asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of some shopkeepers, selling goods which are saleable only on the surrender of coupons, to open their premises for limited periods to the great inconvenience of the public; and will he consider the possibility of refusing supplies to shopkeepers who do not afford adequate facilities to the buying public?

If the Noble Lady has any particular case in mind, perhaps she will let me have particulars and I will look into it. In many cases, no doubt, part-time closing of shops is due to shortage of staff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make regarding the reclothing of men and women when demobilisation of the Services begins; and, in view of the probable demand for assisting European countries and the two years required for trainees to become efficient, what steps he proposes to take to build up an adequate labour force and stocks of material?

My Department is now discussing with the Service Departments the best means of reclothing men and women demobilised from the Services and with the industries concerned plans for resuming full activity as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will permit the sale of certain goods that shops have had in stock for a long time either free of coupons or on a reduced couponage basis; and whether he will free from coupons cotton yarn which has up to the present been sold on the basis of eight ounces for one coupon, as many shops have large supplies of this yarn which they are unable to sell?

I have received reports of the accumulation of stocks of certain types of rationed goods in the hands of traders and I am considering them. On the general question, however, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Bradford (Mr. Hepworth) on Tuesday, 13th July.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will consider, with the Minister of War Transport, the possibility of replacing all level crossings after the war by road or rail bridges?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Leave Manual, paragraph 6, excludes return from privilege leave on Sundays, where 48 hours short pass has been added, whereas A.C.I. 1954, 1942, permits return in such cases on any day of the week?

It was necessary during the winter months to take special measures to cut down travel, particularly long distance travel. One of these measures was the prohibition of travel at cheap rates to soldiers on short pass except to destinations within 50 miles of their station. The number of soldiers travelling at week-ends was reduced in this way, and the railways were able to take the reduced traffic on Sundays. It was therefore possible to remove the restriction on Sunday travel to which the hon. Member refers. In April the above prohibition was removed and Army Council Instruction 1954 of 1942 was cancelled. It was then necessary to reintroduce the restriction on travel on Sundays. Soldiers are still encouraged to add their leave on short pass to their privilege leave and I am not aware that the present rule about travel on Sundays has led to complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for War what powers the Civil Affairs Department of the War Office has to control prices of commodities sold by retail in occupied territories?

The Civil Affairs Department of the War Office is responsible for the general direction of the civil government of occupied territories, which is bound in this as in all other civil affairs matters by international law under which the occupying Power may impose such restrictions as he judges necessary and has the duty to do all in his power to restore and ensure public order and safety.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the prices of cleaning materials, such as boot polish and metal polish, charged to troops serving in Palestine; and whether supplies of such materials can be made available at reasonable prices through E.F.I. or otherwise?

N.A.A.F.I., through the Expeditionary Force Institutes, already supply polishes at reasonable prices in all overseas theatres in so far as these are available. If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind I will have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office have refused to pay compensation to officers and other ranks for losses by fire of their personal equipment; and whether he will consider making an ex gratia payment to any fund organised to relieve the distress that has been caused by accidental fires?

Compensation from Army Funds for loss of an officer's military uniform and equipment and certain personal effects, as the result of accidental fire in barracks, military hutments, billets or camp is limited to cases in which it is shown that insurance could not be effected at reasonable rates and that there has been no negligence on the part of the owner. Officers have been advised to insure their kit, etc., against the ordinary risks of civil life such as fire and theft. The military clothing and necessaries of other ranks, lost in similar circumstances, is replaced free of charge, within the appropriate scale. Any additional belongings a soldier may have in his possession are kept at his own risk. As regards the second part of the Question, I see no reason to make any additional provision in aid of losses not covered by public funds or by insurance. Distress arising from losses caused by accidental fire is only one of many kinds of distress which may arise from misfortune.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the annual budget for the Army Cadet Force; and how many officers are now employed in its direction?

The annual cost of the Army Cadet Force to public funds is estimated to be about£350,000. Four officers are employed full-time on the direction of the force, but staff officers inside and outside the War Office deal with the problems and requirements of the force as a part of their normal duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of a certain regiment, of which he has been informed, having returned to this country after over three years in Malta, have been granted only 14 days' leave; and, in view of the meritorious character of their service on the island and the great strain imposed upon them, will he consider extending their period of leave?

Under the present rule troops returning from abroad are granted 14 days' leave. The possibility of extending this period for troops who have been away longer than three years is at present being examined. It should, however, be borne in mind that these troops will qualify for a further period of nine days' leave every 14 weeks under the normal rules.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in a regiment of which he has been informed, men undergoing an intensive course of training have been ordered to scrape all the paint off the brasses of the guns and to keep the brasses well polished; whether he is aware that the work of scraping off the paint wasted three days of the training period; and whether, as the polished brass tends to assist the enemy, he will put a stop to this behaviour?

On the general Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 18th March of this year. I find it difficult to believe that it took three days to remove the paint from these brasses but inquiries are being made into this.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the: bulk of existing operations are fought in simple battle-dress, he will consider whether the heavy outlay on officers' dress is essential?

This question has been carefully examined but it is not considered that a change in the present arrangements is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to increase the output of rubber in Ceylon; and what has been the result?

Shortly after the loss of the Far Eastern rubber supplies, the price of rubber in Ceylon was increased by over 25 per cent. in order to stimulate production. Producers in the island were also urged through the Ceylon Government to take every possible step to increase output, and a scheme of compensation for intensive tapping involving the repayment under certain conditions of replanting costs up to£45 per acre has been introduced and published in the Ceylon Press. There has already been considerable response to the appeal for more intensive tapping, and it is expected that the compensation scheme will result in a further increase in output. Ceylon production in 1942 was higher than in preceding years, and while it is too early to assess the present year's result, I am hopeful that despite the considerable difficulties both in regard to labour and foodstuffs which the island is experiencing, the level of the 1942 production will be at least maintained and probably exceeded in 1943.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to implement the recommendations put forward in various paragraphs of the Stockdale Report that plans should be made now for meeting the certain increase in unemployment in the West Indies in coming years?

In general it is hoped that measures financed by grants and loans under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act will have the effect of increasing employment in all the Colonies concerned. In addition, however, the Colonies concerned are preparing plans for public works which can be put into effect should there be any sudden increase in unemployment as a result of the cessation of work on the bases and other wartime changes. The position in the separate Colonies is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will provide a detailed list of the commodities and services taken into account when determining the cost-of-living index figure in Aden?

The commodities and services which are taken into account in determining the cost-of-living index figure in Aden are as follow: Food, which includes flour, rice, tea, sugar, butter, edible oil, fish, meat and milk; clothing generally, comprising cotton goods and tailoring; rents and water; fuel, lighting and cleaning; and a few other essential items such as soap and laundry.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, 16 to 65 years of age, now unemployed and registering at employment exchanges in the administrative county of Durham and the county borough?

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether pensions to merchant seamen disabled in the last war are administered by him?

Pensions in respect of merchant seamen disabled or killed in the last war are administered by the Ministry of War Transport under the 1914–18 War Risks Compensation Scheme for the Mercantile Marine.

asked (the Minister of Supply whether his Ministry are continuing to collect tin cans; and whether it is expected that local authorities salvaging them must flatten and bale them before the Ministry will arrange for their transport?

The collection of tin cans is still of importance. It is essential, in order to save transport, that, wherever possible, tins should be flattened or baled by local authorities. Steps for improving the existing arrangements for clearance from local authorities are under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Supply what orders he has made under sub-paragraphs (c) (d) or (da) of paragraph (1) of Regulation 55 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, or paragraph (1a) of the same Regulation.

The Minister of Supply made the following Orders under sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) of paragraph (1) of Defence Regulation 55:—The Factory Undertakings (Records and Information) (No. I) Order, 1940 (No. 451).The Factory Undertakings (Records and Information) (No. 2) Order, 1940 (No. 817).The Industry (Records and Information) (No. 1) Order, 1940 (No. 818).The Industry (Records and Information) (No. 2) Order, 1941 (No. 583).The Industry (Records and Information) (No. 3) Order, 1942 (No. 2450), revoking the Industry (Records and Information) No. 1 and No. 2 Orders.In addition a number of Control Orders made by the Minister of Supply under Defence Regulation 55 contain provisions dealing with the keeping of books, furnishing of returns and inspection of premises in regard to the subject matter of the particular Order. In so far as the Orders referred to above contained provisions authorising the entry or inspection of premises or the exercise of powers by persons by whom such entries or inspections were made, these provisions were revoked by the Ministry of Supply Orders (General Revocations) (No. 1) Order, 1943

(No. 858). No Ordeis were made by the Minister of Supply under sub-paragraph (

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether his attention has been called to the diseased and dangerous condition of some of the trees on Primrose Hill; and whether it is proposed to take any action?

Yes, Sir. The Italian poplars on Primrose Hill have been examined by experts, who agree that the trees are badly affected with canker and should be removed. It is hoped to fell them and dispose of the timber during the coming winter and to initiate immediately a replanting programme with various other kinds of suitable trees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will make available to honourable Members,. in time for the forthcoming Debate on building costs, the various agreements governing basic output in the various crafts and operations of the building trade?

There are no agreements governing basic output in the various crafts and operations of the building trade. Under the Essential Work (Building and Civil Engineering) Order, 1942, however, a system of payment by results is to be introduced where practicable and desirable in every undertaking and on every site scheduled under the Order. For this purpose schedules of bonus payments based on output have been drawn up by the Ministry of Works after consultation with the industries, and I am arranging for copies of these schedules to be placed in the Library.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what has been the shortest and longest time taken from the decision being made to build prefabricated dwellings for agricultural key workers, for which his Department is responsible, and their fitness for habitation?

Authority to build these dwellings as a matter of policy was obtained at the end of September last; but before contracts could be let there were discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, war agricultural executive committees, local authorities and others with regard to type and situation. Individual sites had also to be found and agreed with the various authorities. When these preliminary details had been settled, the decision taken in December to review the whole Government building programme in relation to labour supply unavoidably postponed starting building for some six weeks. Thereafter the labour allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture did not permit of this programme being proceeded with at optimum speed in view of other requirements to which that Department attach greater importance. As I informed the hon. Member on 30th June last, the actual time of building varies between three to five months.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the total financial commitments made by local education authorities for the latest full year?

The estimates of local education authorities for the year 1942–43 provided for a total expenditure, to be met from rates and the Board's grants, of£106,000,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education how much financial assistance was granted by his Department to youth organisations in the years 1938–39; and how much was given in the latest year for which returns are available?

In the financial years 1938–39 and 1939–40 grants were made by my Department under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, to local authorities and voluntary bodies, to the amounts of£80,450 and 234,000 respectively. The greater proportion of these grants was to local authorities and covered provision for adults as well as for young people. In the financial year 1942–43 the grants made under the Social and Physical Training Grant Regulations to local units of youth organisations amounted to about£106,500, of which£89,103 was paid during the year, while the grants offered to the headquarters youth organisations amounted to rather over£111,000, of which£108,600 was paid during the year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of miners from the county of Durham now serving in His Majesty's Forces?

I am obtaining such information as I can and I will send it to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures showing the tonnage of saleable coal raised in the United Kingdom for the quarter ended the 30th June last, and the tonnage for the corresponding period last year, excluding outcrop coal in each case, together with the numbers of persons employed in each period, respectively?

The estimated quantity of saleable coal raised in Great

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state, for each of the past three years to 30th June, the amount of Treasury deposit receipts which have been cashed before maturity, the approximate total of each form of Government loan to which the proceeds of such encashments have been applied and the basis of calculation for arriving at the individual totals?

The table below shows the subscriptions to war loans covered by repayments of Treasury deposit receipts before maturity. The allocation of the amounts repaid between the different classes of loans is approximate. The subscriptions cover those on the banks' own account and also those on behalf of their customers. The particulars given have been supplied, by the banks. In addition to the repayments summarised below, Treasury Deposit Receipts amounting to£2,000,000 were repaid before maturity and under discount in the year ended 30th June, 1942, to cover emergency needs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his has any statement lo make regarding the Pay-as-you-go "system submitted to him by Mr. M. Anison; and whether it is proposed to adopt this or some similar scheme?

During the Third Reading Debate on the Finance Bill I stated that I hoped to make a further statement on the subject of "Pay-as-you-go," perhaps in the early autumn, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await that statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of restoring to the officers of the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force the full rates of retired pay, which rates were stabilised in 1934 at 91 per cent, below the basic rates?

The direct extra cost of increasing the rates of Service officers retired pay to the rates payable in 1919 would be about £500,000 per annum at present, increasing to about £850,000 per annum when the present war is ended.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state for tender and tap Treasury bills, separately, on the last day of each quarter since the beginning of 1939 the amount outstanding; the then current rate or rates of discount; the periods of currency; the amount of tap bills outstanding at each of the varying rates in the event of absence uniformity in the rates of discount and in the periods of currency; and the amount of interest-free tap bills?

The total amount of Treasury Bills outstanding at the end of each quarter up to June, 1940, will be found in the weekly Exchequer Return and thereafter in the statement of the debt transactions published as a supplementary note to the Exchequer Receipts and Issues at the end of each month. Approximate totals of the amounts of tender bills outstanding at any time can be calculated from the published results of the weekly tenders, but to give an exact figure would require an unduly laborious examination of the dates of issue and maturity of all bills at the beginning and end of each quarter. The average rates of discount on tender bills during the weeks in which the last day of each quarter fell are shown in the table below. The normal tap bill rate is the one-sixteenth next below the average weekly tender rate. There are no interest-free tap bills, but in special cases (of which, on grounds of public interest, details cannot be published) the rate is nominal. Tender bills are all issued for a period of three months: tap bills are issued for three months or shorter periods as may be convenient.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will record on each future monthly statement of the Treasury's loan operations the approximate group totals of the National Debt as at the date of the return under each of the following headings: floating debt, other internal debt, external debt and total net debt after deducting Sinking Fund moneys?

I regret that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. The account of debt transactions published at the end of each month as a supplementary note to Exchequer Receipts and Issues is a cash statement. The total of the National Debt on 31st March published annually on the date of the Budget, is an approximate figure and has to be subsequently adjusted by reference to the capital accounts, the adjusted totals being published in the Finance Accounts of the United Kingdom and finally in the National Debt Return. The figures already published provide the material for an approximate estimate of the amount of debt outstanding at the end of each month under each of the headings suggested. A closer approximation could not be published without a monthly reconciliation of cash receipts with the records of the various capital accounts. The value of such frequent adjustments would be doubtful at any time, and I cannot con-

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the average outstanding amounts of the Treasury bills, Ways and Means advances by the Bank of England, Ways and Means advances by sider attempting them under war conditions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state for Ways and Means advances by the Bank of England and by public Departments, separately, on the last day of each quarter since the beginning of 1939 the then current rates of interest; the periods of currency; the amounts outstanding at each of the varying rates in the event of the rates of interest not being uniform and the amount interest free?

The figures of Ways and Means Advances by the Bank of England and public Departments are as follow:public Departments and Treasury deposits by banks, separately, during each quarter since the beginning of 1939?

The following table gives the amounts asked for in the Question:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps he proposes to take to purchase the large quantity of wheat rotting in the United States and Canada with a view to putting it to some useful purpose?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the information upon which he has based his Question, I shall be happy to give it consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what orders he has made under sub-paragraphs (c), (d) or (da) of paragraph (1) of Regulation 55 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, or paragraph (1a) of the same Regulation?

Of the current Orders made by the Minister of Food, 139 contain provisions which derive their validity from the powers confered upon the Minister by sub-paragraphs (c), (d) or (da) of paragraph 1 of Regulation 55 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939. No orders have been made by the Minister under the powers conferred by paragraph (IA) of Regulation 55.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in connection with afforestation, due consideration will be given to the planting of trees in belts or protective screens, rather than in masses, so as to provide wind breaks in purely horticultural areas and avoid interference with sheep farming in areas where this is carried on?

The Forestry Commissioners recognise the importance of shelter belts and are willing to assist as far as they are able. On the other hand the reserves of timber needed by the nation cannot be secured in this way and it is consequently necessary to extend and develop existing woodland and forest areas as proposed in the Report recently presented to Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary what changes have been made at the Brewster Sessions of 1943 in the hours permitted for the sale of intoxicants?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to changes made at Brewster Sessions this year in the latest weekday permitted hours. There has been no change in the Metropolis. Outside the Metropolis the position is as follows:In two districts where the previous latest permitted hour was 10 p.m. for the whole year, an extension to 10.30 p.m. has been granted for part of the year; in three districts where an extension to 10.30 p.m. was previously in force for the whole year, the extension is now in force for part of the year only; and in seven districts an extension to 10.30 p.m. which was previously in force for part of the year has been withdrawn.I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the particulars which were supplied in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) on 8th April.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give particulars of all German males to whom certificates of naturalisation have been issued and whose oath of allegiance has been registered at the Home Office during the period since the 31st December, 1941?

Between 31st December, 1941, and 30th June, 1943, 20 males described as of German nationality have been naturalised. Particulars of these grants have been given monthly in accordance with the established practice in the "London Gazette." The Annual Return to Parliament for 1942 will be available shortly.