister whether he would consider a particular case if sent it on to him?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are houses partially completed, some almost ready for habitation, on a housing estate in Sankey, Lancashire, builders A. G. Liggins; that an approximate expenditure of £5,000 would comfortably house 200 people; and whether anything can be done, financially or otherwise, to lessen the housing shortage by completing those nearly ready for use?

My information about this private scheme is that since early in 1940 every facility has been given for the supply of controlled material as required from time to time. In August, 1941, on the recommendation of my Department, a licence was issued by the Ministry of Works for the completion of 31 houses which were in an advanced stage, at a total cost of £ 5,000, but after the lapse of a year the work had made no further progress. Renewed application was made in 1942, but this was refused owing to shortage of labour and materials, I have asked my officers to make an investigation at once in order that I may consider whether it is practicable for me to take action which will ensure the completion of these houses.

Thank you.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 3,000 agricul- tural cottages in the proposed scheme have been allocated to urban district councils situated in agricultural areas?

These cottages have nearly all been allocated to rural districts where the agricultural need is most acute, but four cottages have been allocated to the Burnham-on-Crouch urban district and four to Wenlock borough.

asked the Minister of Health, where, and to what extent, any actual construction has commenced in the building of any, and how many, of the 3,000 proposed rural cottages?

The construction of 92 cottages has been commenced. With permission I will circulate a list of the areas in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Reports on progress have not yet been called for but the responsible Rural District Councils are, I know, fully seized of the urgency of the matter and I am confident will see that the work of construction is carried out with all speed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say specifically whether in those cases a list of which he is circulating work is actually in progress?

I have said the construction of 92 cottages has been commenced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will provide against the use of basements for residential or office purposes in any new buildings?

In the Housing Act, 1936, and in the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, there are provisions stringently controlling the use of underground rooms for human habitation. As at present advised, I am not sure that complete prohibition of the use of underground rooms for residential or office purposes is necessary.

That is so as regards existing buildings, but with regard to new buildings it is a very serious problem with the Corporation of London. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear that in mind?

I should have thought myself that the law of 1936 would set the standard for new buildings.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer the matter to the Advisory Committee?

I could easily put it to the Central Housing Advisory Committee.

Are the basements of the new Govt. offices in George Street which were occupied in the autumn of 1929 still so occupied?

The hon. Gentleman had better put that question on the Paper.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman knows. They are under his own building.

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will provide for new buildings to be rat-proof in their construction?

While I shall be happy to consider any suggestions my hon. Friend may be able to make towards this object, I am advised that no practicable method has yet been discovered of attaining that object completely.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear this in mind in the Committees which are considering future building, inasmuch as there is very great eonomic loss from rats in warehouses?

Undoubtedly.

asked the Minister of Health whether private builders, in their plans for post war housing, should proceed on the assumption that they will receive the same amount of Government subsidy which it is intended to give to local authorities?

No, Sir. I would remind my hon. Friend that despite the absence of subsidy large numbers of houses were built by private enterprise during the years before the war.

Why should local authorities have more favourable conditions than private enterprise?

Our experience of many years has shown that there is a field for local authority building and a field for private enterprise building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that private enterprise never functioned after the last war until local authorities had almost ceased to build houses because of unfair competition and it was not until after the Mond Housing Act that private enterprise was placed in a position to build houses to let at low rentals. Private enterprise has always built better houses at lower cost and rentals.

Of the 4,000,000 houses built after the last war, 1,000,000 were built by local authorities and 3,000,000 by private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that houses with vacant possession are being offered for sale at double and treble their pre-war values; and, as many persons are compelled to buy houses owing to the shortage of accommodation, what steps he proposes to take to prevent this exploitation of the housing shortage?

I am having this whole question examined, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on it shortly.

asked the Minister of Health how far, in giving his consent to the sale of municipal houses since the war, he has stipulated that, for the protection of future tenants, these properties should not be decontrolled?

Houses built by local authorities as part of their housing operations are expressly excluded from the scope of the Rent Restrictions Acts, and are, therefore, not controlled. If such houses are sold and subsequently let they become controlled.

Are we to understand that these houses, upon sale, become controlled?

These or any others.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inadequate protection afforded to tenants of houses and furnished apartments by the provisions of the existing Rent Restrictions Acts, he proposes to take any further steps to protect tenants?

I am at the moment reviewing the working of the existing arrangements in consultation with the associations of local authorities and hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Health what practicable steps he proposes to take to meet the increasing need of securing adequate accommodation for families; and whether he will consider extending powers of requisitioning beyond those for persons who are required to move because of the war effort so as to cover cases of overcrowding or unhealthy accommodation?

I am at present considering, in consultation with the associations of local authorities, what further action can and should be taken in this matter, and I shall inform the House of the result as soon as possible.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is an increasing number of mothers with one or two children who are being refused accommodation? What practical steps has he in mind to deal with this very grave situation?

That is the very thing we are now discussing— not only powers but machinery.

When may we expect a report on the matter?

As soon as ever I can, and it will be quite short.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it illegal for landlords to refuse to let houses where women have children?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give figures showing the number and percentage of nurses employed in general hospitals who contract pulmonary tuberculosis; and what relation these figures bear to those employed in tuberculosis sanatoria?

I regret that no such figures as my hon. Friend mentions are available. I would point out, however, that in the Report of the Medical Research Council Committee on Tuberculosis in War-Time published in October last it was stated that evidence from other countries and expert opinion in our own suggest that the risk of contracting tuberculosis from nursing tuberculosis patients in sanatoria is no greater than that involved in general hospital nursing. It may also be noted that in the Registrar-General's Decennial Supplement of 1931 regarding occupational mortality it was observed that mortality statistics provided no evidence of special occupational risk of tuberculosis infection in the nursing profession.

As this question was put directly to establish that point, is it riot possible to get statistics, because tuberculosis is notifiable, and it ought to be easy?

I do not think it is easy, out I will consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement with regard to the crane flies which breed in the sewage filter beds of the Birmingham, Tame and Rea District Drainage Board and infest the neighbourhood of Minworth and Curdworth; and what steps he is taking to secure the abatement of this nuisance?

I have assured myself by inquiry that the Drainage Board have, by temporary alterations in the composition of the sewage and by treatment with salt and, more recently, gas liquor, taken the best measures available within present knowledge, and with due regard to the preservation of the filters, to alleviate the conditions complained of. Expert research into the fauna in filter beds is in progress at Minworth under the auspices of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

While I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his active intervention and while I recognise that the Drainage Board have tried to abate this disgusting nuisance, may I ask whether the facts do not indicate that there is something radically wrong with the system?

There is a difficulty on the scientific side; "Daddy long legs" are causing us a lot of trouble.

Will my right hon. Friend appoint a committee of inquiry to investigate this nuisance?

I have already said I will keep a special eye on the case, to which I am grateful to my hon. Friend for calling attention.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether steps are being taken to reconsider the courses and examination for the diploma in public health, in accordance with modern requirements, for which the present regulations are insufficient and out of date?

The present resolutions and rules of the General Medical Council for diplomas in public health came into force in October, 1938. In 1938–9 a visitation of examinations for such diplomas was made by the Council. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the general report of the public health committee of the council on the visitation, which was published in May, 1940. While this criticises the examinations in detail, it does not appear to support the suggestion that the resolutions and rules are insufficient and out of date. In any event war conditions would make any general revision of the curriculum for such diplomas inopportune.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that Assumption B in the Beveridge Report rests very largely , upon medical officers of health, who are one of the linch pins, and that the very large number of suggestions that are proposed for the realisation of Assumption B provide that in the future the qualification "D.P.H." will be considered essential?

That point will be kept in view.

asked the Minister of Health whether the payment of old age pensions is automatically stopped on the applicant appealing for aid to the Public Assistance Board; what other circumstances entail a similar stoppage of pension; and whether the payment is maintained to the applicant or the institution when the pensioner enters a mental home or similar institution?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir," but an old age pension is not payable during the maintenance of a pensioner in a Poor Law institution, unless he has become an inmate for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, in which case there is no automatic disqualification so long as treatment is required. As regards the second part of the Question, an old age pension is not payable during imprisonment without the option of a fine, or during maintenance as a criminal lunatic. As regards the third part, a non-contributory old age pension is not payable to or in respect of a person who is being maintained as a rate-aided person of unsound mind or is being detained in a mental hospital; this disqualification does not operate where the pension is a contributory one.

asked the Minister (of Health whether, having regard to the billeting powers now exercised by local authorities, he will consider a modification of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Billeting Order (S.R. & O., No. 986 of 1939), so as to provide that the tribunals of appeal should be independent of the authorities against whose action an appeal is made?

Although the members of the billeting tribunals were originally appointed by the mayor or chairman of the local authority for the area, they are not in any way dependent on the local authority in carrying out the duties assigned to them. I am in no doubt that in general these difficult duties have been carried out very well, and I do not think that any alteration is called for.

Would it not be practicable for local magistrates to nominate independent persons so that there shall be no question whatever of local authorities appointing judges in their own case?

If my hon. Friend is in any difficulty, I would like to discuss it with him, but in general that would not be my view.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that in certain districts the provisions of the Rating and Valuation (Postponement of Valuations) Act, 1940, are being nullified by proposals to amend assessments in selected parishes of certain classes of property; and whether he will circularise county valuation committees pointing out to them the undesirability of initiating such a piecemeal revision of assessments at the present stage of the war?

The Act of 194o, to which my hon. Friend refers, left it open to ratepayers on the one hand and to rating authorities and county valuation committees on the other to make proposals for altering existing assessments. As at present advised I do not think I should be justified in suggesting that rating authorities and county valuation committees should forgo their statutory right of taking steps to secure the alteration of assessments which they believe to be incorrect.

Does my right hon Friend appreciate that the work of revision of assessments is handicapping the war effort, and not only those who have to appear before Committees to give evidence but also those who sit on the Assessment Commission?

I will inquire of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to see whether he has any information on that point.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur William Pettet, 26, Marlborough Road, South Chingford, London, E.4, has been expelled from the National Deposit Friendly Approved Society because he served six months' imprisonment as a conscientious objector to military service; that an ,appeal against the decision of the society was upheld by the Referee, Mr. Kennett Macmorran; whether in view of the fact that Pettet has already suffered for his offence, he will take steps to wipe out this additional penalty by restoring the man to membership of his approved society, and how many approved societies, giving their titles, have adopted this punitive policy?

I am aware of this case, but I would point out that under Section 163 (4) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1936, the Referee's decision is final and conclusive. With the exception of a similar one in the same society, no other case of the kind has come to my notice.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think really it is fair that a man having already atoned for an offence and served six months' imprisonment should be penalised further by being expelled from his approved society? Cannot he take some action to prevent this persecution?

The hon. Gentleman asks my opinion on the matter. That is not in the Question. The position is that the competent authority under the law has made a decision, and it is final.

Cannot something be done in this case? Further, when the Beveridge proposals are initiated will he be able to take further steps to deal with the matter?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a certain property, of which he has been informed, was represented to have been requisitioned for an isolation hospital by the county authority on Government instruction when in reality the property was taken from the owner by the county authority without Government sanction or any apparent knowledge of the matter, the property being entirely used for the county authority's own purpose; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have been in correspondence with my hon. and gallant Friend on the case to which he is referring and have already offered the services of the Ministry to assist in negotiating an agreement between the owner of the property and the local authority concerned. To this offer I have received no reply at the moment from the owner of the property.

Did the Department come in as soon as the local authority requisitioned the premises?

I think there is a misunderstanding. The house was originally requisitioned by the rural district council for an isolation hospital. That was in order. Later it was not found necessary and it was then de-requisitioned. The Merioneth County Council then wanted it for their own purposes of which we approved. The County Council, as I understand it, applied to the owner for ordinary free tenancy agreement, but he thought the 'house was re-requisitioned; that is not so. What is wanted now is an agreement. I will do my best to help the matter through.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds he has refused a pension to the widow of a soldier, whose name has been given to him, who died in the Middle East suffering from head injuries, and whose death was stated to be in the service of his country?

As the injuries sustained by the soldier in question were the result of a traffic accident which occurred whilst he was not on duty, I regret that under present arrangements I cannot award his widow a pension. As, however, the hon. Member will be aware, I am shortly to make a statement to the House on pension matters generally, including accidents to members of the Forces while they are not on duty, but he will appreciate that I cannot anticipate any decision which may be reached on this question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the information he has just been good enough to provide is considerably more informative than that sent to the next of kin? Will he consult with his colleagues with a view to adopting a form of notification of death to be sent to the next of kin so as to convey as much information as possible?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that voluntary subscriptions by colliers and other workers for their comrades serving with the Armed Forces are taken into assessment when considering war service grants; and whether instructions can be issued to ignore such items of household income?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Central Bristol (Lady Apsley) on 23rd June last, of which I am sending him a copy.

As that reply, which I have not seen, was probably unsatisfactory, may I ask whether these contributions by workmates to their colleagues in the Services are not in the nature of a voluntary whip round and whether he will not totally ignore such contributions?

My Department has to make up the deficiency in the income of the household. That is our duty and we must take into consideration what the income is. If it is just an occasional gift of money or kind we should, not take it into consideration, but if it is a regular income it must be taken into consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that what he is doing is to throw some of his responsibility on to the voluntary efforts of these workers?

I do not agree.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the effect of the decision is that where these men previously contributed they are now ceasing to do so?

We make up the deficiency anyhow.

Is the Department really bound to treat as income voluntary and friendly gifts of this nature? Is it not all very mean?

There is a good deal more in it than that.

Does it not also impinge on the whole question of Easter offerings?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give an estimate of how much money would have been involved over and above the payments already made for pensions and dependants allowances had all claims been met since the beginning of the present war?

I regret that the records of my Department do not enable me to furnish the hon. Member with the information desired.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision that the death of Mr. L. E. Sunderland, of 17, Church Crescent, Muswell Hill, N.10, a Civil Defence worker, was not due to the injury which he received on duty, in view of the verdict of the coroner for the county of Middlesex that death was accelerated by a fracture of the spine sustained by a fall from an upper bunk at an air-raid precautions post; and whether coroners' verdicts are considered in deciding the eligibility for a pension?

As I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member, the case of Mr. Sunderland has been thoroughly investigated. All the evidence, including the report of the coroner's inquest, has been considered by my principal medical advisers who, however, are unable to certify that Mr. Sunderland's death at the age of 68 from a prostatic affection, common amongst elderly men, was accelerated by the injury which he sustained some three months before, and after which he was able to continue at duty.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the strength of feeling that must be aroused among Civil Defence workers when his Department overrides the verdict of a coroner's inquest after it has heard expert medical evidence, and is he prepared to reconsider the case?

We have to take all medical evidence into account, including the findings of the coroner's inquest, and in a case like this, where there can be no possible connection between the disease from which the man died and any injuries he received, we are bound to find against a claim.

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

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds the denial of the right of a pension to the unmarried dependant of a member of the Civil Defence services, who may have been killed or may die as a result of Civil Defence duties, is justified, as such a dependant of a member of the fighting forces is eligible under certain circumstances for a pension; and whether he is prepared to promote the necessary legislation to remove this anomaly?

This is a matter which is included in the general review of the provisions of the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme which I have undertaken and which is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he proposes to continue the discrimination between accidental death occurring on 48 hours' leave and seven days leave, respectively, when deciding whether a widow's pension is admissible?

This is one of the matters upon which I hope to make an announcement at an early date.

Will my right hon. friend bear in mind that there is no sense or logic in making this discrimination?

The right hon. Gentleman has made three or four references to the statement he is going to make in the near future. Is that intended to initiate a Debate, or is it merely to explain the provisions of a new Royal Warrant?

I understand that arrangements are being made through the usual channels to have a full Debate on my statement.

asked the Minister of Pensions approximately the additional annual cost that would be involved at the present time if rue onus of proof as regards eligibility for pension in the case of ex-Service personnel, enlisted as Grade I was shifted on to the State and the assumption adopted that such a person was entitled unless the contrary is proved?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

Can my right hon. friend at any rate say whether the amount would be substantial?

I cannot give any information at all.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give an assurance that the absence of any Service medical tests or any recorded medical history will not prejudice the interests of any Home Guard who may have occasion to apply for a disability pension?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether copies of A.F.B.117 and of proceedings of courts of inquiry into accidents or diseases suffered by members of the military forces are made available to claimants for war pensions on the ground of such accidents or diseases?

If a member of the Forces is discharged on medical grounds his case, with all the relevant documents, is referred automatically to my Department for consideration and no formal claim has to be submitted by the individual concerned. When the Pensions Appeal Tribunal Bill now before the House becomes law a dissatisfied ex-member of the Forces will have the right of appeal to an independent Tribunal and, if he exercises this right, he will be supplied with a statement of the facts relating to his case. The form of the statement and what documents should go with it is a matter for consideration and may be dealt with by the Rules to be made by the Lord Chancellor under the Bill now before the House.

As these documents contain the history of the accident that occurred in the Service, will my right hon. Friend see that claimants receive copies of them?

I notice that the hon. Member has an Amendment to the Bill, and perhaps he will await the discussion on it.

asked the Secretary of State for India the latest estimate of the rise in the cost of living in India since 1939, and whether he can give an assurance that further inflation will be prevented or rigidly controlled?

No cost-of-living index numbers are available for India as a whole. The working-class cost-of-living index for Bombay City, which is the most reliable guide, showed a figure of 225 for the month of April last, as compared with 105 for August, 1939. The Government of India have put into effect a considerable number of measures designed to combat the danger of inflation, and will not hesitate to take such further steps as may be required.

Is it not true that wages in this area have risen far less than the cost of living?

Wages have, I think, risen by some 75 per cent., and there are also cost-of-living allowances in addition.

Why have the Government of India been less successful in preventing inflation in India than the Government of this country?

India is a very different country from this.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will recommend to the Government of India to take immediate steps, in concert with the Provincial Governments and, if possible, with the Indian States, to review the position of education in India with a view to providing edudation facilities for all Indian children within in years of the cessation of hostilities, and to effect a drastic reduction of adult illiteracy?

The hon. Member can rest assured that his desire for educational progress in India is fully shared by the Indian Governments and Legislatures in whom the responsibility in this field is vested.

While that is no doubt true, may I ask whether we could have some evidence of a constructive plan to deal with this urgent question over the next few years?

I believe that all the Governments concerned are actively intersted in promoting education in so far as circumstances allow.

Is it not a fact that educational progress in India has been hampered by the disbandment some 16 years ago of the Indian educational service, and will my right hon. Friend seriously consider setting up again some all-Indian educational service?

The matter is primarily confined to the Provinces under the Government of India Act.

Is it not true that the fact remains that after many years of British opportunity only 15 per cent. of the population are literate?

And will my right hon. Friend educate Gandhi?

Is it not the case that education has been a transferred subject since 1920?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether copies of Hansard are supplied to the Viceroy and to Governors of States in India?

Hansard is supplied regularly to the Viceroy by the India Office. Provincial Governments obtain their requirements through the High Commissioner for India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further statement to make as to the food shortage in India, its cause and the measures taken to improve the position; to what extent grain is still being hoarded by middlemen; whether searches were carried out and punishment inflicted in cases detected; and whether prices are controlled and how these corn-pare with the prices in the same months in 1939?

The basic facts have not changed. There is no overall shortage of food grains while India has harvested a bumper crop of wheat this spring. There is, however, grave maldistribution for which responsibility is shared by all parties from the cultivator upwards. The plans elaborated by the Food Department of the Government of India earlier in the year have been less successful than was hoped and the Government of India are now considering, in consultation with the Provinces and States, what measures it is best to take, both short term and long. Pending their conclusions it would be inopportune to make any further general statement. As part of the comprehensive measures which are required, severe steps have been taken against middlemen in parts of India and may have to be taken elsewhere. As regards prices, wheat is about 3⅓ and rice in Calcutta something like 9½ times that of September, 1939. This last figure is not applicable to other parts of India, in some of which the prices are very much lower. These prices are not controlled.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that reports of whipping for offences arising out of or in connection with political disturbances show that in three districts of Sindh alone 800 such penalties have been inflicted during the past three months; and whether he will publish the full records of penalties of whipping inflicted in British India during the past year?

I have no information about canings in Sind in the past three months. If the hon. Member will communicate to me the source of his information, I will make inquiries. Collected statistics for British India are not available and I would not feel justified in asking that Provincial Governments should undertake in present circumstances to supply them.

In view of the fact that my right hon. Friend stated in March last that the figures for these sentences in all India were 958, are we to assume from the figures he has now given that sentences of this kind have vastly increased during the last few months?

No, Sir. Those were figures in connection with an outbreak of murderous violence last autumn. I am glad to say that that outbreak has ceased, and I have no reason to suppose that there have been numerous sentences of that kind in India as a whole. The Question of the hon. Member referred to Sind, where there was martial law owing to another outbreak. Martial law has been suspended since 1st June. I have no further figures in regard to Sind.

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to make the constitutional position clear in this matter? Surely under the Government of India Act he is not responsible for law and order, except where there is military control. Has there been any alteration in the practice of his predecessors, who said that these were matters for the Provincial Governments?

I am much obliged to my noble Friend for his question. The original Question referred to Sind, which in these matters is self-governing. Martial law was however imposed in Sind and to that extent I felt justified in dealing with the question.

Is it the view of the right hon. Gentleman that if sentences of this kind increased enormously all over India, that would be a matter in which the India Office would have no interest at all?

Constitutionally, this is a matter left in the hands of the self-governing Provinces and no longer one for question and answer in this House.

I am sorry to have to raise the same matter again, but I think I shall have to make it a point of Order. It has been the practice for years in this House to say that it is not in Order to answer Questions which come within the complete purview of the Provincial Governments. Will my right hon. Friend say whether that is the position to-day? It was not clear from his answer.

Yes, Sir, that is entirely the general position, with regard to Provinces enjoying self-government; but, in so far as matters have been affected by special causes like martial law, or by Rules under the Defence of India Act, or like the disturbances last autumn, I felt that I could not very well refuse to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many protests from Indian persons or organisations the Governor-General of India has received in regard to the whipping of Indians arrested in connection with political agitation?

I have no information.

Have any steps been taken to bring to an end this abominable practice?

I have answered this Question very fully on previous occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many young people under 21 years of age have been punished by whipping during the past 12 months; how many of these were under 16 years; and how many girls and young women are in prison, or under detention, for political offences?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 20th May.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that that reply was no reply, as it gave no information at all?

That depends upon the character of the reply.

Are these cases reviewed from time to time as to the numbers who are imprisoned and who have been subjected to this treatment?

I am afraid I did not catch the hon. Member's question.

I asked whether cases were reviewed from time to time or whether there is no review whatever.

As I have already pointed out, there is no occasion for me to inaugurate reviews of matters which are within the competence of Provincial Governments.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman a moral responsibility to stop these whippings?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether any consultations have taken Place between the United Nations on the question of the German financial and industrial penetration of Europe; has his attention been directed to the survey of Europe by the United States Office of War Information; and can a statement be made on the matter;

(2) whether he is aware of the German financial penetration of all German dominated countries and other Fascist satellite countries by the ramifications of the Hermann Goering Trust which now controls the European heavy industries; and, in view of this development, will he give an assurance that unconditional surrender means that all the German finance and industrial interests shall be annulled and restored to the national states or a United Nations economic arrangement?

His Majesty's Government are well aware of the penetration of European industry and finance by Nazi Germany, and in particular by the Hermann Goering Trust. His Majesty's Government jointed with the other Allied Governments chiefly concerned in making a Declaration on 5th January of this year which emphasized their intention to defeat all methods of dispossession practised by the enemy Powers in territories under their occupation or control. As a result of this Declaration, the text of which is contained in Command Paper 6418, an Inter-Allied Committee of Experts was set up in London to prepare the way for further action by a study of the relevant law and by the collection of the necessary information on what the enemy has done and is still doing. The Governments of the United States of America, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, and the Governments of the European Allies are all represented on this Committee, which is assembling much valuable material. This information, together with information from other sources, including, of course, relevant reports published by the United States Office of War Information, will naturally be taken into full account in framing the future plans of the United Nations.

I cannot at present forecast these plans in detail nor the arrangements which will follow the unconditional surrender of the enemy, but my hon. Friend can be assured that one of the aims of His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the United Nations will be to ensure that Europe will be totally purged from the economic servitude which Nazi Germany has forced upon her.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to make a statement on the position of the French National Committee in North Africa?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the decision to invest full control in General Eisenhower over the French political organisation in North Africa; and whether His Majesty's Government are parties to this decision?

I assume that the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) has in mind recent Press messages from Washington 6n this subject. The facts are these. In view of the prolonged discussions between the French leaders in Algiers on questions involving the character and control of the French Armed Forces, and the serious effect which this might have on the furtherance of the war effort and the safety of the Allied Armies in North Africa, the Allied Commander in-Chief, with the authority of the United States Government and His Majesty's Government, on 19th June asked General Giraud and General de Gaulle for an assurance that there should be no important change in the French command in North Africa at the preset time and that General Eisenhower should be satisfied that the French military organisation was such that the French Commander-in-Chief had effective and proper control of the French Forces in this area. This representation was made on military grounds and implied no decision to invest General Eisenhower with full control over the political organisation in North Africa.

I would take this opportunity to deprecate giving any undue attention to the personality aspect of the new French organisation. I informed the House on 8th June that we all rejoiced when agree- ment was made and the French Committee of National Liberation was set up and constituted as the single and sole authority for all Frenchmen seeking to free France from the German yoke, and I added that our dealings, financial and otherwise, would henceforward be with this Committee as a whole. The Committee is working on the basis of collective responsibility, and it is our hope that all its members will merge their personal and individual interests for the common good of France. His Majesty's Government have consistently encouraged the union of all Frenchmen in the fight against the Axis and for the liberation of France. It has never been their policy to take sides between Frenchmen who fall in this category, and it is not their policy to support any one member of the Committee of National Liberation rather than another.

Taking a longer view, I would say that it is not the policy of the United States and British Governments that their Armies, upon whom the main burden must rest, or French Forces equipped by them, shall be used to impose upon France, directly or indirectly, any particular military leader, but rather to make sure that the broad and settled will of the masses of the French people, expressed under conditions of freedom, shall decide upon the future Government of their country.

While fully appreciating the difficulties in French North Africa and the need for maintaining the supremacy of the military authorities in the existing situation, will my right hon. Friend care to comment on the suspicions which appear to have been generated arising out of the, Washington messages affecting the position of General de Gaulle? Can we be assured that no steps are being taken with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government to undermine the position of General de Gaulle?

I think my answer covers very clearly the last part of the question, and I should be very shy of commenting on suspicions about statements or reports issued by other Governments than our own.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that unity and co-operation will now develop under this new system?

I think that would be to convict myself of undue optimism.

Can we be assured—I do not put it higher than that and I ask it with deference—that His Majesty's Government are always consulted on the position in North Africa, particularly with regard to the political implications, and that nothing is done without their consent?

No, I should not put it as high as that, but my right hon. Friend the Member for Stockton (Mr. Harold Macmillan) has the fullest confidence of General Eisenhower. He lives in the closest association with the United States authorities and with the French authorities of every hue, he sees them continually, and very often reports to us several times a day. Of course, the main direction of the campaign in North Africa is, as I explained to the House earlier in the year, under the United States authorities, but we are also in frequent communication with the American Government, and personally I am in the closest accord with the President upon all the steps that are taken.

Is it not very difficult for the Allied Command to distinguish between the political and military aspects of French conversations?

That, no doubt, is one of those difficulties which tax to the utmost the ability of the distinguished officers involved.

Is the House to understand from the Prime Minister's statement that in order to ensure the safety of the Allied troops and their communications it is necessary that General Giraud shall remain in supreme command of the French Military Forces?

I certainly consider that that is necessary at the present time.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to an article in the "Daily Herald" this morning, which Geoffrey Parsons cabled to the "New York Herald-Tribune," headed "Blue print for civil war," and whether he agrees with that as being true or not?

I was so much occupied this morning in reading the very agreeable leading article in the "Daily Herald" that that escaped my attention.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet taken any decision as to who will control industry after the war; and what major industries are scheduled for State enterprise and free enterprise, respectively?

I should not dream of embarking on such political and party controversies at the present time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of his colleagues has ventured into this area of controversy and that it is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction?

All the more desirable is it that I should not swell the chorus.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the contribution made to the national war effort by the trades unions in voluntarily suspending the operation of rules likely to hamper the war effort, he will consider the advisability of amending the Trades Disputes Act which, in its present form, is superfluous?

This matter raises many controversial issues, and I am not in a position at present to make any statement.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in view of the very high regard in which he is held by Members of all parties he is particularly well fitted to deal with this matter, and will he give it his personal attention?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I give it my constant personal attention, and the last thing in the world I want to see is quarrels breaking out between people who are working so very solidly together in the common line of defence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the possibility of at any rate repealing Section 5?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government contemplate legislation to establish a Second Chamber in our Parliamentary system more in keeping with the spirit of the times?

No, Sir. I stand upon the Parliament Act, including its Preamble, but I have no legislative aspirations in this sphere at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the differences which exist between medical treatment provided for men in the Regular Services and men called up under the National Service Act and the fact that, after 20 years' service, it is possible for men to be discharged without notice with a serious illness to face, he will move to appoint a Select Committee to examine the points on which differences of treatment exist in order to equalise them?