asked the Minister of Health to what extent tuberculosis and other contagious diseases are due to the workers being inadequately and badly housed?

My right hon. Friend is aware of no statistics giving a direct quantitative relation between housing conditions and infectious disease, but crowding must naturally tend to favour the spread of such disease. Increased density of population involves generally both a higher incidence of infectious disease and an earlier average age of attack. The question is referred to on page 8 of the Report of the Medical Research Council Committee on Tuberculosis in War-time (Special Report Series No. 246).

asked the Minister of Health whether his Ministry has up-to-date records of the extent of slum conditions in commercial buildings, warehouses, works and factories; and will such properties be dealt with in a similar way to slum houses?

No, Sir. The conditions in buildings of the type mentioned are not the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, however, under Section 25 (1) of the Housing Act, 1936, a local authority may include in a clearance area buildings other than houses which for the same reasons as justify the condemnation of the houses are dangerous or injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the area.

asked the Minister of Health how much of the pre-war slum clearance programme to demolish 280,000 houses and replace by building 295,000 houses to accommodate 1,293,000 slum dwellers was completed before September, 1939; and what will be the ultimate cost of this scheme?

At the outbreak of war the slum clearance programme of local authorities had increased to 472,000 houses, of which 259,000 had been demolished or closed; and 282,883 new replacement houses had been completed providing accommodation for 1,332,019 persons. My right hon. Friend is unable to say what the total ultimate cost of this scheme will be, but it is estimated that the ultimate cost to the Exchequer of the 282,883 new houses will be approximately £120,000,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether, for the purpose of meeting the needs of families who have lost their homes by enemy action, he will give powers to local authorities in bombed areas to control the lettings of all houses, whether privately owned or otherwise, which are now vacant or which become vacant in the future?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no information to suggest that the existing arrangements and powers for rehousing these persons have proved inadequate.

asked the Minister of Health why some firms and not others are permitted to purchase sunray lamps for the benefit of their workers employed on night shifts, although medical men urge their use in all cases where they can be employed and the Ministry of Labour is insisting on the maximum effort for welfare work?

The Ministry of Health acts as adviser to the Board of Trade on applications by factories for licence to acquire sunray lamps. In respect of certain types of apparatus the Ministry's medical advisers have to consider whether adequate medical and nursing staff are available at the premises to ensure that treatment is given under proper supervision. If these conditions are fulfilled it is usual to recommend approval to acquire the apparatus provided alternative facilities for the treatment are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health what body is now responsible for the allocation of doctors for civilian services and the fighting services, respectively; what is the relationship between the Central Medical War Committee and the British Medical Association; and how far this committee is subordinate to the Shakespeare Committee in respect of the allocation of medical man-power?

The Medical Personnel (Priority) Committee of which Sir Geoffrey Shakespeare is Chairman, is responsible for advising, within the limits of any direction that may be given to if by the Government, on the number of doctors to be allocated to the civilian and fighting services and on matters incidental thereto. The Central Medical War Committee is related to the British Medical Association only to the extent that its secretariat and offices are provided by the Association and that about two thirds of its members are office-holders or nominees of the Association. The Central Medical War Committee among other functions advises on the selection of individual doctors for allocation to the various services and is not subordinate to the Shakespeare Committee except in the sense that it must conform with the recommendations of the latter Committee as adopted by the Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a medical practitioner now filling an appointment under a local authority in Kent, who has been refused permission to apply for a better appointment under another local authority in Scotland; and by what sanction he restricts movements of members of medical staffs of local authorities?

No, Sir. This case has already been very carefully considered and I am advised that the practitioner in question cannot be spared from, or adequately replaced in, his present position. The necessary powers are conferred by Articles 54B and 58A of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular that I have issued to local authorities on the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to make the city of Bangor a key hospital centre under the impending scheme of hospital regionisation?

No, Sir. With the hospital surveys in progress and the general question of future hospital services still under review, it is too soon to determine matters of this kind—with which, in any case, the appropriate local bodies must be primarily concerned.

asked the Home Secretary the number of personnel, men and women, employed full time in the Leeds N.F.S., for each separate year from 1st April, 1939, to 1st April, 1943; the number employed on administrative duties for the same body during the same periods; and the yearly cost of the service?

The National Fire Service was not set up until August, 1941. In view of the resulting radical changes in fire service organisation and in the allocation of man-power no true comparison is possible between the fire services previously maintained by the local authority for the City of Leeds and such proportion of the No. 4 Fire Force as can be attributed to the same geographical area. This fire force, the headquarters of which are at Leeds, covers the districts of 29 former local fire authorities. It would be undesirable, on security grounds, to give statistical information regarding the numbers of National Fire Service personnel. I can, however, say that the personnel of No. 4 Fire Force engaged on office duties represent about 7.7 per cent. of the whole-time strength of the Force, and about 1.85 per cent. of the total strength.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, by an interdepartmental inquiry or otherwise, review the nature and geographical application of the present system of black-out, in view of the decline of enemy air power and our improved defences?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a full statement in the House on the third Sitting Day this week.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of persons on the staff of the regional commissioners on 1st July, 1940, 1st July, 1942, and 1st July, 1943, respectively?

The following table gives the answer:

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken in dealing with casualties occurring in Civil Defence units for the immediate treatment of wounds bacterially infected or contaminated by mustard gas or similar gases through enemy action; whether he will name the personnel of any expert body which has been consulted as to the most effective measures to be taken; what instructions have been issued to the medical staff who will be first called upon to deal with such cases; and whether attention has been directed to the Bunyan-Standard envelope method of treatment employed with success in cases, details of which have been submitted to him, the use of which would largely avert the necessity of administering penicillin, now in short supply?

Casualties occurring in Civil Defence units are treated in the same way as casualties in the rest of the civilian population, at first aid posts and hospitals included in the Emergency Medical Services, which are staffed by experienced surgeons equipped with the latest methods for the treatment of wounds bacterially infected or contaminated by mustard gas or similar gases. In making these arrangements my officers have consulted the Ministry's consultant advisers, the Medical Research Council and the experts attached to the Ministry of Supply, and the numerous instructions issued to medical staffs of first aid posts and hospitals arc based on their advice. The Bunyan-Stannard envelope method of treatment is available for the use of those medical officers who wish to employ it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has active relationships with the International Labour Office at the present time; and what steps the Government has taken with the rest of the Allies to give effect to their international labour policy through the International Labour Office?

His Majesty's Government are continuing to give the most active support to the International Labour Organisation and the Acting Director recently visited this country for the purpose of having discussions with Government, employers' and workers' representatives on the activities of the organisation. Arrangements for meetings under the auspices of the organisation are now under discussion with the chairman of the governing body.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army instructions have been issued to A.M.G.O.T. to ensure that young Italians are no longer taught Fascism in the schools or elsewhere; and whether it is intended to appoint an educational commissioner for the occupied territories of Italy, as suggested for Germany in the recent Report submitted to him by a Joint Commission of the London International Assembly and the Council for Education in World Citizenship?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." Instructions were issued for the immediate closing of all schools during the early stages of the occupation. The policy is that all schools should be re-opened as soon as possible under the advice of the Educational Adviser who has been appointed to the Military Government. Necessary steps are being taken to eliminate the teaching of Fascism and to ensure that undesirable teachers are removed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers in North Africa are all supplied with glasses as a preventive against sand affection of the eyes?

Protective goggles are issued in North Africa to men most liable to suffer from the effects of sand, in particular to men in tanks and to those driving motor vehicles, and dark glasses are issued to men who need protection from glare.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the numbers of men in the Middle East force who have been overseas for six years and over and are still waiting to come home; why the condition is imposed that, to secure home leave, six years continuous service, dating from any 1st January is necessary, since a soldier going overseas say on l0th January has to wait until nearly a year after his six years' service has been completed; and whether he will take steps to investigate and remedy cases of hardship of the kind?

In order to make the arrangements for shipping and for replacements it is necessary to know well in advance how many men are being brought home. A date must be chosen arbitrarily for this purpose and some men will inevitably find that they are just excluded from the arrangements now being made. The scheme is, however, to continue and I hope in addition that it will in time be possible to reduce the qualifying period of overseas service to five years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the policy of his Department to investigate complaints of damage to objects of national, antiquarian, or historical value; and what is the procedure to be adopted by those who know the facts and wish to make representations?

. All complaints about damage done by soldiers are carefully investigated if the particulars are forwarded either to the War Office or to the local military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the daily orders of the 44th detachment of the Royal Army Pay Corps were changed in June, with the effect that exemptions from, and refusals of, vaccination were to be refused both to men and women; and whether he will ensure that the officer responsible carries out the rule that objectors to vaccination and inoculation have a right to refuse those operations?

Owing to the rather ambiguous wording of these orders there has been some misapprehension about their meaning. The part of the orders which read "There will be no exemptions" was intended to apply to the parade and not to the actual vaccination. It was necessary to have all the men on parade so that the necessary entries could be made in their documents. The voluntary nature of vaccination and inoculation has been brought to the notice of all ranks on a number of occasions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether coast-watchers when off duty are eligible for permits to use small boats on the coasts subject to Statutory Rule and Order No. 260 of 1943?

Persons engaged in coast watching are eligible to apply for permits to use small craft when they are off duty in the same way as all other citizens and where security considerations allow, permits will be granted.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the joint recommendation from the Miners' Welfare Commission and the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, urging the continuance of the Miners' welfare levy to remain at 1d. per ton on coal raised and asking that legislation be introduced to secure that end; and whether he has any statement to make?

This matter is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement about it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take to increase the production of coal to supply the needs of North Africa, Italy and any other liberated countries?

The requirements of coal for operational and other essential purposes in the countries mentioned are the subject of urgent examination. This country's share of the additional tonnage which will have to be found is not yet known but steps are being taken by increasing the labour force and by the other means which I have from time to time indicated to the House to maintain and, if possible, to increase output.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of shifts lost for which the guaranteed wage has been paid for June and July, 1943, since the new scheme of control came into force; the estimated loss of output in the British coal field, giving figures for each district; and what steps are being taken to ascertain the cause of these lost shifts with a view of reducing them or finding a remedy?

My Regional Controllers have been giving their attention for a considerable time to cases of shifts lost at collieries in respect of which guaranteed wage payments have been made. Comparability between the guaranteed wage statistics collected regionally was not established until early in July, and national figures cannot, therefore, be given in respect of any period earlier than the four weeks ended 31st July. In that period, the estimated total number of man-shifts in respect of which guaranteed wage payments were made was 125,000. Of this total, roughly 25 per cent. consists of man shifts which were actually worked, but for which payment was made due to their being substituted work shifts. The estimated loss of tonnage through shifts lost or curtailed due to waiting time was 130,000 tons. It would not be in the public interest to publish district figures. As regards the last part of the Question, my Regional Controllers are fully informed of all shifts lost, whether guaranteed wage is payable or not. This information, both as to the amount of time lost, and the reason for the loss is furnished weekly, thus enabling production staffs in the regions to inquire closely into the causes of lost time and deal suitably with the difficulties.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that no scheme will be drafted for the reconstruction of the electricity industry without consulting the several bodies who represent the industry and whose interests would thereby be affected?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will not put forward any proposals for re-organising the electricity supply industry without previous consultation with representative bodies of the industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what steps have been taken to supply milk products and vitamins to the children and adolescents of Greece and Belgium?

Monthly shipments of milk to Greece were increased in July from 300 metric tons of condensed milk to 600 tons. Shipments of vitamin concentrates since April have consisted of 1,540 lbs. of Betalin tablets containing Vitamin B, 823 lbs. of Cenalin tablets containing Vitamin C, 540,000 yeast tablets containing Vitamin B and 1,725 kilos of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. In addition, approval has been given for monthly shipments since April of 25 tons of cod liver oil, and there has also been a single extraordinary shipment of 1,484 lbs. of concentrated fish liver oil. For reasons which have frequently been explained, no milk products or vitamins have been dispatched to Belgium through the blockade.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he has any information about the wheat shipped to Spain under the Argentine-Spanish agreement; and, in particular, whether he is satisfied that none of this wheat is transferred to Germany?

Shipments of wheat under this agreement up to 30th July, 1943, amounted to 555,646 tons. I am satisfied that there has been no re-export to Germany.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what areas within the county of Glamorgan are scheduled as suitable for the development of afforestation; upon what date was the last inspection for this purpose carried out; and what plans are being contemplated to give effect to the decisions?

A rough assessment made in 1941 indicated that there are approximately 100,000 acres in Glamorgan suitable for timber production. Of that area 40,000 acres are or have recently been woodlands or plantations and 70,000 acres bare ground. The Forestry Commissioners have approximately 8,000 acres awaiting afforestation. The Commissioners' Report on Post-War Forest Policy recommends a large extension of afforestation in which Glamorgan should participate, but the proposals have not been allocated on a county basis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that nurses in voluntary hospitals have to provide themselves with ward shoes and special uniform stockings which may only be worn when on duty; and whether he will consider the grant of specific coupons for these articles of uniform?

Voluntary hospital nurses receive coupon-free an initial outfit including dresses or overalls, aprons and caps, up to the value of 94 coupons, and annual replacements up to the value of 28 coupons. In return for this they are asked to refund during the present rationing period only six coupons to offset the benefit of receiving this clothing. In view of these substantial concessions, I am afraid I cannot adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Goods and Services (Price Control) Repairs to Rubber Footwear Order (S.R. & O. No. 978 of 1943), dated the 23rd of July, was not available in the Library of the House of Commons until 3rd August?

My attention has been drawn to this delay. I have already given instructions which should prevent similar delays in future. This particular Order did not come into force until 6th August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to report the result of his inquiry into the alleged sale of cloth without the surrender of the necessary coupons?

As a result of investigations undertaken following a report received from the police, certain persons have been charged at Manchester with supplying rationed cloth without the surrender of coupons. This case is still sub judice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the purpose of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Machinery, Plant and Appliances Order (S.R. & O. No. 1166 of 1943), which provides that it is no longer an offence for a manufacturer to agree to supply controlled goods?

Previously it has been illegal for manufacturers, either to supply goods controlled under the Machinery, Plant and Appliances (Control) Orders, or to accept orders to supply them, unless a licence has first been obtained. This Order permits manufacturers to accept orders, but supply without a licence remains an offence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Emergency Powers (Defence) Machinery, Plant and Appliances, Licence Order (S.R. & O., No. 1167, of 1943), makes reference to the Machinery, Plant and Appliances (Control) (No. 3) Order, 1942(a), as amended by a subsequent Order, but does not indicate the date or number of the subsequent Order; why this information was not supplied, and what is the reference number of the subsequent Order referred to?

Yes, Sir. It has not hitherto been customary to give such information. But I have given instructions that in future a footnote should be added giving references to such Orders. The subsequent Order referred to is the Machinery Plant and Appliance (Control) (No. 4) Order, 1943 (S.R. & O. 1943, No. 536).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of kettles in the country districts of Scotland; and, in view of their importance to the housewife, whether he will arrange for further supplies to be made available?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the output of kettles is limited by the heavy demands for labour for war industries, but I have recently arranged for production to be stepped up and Scotland will get its fair share of the increased supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to ensure that adequate supplies of utility furniture are available for newly-married couples; and whether he has any statement to make as to the cases of delay in meeting the furnishing needs of such couples?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 20th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Central. Hull (Mr. Windsor). I have recently designated 21 more manufacturers of utility furniture and I am doing everything possible, within the strict limits of the labour and materials available, to increase the supplies and thus to reduce delays in delivery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences he has issued for the establishment of new retail businesses in essential and non-essential goods, respectively, since the control of business premises came into force; and how many of such licences have been issued to aliens?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been granted to retail traders to open shops since the Location of Retail Businesses Order came into operation; how many of these shops were opened by individuals; how many by multiple concerns; and how many by co-operative societies?

Between 1st January, 1942, when the Location of Retail Businesses Order came into force, and 30th June, 1943, 2,969 licences were granted for new shops. Of these 2,796 were granted to individual traders, 122 to multiple concerns, 34 to co-operative societies, II to variety chain stores and six to departmental stores, and inquiries made from local price regulation committees indicate that not more than 30 were issued to aliens. Licences are granted only when the proposed new shop is considered necessary in order to meet the essential needs of the public in the area concerned. The opening of new food shops is not controlled under the Location of Retail Businesses Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can grant facilities to recognised junior football and other sports associations to replace their worn-out equipment as a contribution to the maintenance of fitness and healthy recreation among young men and women; and whether he will consider this in the light of a coupon free issue under approved conditions?

I have this question at present under consideration and will communicate with my hon. Friend shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to provide clothing for Service men on demobilisation; and whether the cost value has been agreed with the clothing industry?

I have, at present, nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on this subject on 20th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House an assurance that when peace is restored this country will not be handicapped by lease-lend in the trade of the Western Hemisphere?

Yes, Sir. I am sure my hon. Friend does not intend by his Question to belittle the great benefits received by this country under lend-lease. It is the view of His Majesty's Government that neither the United Kingdom nor the United States should gain any advantage in world markets at the expense of the other by reason of sacrifices made in the interests of the effective prosecution of the war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information as to what help his Department is preparing to give British firms in getting a fair share of South American trade after hostilities have ceased?

As I informed the House on 27th July in the Debate on Overseas Trade, His Majesty's Government look forward, after the war, to share with other countries in an expanding trade with South America. His Majesty's Government will give United Kingdom exporters all the help they can to develop their trade with these markets; but much will depend on the initiative of exporters themselves and on the efficiency of their marketing arrangements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an assurance that small traders who have lost their businesses through the effects of war will in all cases receive a licence to restart either where their shops were previously situated or in some more suitable neighbourhood?

This is one of the questions on which I have invited the views of the principal organisations concerned. Some of these have already sent me their observations, and I hope to hear from the others in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the maximum price of 10s. has been fixed for home-made toys; and whether, in taking this step, he has considered the discouraging effect of such a decision on disabled and elderly men who make large-scale toys for sale?

My object in fixing.a maximum price of 10s. for toys sold by manufacturers was to secure that, with the limited labour and materials available, as many toys as possible should be produced at prices within the reach of all. I have no reason to think that those who make toys at home will find any great difficulty in adapting themselves to this regulation.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what changes are contemplated in the overseas trade representation of Britain with a view to developing trade with other countries at the end of the war and of advising and assisting manufacturers at home to the same end?

By the terms of the Foreign Service Order in Council dated 20th May, 1943, Members of the Commercial Diplomatic Service and the Consular Service now form part of His Majesty's Foreign Service. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the President of the Board of Trade, have also agreed that arrangements shall be made which will allow, in the future, a greater degree of interchangeability between Members of the Foreign Service and His Majesty's Trade Commissioner Service. The staffing of these overseas posts after the war, and the functions which they will be called upon to perform in order to render the greatest possible assistance to our exporters, are receiving my most careful attention.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of women between the ages of 46 to 50?

It is estimated that the number of women in Great Britain in the four age-classes up to age 50 is approximately 1,300,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the need for the training of a suitable proportion of young men and women in science, he will take such steps as are necessary to ensure that there shall be a sufficient number of laboratory assistants available in schools and training establishments to enable scientific instruction to be carried out?

The existing arrangements have been devised with the object which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind and I do not think that any further steps are necessary. Except where it is established, in consultation. with the Board of Education, the Scottish Education Department or the University Grants Committee, that the workers in question are redundant, they are not withdrawn from their employment until satisfactory substitutes have been provided.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the disappointment caused to members of the Girls' Training Corps and Women's Junior Air Corps by the decision that girls becoming liable for service will in future by directed to factories and will not be able to enter the women's services, he will arrange with the Service Departments that vacancies arising in the women's services shall be allocated to girls who have served in the above corps in priority to those who have not undertaken such service?

I explained in this House on 29th July the reasons for the Government's decision to suspend volunteering for the Women's Auxiliary Services, and I pointed out that existing' vacancies would be filled by women in the 1918–1923 age classes who had already expressed an option for the Women's Services and by women of other age classes who volunteered for the Services on or before 29th July. If the situation changes, and it is decided to re-open volunteering, I hope it may be possible to give an opportunity to serve to young women who have prepared themselves in the pre-service training units, for I fully realise that excellent work is done by them to prepare young women for every form of national service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all employers must fix stamps on the Unemployment Insurance cards of all employees for the holiday period during which the employees receive the holiday payment?

No, Sir. The rule is that an unemployment insurance contribution is payable in respect of any calendar week (Sunday midnight to Sunday midnight) in which there is insurable employment unless, during that week, the insured contributor neither renders any services nor receives any remuneration. Whether a holiday payment in a particular case constitutes remuneration depends upon the circumstances in which it is paid. If an employer is in any doubt whether or not to pay contributions, he would be well advised to consult a local inspector of the Ministry of Health. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a leaflet on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour how far his regulations prescribe a liability to affix stamps for unemployment benefit on the card of an employee when he is absent from work on holiday, as there appears to be doubt about this matter?

The rule is that an unemployment insurance contribution is payable in respect of any calendar week (Sunday midnight to Sunday midnight) in which there is insurable employment unless, during that week, the insured contributor neither renders any services nor receives any remuneration. Whether a holiday payment in a particular case constitutes remuneration depends upon the circumstances in which it is paid. In general it is remuneration if it is paid in respect of the week of holiday, but if the payment is regarded as deferred pay or a reward for past services it is not remuneration for the purposes of the rule and no contribution is required. If an employer is in doubt whether he is liable to pay contributions, he would be well advised to consult a local inspector of the Ministry of Health. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a leaflet on the subject.

asked the Minister of Suppy whether he is aware that there is a considerable amount of scrap in the shape of old clog irons which cloggers in Lancashire wish to dispose of; and whether he will take steps to see that it is collected?

I am not aware that Lancashire cloggers have been unable to dispose of their old clog irons as scrap. The matter is, however, being investigated and if my hon. Friend has any more precise information I should be glad if he would let me have it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the Government's agreement with the railways stands until we are no longer at war with anybody, or whether it only stands for a year after we have beaten Germany?

The agreement provides that control will be continued for a minimum period of one year after the cessation of hostilities, and it would be premature at this stage to seek to determine its exact duration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of a number of cases of indisposition of conductresses and other personnel due to poisonous fumes from gas-producers towed by motor-omnibuses; to what extent this accounts for reluctance on the part of operators to use these plants; and is he taking any steps to remedy this failing?

My attention has been called to one case in which two conductresses were apparently affected by carbon monoxide gas from a producer gas unit attached to a public service vehicle. The cause is being investigated, and the producer gas unit concerned has been withdrawn from service. I am not aware that danger from carbon monoxide is deter- ring any operator from using gas producers. The danger is very slight, particularly in the open air, but the attention of all public service vehicle operators has been drawn to the matter to ensure that the necessary precautions are taken by them. The matter is also dealt with in the instruction book which will be distributed with each producer gas unit allocated to goods vehicle operators.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many special or relief passenger trains were run by the London and North-Eastern Railway from Liverpool Street to Southend-on-Sea and vice versa during the month of August, together with the approximate tonnage of coal thereby consumed?

When the London and North-Eastern Railway Company prepared their time tables for the summer of 1943, Southend was banned to visitors. In consequence, the company only scheduled a skeleton service of trains. On 1st April, however, the ban was raised. Thereupon, the railway company put on two additional trains in each direction on weekdays and three in each direction on Saturdays and Sundays, between Liverpool Street and Southend. The total number of such trains run in August was 78 in each direction. They consumed about f3o tons of coal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory state of the law relating to the protection of the coast against erosion by the sea; and whether he will consider initiating legislation which will transfer the responsibility to lateral coast protection boards to be formed for this purpose;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing amount of coast erosion along the East Coast of England, particularly in the county of Norfolk; and what consideration is being given to this problem, in view of the valuable land which is thus being lost?

I am aware that in certain places there has been an increase in damage by erosion. I will cause inquiries to be made into the extent of the damage and into other aspects of the problem, but I cannot encourage my hon. and gallant Friend to hope that new legislation will be introduced before the end of the war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport under what provisions county councils and other highway authorities are precluded from constructing new roads without the express authority of Parliament?

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for the opportunity of correcting any misapprehension which may have been caused by an answer to a Question which I gave to him on 23rd June last. In making that answer, I had in mind the trunk roads which are scheduled in the Trunk Roads Act and for which my Noble Friend is the responsible authority. This Act enables the Minister to supersede parts of such roads by substitution but otherwise the schedule cannot be altered without the authority of Parliament. No new trunk roads, whether they are to be reserved for motor vehicles or not, can therefore be made unless Parliament has first agreed. County councils and other local highway authorities have, of course, power to construct ordinary highways but I am advised that the authority of Parliament would be necessary before they could build roads reserved exclusively to the use of motor vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to give the names of the personnel of the Scottish Hydro-Electric Board and of the Advisory Committees on Amenity and Fisheries?

The Minister of Fuel and Power and I have appointed the following to be members of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board:

• The Earl of Airlie, K.T., G.C.V.O., M.C (Chairman).
• Mr. A. E. MacColl (Deputy Chairman).
• Mr. Neil Beaton.
• Mr. Hugh Mackenzie, C.B.E., Provost of Inverness.

The Central Electricity Board have appointed Mr. Walter K. Whigham to be their representative on the Board.I have appointed the following to be members of the Amenity Committee and the Fisheries Committee:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the conditions under which pensions are granted in respect of disabilities arising out of accidents sustained when not on duty, set out in Section 2 of the recent White Paper, apply to personnel of the Merchant Navy?

The provisions to which the hon. Member refers were approved by the Government for members of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Riayal Air Force, on account of the special position of members of those services. Members of the Merchant Navy are eligible for compensation in respect of a war injury, a war risk injury or detention sustained by reason of service as a mariner in a British ship. Other injuries continue to be dealt with under the normal peace time provisions and I should not feel justified in seeking to amend the Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Act, 1942> to bring within its scope accidents sustained by its members while not on duty in this country.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the supplementation of widows' pensions, particulars of which appear from Section 4 of the recent White Paper, will include payments in respect of mortgage interest and instalments of the mortgage debt in cases where the widow is purchasing her home under the terms of a building society's mortgage?

The Section in question provides for supplementation in respect of rent and rates. Where a house is being purchased under a building society mortgage it is necessary to adopt an assumed rent and for this purpose the gross Schedule A assessment is taken as the normal basis. It would not be reasonable to relate an assumed rent to a payment which represents not only interest on the debt but also repayment of the actual capital sum advanced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the number and the names of those officials in his Department who were employed in peace-time by Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, together with the appointments they hold; and whether any of these officials are at present in receipt of any remuneration from Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited?

Information of the nature asked for covering the total staff of the Ministry could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. An examination of the staff records of all officers in die grades of Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director, and of senior officers engaged on work of a scientific character discloses no instance of previous employment in Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will name the persons at present in the position of controllers or directors of sections of his Ministry who have, or have had, business connections in the production, provision, or distribution of food; and which of these persons are still financially interested in these private businesses while holding office in his Ministry?

The following list gives the names of Directors in my Depart- ment who were, on appointment, principals or employees of firms engaged in the production, provision or distribution of food:

F. Aldridge.	A. G. Marsden.
Dr. W. Clayton.	F. Monkhouse.
W. B. Chrimes.	G. S. Noon.
Eustace Davies.	T. A. Noyes.
Sir Herbert Davis.	B. E. Payne.
W. S. Duthie.	J. A. Peacock.
C. D. B. Ellis.	L. W. Phillips.
J. N. Frears.	J. V. Rank.
A. E. Gough.	J. Roberts.
A. Greig.	Sir William Rook.
H. R. Humphries.	H. L. Sanderson.
G. Huskisson.	Capt. J. Elliot Seager.
J. H. Jermine.	G. T. Shipston.
Harold Jones.	J. P. Van den Bergh.
J. C. Kidd.	W. Wallace.
J. W. Knight.	H. Webster.
C. A. Loombe.	S. N. Whibley.
J. Loudon.	F. Wilkinson.

My Noble Friend is not concerned with what connection, if any, these gentlemen now have with their firms, provided, as he is satisfied is the case, they give efficient service to the Government and adhere to the principles laid down for such appointments. In this latter connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 1st December, 1942, to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the Government's intention to give ex-service men and women a preference for employment in the Civil Service?

I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time on the Government's proposals for recruitment to the Civil Service after the war.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food for what purposes and to what firms or agencies permission is at present granted to supply speciality flour from which the wheat-germ has been abstracted notwithstanding the Statutory Order, No. 451, of 11th March, 1942, disallowing this abstraction; what proportion of the whole output of flour is allotted for such speciality flour; what quota of the wheat-germ thus abstracted is allocated to each of the vendors of proprietary articles now receiving this product; and whether the list of recipients thus favoured remains the same as in July, 1942?

The main speciality flour is self-raising flour for which 1,608 licences have been issued and it would not be practicable in this answer to give a list of the firms concerned. The reference to Statutory Order No. 451, is not understood as this Order, which was revoked by Statutory Order No. 11 of 1943, did not disallow the extraction of germ from speciality flour. No special allocation of flour is made for the production of specialities but it is estimated that approximately 5 per cent. of the whole output is used for the speciality mentioned above. The quantity of germ available which, for technical reasons, is a variable quantity, is distributed to approved recipients. The only proprietary articles which have been added to the list given in the reply to my hon. Friend on 16th July, 1942, are preparations made by Bickiepegs, Ltd., A. C. Whitehead and J. and M. Glaskie.

asked the Minister of Health how far his regulations prescribe a liability to affix stamps for National Health Insurance on the card of an employee when he is absent from work on holidays, as there appears to be doubt about this matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 5th August last to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the anxiety caused to relatives, he will endeavour to arrange that the Press, in issuing any information regarding the sinking of warships or other ships reported by the Germans, will at the same time issue a warning that the news is not official and is unconfirmed?

Enemy claims to have sunk named British ships are published by the British Press only when they are made in an official enemy communiqué, and it is the normal practice for newspapers to state that they are enemy claims. I am sure that after nearly four years' ex- perience the public fully appreciate that enemy claims are very often absurd. Furthermore, if we were to make a practice of denying these claims we should be gratuitously providing the enemy with a good deal of desirable information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of the total annual milk production in England and Wales is tuberculin-tested or accredited, respectively; and what proportion of the total passing into liquid consumption is sold under each of these designations?

The proportions of the total annual sales of milk in England and Wales which are of tuberculin tested and accredited standards are 6 per cent. and 35 per cent. respectively. The proportion of T.T. milk sold as such by wholesale is 22 per cent. I have no precise information as to the proportion of T.T. milk which is sold as such by producer-retailers. The quantity of milk sold under the accredited designation is, I understand, negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made under the Federation of British Industries scheme for bringing Chinese apprentices to this country?

The Federation of British Industries have secured facilities in British engineering firms for the training of 63 Chinese apprentices. Of these 30 students are already on their way to this country. The apprentices will be paid at the normal rates by the firms; and the Federation, with the help of a grant from the British Council, will provide whatever additional money is required to ensure the full maintenance of the apprentices while they are in this country.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the decisions taken by his Majesty's Government on the Scott and Uthwatt Reports?

Consideration of these matters has proceeded continuously. As to the Barlow Report, I cannot at present add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 3rd August, 1943, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The Scott Report has now been examined and His Majesty's Government hope shortly to make a statement on the recommendations. Parliament has already given effect to certain recommendations of the Scott and Uthwatt Reports by the Town and Country Planning (Interim Development) Act, 1943, passed in July, which applies planning control to the whole country and gives increased powers of control over interim development to planning authorities and to the Minister. Further, the Government have already announced their acceptance of the principle of the public acquisition of all land in reconstruction areas, and progress has been made in the preparation of the necessary legislation. The Government have also announced their acceptance in principle of the recommendation of the Uthwatt Committee that, in order to prevent postwar reconstruction from being prejudiced, the compensation payable in the public acquisition or control of land should not exceed the standard of values at the 31st March, 1939. They hope shortly to make a further statement on the detailed application of that principle. The further matters dealt with in the Uthwatt Report are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what action is to be taken to implement the recommendations of the council on nutrition of the Newfoundland Medical Association?

I have recently approved proposals by the Commission of Government for the launching of a special nutrition campaign under the auspices of the Nutrition Council in Newfoundland. An expert dietitian is being engaged for the purpose and certain other measures recommended by the council, e.g., for the importation of chemically reinforced flour, are also being introduced. It is hoped by these means to bring about a general improvement in dietary habits and to check at the outset the spreading of deficiency diseases, which, notwithstanding improved economic conditions, have lately tended to reappear.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what sums are being devoted by the Government in the current year to the education of Africans in Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland, respectively; what this amounts to per capita of each estimated African population; and how each compares with the previous year?

The figures asked for in respect of the expenditure on the education of Africans in the South African High Commission Territories are as follow:

—		Estimated Expenditure 1943–4.	Per Capita.	Estimated Expenditure 1942–3.	Per Capita.
		£		£
Basutoland	…	73,283	2/8	73,642	2/8
Bechuanaland Protectorate	…	25,011	1/11	23,742	1/10
Swaziland	…	17,209	2/3	12,390	1/7

The figures for expenditure include certain administrative items which it is not possible to apportion between the European and non-European population. The per capita figures are only approximate as they are based upon the population as recorded in the last census in 1936. The Swaziland expenditure for 1943-4 includes the first instalment of a grant of £26,800 which is being provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act to finance a five year scheme for the development of African education in the Territory. Proposals for the post-war extension of the educational services in the Bechuanaland Protectorate are at present under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that material is being taken from Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland by contractors; and what steps are being taken to put an end to this destruction of an ancient monument?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what reports he has received as to the recent damage to Hadrian's Wall; and what steps are being taken to safeguard this monument?

The attention of my Ministry has been called to recent damage to the wall caused by quarrying in the Greenhead area. My Noble Friend has therefore issued a Preservation Order which will restrict the working of this quarry so as to cause no further damage. The other active quarry in the district will cease by the end of 1944 and will be worked, in the meantime, in conformity with the wishes of my archæological advisers. There is another area in respect of which negotiations are in progress for the prevention of quarrying. The remainder of the monument in the quarrying area is being protected by a preservation scheme which has just been confirmed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works on what principle persons are selected as distributors under the provisions of the Control of War Emergency Paint Order, 1943 (S.R. & O. No. 1183 of 1943); and whether any paint distributor who is not selected has any right of appeal against his non-selection?

Prior to the war about 50,000 retailers were dealing in paint and it has only been possible to select less than 3,000 for the distribution of this relatively small quantity of emergency wartime paint. Distributors were selected after consultation with the trade associations and with a view to securing a fair distribution spread over the whole country. Applications for addition to the list have generally been granted, subject to this consideration. If there are other distributors who wish to be added the Ministry is quite willing to consider applications and any dissatisfied distributor may appeal to the Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position of the territories over which we hold a mandate; and whether, to improve and render more efficient both administration and trading in East Africa, he will consider closer union between Tanganyika and the adjoining Colonies?

I have been asked to reply. The status of Mandated Territories remains as defined by Article XXII of the Treaty of Versailles and the respective mandates for individual Territories. As regards the second part of the Question, the needs of war-time supply have already brought about an extension of the machinery for co-ordination between the East African Governments. The question how this co-ordination can and should be continued in the post-war period is one which will call for consideration at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the import of shoes into Jamaica fell from 133,000 dozen pairs to 43,000 dozen pairs in 1942, and that, as a consequence, a considerable number of poor citizens are unable to obtain shoes; and whether he will take steps to facilitate the import of cheap shoes into Jamaica from South American countries where supplies are available?

My right hon. and gallant Friend can confirm the import figures quoted by the hon. Member, but information received this week from the Governor shows that, while present stocks are low, immediate supplies should be sufficient to meet the Colony's essential requirements. Orders on the Colonial Government's account have been outstanding for some time in Canada and the United States, and it is hoped that negotiations now in progress will result in expediting further supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will review his decision to recall Aircraftman Swann, to the Royal Air Force, in view of the dislocation which will be caused in the area concerned and the harm that will be done to food production if his Department maintains its insistence in this case?

Aircraftman Swann, who is a fully trained flight mechanic, has been granted periods of release totalling some 15 months since completing his training in January, 1942. He is due to resume his Service duties in the immediate future, and much as I sympathise with the representations which have been made in favour of a further release for this young man I regret that this course would not be warranted in view of urgent Service requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether efficiency tests are now laid down for members of the Royal Observer Corps; after what length of service personnel upon posts have to pass tests; whether failure to attain minimum standards compels retirement; whether tests have now been applied in all areas; and, if not, how soon this will be done?

A scheme of efficiency tests for Royal Observer Corps personnel employed at posts has been drawn up, and is now being applied. All members of the corps employed at posts will be required to take the basic test, and it is the intention that new entrants will be examined within six months of enrolment. Two attempts will be allowed, the interval between them being a. matter for decision by the Group Officer concerned. Failure to pass the test at the second attempt will normally involve termination of service. It is expected that the scheme will be in full operation about the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) how many pilots belonging to the meteorological flights have lost their lives since the war began;

(2) how many Royal Air Force or Reserve pilots have lost their lives while ferrying aircraft for the Royal Air Force since the war began?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for.