asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the Order of February last that a minimum stay of three weeks at a maternity home, hospital or convalescent home is necessary to enable a mother to claim priority milk, or free milk, or reduced price milk; that this arrangement multiplies the cost to such institutions, generally, by five; that the average stay of mothers is not more than 14 days; and is he prepared to restore the old arrangement?

My hon. Friend appears to be misinformed. Institutions such as maternity homes, hospitals and convalescent homes which are registered under my Department's Welfare (Foods) Schemes can obtain a subsidy in respect of milk supplied to expectant mothers and children under five from the date on which they take up residence. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the establishments in which he is interested I shall be glad to have inquiries made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps his Department has taken and is taking to assure a supply of tuberculin tested or accredited milk to those consumers who demand raw milk in areas subject to a nationalisation scheme?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on 21st July, except that my Department has never contemplated giving any assurance on the lines suggested in the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take steps to ensure that every household with young children shall have fresh milk delivered daily; and, in the event of there being insufficient half-pint milk bottles, to see that the priority for these bottles is given to such households?

My Noble Friend is anxious that dairymen shall maintain a daily delivery of milk and where his attention is drawn to cases in which this is not in operation he will arrange for the matter to be taken up immediately with the local war-time association. As children under five are entitled to one pint a day, apart from supplies to other members of the household, a shortage of half-pint bottles would not justify failure to maintain daily deliveries to families with young children.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what quantities of sardines in 5 kilo containers there are in the country; and, having regard to the prohibition of the purchase and sale of such sardines in the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Canned Fish) Order (S.R. & O., No. 962 of 1943), in what way it is proposed to deal with these sardines?

I have no information as to the quantity of sardines in 5 kilograms containers still in this country. The prohibition on sales is subject to directions which may be given by my Noble Friend and the effect of the Order is to require holders of stocks to apply for authority before disposing of them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, having regard to the fact that under the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Canned Fish) Order (S.R. & O. No. 962 of 1943), it is provided that a first hand distributor means either a person who has bought from the Minister or an importer, or a home canner, from what source he proposes to obtain those supplies to enable him to supply first hand distributors, without himself becoming a first hand distributor?

The expression "first hand distributor" is usually applied to the distributor obtaining goods from my Department. While I do not fully understand my hon. Friend's Question, I presume that his difficulty arises from the alternative definitions of a first hand distributor as an importer or a canner. These definitions cover respectively canned fish which was privately imported before my Department began importing and home produced canned fish sold by the canner direct to wholesalers or retailers. In neither of these cases do the supplies pass through the Ministry, and the question of my Noble Friend himself becoming a first hand distributor therefore does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food as the controlled price of bilberries allowed to the picker is an insufficient incentive to the gathering of the crop, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the crop is gathered?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given on 30th June and 21st July to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will endeavour to arrange for shipments of Marsala from Sicily to this country?

My Noble Friend does not consider the moment opportune for action such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will concede the right to consumers to change their registered retailer at any time?

My Noble Friend regrets he is unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it was in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture that the price of fish was reduced by 10d. a stone to the inshore fishermen?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education the names of the members of his Consultative Committee; and how often it has met in the past two years?

The Committee has not met since the outbreak of war. I am sending my hon. Friend a list giving the membership of the Committee when it discharged its last reference.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consult with the Ministry of Food with a view to expanding where practicable the canteen service for schoolchildren in country villages where there is no British Restaurant, in order to allow such of the parents as may wish to do so to take a mid-day meal with the children on payment of the appropriate charge?

Schemes on the lines suggested would not be refused consideration, but experience shows that they involve many practical difficulties. School canteens most, wherever possible, be accommodated in the school both for economy reasons and because this is far the most popular arrangement with the children. The admission of parents to a canteen situated at the school and supervised by the teachers would often be liable to give rise to friction. In practice also it is impossible in a small kitchen to cook separately for the children so as to reserve to them their special allowances of meat, milk, sugar, jam, etc., which are substantially larger than the allowances for adults.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it was necessary to introduce new labour regulations in Jamaica prohibiting strikes in industries concerned with food production without any reference to the Government Committee of Inquiry on Labour Relations and Strikes and without consulting trade union representatives?

The only change that has been made is the extension of Jamaica Defence Regulation 19A (which is the local equivalent of the United Kingdom Defence Regulation 58AA) to cover specifically services relating to food production and distribution. This was rendered necessary by an irresponsible strike which resulted in a waste of imported food. The Committee on Industrial Relations, which was appointed at the same time to consider the setting up of conciliation machinery and the means of improving relations between employers and workers, was not an appropriate body to deal with the existing situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, although the annual premium for commodity war risks insurance in Jamaica has recently been reduced from £4 10s. per cent. to £3 per cent., it is still double the English rate; and whether, in view of the heavy burdens which have to be borne by those concerned in Jamaica and the fact that reserves have now been built up and conditions have been improved generally, he will take steps further to reduce the premium to the English insurance rate?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Jamaica adopted its scheme much later than any other Colony with the result that fully adequate reserves have not yet been built up. The premium was reduced less than four months after the inception of the scheme, a shorter period than has been customary elsewhere; and a further reduction will be considered in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recruitment of workers in Jamaica for labour in the United States of America has now been completed; the total number of Jamaican workers so recruited; whether they have all now arrived in the United States of America; and the period for which they have been recruited and the general con- ditions as to wages, hours of work and amenities which have been provided for?

The total number of Jamaican workers recruited for agricultural employment in the United States of America is 9,435, of whom 8,826 have arrived in the United States. Further recruitment is suspended for the time being. I have not yet received from the Governor the text of the agreement concluded between the Governments of the United States and Jamaica, and of the contract made between the United States Government and the individual workers, but I am informed by the Governor that the following are the main provisions of the former.The workers are to be employed under a contract in a form approved by the Jamaica Government, and shall not be engaged in or subject to military service by or for the United States Government. They shall not be discriminated against or paid less than similar workers in the United States. They are to be transported and repatriated upon the expiration of the contract at the expense of the United States Government. They are to be given work for not less than 75 per cent. of their contract period or compensation in lieu at the minimum rate of three dollars a day, or one dollar sixty cents a day if food is provided. The workers are to be medically examined before recruitment, and no person under 18 years of age is to be employed. The living conditions and sanitary and medical services provided are not to be inferior to those provided for similar employees in the United States, and the workers are to have the legal protection afforded to other agricultural workers in the particular areas in which they are employed.The agreement also provides for a compulsory deduction of one dollar per day from wages to be transmitted by the United States Government to the Government of Jamaica, which will place these sums to the credit of the individual workers in an account opened at the Government Savings Bank, Jamaica, to be held as savings or paid to the worker's dependants as the worker may direct. With regard to the individual agreements concluded with the workers, I am informed that they provide in each case that the contract shall terminate on the 30th September, 1943, unless renewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that owing to the failure to introduce price pegging in Jamaica, the prices of essentials have been seriously inflated, many of these essentials now costing more than in England, notwithstanding the considerably lower Jamaican wage, level; and what steps he is taking to remedy this?

Owing to the changed situation since the outbreak of war in the Far East, the landed cost particularly of imported essential commodities in Jamaica has risen sharply, but energetic steps have been taken to keep this rise within bounds, with the result that the cost of living index has been maintained at approximately 60 per cent. above the level of 1939. For the 9 months ending 30th of June, this has involved subsidisation of the cost of imported essentials amounting to £218,000, and in addition the assumption of losses on the re-sale at controlled prices of locally grown foodstuffs. It is estimated that to continue this policy a further £500,000 will be required for the year ending 30th of September, 1944. In addition, it should be borne in mind that earnings in the sugar industry are directly linked to the cost-of-living index, that there have been material improvements in the price of Jamaica's other export crops, and also that the purchase of the banana crop has been financed at a cost of about £1,500,000 a year to the United Kingdom Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement concerning the recent disturbances at Family Pen, Jamaica, where a crowd of 400 relief workers was fired upon, causing the death of one worker, the wounding of three others and 31 arrests?

The Governor of Jamaica has reported that a disturbance occurred on 1st June at the relief work centre at Family Pen following the arrest of a relief worker for disorderly conduct. The arrest was made by a district constable who was slightly wounded in so doing. Hooligan elements then became threatening, releasing the prisoner and attacking office buildings and staff with bricks and stones. In self-defence the district constable and a foreman were forced to fire on the attackers, killing one and wounding another. On the arrival of police reinforcements a number of arrests were made and the disturbance quickly subsided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the scheme for the reform of local government in Jamaica has now been completed; and whether a copy of it will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons?

As I informed the hon. Member on 26th May, the visit of the expert, who arrived in Jamaica last February is expected to last for a year. Any formal report that he may make to the Jamaica Government is not likely to be available until towards the end of that period. If he makes such a report and it is published in the Colony a copy of it when received will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement regarding an assault upon an omnibus conductor in Trinidad by two members of the United States Army; and why the two members of the Trinidad police force who witnessed the incident stated that they were unable to take any action?

I have no information about this case, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are being considered for the future of local government in Trinidad; the nature of the difficulties which arose between Port of Spain municipality and the Government; and whether these still exist?

No plans are at present being considered for the extension of local government in Trinidad, though the Franchise Committee may have recommendations to make, when it reports, affecting the qualifications of municipal electors. The major subject of discussion recently between the Port of Spain city council and the Colonial Government has been the question of the water supply of the town and its relation to the central water supply scheme. So far as I am aware, these discussions have not yet been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the promised Bill to provide that no juvenile should be subject to any of the penal provisions of the Employment of Servants Ordinance, 1937, has been yet considered or passed by the Legislative Council of Kenya; and whether the Bill to amend trade union law in Kenya has yet been introduced?

Yes, Sir. The Bill referred to in the first part of the Question was enacted on 5th April, and the Bill referred to in the second part of the Question on 26th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will cause to be published the scheme for more intensive white settlement recently accepted by the Government of Kenya?

My hon. and gallant Friend no doubt has in mind the recommendations of the Kenya Settlement Committee published by the Government of Kenya in 1939. These recommendations were accepted by the Government at the time, and that acceptance was reaffirmed in the Kenya Legislative Council in December last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of Africans in our East and West African Colonies who are now working for industrial and agricultural private employers under compulsory ordinances; what are the average rates of pay, the hours of labour, and the maximum period of compulsory service in any one year?

I append a statement giving the details in respect of Kenya, Tanganyika, Northern Rhodesia and Nigeria, the four territories in which compulsory labour for essential civilian purposes has been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies have the provisions of minimum wages legislation been put into operation; and whether, in view of the low wages earned by the great mass of colonial workers, action in this direction will be speeded up?

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the information given in the recently published Colonial Office report, "Labour Supervision in the Colonial Empire, 1937–1943," of which I am sending him a copy. With regard to the second part, as stated in the report, it is the accepted policy to encourage the effecting of wage adjustments by means of collective bargaining and any domestic machinery for this purpose which may exist, and only to have recourse to the powers conferred by minimum wage legislation when negotiation has failed. I am, however, satisfied that the Colonial Governments concerned are fully alive to the necessity of making minimum wage-fixing orders under the legislation when circumstances show that such action is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies is the right of association for both white and native populations fully safeguarded by legislation similar to the Industrial and Provident Societies Act?

British Guiana and Jamaica have Industrial and Provident Societies Ordinances similar to the United Kingdom Act, and the following territories have a variety of Ordinances of the same category:

• Bahamas: Friendly Societies.
• Barbados: Co-operative Produce Marketing Association.
• Bermuda: Friendly Societies.
• British Honduras: Friendly Societies.
• Ceylon: Mutual Societies.
• Ceylon: Building Societies.
• Federated Malay States: United Planting Association of Malaya.
• Federated Malay States: Societies.
• Fiji: Industrial Associations.
• Fiji: Friendly Societies.
• Gambia: Friendly Societies.
• Gibraltar: Friendly Societies.
• Grenada: Friendly Societies.
• Lee ward Islands: Friendly Societies.
• Mauritius: Co-operative Credit.
• St. Helena: Friendly Societies.
• St. Lucia: Friendly Societies.
• St. Vincent: Friendly Societies.
• St. Vincent: Building Societies.
• Sierra Leone: Friendly Societies.
• Straits Settlements: Societies.
• Trinidad: Building Societies.
• Trinidad: Friendly Societies.

In addition the following Territories have Co-operative Societies Laws:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what organisations are banned in Palestine and for what reason; and which of the banned organisations are exclusively or predominantly Jewish and Arab, respectively?

I am making inquiries of the High Commissioner and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the improved shipping position in the Mediterranean, and the release of ships recently used for the transport of Moslem pilgrims to Jedda, progress is being made with the admission to Palestine of Jewish refugees from enemy and enemy-occupied countries on the lines indicated by the Secretary of State for the Colonies?

The transport of the refugees for whom places are offered in Palestine is not held up by shipping difficulties which His Majesty's Government has made every possible effort to overcome. The reason why the refugees have not been moved is the withholding of exit permits by the enemy Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied with working conditions in the Mirampa iron mines in Sierra Leone; and whether these mines are being regularly inspected by a Government inspector?

The Government of Sierra Leone has been giving close attention to working conditions in the Marampa mines, and is taking the necessary steps to ensure improvement where it is required. A system of Government inspection is in force and the question of taking more adequate power to ensure compliance with the results of these inspections is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made to give financial help to Chinese British subjects from Malaya and Hong Kong who are completing their studies at Chungking and in other parts of Free China?

The Relief Department of His Majesty's Embassy in China extends assistance to students of Hong Kong University, and students from Malaya and other British territories who managed to reach Free China and are in need of financial help. The Department is assisted by a Hong Kong University Relief Committee which contains both Chinese and British members. The Chinese Government, who are represented on this committee, have been most generous in admitting such students to national universities of China and granting them free tuition and dormitory accommodation together with a monthly loan up to §140 a head to cover cost of food. In addition, such students received through the Embassy Relief Department a monthly personal allowance of §150. Allowances were also made to them up to §1,000, to cover travelling and living expenses up to the time of their admission to a Chinese University, and of §850 for special personal requirements for clothing, etc.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether action has been taken by the Central Advisory Committee with regard to the suggested limitation of the price of women's hats?

Discussions are proceeding with the trade interests concerned and no other action has been taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the supply position will now enable him to allow members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Girl Training Corps to receive their uniforms, as do Army, Sea and Air Cadets, without having to surrender coupons?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that miners are unable to go to work in Lancashire pits because they cannot get their clogs repaired; and what steps, in the interests of production, he is taking to meet the deficiency?

I am not aware that miners are prevented from going to work because they cannot get their clogs repaired, but my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power would be glad to receive any information which my hon. Friend may have regarding such difficulties of miners in Lancashire.

asked the Minister of Health when the scheme of maintenance for cases of tuberculosis, Memorandum 266T., is to be put into force; and whether, seeing that radiography is so important to diagnosis, he will press for more of these sets to be made available, so that the increase in this disease may be the sooner arrested?

On the first part of the Question I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Sir F. Fremantle) on 22nd July. On the second part, the mass radiography sets already ordered are being delivered as quickly as is compatible with other demands on material and the highly skilled labour required, but it is not expected that delivery will be completed much before the middle of next year. In the meantime, my right hon. Friend will consider the question of ordering further sets.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will consult with the Dominions about setting up a Dominion Council consisting of the High Commissioners of the Dominions and India for the purpose of exchanging information at frequent intervals with members of the council and also securing their views and advice?

As the House is aware, there is constant consultation between the United Kingdom and the Dominion Governments by all practicable channels, including both direct communications between Prime Minister and Prime Minister and Government and Government, and also consultations through Dominion High Commissioners in London and United Kingdom High Commissioners in Dominion capitals. I myself meet the Dominion High Commissioners in London daily. In the circumstances, I do not think that any advantage would be gained by pursuing the hon. Member's suggestion for the constitution of a formal council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about violations of Swedish neutrality by German aircraft; and what action he has taken in this regard?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the recent forced landing in Sweden by a German courier aircraft flying from Norway to Finland on 19th July. I am informed by His Majesty's Minister in Stockholm that the Swedish Defence Staff have announced that the crew of five and the one male passenger, all of whom were in uniform, have been interned and the aircraft, which contained a dismounted machine gun, taken in charge by the Swedish authorities. On instructions from his Government, the Swedish Minister in Berlin has protested to the German Government at this breach of the regulations governing the passage of German courier aircraft between Norway and Finland across Swedish territory, which provide that the aircraft should be unarmed civilian aircraft. The action of the Swedish authorities over this incident has been entirely proper and correct and there is therefore no need for any action to be taken by His Majesty's Government in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he gave permits to certain British subjects to go to the United States of America to sell antiques to help our war effort; and whether, as they have sold little or nothing and have avoided returning home for any form of war service, he will take steps to compel these persons to return to this country?

Permits to leave this country for limited periods have been granted to persons, including three or four antique dealers, whose journeys were sponsored by the competent Government Department as being likely to assist our export trade and thus our currency position. If the persons concerned fail to return on the expiry of their permits all possible steps are taken to get them back. British subjects in the United States are subject to the Selective Service Acts and are thus unlikely to be able to evade war service in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement in respect of the representations he made, through the Protecting Power in January and March, to the Italian authorities about the delay in the dispatch of prisoners of war letters from Italy?

No reply has been received to these representations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there has been any improvement in the delivery of letters from our men held as prisoners of war in Italy since representations were made to the Italian Government?

There has been some improvement but the position is still far from satisfactory. The mails from British prisoners of war in Italy now usually comprise about 50 per cent. of current letters dated a month or so previously and about 50 per cent. of older letters.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the practice of classifying men in the Royal Air Force who are reduced in rank as lacking in moral fibre has a bad psychological effect on the man and is considered harsh by civilians; and will he see that the efforts of such brave men, even when they fail, should not be described in such terms?

All cases of those who are taken off flying duties for various causes are carefully reviewed. Any cases coming under the classification to which the hon. Member refers are examined by the unit, station and group commanders and, finally, are reviewed, individually, at the Air Ministry. Every aspect of each case and every available report concerning the man's career is taken into account, while he is invited to make a written statement before any decision is reached. I do not consider that for the limited number of these cases treatment is harsh or unwarranted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will indicate the principal classes of duty on which the five officers of the Women's Royal Naval Service and the 207 ratings attached to the Admiralty are engaged?

These officers and ratings are employed, almost exclusively, on duties connected with wireless and similar matters, motor transport driving and dispatch riding.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning in what circumstances, and for what purpose, members of his staff have been asked to give information as to what associations they are members of, what is the purpose of the associations, and what part they play in them, etc?

The request to which the hon. Member refers was made by personal and confidential letter not to all members of the staff, but only to officers in the administrative and technical grades. Some of these officers who had recently joined the Department had asked for advice as to how far they could properly continue to take part in the activities of outside associations concerned with planning. The purpose of the request was to inform the Department of the facts and so to make it possible to decide whether any general instructions need be issued.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that natives of Eire of military age, who are exempt from military service, are finding places in British Government Departments; and what steps he propose:, to take to stop this?

I am not aware of any considerable recruitment of citizens of Eire to British Government Departments; but it is not desirable that such persons, if their loyalty and reliability are established, should be prevented from assisting the war efforts of this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether lie is aware that the claim of Mr. Joseph Martin was one of three personal injury claims investigated and taken up by the British Government with the foreign Government concerned and compensation found to be due before May, 1923; that the British Government thereby acknowledged the validity of the claim; that the then Foreign Secretary by not putting forward this claim on 2nd May, 1923, with the other two, rendered the British Government liable to make good to Mr. Martin the compensation which he probably would have received at the same time as the other claimants; and, as Mr. Martin has awaited compensation for over 20 years, is blind and nearly 70 years old, will he either compensate Mr. Martin or submit his claim in equity to an independent tribunal?

As regards the first, third and fourth parts of this Question, I would invite my hon. arid gallant Friend's attention to my reply of 6th May, 1942; and once more to the remarks referred to therein which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, made on the subject in the course of the Debate on the Adjournment on 9th May, 1940; also to the replies given by the latter to my hon. friend's predecessor on 5th June and 19th June, 940, respectively. To these replies I have nothing to add. As regards the second part of the Question, the answer is "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any financial assistance has been made available for interned British civilians in Japanese hands?

In those countries where the Japanese Government permit the Protecting Power to exercise its proper functions a regular monthly allowance is paid to British internees by the Swiss representatives who are in charge of British interests. By this means internees in Japan, occupied China, Indo-China and Siam are able to supplement the provision made for them by the detaining Power. Despite repeated representations, the Japanese Government have refused to permit the Protecting Power to function in Hong Kong, Malaya, Burma, the Netherland East Indies, the Philippines or any of the other territories in their military occupation. In Hong Kong, however, a delegate of the International Red Cross Committee has been allowed to establish an office and to administer relief to British subjects; and a monthly sum of this £10,000 is made available to him for this purpose.In other areas the Japanese Government have not seen fit to accede to the requests which have repeatedly been made to them to permit the establishment of the normal channels for the provision of regular relief. His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the Dominions have, however, made every effort to open alternative channels and I take this opportunity to mention, in particular, that the Vatican has been successful in persuading the Japanese Government to permit the representatives of the Holy See in Malaya, the Netherland East Indies and the Philippines to administer relief to civilian internees in those areas. Funds have therefore recently been supplied to the Vatican for this purpose, but I have not yet heard whether effective distribution of relief has been possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties which occurred at Waterloo and Paddington stations on Saturday, 24th July; and, so that they may be prevented in future, will he consider authorising some extra trains for a short period, or alternatively, a system of selling travel tickets in advance which will reserve seats for the holders?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made after Questions in the House to-day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the position held by Mr. G. F. Stedman, who signed the Emergency Powers (Defence) (Road Vehicles and Drivers) Order (S.R. & O. No. 963 of 1943), under whose signature appear the words, "Authorised by the Minister"?

Mr. G. F. Stedman, M.C., is a Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of War Transport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what are the fire-fighting appliances carried on passenger, mail and goods trains respectively?

The brake-vans of passenger and mail trains carry buckets, ladders, fire extinguishers, first-aid sets and the necessary tools for rescue work. Fire-fighting equipment is not provided in the brake-vans of goods trains.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is now prepared to make ex-gratia payments to the crews of certain Estonian and Latvian vessels, requisitioned by His Majesty's Government in 1940, in respect of wages and allowances due to them at the time of requisitioning?

Ex-gratia payments of back wages were made to members of the crews of these ships who agreed to serve on them when they were requisitioned by His Majesty's Government. Payments were not made to those who refused to serve.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can give any information on the case of Rosina Bailey, age 15, of Enderby Street, Greenwich, who was seriously hurt by a traffic sign which fell on her and also slightly injured Mrs. Gwendoline Popsee and Mrs. Rita Haywood, of Maidstone, and badly hurt Mary Humphreys, of Maidstone; and whether compensation will be paid to the injured people?

I will be glad to make inquiries if my hon. Friend will let me know when and where the accident took place.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what is the purpose of Order No. 979 of 1943, in connection with the Transport of Horses (Amendment) Direction (No. 2), 1943, dated 15th July, 1943, made by the Minister of War Transport?

As I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Leicester {Major Lyons) in answer to a Question on 13th April, the purpose of this direction was to allow the conveyance of racehorses to Newmarket in order that they may run in any of the eight "open" races which take place there.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will extend to the parents of serving personnel the same concessions with regard to cheap rail travel as are given to wives and children of serving men?

If members of the Forces are in hospital, their parents and other relatives can obtain vouchers for cheap railway travel to visit them. If a patient is on the danger list, his or her relations may travel free. As my hon. Friend is aware, the traffic on the railways is now very heavy, and it is still increasing. In consequence, I do not think it would be wise to extend to parents of Service personnel the concession rates now allowed to their wives and children.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (I) when he proposes to introduce modern means of verbal communication between whoever may be in charge of a train and their control, as has existed for many years between the captains of aircraft and their land-based controls;

Wireless apparatus is being successfully used for certain purposes in railway operation to-day. Experiments in this form of communication between driver and guard or signalman were made some years before the war; but they were of preliminary character, and in any case there are at present many special difficulties which result from war conditions. My hon. Friend will also appreciate that the problem of railway operation differs greatly from that of aircraft; but he may rest assured that his proposal will be borne in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether munition workers entitled to holidays during August have the opportunity of using the usual cheap tickets?

I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind the assisted travel scheme for workers transferred from their homes. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service announced in March that the vouchers under this scheme would be available until the end of September, but that they could not be used during Bank Holiday periods. During these periods it is necessary to suspend these vouchers and other travel concessions, in order to ensure the movement of essential war traffic. Vouchers will not, therefore, be issued for journeys to be made during the period from 30th July to 3rd August, inclusive.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that if the arm-rests are raised in first-class compartments it is possible for four persons to sit on each side as compared with three when the armrests are lowered; and what steps he proposes to take to see that this additional seating capacity is made available?

The construction of first-class compartments and their seating arrangements differ so widely that it is not possible to make any uniform rule that can be generally applied. As my hon. Friend knows, however, instructions were given some time ago to the railway staff that, if the lifting of arm-rests would afford reasonable accommodation for extra passengers, the arm-rests must be lifted. In order to make this instruction more effective, I am now directing the railway companies to post notices in compartments where the arms should be lifted, showing the number of seats which are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rates per single column inch are paid to the various weekly newspapers throughout the country for National Savings advertisements; whether in any cases the prices paid are below the pre-war scale of trade advertisements and in how many cases these advertisements have been withdrawn from newspapers when the proprietors have found it necessary to increase their charges for Government advertising?

National Savings advertisements in weekly newspapers are paid for at rates not exceeding the lowest series trade rates per inch, less a discount of 21 per cent. allowed for Government advertising during the war. If the Government discount is disregarded, there are four weekly newspapers to which the rates now being paid are lower than those paid in 1939. There have been three cases in which National Savings advertising has been withdrawn on the ground that the proposed increases were considered to be excessive.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in Sicily with the removal of Fascist officials, in accordance with the military Governor's pronouncement?

No information has yet been received as to what progress has been made in Sicily with the removal of Fascist officials.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce at all London railway termini the system now operating at some of them, whereby passengers requiring taximeter-cabs have to wait in turn and an attempt is made to arrange that several parties going in the same direction should share a taxi-meter-cab?

The Commissioner of Metropolitan Police has been in communication with the railway companies from time to time on the first point to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am informed that the system of queues for taxis is now in operation at all London termini where there is need for them. The Commissioner has also recently suggested to the companies concerned that notices urging the public to share cabs so far as possible should be prominently exhibited at the queueing places, and such notices are being put up at certain stations. I understand that it has been the practice of railway staffs to encourage the sharing of cabs; and the public of course can and do make such arrangements on their own initiative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the growing practice of disengaged taximeter-cab drivers discriminating and choosing their fares; and whether this is permitted or what is the rule or regulation about it?

A cab driver plying for hire commits an offence if he refuses to be hired within the Metropolitan Police District for a journey of not more than six miles. This matter has for some time past been receiving the special attention of the Metropolitan Police, and their information does not suggest that there has been any increase in such offences in recent months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works why his Department has refused to grant a licence to carry out drainage work costing £130, 16s., at 43, Howard Street, Derby, on which the corporation insisted; whether the estimate obtained from building contractors was regarded as excessive; and, if so, on what grounds?

My Ministry, in refusing a licence for reconstructing the drainage system stated that the essential portion of the work could be carried out for less than £100. It is understood that tenders at less than this cost have, in fact, been obtained and the work will not, therefore, require a licence. No indication was given in the application form that the work had been in any way required by the corporation.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware of the number of students of Italian in Great Britain and Ireland who enjoyed the Italian broadcasts from London, but, as they are now with one or two exceptions on short wave lengths, will he instruct the British Broadcasting Corporation to restore the service on the medium wave length, as it is impossible to obtain short wave lengths on the majority of sets used in this country?

No, Sir. I cannot ask the B.B.C. to vary the arrangements they have made for securing the best possible reception in Italy of their Italian broadcasts. There are still three programmes a day on the medium waves which can be heard by listeners at home.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in order to help out the supply of coal for the coming winter, he will consider suggesting to the workers in collieries that in future their wages should be paid in cash and not as now part in coal and part in cash, as miners would benefit if they bought their own coal and the change over would in the aggregate save a substantial amount of coal?

Discussions on this subject are in progress with both sides of the industry and I hope that a satisfactory agreement will be reached shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether a prisoner suffering from toothache has to pay 2s. 6d. to have a tooth extracted?

A prisoner who is suffering pains caused by a tooth which should be extracted, and who has no funds available, is given the necessary dental treatment free of charge. A prisoner is expected to pay the dentist's fee if he has the necessary funds available, but the principle is that any dental treatment necessary to relieve pain should not be either delayed or denied on financial grounds.

asked the Home Secretary the annual expenditure upon books purchased for prison libraries for the years 1936–37 and 1938?

The expenditure on the purchase of general books for prison libraries in the years in question was as follows:

				£
1936–1937	…	…	…	597
1937–1938	…	…	…	799
1938–1939	…	…	…	703

Further books to the value of £233 7s. 10d. were received but not paid for in this year. In addition, approximately £100 was spent in each year on the purchase of books for the central library of technical and educational books at Wakefield Prison.

asked the Minister of Supply the purpose of paragraph 4 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Binder Twine Order (S.R. & O., No. 937 of 1943), under which he is free to carry out any transaction with any other person upon such terms as may be agreed between him and that person; and whether it is proposed to publish particulars of any such transaction?

The Order to which my hon. Friend refers controls the acquisition and disposal, and treatment, use and consumption of binder twine. In a case where the Minister of Supply is himself a party to the transaction and therefore has the transaction under his own control, there is no reason why he or the other party should be compelled to comply with the requirements of the licensing system. There are standing instructions, however, that this Article, which occurs in a number of raw material Control Orders, is not to be invoked without the approval of the Department of the Ministry responsible for the administration of the Order.